Patents Issued in August 12, 2008
  • Patent number: 7410398
    Abstract: An oil system for an outboard motor is disclosed. The oil system has a pump disposed in an oil reservoir. The oil reservoir is attached to an engine of the outboard motor. The oil reservoir is preferably sized according to engine size to hold an average year's supply of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: BRP US Inc.
    Inventors: Devlin A. Hunt, Robert H. Trams
  • Patent number: 7410399
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shaped panel of material that is buoyant in water having a top with a width, a bottom with a total width, a front, a rear, and two sides, wherein the bottom of the shaped panel contains a shallow groove, the groove being spaced equidistant from the sides of the panel. The groove has a bottom with a width, 2 sides, and a depth. The bottom of the groove is flat and the width of the groove comprises at least ? of the total width of the bottom of the body board. The width of the bottom is smaller than the width of the top and the width of the groove at the front and rear of the bottom are equal. The width of the groove at a point equidistant from the front and the rear of the bottom is smaller that said width at the front and rear of the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce Blumenfeld
  • Patent number: 7410400
    Abstract: A board-based motorized watercraft may be steered by banking the board section to yaw the motor. The motorized watercraft includes a pair of pontoons connected by a beam for enhanced stability. The motor is mounted between the pontoons to the beam. The board section may rotate with respect to the pontoons and the beam. A steering mechanism couples the rotation of the board section with yawing of the motor, allowing a user to steer the watercraft by leaning to rotate the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Lyn Staudinger
  • Patent number: 7410401
    Abstract: An apparatus that provides for rescue of victims trapped in a body of water is disclosed. The invention utilizes a conventional fire hose as the main component of the invention. One end of the hose is capped with a retrieval end comprising a solid cap with a swivel based tether. The end is also provided with a pair of removable rudders which aid in the guiding have said apparatus in a controlled manner through the water. The opposite end of the fire hose is capped with a pressurizing mechanism that allows for the inflation and deflation of the fire hose. When inflated, the preferred embodiment floats upon the water surface thus providing for simplified water rescues. The invention is also envisioned as providing simplified ice rescues as well. The use of the present invention provides a greatly simplified method of water rescue which not only provides for quicker rescues for victims, but increased safety for rescue personnel as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventors: Bryan Kasper, Alfred Dyer
  • Patent number: 7410402
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode for electroluminescence for use in electronic devices including organic electroluminescent devices and a process for producing the same, in which interfacial electric characteristics, such as work functions, can be easily controlled. The process for producing an electrode for electroluminescence comprises the step of diffusing an additive element for an electrode into the electrode and/or the step of developing surfactant properties of the additive element for an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisaku Haoto
  • Patent number: 7410403
    Abstract: A hugging toy includes a figure having flexible, sleeve-like limbs providing passages for receiving the arms of a person within the limbs to enable the figure to be drawn into juxtaposition with the person, with the limbs wrapped about the person, the passages each having an entry opening for receiving an arm of the person within the passage, and an exit opening for exposing a hand of the person so as to establish a simulated mutual hugging arrangement between the figure and the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Randice-Lisa Altschul
  • Patent number: 7410404
    Abstract: A driving device (2) which is remotely controlled by a transmitter (1) holds a first parameter (D) and a second parameter (L), transmits an offense signal based on the first parameter (D), and changes the second parameter (L) according to information included in a received specified signal. A remote control system can realize a battle game where the transmitter (1) and the driving device (2) play against another pair of a driving device (2) and a transmitter (1), the driving device (2) receives the offense signal transmitted from the other driving device (2) as the specified signal, and the second parameter (L) is changed according to the information included in the specified signal can be realized in a remote control toy system. In the system, the transmitter (1) allows a control signal to include specified information according to a user's specified operation, and the driving device (2) changes the its own first parameter (D) based on the specified information in the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Saeki
  • Patent number: 7410405
    Abstract: The subject invention provides an amusement device and method of play using the device, wherein the device includes a gun for shooting a liquid and/or a light beam, wherein the gun comprises a generally elongated barrel, a tank for containing a liquid, a source of power, a pump for pressurizing the tank, valve structures suitable for controlling the flow of the liquid, at least one light source, and a trigger mechanism which may selectively cause a stream of liquid to be discharged and one of more of the light sources to be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hornsby, Marcellus R. Benson, Paul M. Brown, Joseph L. McGowan
  • Patent number: 7410406
    Abstract: A queen bee rearing and introduction system which has a base portion that includes a queen bee emerging hole disposed therein and an adjacent cell cup insertion hole disposed on a first side. On an opposite, second side there is a frame retention tab for attaching the queen bee rearing system into a standard wood hive box frame disposed along its length. The base portion also has at least one cage latch. There is a cage portion that has one open end and one enclosed end. The open end has at least one cage latch aperture. When a queen cell cup containing a queen bee cell is inserted into the cell insertion hole of the base portion, the open end of the cage portion is slid over the queen cell cup and firmly snapped into place around the base portion by sliding the cage latch of the base portion into the cage latch aperture of the cage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Franz Yordy
  • Patent number: 7410407
    Abstract: A device that can be worn under clothing preferably near the nape of the neck to hold the rear shoulder straps of a bra together a determined distance after the wearer establishes a desired degree of cleavage by first lifting upward on the front bra straps. The device can be rubber, plastic, cloth or other flexible material and can be adjustable to different sizes. The device can include two opposing clips that engage the bra straps holding them together to maintain the desired degree of cleavage. The device can be supplied in one or two pieces and be adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Mandy Krammel
  • Patent number: 7410408
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens processing apparatus for processing an eyeglass lens includes: a lens chuck that holds the lens; a regular-grooving tool; a first moving unit that moves the lens held by the lens chuck; a grooving data input unit that inputs grooving data including a width and depth of the groove to be formed in the lens; a controller that controls the first moving unit to perform regular-grooving on the basis of the grooving data; a fine-grooving tool; a second moving unit that moves the lens held by the lens chuck; and a selector that selects whether fine-grooving is to be performed. When performance of fine-grooving is selected, the controller performs the regular-grooving on the lens so that a bottom and side surfaces of the groove have a fine-grooving margin, and controls the second moving unit to perform the fine-grooving on the basis of the grooving data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoji Shibata
  • Patent number: 7410409
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a CMP abrasive comprising cerium oxide particles, a dispersant, an organic polymer having an atom or a structure capable of forming a hydrogen bond with a hydroxyl group present on a surface of a film to be polished and water, a method for polishing a substrate comprising polishing a film to be polished by moving a substrate on which the film to be polished is formed and a polishing platen while pressing the substrate against the polishing platen and a polishing cloth and supplying the CMP abrasive between the film to be polished and the polishing cloth, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of the above-mentioned polishing method, and an additive for a CMP abrasive comprising an organic polymer having an atom or a structure capable of forming a hydrogen bond with a hydroxyl group present on a surface of a film to be polished, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Koyama, Kouji Haga, Masato Yoshida, Keizou Hirai, Toranosuke Ashizawa, Youiti Machii
  • Patent number: 7410410
    Abstract: A system and method are described for manufacturing a lapping plate. Diamond particles are premixed with a metal matrix. The diamond particles are electro-deposited onto the surface of a lapping plate. The lapping plate may have a substrate of hard metal with a soft metal coating. The metal matrix and the lapping plate may be the same metal. The metal matrix may be tin, copper, nickel, or silver. The metal matrix may be an alloy of tin, copper, nickel, or silver. The diamond particles may be between 0.1 and 0.25 microns in size. Multiple uniform layers of the diamond particles and metal matrix may be stacked on the lapping plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Niraj Mahadev, Winston Jose, Tai Dang
  • Patent number: 7410411
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the number of active diamonds on a conditioning disk. In particular, the method comprises (a) contacting a diamond conditioner disk with a hard surface, wherein the diamond-containing side of the diamond conditioning disk is facing the hard surface, (b) moving the diamond conditioner disk under a load across the hard surface so as to cause any active diamonds present on the diamond-containing side of the diamond conditioner disk to leave a mark corresponding to each active diamond, and (c) counting the marks to determine the number of active diamonds on the diamond conditioner disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignees: Araca, Incorporated, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard Borucki, Naoki S. Rikita
  • Patent number: 7410412
    Abstract: A belt sander is disclosed that may include a sanding assembly having a first roller and a second roller, the sanding assembly being configured to receive a sanding belt around the first roller and the second roller to define a sanding surface therebetweeen. The belt sander may include a motor operationally coupled to the sanding assembly and opposite the sanding surface, the motor being configured to rotate at least the first roller and thereby rotate the sanding belt around the first roller and the second roller, as well as a handgrip formed around at least a portion of the motor and substantially encasing the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Wall, Jeremy D. Leasure, Craig A. Carroll, Julie L. Jones, Jeffrey D. Weston, Thomas A. Mooty, James P. Nichols, Jr., John W. Schnell
  • Patent number: 7410413
    Abstract: A structured abrasive article comprises a backing, a structured abrasive layer affixed to the backing, the structured abrasive layer comprising: a plurality of raised abrasive regions, each raised abrasive region consisting essentially of a close-packed plurality of pyramidal abrasive composites; and a network consisting essentially of close-packed truncated pyramidal abrasive composites, wherein the network continuously abuts and separates the raised abrasive regions from one another. The height of the pyramidal abrasive composites is greater than the height of the truncated pyramidal abrasive composites. Methods of making and using the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Woo, Craig F. Lamphere, Gregory A. Koehnle
  • Patent number: 7410414
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tenderizing machine which is designed to tenderize deboned meat pieces. The inventive machine is equipped with two stacked tenderizing assemblies, each of the assemblies comprising an integrated pair of rotating rollers which are provided with cutting members that extend out from the periphery thereof and which are disposed close to one another, such as to define an adjustable-size opening. In addition, at least one of the rollers of each assembly is supported such that it can move away from the other roller against an opposer as the meat pieces move between said two rollers. Moreover, each of the tenderizing assemblies is equipped with respective controls for adjusting the distance between the cutting members of each pair of rollers and for selectively blocking the movement of at least one of the moving rollers of each of the assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Metalquimia, S.A.
    Inventor: Narcis Lagares Corominas
  • Patent number: 7410415
    Abstract: System for ventilating a vehicle cab (1) and a closet (3) for the drying, airing and storage of work clothing. The system is constituted by a fan in the closet (3) and the fan (9) extracts air from the cab (1) through the closet (3). Excess heat from the coolant circuit of the drive engine is utilized as a heat source in the drying of work clothing. Also, the invention can be advantageously used when the cab is occupied overnight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Matts Ronnlund, David Hellstedt
  • Patent number: 7410416
    Abstract: A complete plastic HVAC system assembled using individual plastic components for ensuring the efficient and quiet distribution of air from a central air unit to multiple distribution points and preventing heating and cooling losses, the need for installers to stock multiple sized and shaped components, the accumulation of dust, dirt and pollens during storing, installing and use on the surfaces of the individual components. The fittings have a collar sizable to fit both 6 and 7-inch pipe, whether flexible or rigid. The use of plastic fittings, duct and pipe removes the potential of injury commonly associated with conventional metal ductwork, while providing seamless components that can be configured for any type of installation and insure an air tight connection between adjoining surfaces. The individual fittings include a register boot, torpedo boot, straight boot, rigid and flexible pipe and couplers, straight and 90-degree takeoffs, a plastic duct and duct end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fettkether L.L.C.
    Inventor: Keith J. Fettkether
  • Patent number: 7410417
    Abstract: A method of playing a poker-type keno game where a player wagers on a game that has two cards revealed in each of a plurality of hands. The player wagers on one or more of the hands. Five community cards are revealed and are part of each hand. The winning hand is determined by comparing the best five cards of each hand to each other and/or to a pay table. Optionally, the player can wager on a bonus hand comprised of a subset of the community cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: New Vision Gaming & Development, Inc.
    Inventor: John Feola
  • Patent number: 7410418
    Abstract: A chess-like game involves hidden information. The information provided to a player of the game includes positions and types of game pieces on a) squares that are occupied by game pieces belonging to the player and squares that are diagonally adjacent thereto, b) squares to which one or more of the game pieces belonging to the player can move according to their respective movement patterns and which are not occupied by an enemy game piece and squares that are diagonally adjacent thereto, and c) squares occupied by enemy game pieces that can be captured or put into check by one or more of the game pieces belonging to the player can move according to their respective movement patterns. The information excludes positions and types of game pieces on any other squares. The game may also involve non-alternating moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: David Graham Potter
  • Patent number: 7410419
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming machine and method for conducting a crap slot game. The gaming machine includes a first display for displaying a slot game outcome and a second display for displaying a player interactive wagering interface. The method includes detecting selection of a first wager amount from a number of displayed wager amounts, detecting selection of a first wager cell from a displayed assemblage of wager cells. Each of the wager cells corresponds to one of a number of winning game outcomes having respective value payout ratios. The method further includes displaying the first wager amount in the first wager cell, displaying the game play outcome of the wagering game on the first display and awarding a value payout to the player if the game play outcome includes the winning game outcome corresponding to the first wager cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P Fiden
  • Patent number: 7410420
    Abstract: A game machine that displays symbols is provided. A display module of the game machine can display multiple types of symbols in multiple display regions when a game starts. An evaluation module evaluates whether or not a predetermined condition is met in a game. A display control module changes the number of symbols that can be displayed in the display regions when the condition is met. As a result, a game machine with symbols displayed in a unique manner is provided, and a game that provokes a player's curiosity can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Konami Gaming Incorporated
    Inventor: Kazutaka Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 7410421
    Abstract: A method of constructing a link progressive meter system to increase participation and generate additional player excitement during a progressive type game. Each interface or monitor to a gaming machine or monitored point can act and process decisions independently of other monitors. Each monitor contains in computer data memory the status of the entire network and this is replicated throughout the entire network. A method for a bonus game that may be implemented upon an individual gaming apparatus or upon a link progressive network connecting a plurality of gaming machines is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Richard M. Mathis
  • Patent number: 7410422
    Abstract: In a casino enterprise, players earn reward credits from their betting activity at gaming machines, tables and devices. Base credits are earned by players at a fixed rate according to their coin-in; bonus credits are earned at a variable rate as a function of their worth as players to the casino or the property at which they are gaming. Preferably the fixed credit rate is published to the players while the variable rate(s) are not disclosed. The earned credits are combined for the player into a single account balance, from which the player can redeem credits for comps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Harrah's Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall A Fine
  • Patent number: 7410423
    Abstract: A golf cub comprising a head, a shaft assembly and a shaft attachment assembly. The head includes a body which includes a face and a back. The shaft assembly includes a shaft member. The shaft attachment assembly includes a primary plug assembly. The primary plug assembly includes a primary plug to which the shaft member is attached, and, a member which facilitates rotatably positioning of the primary plug relative to the back of the head, to, in turn, vary the angle of the shaft member relative to the back of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Bernard L. Pinder
  • Patent number: 7410424
    Abstract: A tri-weight correlated set of iron-type golf clubs, wherein at least two of the clubs of the set have a combined sole weight and center weight which reinforces the most likely hitting surface of the club to add distance behind well hit center shots, and a periphery weight system along the heel and toe to straighten out off-center hit shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 7410425
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head having adjustable weight, allowing the golfer to fine tune the club for his or her swing. The club head includes a body having a ball-striking face, a sole, a crown, and a side extending rearwardly from the face. The body defines an interior cavity and a recess on a selected wall of the body spaced apart from the striking face. A threaded opening is disposed in the recess. The club head further includes a weight assembly having fastener and a mass element configured to be press-fit into the recess the such that a first end is adjacent the bottom of the recess. The mass element also has an aperture configured to receive the fastener flush. The fastener removably attaches the weighting assembly to the selected wall of the club head. Pressure from the fastener attachment provides a press-fit of the mass element in the tapered recess of the selected wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kraig A. Willett, Joseph H. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7410426
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head having adjustable weight, allowing the golfer to fine tune the club for his or her swing. The club head includes a body having a ball-striking face, a sole, a crown, and a side extending rearwurdly from the face. The body defines an interior cavity and a recess on a selected wall of the body spaced apart from the striking face. A threaded opening is disposed in the recess. The club head farther includes a weight assembly having fastener end a mass element configured to be press-fit into the recess the such that a first end is adjacent the bottom of the recess. The mass element also has an aperture configured to receive the fastener flush. The fastener removably attaches the weighting assembly to the selected wall of the club head. Pressure from the fastener attachment provides a press-fit of the mass element in the tapered recess of the selected wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kraig A. Willett, Joseph H. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7410427
    Abstract: An iron golf club head includes a head main body and an FRP body. The head main body includes a face portion, a first face along the face portion, second faces, and a recess behind the head portion. The second faces continue from a rear face of the face portion to the first face. The recess is defined by the first face and the second faces. The hollow FRP body is disposed in the recess, overlaps the first face and the second faces, and closes an opening portion of the recess. At least a part of crossing corner portions between the first face and the second faces has a curved face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Imamoto, Hisashi Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 7410428
    Abstract: A golf club head having a high moment of inertia is disclosed herein. The golf club head preferably has a volume ranging from 450 cubic centimeters to 475 cubic centimeters, a mass ranging from 180 grams to 225 grams, and a length ranging from 4.0 inches to 5.0 inches. The golf club head preferably has a moment of inertia, Iyy, about the center of gravity of the golf club head ranging from 2000 grams-centimeters squared to 4000 grams-centimeters squared. Preferably, a middle section of the golf club head has less than 20% of the mass of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Patrick Dawson, Brandon T. Vincent, Alan Hocknell
  • Patent number: 7410429
    Abstract: A golf ball having an inner core having a first outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation such that the inner core has a hardness of 45 Shore C to 65 Shore C; an outer core layer disposed about the inner core having a second outer surface and an inner surface and being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation such that the outer core layer has a hardness of 55 Shore C to 90 Shore C. A cover is disposed about the outer core layer. The hardness of the first outer surface is the same as or lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a “negative hardness gradient” and the hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a “positive hardness gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau, Derek A. Ladd, Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7410430
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, wherein the cover layer comprises a 3-dimensional shaped metal oxide having at least three needle-shaped parts. Blending the 3-dimensional shaped metal oxide into the cover layer enhances the rigidity of the resultant cover for the hardness thereof. In the case that the cover layer has the slab hardness of 57D or more in shore D hardness, this property can be used to enhance the resilience without lowering the shot feeling. On the other hand, in the case that the cover layer has the slab hardness less than 57D in shore D hardness, this property can be used to enhance the resilience without lowering the spin rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Isogawa, Keiji Ohama
  • Patent number: 7410431
    Abstract: A composite locking upright having low weight and great rigidity for installation into a playing surface with built-in sleeves. The composite locking upright supports and secures a net at a net playing height for athletic sports such as, volleyball, tennis, and badminton. The composite locking upright may have a composite tube, a metallic tube, an upper protective collar, a lower protective collar, and a locking tool. The composite tube may be made of a light-weight, fiber-reinforced composite. The metallic tube is extendable and retractable from the composite tube and may be made of a light-weight, rigid metal. The protective collars may protect the composite tube substantially preventing damage to the reinforcing fibers during installation and setup. The locking tool locks the metallic tube with respect to the composite tube and thereby fixes a net at a playing height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sports Imports, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradford J. Underwood
  • Patent number: 7410432
    Abstract: An attachment for a blade of a playing stick such as a hockey stick. The attachment includes a floor portion with a leading edge that digs under an object to be flung by the stick. The attachment includes a base portion that engages the blade. The floor portion may be flexed between an L-shaped position and a V-shaped position, relative to the base portion or blade. The attachment may include a finger for engaging the heel end of the blade, ceiling portion, a seat on the floor portion, an undulating leading edge, a slot for being engaged by a tether that wraps about the blade, and a base portion that is curved for a curved blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Martin L Dehen
  • Patent number: 7410433
    Abstract: A bat has an elongate tubular striking member of a first material, and an elongate handle member of a second material. The handle may be of composite material laid up in selected layers and orientation to produce selected weight distribution, strength, and stiffness and improved batting capabilities. The striking member and handle member may have juncture sections which are substantially rigidly interconnected through mating configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Guenther, Mark A. Fritzke, Bradley L. Gaff, Michael D. Eggiman
  • Patent number: 7410434
    Abstract: A broadhead includes a ferrule for mounting an arrowshaft, the ferrule having a locking portion. At least two blades are mounted on the ferrule (three are used in the preferred embodiment), the blades being coupled to the ferrule in their center portions by notches that mate with the locking portion of the ferrule. A locking nut is mounted on a rear portion of the ferrule for holding the three blades in place on the ferrule when the locking nut is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Liberty Research Co.
    Inventor: Derrick Perkins, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7410435
    Abstract: A hydraulic pipe mechanism for an industrial vehicle includes a pulley shaft, a plurality of hydraulic hoses and a pulley set. The pulley set is provided on the pulley shaft and has at least first and second hose pulleys that are rotatably supported on the pulley shaft. The first and second hose pulleys are respectively located on sides of the pulley set and each has a guide groove for hooking the hydraulic hose therein. Each of the first and second hose pulleys has a pair of outer and inner flanges that form side walls of the guide groove respectively. Each outer flange is located on the side of the pulley set, and each inner flange is located inside the outer flange in the pulley set. Each outer flange has a first radius, and each inner flange has a second radius. The first radius is larger than the second radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Masashige Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7410436
    Abstract: A vehicle (1) has an epicyclic gearing (3) with three rotational members (5, 7, 9). Rotational member (9) is connected to a load formed by the wheels (17) of a vehicle. Rotational member (5) is connected to a flywheel (11) and rotational member (7) is connected to an engine (13). The vehicle (1) furthermore comprises a transmission-unit (19), embodied either as a conventional or as a automated manual transmission-unit, with two in/outputs (21, 23). In/output (21) is connected to the rotational member (7) and in/output (23) is connected to the third rotational member (9). A force-closed clutch (25) with slip capacity is located between in/output (21) and rotational member (7). With this transmission-system, the wheels (17) remain driven by the engine (13), also during disengagement of the clutch (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventors: Roëll M. Van Druten, Bas G. Vroemen, Alexander F. A. Serrarens
  • Patent number: 7410437
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a machine includes a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a first motor, a second motor, and a third motor. The first, second, and third motors are drivingly connected to the first, second, and third planetary gear sets to simultaneously generate fewer than three separate output rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Garnett
  • Patent number: 7410438
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching-valve arrangement for a shifting system of an automatic transmission having a first actuator for engaging and releasing gears, at least a second actuator for engaging and releasing gears, a first activatable switching valve, a second activatable switching valve, a first signal element, and a second signal element. By means of the signal elements and switching valves the first and second actuators can be pressurized. In case of failure of one of the signal elements one of the actuators can always be pressurized and even in case of erroneous operation of the first and second signal elements only one of the actuators can be pressurized at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Moehlmann, Martin Leibbrandt
  • Patent number: 7410439
    Abstract: A reducer having an inner gearing planetary gear speed reduction mechanism is provided, which costs low and can be easily installed. A driving device is provided with a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism having an internal gear and an external gear which internally meshes with the internal gear. The planetary gear speed reduction mechanism makes one of the internal gear and the external gear (the external gear in the drawing) rotate on its axis with an oscillating movement in accordance with a rotation of an input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoji Minegishi
  • Patent number: 7410440
    Abstract: A method for converting a non-driven tag axle system to a driven axle system is disclosed where a forward driven axle system is converted to drive an interaxle drive shaft. The interaxle drive shaft is connected to a drive axle head mounted within the tag axle housing. Drive axles are connected to drive axle head. In another embodiment, a forward driven axle system is removed from a first position on the vehicle frame and the tag axle is removed from a second position on the vehicle frame. A differential is installed in the tag axle and it is located in the first position. The forward driven axle system is located in the second position and connected to the differential in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Francisco Garcia, Leo Wenstrup, Dale Lee Kwasniewski, Steve Slesinski
  • Patent number: 7410441
    Abstract: A portable power tool having a relatively compact multi-stage, three-speed transmission and a related method for operating a power tool with a multi-stage, three-speed transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Milbourne, Christine Potter, Todd A Hagan, Michael C Bowers
  • Patent number: 7410442
    Abstract: A transmission for a wind turbine includes a housing (20) in which two shafts (26, 28) rotate, each being supported on a locating bearing (50, 60) which transmits thrust loads to the housing as well as radial loads and on a nonlocating bearing (48, 58) which transmits only radial loads to the housing. The shafts carry helical gears (52, 52, 62) which induce thrust loads in the shafts when the shafts transmit torque. The locating bearings are unitized single row tapered roller bearings which are oriented to transmit thrust loads in the primary direction through their raceways (132, 138) and in the secondary direction through ribs (134, 144) at the ends of their rollers (146). The nonlocating bearings take the form of a single row cylindrical roller bearings which accommodate differential thermal expansion and contraction between the shafts and housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: Gerald P. Fox
  • Patent number: 7410443
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The single axle transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. An additional embodiment is disclosed which shifts automatically dependent upon the rotational speed of the wheel. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The disclosed transmission may be used in vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The transmission may, for example, be driven by a power transfer mechanism such as a sprocket, gear, pulley or lever, optionally driving a one way clutch attached at one end of the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C Miller
  • Patent number: 7410444
    Abstract: In a drive unit for a hybrid motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine and a dynamoelectric machine to be connected to a transmission of the motor vehicle, wherein the drive unit comprises an input shaft connected to the internal combustion engine, an output shaft connected to the dynamoelectric machine for rotation therewith and a clutch for connecting the input shaft to the output shaft, the clutch includes centrifugal actuators for causing engagement of the clutch upon rotation at a speed in excess of a threshold value, springs counteracting the centrifugal actuators for causing the release of the clutch at a speed below the threshold value, and an electromagnetic actuators for causing engagement of the clutch at a speed below the threshold value to permit startup operation of the internal combustion engine by the dynamoelectric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Groddeck, Joachim Huster
  • Patent number: 7410445
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (6) is provided to block the internal combustion engine (1) at prepositioned cranking angle after shutting down. Preferably, the crankshaft of the engine is positioned at a crankshaft angle that is favorable for cranking. Prepositioning of the crankshaft angle results in a lower first compression torque and therefore increases kinetic energy stored in the crankshaft lumped inertia. The required maximum torque of the cranking aid (2a, 2b, 2c) can therefore be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Surewaard, Don A. Kees, Daniel Kok, Engbert Spijker, Mark Eifert
  • Patent number: 7410446
    Abstract: A method is provided for increasing a temperature of oil in a continuously variable transmission during engine start-up, the transmission including a fluid pump and motor, and a mechanical transmission. The method includes starting the engine, maintaining the fluid pump at substantially zero displacement, and heating the transmission oil by relative rotation of a first clutch disc and first clutch hub of a first clutch assembly and by relative rotation of a second clutch disc and second clutch hub of a second clutch assembly. The method further includes maintaining a substantially zero net torque from the transmission during the heating of the oil by the first and second clutch assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Frank A. DeMarco
  • Patent number: 7410447
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automatic downhill speed control or ADSC adapted to automatically absorb grade-induced energy so that the vehicle operator is no longer required to take action to maintain generally constant vehicle speed. ADSC is preferably triggered if the throttle is released and the vehicle accelerates. The specific amount of throttle release necessary to trigger ADSC is variable but may, according to a preferred embodiment, be set at 85% throttle reduction. According to another preferred embodiment, ADSC is not triggered unless the throttle is released for a predetermined amount of time such as, for example, 5 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Fereydoon Jamzadeh