Patents Issued in September 2, 2008
  • Patent number: 7418862
    Abstract: An electromechanical force sensor uses a rotating element that aligns with the force and may carry a force magnitude sensor simplifying and providing more accurate measurement of force-angle and force-magnitude. The ability to detect simply force-angle and force-magnitude enables a variety of training and exercise devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kreg George Gruben, Matthew Wade Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7418863
    Abstract: An angular rate sensor includes a base member serving as a base, an angular rate sensing element having a vibrating member, a wiring member having a flexible, electrical insulating tape portion and a electrical wire portion. The wiring member has end portions fixed to the base member and a middle portion positioned between the end portions. The middle portion is separated from the base member and the sensing element is mounted to the middle portion. Thus, due to an elasticity of the wiring member, the sensing element can be isolated from an external vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirofumi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7418864
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes: a semiconductor substrate including a support layer and a semiconductor layer, which are stacked in a first direction; a movable electrode and a fixed electrode; and a trench. The movable electrode separately faces the fixed electrode by sandwiching the trench along with a second direction. The trench has a detection distance in the second direction. The movable electrode is movable along with the first direction when acceleration is applied. The movable electrode has a bottom apart from the support layer. The width of the movable electrode along with the second direction is smaller than the width of the fixed electrode. The thickness of the movable electrode along with the first direction is smaller than the thickness of the fixed electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazushi Asami, Yukihiro Takeuchi, Kenichi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7418865
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for determining the velocity of an ultrasound pulse in drilling fluids in downhole environments. A method for determining a velocity of ultrasound propagation in a drilling fluid in a downhole environment includes emitting an ultrasound pulse into the drilling fluid in a borehole using a first ultrasound transducer (37); detecting the ultrasound pulse after the ultrasound pulse has traveled a distance (d); determining a travel time (t) required for the ultrasound pulse to travel the distance (d); and determining the velocity of ultrasound propagation from the known distance (d) and the travel time (t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Griffiths, Miguel Pabon
  • Patent number: 7418866
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the quality of live, standing timber employs deep-set spike probes angled to create a longitudinal compression wave. Alignment tools and isolation of the probes provide an improved signal, automated detection of probe separation and amplitude-independent pulse discrimination process ensure higher reliability and repeatability of the measurements, and wireless operation provides operational efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Fibre-gen Instruments Limited
    Inventors: Xiping Wang, Nigel Sharplin, Peter Carter, Robert J. Ross
  • Patent number: 7418867
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting ultrasonic inspections of what would normally be inaccessible areas of objects for such properties as thickness, cracks, discontinuities, density, pits and holes. In addition, a method and apparatus for improving ultrasonic inspections with a method for removing trapped gasses from the couplant. Also, a method and apparatus for conduction ultrasonic inspections of objects for multiple properties such as thickness, cracks, discontinuities density, pits and holes with at the same time with a single transducer. Further more, a method and apparatus for conducting rapid ultrasonic inspections of concave surfaces of objects for multiple properties such as thickness, cracks, discontinuities density, pits and holes with a single transducer. This invention allows for the inspection of the entire surface of the object or specific defined areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Eric Russell Patten
  • Patent number: 7418868
    Abstract: A body fluid pressure sensor module according to the invention comprises a housing having a first end and a second end and enclosing a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is electrically coupled to a plurality of electrical conductors extending into the housing through a feedthrough disposed within, and hermetically sealing, the first end of the housing. The housing defines a chamber disposed between the feedthrough and the second end of the housing. The chamber contains a material in communication with the pressure sensor, the material being capable of transmitting pressure variations to the pressure sensor. The plurality of electrical conductors have ends within the housing, and the pressure sensor is mounted on the end of at least one of the conductors. Also disclosed are medical leads incorporating the pressure sensor module, and methods for fabricating the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Annapurna Karicherla, Sheldon Williams, Gene A. Bornzin, John W. Poore, Dion F. Davis
  • Patent number: 7418869
    Abstract: A combination vacuum gauge provides simultaneous absolute and differential pressure measurements over a wide-range of pressures ranging from atmospheric pressures to ultrahigh vacuum by processing the readings of (i) an absolute high vacuum gauge (e.g., an ionization gauge and/or a heat-loss sensor) and an absolute or a differential low vacuum gauge (e.g., a diaphragm sensor) exposed, through a common port, to pressures in a measurement region, and (ii) a barometric absolute pressure sensor exposed to the ambient atmosphere outside the measurement region. The barometric absolute pressure sensor reading may be used to convert the differential vacuum gauge reading from uncalibrated differential pressure to calibrated absolute pressure or to convert the absolute vacuum gauge reading from absolute pressure to differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Arnold, Michael D. Borenstein, Paul M. Rutt
  • Patent number: 7418870
    Abstract: Systems and methodologies that provide for multi-parameter sensing via micro fabricated sensing structures operatively connected to oscillators, each micro-fabricated sensing structure in part defines a frequency of a respective associated oscillator. Output from such oscillators can be combined together, and then AC coupled with an incoming DC voltage that feeds the oscillators. The wiring arrangement includes two conducting paths/wires that carry a direct current to the oscillators as well as outputting the combined signal to external measurement devices. In addition, arrangements for pressure sensors are provided that mitigate errors from temperature variations and the induced stress/strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: ZIN Technologies
    Inventor: Alain Izadnegahdar
  • Patent number: 7418871
    Abstract: A pressure measuring device for detecting a pressure to be measured of a medium, having a pressure housing; a converter situated in the pressure housing for converting a mechanical force produced by the pressure to be measured into an electrical signal; an output unit for outputting the electrical signal; a separator for separating the medium from the converter; and a transmission device for transmitting the force produced by the pressure to be measured to the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Moelkner, Holger Scholzen, Joerg Engelhardt, Christian Roesser, Hans-Peter Didra, Markus Ledermann
  • Patent number: 7418872
    Abstract: System and apparatus for measuring pressure comprising a microelectronic device, an interface member attached to the microelectronic device, a pressure sensor having a diaphragm responsive to external pressure exerted upon the diaphragm, wherein the interface member is positioned between the microelectronic device and the pressure sensor and is attached to the pressure sensor providing a first cavity between the pressure sensor diaphragm and the interface member and wherein the pressure in the first cavity is set at an initial predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
    Inventor: Joseph H. Schulman
  • Patent number: 7418873
    Abstract: There is provided a method and device for producing an absolute pressure type pressure sensor that enables a relative pressure type pressure sensor to be modified (converted) into an absolute pressure type pressure sensor in a simple and easy manner. The method is characterized by comprising: a step of arranging a relative pressure type pressure sensor, that has a reference pressure chamber therein, and a pressure guide hole whose one end communicates with the reference pressure chamber and the other end opens to the atmosphere, inside a vacuum chamber with the other end of the pressure guide hole opening upward; a step of placing a solder piece onto the other end of the pressure guide hole; a step of drawing a vacuum inside the vacuum chamber; and a step of heating the solder piece until the solder melts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Akira Takada
  • Patent number: 7418874
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quality assurance in preferably finger-jointed timber (1), produced in series, with a given minimum length (12), characterized in that each piece, produced within the length (12), is loaded with increasing tensile forces at the ends (5) thereof to a threshold value, below the breaking load for a fault-free timber piece, and the length changes (DELTA 1), changing therewith, are determined over a section, or the whole length of the timber piece (1) and used as a quality criterion for the use, or the further processing of the timber piece (1). The invention further relates to a device for carrying out said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Holzindustrie Leitinger Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Leitinger, Sebastian Leitinger
  • Patent number: 7418875
    Abstract: A tension measuring apparatus and method for a chain by which tension applied to the chain is correctly and reproducibly measured is disclosed and claimed. A tension measuring method for a chain (10) comprising a pair of right and left inner plates (11), bushes (12) press-fit between the inner plates (11), a pair of right and left outer plates (13) disposed on both outsides of the inner plates (11), connecting pins (14) loosely inserted into the bush (12) and press-fit between the outer plates (13), and connected to each other characterized in that a strain gauge is applied to a position having a relation of a ratio of 1 to 1 between tension applied to the chain and an output of the strain gauge (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Kohji Kohno, Sachihiko Maeda
  • Patent number: 7418876
    Abstract: A shear stress sensor for measuring fluid wall shear stress on a test surface is provided. The wall shear stress sensor is comprised of an active sensing surface and a sensor body. An elastic mechanism mounted between the active sensing surface and the sensor body allows movement between the active sensing surface and the sensor body. A driving mechanism forces the shear stress sensor to oscillate. A measuring mechanism measures displacement of the active sensing surface relative to the sensor body. The sensor may be operated under periodic excitation where changes in the nature of the fluid properties or the fluid flow over the sensor measurably changes the amplitude or phase of the motion of the active sensing surface, or changes the force and power required from a control system in order to maintain constant motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventors: William D. Armstrong, Jonathan Naughton, William R. Lindberg
  • Patent number: 7418877
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a wet gas flow is provided, wherein the apparatus includes a differential pressure based flow meter configured to determine a first volumetric flow rate of the wet gas flow. Additionally, the apparatus includes a sonar based flow meter configured to determine a second volumetric flow rate of the wet gas flow. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a processing device communicated with at least one of the differential pressure base flow meter and the sonar based flow meter, wherein the processing device is configured to determine the parameter (e.g., wetness, volumetric gas flow rate, and volumetric liquid flow rate) of the wet gas flow using the first and second volumetric flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Patent number: 7418878
    Abstract: A fluid property measurement system uses an analog-to-digital converter combined with a multiplexer to measure voltages at one or more points of a measurement circuit and an algorithm within a microcontroller to calculate a fluid property. The measurement circuit has at least one sensor in the fluid stream. The sensor is heated by passing an electric current through the sensor. A second optional upstream sensor is not heated and is at the fluid temperature. The microcontroller then uses the voltage measurements with calibration information and equations based on the desired mode of operation to calculate the fluid property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Los Robles Advertising, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce B. Burton
  • Patent number: 7418879
    Abstract: A latching inertial reel temporarily holds an inertial reel in a locked position during a lateral acceleration and resetably holds the reel in a latched position as a result of a vertical acceleration. The reel is latched when a latching sensor experiences a vertical acceleration above a threshold. A latch holds the reel in the latched position after the acceleration reduces to prevent subsequent injury from secondary impacts of a vehicle occupant with objects or surfaces in the vehicle. The latch may later be reset to release the reel. A vehicle seat may further include a seat inertial reel to provide support to the seat during a crash. The seat inertial reel may be attached to a floor mounting point, or to an elevated mounting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventors: Charles E. Van Druff, James Warrick, Alex Devonport, John Churilla
  • Patent number: 7418880
    Abstract: A modified syringe collects samples of a fluid without removing volatile compounds by forming a vacuum within a sample collection vial. A fluid sample is drawn into the collection vial by means of the applied vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Michael P Smith
  • Patent number: 7418881
    Abstract: A multi-stage dilution device, comprising a first stage dilution apparatus (A), and a second stage dilution apparatus (B), each of the stage dilution device comprising:—(i) a housing (1) having a diluent inlet (7); (ii) a sample inlet (2) having a sample introducer within the housing (1) adapted to introduce the sample at an introducer point (4) within the housing (1); and, (iii) a mixing conduit (5) mounted at least partially within the housing (1), the mixing conduit (5) having an inlet section comprising a mouth (10), and a fluid outlet (8), and a throat section (9) capable of producing a pressure drop within the mixing conduit (5), the pressure drop being sufficient to draw sample through the sample inlet (2); the introducer point (4) of the sample inlet (2) being proximate the mixing conduit inlet; and wherein the fluid output (8) of the first stage dilution apparatus (A) is in communication with the sample inlet (2) of the second stage dilution apparatus (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Malvern Instruments Limited
    Inventors: David John Watson, Lewis Meurig Jones, James Franklin Kovach
  • Patent number: 7418882
    Abstract: A measuring probe is provided for measurement in molten metal, the probe having a measuring head arranged on an immersion end of a carrier tube. A bath contact and at least one sensor for determining a component of the molten metal are arranged on the immersion end. The bath contact, viewed in the immersion direction, has a first bath contact region with two surface areas extending parallel to the immersion direction on opposite sides of the bath contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventor: Guido Jacobus Neyens
  • Patent number: 7418883
    Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a transmission case, a parking gear fixed to the transmission case, and a meshing mechanism, such as a synchromesh mechanism. The meshing mechanism includes a coupling sleeve to engage with the parking gear and hold a transmission output member unrotatable in a park lock state when the coupling sleeve is shifted axially toward the parking gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Hara
  • Patent number: 7418884
    Abstract: A shifting device for shifting a transmission with a shifting shaft upon which a plurality of shifting forks are located in an axial, slidable manner for carry out desired shifting procedures. The shifting device includes a selection apparatus for choosing the shifting fork to be activated for carrying out the shifting procedure and a blocking mechanism, which prevents movement of each of the non-chosen shifting forks. The blocking mechanism is located on an additional shaft which extends parallel to the shifting shaft and supports elements of the selection apparatus. A first actuator axially displaces the shifting shaft, when carrying out of the shifting procedure, and another actuator causes the additional shaft to rotate for choosing a desired the shifting fork to carry out the shifting procedure and for preventing movement of non-chosen shifting forks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bernd Schepperle
  • Patent number: 7418885
    Abstract: A device for driving a plurality of hydraulic shift cylinders, especially shift cylinders for shifting gears of a twin-clutch transmission, includes a first slide valve having a control intake to which control pressure is applied, a system pressure intake to which system pressure is applied, two outlets and at least one return outlet, the one outlet being connected to the system pressure intake and the other outlet being connected to the return outlet, as desired, and a valve device connected to the outlets of the slide valve via which the shift cylinders may be selectively actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Eric Müller, Manfred Homm
  • Patent number: 7418886
    Abstract: A split type connecting rod is capable of preventing problems of peeling and falling at the time of fracturing and splitting, securing alignment accuracy after the fracturing, reducing a processing time necessary for processing the groove and improving the processing accuracy. This split type connecting rod 100 includes a valley 106 formed on the inner circumferential surface of a crank-pin hole 101d of a large end portion 101e. Fracture starting point grooves 105 are also formed at the base of the valley 106.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kubota, Tsuneo Isobe, Shinya Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7418887
    Abstract: An accumulator/pump housing associated with a motor vehicle hydraulic system that is designed to incorporate a gerotor pump and an accumulator. The accumulator/pump housing comprises a portion of a torque coupling assembly in which a friction clutch selectively engages and disengages a torque coupling case and at least one output shaft. The accumulator/pump housing is located external to a torque coupling housing and at least partially encloses a gerotor pump and a fluid accumulator. The gerotor pump pressurizes the hydraulic fluid and the fluid accumulator selectively stores the pressurized fluid. The hydraulic pump and accumulator supply pressurized fluid to actuate the friction clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Garlick
  • Patent number: 7418888
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism between at least one accessory and engine members for driving the rotor of a rotorcraft, the transmission therebetween being selectively either in isolation or in combination. An intermediate shaft is interposed between a main drive shaft for the rotor and a secondary drive shaft for the accessory, for driving the accessory from an engine member allocated to driving it. This intermediate shaft engages directly on the main shaft and meshes with an accessory drive gear via freewheels to enable the gear to be driven either by the engine member or from the main shaft in the position for combined drive together with the rotor, the rotor being driven by the other engine member or autorotation in the event of both engine members failing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Michel Vialle
  • Patent number: 7418889
    Abstract: An index table assembly includes a rotary table, a frame separated from the rotary table in the direction of a rotational axis of the rotary table, a clamping device for bringing the rotary table into contact with the frame by moving the rotary table along the rotational axis, a first bearing disposed between the rotary table and the frame, and an urging device disposed between the first bearing and one of the rotary table and the frame and pressing the first bearing against the other one of the rotary table and the frame at least when the rotary table rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Tsudakoma Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Nitta
  • Patent number: 7418890
    Abstract: A wrench or one way drive has a flexible head (2) with a split aperture (20) for loosely engaging a separate drive such as a socket or the head of a fastener (31) including a nut, bolt, screw or the like. Cam means, preferably pins (11,11a), are located on a handle (3) and engage the head (2) preferably through slots (21,22) in the head. The slots diverge outwardly so that as the handle is moved relative to the head the split aperture (20) closes and the flexible head (2) increasingly clamps a drive socket as more torque is applied to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Smart Tools Ltd
    Inventor: Nigel Alexander Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7418891
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spanner having a toggle bar installed in at least a jaw and allowed to be rotated in one direction for tightening or releasing a bolt (or nut) continually by continuous operation of rotating the spanner's lever in one and other converse directions repeatedly in a state of gripping the bolt, which is also easily operative for tightening or releasing a bolt (or nut), especially when placed in a narrow gap. The spanner is constructed to comprise a lever; a jaw and a second jaw respectively extending from both sides of the lead end of the lever and forming a gripping space therebetween for gripping a bolt; a toggle bar installed on the lead end of the second jaw to be allowed to be rotated only to the outward of the gripping space; and a tension adjustment bolt installed in the long hole formed on the bottom of the second jaw and having a lead end connected to the inner side of the toggle bar so as to elastically support the toggle bar to the inward of the gripping space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Ock-Soon Choi
  • Patent number: 7418892
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a detachable handle assembly for providing a mechanical device capable of utilization in securing and un-securing a work attachment, such as a blade or bit, to a hand-tool. The assembly includes a body portion for grasping, when implemented as an auxiliary handle for a hand-tool such as a power tool or a pneumatic tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7418893
    Abstract: A wrench includes a body having two ends and a handle between the ends of the body. At least one of the ends of the body can be used for driving an object. A plurality of character units are provided on each holding face and form an anti-slipping section. At least one of the holding faces includes at least one indication area located in the anti-slipping section. The indication area includes an indication marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 7418894
    Abstract: A cutter including a base, a holder, a cutter blade portion, and a laser generator. The holder is supported on the base portion in an upright posture. The cutter blade portion supports a moving blade. The cutter blade portion is supported on the holder movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cutter blade portion is moved into the lower position to cut a workpiece supported on the base using the moving blade. The laser generator is attached to the holder or the cutter blade portion in an orientation to direct at least a portion of the laser light onto a position on the workpiece that is directly beneath the cutter blade portion when the cutter blade portion is in the upper position. Alternatively, a holder has a shaft support portion, and a slide shaft is axially slidably supported by the shaft support portion. A front end of the slide shaft has a hinge holder which pivotally supports the cutting blade portion. A laser generator is fixed to a front side of the hinge holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Ushiwata, Shinji Takano, Hideaki Terashima, Kenichi Matsunaga, Ryuichi Imamura
  • Patent number: 7418895
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for purging an airlock cavity created between the airlock access door and the primary explosion chamber opening sealing mechanism. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an airlock device is used to ensure that, in the event toxins are released from the primary explosion chamber opening sealing means, the toxins are properly handled and are not inadvertently released into the atmosphere. In one embodiment, negative pressure is used to vacuum the entrained air within the airlock cavity subsequent to an explosion. To facilitate the sweeping and exhausting of the cavity, an orifice in the access door may be operable to allow the flow of ambient air through the airlock access door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: DeMil International, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Donovan, Jay M. Quimby, McRea B. Willmert
  • Patent number: 7418896
    Abstract: A recoilless weapon system is provided rear portion, a barrel in movable connection to the rear portion, and a handle portion in removable connection with the barrel and/or rear portion. Further, a ballast payload cartridge is removably disposed within a ballast payload cartridge portion of said rear portion, and serves as a center breach to support a combat cartridge. The ballast payload cartridge may have a side primer disposed therein, which allows a single weapon firing pin to simultaneously initiate both the combat cartridge primer and the ballast payload cartridge primer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Frank Dindl, Kenneth R. Jones, Richard Beckman
  • Patent number: 7418897
    Abstract: A weapon system incorporating a cannon mounted in a cradle and intended to be carried on a vehicle wherein the cradle is integral with a plate able to be positioned on the ground by the vehicle using a maneuvering arm, the cannon being able to fire from the plate positioned on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Patrick Balbo
  • Patent number: 7418898
    Abstract: A push rod operating system for an AR-15/M-16 rifle includes an AR-15/M-16 rifle having a barrel coupled to an upper receiver, a bolt carrier carried by the upper receiver, and a mechanical key coupled to the bolt carrier. A gas block is coupled to the barrel, the gas block having a bore therethough. A rod tube extends from the gas block in communication with the bore, toward the upper receiver. A gas plug has a gas chamber closing the bore of the gas block opposite the rod tube. A discharge gas pathway permits discharge gasses to enter the gas chamber from the barrel. A piston rod element is carried in the rod tube with a piston portion thereof reciprocally received within the bore of the gas block and movable between a first position abutting the gas plug to define an operating volume, and a second position. A push rod element is carried by the rod tube and engages the mechanical key and the piston rod element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Frank Desomma
  • Patent number: 7418899
    Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, said cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, and an outlet for a beverage produced from said one or more beverage ingredients, wherein said cartridge comprises an outer member, an inner member inserted in the outer member and means for producing a jet of the beverage, wherein said means for producing the jet of the beverage comprises an aperture in a beverage flow path linking the inlet to the outlet, characterized in that the aperture is delimited by an interface between the inner member and the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R & D, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Halliday, Steve Carter
  • Patent number: 7418900
    Abstract: Creating an artistic work of art on a lawn includes: unfolding and stretching taut a stencil; driving stakes into the lawn, each stake extending through a corner of the stencil; spraying paint over openings in the stencil; removing the stencil while leaving stakes in place; unfolding and stretching taut a second stencil; anchoring the second stencil by extending corners of the second stencil over stakes driven in the ground; spraying paint over openings in the second stencil. An indication of orientation located on the second stencil is oriented in the same position as that of an indication of orientation of the first stencil. Each stencil includes a planar sheet of flexible film and a gate that extends across an opening of the respective stencil and maintains structural integrity of the stencil and distributes tension in the stencil when the stencil is stretched taut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Grass Graffiti, LLC
    Inventors: Riley C. Fields, Brian Cox, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 7418901
    Abstract: A dummy work (DW: a work for printing a reference necessary for subsequent printing) is moved to a printing position while the dummy work is fixed to a work alignment mechanism 2, and solder printing is made. The printed dummy work is then returned to the work alignment position and its image is taken by image processing cameras 7 and an image of position coordinates of a solder bump specified for alignment is stored. Positioning of subsequent works W is conducted on the basis of the image of the dummy work stored and solder printing of the works is subsequently made at the printing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atusi Sakaida, Toshihisa Taniguchi, Norio Goko
  • Patent number: 7418902
    Abstract: An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed that has a substrate table configured to hold a substrate, a template holder configured to hold an imprint template, the imprint template or the template holder having a template alignment mark configured to be imprinted onto the substrate table or onto a substrate to form an imprinted alignment mark, the imprint template having a functional pattern, and the template alignment mark and the functional pattern having a known spatial relationship, and an alignment sensor configured to determine the location of the imprinted alignment mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Yvonne Wendela Kruijt-Stegeman, Aleksey Yurievich Kolensnychenko, Helmar Van Santen, Erik Roelof Loopstra
  • Patent number: 7418903
    Abstract: A printing method for window blind slats includes three blind slats situated side by side before three printing rollers that are equidistantly spaced out in a transverse direction with one growth-ring printing area and two fine-texture printing areas alternatively arranged and precisely formed at corresponding lengthwise and widthwise positions of the sequentially aligned printing rollers thereon. Via the printing operation of the alternatively-arranged growth-ring printing areas and the fine-texture printing areas of the three printing rollers, the three blind slats thereof can be synchronically printed with complete wood grain pattern and finished with growth-ring pictures and fine-texture pictures disposed thereon, efficiently providing a speedier printing method for the blind slats and ensuring an accurate control of the quality of each blind slat to achieve a standardized manufacturing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ching Feng Home Fashions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen Ying Liang, Sheng Ying Hsu
  • Patent number: 7418904
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inert ballistic element and to a method for manufacturing it. Said method comprises the steps of: preparing a cylindrical tube, the ratio between the thickness and the outside diameter of said tube being equal or greater than 0.07; heating one end of the tube for a certain length until it is red hot; forging the end on a forging machine to form the tail and a part of the body of the ballistic element; heating the opposite end of the tube; and performing a second forging operation of the opposite part using a forging mould to form the nose of the ballistic element and to give the ballistic element its final shape. The forging operations are carried out with a forging machine equipped with a chuck that grips the tube by the non-heated end and pushes the tube into each nose or tail mould, which is divided into at least two shells that are moved by an opposite reciprocating motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: I.M.Z. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuliano Illesi
  • Patent number: 7418905
    Abstract: A missile, such as a cruise missile, has a nose payload portion having a frangible nose cover and a relatively hard target penetration nose cone. The nose cone may have a liquid fuel tank within, and a chemical energy explosive charge, such as a shaped charge, aft of the liquid fuel tank. The target penetration nose cone enables perforation of certain types of targets prior to detonation of the chemical energy explosive and the liquid fuel. The frangible nose cover is configured to be easily perforated or otherwise removed by the explosive force of the chemical energy explosive charge when the missile system is utilized for the attack of hard targets. The nose payload portion may have a fragmentation case, with one or more features designed to enhance fragmentation during detonation of the explosive and/or the liquid fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bootes, Jesse T. Waddell
  • Patent number: 7418906
    Abstract: A dual spin projectile includes a base; a body connected to the base with a first snap joint, the first snap joint allowing relative rotation between the base and the body; a can having an open forward end and connected to the body with a second snap joint, the second snap joint allowing relative rotation between the body and the can; an aft payload disposed in the body; a forward payload disposed in the can; and a cap connected to the can and closing the open forward end of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Philip Brislin, Stephen Ginetto, Jeffery McNaboe, Roger Joinson, Richard DalBraccio
  • Patent number: 7418907
    Abstract: A folding table comprises an upper panel, a lower panel, and a plurality of legs swingably articulated to the upper panel. The table is collapsible between an open position, in which the panels are separated, and a closed position, in which the panels are adjacent. Displacement of the lower panel into the open position entails deployment of the legs into a substantially upright position supporting the table in its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Keter Plastic Ltd.
    Inventor: Efraim Haimoff
  • Patent number: 7418908
    Abstract: Left and right main hoppers offset laterally from each other on opposite sides of the centerline of a seeding machine provide an operator access area between the hoppers. A third hopper located forwardly of and between the two main hoppers has a capacity less than that of each of the main hoppers for refuge or male seed. The hoppers are sized to maximize productivity. In one embodiment, first and second hoppers communicate with downstream conduit structure, and valve structure selects one or the other of the first and second hoppers for delivery of the material. The valve structure can be operated remotely and can be map based. Alternatviely, selectively blockable nozzle structure is located in the first and second hoppers. Easily changeable connector structure facilitates row pattern selection and hose routing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Donald Keith Landphair, Christopher Allen Myers, Patrick Eugene Pinkston, Richard Hugo Clark, Chris Warren Foster, Chad Erik Braden, Robert Wallace Martin
  • Patent number: 7418909
    Abstract: Sewing device for sewing first and second strips of sealing materials with respective first and second base materials. A first guide through-hole, through which the first strip of sealing material passes, is formed in a presser foot of the sewing device adjacent to a needle hole formed in the latter. A second guide though-hole, through which the second strip of sealing material passes, is formed in a feed dog member of the sewing device at a point adjacent to that needle hole. In operation, while the first and second base materials are fed by and between the presser foot and feed dog member, the first and second strips of sealing materials are simultaneously fed together with the first and second base materials, while being precisely guided by the respective first and second guide through-holes for sewing with the respective first and second base materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: TACHI-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihito Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7418910
    Abstract: An embroidery unit including a first switch mechanism rotating a Y-direction drive mechanism driving a carriage having a detachable embroidery frame holding a workpiece cloth connected thereto from the embroidery position to the upright position taking a vertical disposition, a second switch mechanism switching the Y-direction drive mechanism from the upright position to the stored position situated along a side surface of the unit body 31. Further, the upper surface of the exterior cover of the Y-direction cover and the upper surface of the bed are arranged to be substantially at level when the Y-direction drive mechanism is switched to the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akie Ukai, Hiroaki Fukao, Masayuki Hori
  • Patent number: 7418911
    Abstract: Important design features and methods of launching a trailerable sailboat are described. The trailerable sailboat is designed to allow transportation on overland highways and to provide a simplified method of raising the mast without the need for a crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Scott G. McClintock