Patents Issued in October 21, 2008
  • Patent number: 7437933
    Abstract: Micro-electro-mechanical structure formed by a substrate of semiconductor material and a suspended mass extending above the substrate and separated therefrom by an air gap. An insulating region of a first electrically insulating material extends through the suspended mass and divides it into at least one first electrically insulated suspended region and one second electrically insulated suspended region. A plug element of a second electrically insulating material different from the first electrically insulating material is formed underneath the insulating region and constitutes a barrier between the insulating region and the air gap for preventing removal of the insulating region during fabrication, when an etching agent is used for removing a sacrificial layer and forming the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Guido Spinola Durante, Simone Sassolini, Marco Ferrera, Mauro Marchi
  • Patent number: 7437934
    Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for inspecting energized and de-energized conductors. The apparatus includes a housing, at least one transmitter contained within the housing for generating and impinging pulses onto an electrical conductor, such that the pulses travel through and are reflected by the electrical conductor, and at least one receiver contained within the housing for receiving reflected pulses from the electrical conductor. The apparatus further including a controller for determining a condition of the electrical conductor based on an evaluation of the reflected pulses, and at least one indicator for displaying the condition of the electrical conductor determined by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Rahmat A. Shoureshi
  • Patent number: 7437935
    Abstract: A chatter boundary system includes a measuring module, a comparison module, and a boundary module. The measuring module measures and collects samples of undulations in a manufactured part. The comparison module classifies a sound signal generated by the undulations as either noisy or quiet. The boundary module determines a continuous boundary between the noisy and quiet undulations based on the samples and the sound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ihab M. Hanna, Aleksandar J. Filipovic, Jason J. Wiedyk, Bruce A. Tucker, Shane E. Bremer
  • Patent number: 7437936
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for fabricating measuring devices, e.g., a pressure gauge, thermometer or the like. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for fabricating a window for use with a measuring device assembly. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for improved systems and methods for fabricating measuring device assemblies having a window where the window does not substantially move or shift during or after assembly, thereby reducing or eliminating the risk that the window may leak or crack during or after assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Ashcroft, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Jon Bessette, Christian Miles Blatherwick
  • Patent number: 7437937
    Abstract: A relative pressure measuring transmitter resistant to the intrusion of moisture. includes a housing, an insert arranged in the housing, a gap existing between the housing and the insert, a relative pressure sensor, and, connected to the relative pressure sensor, a reference pressure supply line, which leads into the insert, opens on an outer wall of the insert, and has an interior, which is connected via an opening in insert with the gap The housing has a bore passing through it, via which the gap is placed in communication with an environment of the relative pressure measuring transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Raimund Becher, Juergen Tanner
  • Patent number: 7437938
    Abstract: A sensor preferably capable of high resolution sensing over a large operating range includes a composite diaphragm containing nanotubes or nanowires. The nanotubes or nanowires preferably form a mat that is embedded in insulating material, such as high dielectric or insulating thin films. The nanotubes or nanowires may provide the diaphragm with a Young's modulus of greater than about 1000 GPa and a tensile strength of greater than about 100 GPa. The strain in the nanotubes or nanowires may be measured by a change in resistance, voltage, current or capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Swapan Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 7437939
    Abstract: Pressure and mechanical sensors include a sensing component formed of a titanium and tantalum alloy having an elastic (Young's) modulus of less than about 80 GPa and a tensile strength of greater than about 1,000 MPa. The high strength and low elastic modulus, together with very low temperature dependence of the elastic modulus and very low linear thermal expansion, result in high resolution and precise measurement over a large temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Swapan Chakraborty, David A. Broden
  • Patent number: 7437940
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring differential pressure includes first and second sensor units. The first sensor unit detects directly a first pressure of a substance at a first position and acquires a first detection result that indicates the first pressure. The second sensor unit detects directly a second pressure of the substance at a second position different from the first position. The second sensor unit acquires a second detection result that indicates the second pressure and receives the first detection result from the first sensor unit. The second sensor unit calculates a differential pressure between the first and second positions with reference to the first and second detection results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuichirou Takahashi, Etsutarou Koyama
  • Patent number: 7437941
    Abstract: A pressure gauge for determining refrigerant pressure and refrigerant saturated vapor equivalent temperature for a refrigerant in an HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Diversitech Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Barry Ward
  • Patent number: 7437942
    Abstract: Sensors for outputting signals indicative of a magnetic drag force between a ferromagnetic sample that is or has been in motion relative to one or more measurement magnets are described. Such sensors include at least one measurement magnet and a sensing element operably associated therewith, such that upon or after exposure of the measurement magnet(s) to a ferromagnetic sample in motion relative thereto, the sensor can sense the drag force, if any, or changes therein, experienced by the measurement magnet. Devices for detecting and/or measuring magnetic drag force that employ one or more of these sensors are also described, as are various applications for such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: MagCanica, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan J. Garshelis, Stijn P. L. Tollens
  • Patent number: 7437943
    Abstract: A force measurement element measures an introduced force by means of a double flexural beam and a displacement sensor. The double flexural beam makes possible a double spring shape that makes possible an optimization with regard to elongation distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Munz, Kurt Weiblen, Andreàs Stratmann, Anton Dukart, Helmüt Grutzeck, Johann Wehrmann, Conräd Haeussermann, Klaus Kasten
  • Patent number: 7437944
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for controlling mix ratio of gas supplied to a processing chamber integrated with chamber pressure. In one embodiment, an integrated controller is used to adjust mix ratio and chamber pressure. In one embodiment, the mix ratio and chamber pressure may be adjusted using a flow sensor and a control valve disposed in each gas supply line. In one embodiment, the flow sensor used in each gas supply line is insensitive to upstream pressure perturbations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Melcer, John Lane
  • Patent number: 7437945
    Abstract: Problems of instability and non-linearity in probe-type magnetic flow meters are ameliorated by either or both of a conductor coating connecting a tip portion of the probe with a supporting probe stem and flat end plates parallel to the flow direction that are arranged adjacent to the sensing electrodes and that act to straighten and confine fluid flowing past the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Murray F Feller
  • Patent number: 7437946
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a characteristic of an aerated fluid flowing within a pipe is provided and includes at least one first sensing device associated with the pipe, such that the at least one first sensing device senses a low-frequency component of the aerated fluid flow and generates first sensor data responsive to the low-frequency component of the aerated fluid. At least one second sensing device is also included and is associated with the pipe such that the at least one second sensing device senses a high-frequency component of the aerated fluid flow and generates second sensor data responsive to the high-frequency component of the aerated fluid. Furthermore, a processing device is included and is communicated with the at least one first sensing device and the at least one second sensing device to receive and process the first sensor data and the second sensor data to generate fluid data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Patent number: 7437947
    Abstract: An acoustic method for measuring flow velocity of fluid is provided. First, a sound wave is emitted from a transduction surface of a transducer to a fluid. The transduction surface has at least two signal transduction sections. When the sound wave is scattered into a scattered signal by the fluid, the scattered signal is received by the transduction sections. According to the scattered signal, the maximum Doppler frequencies are calculated. Then, according to these maximum Doppler frequencies, the flow velocity of fluid is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Che-Chou Shen, Ching-Han Chou
  • Patent number: 7437948
    Abstract: A flowmeter includes: a transit time method unit having a sensor and a reception signal amplification control unit and a flow rate calculation unit which are connected to the sensor via a sensor selector switch; a pulse Doppler method having a reception signal amplification control unit and an integration calculation unit which are connected to the sensor; a transmission/reception timing control unit common to them; a measurement method selection control unit for controlling switching between the transit time method unit and the pulse Doppler method unit, and parallel operation; and a measurement value output selector switch for selecting the output of the transit time method unit and the pulse Doppler method unit. That is, the single flowmeter can perform flow rate measurement by the transit time method having no restriction on the measurement range as well as by the pulse Doppler method having an upper limit of the measurement range but enabling a highly accurate measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Kishiro, Kouji Hagiwara, Toshihiro Yamamoto, Hironobu Yao, Yoshinori Ohmuro, Noritomo Hirayama
  • Patent number: 7437949
    Abstract: In order that a flow tube of a Coriolis flowmeter may be vibrated in a tertiary mode using one drive device, the drive device is arranged at an antinode in the center of tertiary mode vibration, and vibration detecting sensors are arranged at two antinodes other than the antinode in the center of tertiary mode vibration. Moreover, the displacement polarity of the drive device is opposite to that of the vibration detecting sensors so that the vibration phases of the flow tube are in a relation of mutually opposite phases. Furthermore, in a positive feedback loop of an excitation circuit portion for exciting tertiary mode vibration of the flow tube and the vibration detecting sensors , the excitation circuit portion is structured so that the relation between the displacement polarities where the vibration phases of the flow tube are opposite to one another is converted to the relation where the vibration phases of the flow tube are in phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Nakao, Seiji Kobayashi, Norio Sukemura
  • Patent number: 7437950
    Abstract: A start tube section (27) of a first bent tube (31) has a first parallel subsection (27a) substantially parallel to a start tube section (28) of a second bent tube (32) or to a continuous section (35) between a return tube section (29) of the first bent tube (31) and the start tube section (28) of the second bent tube (32), a first bent subsection (27b) continuous with the first parallel subsection (27a), and a first start tube section body subsection (27c) extending gradually away from the start tube section (28) of the second bent tube (32) due to presence of the first bent subsection (27b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakao
  • Patent number: 7437951
    Abstract: A flowmeter is provided that comprises a leadframe assembly (140) and a body (144) disposed at least partially around the leadframe assembly (140). The body (144) has a flow passage therethrough that comprises a first channel (178) having a first port (166), a second channel (180) having a second port (168), and a flow altering element (182) disposed within the second channel (180). First and second pressure sensors (174 and 176) are disposed within the body (144) and coupled to the leadframe assembly (140) for measuring a first pressure within the first channel (178) and a second pressure within the second channel (180), respectively. An integrated circuit (155), which is coupled to the leadframe assembly (140), to the first pressure sensor (174), and to the second pressure sensor (176), is configured to determine the rate of flow through the flow passage from the first pressure and the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. McDonald, David J. Monk
  • Patent number: 7437952
    Abstract: A shrouded body flow meter assembly includes an inner fluid-conducting conduit disposed in a spaced relation from and within an outer conduit. The shrouded flow meter assembly can be connected to other shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus and/or used to replace sections of a shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus system. The shrouded flow meter assembly maintains the integrity of the inner fluid-conducting conduits and outer conduits of the shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James A Carns, Theron L Cutler, Mark A Shelly
  • Patent number: 7437953
    Abstract: A sheet film protective covering for different types of contour sensing devices is described. In a preferred embodiment, this covering is a MYLAR® sheet film that is coated with a layer of a conductive material. The bottom surface of the MYLAR® film is also preferably coated with a layer of an adhesive. The sheet film covering preferably is contiguous and serves the purpose, among other things, to protect the underlying surface of the pressure-sensing device from contaminants and from electrostatic discharge, as well provide force concentration during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventors: Keith T DeConde, Joram Diamant, Srinivasan K. Ganapathi, Joseph J. Pritikin
  • Patent number: 7437954
    Abstract: A six-axis force sensor includes a pair of members, and at least three legs scatteringly disposed between the pair of members on the periphery of the members. Each leg includes a T-shaped leg consisting of a cross beam supported at both ends thereof by one of the pair of members and extending on the periphery of the member in a circumferential direction, and a vertical beam extending from the center of the cross beam to a direction perpendicular to the cross beam and connected to the other of the pair of members. The strains on the legs are detected by first single-axis-type strain gauges and second single-axis-type strain gauges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: FANUC Ltd
    Inventor: Tetsuro Sakano
  • Patent number: 7437955
    Abstract: Nowadays position pickup units are commonly used in order to measure the rotation position of a shaft for operating a landing flap or landing slat or a brake flap in an aircraft. In the case of failure of such a position pickup unit (PPU) the corresponding drive motor of the shaft has to be switched off because position data is no longer present. According to one embodiment of the present invention a device for determining the rotation angle of a shaft in an aircraft is stated, with said device comprising a shaft and a motor, wherein rotation of the shaft is measured by way of the motor. This measuring data can be evaluated together with the data of the PPU. In this way improved system availability is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Joern Rennhack
  • Patent number: 7437956
    Abstract: A pull testing mechanism. A first fixed member and a second fixed member are disposed on a base and oppose each other. A first movable member and a second movable member are movably connected to the first and second fixed members, respectively. A first rotating member includes a first rod, a second rod, and a first hook. The first rod is connected to the first movable member and second rod. The second rod abuts the first fixed member. The first hook is connected to the second rod and under the base. A second rotating member includes a third rod, a fourth rod, and a second hook. The third rod is connected to the second movable member and fourth rod. The fourth rod abuts the second fixed member. The second hook is connected to the fourth rod. A third movable member movably abuts between the first and second movable members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Ling-Hsi Chao
  • Patent number: 7437957
    Abstract: A porous medium tensiometer has a filling mechanism which allows to fill a fluid chamber and simultaneously withdraw gas contained in the fluid chamber. A self-priming tensiometer includes a porous material tip having a first section surrounded by a fluid-impermeable membrane, a second section, a threshold suction range and pores, the pores auto-filling with liquid when in fluid communication with a porous medium having a liquid potential being at least equal, in absolute value, to the threshold suction range, the liquid contained in the pores having a liquid pressure representative of the liquid potential; a one-way fluid control device in fluid communication with the porous material tip and allowing fluid contained in pores of the porous material to exit therethrough when the porous material tip auto-fills with liquid; and a pressure transducer in liquid communication with the porous material tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Hortau Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Jobin, Jean Caron, Sébastien Descoteaux, Jocelyn Boudreau
  • Patent number: 7437958
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for obtaining a sample of fluid from a process conduit. The device includes a tubular core that has a passageway extending therethrough. The tubular core has ends that are attachable to spaced-apart portions of a conduit. A tubular sleeve surrounds the tubular core such that the tubular core extends lengthwise through the tubular sleeve. The tubular sleeve has a boss formed thereon that has a bore extending therethrough. The bore fluidly communicates with the tubular core. A syringe is mountable to the boss and the syringe has a needle. The needle is dimensioned to extend through the bore to puncture the core and to project into the passageway inside the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Pramod K. Sharma, Susan G. Quick, Karl F. Ludwig, II
  • Patent number: 7437959
    Abstract: An In-Water Hull Cleaning Sampling Device includes a sampling chamber, a drive shaft housing, a drive shaft sealing membrane, a drive shaft, a spring retainer, a pressure spring, a cleaning pad, a mechanical drive device and a chamber sealing means. The sampling chamber further includes a chamber sealing membrane coupled to a base; and a chamber wall coupled to the base and a chamber ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David Bartholomew Chadwick, Ignacio Rivera-Duarte, Robert Martin Cook
  • Patent number: 7437960
    Abstract: A device for detecting labels on a carrier material conveyed through a detection plane includes an optical sensor and an ultrasonic sensor. Each sensor is arranged to detect labels. Switching elements selectively activate one of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Leuze Electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Priebsch
  • Patent number: 7437961
    Abstract: A power starting dock for gyroscope is comprised of an outer housing that has a bottom and a concave head. The head is slanted at an angle relative to the housing, and engages a gyroscope rotor, an electric power source on the housing, a spring-mounted motor on the housing connected to the power source for producing a rotational power in response to a switching force, and a power rotor fastened to the motor and protruding into the concave head of the housing. The power rotor serves to resiliently transmit rotational motor power to the gyroscope rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Dynaflex International
    Inventor: Bill Dworzan
  • Patent number: 7437962
    Abstract: A spindle or worm drive for adjusting devices, especially seat adjustment devices, window lifters and sliding roofs, in motor vehicles. The drive includes a fixed spindle or relatively fixed toothed rack which is secured to the second of the two parts. The gear elements are mounted in a housing which includes at least two plates that can be secured to each other by plug-in connectors. The connectors are also configured as supporting joints that absorb the forces of the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Werner Taubmann, Alwin Macht, Bernhard Schrimpl, Matthias Liebetrau
  • Patent number: 7437963
    Abstract: A synchronizer-controlled transmission has a plurality of input shafts, which are selectively connectible with a transmission input shaft, at least one countershaft, which rotatably supports a plurality of ratio gears, and an output shaft. A plurality of synchronizers is disposed along the countershaft and at least one input shaft to provide power transmission connections between the countershaft and the ratio gears disposed thereon. At least one ratio is established through direct connection between at least one input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Haka, Hamid Vahabzadeh
  • Patent number: 7437964
    Abstract: In a double clutch transmission of a drive train of a vehicle with rear-axle drive or all-wheel drive and a front longitudinally mounted drive engine, wherein concentric central shafts of the double clutch transmission are supported by first and second rolling bearings in an X arrangement, third and fourth rolling bearings are provided by which the transmission output shaft is supported and the rolling bearings are preloaded and also disposed in an X arrangement in relation to the rolling bearings supporting the transmission output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Carsten Gitt
  • Patent number: 7437965
    Abstract: A gear change control device and a method for a work vehicle for reducing a heat quantity generated by gear shift clutches of a transmission and a gear shift shock to reduce a load on the clutches without inducing elongation of a cycle time or deterioration of a work efficiency. A clutch pressure (Pm) of an input clutch(10) is reduced to switch from a connected state to a power-transmittable sliding state at a time (tE) after a time (tA) at which a cut-off operation of a gear shift clutch used before gear shifting (reverse clutch 22) is started and before a time (tD) at which the connecting operation of a selected gear shift clutch to be used after the gear shifting (forward clutch 21) is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Shizume
  • Patent number: 7437966
    Abstract: An internal control device for a mechanical gearbox including first and second input clutches which, respectively, control transmission from engine torque towards first and second primary concentric shafts bearing; stationary pinions; two output shafts supporting idle pinions which are driven respectively by the first and second input shafts; and a mechanism for jaw clutching the idle pinions, which are actuated by an assembly of shift forks. All of the gearbox ratios are selected and switched by a common selector including a selector cylinder and a switching carriage which is concentric to the cylinder and which is disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Maillard, Michel Raoul
  • Patent number: 7437967
    Abstract: A gear having window holes, and method and apparatus for mafufacturing the same in which by depressing partially one end surface of a primary formed article, a plurality of concaves for the window holes is formed at the one end surface in an axial direction of the primary formed articles, a plurality of projections are extruded from the other end surface thereof and tooth forms preformed at an outer peripheral wall of the primary formed article is thrown out in radial direction thereof, and the gear is formed by cutting the plurality of projections extruded from the other end surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: O-Oka Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyoshi Okada
  • Patent number: 7437968
    Abstract: A steering column device (1), comprising a column body (2) having a swelled shell part (23) in deformed section swelled in the side direction of a steering shaft (3) beyond the portion of thereof where an upper bearing (31) is installed and having opposed walls parallel with each other, wherein a lower body mounting part (22) and an upper body mounting part (21) are formed in the swelled shell part (23), whereby a distance bracket and a lower bracket must not be prepared and fixedly positioned on the column body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Sawada, Masaki Nishioka, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: 7437969
    Abstract: A bicycle shift operating device is provided that includes a first shift operating member, a second shift operating member and a transmission control mechanism. The first shift operating member is pivotally coupled to a first pivot axle for rotation about a first pivot axis to move along a first shifting plane that is perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The second shift operating member is pivotally coupled to a second pivot axle for rotation about a second pivot axis to move along a second shifting plane that is perpendicular to the second pivot axis and intersects the first shifting plane to form an angle equal to or less than about thirty degrees between the first and second shifting planes. The transmission control mechanism is configured to control a bicycle transmission. The transmission control mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second shift operating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 7437970
    Abstract: A stand tube of a bicycle comprises a body; one end of the body formed with a U shape ear; each leg of the U shape ear having a pivotal hole; a head having one end formed with a round portion; the round portion having a transversal penetrating hole; a buckling unit having a pivotal unit; a receiving hole penetrating through the buckling unit; the buckling unit passing through the two pivotal holes and the penetrating hole; two buckles; one surface of the buckle being protruded with a protrusion; and a screw unit received in the receiving hole of the pivotal unit; the teeth of two buckles being then engaged to the teeth portion of the U shape ear and the two protrusion being received into the pivotal hole. By above assembly, the stand tube of a bicycle has a rigid and firm structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Chao-Hu Chen
  • Patent number: 7437971
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a shaft, such as a shaft for driving a sectional door, roller shutter or the like, is in the form of a module, carried, in use, by the shaft and including a motor, a driven wheel fixed for rotation with the shaft and drivable, in use, by the motor, and clutch means and operable between the motor and the wheel. The module further includes brace means in the form of a limb attachable to a member which is fixed relative to the axis of the shaft, to brace the module against turning as the shaft is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce Stanley Gunton
  • Patent number: 7437972
    Abstract: The device performs the function of opening and/or closing lids attached to containers, and more particularly child-proof lids in at least some embodiments. The device preferably includes a base, a post, a lever, a plate to engage the lid of a container, and a mechanism that coverts movement of the lever to rotational movement of the plate against a lid. The conversion mechanism in at least some embodiments includes a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Arthur F. Yeager
  • Patent number: 7437973
    Abstract: A corkscrew includes a handgrip (1), a screw (2) associated to the handgrip (1) by means of a first pivoting connection (3), and an arm (4, 4?) comprising first abutting members (5, 5?) and associated to the handgrip (1) by means of a second connection (21) that enables the arm (4, 4?) to rotate, with the arm (4, 4?) being further capable of performing a second movement relative to the handgrip (1). The inventive corkscrew is characterized in that it comprises elastic means (10) that are adapted to affect at least the second movement of the arm (4, 4?) so as to assist in pulling out a cork (7) from a bottle (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Farmitaly S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Cellini
  • Patent number: 7437974
    Abstract: A rotation unit for a torque tong for making and/or breaking threaded connections between pipes and/or spinning pipes during screwing and/or unscrewing of pipes, primarily pipes used in petroleum production. The unit includes a fixed part and a rotary part arranged to grip a pipe to be rotated. The rotary part includes at least one movable gripping jaw arranged to be moved into engagement with the pipe. The fixed part includes at least one gripping cylinder arranged to move the gripping jaw to engage the pipe when the gripping jaw is operatively engaged with the gripping cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Aker Kvaerner MH AS
    Inventors: Per Slettedal, Terje Egeland
  • Patent number: 7437975
    Abstract: A wrench socket having a cylindrical body with a receptacle at one end opening exteriorly thereof to insertably receive a head or nut carried on a fastener. The sidewall of the receptacle is tapered inwardly from the open end to a bottom of the socket which defines the depth. The sidewall provides a straight wall entrance leading into the tapered sidewall portion. The angle of taper of the sidewall is sufficient to accommodate a particular range of sized and shaped fastener heads or nuts. Additionally, the opposite end of the body includes a detachable coupling with the end of a wrench so that the socket can be turned to loosen or tighten the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Michael De Anfrasio
  • Patent number: 7437976
    Abstract: A blocking nut ensemble for positional placement on a threaded shaft comprises a first internally threaded nut for threading on a shaft and including a first abutting face having intermediate inner and outer sidewalls depending therefrom and defining an annular groove in the first nut. A second internally threaded nut for threading on the shaft is axially aligned with the first nut. The second nut has a second abutting face and an annular locking flange extending therefrom wherein the annular locking flange is radially positioned in registration with the annular groove in the first nut. The annular flange of the first nut is received in the annular groove of the second nut when the first abutting face abuts the second abutting face thereby locking the first nut to the second nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Harold Goldbaum
  • Patent number: 7437977
    Abstract: A hand tool comprises a main body provided with a mounting portion including a plurality of arcuate protruding faces and a plurality of receiving recesses located between the protruding faces. Each of the receiving recesses of the mounting portion has an arc-shaped corner. A first distance is defined to be a distance between two walls of each recess.he two wall facing to each other. A second distance is defined to be a distance from a top to a bottom of each arcuate protruding face and a third distance D is defined to be a distance between two ends of a bottom side of the arcuate protruding face. A proportion of the first distance to the second distance is 1:1.6 and a proportion of the third distance to the second distance is 1:1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7437978
    Abstract: A self-adjusting locking vise grip includes a stationary handle, a stationary jaw, a pivoting jaw, a pivoting handle, a first link, a second link and a rail assembly. The stationary jaw is retained in one end of the stationary handle. The pivoting jaw is pivotally retained adjacent the stationary jaw. One end of the pivoting handle is pivotally retained on the pivoting jaw. The first link is pivotally retained by the pivoting handle. The second link is pivotally retained by the first link. The rail assembly includes a slide carriage, an adjustment screw and a rail member. The adjustment screw is threaded into the slide carriage. The slide carriage is slidably retained by the rail tube. The other end of the second link is pivotally retained by the slide carriage. The rail member is retained in the other end of the stationary handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Robert L. Aldredge
  • Patent number: 7437979
    Abstract: A screwdriver bit includes a shank for coupling with a tool for rotating the shank. An engaging portion extends from one of two ends of the shank and includes an insertion section for coupling with a fastener. A reduced, threaded section is formed between one of the ends of the shank and the insertion section of the engaging portion. The reduced, threaded section includes an outer diameter smaller than that of the ends of the shank and an outer threading. The outer threading of the reduced, threaded section provides uniform stress distribution during torque transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Jui-Hsiao Wang
  • Patent number: 7437980
    Abstract: A high bandwidth rotary fast tool servo provides tool motion in a direction nominally parallel to the surface-normal of a workpiece at the point of contact between the cutting tool and workpiece. Three or more flexure blades having all ends fixed are used to form an axis of rotation for a swing arm that carries a cutting tool at a set radius from the axis of rotation. An actuator rotates a swing arm assembly such that a cutting tool is moved in and away from the lathe-mounted, rotating workpiece in a rapid and controlled manner in order to machine the workpiece. A pair of position sensors provides rotation and position information for a swing arm to a control system. A control system commands and coordinates motion of the fast tool servo with the motion of a spindle, rotating table, cross-feed slide, and in-feed slide of a precision lathe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: David L. Trumper
  • Patent number: 7437981
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a modular saw guard system for a power saw of the type which has a table top, a rotatable circular saw blade that is vertically adjustable relative to the table top, the table top having an opening through which the saw blade can extend, the blade being configured to cut a work piece as the work piece is moved forwardly from a forward position to a rearward position, wherein the system comprises a riving knife mechanism releasably mounted to the saw rearwardly of the blade, a blade guard mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism when the riving knife mechanism is at least in its extended position, and a kickback prevention mechanism that is releasably mounted to the riving knife mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Burke, Mark S. Talesky, Peter Domeny, Ravinder Voruganti, Brian Taylor, Adam S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7437982
    Abstract: A strip of wrapping material is fed and cut into leaves by a unit comprising first and second contrarotating rollers equipped with respective first and second blades of which the first blades operate as a pair to cut the strip transversely into leaves, and the second blades operate as a pair to impress a transverse line on each leaf, this line combining with a longitudinal line, impressed by a further disc cutter, to create a “pull” portion removable from the leaf by tearing. The timing of the second blades can be controlled, so as to adjust the position of the transverse tear-off line on the leaf, by components interacting with the strip along a predetermined feed path extending between two decoiling rollers and a cutting zone that coincides with the line of substantially tangential proximity between the two cutter rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gilberto Spirito, Alessandro Minarelli