Patents Issued in October 21, 2008
  • Patent number: 7438133
    Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member that includes a valve assembly for permitting the injection of a hardenable fluidic sealing material into an annulus between the tubular member and a preexisting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLC
    Inventor: David Paul Brisco
  • Patent number: 7438135
    Abstract: Methods are provided in which reliance is placed on a first and second barrier respectively positioned in a well 10 to provide well control during well suspension, completion and/or workover operations. Each of the barriers is below the depth of the lowermost end of a completion string when that string is installed in the well. By not placing either barrier higher up in the well-bore, both of the barriers can remain in place during suspension and completion and workover operations, thus obviating the need to use a BOP stack to supplement well control. This results in a considerable saving in drill rig time and thus significantly reduces the cost of constructing a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Woodside Energy Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Ernest Page, Alexander Jeffrey Burns, John Edward Niski
  • Patent number: 7438136
    Abstract: A soil aeration device may include a plurality of arcuate blades mounted to an assembly adapted to rotate and translate the blades proximate a ground surface, thereby forming aeration pockets in the soil. In certain embodiments, the arcuate tines penetrate and fracture the soil while minimizing the amount of soil lifted from the pocket deposited on the top of the soil. In various embodiments, a planetary gear assembly imparts to the tine a translational and rotational movement which creates a fractured pocket in the soil while minimizing the amount of soil lifted from the pocket and deposited on the surface of the soil. In still other embodiments, the arcuate tine may have mounted thereon a coring tube that cuts and removes a plug from the pocket formed in the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: PlanetAir Turf Products, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Maas, Scott W. Bjorge
  • Patent number: 7438137
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with an agricultural implement assembly that includes a support frame, a wing frame and a cylinder assembly that includes a cylinder and a rod, each of the support frame, wing frame, cylinder and rod being an assembly component, the rod moving relative to the cylinder between an unlatched position and a latched position as the support and wing frames move from an operating position toward a transport position, the apparatus comprising a first coupler supported by one of the assembly components and moving along a pathway as the wing frame moves from the operating position toward the transport position, a second coupler supported at least in part within the pathway by at least another of the assembly components, the second coupler operable to couple with the first coupler when the rod is in the latched position and a latch inhibiting member that is manually moveable between a latch inhibiting position and a latch enabling position, when in the inhibiting position, the inhibiting m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Dean Pederson, William Allan Wake, Jacob N. Gust, Richard Allen Brunelle, Patrick L. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7438138
    Abstract: Impact adapter for transfer of impacts and rotation from an impact rock drilling machine to a drill string comprising a first end (5) for connection to a drill string and a second end provided with ridges (7) and interposed grooves (8) for transfer of rotation. The grooves (8) at the end (9) directed away from the first end (5) of the impact adapter (2) are widened in the direction away from the first end (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventors: Kurt Andersson, Per Jonsson
  • Patent number: 7438139
    Abstract: A tool assembly (10), for example a hydraulic or pneumatic hammer assembly, includes a housing (11) defining a chamber (16), a removable reciprocating work tool (20) arranged in the chamber, and a tool retention member (80) having an aperture through which the work tool extends. The housing (11) includes an engaging structure (50) which permits the engagement of the tool retention member (80) with the housing by relative rotation of the tool retention member and housing. The work tool (20) is provided with retention structure (44) such as a retaining flange which prevents the removal of the work tool from the housing when the tool retention member is engaged with the housing. At least some of the disclosed embodiments may eliminate the need for a retainer pin, thereby allowing the work tool to rotate, possibly avoiding wear, increasing tool life and simplifying tool replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Lauritz Phillip Pillers, II
  • Patent number: 7438140
    Abstract: A shock attenuating coupling device is provided for a rotary impact tool for drivingly connecting a hammer mechanism to a drive anvil. The shock attenuating coupling device includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, a drum, a shoe, and a body of resilient material. The first coupling member has a first drive portion. The second coupling member has a second drive portion. The drum is provided proximate the first drive portion and the second drive portion and has a radially inner engagement surface. The shoe is provided within the drum and between the first drive portion and the second drive portion. The shoe has a radially outer surface capable of being expanded in a radially outer direction. The body of resilient material is interposed between the drum and the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Exhaust Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Sterling, Matthew R. Sterling
  • Patent number: 7438141
    Abstract: A module and related methods of use in drilling a borehole in a face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: J.H. Fletcher & Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hinshaw, Henry E. Wilson, Craig M. Collins, William A. Kyslinger, William B. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7438142
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of industrial carbon material from a mixture. The mixture may include drilling fluids, drilled solids, and industrial carbon from a mud system. The process may include: separating at least a portion of the drilled solids from the mixture to form a first effluent and a drilled solids fraction; separating at least a portion of the industrial carbon from the first effluent to form a second effluent and a recovered industrial carbon fraction; and recycling at least a portion of the recovered industrial carbon to the mud system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Frank Butler, Tim Browning
  • Patent number: 7438143
    Abstract: A drilling machine includes a frame, a tower that is supported by the frame, two tracks for movement over the ground, at least four yokes that interconnect the frame and the two tracks, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders, a plurality of sensors, and a controller. The tower includes a drill string. Each yoke is connected to the frame and one of the tracks. Each hydraulic cylinder is movable in response to a control signal and connected to the frame and a yoke. Each sensor senses a parameter indicative of force and generates an output signal that represents the force. The controller receives the output signals from the sensors, determines a center of gravity of the drilling machine, and generates the control signals for the hydraulic cylinders based on the center of gravity. Each hydraulic cylinder is controlled to move to maintain the center of gravity within a boundary area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions
    Inventors: Arnold R. Law, Ajay Kumar
  • Patent number: 7438144
    Abstract: For power purposes, an electrically-powered autonomous vehicle requires a mass and/or a significant volume of batteries, the batteries being supported by an independent chassis (4). The independent chassis is designed to be received in a housing (3) which is defined under the chassis of the vehicle and which is provided with at least one wheel (5)-equipped axle. Each of the chassis includes a connection interface, each including the complementary male and female parts of at least one centering member (15) and of at least one socket member (16). The vehicle chassis-side interface has a plate (10) which is independent of the chassis and which is connected to same at least three points, namely: two points which are controlled by jacks (12) and a third point which takes the form of a ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: R&D Industries
    Inventors: Richard Chene, Dominique Delamour, Olivier Rodi
  • Patent number: 7438145
    Abstract: A vehicle is adaptable to various terrains. The vehicle includes a frame and two rolling sets connected to the frame. Each of the rolling sets includes two legs pivotally connected to the frame, two casters, a pin and a wheel. Each of the legs defines a slot. Each of the casters is connected to one of the legs. The pin is carried by the frame and extends through the slots so that the motor is moved when the legs are pivoted. The wheel is operably connected to the motor so that the casters and the wheel always grip the ground firmly regardless of whether the casters are up or down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Wen-Chyan Shin
  • Patent number: 7438146
    Abstract: When a request to stop an operation of a fuel cell system is issued, a control unit stops the operation of the fuel cell system and cuts off the electrical connection between the fuel cell and a drive motor by shutting OFF a power supply relay. Where a shift position signal indicating that the shift position SP is at the P or N position is received from a shift selector and the parking brake is set, the control unit determines whether a coolant temperature Tfc detected via coolant detection sensors is at or below 20° C. If it is determined that the detected coolant temperature Tfc is at or below 20° C., the control unit commences a temperature-maintenance operation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Hirakata, Kenji Umayahara
  • Patent number: 7438147
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and wheels. An engine of the vehicle has a crankshaft. A transmission transmits the rotation of the crankshaft to the wheels. A housing houses a transmission mechanism of the transmission. The housing has an air inlet duct through which ambient air enters the housing and an air outlet duct through which the air leaves the housing. The air inlet duct has an inlet opening. The outlet duct has an outlet opening. The inlet and outlet openings are positioned higher than the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventors: Eiji Kato, Rusty Hayes, Colby Nash, Joel Cheek
  • Patent number: 7438148
    Abstract: A controllable vehicle system and method of using a vehicle capable of being manual and remote control. The system includes a vehicle and a remote control unit. The vehicle includes a compartment for receiving a rider and at least one wheel. Manual controls are provided for controlling operation of the at least one wheel upon receipt of a control signal from the rider. A control override switch disables the manual controls. The vehicle also includes a receiver and a vehicle transmitter which generates and transmits a distance signal. The remote control device includes a device for generating control signals based upon command signals received from a user. A remote transmitter is provided for transmitting the control signals to the vehicle transmitter for controlling the control override and control operation of the at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Dominick Crea
  • Patent number: 7438149
    Abstract: A space is secured inside left and right pivot plates and a space is secured in front of a rear wheel to increase flexibility in design. In a motorcycle including left and right pivot plates provided at the rear portion of main pipes, a swing arm is provided on pivots so as to be capable of moving in the vertical direction. Only one rear suspension is interposed between the swing arm and the main pipe that is disposed outside the pivot plate in the direction of the width of the vehicle. A lower end of the rear suspension is connected to an upper surface of an arm portion of the swing arm. The rear suspension is mounted to one of the main pipe so as to extend continuously from the main pipe and substantially linearly in the direction of the length of the vehicle in a top view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Ishida, Takero Shibukawa, Yutaka Yamakura, Shunichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7438150
    Abstract: A seat belt apparatus has a seat belt, a retracting device for the seat belt, a clash predicting means for outputting a clash predicting signal, a control unit for operating the retracting device when it receives the clash predicting signal, and a switching means for prohibiting the operation of the retracting device when the switching means is manually operated to an OFF state. As a result, unpleasant feeling to a vehicle occupant can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yoji Higashiyama
  • Patent number: 7438151
    Abstract: A method for damage limitation in a partially overlapping frontal collision of two motor vehicles involves a signal indicating the start of a collision or an imminent collision causing the steerable front wheels (9, 10) to be turned in such a manner that the wheel plane (34) of the collision-side wheel (9) intersects the vertical longitudinal central plane (33) of the vehicle at a point (36) in front of said vehicle. For this purpose, a connecting element (17) provides for the rapid build up of pressure in the steering device (13-16), and, in the event of a collision, the connecting element (17) acts on the steering device (13-16) in such a manner that at least the collision-side front wheel (9) is turned in a positive direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Stephan Winkler
  • Patent number: 7438152
    Abstract: Impacts with a vehicle body panel are detected by sensing airflow inboard of the vehicle body panel. The airflow can be measured by heated element sensor, a Pitot tube sensor, a venturi sensor or other airflow-responsive sensor. For side impact detection, the sensor is located in a door or pillar on the side of the vehicle; for frontal impact detection, the sensor may be located behind the front bumper. Multiple sensors mounted in distributed locations can be used to determine the location and extent of an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Hawes, Scott A. Pagington, Junqiang Shen
  • Patent number: 7438153
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle for traveling over land includes a frame, an engine, a transmission, and a seating arrangement. The frame has a forward end and a rearward end. The vehicle includes a longitudinal axis extending from the forward end to the rearward end. A single or tandem seating arrangement is arranged along the longitudinal axis in certain embodiments. The engine is secured to the frame. The engine includes at least one cylinder and a crankshaft with a crankcase fastened generally beneath the cylinder. A transmission is coupled to the engine crankshaft. The transmission extends forwardly from the crankshaft toward the forward end of the frame along the longitudinal axis. A side-by-side seating arrangement is secured to the frame generally along an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. An air intake is provided at the forward side of the cylinder with an exhaust out the rearward side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Artic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Kalsnes, Robert Rauch
  • Patent number: 7438154
    Abstract: An automotive steering rack stroke adjusting device is disclosed that detects a change in a gap defined between steerable wheels and a vehicle body depending on a change in the stroke of the steerable wheels using a vehicle height sensor, and automatically adjusts the rotation of a plurality of rotary bodies with respect to a stop plate of a steering rack, so that the optimized maximum stroke of the steering rack can be set according to the driving conditions of the vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention is able to increase an adjustment range of the stroke of the steering rack, so that a minimum rotation radius of the vehicle may be reduced, thus markedly enhancing the driving convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yong-Seob Lim
  • Patent number: 7438155
    Abstract: A speaker system is provided, including a suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge. The suspension element, such as a spider or surround, varies in shape along at least a portion of the suspension element to help relieve both the radial and tangential stress placed on the suspension element when it is stretched. The shape employed in the suspension element allows the suspension element to stretch more easily, creating a higher performance speaker of the same size by increasing the diaphragm excursion and voice coil movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Brendon Stead, Clayton Williamson, Mark Trainer
  • Patent number: 7438156
    Abstract: A diaphragm in one mode of the present invention comprises an outer shape section having a circle with one diameter, or a shape of a polygon to be inscribed in a circle with the one diameter; an inner shape section protruding in one direction with regard to a plane including the outer shape section, wherein a shape formed by projecting the inner shape section on the plane is rotationally symmetric about the central axis of the circle; and a vibrating face section linking the outer shape section and the inner shape section and having an inclined face inclined to the central axis, wherein any one of cross-sectional shapes of the vibrating face section is rotationally symmetric about an eccentric axis which is eccentric with regard to the central axis, the cross-sectional shapes being defined by a plane intersecting perpendicularly to the central axis. An electroacoustic transducer uses the above diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Inagaki, Jiro Nakaso, Manabu Omoda
  • Patent number: 7438157
    Abstract: A muffler for an exhaust gas system of an internal-combustion engine has an exhaust gas inlet and a first flow pipe arranged inside the muffler and completely penetrating the muffler. A shut-off device is arranged in the first flow pipe, for the shutting-off and opening-up an exhaust gas tail pipe which is situated downstream of the muffler and is connected with the first flow pipe. A second flow pipe partially penetrates the muffler, and has an overflow path between the first and second flow pipes situated inside the muffler. The first and the second flow pipes are connected with the exhaust gas inlet by way of a branching element and the shut-off device is arranged upstream of the muffler in the first flow pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Juergen Schorn, Joerg Winkel
  • Patent number: 7438158
    Abstract: A safety monitoring device is provided for a lift car which can be moved in a lift shaft by a traction drive via a lift control system and whose instantaneous position can be registered by a position registering device which supplies two position signals, produced independently of each other, in a predetermined time pattern, having two-channel evaluation of the position signals by means of a microprocessor in each case for location-dependent, instantaneous determination of the speed of the lift car and for comparison with a predefined movement profile, it being possible for a trigger signal that can be output via a safety relay stage to be generated if a predetermined instantaneous speed desired value is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: K.A. Schmersal Holding KG
    Inventors: Volker Heinzer, Olav Hennemann
  • Patent number: 7438159
    Abstract: A bicycle motion sensing arrangement is provided has a bicycle wheel, a bicycle brake and a sensor. The bicycle wheel includes an air valve stem and a magnet mounted to the air valve stem. The bicycle brake is configured to be mounted to a bicycle frame. The sensor is fixedly attached to the bicycle brake at a location to detect rotational behavior of a bicycle wheel by sensing the magnet mounted to the air valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 7438160
    Abstract: A caliper 2a is disposed between rotation input side and rotation output side engagement portions 8, 9 of a support member 3a so as to restrict the movement of the caliper 2a in a circumferential direction of a rotor 1. A guide pin 26 which supports the caliper 2a is passed through guide holes 22 formed in pressure plates 11 which make up respective pads 10b in such a manner as to be capable of sliding in an axial direction of the rotor 1, whereby the caliper 2a is supported on the respective pads 10b attachably and detachably to the support member 3a while being allowed to move in the axial direction of the rotor 1 relative to the respective pads 10b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshifumi Maehara
  • Patent number: 7438161
    Abstract: A brake caliper has a removable bridge that acts as a rigid mount for a pair of brake pad holders. The removable bridge is retained on the caliper body by spring loaded push button that allows quick removal for replacement of the brake pads, which is especially suited for automotive racing situations. The bridge is snapped in place and rigidly retained on caliper body when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Performance Friction Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Burgoon, Darrick Dong, Grafton Robertson, Wenqi Qian
  • Patent number: 7438162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a caliper brake for a brake disc, in particular for elevator drives. Said brake comprises a brake body that is mounted on a fixed bolt (7) in a floating manner (1) and a brake caliper (2) that impinges on the brake disc (3) from the outer periphery of the latter, in addition to a solenoid (14) that is integrated into the brake body (1) to electromagnetically pull a spring-loaded armature disc (4) against the brake body (1). Said armature disc (4) and the section of the brake caliper (2) lying axially opposite are equipped with friction linings (5, 6) for engaging with the two end faces of the brake disc (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Chr. Mayr GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Karl Eiband
  • Patent number: 7438163
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake application device for vehicles, in particular rail vehicles, comprising a unit for emergency release and a unit for auxiliary release. The release units are integrated into a combined device for emergency and auxiliary release of the brakes. The combined device is electrically actuated by a common drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Fuderer, Peter Wolfsteiner, Ulf Friesen, Manfred Vohla
  • Patent number: 7438164
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure tube with a piston slidably disposed therein. A separate valve includes a fluid circuit for fluid low in rebound and a fluid circuit for fluid flow in compression. Each fluid circuit includes a variable orifice which allows selection between a firm rebound with a soft compression, a soft rebound with a soft compression and a soft rebound with a firm compression. Each variable orifice is in communication with a blowoff valve in such a manner that they provide a variable blowoff feature to the blowoff valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W Groves, Karl Kazmirski, David L Steed, Michael L Zebolsky
  • Patent number: 7438165
    Abstract: This invention is directed at torsional vibration dampers of a rotating shaft. The dampers of the invention provide self-tuning to dampen harmonics, over a broad range of shaft angular velocities. Where the shaft rotates with an angular velocity about a longitudinal axis, and rotates perpendicular to a plane of rotation, the damper comprises: at least one passive damping element, and one controlling damping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: George Nerubenko
  • Patent number: 7438166
    Abstract: A flywheel assembly that receives torque from a crankshaft of an engine includes a flywheel, a damper mechanism, and a frictional resistance generation mechanism. The damper mechanism elastically connects the flywheel to the crankshaft in a rotational direction. The damper mechanism includes an input member, an output member, elastic members to connect elastically the input member and the output member in the rotational direction. The frictional resistance generation mechanism is located functionally in parallel with the damper mechanism in the rotational direction. The frictional resistance generation mechanism utilizes a portion of the flywheel as a friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Tsuruta, Hiroshi Uehara, Kozo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7438167
    Abstract: A coupling device (11) and method of assembly, the device being of the type including a plenum member (17) disposed at one axial end of the coupling housing (13,15), the method comprising configuring the plenum member (17) such that each of the required features (55,57,61,66) is disposed circumferentially between an adjacent pair of fastener holes (18H). Next, the input ring gear (R) is installed about the housing (13,15) of the coupling device (11), from an axial end opposite said plenum member (17), into assembly position adjacent said flange portion (18). Each of a plurality (N) of fasteners (89) is inserted through one of the fastener holes (18H) and into initial threaded engagement with the input ring gear (R). Finally, by means of a fastener driver, all of the plurality (N) of fasteners (89) are driven into full threaded engagement, substantially simultaneously, with the input ring gear (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Morgensai, Robert J. Kyle, Monowar Zahir, Mark J. Shewchuck, Christopher J. Babin
  • Patent number: 7438168
    Abstract: A cushion plate is provided, for example, between a piston of a hydraulic servo and an adjacent friction plate in a frictional engagement element of an automatic transmission. The cushion plate is deflected by a pressing force of the piston to absorb an engagement shock. The cushion plate includes a main body portion formed into a belleville-spring shape, and a plurality of pawls that extend from the outer periphery of the main body for spline engagement with a member that is splined to, for example, the friction plate. A side wall of each pawl is formed with a curved recess extending circumferentially of the cushion plate and located adjacent the juncture (base) of the pawl at the outer periphery of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kita, Shigeo Tsuzuki, Hiroyuki Nozaki, Yukitoshi Ogawa, Takayuki Ishikawa, Hironobu Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 7438169
    Abstract: A clutch system may include in certain embodiments a clutch body attached to a drive member such as a drive pulley, wherein the clutch body may be removed from the drive member without disassembling the clutch body. In various embodiments, the clutch body may include two clutch plates which enclose a spring-loaded pneumatic reciprocating assembly that in operation causes the plates to selectively separate and engage one another. In certain embodiments, the clutch body may be readily attached to a associated drive pulley in a single step by installation of a single set of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Kit Masters Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Swanson, Thomas M. Jagger
  • Patent number: 7438170
    Abstract: A clutch release arrangement (1) for a clutch release (pressure plate) (6) used in vehicles is provided. The clutch release arrangement (1) includes a control lever (2), which forms one unit together with a housing (3) and also a clutch release bearing (4). The housing (3) is supported directly on the control lever (2) by contact surfaces (8a, 8b or 18a, 18b) of different lengths, which allow height compensation “s” at assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Markus Maier, Bernhard Klopfer, Ludwig Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 7438171
    Abstract: A retractable and extendable material loader that directs material onto a conveying surface of a belt conveyor has a retractable and extendable tubular length where the length of the loader is extended to direct material through the loader onto the conveyor, and a length of the loader is retracted when the loader is not directing material onto the conveyor to provide adequate clearance for material loaded onto the conveyor by another loader located upstream of the retractable and extendable loader. The apparatus provides improved environmental conditions over the current art, improved health and safety conditions of personnel over the current art, and improved operational safety conditions in respect to explosion risk over the current art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Benetech Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Clark, Sid Adel, Ronald A. Westfall
  • Patent number: 7438172
    Abstract: A coin processing system includes a coin input area for receiving coins from a user, and a coin processing module for receiving and counting the coins from the coin input area. The coin processing module includes a coin hopper, a coin processing area, and a foreign object removal system. The coin hopper receives the coins from the coin input area. The coin processing area receives and counts the coins from the coin hopper. The foreign object removal system is located at least partially within the coin hopper, and removes a foreign object from the coin hopper subsequent to receiving the foreign object from the coin input area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Arthur J. Long, Gary W. Cooper, John R. Blake, JohnMark Mobley
  • Patent number: 7438173
    Abstract: A conveyor lifting system for efficiently pivoting and stabilizing a conveyor unit. The conveyor lifting system generally includes a conveyor unit including a first end and a second end, a support structure positioned beneath a substantial portion of the conveyor unit, wherein the support structure is positioned adjacent the second end and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders attached between the conveyor unit and the support structure. The first end is opposite the second end upon the conveyor unit, wherein the conveyor unit pivots about a pivot axis adjacent the second end and wherein the plurality of hydraulic cylinders selectively pivot the conveyor unit about the pivot axis. The support structure may also include a plurality of rollers to engage the conveyor unit and allow the support structure to freely adjust between the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventors: Albert G. Schoonover, Gordon L. Schoonover
  • Patent number: 7438174
    Abstract: A people mover includes a conveyor and a protective skirting made from an extruded metal profile. The protective skirting is located adjacent to a side of the conveyor, with a narrow gap located between the protective skirting and the side to prevent objects from entering the gap when the conveyor is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Esko Aulanko, Jorma Mustalahti, Marc Ossendorf
  • Patent number: 7438175
    Abstract: Embodiments of a vacuum conveyor system are provided herein. In one embodiment a vacuum conveyor system includes a first vacuum sleeve having a plurality of rollers that support and move substrates through the first vacuum sleeve. A port is provided for sealably coupling the first vacuum sleeve to a process chamber. A first substrate handler is disposed proximate the port. Multiple ports may be provided for sealably coupling the first vacuum sleeve to a plurality of process chambers. A dedicated substrate handler is provided for each process chamber. A second vacuum sleeve may be sealably coupled to an opposing side of the process chambers. The vacuum conveyor system may be modular with independent modules linked via load lock chambers. The plurality of rollers may compensate for any sag of the leading edge of a substrate being transported thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. White, Wendell T. Blonigan
  • Patent number: 7438176
    Abstract: In a transfer conveyer wherein a pair of guide rails respectively provided with guide surfaces for guiding both side surfaces of a transferred article in a transfer direction are extended in the transfer direction and wherein flexible endless belts are provided for supporting lower surfaces at both sides of the transferred article, whose both side surfaces are guided on the guide surfaces, to transfer the transferred article in the transfer direction, a stretching mechanism is provided on one end portion of each guide rail to be stretchable in the transfer direction, a stretchable guide surface for defining a flat surface continuous and even with the guide surface regardless of any stretched position is formed at a facing surface of each stretching mechanism, and plural pulleys for circulatably supporting a part of the endless belt are provided on the facing surface of the stretching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Furuuchi
  • Patent number: 7438177
    Abstract: A device (4) used to transfer loads between at least two upstream (1) and downstream (2) load conveyors which are intended to convey loads (3) between different work stations. The device includes: an intermediate conveyor (5), part of each of the ends (5?, 5?) thereof extending alongside the upstream (1) and downstream (2) conveyors; and a lateral holding element (6) for maintaining the loads (3) in the cantilevered position thereof as they are being transferred between the upstream conveyor (1) and the downstream conveyor (2). The device is especially suitable for use in conveying loads using push plate conveyors, particularly in systems including a conveyor change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventor: Zmaj Petrovic
  • Patent number: 7438178
    Abstract: A conveying belt suitable for powerturn conveying applications. The conveying belt has a mult-layer structure with layers of parallel laid yarns disposed in various angles relative to the machine direction. The parallel yarns are stitchbonded to a multiply interwoven scrim to form a subassembly. A batt of staple fibers is needled to the scrim and the batt and subassembly are encapsulated by a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventors: Vinod Kumar Chahal, Richard A. Miller
  • Patent number: 7438179
    Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt formed by rows of belt modules connected together at hinge joints by non-circular hinge rods. Each hinge rod has an arcuate outer face that forms a portion of a cylinder and extends circumferentially over a first angle preferably between 90° and 180°. An axial groove is formed in the hinge rod opposite its arcuate outer face. Openings in hinge eyes at opposite ends of the belt rows are sector-shaped. The openings along a leading edge of a row are shaped to receive a hinge rod snugly with little clearance. The openings along a trailing edge of an adjacent row have similar radial dimensions, but extend circumferentially over a second angle greater than the first angle. The hinge eyes of adjacent rows are interleaved and aligned to receive a hinge rod and give the hinge joint a range of articulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James O. Gundlach
  • Patent number: 7438180
    Abstract: A multi-axis conveyor comprises a telescoping, articulating beam supported from a platform. A belt support assembly, comprising a plurality of belt support plates connected by telescoping, articulating joints and two end rollers provides support for a closed, flexible belt loop. A control system provides hydraulic fluid to hydraulic cylinders to telescope individual beam segments of the articulating beam and hydraulic motors for positioning multi-axis joints connecting the beam segments to position the end of the conveyor in the desired length and the desired horizontal and vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventors: John S. Taylor, Thomas W. Barrett
  • Patent number: 7438181
    Abstract: A carrier is provided with vertical support panels, each with a receptacle extending outwardly from its lower region. Each receptacle has a bottom panel which unfolds partially when the folded carrier is unfolded. An engagement structure such as a detent is provided to hold each bottom panel temporarily in the partially unfolded position to hold the receptacles open until the bottom panels are pressed downwardly by an object placed in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: E-Z Media, Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo V. Cuomo
  • Patent number: 7438182
    Abstract: A cigarette packet (4) with a cross section of flattened oval profile is fashioned from a diecut blank (1) of essentially elongated rectangular outline referable to a longitudinal axis (16) and comprising, aligned along the axis (16), a central panel (17), two intermediate panels (18, 19) and two end panels (20, 21), each intermediate panel (18, 19) displaying a flattened oval outline and joined to the two contiguous panels (17, 20; 17, 21) along respective rectilinear borders (22) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (16) and interconnected in pairs by way of respective arcuate borders (23) with no break in linear continuity. The central panel (17) and end panels (20, 21) each present a flat central longitudinal area (24) and two lateral longitudinal bands (25) rendered pliable and thus adaptable to the curvature described by the arcuate borders (23), which they are designed to meet when the packet (4) is erected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Gamberi, Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 7438183
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cigarette pack of the hinge-lid type comprising an opening (36) configured in the lower section of the front face, namely in a front wall (12) of the pack. A marking (38), applied to the inner wrapper for identifying the product, is visible through said opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Doris Focke, legal representative, Jürgen Focke, legal representative, Valeri Goncharenko, Henry Buse, Heinz Focke