Patents Issued in September 24, 2009
  • Publication number: 20090235770
    Abstract: A shift device (13) for a manual transmission having actuation mechanisms for shifting and selecting in which the selection motion is carried out by way of a selector actuator (10), which is connected to a driving lug (5) of a selector plate (4). An anchor (1) of the selector actuator (10) consists of a permanent magnet (2). End stops (3) of the selector actuator (10) are configured of ferromagnetic material, where the anchor (1) of the selector actuator (10) is fixed in a defined position for the installation of the selector actuator (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Josef Bader, Gerhard Birkenmaier, Kim Führer, Frank Gessler, Andreas Graf, Kai Heinrich, Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann, Gerhard Höring, Hubert König, Ludger Ronge, Henrik Schuh, Mario Steinborn, Markus Ulbricht, Manfred Vetter, Bernhard Walter, Klaus Wöhr
  • Publication number: 20090235771
    Abstract: A shift device for a speed change transmission in motor vehicles having at least one selector rod which is movably supported in the gear housing in cross walls, by means of which rod the transmission steps in the gear housing can be shifted. The selector rod on one end penetrates a cross wall of the transmission, which wall separates the oil compartment, and by means of a plastic sleeve, which is sprayed onto the selector rod, is guided and sealed in the corresponding through hole of the cross wall of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Christian Meixner, Mario Schenker, Johann Märkl
  • Publication number: 20090235772
    Abstract: A bar end electric shifter is provided with a handlebar mounting portion, an electrical switch housing portion, a first electrical shift operating member and a second electrical shift operating member. The handlebar mounting portion is configured to be fixedly mounted to a free end of a bicycle handlebar. The electrical switch housing portion extends longitudinally from the handlebar mounting portion. The electrical switch housing portion has first and second lateral sides with a center axis of the free end of the handlebar extends longitudinally through the electrical switch housing portion when the handlebar mounting portion is mounted to the free end of the bicycle handlebar. The first electrical shift operating member is located on one of the lateral sides of the electrical switch housing portion. The second electrical shift operating member is located on one of the lateral sides of the electrical switch housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki NAKA, Kazuhiro FUJII, Toshio TETSUKA
  • Publication number: 20090235773
    Abstract: The casing system for protecting a cable, the casing having a first end and a second end; a recess positioning inside of the first end, an inner diameter of the recess being equal to or greater than a outer diameter of the second end, a groove positioning in the recess, a passageway penetrating through the groove to the second end of the casing for communicating the first end and the second end; at least two rolling portions installing in the recess, a distance between the rolling portions being less than an inner diameter of the passageway; wherein, the rolling portions grip the cable that provides protective effect for a cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Yuan-Hung Wen
  • Publication number: 20090235774
    Abstract: A casing system for protecting a cable, the casing having a first end and a second end, an inner diameter of a recess being equal to or greater than an outer diameter of the second end, a groove positioning in the recess, a passageway penetrating through the groove to the second end of the casing; a washer installing in the groove and having a passing hole for communicating the passageway, an inner diameter of the passing hole being less than an inner diameter of the passageway; wherein, the casing can provide protective effect for a cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Yuan-Hung Wen
  • Publication number: 20090235775
    Abstract: One member of a two member torque limiting handle assembly has resiliently depending legs extending about its rotational axis. The second member has features arranged such that on rotation of said first member, the features contact the legs so that when a reaction torque of the second member is less than a threshold value, the second member rotates with the first member and when a reaction torque of the second member is greater than the threshold value, the legs resiliently deflect so that the features simply pass across said legs and the second member does not rotate with the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: LEGGETT & PLATT CANADA CO.
    Inventor: SHAFFEEK A. YUSUF
  • Publication number: 20090235776
    Abstract: A control device for controlling engagement of desired gears of a gearbox. The control device includes a holder unit and at least one control rod which has a relating locking arrangement and is arranged for linear movement in the holder unit. The control rod is provided with one or more recesses which each define a predetermined setting position of the control rod relative to the holder unit. The locking arrangement includes a locking device which is movable, substantially perpendicularly to the control rod's longitudinal axis, between a first position in which the locking device engages in one of the recesses in the control rod, and a second position in which the locking device does not engage in any of the recesses in the control rod. A wire spring fastened in a holder arrangement is firmly connected to the holder unit. The locking device is mounted on or forms part of the wire spring and is movable from the first position to the second position against the action of the spring force of the wire spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: SCANIA CV AB (PUBL)
    Inventors: Erik Goras, Magnus Hagberg
  • Publication number: 20090235777
    Abstract: A safety pedal system for an automotive vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a pedal mounted in a pedal mounting arrangement arrangeable to at least partly release the pedal from the pedal mounting arrangement in event of a collision. The safety pedal system further includes, but is not limited to a triggering device arranged to receive a collision event signal and in response thereto trigger release of the pedal from the pedal mounting arrangement. The triggering device may also include, but is not necessarily limited to a pyrotechnical device arranged to exert a force on the pedal mounting arrangement thereby triggering release of the pedal from the pedal mounting arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan SAND, Mats NORMAN
  • Publication number: 20090235778
    Abstract: A positioning shoe retainer assembly of a bicycle comprises a shoe retainer and a pedal. The shoe retainer has a retaining portion which is installed with at least one engaging hole for retaining. An arc portion is extending from the retaining portion; an inner side of the arc portion being formed with a receiving portion. The arc portion is extending with a combining portion. The combining seat is installed with a combining seat. At least one combining unit is extending from the combining seat 131. The pedal serves to assembled with a bicycle by connecting to a shaft of a bicycle. A surface of the pedal adjacent to the shaft is an inner lateral surface; and a surface of the pedal opposite to the inner lateral surface being an outer lateral surface. An upper surface of the pedal is formed as a treaded surface for being treaded by users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Chung-I Chen
  • Publication number: 20090235779
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, a modular crankshaft features a connection system between modules that features opposed female receptacles. A pin having opposed beveled ends and hydraulic passages with it is inserted into the opposed receptacles. A pair of seals is disposed on the beveled ends and straddles a hydraulic fluid outlet. The crankshaft wall that defines each receptacle is designed to flex in response to applied hydraulic pressure between the seals on the tapered pin portion. A notch at the base of the receptacle in the crankshaft reduces stress concentration and enables the wall defining the crankshaft receptacle to come back when hydraulic pressure through the pin is removed. The opposed crankshaft receptacles are flanged to allow them to be pulled together over the pin. An interference fit results around the pin after the flanges are mated and the hydraulic pressure is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Omar M. Kabir, Kent Pearl
  • Publication number: 20090235780
    Abstract: A transfer case for use in motor vehicles for transferring drive torque from a powertrain to first and second drivelines includes a first output shaft adapted to transmit drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline. The second output shaft is adapted to transmit drive torque to a second driveline. The transfer case includes a first spiral bevel gear set driven by the first output shaft and a second spiral bevel gear set driven by the first spiral bevel gear set and driving the second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Frederick E. Zink
  • Publication number: 20090235781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer case arrangement comprising a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a clutch for the distribution of a torque between the output shafts, a shutdown device for the shutting down of the second output shaft when the clutch is disengaged and a lubrication device for the lubrication of the clutch and/or of another component of the transfer case arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Johannes Quehenberger, Walter Hamal
  • Publication number: 20090235782
    Abstract: A transmission is provided in which gear trains for multiple shift stages are provided between a countershaft and a first main shaft and second main shaft running coaxially and relatively rotatably through the first main shaft so that the gear trains can be alternatively established, wherein a plurality of odd number stage gear trains (G1, G3, G5) are provided between the second main shaft (27) and the countershaft (28) so that the first speed gear train (G1) is disposed on the opposite side to the first and second clutches (37, 38), an end part of the second main shaft (27) on the first speed gear train (G1) side is rotatably supported on an engine main body via a main shaft side ball bearing (31) having a larger diameter than an outer diameter of a first speed drive gear (89) provided integrally with the second main shaft (27), and an outer race (31a) of the main shaft side ball bearing (31) is fixed to the engine main body via a fixing plate (95) engaging with an outer peripheral part of the outer race (31
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoo Shiozaki, Yoshihisa Kanno, Yoshiaki Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20090235783
    Abstract: By causing the annular piston (42) to be freed, the piston return spring (54) comes to urge the annular piston (42) with the bottom face of its annular groove (50), so that the piston (42) retires backward and the floating pad return plate (62) contacts with the bracket (64) extending inward within the cylindrical bore (61) of the floating pad (60), thus urging the floating pad (60) backward. By the backward displacement of the floating pad (60), the floating pad (60) is forced to be departed from the brake disc (66). A circular dividing table equipped with such a brake assembly, it is possible to release the clamping members forcibly and to make the action of clamping or unclamping precisely and in a high responsive speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MORI SEIKI CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jacob DUANE, Zachary PINER
  • Publication number: 20090235784
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the pre-treatment of feed to a non-stirred surface heap leach bioreactor by applying in sequence first and second pre-treatment solutions to a feed to a non-stirred surface heap leach bioreactor, in which the first solution has an iron content greater than 5 g/l and pH below 2, and the second solution contains a substantially higher microbial population. The invention further relates to methods of adapting a microbial population for use in a non-stirred surface heap leach bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Geobiotics LLC
    Inventor: Alan Eric Norton
  • Publication number: 20090235785
    Abstract: A gear mechanism is presented. The gear mechanism includes a structure having a spiral-pattern groove with an axis extending through a center of the spiral-pattern groove and an arm with teeth extending across the spiral-pattern groove. The teeth are shaped and arranged to fit in the spiral-pattern groove such that when the structure is rotated about the axis, the teeth slide in the spiral-pattern groove to move the arm toward or away from the center of the spiral-pattern groove depending on the direction of rotation. This gear mechanism may be incorporated into a wrench, such as a wrench for removing and installing automotive oil filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Il-Kwon KIM
  • Publication number: 20090235786
    Abstract: A power tong construction in particular designed to annul compulsory forces that may arise within the tong construction during makeup/breakout operations of pipe joints in a string of pipes, is shown. The power tong construction is one unit having a main frame carrying a torque tong and a backup tong. The main frame is located on a drill floor on board a vessel or fixed installation, and is moveably arranged in guide rails. The torque tong is loosely suspended and “floatingly” arranged in the power tong construction, said power tong thereby having a limited freedom of motion in all directions in the horizontal plane and vertical plane, and has means to counteract external rotation and annulment of compulsory forces, when the power tong makes up/breaks out pipe joints, arranged between the power tong and the main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Eivind Gimming Stensland
  • Publication number: 20090235787
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an open-end wrench including a first jaw and a second jaw and a throat section connected between rear ends of the two jaws. A toothed section is disposed on the inner side of the first jaw. The toothed section has multiple sharp teeth and a wide tooth positioned behind the sharp teeth. The wide tooth has a largest width among all the teeth. The bottommost point of the throat section is spaced from a front end of the first jaw by a first length. The bottommost point of the throat section is spaced from the tooth crest of the wide tooth by a second length, which ranges from ? to ½ the first length. In addition, the toothed section has a third length, which is about ? the first length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Chih-Ching HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20090235788
    Abstract: A hand tool for providing high twisting forces and low damage to a screw includes a handle having a driving end. The driving end has an inner hexagonal space. The driving end has three engaging portions and three flat portions respectively form in six edges of the inner hexagonal space. The three engaging portions and the three flat portions are alternatively disposed. The driving end has six recesses. Each recess is disposed between the engaging portion and the flat portion adjacent to the engaging portion. Each engaging portion has two cambered protrusions and a sharp protrusion disposed between the two cambered protrusions. An apex of the sharp protrusion and those of the two cambered protrusions are collinear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Chih-Ching HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20090235789
    Abstract: A dual-mode screwdriver has a manual and powered actuation mode achieved by inverting the screwdriver body. The screwdriver has a driveshaft having two ends each adapted for receiving the shank of a screwdriver bit. The body contains a plurality of slots for storing a plurality of screwdriver bits. Magnets are contained in each of the slots for retaining the bits within their respective slots. The outside surface of the body is contoured for hand gripping and torquing. The driveshaft is adapted for coupling to a powered drill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Peter Kielland
  • Publication number: 20090235790
    Abstract: A tool holder assembly includes a tool holder with a shank and a key slot having a surface with an angled portion that forms a non-zero angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tool holder assembly. A clamping mechanism includes a support block, a ball canister including a key, and a lock rod. An interference fit key arrangement is provided between the tool holder and the clamping mechanism by an abutment surface located along the first side wall of the key. The abutment surface contacts the angular portion of the key slot to cause the key slot to undergo elastic deformation and allow simultaneous contact between the abutment surface and the angular portion of the key slot and the second side wall of the key and the second surface of the key slot, thereby providing for an interference fit key arrangement between the tool holder and the clamping mechanism when the tool holder assembly is placed in the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Robert A. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20090235791
    Abstract: The suction unit of the present invention comprises: a cylindrical member having a sucking section capable of sucking an elongated piece having faced the sucking section, an opening section being opened at a prescribed position at which the elongated piece is prohibited to face the opening section, and a suction unit for sucking air from the sucking section and the opening section; a blocking plate being moved without contacting the cylindrical member, the blocking plate prohibiting the air suction from the opening section when the elongated piece faces the sucking section, the blocking plate allowing the air suction from the opening section when the elongated piece sucked by the sucking section is cut and formed into the heat exchange fin; and a control section controlling the electric motor so as to place the blocking plate at a sucking position when the elongated piece faces the sucking section and at a releasing position when the elongated piece is cut and formed into the heat exchange fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Masashi ENDO, Makoto IWASAKI
  • Publication number: 20090235792
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present technology provide systems and methods for delivering pressurized fluid to a rotary cutting blade. For example, in certain embodiments, a system for delivering pressurized fluid to a rotary cutting blade includes: a pump configured to receive fluid from a fluid source and pressurize the fluid; and a nozzle configured to receive pressurized fluid from the pump and deliver the pressurized fluid to a rotary cutting blade as an atomized fluid stream, wherein the pump pressurizes the fluid to a pressure sufficient to cause the fluid to be atomized when the fluid is passed through the nozzle. For example, in certain embodiments, a method for delivering pressurized fluid to a rotary cutting blade includes: delivering fluid to a pump; pressurizing the fluid using the pump; and delivering the pressurized fluid to a rotary cutting blade through a nozzle as an atomized fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Shawn Tsung, Rocci Merlo, John Yenny
  • Publication number: 20090235793
    Abstract: A perforating device for perforating a membrane includes a three-dimension element having a number of particles secured together with such as powder metallurgy procedures, powder pressing procedures, sintering method, or with adhesive materials, and the particles each include a number of protruded peaks for engaging with the membrane and for perforating the membrane. The element may be formed into or selected from a planar element, a longitudinal bar element, or a cylindrical element, and may include a bore formed in the cylindrical element for engaging with a carrier. The particles may be selected from silicon sands, or diamond sands, and may be selected from natural sands or synthetic sands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Chih Hui FAN
  • Publication number: 20090235794
    Abstract: A cutting machine can include a cutting machine body that is movably supported above a table and capable of vertical movement, the cutting machine body can be positioned at an upward waiting position and a lower end position. The cutting machine body can include an auxiliary cover positioned around a portion of a blade and including a projection. When in the upward waiting position the auxiliary cover is not able to move upward because of the position of the projection, and in the lower end position the auxiliary cover is able to move upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiko Inai
  • Publication number: 20090235795
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention can include a cutting machine having a table, a cutting machine body supported by the table via a sliding mechanism to allow movement in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, the cutting machine body including a fixed cover positioned around an upper side of a rotary blade mounted to a rotatably driven spindle, the rear edge portion of the fixed cover is recessed upward to enable a large cutting depth. The sliding mechanism includes an intermediate stopper mechanism that can be operated to switch between a state where the cutting machine body can slide within an entire slidable range and a state were the cutting machine body can slide only within a partial slidable range at a midway position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Syuji Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20090235796
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention can include a cutting machine having a table supporting a workpiece, a cutting machine body able to move vertically and laterally, the cutting machine body is supported on the table by a body supporting member. The body supporting member includes a fixed-side support member, a tilting-side support member connected to the fixed-side support member by a lateral tilt shaft, a fixing screw capable of fixing the tilting-side support member to the fixed-side supporting member, a fixing lever capable of rotating the fixing screw, the fixing lever has two grips capable being held for operating the fixing lever, and the two grips are arranged to extend upward in a V-shape from a head of the fixing screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MIKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kani, Masahiko Miura
  • Publication number: 20090235797
    Abstract: A table saw includes a table capable of supporting a workpiece, a cutting unit and a positioning fence. The positioning fence has a positioning surface for supporting the workpiece. The positioning surface is divided into an upper positioning surface and a lower positioning surface that are positioned above the table. First slide fences allocated to the lower positioning surface and second slide fences allocated to the upper positioning surface are slidably supported in a table surface direction relatively independent from each other. The positioning surfaces of the first and second slide fences constitute an entire region of the positioning surface. In this way, the entire region of the positioning surface is made to be slidable in accordance with various operation modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kani, Masahiko Miura, Shinya Kojima, Kenji Abe
  • Publication number: 20090235798
    Abstract: A cutting unit for arc-shaped and circular trimming of a sheet item has a guide device that comprises a guide bar along which is displaceably guided a knife carriage. The knife carriage comprises at least one cutting knife for trimming the sheet item. The guide device comprises a bearing body that has on the lower side a support which defines a support plane and with which the bearing body (4) is placeable onto the sheet item to be trimmed. The guide bar is mounted on the bearing body rotatably about a rotation axis perpendicular to the support plane, and extending away from the bearing body in a plane parallel to the support plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Bernd Loibl
  • Publication number: 20090235799
    Abstract: A knife holder (1) for microtome blades (2) is described, which holder has a body (3) for reception of the blade (2) against an abutment edge (4) and a pressure plate (5) for retention of the blade, such that in the retained state, only the blade cutting edge (6) protrudes from the body (3), and an ejection apparatus (8), associated with one side edge (7) of the blade cutting edge (6), is arranged on the body (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Thiem
  • Publication number: 20090235800
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for perforating a web includes an anvil roll having an outer surface wherein at least a portion of the outer surface defines an anvil surface. The anvil surface includes a plurality of angled grooves having a variable groove width. The method may include phasing the cutting position on the anvil to effect varying perforation patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew Germaine, Michael Jay Haasl
  • Publication number: 20090235801
    Abstract: A base for a paper punch is disclosed as including an upper jaw with a front end and a rear end, a lower jaw with a front end and a rear end, a first and a second bifurcated supports, both fixedly secured with the upper jaw and the lower jaw, and a first and a second legs, each with a first end and a second end, in which the front end of the lower jaw is spaced apart from the front end of the upper jaw, and being adapted to allow insertion of a piece of paper for punching; and the rear end of the upper jaw is fixedly joined with the rear end of the lower jaw; and each of the first and second bifurcated supports has an upper fork and a lower fork which are spaced apart from each other at a front end and fixedly joined with each other at a rear end; and the upper forks of the bifurcated supports are fixedly secured with a respective lateral side of the upper jaw; and the lower forks of the bifurcated supports are fixedly secured with a respective lateral side of the lower jaw; and the first ends of the legs are
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: LEE TACK PLASTIC & METAL MANUFACTORY LTD.
    Inventor: Kwok Ki Stephen CHAN
  • Publication number: 20090235802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a small glass cutting wheel for producing a scribed predetermined breaking line, wherein the cutting wheel has a radial peripheral line which defines an outer periphery of the wheel and which lies in a main plane of the wheel and at least partially forms a cutting edge. The cutting edge includes cutting teeth (7) which are circumferentially spaced from each other by intermediate tooth spaces (8) and the height and/or circumferential extension of which exceeds a possible random surface roughness. For providing a small glass cutting wheel with which particularly flat displays can be manufactured with an improved edge quality and with which rejects during the necessary separation of the glass plate piece can be reduced, it is proposed that at least a part or preferably all intermediate tooth spaces (8) include a cutting edge (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: BOHLE AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Ostendarp, Lutz Strehlow, Siegfried Piontek
  • Publication number: 20090235803
    Abstract: A lever 40 is supported by a lever supporting portion 41. The lever 40 is urged by a first spring 45 and a second spring 46. The urging force of the first spring 45 varies over the entire operational range of the lever 40. The second spring 46 and a third spring 47 are provided serially through a movable supporting member 48. The displacement of the movable supporting member 48 is restricted by a fixed supporting member FR. If the urging force of the second spring 46 exceeds the urging force of the third spring 47, the restriction on the displacement of the movable supporting member 48 is removed. Therefore, the present invention provides a player with feeling similar to that the player perceives when he manipulates a damper pedal of an acoustic piano.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki IWAMOTO, Mitsuru KITAJIMA, Shigeru MURAMATSU, Koichi SAIGO
  • Publication number: 20090235804
    Abstract: A hammer assembly for a grand piano comprising: a hammer, a hammer shank, a tubular lever interface, and a moveable knuckle. A grand piano tubular lever interface comprises: a deep socket; a set of two hinge pin attachment holes; a void area; and a moveable knuckle visual location system. A moveable knuckle comprises: a spline; a resilient core; a synthetic buckskin wear surface, and a moveable knuckle visual location system. Novel hammer assembly allows for a direct lever relationship between hammer shank and knuckle without requirement of a forked end hammer shank with knuckle slot. Best mode spline comprises: an upright rectangular portion and a wide base portion, wherein wide base portion includes an intricate shape. Intricate shape comprises: at least one recess area and at least one protrusion area. The inverse of intricate shape is included on the bottom of the tubular lever interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kevin Burke, Kirk Burgett
  • Publication number: 20090235805
    Abstract: The present invention is a stringed instrument for producing rapid tempo and more precise rhythmic strumming. The shape of the strumming apparatus allows simultaneous contact of two or more strings from a plurality of strings, and thereby allows chords to be more efficiently produced. In combination with the strumming apparatus, the present invention includes an instrument body with recessed components on the front surface of the instrument body. Combining the strumming apparatus and an instrument body as in the present invention allows a user to achieve greater rhythmic precision and a faster tempo vis-à-vis faster paced strumming of the strings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Robert N. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20090235806
    Abstract: A structure of a drum pedal is provided for automatically returning of the pedal. The pedal drives a mallet that is mounted to a shaft and is rotated by the depression of the pedal to hit a drum. A rotary member is mounted to the shaft and carries a first magnet. An erect support is arranged to oppose the rotary member and carries a second magnet opposing the first magnet. When the pedal is depressed to drive the mallet to hit the drum, a magnetic interaction induced between the first and second magnets to automatically return the pedal to the original location before depression in a soundless manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: MING-HWAI CHEN
  • Publication number: 20090235807
    Abstract: Provide a tuner mounting device which does not scratch an instrument and which provides a satisfactory sensitivity to a vibration generated from the instrument. A mounting base portion for fixing a tuner main body to a part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on a constant basis by a hook-and-loop fastener, with a structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion being provided on a lower surface of a tuner main body containing a vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument. The mounting base portion has a power source portion and a power supply contact, with the structure having an electrical contact corresponding to the power supply contact provided on the mounting base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Fumiyoshi Nagakura, Hirokazu Serita, Akiko Asahata, Tomotada Ishii
  • Publication number: 20090235808
    Abstract: A method of instructing a user to read musical notation through interaction with a graphical user interface and an input instrument representative of a stringed instrument may include the steps of generating the graphical user interface having a first mode. The first mode may include a virtual fingerboard positioned substantially along a vertical extreme of the interface, the virtual fingerboard may include a first linear array representing a first string having a first frequency range. The virtual fingerboard may also include a second linear array representing a second string having a second frequency range, wherein the second frequency range overlaps the first frequency range associated with a string. Furthermore, the virtual fingerboard may additionally include a plurality of note positions, each note position having a corresponding fingerboard position on the input instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: ALLEGRO MULTIMEDIA, INC
    Inventor: Hal Christopher Salter
  • Publication number: 20090235809
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating music tracks are disclosed. One such method, for generating one type of music track from another type of music track, is implemented in a computer. The method includes the steps of receiving a music track input having a first type into an artificial neural network (ANN), and producing a music track output having a second type from the ANN, based upon the music track input having the first type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth O. Stanley, Michael Rosario, Amy Kathryn Hoover
  • Publication number: 20090235810
    Abstract: In order to detect a state of a key 30, a differential acceleration sensor 38 is provided in addition to a common position sensor 35 and a velocity sensor 36. A reaction force applied by a solenoid unit 20 is determined on the basis of a function which monotonously increases with respect to a differential acceleration signal j in an initial period which is an early stage of depression of a key. After a lapse of the initial period, the reaction force is determined in accordance with velocity, acceleration and the like, referring to a table. As a result, the reaction force rises up rapidly when a key is depressed strongly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Nariyasu YAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20090235811
    Abstract: Content is selected on the basis of changes of a walking tempo. The walking tempo is detected (S5). In a state determination process (S7), it is determined whether the walking tempo tends to increase, be constant, or decrease. A walking tempo corrective coefficient is calculated on the basis of the determined result and a corrective walking tempo is calculated with the walking tempo corrective coefficient (S9). It is determined whether or not music is changed on the basis of the corrective walking tempo rather than the actually detected walking tempo (S11). When music is changed, relevant music content is searched. Controls are performed in such a manner that when the walking tempo is decreasing, the foregoing state is kept for a while, when the walking tempo is increasing, music is quickly selected according to the increase of the walking tempo, and when the walking tempo is stable, music is not selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Komori, Susumu Takatsuka, Toru Sasaki, Yuichi Sakai, Yoichiro Sako, Toshiro Terauchi, Hirofumi Tamori, Makoto Inoue, Katsuya Shirai, Motoyuki Takai, Kenichi Makino, Takatoshi Nakamura, Akane Sano
  • Publication number: 20090235812
    Abstract: An access door for a gatling gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Tracy W. Garwood
  • Publication number: 20090235813
    Abstract: A ballistics barrier having a multitude of vertically stacked layers. Each layer comprised of a plurality of horizontally-offset, interconnected laterally collapsible cells formed from multiple sheets of ballistics fabric. The perimeter interface between two vertically stacked layers is sealed by a skirt extending between the top of one layer and the bottom of the vertically adjacent layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Arthur Henry Cashin, Sheldrick Faris Hawkins, William McAdam Hawkins, Brian Andrew Hickie, Marc Douglass Verble, Frank Lee Hollowell, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090235814
    Abstract: A mobile reconfigurable barricade having a plurality of cells comprised of multiple sheets of deformable barricading fabric. The deformable fabric permits one or more of the cells to collapse to create a bent or reconfigured barricade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Arthur H. Cashin, John J. Herbst, John Martin
  • Publication number: 20090235815
    Abstract: A piston with a built-in seal comprises a piston body (121) formed of a metal press-formed part and axially movably disposed in a clutch cylinder (110) and seal lips (122, 123) formed integrally with the piston body (121). A through tubular guide projection (124) is formed on the piston body (121). A return spring (150) for biasing the piston body (121) toward the pressurizing chamber (A) side is held on the guide projection (124). Since the press-formed through tubular guide projection (124) is higher in projecting height than the bottomed tubular one, the length over which the return spring (150) is held is longer. A pressurizing chamber (A) is prevented from being opened by the guide projection (124).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nishimura, Junichi Ishiyama
  • Publication number: 20090235816
    Abstract: A filtering apparatus (50) for removing noxious gases from an environment including: a source of compressed gas (60) connected to a regulating valve (62) to regulate a supply of compressed gas; at least one airflow device (5) including a compressed gas inlet (10) for receiving gas from the supply of compressed gas at greater than ambient atmospheric pressure, the gas inlet (10) being operably connected to the regulating valve (62); and a permeable noxious gas filter (55) arranged in gaseous communication with the airflow device (5); wherein the supply of compressed gas to the airflow device (5) causes the airflow device (5) to draw ambient air (64) from the environment through a primary intake (42), thereby generating a flow of air through the noxious gas filter (55) and causing the substantial removal of noxious gases from the flow of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Anthony FARRUGIA, Ernest James Benson, David Ian Holm
  • Publication number: 20090235817
    Abstract: An air scrubber, system, and method of use are provided. The air scrubber includes an electrospray nozzle for creating an ionic fluid electrospray plume; an air sample intake positioned to provide an air sample interacting with the ionic fluid electrospray plume; and a counter electrode positioned to collect the electrospray plume. The selected chemicals in the air sample are captured by ionic fluid electrospray plume and accumulate on the counter electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Gu, Adam Dewey McBrady, Wei Yang
  • Publication number: 20090235818
    Abstract: A method of removing elemental mercury from gas phase fluids by contacting the gas with an organic compound dissolved in a gas scrubbing liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Carl E. Hensman
  • Publication number: 20090235819
    Abstract: An air scrubber for removing oils and contaminates from air has an underside inlet for the introduction of contaminated air. The contaminated air passes through a reduced aperture passageway which prevents retrograde flow of contaminates or cleaning fluids contained in the scrubber. The contaminated air is thereafter directed upwards through a scrub reservoir having a plurality of apertures, such that the contaminated air passing through the apertures forms jets which cause interaction between the cleaning fluid and the contaminates, thereby creating droplets containing cleaning fluid with entrapped contaminates, and cleaned air. The droplets and air are directed to a mist eliminator having a plurality of chevron V structures which capture the droplets and return them to the main reservoir. A circulating pump moves cleaning fluid from the main reservoir to an upper reservoir which spills into the cleaning reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: David L. Brookman