Patents Issued in January 5, 2010
  • Patent number: 7640828
    Abstract: A housing is held by a bracket of a vehicle seat and receives a worm wheel and a threaded shaft. The shaft is driven linearly through the worm wheel. One end of the housing contacts the bracket and includes a receiving recess, which is recessed in the axial direction of the worm wheel. A sensor unit is installed in the recess of the one end of the housing and includes a support wall, which supports the housing relative to the bracket in the axial direction of the worm wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryousuke Sakamaki
  • Patent number: 7640829
    Abstract: A drive unit for a motor vehicle, having an engine unit and an axle differential arranged on the engine unit, as well as having drive shafts for the vehicle wheels disposed at least partially in the crankcase. The separating plane between the crankcase bottom part and the oil bearing housing of the crankcase acts as the bearing for at least one drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Apel, Matthias Kraemer, Dieter Kraxner, Joachim Esser, Klaus Tiede, Ralph-Maria Netzker, Robert Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7640830
    Abstract: A locking adjustment turret for rifle scopes includes a stationary portion mounted on an outer tube of the scope, a rotating adjustment portion supported in the stationary portion and including an adjustment knob such that rotation of the knob results in axial motion of a shaft toward and away from an inner tube of the scope, and a locking mechanism on the rotating adjustment portion that locks the shaft in a desired position. The locking mechanism includes a pin that engages a detent mechanism in the rotating adjustment portion, preventing rotation of the rotating adjustment portion. The locking mechanism is operated with a lock knob that sits atop the adjustment knob and is accommodated by a recess in the top of the adjustment knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: James G. Bonis
  • Patent number: 7640831
    Abstract: A pop tab remover apparatus and method of use having a fork and can support combination as a head which allow for easy removal of a tab from a soda, beer, or other type of can. The apparatus and method of use allows a user to easily place the fork between a tab and a can, seat or mate the can support near or at the top of the can, squeeze the handles and remove the tab with a “pop” like report. Unlike the prior art, the present art removes a can tab in a fraction of a second which aids in the efficient recycling of tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Laura L. Vitale
  • Patent number: 7640832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to automotive vehicle brake lathes configured for resurfacing brake rotor components, and in particular, to an improved on-car brake lathe apparatus and a method for compensating for runout between an on-car brake lathe and a vehicle wheel hub to which the on-car brake lathe is secured for a brake rotor resurfacing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Michael A. Olsen, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Matt Wise, Gerry E. Friton
  • Patent number: 7640833
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a molding body having at least one groove thereon. The method is performed by rotating a workpiece, allowing a tip to contact with an outer peripheral or an inner peripheral face, so as to form the groove in accordance with a shape of an outer edge of the tip, and shifting a position of the tip along a direction orthogonal relative to a rake face of the tip without changing a direction of the rake face thereof, so as to form another groove having a different angle from that of the shape of the outer edge of the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shintaro Kimura
  • Patent number: 7640834
    Abstract: Systems and methods for trimming a roll of sheet material are provided. A representative system incorporates a core anchor that is configured to be inserted into the hollow core of a roll of sheet material and removably secured therein. The system also includes a cutting tool rotatably attached to the core anchor. During trimming of a roll of sheet material to which the core anchor is secured, the core anchor rotates with the roll as the roll is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Morawiec, James Van Gompel
  • Patent number: 7640835
    Abstract: Woodworking machines are disclosed having electrically conductive cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a contact detection system capacitively coupled to the cutting tool, and adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a reaction system configured to cause one or more predetermined actions to take place upon detection of contact between a person and the cutting tool by the contact detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen F. Gass
  • Patent number: 7640836
    Abstract: Web processing method and apparatus (30, 300) is provided for high speed, extremely accurate die cutting or lamination operations. Processing station (32,300) includes a vacuum hold down plate (32,308) which receives and holds an image bearing incremental segment of the web. In feed and out feed tension on the web is released while a segment of the web is held by the hold down plate. The hold down plate with a segment of the web thereon is selectively shifted about X, Y, and ? axes as required to bring the image on the web segment into alignment with a web processing component at the processing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Preco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Raney, Hongli Du, John T. Pierson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7640837
    Abstract: A table saw having an adjustable blade, a detection system to detect contact between a person and the blade, and a brake mechanism to engage and stop the blade upon detection of contact between the person and the blade is disclosed. The saw includes a brake positioning system that adjusts the position of the brake mechanism to maintain the brake mechanism in an operative position relative to the blade as the position of the blade is adjusted. The saw also may include a retraction system that urges the blade downward, away from a user, upon detection of contact between a person and the blade. The retraction system may include a releasable gear. The saw may be constructed so that the blade is adjustable up and down around a pivot point downstream of the blade relative to the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, David A. Fanning, Joel F. Jensen, Sung H. Kim, Andrew L. Johnston, David S. D'Ascenzo
  • Patent number: 7640838
    Abstract: A planar saw blade having an outer cutting edge with a plurality of saw teeth also includes sets of secondary teeth placed in cutout portions within the body of the saw blade. The secondary tooth sets provide portions within the body of the saw blade that provide additional cutting action that reinforces the primary outer cutting edge of the blade, and include deep gullets that aid in the removal of sawdust and debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Eugene Carbide Saw Service, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Souza, Ross Souza, Rod Souza
  • Patent number: 7640839
    Abstract: A cartridge for propelling a pair of wire-tethered contact darts for disabling a remote target with an electrical discharge. The cartridge comprises two bores each having one wire-tethered dart in front of an electrically activated pyrotechnic. A cartridge contains two separated straight bores, which each launch a single dart assemblage with a single primer of standard manufacture. A single 200 large rifle primer can launch a single dart assemblage reasonably accurately to 30 feet from the cartridge. Each assemblage is deflected to a predicted angle of flight when it collides with a center hinged cover as it exits the cartridge. This arrangement allows for longer flight distances and tighter, but still effective, dart spreads throughout the travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7640840
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an automated system for mating a launch device to a launch platform may include a launch platform having a first electrical connector, and a interface member attached to the launch device. The interface member may include a second electrical connector configured to automatically couple to the first electrical connector of the launch platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thorin A. Rogers, Robert J. Atmur, Ron A. Kubinski
  • Patent number: 7640841
    Abstract: A seal includes a seal body forming an annular sealing surface. The annular sealing surface includes an annular ridge protruding substantially radially from the annular sealing surface. The seal body includes an annular cavity. The seal also includes first and second annular springs located adjacent to each other in the annular cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan An, Robert Thomas Racicot
  • Patent number: 7640842
    Abstract: Prepacked serving of coffee powder, particularly for an espresso coffee making machine, comprising a cartridge (1) enclosing a given portion of coffee powder (40), the said cartridge (1) comprising an essentially cylindrical side wall (101) provided at its two ends with a first wall (201) designed to be acted upon by the pressurized hot-water supply means, and with a second wall (301) designed to be acted upon by the brewed coffee dispensing means, the said cartridge (1) being made of an essentially airtight material, and the said wall (301) being continuous and made of a thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Bruno Bardazzi
  • Patent number: 7640843
    Abstract: A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients is a liquid chocolate ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R & D, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Halliday, Colin Ballard, Satwinder Panesar, Geoff Rendle, Maria Gomez
  • Patent number: 7640844
    Abstract: A coffee machine includes: a base, a basal body locating above the base, a coffee pot located above the basal body, a first coffee exit located in the bottom of the coffee pot, a coffee outlet located under the first coffee exit, the coffee outlet includes a receiving water base, a top lid; a first pin joint part and a second pin joint part respectively located at both sides of the first coffee exit, one end of the receiving water base pivotally joins the first pin joint part, another end of the receiving water base extends to the second pin joint part and outside of the bottom of the coffee pot, a second coffee exit is beside the another end of the receiving water base, a third pin joint part is between the second coffee exit and the second pin joint part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (China) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mingchia Wu, Kuohsun Lin, Shengfang Cheng
  • Patent number: 7640845
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for draining a component of a beverage forming system such as a coffee brewer. A tank used for holding and/or heating a beverage precursor liquid may be automatically drained. A beverage forming machine including a drain system may be self-contained in that the liquid drained from the tank is held by another tank that is part of the beverage forming machine. The tank into which the drained liquid is deposited may be removable from the beverage forming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Keurig, Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas Woodnorth, William T. Jacobs, Robert M. Pelovitz
  • Patent number: 7640846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brewed beverage maker with a diverter valve assembly placed between a heater and a showerhead, the diverter valve assembly fluidly connected to both the heater and showerhead. Opening the beverage maker during a brew cycle automatically causes at least a portion of the fluid passing through the diverter valve assembly to be diverted to a channel that directs the fluid to a point downstream of the showerhead in the brew cycle. In one embodiment of the invention, the diverted fluid is directed to a filter basket. The channel may optionally include a basin to collect and direct the diverted fluid. The outlet of the diverter valve assembly may form the showerhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Williamson, William D. Starr, David Hawks, Rong Liu
  • Patent number: 7640847
    Abstract: A method and device for assessing end point of cooking of dhal and rice with good reproducibility are disclosed. Pulses are generally consumed as dhals after cooking to soft texture. Measurement of end point of cooking of dhals, rice etc is very subjective and current methods are not very satisfactory. An innovative device and an objective method for carrying out the same were developed. This works on the principle of determining the “spread area” during progressive cooking for dhals as well as rice, and reading the cooking time form a graph plotted. The device developed for the purpose can be used to exert the desired force for pressing the cooked grain and the area to which the grain spreads is determined by counting the number of squares from an appropriate graph sheet as “spread area” is plotted against the period of cooking a progressive increase was observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Narashima Hampapura Venkatarama Iyengar, Sashikala Vadakkoot Balakrishnan, Vishwas Manoharrao Pratape
  • Patent number: 7640848
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus enables a user to cook bu boiling, steaming or frying food items. The apparatus includes a burner having a base that is specially shaped to cradle a pot. The pot has a valved flowline that enables the user to drain any fluid that was used for cooking (eg. water, oil, seasoned water, stock, etc.). An upper section above the support surface of the burner for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped inadvertently. The burner includes upper members that are supported above the bottom of the pot and a lower member that engages an underlying supporting surface. The upper pot support members include a ring with a bent, U-shaped section that extends on opposite sides of and under the valved drain flowline. The burner frame can have a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending legs. Radial and circumferentially spaced struts define part of the frame and are shaped and cradle the bottom of the pot and its sidewall respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Norman R. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 7640849
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a base, and lower and upper cooking plates pivotally mounted to the base such as to permit: (a) the upper cooking plate to be pivotted to an open position with respect to the lower cooking plate for introducing and removal of food articles between the cooking surfaces of the two cooking plates; (b) the upper cooking then to be pivotted to a closed position with respect to the lower cooking plate for contacting the food article between the cooking surfaces of the two cooking plates; and (c) both plates to be pivotted to any desired angular position with respect to the base for drawing fluids from the food article while being cooked between the cooking surfaces of the two cooking plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: AAC Trade Ltd.
    Inventor: Ann Grant
  • Patent number: 7640850
    Abstract: A vacuum tank for removing air from a food product includes an inner sleeve forming a first and second region in the tank. Air is removed from the food product as the food product moves from the first region to the second region of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Herve' X. Bronnert
  • Patent number: 7640851
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing both coffee in a reservoir and nested stacks of cup-shaped coffee filters, and then automatically filling individual filters with selected amounts of coffee and brewing the coffee while protecting the reservoir. Through a series of gears, an electric motor rotates an elastic projection with teeth and a disengaging curved tooth against the topmost filter in the stack, dragging it into a filter well beneath a coffee storage receptacle and then dropping it. Simultaneously, a rotating coffee dispenser fills with a selectable quantity of coffee and then dumps the coffee into the filter. The apparatus also includes a stirring device for insuring the stored coffee falls to the bottom of the coffee receptacle. A hot water dispenser operates in conjunction with a valve means for cutting off steam from the coffee reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph Allen Blair, Larry Moore Moore
  • Patent number: 7640852
    Abstract: A large round baler is equipped with a combined belt-tensioning and bale ejecting arrangement including front and rear tensioning arm assemblies mounted at an upper front location adjacent a baling chamber. Extensible and retractable belt-tensioning actuators are coupled between the arm assemblies and serve to yieldably restrain movement of the arms, which support and or guide runs of bale-forming belts, in response to the growth of a bale being formed in the baling chamber. One end of each of the tensioning actuators is coupled to the rear arm assembly in such a way that the actuator may be cycled to move over center relative to the pivot axis of the rear arm assembly once the bale is completely formed so that the actuators may be used to aid in ejecting the bale once the discharge gate is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Henry Dennis Anstey, Daniel Eric Derscheid
  • Patent number: 7640853
    Abstract: A rotary cage press provided internally with a deformable flexible membrane having the form of a half of the cage, this press being characterized in that the elements of recovering the liquid part of the matter include on the cage, at least one external racking device, and a connection unit through which opens out the outlet orifice of the racking device; and on the chassis, a liquid taking device including a telescopic tubular unit allowing a retracted position in which the telescopic unit presents no obstacle to the rotation of the cage and an extended position in which the telescopic unit is adapted, when the cage is in a predetermined pressing angular position, to come against the connection unit bearing in a seal-tight manner around the outlet orifice of the racking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Le Materiel Pera
    Inventors: Xavier Pera, Jean Pera
  • Patent number: 7640854
    Abstract: A timing assembly (200) for a manufactured wood products press (66) is provided. The manufactured wood products press includes a first drive shaft (120) coupled to a first platen (90) and second drive shaft (120) coupled to a second platen (90). The first and second platens are disposed within the manufactured wood products press in an opposed manner. The timing assembly includes a housing (202) and a plurality of timing gears (204) disposed within the housing. The plurality of timing gears are operatively connected to the first and second drive shafts for simultaneously driving the first and second drive shafts in an eccentric path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Norbert Kott, Steven Rempel, Orlando C. Janzen, Ayodele Adeleye, Edmond Tam, James Cheng
  • Patent number: 7640855
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clamping device (02) for fastening a plate (03) to the periphery of a cylinder (01). Said clamping device (02) comprises a first clamping element (04), a pivotally mounted second clamping element (06), a spring part (07), and a bracing element that is embodied as a pivotable spindle (08) and is movable between a clamping position in which the bracing element maintains the plate in a clamped state between the clamping elements and a released position in which the clamping elements release the plate. The spindle (08) is mounted in a groove so as to be displaceable, is fixed in an intermediate space between the spring part (07) and the second clamping element (06), and is pressed against the second clamping element by means of the spring part in the clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: KBA-Giori S.A.
    Inventors: Günther Josef Hoier, Johannes Georg Schaede
  • Patent number: 7640856
    Abstract: A method for controlling the feeding of a web substrate into a printing press, in particular a rotary press, the web substrate being fed with a web tension into the printing press and a printing length to be achieved being specified. A current printing length of the printing press is determined. The web tension is varied by varying the length of the web substrate fed during one time interval as a function of the deviation of the current printing length from the printing length to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Goss International Montataire, SA
    Inventor: Dominique Deslangle
  • Patent number: 7640857
    Abstract: A tool for use in a wellbore has an activation assembly, which has a support structure and a reactive layer on the support structure. The reactive layer is formed of a pyrotechnic material. The activation assembly also includes an electrically conductive protective layer covering the reactive layer to protect the reactive layer from electrical discharge. The tool further includes a component to be activated by the activation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Philip Kneisl
  • Patent number: 7640858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flare pellet assembly for generating visual and/or infrared energy output, and to methods of making and using the same. The flare pellet assembly generally includes a stack of flare pellets, the individual pellets of which may exhibit an at least generally tapering geometry. These flare pellets may be stacked in a manner that substantially prevents motion of one flare pellet relative to another flare pellet. This stacked arrangement of the flare pellets, along with one or more grooves that may be defined in and/or between adjacent flare pellets, may be said to at least generally enable the resultant flare pellet assembly to provide one or both infrared and visual energy output that reaches desired countermeasure energy output specifications without sacrificing structural integrity of the flare pellet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kilgore Flares Company, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Herbage, John W. Dailey
  • Patent number: 7640859
    Abstract: A stacked ordnance device provides a disposable and non reusable projectile weapon for passive area defense or denial. A stacked ordnance device has multiple projectiles and charges positioned sequentially in a barrel. A sensing module triggers a control module to enter a firing sequence. The firing sequence is the order and timing by which an electronic ignition system ignites firing charges and thereby shoots the projectiles. A mount positions the stacked ordnance device. The controller can also trigger a disabler that renders the stacked ordnance device unfit for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Hines
  • Patent number: 7640860
    Abstract: A projectile is provided, in accordance with the present invention that includes a gas seal, an absorption zone, a core material containment area, a mass of material within the containment area and an actuator member. The containment area is characterized by the ability to peel back upon itself on impact, thereby releasing the mass of core particles after impact. The actuator, is releasably fixed to the hull open end, and has a stem member that projecting into the mass of material. Prior to initial impact the actuator maintains the core material within the containment area hull and, up initial impact, the actuator is continues to be propelled forward, along with the core material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventors: Charles H. Glover, Susan O. Hartley
  • Patent number: 7640861
    Abstract: Medium- and high-density articles are formed from alloys containing tungsten, iron, nickel and optionally manganese and/or steel. In some embodiments, the articles have densities in the range of 8-10.5 g/cm3, and in other embodiments, the articles have densities in the range of 10.5-15 g/cm3. In some embodiments, the articles are ferromagnetic, and in others the articles are not ferromagnetic. In some embodiments, tungsten forms the largest weight percent of the alloy, and in other embodiments the alloy contains no more than 50 wt % tungsten. In some embodiments, the articles are shell shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Darryl D. Amick
  • Patent number: 7640862
    Abstract: A roller coaster includes a cab that is rotatable between position for loading and unloading of passenger(s) and a position for riding the roller coaster. The cab includes a sliding pad mechanism, which is slidable on station entry and/or exit cams to move the cab between the two positions. In the position for loading and unloading the passenger(s), the cab is arranged so that the passenger(s) are non-parallel to a track of the roller coaster, and in the position for riding, the cab is arranged so that the passenger(s) are substantially parallel to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Antonio Zamperla S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Zamperla
  • Patent number: 7640863
    Abstract: A track system for storage and retrieval of materials for use with warehousing vehicle that rides upon tracks in horizontal configuration for storage locations, and that is capable of switching to and riding a sloped track to ascend or descend vertically. A set of transition exchanges allows the vehicle to access multiple levels of storage “flooring” or shelving. The exchanges use ramps, or movable sections of railway, that may be moved out of the way of a set of wheels of the vehicle, while other ramps are set in place to provide support to some wheels of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle may selectively either travel along the elevator track, or to move between elevator track and level storage locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Marcus C. Minges
  • Patent number: 7640864
    Abstract: A non-magnetic concrete structure having no magnetism or a very small magnetic permeability without reinforcing steel bars arranged, a sidewall for a guideway, and a method for installing the sidewall for the guideway are provided. The reinforcing steel bars-free sidewall 11 for the guideway 10 is constructed by using a non-magnetic concrete structure constructed by using a fiber-reinforced cement-based mixed material and having no reinforcing steel bars therein. The fiber-reinforced cement-based mixed material is produced by mixing non-metallic fibers or non-magnetic metal fibers into a cement-based matrix in a mixing amount of 1 to 4% for an entire volume of the cement-based matrix. The cement-based matrix is obtained by mixing a composition with water. The above composition is composed of cement, aggregate grains having a maximum grain diameter of not more than 2.5 mm, pozzolanic reaction particles having particle diameters of not more than 15 ?m and supper plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Taisei Corporation, Central Japan Railway Company
    Inventors: Mikio Yamazaki, Katsuhiro Tamura, Satoru Kato, Yukihisa Mine, Yoshihiro Tanaka, Akio Ohtake, Koichi Kanoh, Ariyoshi Makimoto
  • Patent number: 7640865
    Abstract: A rail car mover for road-rail operation is enabled for shunting rail cars that are guided on two parallel rails. The rail car mover has a bogie and wheels which are mounted thereon and have rubber tires. Each wheel is assigned a bolt element, or a disk, which can be moved by way of an adjusting device from a first retracted position for the road mode in which the ground-side end face of the bolt element is located above the rolling level of the wheel, beyond the rolling level in the direction of the ground into a second deployed position for the rail mode in which the ground-side end face of the bolt element is located underneath the rolling level in such a way that the external circumferential faces of the bolt element of two wheels which are assigned to one another extend along the inner lateral edges and/or the outer lateral edges of the rails in order to guide the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Wolfgang Zappel
  • Patent number: 7640866
    Abstract: A portable, adjustable support system for large scale, flat monitors and associated hardware. The portable support system is fully self-contained and is fully adjustable so as to allow a user to interact with the monitor from a range of positions including standing, sitting, or lying down through actuated variation of the height and/or angle of the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Widget Works, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Schermerhorn
  • Patent number: 7640867
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. In one embodiment, the columns are snap-fit into the upper deck and the lower deck. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Sean T. Ogburn, William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
  • Patent number: 7640868
    Abstract: A stand for a stereo speaker. The stand comprises a support and a plurality of isolating and polarizing assemblies that engage the support and allow movement of the speaker relative to the support in one direction more than in another direction and to isolate that movement relative to the floor surface upon which the support rests. Preferably, the stand also includes a shelf and a plurality of rods that engage the assemblies and connect the shelf to the support. A first assembly engages a first end of each rod with the shelf and a second assembly engages the second end of each rod with the support. The assemblies are configured to permit more movement of the rods in a first horizontal direction than in a second horizontal direction. Thus, the assemblies allow the shelf to move back and forth in the first horizontal direction in response to vibrations in the speaker and air movement adjacent the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: D Morrison Consulting Inc.
    Inventors: David Morrison, Robert G. Dickie
  • Patent number: 7640869
    Abstract: A height-adjustable folding desk includes a desktop and a leg-support connected to the lower surface of the desk. The leg support includes a first “” shaped rod and a second “” shaped rod. The two supporting-foot of the first “” shaped rod are rotationally cross-connected with the two corresponding supporting feet of the second “” shaped rod respectively. The horizontal rod of the first “” shaped rod is pivotally connected with an end of the lower surface of the desktop, and the other end of the lower surface of the desktop is fixed with an adjustable equipment, the lower surface of the adjustable equipment comprises grooves which may contain the horizontal rod of the second “” shape rod. The height of the folding table can be achieved by adjusting the position of the horizontal rod of the second “” shaped rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Luhao Leng
  • Patent number: 7640870
    Abstract: A foldable table includes a table top having collapsible legs connected thereto. The table top includes a first table top section and a second table top section. A first hinge assembly hingedly connecting the first table top section to the second table top section such that the table top can selectively move between a folded position and an unfolded position. A latch engages with the first hinge assembly so as to releasably lock the first hinge assembly when the table top is in the unfolded position. In alternative embodiments, portions of the table top sections can interlock when the table is in the unfolded position. A handle can project from between the table top sections when the table is in the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Curtis Strong, Jacob Kearl, Thayne B. Haney, Ray Adams, Ed VanNimwegen, David C. Winter
  • Patent number: 7640871
    Abstract: The system used to form slabs on large surfaces includes a grid structure comprised of vertical braces, support bolsters, primary beams and cross beams, all of which rest on the bolsters, with the cross beams closing the grid and providing a stiffness to the structure that allows assembly of the entire grid structure and the later positioning of the formwork panels. The bolsters provide support so that the beams can descend to a stripping position allowing to recover, before the concrete sets, both the beams and the panels. The longitudinal beams are provided with supports for the panels, constructed such that they allow the panels to hang vertically during the stripping operation. The cross beams end at a profile made of rubber or the like providing a means for sealing the grid, as well as for absorbing any possible clearances originated during the assembly of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Ulma Cye., S. Coop.
    Inventor: Alberto Arozena Bergaretxe
  • Patent number: 7640872
    Abstract: Combustion residue can be partially melted and/or sintered in the combustion bed of a grate furnace system. By returning the unmelted and/or unsintered combustion residue, completely sintered inert granulates are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Martin GmbH für Umwelt- und Energietechnik
    Inventors: Johannes Martin, Oliver Gohlke
  • Patent number: 7640873
    Abstract: A system for distributing seeds is configured to be transported by an agricultural vehicle along a direction of travel. The system includes a main frame extending along the direction of travel, a first wing frame extending from a first side of the main frame in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel, and a second wing frame extending from a second side of the main frame in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. The system further includes at least one row unit arranged on the first side of the main frame and supported by the first wing frame, at least one row unit arranged on the second side of the main frame and supported by the second wing frame, a first seed reservoir arranged on the first side of the main frame, and a second seed reservoir arranged on the second side of the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America, LLC.
    Inventors: Kevin Charles Chiavario, Ricardo Diaz
  • Patent number: 7640874
    Abstract: A combination fertilizer and seeding Implement includes a front section of disk type fertilizer openers and a rear section of frame mounted seed openers. The fertilizer openers are connected by drawbars to a rockshaft which is vertically adjustable to accommodate different ranges of operating depths of the frame mounted tools. Shank depth is set by frame height, and the vertical adjustability of the rockshaft facilitates a wide range of frame operating heights for different tool depths while maintaining optimum disk opener drawbar angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Kevin William Hoehn
  • Patent number: 7640875
    Abstract: A disc system for an agricultural machine including a frame carrying a plurality of agricultural tools, the disc system comprising a leading disc mounting mechanism and a rear tools mounting mechanism, wherein the mechanisms are mounted in the frame in a manner that they move in upward and downward directions and when one of the mechanisms tends to move in one of the directions the other one of the mechanisms tends to move in the opposite direction to copy as close as possible the field profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Elvio Antonio Forchino
  • Patent number: 7640876
    Abstract: A fill tube and sensor assembly has a single electronic sensor to detect the level of product in a hopper of an agricultural implement relative to a fill line. The electronic sensor can be positioned at various heights relative to the fill tube to provide variability in the height of the fill line. The sensor provides a full level signal until product is drawn from the fill tube. Once the product is dispensed from the fill tube and into the general interior volume of the hopper, the single sensor provides an empty level signal that can be used to alert an operator of a diminished product supply or control operation of the farm implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Russell J. Memory
  • Patent number: 7640877
    Abstract: A branch for distributing granular material includes an inlet portion, a transition portion downstream of the inlet portion, and an outlet portion downstream of the transition portion. Each portion has a critical air flow rate that is required to cause the granular material to flow through the respective portion. The branching that occurs at the transition portion results in the critical air flow rate of the transition portion being greater than the critical air flow rate of the inlet portion, typically requiring an amount of air at least equal to the critical air flow rate of the transition portion to flow granular material through the branch. In the disclosed branch, the inlet portion is oriented relative to the outlet portion such that applying air to substantially equal the critical air flow rate of the inlet portion results in granular material being urged by gravity to move through the transition portion and into the outlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Russell James Memory