Patents Issued in January 19, 2010
  • Patent number: 7647669
    Abstract: A novel blade assembly for windshield wipers is provided herein. The blade assembly mainly contains a number of tubular segments cascaded in series by a number of connectors. At least a flexible strip is threaded through the series-connected tubular segments to provide even distribution of pressure against the windshield. Each connector has a body for sticking into the two neighboring tubular segments so as to cascade the two tubular segments together. The body of the connectors has at least a through channel for the flexible strip's passing through. The aperture of the through channel decreases from the two ends towards the center of the body, making the blade assembly easier to bend and more conforming to the windshield's curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hai Rwei Heng Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 7647670
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided including a housing having a nozzle assembly with a suction inlet and a canister assembly with a dirt collection vessel receiver. A suction generator is carried on the housing. A dirt collection vessel is received in the receiver. A final filtration compartment is provided on the housing. The final filtration compartment includes an air inlet having a cross sectional surface area A and an air outlet having a cross sectional surface area B where the ratio of B to A is at least 0.8 to 1. The vacuum cleaner also includes a final filter received in the final filtration compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Ryan T. Dant, Donald E. Proffitt, II
  • Patent number: 7647671
    Abstract: A suction cleaner that sucks in dust, from a suction mouth of a suction mouth body, with airflow generated through operation of an electric air blower and introduces the sucked airflow into a dust collection device to collect the dust. The suction mouth body is provided with a first suction mouth and a second suction mouth. An agitator is arranged at the first suction mouth. The first suction mouth is selected by a suction mouth-switching device, and the agitator is driven when the suction is carried out from the first suction mouth. A mechanism for transmitting power to the agitator includes a driving pulley that co-rotates with the agitator, an idler that can be rotated independently of the agitator, and a belt that is shifted between the driving pulley and the idler by a belt-switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshimura, Noboru Nishinaka, Susumu Hamada
  • Patent number: 7647672
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises: a body; a suction head arranged at a lower side of the body and sucking dust or filth; a suction fan mounted at the body and generating a suction force; a dust collecting container mounted in the body and collecting dust or filth sucked into the suction head; and a compression unit mounted at the body and compressing dust or filth collected in the dust collecting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeun-Sik Nam, Choon-Myun Chung, Yong-Woo Lee, Young-Gyu Jung
  • Patent number: 7647673
    Abstract: A self-orienting caster for pieces of furniture, comprising a pair of wheels, which are supported so that they can rotate about a horizontal axis by a supporting body, which has a cylindrical recess that has a vertical axis and is open upward and axially offset with respect to the horizontal axis, and in which a pivot for the caster is inserted rotatably, the pivot being insertable in a receptacle of the piece of furniture in which the caster is to be fitted, further comprising a through seat formed in the body, a tubular element that is driven through the seat coaxially to the horizontal axis and has two cylindrical tubular portions that lie on opposite sides of the body in order to rotatably support the wheels, devices for the axial and rotational locking of the tubular element in the seat and devices for retaining the wheels on the tubular portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Emilsider Meccanica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francescantonio Melara
  • Patent number: 7647674
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (200) includes a shaft (13), a cam (14), a follower (15), a first spring (12), a control member (17), a second spring (16) and a fixing seat (18). The shaft defines an outer screw thread (1320). An inner circumferential wall of the cam defines an inner screw thread (144) is meshed with the outer screw thread of the shaft. The first spring provides an elastic force causing a cam surface of the cam and a latching cam surface of the follower to resist each other. The second spring is positioned between the control member and the follower. The fixing seat has a bottom portion (181) including at least one block and at least one slot adjacent to the at least one block. The at least one block of the control member is received in the at least one receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7647675
    Abstract: A suspension belt end connector has first and second wrapping elements that are arranged in a housing. The housing may have a back wall, side walls and an open side opposite to the back wall. The side walls taper and form with the back wall and a yoke a suspension unit to accommodate a suspension bolt. The end connector supports a poly V belt which serves as a suspension element. The belt is laid around the first wrapping element in a first loop, around the second wrapping element in a second loop, and again around the first wrapping element in a third loop that runs opposite to the first loop. The end of the belt is then held fast by means of a clamp or wedging device. Ribs of the first and third loops mutually engage, as a result of which the coefficient of friction in the engaged section of the belt is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Ernst Ach
  • Patent number: 7647676
    Abstract: A universal cradle apparatus having a telescoping clamping mechanism formed of a drive frame and a cooperating drive shaft that is movable along a common operating axis with first and second mounting surfaces each positioned on a respective one of the drive frame and the drive shaft, and first and second jaw structures each being coupled to a respective one of the drive frame and the drive shaft adjacent to the respective mounting surface thereof, each of the jaw structures having a respective clamping surface thereon and forming mutually opposing interior clamping surfaces arranged adjacent to the mounting surfaces positioned therebetween, and the clamping surface on the second jaw structure being spaced above and inclined toward the respective mounting surface and resiliently flexible relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 7647677
    Abstract: A double locking snap hook (100, 200, 300) includes a gate (120, 220, 320) reinforced by a lock (160, 260, 360), which enables the double locking snap hook (100, 200, 300) to withstand a tensile load of up to at least 3,600 pounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: D B Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott C. Casebolt
  • Patent number: 7647678
    Abstract: An vehicle seat belt includes a buckle system. The buckle system includes a seat belt buckle with a buckle face, a release button, and an opening for receiving a seat belt tongue. The buckle includes a seal positioned on the buckle face to seal the buckle face and prevent contaminants from entering the interior cavity of the buckle. Should contaminants penetrate the seal, drain holes located on the bottom side of the seat belt buckle may allow the contaminants to pass through the interior cavity of the buckle rather than harm the internal components of the seat belt buckle. Additionally, the seal, made of a flexible material, may aid in the prevention of noises that occur when the buckle comes in contact with other vehicle components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7647679
    Abstract: This invention relates to a belt drive system for a tool driving shaft of an indexing tool turret assembly. A plurality of toolholders are radially supported on a top plate assembly, which is rotatably supported on a hub connected to a turret housing. A housing is provided that supports a driven pulley connected to the tool driving shaft. A spindle motor connected to the turret housing is coupled to the live toolholder via a belt drive. The housing advantageously includes at least one removal portion that provides access to and replacement of the belt drive. Further, the tool driving shaft is supported on opposite sides of the driven pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hardinge, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Sheehan, Gary Comstock
  • Patent number: 7647680
    Abstract: A nose assembly for fitting onto a fastener installation tool for installing fasteners of the type in which a part of the fastener is broken off during the installation process, the nose being provided with a housing and a sleeve, the sleeve having a spring, and a collar which is movable within the housing against resistance of the spring, wherein plunger means are provided on the collar, and wherein the sleeve is threadably engaged with the collar, such that movement of the sleeve causes corresponding movement of the collar and plunger means, the plunger means being arranged to actuate a trigger thereby to open an air valve and allow a flow of compressed air through the tool, thereby to allow installation of the fastener into a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventor: Aiden Dear
  • Patent number: 7647681
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for positioning one or more components relative to a work surface are provided. The apparatus can include a frame having a first support member extending therefrom. At least one extendable member can be disposed on the first support member. The extendable member can be adapted to move in a linear direction. At least one magnet can be disposed on the frame. The magnet can include at least one contact side that can be switchable between a magnetized state and a non-magnetized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventors: Will Harris, Gerald L. Dasbach
  • Patent number: 7647682
    Abstract: A motor mount repair system for use in a component assembly comprising a degradable member, a framework and a bolt-housing shaft of the component assembly includes an adhesion and sealing material comprising at least one resin. The degradable member of the component assembly is coupled in co-operative relationship to both the framework and to the bolt-housing shaft of the component assembly. When applied to the degradable member, the adhesion and sealing material adheres to and seals the degradable member permitting both repair of the degradable member and re-use of the component assembly. The component assembly comprises at least one of a motor mount, a shock absorber end, a sway bar bushing and a control arm bushing. Various methods of repairing the degradable member of the component assembly with the motor mount repair system are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventors: Marve D. Adams, Daniel D. Coppola
  • Patent number: 7647683
    Abstract: A system of aligning and connecting a threaded male fastener to a correspondingly threaded female fastener has a nut having a plurality of upturned sides and a central axis aligned with that of one of the male or female fastener. The system includes a guide sleeve having a cylindrical internal surface and an end sized to fit within the upturned sides of the nut, and a guide member having a cylindrical external surface and a central axis aligned with that of the other of the male or female fastener. The guide member cylindrical external surface is slidingly and rotatably movable with respect to the guide sleeve cylindrical internal surface. The guide sleeve end fits within the upturned sides of the nut and the guide member is adapted to be slid into the guide sleeve, such that the threaded male and female fasteners are coaxially aligned and contacted. The guide member is rotated with respect to the guide sleeve so that threads of the male fastener engage threads of the female fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Centrum Equities Acquisition LLC
    Inventor: Arnold Marcus
  • Patent number: 7647684
    Abstract: A method of preparing flat articles for sorting includes the steps of: (1) receiving a bundle of flat items to be sorted, the bundle being wrapped with a flexible film such that the film forms an enclosed package of flat items, (2) placing the bundles on a substantially horizontal, substantially frictionless work surface, moving the bundle adjacent at least one film slitter, the film slitter being automatically activated when the bundle is moved adjacent the film slitter, (3) removing the cut film from the flat items, and (4) stacking the unbundled flat items in a cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Redford, Paul E. Bernard
  • Patent number: 7647685
    Abstract: A folder made from a roll of folder material stock. The folder has a front flap having a first top edge and a first width, and a rear flap connected to said front flap by a folder bottom, the rear flap having a second top edge and a second width. A slip-resistant portion is disposed on at least one of the flaps near said first or second top edge. The folder material stock comprises paper and a polymer material. A method of making the folder includes the steps of providing folder material stock comprising polymeric material, providing embossing dies in spaced, operable, mating relationship, positioning the folder material stock appropriately in the embossing dies, applying force to at least one of the embossing dies so as to decrease the spaced relationship, and deforming the folder material stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Roddy McKee Bullock
  • Patent number: 7647686
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a tooling system and method for producing a profile edge on a stock part, for example, by casting a profile edge to a stock part, such as a table or the like. The tooling system is adapted to accommodate any stock part and generally includes a flexible tool device, a stock part with opposed ends defining an edge therebetween, and a securing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Bay View Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve P. Kinnard, Eugene T. Plitt
  • Patent number: 7647687
    Abstract: A stent, an intermediate article in the manufacture of a stent, and a method of forming a stent from a workpiece are disclosed. A portion of the wall thickness of a workpiece may be removed, demarcating the structural framework of a stent from the remainder of the workpiece material during a cutting process. In some embodiments, a residuum layer of material remaining after a cutting process may have a recessed surface in relation to a first surface of the structural framework of the stent formed in the workpiece. In some embodiments, a plurality of kerf channels may be cut in a workpiece to demarcate a structural framework of a stent from waste material of the workpiece. In some embodiments, a series of perforations may, at least in part, demarcate the structural framework of a stent from the remainder of the workpiece material. The waste material and/or residuum material may be removed from the structural framework of a stent during a post-cutting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Koch, Jeffrey A. Helgerson
  • Patent number: 7647688
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a low frequency quartz resonator includes metalizing a top-side of a quartz wafer with a metal etch stop, depositing a first metal layer over the metal etch stop, patterning the first metal layer to form a top electrode, bonding the quartz wafer to a silicon handle, thinning the quartz wafer to a desired thickness, depositing on a bottom-side of the quartz wafer a hard etch mask, etching the quartz wafer to form a quartz area for the resonator and to form a via through the quartz wafer, removing the hard etch mask without removing the metal etch stop, forming on the bottom side of the quartz wafer a bottom electrode for the low frequency quartz resonator, depositing metal for a substrate bond pad onto a host substrate wafer, bonding the quartz resonator to the substrate bond pad, and removing the silicon handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Chang, Randall L. Kubena, Frederic P. Stratton, Pamela R. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7647689
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stator of a rotating electric machine includes a conductor end shaping process for shaping multiple lead wires aligned side by side in a single layer into a specific form in a plane in which the lead wires are initially aligned before a flat-patterned winding assembly configured by aligning multiple line conductors side by side and shaping the line conductors in spiral form is fitted into multiple slots formed in a flat stator core plate. The shaping process includes the steps of shaping the lead wires into bent form by using a stairstep conductor shaping jig under conditions where the lead wires are separated from one another along a direction generally perpendicular to the plane in which the lead wires are initially aligned, and causing the lead wires to return to positions in the initial alignment plane thereof by removing the stairstep conductor shaping jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasukazu Nishimura, Yoshihiro Harada, Yoshinori Kanazawa, Yutaka Hirota
  • Patent number: 7647690
    Abstract: A sleeve housing for a motor includes a bearing member, which includes a cylindrical portion and a collar portion and is formed by press working or by forging. The bearing member is retained by a retaining portion which is a portion of a cutting tool and which relatively rotates with respect to the cutting tool in a concentric manner with a predetermined rotation axis in order to execute a cutting process on a lower portion of the collar portion with reference to an upper portion thereof, so as to effectively form the sleeve housing with very high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuaki Hada
  • Patent number: 7647691
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing antenna elements for use with wireless communication devices comprises a number of cutting techniques that allow the size of the antenna elements to be adjusted. Rollers cut the tabs that form the antenna elements. In a first embodiment, a plurality of rollers are used, each one effecting a different cut whose position may be phased so as to shorten or lengthen the antenna element. In a second embodiment, the rollers are independently positionable to shorten or lengthen the antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventors: Ian J Forster, Patrick F King
  • Patent number: 7647692
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dry-type, resin-encapsulated transformer coil that includes forming a plurality of conductive layers and positioning a plurality of pre-formed plastic cooling ducts so as to be disposed between the conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lanoue, Michael J. Mitchell, William E. Pauley, Jr., Charlie H. Sarver
  • Patent number: 7647693
    Abstract: A valve stem installation system (10) includes a conveyor (24) for moving wheel rims (14). A detector (50) is comparable with the conveyor (24) to detect size of the wheel rim (14) and a location of an aperture (12) of the wheel rim (14) to receive various valve stems (16, 18). Two robots (110, 112) are adaptable for matably moving the valve stem (16, 18) to the wheel rim (14). A controller (60) is operably communicated with the robots (110, 112) and the detector (50) for receiving a signal from the detector (50) as the detector (50) identifies configuration of the wheel rim (14) and then transmitting the signal to the robots (110, 112) thereby directing the robots (110, 112) to selectively engage the valve stem (16, 18) to be inserted into the aperture (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Schenck Rotec Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene M. Mondrusov, Ben Giacona, Brian Hoy, Dan Pellerin
  • Patent number: 7647694
    Abstract: A method for mounting through an anisotropic conductive film defined as an adhesive sheet an electronic component on a printed circuit board (flexible board) provided with a wiring pattern. The anisotropic conductive film is bonded to an area of the flexible board to be mounted with the electronic component in a state where air intervening between the anisotropic conductive film and the flexible board is heated. Since the air confined between the anisotropic conductive film and the flexible board reduces in volume upon cooled down, occurrence of voids, exposure of the wiring pattern, or the like is avoided. Consequently, reliability can be enhanced without complicating the mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Chemical & Information Corporation
    Inventors: Misao Konishi, Hidetsugu Namiki, Jyunji Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 7647695
    Abstract: An OCR system for matching wire harnesses and connectors facilitates precise registration of wire number strings, uses geometric modeling for character recognition, and restricts searches by region and character to ensure speed and accuracy. A string location algorithm is used to search for and identify the location of the beginning of a wire number string. The horizontal edges of the wire in the image are located, a diameter of the wire is determined, light intensity is confirmed, and the first character is found. The resulting coordinate is used by the algorithm for character definition. Geometric shapes are used for identification in order to overcome twisted wires, poorly printed markings, ink color variations, and contacting characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: William Phillip MacNutt, Richard A. Malleck
  • Patent number: 7647696
    Abstract: A catalyst substrate comprises a substrate material having an inlet, an outlet, an opening therebetween to allow for the passage of exhaust gas therethrough, and further comprises a catalyst and a layer of zirconium phosphate. Catalyst substrates coated with zirconium phosphate exhibit improved thermal durability, improved thermal shock resistance, and improved alkali and acidic corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: William J. LaBarge, Russell Paul Richmond, Gerald Leroy Vaneman
  • Patent number: 7647697
    Abstract: The method manufactures a nozzle plate, and comprises: a patterned resist formation step of forming a patterned resist on a flat surface of a matrix substrate, the patterned resist having a shape corresponding to a diameter of nozzle holes in a nozzle plate to be formed, the patterned resist having a thickness corresponding to a length of the nozzle holes; a nozzle length regulating member placement step of placing the nozzle length regulating member having a flat surface onto the patterned resist in such a manner that the flat surface of the nozzle length regulating member faces the flat surface of the matrix substrate across the patterned resist; and a nozzle plate formation step of forming the nozzle plate by plating with the patterned resist between the flat surface of the matrix substrate and the flat surface of the nozzle length regulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Yokouchi
  • Patent number: 7647698
    Abstract: A method for producing a cutting or embossing roller having a cutting knife or embossing projection that projects out of the surface of a base body of the roller ensures the greatest possible optimal homogeneity of the cutting knife or the embossing projection, while minimizing production duration and costs. Single-layer or multi-layer application of the cutting knife or the embossing projection onto the roller base body occurs by laser resurfacing welding. Each layer is produced using an additional powdered material, which is melted in a melt bath at the weld point. The heat and/or light radiation emitted by the melt bath is detected, at least during application of each layer. Laser power is controlled or regulated as a function of the heat and/or light radiation emitted by the melt bath, so that melt bath temperature remains essentially constant during application of each layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Winkler + Dünnebier Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Closmann
  • Patent number: 7647699
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rug shaver for removing pilling and other loose fibers. The rug shaver may include a handle connected to a shaver head through a swivel. The shaver head may have a motor that rotates blades above a grill plate. The shaver head also may include baskets removeably retained within basket cutouts in a top of the shaver head. As pilling and other loose fibers poke through the grill plate, the rotating blades may cut the loose fibers. The loose fibers may be drawn into the baskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Christina M. Geile
  • Patent number: 7647700
    Abstract: A device for the removal of a H-tap splice on an electrical wire is presented. The device includes a c-shaped frame and a blade suitable for cutting the H-tap. A drive bolt forces the H-tap into the H-tap cutting blade. The drive bolt has a tightening end and an H-tap engagement end having a flat surface for contacting the H-tap. The drive bolt is configured into one end of the frame. The blade is joined to the opposite end and positioned with a cutting edge substantially parallel to the wire. The combination is operable to force the H-tap engagement end towards the blade as the tightening end is tightened where the H-tap is cut without cutting the wire and the wire can be removed from the H-tap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Mracek
  • Patent number: 7647701
    Abstract: A guard for a folding knife which guard protects the fingers of the user when the blade is open. The guards may be lifted by the movement of the blade by a link, spring, lifting pin, gears, underside of the blade or hooked by thumb stud or back of blade or by a flipping motion due to the contour of the handles. The guards may be of various shapes and may be recessed in an out-of-the-way position when the blade is closed. The guards may extend at opposite sides of the blade and opposite sides of the handle. The guards are adaptable to a wide variety of folding knife styles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Mollick, Paul Mollick
  • Patent number: 7647702
    Abstract: A utility knife for use with a replaceable flat blade, has an elongated housing having a longitudinally extending guide open at the front end, a longitudinally extending and transversely open slot, and a longitudinally extending holding face directed transversely opposite to the stop. A blade holder having a seat for the blade is slidable in the housing between a front use position forwardly bearing on a longitudinally displaceable stop and with the blade projecting longitudinally forwardly from the guide past the front end and a rear storage position with the blade wholly contained in the housing rearward of the front end and the holder out of engagement with the stop. The stop can be secured in any of a plurality of longitudinally offset positions in the housing to adjust the front position of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Martor KG
    Inventor: Gudula Polei
  • Patent number: 7647703
    Abstract: A bulb planter includes a pair of blade halves cooperating to form a tubular tool head and a molded plastic handle body forming a pair of handles. The blade halves are preferably metal and riveted to the handle body. The handle body forms a living hinge for selectively pivoting the blade halves upon movement of the handles. The blade halves pivot toward and away from each other between a soil plug cutting position and a soil plug releasing position upon movement of the handles. A resilient member biases the blade halves toward the soil plug cutting position. The resilient member is preferably an elastomer ring encircling the blade halves. The handles extend in opposed directions substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis and are manually movable against the bias of the resilient member to move the blade halves to the soil plug release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ames True Temper, Inc.
    Inventors: David Demar, Thomas VanDyk, Roland Charriez, Michael Ballone, John Kiely, Keith Kristiansen, Melissa Fisher, Brian J. Conaway, Mandi Reese, Terry M. Birchler, Mark C. Eyman
  • Patent number: 7647704
    Abstract: A surgical blade includes a handle with a recess sized to receive the proximal end of a blade assembly. The recess includes a notch as well as opposed facing distal ridges designed to engage elevated surfaces in the blade assembly to maintain the blade assembly and handle assembled. The blade assembly includes a blade portion and a fitting having a protrusion sized to be received in the proximal notch of the recess in the handle when the blade portion is assembled to the handle. The fitting also includes side faces having opposed elevated surfaces obliquely disposed so that they are engaged by the distal ridges within the handle recess. The fitting also includes an upwardly extending catch that engages a distal surface on the handle to assist in locking the blade assembly to the handle. The recess of the handle includes inner tapered surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas D. Petersen
  • Patent number: 7647705
    Abstract: A finger guard for use with a T-square having a head and a blade includes an elongated body, two finger-shielding surfaces extending along a longitudinal axis of said body for accommodating an installer's thumb, a lower edge on the body that is attachable to the blade of the T-square, and a peak edge opposite the lower edge and separating upper ends of the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Amar Arvind Patel, Matthew Earle Myers, Scott Fong
  • Patent number: 7647706
    Abstract: A method for scanning a surface of a workpiece 1 at a constant scanning speed /va/ using a scanning probe 2 mounted on a support 3 on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) 4. The CMM contains a first set of drive means (6, 7, 8) to move the support according to three linear axis (x,y,z), and the support 3 contains a second set of drive means (14, 17) for actuating the movement of the scanning probe 2 with two degrees of freedom relative to said support 3. The method involves control means 33 coupled to the sets of drive means (6, 14, 17), and memory means for storing theoretical profiles and coordinates of the surface to scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hexagon Metrology AB
    Inventors: Pascal Jordil, Siercks Knut, Bo Pettersson, William Wilcox
  • Patent number: 7647707
    Abstract: A template designed to prepare various fabrics for the attachment of a decorative crocheted edge. The transparent triangular shaped template contains holes at equally spaced intervals with uniform distance from the edge of the template. The corner of the template has been designed with a radial edge for use as a pattern to cut fabric. This is done with a rotary cutter. An awl is inserted into each hole of the template piercing the fabric leaving it with exposed holes to affix the decorative crocheted edge. A marking instrument can be inserted into the holes to mark a consistent layout on the fabric for future piercing. Further, the template can be used for squaring and trimming the fabric prior to the piercing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventors: Byron Jeffrey Manley, Marleen Rose Manley
  • Patent number: 7647708
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing particleboard (PB), medium density fiberboard (MDF), oriented strand board (OSB) and board products and the like employ density control for producing a board product having a desired configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: William Christoffersen
  • Patent number: 7647709
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention includes a footwear assembly comprising: an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper. The sole assembly has a footwear assembly comprising a sole assembly connected to an upper. The sole assembly has a midsole made of a first material and having a forefoot portion, an arch portion, a heel portion, and a sidewall extending around a lateral side, a medial side, and a heel side of the midsole. A stiffener is connected to the midsole. The stiffener is made of a second material stiffer than the first material. The stiffener has a base portion adjacent to the arch portion and at least one of the forefoot portion and the heel portion of the midsole. The stiffener has a side stabilizer and a heel wrap coupled to the base portion. The side stabilizer is adjacent to the sidewall in at least one of the arch portion and forefoot portion. The heel wrap is adjacent to the heel side and at least one of the lateral side and medial side of the midsole's sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Danner, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Reilly, Kent Thomas, Stephen Belatti, Ryan Dowd
  • Patent number: 7647710
    Abstract: Footwear, particularly athletic shoes, that has a sole structure copying support, stability and cushioning structures of the human foot. Still more particularly, this invention relates to the use of the shoe upper portion to envelop one or more portions of the shoe midsole in combination with portions of the shoe sole having at least one concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface, relative to a portion of the shoe sole located adjacent to the concavely rounded outer surface portion, and at least one convexly rounded portion of the inner surface of the midsole component, relative to a portion of the midsole component located adjacent to the convexly rounded portion of the inner surface of the midsole component, all as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Anatomic Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Frampton E. Ellis, III
  • Patent number: 7647711
    Abstract: A cleat includes a hub and dynamic traction elements of the type that resiliently flex upwardly under the load of the weight of a wearer of a shoe. The traction elements are biased to resiliently flex inwardly from the hub periphery while flexing upwardly under the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Softspikes, LLC
    Inventor: Faris W. McMullin
  • Patent number: 7647712
    Abstract: A cutter head for dredging soil, which is mountable to the ladder of a suction dredger for dredging soil, and connectable on a suction pipe for removing loosened soil, the cutter head comprising a cage-shaped support construction which is mountable to a drivable rotation shaft extending mainly in extension of the ladder and which has a circumferential surface provided with a number of cuffing tools for penetrating the soil, the cuffing tools comprising a number of disc-shaped penetration bodies of which the disc planes extend substantially perpendicular to the rotation shaft, so that they can transfer forces to the soil via their peripheral edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Dredging International
    Inventor: Bruno Tack
  • Patent number: 7647713
    Abstract: A bucket or scoop with adjustable capacity has a fixed structure which forms an external rigid element and also has one or several mobile elements, complementary to the fixed structure, which slide inside the same by means of special devices. The special devices are actuators or pistons fixed either to the fixed structure or to the mobile elements, to occasion a reciprocal movement thereof. Sliding guides are arranged parallel to the direction of action of the pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Gianluca Malacrino
  • Patent number: 7647714
    Abstract: An attachment structure for a load bearing fabric. The attachment structure includes interfitted inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes a fabric leg 74 carrying a load bearing fabric. The inner ring defines a channel receiving the fabric leg 74. The inner ring and outer ring are configured to stretch the fabric upon insertion of the fabric leg 74 into the channel. The present invention also provides a method for securing a load bearing fabric to a support structure, generally including the steps of (a) providing an outer ring having fabric leg 74, (b) attaching a section of load bearing fabric to the fabric leg 74, (c) providing an inner ring having a channel adapted to receive the leg of the outer ring and (d) installing the outer ring to the inner ring by inserting the leg into the channel, the insertion forcing the fabric down into the channel and stretching the fabric to the desired tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Dahti, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Coffield, Ronnie K. Watson, Soren S. Ingomar Petersen, Matthew E. Chrostowski, Randall Clark Lewis
  • Patent number: 7647715
    Abstract: An image-holder article usable as postcard, that can be sent by mail but that can also be used to display the image incorporated therein, and mailable in standard ways is effectively usable as postcard, allows display of the image on a surface that remains flat, comprising: a first flat sheet-like support (2), with an image being reproduced thereon, comprising side flaps (3) delimited by the edge thereof and by fold lines (5), so that said flaps are foldable and may adopt a folded configuration with respect to the first sheet-like support and an extended configuration, forming an uniform plane with the first sheet-like support; a second flat sheet-like support (6) made of a substantially flexible material, so as to be reversibly flexed assuming a cambered position, and having an extension such that, if inserted between said flaps (3) in a folded configuration with its edges resting on said fold lines, it adopts said cambered position and determines, in cooperation with said first sheet-like support (2), a res
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ink on the Sky Di Paola Sorgini
    Inventors: Guido Caravacci, Paola Sorgini
  • Patent number: 7647716
    Abstract: A point of sale display combines clear shelves with a visually attractive and attention holding liquid motion lamp background. The liquid motion lamp combines motion to attract the attention of shoppers with an ever changing display of color and light to hold the shopper's attention. The rising and descending patterns are unique and random and thereby hold the shopper's attention for long periods of time obtaining valuable exposure of products displayed on the shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Louis J. Finkle
  • Patent number: 7647717
    Abstract: A numerical display device includes a base panel, a plurality of numerical sections provided on the base panel to form a numerical character, a plurality of folding panels pivotally coupling at the base panel to fold between a first position and a second position to selectively change the numerical character, and a magnet arrangement for retaining each of the folding panels at the first and second positions, wherein at the first position, the folding panel is pivotally folded on the base panel to fully cover the respective numerical section, and at the second position, the folding panel is pivotally folded at 180° to expose the respective numerical section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Qingdao Autodisplay Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haikun Chen, Liqun Zhang, Yanjun Wu, Bingtong Du
  • Patent number: 7647718
    Abstract: A multi-panel fold-out device made from a blank includes at least first, second, and third panels which are joined together in sequence, and formed by separation lines between the first, second, and third panels. The first and second panels each have an internal panel portion including a score line adjacent to an edge of the panel. Each internal panel portion is releasably secured to its panel such that the internal panel portion can be pivoted around its score line relative to its panel. The first panel is foldable over, along the first separation line, to secure the first panel to the second panel. The first and second panels are foldable under, along the second separation line, to secure the first and second panels to the third panel. The first and second internal panel portions are of different sizes so that these panels can be folded out in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Richard A. Burtch