Patents Issued in February 9, 2010
  • Patent number: 7658359
    Abstract: A force adjustment assembly for use within a telescoping subassembly that includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis, the subassembly further including a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively, the adjustment assembly comprising a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position and an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: David K. Jones, Kurt Heidmann, Todd Andres
  • Patent number: 7658360
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and supported by the lower rail so as to be movable relative thereto, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes multiple lock portions provided at the lower rail along a longitudinal direction thereof, a lock member provided at the upper rail and rotating about a rotation axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail so as to be engageable with or disengageable from the lock portions, and a bracket for supporting the lock member in a direction of the rotation axis. The seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle further includes a deflection preventing member for preventing a deflection of the bracket in the direction of the rotation axis and being integrally provided at the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7658361
    Abstract: A window frame display stand includes a corner body having a pair of mutually perpendicular legs, and a pair of spaced feet on one of the legs for supporting the body on a support surface such that the one leg is parallel to the support surface and the other leg is perpendicular to the support surface. The legs have adjacent interior surfaces that are contoured, preferably with slots or notches, to receive and support a window frame corner. The legs on the corner body preferably are mirror images of each other. The feet preferably are removably mounted on the one leg of the corner body, most preferably by interference press fit of the corner body leg into slots on the feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Milgard Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventor: Kevin Dwayne Vihauer
  • Patent number: 7658362
    Abstract: A two piece hanger device for mounting an object on a wall wherein one piece is mounted on the object and one piece is mounted on the wall and wherein one of the two pieces can be angularly adjusted with respect to the other to permit proper horizontal alignment of the object to be hung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Emad El Haje
  • Patent number: 7658363
    Abstract: A device for securing a laptop computer to a support panel comprises a pair of security devices each including a vertical member having a pair of prongs extending laterally outwardly therefrom. The laptop computer is securable with the security devices when the laptop computer is in the open position. The security devices are configured to be mountable to the support panel at a spacing greater than the laptop width. Each of the security devices include the prongs which are located above the lower surface of the vertical member at a height greater than a height of the keyboard and which are spaced apart from one another at a distance greater than a thickness of the display monitor. The pairs of prongs extending from respective ones of the vertical members are oriented in facing relationship to one another in order to secure the laptop computer to the support panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7658364
    Abstract: Ocular implant devices (10, 20, 121) for the delivery of a therapeutic agent to an eye (101, 301) in a controlled and sustained manner. Dual mode and single mode drug delivery devices (10, 20, 121) are illustrated and described. Implants (10, 20) suitable for subconjunctival placement are described. Implants (121, 10, 20) suitable for intravitreal placement also are described. The invention also includes fabrication and implementation techniques associated with the unique ocular implant devices (10, 20, 121) that are presented herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Michael R. Robinson, Karl G. Csaky, Robert B. Nussenblatt, Janine A. Smith, Peng Yuan, Cynthia Sung, Matthew P. Fronheiser, Hyuncheol Kim
  • Patent number: 7658365
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for use in coupling a component to an actuator, where the component includes a stem and a drive nut, and the stem is configured to be rotated by the actuator and to move linearly through an opening in the drive nut. In an embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling mechanism, a drive ring, and a carrier, where the coupling mechanism and the carrier each include slots and the drive ring includes projections that correspond with the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Eschborn, Donald J. Christensen
  • Patent number: 7658366
    Abstract: A control element of a bi-directional valve is in fluid communication with an outlet pressure and an inlet pressure when the valve is closed such that a sum of the forces applied to the control element result in a net force urging the control element to seat against a valve seat. The valve includes a valve body carrying the valve seat. The control element is balanced on an outlet side of the valve seat such that the outlet pressure applies approximately no net force to the control element. In contrast, the control element is unbalanced on an inlet side of the valve seat such that inlet pressure applies a net force on the control element to bias the control to seat against the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Tescom Corporation
    Inventor: Todd W. Larsen
  • Patent number: 7658367
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve, in particular a pendulum or slide gate valve, for essentially gastight closing of a flow path (F). The valve includes a valve housing (1; 1a) having a first wall (2) which has a first opening (3) and a first valve seat (4), a valve disk (5) having a closing side (6) with a sealing ring (7) and at least one drive (8). Through drive (8), the valve disk (5) is pivotable or displaceable from an opened position (A) essentially parallel to the first valve seat (4), and the perpendicular distance between the valve disk (5), and the first valve seat (4) can be reduced so that, in the closed position (C), the flow path (F) is closed essentially gastight by an axially sealing contact between the sealing ring (7) and the first valve seat (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Friedrich Geiser
  • Patent number: 7658368
    Abstract: Disclosed and described herein is a nail extractor adapted for the powered extraction of partially exposed headed-nails from a substrate. The extractor has a housing with a threaded opening for the fitment of a threaded spindle having a hexagonally-shaped proximal end for the attachment of a power tool and a claw assembly attached to the distal end of the spindle so as to permit free rotation of the spindle while the claw assembly is confined and sized to prevent turning within the housing. Additionally, the claw assembly has a cleft for engaging and grasping the partially exposed portion of the headed nail. When activated by the powered tool, the threaded spindle and claw assembly are vertically elevated within the housing and the partially exposed nail is extracted from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Craig M. Laun
  • Patent number: 7658369
    Abstract: A post pulling device includes a tower having first and second side members, each side member having a plurality of receiving slots. Each receiving slot of the first side member corresponds to a respective receiving slot of the second side member. The post pulling device includes a rigid bar having opposed first and second ends, opposed first and second sides, and first and second pivoting members extending from the first and second sides, respectively. The first and second pivoting members are respectively receivable in corresponding receiving slots of the first and second side members. An end plate and a lanyard are included for coupling a post to the first end of the rigid bar. A hitch element may be coupled to the tower for selectively coupling the tower to a vehicle hitch. The rigid bar may be telescopic with structures for maintaining the rigid bar at a selected length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Matthew B Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7658370
    Abstract: A rope winch has at least one bearing support and a rope drum supported on the at least one bearing support so as to be rotatable about a drive axis. A drive motor and a gear connected to the drive motor are provided, wherein the drive motor drives the rope drum about the drive axis through the gear. At least one sensor that senses a load acting on the rope drum is provided. An exchangeably secured component that is exchangeable without dismounting the at least one bearing support is provided. The at least one sensor is arranged on the exchangeably secured component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Rotzler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Rotzler, Steffen Walz
  • Patent number: 7658371
    Abstract: A system for producing removable portions having personalized information, for mass-distributable packets, by single-pass manufacturing, in which a printed web is slit into two ribbons, one of which is then folded and glued upon itself to create a multi-ply ribbon that appears to be of heavier stock than the original paper, and a label containing a magnetic strip is applied. The magnetic strip can be encoded with information personalized to the recipient or the advertiser. Alternatively, the multi-ply ribbon can be created by gluing together multiple ribbons, or by a combination of folding ribbons and gluing ribbons. The multi-ply ribbon is die cut into an inside portion and an outside portion and married to the other ribbon, after which the outside portion is removed, leaving the inner portion as removable portions. Alternatively, the folded ribbon can be kiss cut after it has been married to the other ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Lehigh Press, Inc.
    Inventor: David Deschryver
  • Patent number: 7658372
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus including: a stapler; a conveying path, which conveys a sheet to the stapler; a bundle forming device to form a sheet bundle in the conveying path, the bundle forming device having a pinch device, which successively pinches an upstream end portion of the sheet to pinch plural sheets integrally; a control portion, which controls the stapler and the bundle forming device to staple the sheet bundle selectively between at one end of the sheet bundle for the side stitching and on the fold line of the sheet bundle for the saddle stitching; a discharging device, which discharges the sheet bundle stapled at the one end onto a stacking portion, a two-fold device, which folds the sheet bundle stapled on the fold line in two along the fold line, and a joining device, which joins the sheet bundle folded by the two-fold device into the discharging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7658373
    Abstract: A method for producing multi-part print products includes supplying a folded main print product fold first to respectively one pouch of successively following pouches on a conveying device for a production line that includes a plurality of feeders. The folded main print product has front and rear legs extending from the fold. The rear leg has a frontal edge region that is penetrable by a movable clamping part. The method further includes moving the front and rear legs apart by penetrating the frontal edge region of the rear leg with the movable clamping part to clamp the front leg against a pouch wall. At least one partial print product is inserted into the main print product when the front and rear legs are moved apart to accommodate partial print products side-by-side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Müller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Walter Jufer
  • Patent number: 7658374
    Abstract: A pick roller picks a sheet stacked in a hoper and transports the sheet toward a separating section at which a separator roller and a brake roller is provided. The separator roller and the brake roller transport the sheet one by one. A first unit is provided on the brake roller and is adapted to detect a rotation of the brake roller. A second unit is provided in the separating section and is adapted to detect a speed of the sheet. A controller is operable to determine an entry state of the sheet with respect to the separator roller based on presence or absence of the sheet in the separating section determined from the speed of the sheet in the separating section and whether or not the brake roller is rotating, and to optimally control a force acting in separation for the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventors: Ryoichi Yasukawa, Minoru Masuda, Satoshi Ishida
  • Patent number: 7658375
    Abstract: A printer having a sheet tray, a drive for advancing sheets past a marking mechanism, and a picker to remove sheets from an aligned tray includes a load position and a pick position. The trays are selectively moved between the load and pick positions. A transmission is engagable to connect the drive to the tray moving mechanism, whereby the tray is moved between the pick position and the load position by the media sheet advancing drive. The transmission is disengagable to enable advancement of the media sheets without movement of the tray. Starting with both trays in their load positions, one of the trays is moved to its pick position whereat a sheet can be picked; moving the other of the trays to its pick position whereat a sheet of media from each of the trays can be picked; and moving the tray remaining at its pick position from its pick position to its media load position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Randal M. Wong, Juan Belon, Petrica D. Balcan
  • Patent number: 7658376
    Abstract: Depositing a sheet of paper onto a stack of sheets of paper, preferably for use in a printing press, where the sheet to be deposited is grasped by at least one rotationally drivable sheet conveyor member with the front edge of the sheet fed into a receptacle, and the sheet's front edge is released from the receptacle of the rotating sheet conveyor member prior to depositing of the sheet onto the stack of sheets, and instead, it is deposited into a receptacle of an intermediate transport member where it is further released for depositing the sheet onto the stack of sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Dirk Dobrindt
  • Patent number: 7658377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for depositing sheets for a printing machine, said device comprising at least one rotating drivable sheet transport element (6), which is designed to receive or grasp a leading edge of a sheet and deposit said sheet on a stack after said sheet has traveled a path of rotation, and comprising at least one drag element (10) for pulling a sheet that has been deposited on the stack toward a mechanical stop. With the present invention, the drag element is coupled with the rotation of the sheet transport element and is arranged in such a manner that said drag element can assume an inoperative position within the region covered by the rotating sheet transport element, and that said drag element, in order to perform its dragging function, can be moved at least partially out of the region covered by the rotating sheet transport element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dirk Dobrindt, Rolf Dieter Gritzuhn
  • Patent number: 7658378
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning sheet stacks in a feeder of sheet processing machines includes a motor-driven aligning plate and a movement converter situated between a motor drive and the aligning plate. The movement converter forces a movement describing approximately a circular path onto the aligning plate. A vertical speed component of the aligning plate during aligning corresponds to an upward speed of a feeder stack. A method for aligning sheet stacks in a feeder of a sheet processing machine as well as a sheet processing machine, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Lappok, Andre Pütz, Guido Zanders
  • Patent number: 7658379
    Abstract: A skew roller is disposed near an abutment reference member. A pre-skew roller is disposed on the upstream side of the skew roller at a position corresponding to a conveyance center line. When a sheet conveyed by a pre-registration conveyance roller reaches the skew roller, the pre-registration conveyance roller moves upward to release a nipping force applied on the sheet. At the same time, the pre-skew roller moves downward to start aligning the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Yasumoto
  • Patent number: 7658380
    Abstract: A system and method for adaptive and predictive analysis of sensor readings to track documents in a document processing system. The system comprises: a plurality of sensors for sensing a document, wherein each sensor includes an associated filtering system for filtering sensor readings, and a performance tracking system for collecting performance data; and a control system that and adjusts filtering characteristics of the filtering system based on the collected performance data. In addition, a correlation system is provided for using data from at least one upstream sensor to interpret an ambiguous downstream sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Duncan, Rodney G. Moon, Clair F. Rohe
  • Patent number: 7658381
    Abstract: A document processing system includes a feeder stage, a transport stage, and a retractable document handling mechanism cooperating with a portion of the document track. The mechanism includes an assertable member arranged with respect to the document track such that assertion of the member causes retraction of the opposed track walls in the cooperating portion of the document track by retracting a movable base member from a fixed base member. This provides access to the document track, and the retraction is sufficient to provide a track opening sufficient to allow the operator to relieve document jams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Moore, Sammy C. Hutson, George T. Spray, Joseph R. Heaven
  • Patent number: 7658382
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a casing, an image recording unit, a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit, a first support member, and a second support member. The first support member is supported by the casing. The second support member rotatably supports the follow roller and has an urging member that applies an urging force to the follow roller for urging the follow roller toward the drive roller. The second support member is supported on the first support member via a rolling bearing, allowing the second support member to rollingly move to a first position when the first conveying unit nippingly conveys the recording medium and allowing the second support member to rollingly move to a second position upstream of the first position in the conveying direction when the recording medium is separated from the first conveying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohei Terada
  • Patent number: 7658383
    Abstract: A gaming device including a playing field having a substantially planar surface, and a target setter arranged to pivot relative to the playing field between a first position and a second position, the target setter including a reservoir and at least one channel extending from the reservoir, wherein the reservoir is adapted to receive and store at least one substantially spherical object therein when the target setter is in the first position, and the at least one channel is operatively arranged to direct a substantially spherical object from the reservoir to the playing field when the target setter is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Charles Salansky
  • Patent number: 7658384
    Abstract: A method of playing a game. A face of a die may be selected, and a marker may be moved to a position on a game board according to the face selected. A request for a player response may be selected from a set of text-based requests, and an interval associated with the player response may be timed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen Nakamoto, Jeannie Burns Hardie
  • Patent number: 7658385
    Abstract: A method of playing a board game of pursuit for at least one of a first and a second player; where the board includes a pathway made up from a number of discrete squares and includes at least a starting position. The method of play includes the steps of the first and second players taking alternating turns to determine the number of squares to move along the pathway; deciding whether to move in one of a first and a second direction along the pathway; and positioning a marker at the square so determined. The game ends when the second player is able to position their marker on the same square as the first player. The board may also be provided with a finishing position remote from the starting position. In this instance, the game ends when the first player reaches the finishing position prior to the second player being able to position their marker on the same square as the first player. The game may include hazards along the pathway that require the players to pay a penalty before resuming play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Timothy W. Drouhard
  • Patent number: 7658386
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a seal and a method of sealing dynamic shaft applications. The seal comprises an inner portion, an outer portion, a faceplate, and at least one flexible member located between the inner and outer portions. The method comprises providing a dynamic shaft assembly containing a bore for receiving a seal, providing a unitized seal, and placing the unitized seal on the shaft, thus sealing the assembly so that lubricants may not escape, and foreign material may not enter. The unitized seal can provide permanently lubricated sealed bearings in severe service conditions such as rollers and idlers of track-driven vehicles and agricultural equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Michael R. Oldenburg
  • Patent number: 7658387
    Abstract: A dynamic seal is provided which is made of a processable rubber composition containing a matrix of vulcanized elastomeric material with powder filler dispersed therein. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material contains a micro powder which has repeating units derived from tetrafluoroethylene. The micro powder has a median particle size of between 1 and 50 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Edward H Park
  • Patent number: 7658388
    Abstract: The wheeled cart apparatus provides transport of multiple items from a vehicle to a chosen destination. The apparatus features collapsible telescopic legs of which each has a swivel wheel with wheel lock. The upper borders surround substantially the entire rectangular table top. The lower skirts provide teeth for preventing movement of the apparatus when loaded into a vehicle. The grips on the first skirt provided for lifting that side of the apparatus while the casters on the opposite skirt enable ease of apparatus movement with the first skirt lifted. The lockably hinged legs are prevented escape from the collapsed position by the c-clips and the keeper rod. Legs are spaced inwardly from the skirts to aide in apparatus support while legs are extended or collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventors: Ramona Rodriguez, Alex Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7658389
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a child safety seat includes a wheeled assembly that may be clamped to the child safety seat. The wheeled assembly includes a plate member having a longitudinal axis on either side of which are formed one or more through holes. Clamping can be achieved by the use of threaded fasteners which pass through the through holes and are secured to a clamping mechanism that helps frictionally secure the plate member to the child safety seat. Suitable clamping mechanisms for this purpose may include a strap that passes through a passageway formed in the rear of the child safety seat, a clamping bracket having laterally extending arms that abut clampingly abut openings formed in the back of the child safety seat, and an structural elbow member integrally connected to the child safety seat against which a clamping force may be applied. The apparatus with attached child safety seat may be wheeled on the ground by a person using one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Go-Go Babyz, Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Ostrow, Kerry Williams
  • Patent number: 7658390
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adapter that fits over a wheel barrow handle that is extendable. By way of this extension, the height of a handle portion of the adapter may be changed so as to change the effective height of the wheel barrow handle. In this way, a user of the wheel barrow can lift the wheel barrow from a more comfortable height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Jeff Martin
  • Patent number: 7658391
    Abstract: The present application is to power an electric vehicle using this compact method of transmitting rotational energy and movement with three main parts, two of which are identical (33) (34). But this type of simple design could have nanotechnology applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Charles Richard Wurm
  • Patent number: 7658392
    Abstract: Disclosed is a suspension apparatus which can be used in rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive type small automobiles, so as to rapidly absorb shock or vibration transmitted from wheels by use of four shock-absorbing devices. The suspension apparatus for a small car is mounted to front and rear axles including wheels and adapted to remove vibration or shock transmitted from the wheels. The suspension apparatus includes a plurality of shock-absorbing devices for absorbing shock or vibration transmitted from the wheels by use of the compressive restoring force of air or gas and the elasticity of tubes, or by use of the absorptive restoring force of oil and the elasticity of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sungjin Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-uk Kim
  • Patent number: 7658393
    Abstract: Complementary suspension device applicable between the hydro-pneumatic suspension systems of at least two wheels of a vehicle, which transfer the forces originating in said wheels to the aforementioned complementary device by means of displacement, and/or decanting, of the fluids of said suspension systems through the corresponding conduits, said device comprising two fluid distribution units connected in parallel by means of each joint conduit, between the hydro-pneumatic suspension systems of at least one pair of vehicle wheels, in such a way that for each pair of wheels the first distribution unit is capable of allowing the intake of fluid through the joint conduit with the suspension system of one of the wheels and, at the same time, lets fluid exit through the joint conduit with the suspension system of the other wheel, whereas the second unit only allows the intake of fluid through the joint conduits with the two suspension systems at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Creuat S.L.
    Inventor: Josep Fontdecaba Buj
  • Patent number: 7658394
    Abstract: A rear suspension system includes a bottom bracket integrally connected between two respective first ends of two chain stays and the bottom bracket is engaged with a recess defined between two lugs on the conjunction end of the seat tube and the down tube. The chain stay unit includes two first pivot points and two second pivot points. A first link unit has a first end pivotably connected to the first pivot points and a second end of the first link unit is pivotably connected to one of the two lugs. A second link unit has a first end pivotably connected to the second pivot points and a second end of the second link unit is pivotably connected to the other one of the two lugs. The distance between the bottom bracket and the rear wheel axle is not changed when the rear suspension system is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen Huang
  • Patent number: 7658395
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle, a touring motorcycle, is disclosed. The touring motorcycle may include multiple fuel storage tanks arranged in a split side-by-side configuration. The touring motorcycle may include a rear suspension having a linkage which moves in a direction not parallel with a centerline plane of the motorcycle. The touring motorcycle may include a tip-over structure which prevents unwanted tip-over of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: David Louis Bagnariol, James Arthur John Holroyd
  • Patent number: 7658396
    Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated vehicle consisting of several vehicle parts (1, 2) which are couplable together, each vehicle part (1, 2) comprising at least two axles and one coupling frame (12) that is connected to said vehicle part (1, 2) through a bellows (13), a joint device (20, 31) being provided between said vehicle part (1, 2) and said coupling frame (12), said joint device (20, 31) comprising a coupling carrier (30) that is located approximately in the plane of said coupling frame (12), said coupling carrier (30) comprising at least coupling means (25) for coupling to the joint device (20, 31) of the other vehicle part (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Koch, Lothar Scharf, Jens Karasek
  • Patent number: 7658397
    Abstract: A truck and trailer combination has a trailer removably mounted on the truck frame with longitudinal and horizontal channel members secured to the truck frame and longitudinal rails fastened to the trailer. The rails have a slide fit with respect to the channel members. Lock pins connect the rails to the channel members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Marlin J. Mattson
  • Patent number: 7658398
    Abstract: A connection system for connecting a board 1 to a boot comprises a plate 5 which is connectable to the board 1, a button 3 having a bottom face and a top face, the top face being connectable to a boot or binding 2, and a collar 4, wherein a part of the button 3 is sandwiched between the collar 4 and the plate 5 with its bottom face adjoining the plate 5, and its top face exposed through the collar 4, such that it can rotate about an axis passing through the connection system and wherein the bottom face of the button 3 has a curved surface, which has rotational symmetry with and which adjoins a complimentary curved surface on the plate 5, such that button 3 can roll to move its axis of rotation A away from an axis P perpendicular to the plate 5, and in that the connection system comprises braking means 8, which restricts movement of the button 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Ezio Panzeri
  • Patent number: 7658399
    Abstract: A stroller includes at least one adapter, by which a first child seat is configured to be detachably connected to the stroller. The stroller further includes at least one connecting piece, by which a second child seat is configured to be detachably connected to the stroller. The at least one adapter is movable from at least a first position, in which the first child seat is configured to be detachably connected to the adapter, to at least a second position connected to the stroller, in which the second child seat is configured to be detachably connected to the connecting piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventor: John Gert Til Van Dijk
  • Patent number: 7658400
    Abstract: A side air bag module including: an inflator (140), and air bag (102) and a retainer (150), the inflator having inflation ports (145) and a first and a second end (142, 144), the inflator configured to be inserted through a first opening of a first set of openings in an upper portion (104a) of a main panel (105) and configured to exit the upper portion of the main panel through a second opening of the first set of openings, wherein when the inflator is in place in the air bag, the first and second ends of the inflator respectively extend through one of the first and second openings, the main panel (105) also including a lower portion (104b) connectable to the upper portion thereby forming the main panel, a reinforcement panel (130) and the lower portion including similarly shaped, spaced and aligned sets of openings through which the inflator extends; the retainer is situated about the extending ends of the inflator on the exterior of the air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pongdet P. Wipasuramonton, Chang Hwan Ju, Sara A. Colburn
  • Patent number: 7658401
    Abstract: A curtain airbag system includes a sail panel. The sail panel may be attached with an inflatable curtain of the curtain airbag system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edgardo Valdez, William Abramczyk, Karen Balavich
  • Patent number: 7658402
    Abstract: An airbag is disposed over almost the entire length along a roof side rail. The airbag comprises a duct formed with a gas introduction hole and a plurality of chambers communicating with the duct. The duct comprises a long first duct part and a short second duct part arranged with the gas introduction hole being provided therebetween. The inlet of a chamber closest to the gas introduction hole in the first duct part has a shape that becomes narrower gradually from the upper part toward the lower part. The passage width of the uppermost part of the inlet of the closest chamber is greater than the depth to the narrowest part thereof, and the passage width of the narrowest part is narrower than the passage width of the first duct part around the inlet thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Ohba
  • Patent number: 7658403
    Abstract: A side airbag apparatus is provided with an airbag which is stored within a vehicle seat. A rear portion of the airbag is fixed to the vehicle seat. Further, the side airbag apparatus is provided with an inflator which is arranged within a rear portion of the airbag and is fixed to the vehicle seat. The side airbag apparatus jets out gas from the inflator in correspondence to an impact applied to a vehicle from a side direction, and inflates and deploys the airbag between a body side portion and the vehicle seat. Further, a vent hole for discharging the gas within the airbag is provided between a gas outlet of the inflator and at least one of an upper end and a lower end of a rear portion of the airbag. Further, the airbag is folded in such a manner as to start and finish an inflation of the airbag finally in the vicinity of the vent hole between the vent hole and the gas outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kawabe, Masaaki Okuhara
  • Patent number: 7658404
    Abstract: The airbag unit is disposed inside the rear upper face portion of the instrument panel near the difference-in-level portion. The lid portion is configured to open substantially forward around the hinge member without hitting against the difference-in-level portion. Herein, the hinge member is configured such that the lid portion can open beyond the difference-in-level portion to the position where the lid portion is substantially located on the front upper face portion of the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated to its maximum opening state. Accordingly, the proper protection of the passenger seated in the assistant seat can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Sadano, Mitsutoshi Yamanishi
  • Patent number: 7658405
    Abstract: A variable venting assembly for an inflator, the assembly comprising: a nozzle having an inlet opening and an outlet opening; a valve member movably mounted to the nozzle for movement between an open position and a closed position, the valve member having a shaft member and a head portion secured to the shaft member, the head portion being configured to seal the outlet opening when the valve member is in the closed position; a biasing member located between a portion of the nozzle and a surface of the shaft member, the biasing member providing a biasing force to maintain the valve member in the closed position; and a bleed orifice providing a fluid path through the nozzle, the bleed orifice providing the fluid path regardless of the position of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J Gibbons
  • Patent number: 7658406
    Abstract: A device for supporting a rupturable closure member of a pressure vessel, such as an airbag inflator has a hollow support with a tapered portion and an adjoining cylindrical portion. An exterior surface of the tapered portion has longitudinally extending grooves therein. An igniter is located adjacent the cylindrical portion of the support and a pyrotechnic substance is located in the cylindrical portion of the support between the igniter and the tapered portion of the support. A rupturable closure member being forced against an open first end of the tapered portion of the support by the gas in the pressure vessel such that a chamber is formed within the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Townsend, Alexander Deych
  • Patent number: 7658407
    Abstract: A safety system comprising an air bag configured to have at least one inflatable volume or chamber, an inlet through which inflation gas enters the inflatable volume, the air bag including at least one exit port or vent which when in an open state permits inflation gas to exit the volume or chamber, the exit port or vent located in a selected region of the air bag, a vent closure mechanism secured to the air bag and movable to close the exit port or vent by tension created in a tether which is part of the vent closure mechanism; as the air bag inflates, the tether has one end operatively secured to the air bag, a second end operatively secured to the vent closure mechanism, the tether including a medial portion slidably guided across a portion of the air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Ford, Thomas G. Busacca
  • Patent number: 7658408
    Abstract: A cushion wrap is secured to a front panel portion of the airbag. Opposite ends of the cushion wrap are secured to the bracket, such that one portion of the cushion wrap tethers one portion of the airbag to the bracket, while another portion of the cushion wrap tethers another portion of the airbag to the bracket. Weakened portions are formed in at least one portion of the cushion wrap such that the cushion wrap restrains one portion of the airbag less than it restrains the other. This provides the ability to control the direction of the deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven R. Zofchak, Dennis Ames Burton