Patents Issued in March 9, 2010
  • Patent number: 7673879
    Abstract: An arm support mountable onto a video machine housing has a first portion configured for resting on a console of the video game machine without blocking the machine's interactive controls. An optional second portion is unitary connected to the first portion and extends downwardly therefrom, partially extending along the front of the machine. The contact surfaces of the support are soft and pliant, allowing reduction of stress on the user's hands, wrists and arms. An optional food support tray is secured to the first portion and provides support for auxiliary items within easy reach of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: James Collings
  • Patent number: 7673880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a game wherein the objective is to retrieve a special die from a specific location and return with it to the starting point on the playing surface. The game is designed to maximize feelings of competition and suspense among those playing by providing both the incentive and the means for players to interfere with the progress of other players. The player having the special die has the advantage of being able to roll the special die in addition to the regular die. The special die returns to its original location when the player in possession of it is caught by another player. Some playing surface locations hinder movement by requiring specific die rolls before movement off of the location is permitted. Other locations promote movement by allowing additional rolls of the dice. All players have a chance to win the game until the very end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Timothy W. McNellis
  • Patent number: 7673881
    Abstract: There is provided a target game adapted to receive tokens into apertures having associated scores. The target game includes a horizontal playing surface having a plurality of apertures, and a vertical playing surface disposed at a back edge of and atop the horizontal playing surface. The vertical playing surface includes a plurality of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sapo U.S.A. Corp.
    Inventors: Harry D. Held, Juan C. Ceron, John E. Ceron
  • Patent number: 7673882
    Abstract: A collet holder for insertion into a multi-jaw chuck. The collet holder includes a multi-faceted body having a smooth bore extending therethrough for housing a standard collet and a cap nut threadably secured to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Robert P. Tanga
  • Patent number: 7673883
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for the adjustment of wheel camber in commercial vehicles, particularly wheeled construction vehicles used for earthworks, particularly on uneven ground. The camber angle is set inventively and automatically by means of a camber cylinder and a wheel pivot unit, as a function of at least one of the driving parameters. For this purpose, the driving parameters, e.g. the axle swing angle, the steering lock angle, the lateral force on the vehicle wheels on the front axle and the absolute inclination of the construction vehicle are detected by sensors, the output signals of which are fed to an electronic control unit as input parameters. The camber angle sets itself as a function of the setting signal from the electronic control unit by means of a camber cylinder and a wheel pivot unit, in accordance with specified control strategies. As well as the self-setting wheel camber adjustment system, the camber cylinder is embodied so that it can still be operated manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: CNH Baumaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Jurgen Damm
  • Patent number: 7673884
    Abstract: The invention relates to a skating sports device, in particular skating boot, comprising an exchangeable blade holder (14), connected to a boot by means of sole and heel plates (4 and 5). An exchangeable blade (1) may be clipped in the exchangeable blade holder (14), which is held under tension in the front and rear region by locking clip buttons (2) which may be operated without tools. A torsion duplex cross (3), formed by torsion and flexion bars (3a and 3b) absorbs the torsion and flexional forces occurring during skating and neutralizes the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Onyx-Systems Patentmanagement GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Wuerthner
  • Patent number: 7673885
    Abstract: This invention would significantly improve the ease of riding a snowboard on ski lifts where typically one foot must remain unbound to push off with. The invention allows for control of the board specifically through the diversion of the gravitational force of weight of the rider through forces of tension, elasticity, and leverage. The diversion of these forces allows the rider to steer roughly in the same manner as if their foot was bound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Louis Lambert
  • Patent number: 7673886
    Abstract: A shopping cart has a wheeled base, a rear frame projecting upwardly from the rear end of the base with a handle at its upper end, a basket having a rear end secured to the frame and projecting forwardly from the frame at spacing above the base, and a fixed child seat secured to the rear frame. The basket is closed by a pivoted rear gate at its rear end. Two or more carts can be nested together by pushing the front wall of the basket of a first cart through the rear frame beneath the fixed child seat of a second cart, simultaneously pivoting the rear gate upwardly to allow the basket of the first cart to enter the basket of the second cart. The side walls are inclined upwardly from the child seat to the front end of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: V. John Ondrasik
  • Patent number: 7673887
    Abstract: A self-loading tow dolly is described. The inventive tow dolly permits components of the dolly to be easily removed and replaced. The inventive tow dolly also reduces overall weight by using aluminum slotted hubs mated with 8-inch aluminum slotted wheels and by employing dissimilar materials that do not require welding and improves lubrication by providing strategically placed lubricant ports and lubricant reservoirs for rotating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Curtis C. Hassell
  • Patent number: 7673888
    Abstract: A supportive device for use as a wheelchair and a walker. A pair of handgrips are pivotally attached to a frame so as to have a rearwardly-facing position and a forwardly-facing position. A seat is pivotally attached to the frame so as to have a horizontal position and a vertical position. When using the supportive device as the wheelchair, a pair of front legs of the frame terminate in wheels, the seat is in the horizontal position thereof, and the pair of handgrips are in the rearwardly-facing position thereof. When the supportive device is used as the walker, the pair of front legs terminate in either wheels or caps, the seat is in the vertical position thereof, and the pair of handgrips are in the forwardly-facing position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventors: Givi Lauren, Irma Lauren
  • Patent number: 7673889
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and handling a cargo platform is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having a cradle beam that receives the cargo platform. The cradle beam supports a lower surface of the cargo platform. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism operably associated with the cradle beam and actuates to securely fasten the cargo platform to the frame when the cargo platform is rested upon the cradle beam. The apparatus also includes a plurality of wheel assemblies for wheeling the frame along a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James S. Wells, Anibal J. Garcia, Myles A. Rohrlick, John B. Simmons, Benjamin A. Harber, Thomas K. Reiner
  • Patent number: 7673890
    Abstract: A joint structure for an independent system designed to improve the maintenance performance of a rear wheel suspension. Rear wheel axles extend leftward and rearward from a final case supported by the rear portion of a body frame to independently suspend respective left and right rear wheels. The respective rear wheel axles are coupled to left-hand and right-hand joints on the left and right sides, respectively, of the final case. A driven sprocket engaging with a chain is attached to the left-hand joint and a separate holder is detachably attached to the front of the final case. A joint-part shaft of the right-hand joint is supported by the final case via a bearing and also a brake disk is attached thereto. A male-shaped joint-part shaft integrally extending from the left-hand joint is fitted into the female-shaped joint-part shaft for integrally rotatable coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bunzo Seki
  • Patent number: 7673891
    Abstract: A shackle of a suspension system that connects a leaf spring to a vehicle frame. The shackle pivots, allowing the leaf spring to swing. The shackle is configured so that its effective length changes in response to shock. An elastic member is included in the shackle to resist this change in length and absorb shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Lippert Components Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Johns
  • Patent number: 7673892
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. A rail bracket is fixedly secured to the vehicle and includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Kuntze, Steve Giles, Daniel V. Beckley, Jason Fulcher, Ben Reginella, Timothy F. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7673893
    Abstract: A spring-based mechanism for saving labor of a bicycle rider is disclosed and in one embodiment includes an axle operatively connected to a chain wheel and a first set of bearings via a gear assembly; a housing for mounting a shaft therein wherein the first set of bearings is provided at one end of the shaft; a second set of bearings provided at the other end of the shaft; a spring in the housing and having one end attached to one end of the shaft and the other end attached to the other end of the housing; and a clutch provided externally of the other end of the housing, the clutch being operatively connected to the second set of bearings and including a lock lever. The mechanism can store elastic force by counterclockwise pedaling and release the stored energy by disengaging a clutch from the mechanism when riding uphill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chienkuo Technology University
    Inventors: Fu-She Jan, Po Chou
  • Patent number: 7673894
    Abstract: A trailer hitch includes multiple hitch connectors for connecting the trailer to a towing vehicle in different ways. The trailer hitch includes multiple connectors at distal ends of the hitch body. The trailer hitch can be position such that either end is facing the towing vehicle. Mounting plates secure the trailer hitch to the trailer frame and may be adjustable vertically to raise or lower the height of the trailer hitch with respect to the trailer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Bender
  • Patent number: 7673895
    Abstract: A converter apparatus for connecting a fifth wheel-type trailer to a towing vehicle having a ball hitch extending above a bed thereof, the apparatus including a horizontal first body member; a clamping mechanism releasably securing the first body member to the ball hitch; a mounting member having a horizontal second body member fixedly secured perpendicularly to and above the first body member, a pair of horizontal arm members perpendicular to and extending adjustably outwardly from opposing ends of the second body member, and a pair of horizontal arm extension members extending adjustably outwardly from opposing ends of each of the arm members; a fifth wheel hitch mechanism; and securing mechanisms releasably securing the fifth wheel hitch mechanism to the arm extension members of the arm members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Automatic Manufacturing Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jay Hesse, Kevin Robert Fendrick, Anthony S. Crippen
  • Patent number: 7673896
    Abstract: A vehicle interior panel, which functions as an airbag cover for covering an airbag expanding direction of an airbag apparatus, is comprised of a base member layer having a tearing portion which defines a door portion opened by the expanding of an airbag of the airbag apparatus, a cushion layer laminated on the base member layer, and a skin member laminated on the cushion layer. The skin member having a weak portion functioning as a tearing portion of the skin member. The weak portion being formed outside of a position just above the tearing portion of the base member layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Yamada, Takahiro Suwama
  • Patent number: 7673897
    Abstract: The head-protecting airbag apparatus of the present invention includes an airbag and a guide bracket. The guide bracket includes two guide walls and a joint wall, thereby has a generally U-shaped cross section, and accommodates the folded airbag between the two guide walls. The guide bracket is located above a pillar portion while being covered by an airbag cover, and serves to guide the inflating airbag toward vehicle's inner side and prevent the airbag from entering vehicle's outer side of the pillar garnish. The dimension of a clearance between the two guide walls is set such that: a gap arises between the housed airbag and at least one of the guide walls, thereby the airbag is allowed to inflate in the gap in the initial stage of airbag inflation; and that the deployment direction of the airbag is controlled by the guide walls, toward vehicle's inner side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Ochiai
  • Patent number: 7673898
    Abstract: A device is provided for mounting a module carrier on a rotatable steering wheel of a motor vehicle in such a manner that the angular position of the module carrier remains constant during a rotation of the steering wheel, with a first toothed ring connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the module carrier, a lever, which is mounted on the steering wheel via a bearing section in a manner such that it can pivot to and fro between two positions, a first toothed wheel, which is mounted rotatably on a first arm of the lever and meshes with the first toothed ring in a first position of the lever, and elastic means for pressing the first toothed wheel elastically against the first toothed ring so that rotation of the steering wheel in one direction causes a rotation of the module carrier in the opposite direction. For actuating the lever, the lever has a second arm which is connected via the bearing section to the first arm of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lube, Andreas Pradel
  • Patent number: 7673899
    Abstract: An airbag has a first inner panel and a second inner panel arranged substantially in a concentric relation with a front panel and a rear panel in an interior of an airbag, and outer peripheral edge portions are stitched to each other by a high-strength seam. A center portion of the first inner panel is stitched to a center portion of the front panel by a seam. A center portion of the second inner panel is connected to a center portion of the rear panel by a retaining ring. The second inner panel is formed with a communication port between a first chamber and a second chamber. Midsections of the inner panels between the outer peripheral edge portions and the center portions are connected by a tear seam. The tear seam is adapted to be broken when the pressure in the first chamber reaches a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Abe
  • Patent number: 7673900
    Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag, first and second inflators, a gas-supply mechanism and a release member for connecting between a holding structure and the airbag. Gas generated by the second inflator is supplied into the airbag when the release member is pulled by the airbag while gas generated by the first inflator inflates the airbag. According to the airbag device, a gas amount supplied into an airbag can be switched according to an occupant's seating position without equipping a sensor for measuring a distance between an occupant and the airbag or a control device for computing the gas amount supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Aki Yokoyama, Tomoko Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 7673901
    Abstract: An airbag has a front panel positioned on an occupant side when inflated, and a rear panel of substantially the same shape as the front panel positioned on an opposite side to the occupant. Furthermore, an inflation restricting section, which restricts the inflated shape of the airbag, is formed by drawing together and fixing a portion of the front panel. When the airbag is inflated, the occupant side of the airbag is pulled inwards, thereby forming a cavity on the occupant side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Akifumi Hanawa, Shinobu Yamamoto, Yosuke Shimizu, Keiko Aita
  • Patent number: 7673902
    Abstract: A deployable running board mounted on an automotive vehicle to be laterally extendable so as to engage the ground during a rollover event to increase the rollover resistance of the vehicle. The running boards are connected to a pair of deployment members spaced longitudinally on the vehicle to provide a rapid extension of the running board. Each deployment member includes a telescopic piston that is slidably mounted within a cylinder and that compresses a spring between the piston and the cylinder. A latching mechanism secures the piston in a retracted stated until a rollover event is detected. Releasing the latching mechanism allows the piston to telescope laterally to move the attached running board outwardly of the vehicle to provide a pivot point that increases the static stability factor of the vehicle. The engagement of the extended running board also provides a resistance to the continued motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: A. Mangala M. Jayasuriya, Roger Chen, Priya Prasad, Nripen Saha
  • Patent number: 7673903
    Abstract: This connecting device between a steering column of a motor vehicle and a cross member fixedly joined to the vehicle body, the device being of the type comprising a steering column support fixedly joined to the column and secured to a rigid arm rigidly connected to the cross member, the connection between the arm and the column support being deformable under the effect of a front impact exerted on the cross member, is characterized in that the deformation is produced by the folding of a metal sheet of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventor: Laurent Baudart
  • Patent number: 7673904
    Abstract: A vehicle body reinforcement device comprises an elongated shape with its middle portion comprising a hydraulic damper that produces a damping force against longitudinal deformation. Two vehicle body reinforcement devices may be mounted in a longitudinal manner to a vehicle body frame with a lateral space being defined between the two devices. Both ends of each of the vehicle body reinforcement devices can be removably attached from outside of the vehicle to positions that are exposed outside of the passenger compartment and below the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyoji Harada, Kouji Sakai
  • Patent number: 7673905
    Abstract: In a lock device of a sliding mechanism, a pair of locking claws provided on a moving member are brought into resilient engagement with locking grooves of a locking groove group, whereby downward sliding of the moving member is permitted but upward sliding thereof is locked. The distance between the locking claws is longer than distance between the locking grooves, so that the moving member becomes locked against upward sliding at an interval smaller than the distance between the locking grooves. Thus, the moving member adapted to slide in one (downward) direction along a guide rail can be reliably locked against movement in the opposite (upward) direction at a very small interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Fujii, Miki Mori, Yasuki Motozawa
  • Patent number: 7673906
    Abstract: A pretensioning apparatus for seat belt webbing is located in the vicinity of a belt anchor end of a three-point vehicle safety restraint seat belt. The pretensioning apparatus has a fixed member in the form of a tubular member that may be anchored to a vehicle seat at the belt anchor side of the vehicle. A movable member in the form of a piston is connected to the webbing in the region of the belt anchor end. A means is provided for moving the movable member relative to the fixed member in a generally horizontal direction, to move the seat belt webbing in a pretensioning direction in response to a signal from a crash sensor. A webbing guide is fixed to the seat to provide an effective anchorage point spaced from the belt anchor end of the webbing under pretensioning conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc
    Inventor: John Forster Bell
  • Patent number: 7673907
    Abstract: An electronic music device for skaters is boot mounted and includes a sensor sensing skate states capturing forward backward direction of motion and inside outside lean. A sensory signal conditioning and calibration circuit converts mapped signals into audible tones. An audio amplifier powers wired or wireless headphones. The skater plays music with skates like a musician plays music on a musical instrument. The device tuned as different musical instruments, in a synchronized precision skating team allows musical composition performance. The skaters play the music with their skates creating musical and choreographic dance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventors: Valeriy Nenov, Xiao Hu, Marie-Laure Leglise
  • Patent number: 7673908
    Abstract: A foldable clipboard. The foldable clipboard includes a pair of support panels that are hinged together. The hinged design allows the clipboard to be conveniently folded for easy transportation and storage. The clipboard also can be unfolded into a substantially flat configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Ginevra Liptan
  • Patent number: 7673909
    Abstract: A label intended to be applied to an article, and in particular to an item of cosmetic product packaging. The label includes a substrate having a first face which is covered, at least in part, by a first printing. A second face of the substrate is intended to be adhesive-bonded to the article. At least one first zone of the second face is covered by a first adhesive layer intended to hold the label in place on the article permanently. At least one second zone of the second face is covered by a second adhesive layer, different from the first one, with the second adhesive layer being such that the second zone is able to be unstuck from the article. The substrate also includes a second printing arranged so that, when the article is not transparent, the second printing is visible only when the second zone is unstuck from the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Guilhem Rousselet
  • Patent number: 7673910
    Abstract: An extendable fluid transport apparatus for conveyance of a fluid to a remote surface. A rigid fluid tube (300) receives fluid and is in fluid communication and interconnection with a flexible flex tube (400) which is in fluid communication and interconnection with a connection means proximal a telescoping tube (200) second end for conveyance of a fluid, including paint, to a distant surface. The telescoping tube (200) is slidably received into a casing (100). The flex tube is received through a casing slot (120) and a telescoping tube slot (240) into the telescoping tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: James Moon
  • Patent number: 7673911
    Abstract: A safety type quick connector has a body, a socket base, a moving base, a pushing assembly, an outer sleeve, multiple springs, multiple first balls and second balls. The socket base is connected to the tubular body and has an inserting end, a connecting end, multiple ball slots and ball bores. The moving base is movably mounted in the socket chamber and has a closed end, an open end, a sealing flange, multiple ball holes and at least one vent. The sealing flange is formed around the closed end and abuts against and closes the connecting end of the socket base. The pushing assembly is movably mounted in the moving base. Accordingly, the moving base can be kept stationary when a plug is inserted into the connector and pushes the pushing assembly to move, and this can keep air from leaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Hsiu-Hsiung Liu
  • Patent number: 7673912
    Abstract: A truck cargo-moving tool combines an elongated extendable arm having at least two telescopically connected rigid coaxial tubes and a substantially rigid head having two faces, at least one substantially flat edge, a blunt heel, and an arcuate toe curved toward the axis of the extendable arm. The extendable arm is attached generally perpendicular to the head proximal the heel in order to form a tool useful for moving items resting on a long horizontal surface. There is at least one locking mechanism attached or built into the extendable arm for securing the coaxial tubes at a desired operating arm length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Chris C. Breininger
  • Patent number: 7673913
    Abstract: A golf ball retrieval tool including an elongated handle which carries at one end a cage. The cage has a first section located near the elongated section and a second section located distally from the handle and connected to the first section. The first cage section has a first opening opened in a first tool orientation to freely receive a golf ball. The second section includes a downwardly open second opening which forms a ball seating. When the tool is in the first cage orientation, the handle extends obliquely downwards beneath the horizontal plane of the cage. The cage further includes a roof structure which in response to pressing the cage generally vertically against a ball generates on the ball a wedging action such as to drive the ball into the second section where the ball can be received in the ball seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Hans Lindh
  • Patent number: 7673914
    Abstract: An automatic alert device is provided for a suction cup, including a pump and a suction cup positionable on an object to be handled. The pump is operable to drive air out of the suction cup thereby inducing suction force on the object to be handled. When the suction cup gradually loses the suction force, a plunger of the pump gets moved out of the pump. When the outward movement of the plunger reaches a preset extent, the alert device that includes a warning light and an audio alert is activated to cause the warning light and the audio alert to give off warnings of light and sound respectively. Thus, an operator can be immediately notified of the situation of losing suction force for taking remedial operation to get the suction force back to the desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Lih Yann Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Po Lin Liao
  • Patent number: 7673915
    Abstract: An improved coil handling assembly and method of manufacture comprising a cylindrical support member having end covers and one or more stabilizing members. The assembly is capable of accepting a fork lift fork whereby a material coil or roll may be lifted or moved. The assembly further comprises adjustable front and rear coil stabilizers which are moveable and removable whereby a plurality of coil or roll sizes may be contained, stored, transported, or utilized on a processing line. Unlike prior art coil handling equipment, the present art provides a quick, convenient, and safe apparatus and method for working with or utilizing coiled materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Bert M. Fischer
  • Patent number: 7673916
    Abstract: An end effector includes a base part and a first member. The first member includes first, second, and third serially articulated struts. The first strut articulates with the base part for relative angular displacement about a first pitch axis and about a first roll axis. The first roll axis is substantially orthogonal to the first pitch axis. The second strut articulates with the first strut for relative angular displacement about, firstly, a first yaw axis substantially orthogonal to the first pitch axis and the first roll axis, and, secondly, about a second pitch axis substantially parallel to the first pitch axis and substantially orthogonal to the first yaw axis. The third strut articulates with the second strut for relative angular displacement about a second yaw axis substantially parallel to the first yaw axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Shadow Robot Company Limited
    Inventors: Richard Martin Greenhill, Hugo Ellas, Richard Walker, Matthew Godden
  • Patent number: 7673917
    Abstract: Pipe lifting tongs are utilized for lifting cylindrical sections of pipe, where the pipe sections may have different diameters but the jaw assemblies of the lifting tongs do not need to be changed out. The lifting tongs comprise first and second jaw members, where each jaw member may match the other. The jaw members comprise interiorally facing arcuate gripping members. The jaw members are pivotally connected together with a central fastener. Each jaw member comprises a mounting member rigidly joined to its respective gripping member. The mounting member may comprise a pair of parallel plate members, where a spaced defined between the parallel plate members. Each plate member comprises a plurality of apertures, including both circular and slotted apertures. When the first and second opposing jaw members are pivotally connected together, the parallel plate members may be sandwiched together, such that many of the apertures in the parallel plate members are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Marc Oliason
  • Patent number: 7673918
    Abstract: A tong device for lifting various types and sizes of objects is disclosed. The tong lifting device includes tongs pivotally mounted on a slide rod which is extendable from a lift sleeve. Each tong has an attachment engaging end and an arm extending away from the attachment engaging end. Linkages are pivotally attached to the arms of the tongs, and are pivotally attached to a sliding lobe which travels along the length of the lift sleeve. The design of the lifting device provides a self-opening mode of operation and can be reconfigured in the field for optimum performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kenco Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Cveykus
  • Patent number: 7673919
    Abstract: An apparatus may include an elongate piece of first material having flexible qualities with a flexible strip of second, more rigid, and bendable material enclosed within the first material. The apparatus may be twist-tied around equipment for relatively easy transport or may also be used to secure items in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Handle It LLC
    Inventor: Dianne C. Daniel
  • Patent number: 7673920
    Abstract: An operator's station structure for a work vehicle having a motor section, comprising: a seat that is disposed on the operator's station for a work vehicle and has a moveable seat part; and a removable storage box that is disposed below the seat, that has an upwardly opening shape, and that has an interior accessible by moving the seat part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Norimi Nakamura, Koji Nada, Shoichiro Kawamura, Masaki Hayashi, Masaru Nakaji, Shinichiro Saji, Takeshi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7673921
    Abstract: A tonneau cover device comprises a front tonneau cover that is comprised of boards and provided on a front side of a vehicle body, a rear tonneau cover that is comprised of a rollable type of member and provided on a rear side of the vehicle body, and a slide mechanism that moves a rear end of the front tonneau cover and a front end of the rear tonneau cover substantially vertically. Accordingly, there can be provided the tonneau cover device of a vehicle, which is provided so as to extend substantially horizontally above the baggage compartment at the vehicle-body rear portion, which can pull the tonneau cover upward according to the opening-closing movement of the back door, facilitate loading of baggage when the back door is opened, and improve appearances of the back door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Hirayama, Noriaki Haba
  • Patent number: 7673922
    Abstract: A step device and method for stepping on or off a tailgate without structurally altering the tailgate. In exemplary embodiment, the step device includes a tailgate step frame and a step assembly pivotally coupled to the tailgate step frame. The tailgate step frame includes at least one frame element in contact with the tailgate and a plurality of strap mounting assemblies for releasably coupling the step device to the tailgate. Each strap mounting assembly compressively fits on the tailgate thereby anchoring the step device to the tailgate. In one aspect, each strap mounting assembly further includes a strap element coupled to the at least one frame element and configured to conform to the predetermined shape of the tailgate. One strap mounting assembly may be interchanged for another of either different shape or dimensions to accommodate a desired compressive fit on any tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Gary Robert Grimes
  • Patent number: 7673923
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a vehicle windshield comprises a first holder, a second holder, and a hinge member. The first holder includes a first body and a first receptacle with a first opening and a first closed end, wherein a first axis is defined between the first closed end and the first opening, the first axis being normal to a first plane defined by the first opening. The second holder includes a second body and a second receptacle with a second opening and a second closed end, wherein a second axis is defined between the second closed end and the second opening, the second axis being normal to a second plane defined by the second opening. The hinge member is attached to the first and second holder and has first and second ends and defines a third axis. When the hinge member is in a relaxed condition, the first and second axes form oblique angles relative to the third axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Augusta Coating and Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: William Victor Reese
  • Patent number: 7673924
    Abstract: An exterior vehicle windshield protective cover used to cover the outside of a vehicle front windshield. The protective cover reflects the sun's ray in the summer to help keep the vehicle cool and protect the windshield from snow and ice when the vehicle is parked outside. The protective cover includes a flexible exterior windshield cover member dimensioned to cover the exterior of a vehicle's windshield. The cover member includes a pair of flexible wings hinged along fold lines and attached to the sides of the cover member. The wings include a pair of elastic loops. When the front doors of the vehicle are opened, the wings are inserted inside the vehicle with the elastic loops attached to windshield visor posts for holding the cover member securely against the windshield in tension. A windshield wiper well cover is hinged along a fold line attached to the bottom of the cover member. The well cover is held in place on a portion of the vehicle's hood using a plurality of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Kathy Lau
  • Patent number: 7673925
    Abstract: A drive motor assembly for a vehicle sunshade assembly includes a motor and a stabilizing unit. The motor has a housing, and an axle extending through the housing and having two ends respectively protruding outwardly of the housing. The stabilizing unit is connected to and provides an urging force to one of the ends of the axle in an axial direction thereof toward the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Macauto Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Lin
  • Patent number: 7673926
    Abstract: A relatively lightweight tarping system for use with trailers or other open top containers includes first and second spaced frame members and an elongated flexible member such as a cable or chain connected to and extending therebetween. A tarpaulin may be mounted thereon so that the frame members, flexible member and tarpaulin are pivotable between a covered position atop the open top container and an uncovered position. A four-bar linkage is preferably used in combination with a rotational drive mechanism to provide various advantages in rotating the tarpaulin assembly between the covered and uncovered positions. A width adjustment mechanism is provided to provide usage with trailers or other open top containers of different widths. An improved seal is provided between the tarpaulin and container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Nathan H. Morrill
  • Patent number: 7673927
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a tail gate (10) affixed to a lateral, rear pillar of the vehicle structure by means of at least one hinge so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis (A-A), a hinge part that swings out together with the tail gate is located in an area of a lateral tail light (18) of the vehicle when the tail gate (10) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Franz-Ulrich Brockhoff, Winfried Bunsmann, Jochen Klein, Wolfgang Nentwig, Markus Grave
  • Patent number: 7673928
    Abstract: An integrated rear spoiler and hinge cover that covers a flip-glass window hinge that is not attached to the flip glass window hinge and rotates from a fully closed position to a fully open position substantially simultaneously with the flip-glass window hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Walker, Akihiko Kuribayashi, Takuji Ohara, Ryo Inoue, Bob Tamarapoo, Joshua Morrow