Patents Issued in April 13, 2010
  • Patent number: 7694369
    Abstract: A device for providing anatomical support during operative or therapeutic procedures comprising a configurable bolster formed from a block of resilient synthetic foam material and having a plurality of recessed regions formed in the top surface of the bolster and extending into selected portions of the bolster for accommodating particular anatomical structures. Precut slits are provided extending vertically upward from the bottom surface of the bolster to enable removal of material from the bolster to adapt it to particular circumstances of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Sharon Hinders, Jane Bugtel
  • Patent number: 7694370
    Abstract: A massage table apparatus for woman includes a first hole for accommodating the face contour of a woman and a second hole for accommodating the breasts contour thereof when the woman is lying on the massage table on a face down position so as to bring a degree of comfort to the woman engaging in leisure activities including massage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Chun-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 7694371
    Abstract: A portable diaper changing pad with a memory foam insert. The diaper changing pad comprises a mat with a panel having a body of memory foam as a cushion. The memory foam insert preferably comprises a raised head rest section. In one embodiment, the diaper changing pad further comprises two side section panels which may be folded over the middle panel. When the side section panels are folded over the middle panel, the diaper changing pad may be rolled and securely closed for easy storage and portability. The diaper changing pad preferably has a terry cloth cover. Other preferred embodiments include a nonskid bottom surface, a storage bag, and accessories, such as toys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ah Goo Baby, LLC
    Inventors: Karin Telegadis, George Telegadis
  • Patent number: 7694372
    Abstract: An air mattress includes an inflatable compartment having a length and width, when inflated, sufficient to support a human body; an internal, generally horizontal wall located between the top and bottom of the compartment and connected to and horizontally restraining the sides of the compartment; at least one internal, generally vertical member connected to and restraining the relative vertical movement of the top and bottom of the compartment; and wherein one of the internal, generally vertical member and the internal, generally horizontal wall possesses an opening that permits at least a portion of the other structure to pass therethrough without interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Dennis Boyd
  • Patent number: 7694373
    Abstract: A control method for a spinning cycle in a washing machine is disclosed. The control method for a spinning cycle in a washing machine includes (a) step of performing a water-draining by rotating a motor at a predetermined speed lower than a resonance generation speed and (b) step of performing a main-spinning by rotating the motor at a speed higher than the resonance generation speed. The control method for a spinning cycle in a washing machine according to the present invention has an advantageous effect that over-vibration caused by unbalance may be controlled and that remaining water within the drum is drained smoothly and vibration/noise of a washing machine is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ig Geun Kwon, Dong Won Kang
  • Patent number: 7694374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular bridge, typically for temporary use to enable persons to pass between upper floors of adjacent buildings during fire fighting or disaster relief operations, which can be rapidly assembled and deployed within a confined space and entirely from the “home” side of the gap to be crossed. It comprises a plurality of man-portable box section bridge modules adapted to be connected together end to end and projected in cantilever fashion from one side of the gap to the other. The assembly of modules is supported in and guided through a launch frame, with modules being added to the rear of the assembly and pushed through the frame until the gap is spanned. Removable lever arms of the frame are used to counterbalance the weight of the projected bridge modules during the course of deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Hugh Jones, Ian John Dunn, Colin Peter Morgan, Scott Ardley, Linda Mary Patricia Starink
  • Patent number: 7694375
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for transporting objects are shown and described. Embodiments of the present invention allow objects to be easily transported over elevated structures. The disclosed embodiments can be used for quickly and conveniently traversing one or more elevated structures, such as street curbs. The disclosed embodiments can be associated with a garbage truck and used to conveniently transport dumpsters over street curbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen O. Twedt
  • Patent number: 7694376
    Abstract: A cleansing method of fluid-supply apparatus and cleansing module using the same is disclosed. First, a cleansing module is fixed to the fluid-supply apparatus to be cleansed for disposing the nozzles of the fluid-supply apparatus in the cleansing tank of the cleansing module. Second, a liquid used for cleansing is supplied inside the cleansing tank, and ultrasonic-wave vibration of the liquid is provided to remove plug stuck on the nozzles. Later, plug remained on the nozzles is scraped down and meanwhile the waste liquid is drawn out of the cleansing tank for further improving cleansing efficiency of the cleansing method. By using the cleansing method of the present invention, plug on the nozzles of the fluid-supply apparatus can be effectively removed and consequently lifetime of the fluid-supply apparatus is extended. Additionally, the cleansing method is capable of dramatically reducing working time required and of increasing efficiency of cleansing fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiun-Ming Wang, Yu-Cheng Lo, Ching-Chun Chien
  • Patent number: 7694377
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning a cylindrical or conical tube (2) having a smooth wall and placed in a horizontal or an inclined position, said device comprising: a cylindrical body (4) that has an axis X, that is suitable for being inserted axially into said tube, and that, around its periphery, has brush means (6, 7) for brushing the inside wall (1) of said tube (2); a rod (30) fastened to an end face of said body (4); and means for causing said rod (30) and said body (4) to turn about the axis X; said device being characterized by the fact that the cylindrical body (4) has a chamber (12) that is suitable for receiving a cleaning liquid and, on one of its generator lines, it has: a first orifice (14) opening out into a first end of a radial duct (17) which is disposed in said chamber (12) and whose second end (19) is disposed in the vicinity of that wall (20) of said chamber (12) which is situated facing said first orifice (14); and at least one second orifice (13, 15) open to the outside and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: R. Marchal & Cie
    Inventor: Bernard Bourrelly
  • Patent number: 7694378
    Abstract: The present invention provides an interdental brush and a cap, said brush having a good handling property and a low manufacturing cost, said brush being stored with the cap on while adjusting the brush body at any angle. The handle member 3 supporting the brush body 2 includes a handle body 6, an arm 12 extending from one end of the handle body 6, a brush support 13 that holds a base of the brush body 2, a first hinge 14 that connects the tip of the arm 12 and one end of the brush support 13 in a freely rotating manner, an operating portion 15 provided slidably at the other end of the handle member 3, and a second hinge 16 that connects the tip of the operating portion 15 and the other end of the brush support 13 in a freely rotating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sunstar, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Tsurukawa, Hidekuni Takano, Hirohisa Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 7694379
    Abstract: A surface cleaning pad comprising a pad body and an attachment surface associated with the pad body and positioned to face a cleaning implement is provided. The attachment surface comprises a substantially hydrophilic portion and a substantially hydrophobic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: First Quality Retail Services, LLC
    Inventor: Frank S. Glaug
  • Patent number: 7694380
    Abstract: A modular trowel handle device comprises a handle section to provide a handle interface for a user of the trowel handle and a post extending from the handle section. A mounting surface is coupled to the post and extends generally parallel to the handle section. The mounting surface includes a plurality of fasteners extending therefrom or formed therein. A trowel blade receiving plate includes engaging structure configured to engage a connector of a trowel blade and a plurality of corresponding fasteners extending therefrom or formed therein. The trowel blade receiving plate is coupled to the mounting surface by the fasteners and is formed from a different material than the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Beno J. Gundlach Company
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Meyers
  • Patent number: 7694381
    Abstract: A hand tool used for removing wax from a surfboard incorporating associated accessories. The wax removal element of the present invention constitutes a substantially rectangular scraping panel that can be resiliently flexed along the elongated axis of the panel. One of the elongated edges of the panel is extended into a plurality of uniform gouging members that are adapted to penetrate the wax to prepare the wax mounted on the surfboard to be removed. The edge of the panel opposed to the scraping members is beveled to provide an edge that is adapted to remove the wax from the surfboard. Rotatably coupled to the bottom surface of the scraping panel are one or more accessories and hand tools used for maintenance of the surfboard and for the personal employment of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Joey Heaslet
  • Patent number: 7694382
    Abstract: A floor cleaning tool is described and which includes a vacuum chamber having a fluid intake end, and a fluid exhaust end; a coupling member defining a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and which is integrally coupled to the fluid intake end of the vacuum chamber; and a floor engagement member having a plurality of inlet ports, and which is releasably secured to the coupling member by means of a mortise and tenon joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: USP Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Steve Williams, Michael Genteman, David Wood
  • Patent number: 7694383
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus includes a vacuum cleaner base and a handle configured to be attached to the base. A nozzle is configured for the base to draw air through the nozzle to clean the floor as the nozzle is moved along the floor by a user pushing the base by the handle. A power head assembly includes a power head having a brushroll and an electric motor that drives the brushroll. The assembly further includes a tube structure configured to connect the power head to the base for the base to draw air through the power head and the tube structure to clean the floor as the power head is moved along the floor by a user pushing the tube structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Zahuranec, David Scott Smith, Daniel L. Steele, Diane L. Dodson
  • Patent number: 7694384
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum cleaner including a head having an inlet for sucking in air containing impurities from outside; a dust collector including: a dust collecting container having a handle on a side thereof, and sucking in polluted air and collecting impurities separated from the polluted air, and having an opened top surface for discharging air separated from the impurities; and a top lid including a fixing groove and a guiding member, and detachably provided at the dust collecting container for closing the opened top of the dust collecting container, wherein the guiding member is coupled to a predetermined part of the dust collecting container such that the fixing groove is positioned at a predetermined location when the top lid is assembled with the dust collecting container; a main body having a dust collector receiving recess in front part thereof, wherein the dust collector is detachably provided; and a fixing device provided at an upper front portion above the dust collector receiving recess, and havi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Jin Park, Sang Jun Park, Kang Won Moon, Seog Yong Kim, Suck Hyun Moon
  • Patent number: 7694385
    Abstract: A brush apparatus capable of controlling a drive of a brush member with a simplified structure and a vacuum cleaner having the same. The vacuum cleaner includes a rotatable brush member, a driving unit to drive the brush member, and a blocking unit disposed between the brush member and the driving unit to selectively block a driving force transmitted between the brush member and the driving unit. The driving unit includes a suction motor to generate a suction force, and a single continuous connecting belt connecting the suction motor and the blocking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-jo Choi, Yun-sup Hwang, Tae-gwang Kim
  • Patent number: 7694386
    Abstract: A castor wheel cover is provided for mounting on a wheel of a castor wheel assembly. The wheel has an outer surface and the castor wheel cover includes a floor engaging member having inner and outer surfaces. First and second sidewalls projecting from corresponding first and second side edges of the floor engaging member so as to define a channel therebetween. The channel is adapted for receiving the outer surface of the wheel therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Richard D. Bushey, Bret L. Bushey
  • Patent number: 7694387
    Abstract: A retractable handle assembly includes a shank, an extension pipe, a retractable pipe, a receiving member, an expandable member, a control member, a driving member, and a rotation member. The retractable pipe is movable relative to the extension pipe by rotation of the rotation member to adjust the distance between the retractable pipe and the extension pipe so as to adjust the length of the retractable handle assembly. Thus, when each of the push flanges of the control member is inserted into the respective locking recess of the expandable member by rotation of the control member, the control member is locked by the expandable member, thereby preventing the control member from being jammed due to an excessive rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ho Cheng Garden Tools Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yao-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 7694388
    Abstract: A horizontally adjustable hinge (10) includes a frame leaf (11) and a door leaf (14). A capturing member (16) receives the head (19a) of an adjustment screw (19). An adjusting hole (14e) allows access for a tool to rotate the adjustment screw (19), and thereby horizontally adjust the hinge (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Creative Research & Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank W. Campbell, Bror Fries
  • Patent number: 7694389
    Abstract: A vertically adjustable hinge is disclosed. The hinge comprises a housing for attachment to a first structure. The housing has a housing cavity and an opening into the cavity. The cavity has an upper portion, a lower portion and a retaining portion forming a channel defining the upper portion and the lower portion. The hinge further includes a first leaf extending through the cavity opening and into the cavity upper portion, threaded nut rotationally fixed to the first leaf, and an adjustment mechanism disposed in the housing cavity. The adjustment mechanism comprises a jack screw extending between the upper cavity portion and the lower cavity portion. The jack screw has a threaded portion threadably engaging the nut in the upper cavity portion and a geared portion disposed in the cavity lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Gary M. Erickson, Scott J. Rote, Scott Zeeb, Todd K. Ellerton, Michael D. Smith
  • Patent number: 7694390
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a shaft (1), a cam (2), a housing (3), an arresting member (6), a cam follower (4), and an elastic member (5). The housing has an open housing end (30), and an opposite partially open housing end (31) including a transverse wall (35). The cam, the cam follower, the elastic member and the arresting member surround the shaft in turn. The cam follower and the elastic member are received in the housing. The cam is partly received in the housing. The transverse wall of the partially open housing end of the housing prevents the cam from sliding further into the housing. The arresting member is disposed adjacent to the open housing end allowing the arresting member sliding into the housing. The cam is rotatable relative to the shaft and non-rotatable relative to the housing, and the cam follower is non-rotatable relative to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pu Luo
  • Patent number: 7694391
    Abstract: An ergonomic handle offers users the choice of horizontally or vertically gripping an appliance attached thereto. The handle includes a first handle member shaped and dimensioned for gripping by an individual. The first handle member has a first longitudinal axis. The handle also includes a second handle member shaped and dimensioned for gripping by an individual. The second handle member has a second longitudinal axis. The first handle member and the second handle member are connected such that the second longitudinal axis of the second handle member is oriented approximately perpendicular relative to the first longitudinal axis of the first handle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Maria Skillas
  • Patent number: 7694392
    Abstract: Tools and methods of making tools that are swung toward a work-piece are more accurate and/or safer to use because of a moveable grip provided on the tool handle. The tool handle slides through the moveable grip, with minimal or no rotation or shifting relative to the grip. The movable grip eliminates the need for the forward hand of the user to loosen its grip during portions or all of the swing, eliminates the need for the hand itself to slide along the surface of the handle, and, importantly, greatly reduces or eliminates the chance that the tool and the impact head of the tool hand will rotate or shift relative to user's hand(s). The moveable grip and handle are preferably rigid and hard and mated in shape and size so that rotation and shifting is reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Shane M. Touchette
  • Patent number: 7694393
    Abstract: A carding machine has a number of rollers including a cylinder and having at least one clothed and/or unclothed machine element located opposite the cylinder at a spacing therefrom. The machine may have further elements influencing the carding nip. In order to make possible a carding nip between the cylinder and the clothed and/or unclothed counterpart element that remains constant or virtually constant when heat is generated, the parts influencing the carding nip are so construed that they have thermal expansion characteristics which are such that, when subjected to the heat acting on them in use, the carding nip remains substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Truetzschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Schlichter, Axel S. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 7694394
    Abstract: A button is disclosed that includes a die cast button body for which a secondary or an additional process (e.g., a squeeze process) is unnecessary and for which a degree of freedom for design of the upper surface center of the button body can increase. A shank of a fastening member is provided with a shank distal end having a small diameter, a shank proximal portion having a larger diameter than that of the shank distal end, and a shank stepped portion. A shank receiving space of the button body for receiving the shank is provided with a shank receiving small diameter portion which receives the shank distal end and which has an axial length larger than that of the distal end, a shank receiving large diameter portion which receives a distal side part of the shank proximal portion, and a shank receiving stepped portion. The shank receiving stepped portion has a stepped portion edge boundary with the small diameter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Hasegawa, Hiroki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7694395
    Abstract: A strap assembly capable of engagement with an object (101) includes a strap (110) having a first end (111) and a second end (112), and further includes a buckle (120, 190) coupled to the strap. The buckle includes a cover (210) and a base (220) adjacent to the cover, and the base includes a slot (221) and an engagement aperture (122). The object with which the strap assembly is engaged has coupled thereto an attachment piece (102), which may take the form of a post (141) topped with a cap (142). The strap extends through the slot, the engagement aperture is capable of engaging the attachment piece, and the buckle is capable of rotating about the attachment piece when the engagement aperture is engaged with the attachment piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Arena Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Davin Saderholm, Robert Radi
  • Patent number: 7694396
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reverse opening type separable end stop having a mechanism which securely locks a reverse opening type slider on a surface of an insert pin or a box pin, thereby blocking the slider from needlessly moving inward, wherein the reverse opening type separable end stop comprises a reverse opening type slider, a box pin and an insert pin, the insert pin or the box pin being provided with a contact portion with which a locking pawl provided on the reverse opening type slider mounted on a fastener chain can always make contact by colliding an end surface thereof in an opening/closing direction at an end portion of the fastener chain, so that the contact portion is locked by the locking pawl, whereby a high quality reverse opening type separable end stop is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Suguru Ogura
  • Patent number: 7694397
    Abstract: A mirror for a piezoelectric resonator consisting of alternately arranged layers of high and low acoustic impedance is manufactured by at first producing a first layer on which a second layer is produced, so that the second layer partially covers the first layer. Then, a planarization layer is applied on the first layer and on the second layer. Subsequently, a portion of the second layer is exposed by structuring the planarization layer, wherein the portion is associated with an active region of the piezoelectric resonator. Finally, the resulting structure is planarized by removing the portions of the planarization layer remaining outside the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Thalhammer, Stephan Marksteiner, Gernot Fattinger
  • Patent number: 7694398
    Abstract: The method manufactures a liquid ejection head comprising a pressure chamber which accommodates liquid, a diaphragm which forms a portion of the pressure chamber, a piezoelectric element which is disposed on the diaphragm and deforms the pressure chamber through the diaphragm to pressurize the liquid in the pressure chamber so as to eject the liquid from an ejection port in connection with the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Enomoto, Yasuhiko Maeda
  • Patent number: 7694399
    Abstract: A sheet fastening apparatus and method are provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a die assembly for forming a joint between sheets of material is disclosed wherein the die assembly includes an anvil, at least one die blade disposed adjacent to and overlapping a punch-side of the anvil, a flexible retainer, and a shield that coaxially and radially surrounds a portion of the anvil and/or die blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: BTM Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin G Sawdon, Steven J Sprotberry
  • Patent number: 7694400
    Abstract: A threaded insert installation tool includes an adapter assembly that connects a front and assembly with a driver. The threaded insert installation tool may be used in areas with limited access and may be operated with a battery-powered screwdriver. The adapter assembly may include a drive shaft that may have a segment square cross-section that may slide in linear direction within a square-hole sleeve assisted by a spring converting the rotary motion provided by the cordless screwdriver into a linear feed. The threaded insert installation tool may be suitable for, but not limited too, applications in the automotive, communication, aerospace, military and defense industries. The threaded insert installation tool may be used to install threaded inserts in tapped holes that are positioned in a space having an extended depth and a close proximity to surrounding walls, such as inside a cylinder or a barrel, for example, a missile shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arthur W. Schlueter, Michael A. Poe, Timothy L. Saffle
  • Patent number: 7694401
    Abstract: A picture hanger for use with gypsum board comprises a strip of steel bent into a V to provide two legs. The first leg is arcuate and functions as an anchor upon insertion into the gypsum board. The second leg is straight, with a hook at its terminus for hanging pictures and the like. An installation tool is provided which enables the arcuate anchor leg to be driven into the gypsum board along an arcuate path corresponding to the arcuate anchor leg until the second leg is held firmly against the surface of the gypsum board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Cobra Fixations Cie. Ltee. - Cobra Anchors Co., Ltd,
    Inventor: Francis C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7694402
    Abstract: A lined conduit formed by decorrugating a corrugated liner conduit inside a first conduit is described. A method and apparatus for forming the lined conduit are also described. The corrugated liner conduit may be positioned inside the first conduit. Each end portion of the corrugated liner conduit may be coupled to a hydraulic expander. Each hydraulic expander may include a hydraulic cylinder. Each hydraulic cylinder may include a piston rod with an opening along the length of the piston rod. The corrugated liner conduit may be evacuated through a valve assembly coupled to the passageway in one of the piston rods. The evacuated corrugated liner conduit may be pressurized with fluid from a fluid source coupled to the valve assembly. Pressurizing the corrugated liner conduit may expand corrugations in the corrugated liner conduit to form a decorrugated liner in the first conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Packless Metal Hose, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Robert Zifferer, Edward A. Reed
  • Patent number: 7694403
    Abstract: An IV catheter includes a catheter having a wall defining a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end. An adapter has a proximal end, a distal end and an internal cavity. The adapter is in fluid communication with the catheter lumen. A septum is positioned within the adapter cavity at the adapter proximal end. An extension tube extends laterally from the adapter and is in fluid communication with adapter cavity. A tip shield has a distal end, a proximal end and an internal cavity. The tip shield is positioned adjacent adapter proximal end and coaxially aligned with adapter. A hub has a proximal portion, a distal portion and an internal cavity. The hub is positioned adjacent the tip shield proximal end and is aligned coaxially with the tip shield. A cannula has a wall defining a lumen, a beveled distal end, an aperture in the wall of said cannula near the cannula distal end and a proximal end in the shape of a hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: William G. Moulton
  • Patent number: 7694404
    Abstract: A device (20) for assembling a plastic-lens-forming casting mold includes a gasket clamping mechanism (22) which clamps a gasket (2) from its axial direction, a first mold push-in mechanism (23) which pushes in an upper mold (3) fitted in an upper open end of the gasket (2), and a second mold push-in mechanism (24) which pushes in a lower mold (4) fitted in a lower open end of the gasket (2). The gasket clamping mechanism (22) clamps the gasket (2) from the axial direction by a gasket-pressing ring (34) and lower mold ring (35). The first mold push-in mechanism (23) pushes the upper mold (3) into the gasket (2) by a gasket push-in member (58). The second mold push-in mechanism (24) includes a plurality of push pins (68) and pushes up the lower mold (4) to push it into the gasket (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nishimoto, Akira Hamanaka, Nobuhiko Takeda
  • Patent number: 7694405
    Abstract: A method for coupling a conduit to a fitting. The method includes providing a fitting having a body and a passageway extending through the fitting body, inserting at least a portion of the fitting body within at least a portion of a collar, and compressing at least a portion of the collar around at least a portion of the fitting body such that the fitting body is not internally supported from within the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Bruce Rader, Jerry Gordon Glatt, Dennis Malone
  • Patent number: 7694406
    Abstract: A composite structure of a backing material with enhanced conductivity for use in a transducer is presented. The composite structure includes a plurality of layers of backing material alternatingly arranged with a plurality of thermal conductive elements, wherein the plurality of thermal conductive elements are configured to transfer heat from a center of the transducer to a plurality of points on the composite structure of backing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas Glenn Wildes, Charles Edward Baumgartner, Petrus Joannes Joseph Moeleker, Bruno Hans Haider
  • Patent number: 7694407
    Abstract: A miniature surface-mount electronic component which can ensure sufficient impact resistance and vibration resistance especially in an application to a severe use environment such as a vehicle-mounted coil, by putting some contrivance into a method for fixing a coil in a molding process and a method for holding a core and terminals. A miniature surface-mount electronic component including a bar-shaped core 2 on which a winding wire 3 is wound, and metal plates 5, with an outer casing 7 made of an insulating resin molded, includes flanges 2b substantially quadrangular in section at both ends of the bar-shaped core 2, and vertical grooves a and b are provided on side surfaces of the flanges 2b of the bar-shaped core 2 as fixing portions for preventing positional displacement occurring when the outer casing 7 is molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toko Inc.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Yagi, Shingo Shimizu, Shin Murakami
  • Patent number: 7694408
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a yoke of an electric rotary machine is disclosed. The manufacturing method includes providing a cutout steel plate having one end formed with a plurality of concave portions and the other end formed with a plurality of protrusions, rolling the cutout steel plate into a cylindrical shape until a distal end of each protrusion faces the inlet of each concave portion, inserting the protrusions into the concave portions, respectively, in a circumferential direction, and conducting punch-caulking press on each protrusion at near-wall areas on both sides thereof in close proximity to indents of each concave portion to form localized expanding portions at the near-wall areas on both sides of each protrusion while causing the localized expanding portions to flow axially outward to be fitted into the indents of each concave portion, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kitou, Yasuhiro Hideshima, Kiyokazu Futami
  • Patent number: 7694409
    Abstract: A method of insulating a coil of an electrical machine includes applying an insulating varnish to a coil of conductive wire. The varnish includes (i) a resin; (ii) a first catalyst having a first activation temperature, the first catalyst being active at room temperature; and (iii) a second catalyst with a second activation temperature substantially higher than the first activation temperature. The varnish is allowed to partially cure at room temperature. The coil is mounted to a yoke to form a rotor of the electrical machine. The rotor is operated so as to heat the coil and activate the second catalyst to complete curing of the varnish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rihong Mo, Shuo Chen
  • Patent number: 7694410
    Abstract: A new fixture which is capable of holding an HAS throughout all processes so that Quasi-Static Test can be done before swaging. Also, a process for testing the HAS by means of the fixture. An embodiment method may include loading head gimbal assemblies and an actuator using an automatic loading machine; in-line dressing of the head gimbal assemblies; ultrasonic bonding of the head gimbal assemblies; testing said head gimbal assemblies in-line while quasi-static; and if an head gimbal assemblies fails to pass the testing, rejecting and reworking in-line; in-line coating of the head gimbal assemblies; ultra-violet curing of the head gimbal assemblies; in-line swaging said head gimbal assemblies and actuator to form an head stack assemblies; and visual checking and unloading of said head stack assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Kamigama, Huegung Wang, Yiusing Ho, Chunkau Leung, Waikong Cheung, Shinji Misawa, Jinsuo Sun, Wenxin Chang
  • Patent number: 7694411
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing that is selectively operable between a retracted mode and an expanded mode. In the retracted mode a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the expanded mode a contacting engagement with the component is defined. The contacting engagement and a simultaneous longitudinal force transferred by the contacting engagement to the component pressingly engage the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member exerting the longitudinal force and urging the collet to the retracted mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Sham Sunder Nayar, John George Gerogeorge, Mark Curtis Fahrendorff, Ronald Jacob Smith
  • Patent number: 7694412
    Abstract: A device for assembling a composite structure is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the device includes at least one carriage track, a linear rail carriage carried by the at least one carriage track, a yoke assembly carried by the linear rail carriage, a linear actuator assembly engaging the linear rail carriage and adapted to move the linear rail carriage along the at least one carriage track and a pair of mandrel cradles pivotally carried by the yoke assembly. Activation of the linear actuator assembly facilitates movement of the linear rail carriage along the at least one carriage track and pivoting of the pair of mandrel cradles with respect to the yoke assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph E. Absalonson, John D. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7694413
    Abstract: A method for forming a copper interconnect is described. An opening in a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate is formed. A barrier layer is formed on the opening. A seed layer is formed on the barrier layer. The seed layer includes a noble metal copper alloy, the copper having less than 50% of the atomic weight of the noble metal copper alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Johnston, Chin-Chang Cheng
  • Patent number: 7694414
    Abstract: A multilayered electronic component that is easy to manufacture and that has excellent electrical characteristics includes end portions of coil wiring patterns that oppose a coil connection electrode that is displaced on the surface of a second ceramic layer due to an increase or decrease in the number of first ceramic layers. A coil connection electrode has a shape in which surface portions of second ceramic layers or opposed second ceramic layers having the first ceramic layers disposed in between are connected to the end portions of the coil wiring patterns that oppose the respective coil connection electrode, which are displaced due to the increase or decrease in the number of the first ceramic layers. A connection wiring pattern has a shape in which one portion of a coil connection electrode is connected to one portion of an external extension electrode connection pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Maeda, Hideaki Matsushima
  • Patent number: 7694415
    Abstract: The printed wiring board (PWB) includes (a) a fluid-resin embedding section formed at a location corresponding to electronic components such that the embedding section covers the electronic components, (b) a resin flow-speed accelerator placed in parallel with a top face of a circuit board and surrounding the embedding section, and (c) bonding resin placed at least between the accelerator and the circuit board. The fluid resin embedding section is filled up with the same resin as the bonding resin. This structure allows the accelerator to compress the resin with pressure applied to the PWB, so that the resin tends to flow along the circuit board. As a result, the fluid-resin embedding section is thoroughly filled up with the resin without leaving any air, and the reliable PWB is thus obtainable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Honjo, Toshihiko Mori, Eiji Kawamoto, Junichi Kimura, Motoyoshi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 7694416
    Abstract: A producing method of a wired circuit board includes the steps of preparing a wired circuit board having an insulating layer and a conductive pattern including a wire covered with the insulating layer and a terminal portion exposed from the insulating layer, disposing a contact member formed of a material having a standard electrode potential lower than that of a conductive material forming the conductive pattern such that the contact member is in contact with the conductive pattern and exposed from the insulating layer, and dipping the wired circuit board including the disposed contact member in a polymerization solution of a conductive polymer to form a semiconductive layer on the surface of the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Ishii, Yasunari Ooyabu, Hiroyuki Kurai
  • Patent number: 7694417
    Abstract: A method enables rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine to be assembled. The method includes providing a plurality of rotor blades that each include a dovetail, providing a rotor disc that includes a plurality of dovetail slots spaced circumferentially about the disc, partially inserting each rotor blade dovetail into a respective rotor dovetail slot, and seating the plurality of rotor blades in the respective rotor dovetail slot substantially simultaneously using an annular blade installation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold Keith Crain, Gregory Edmond Andruskevitch, Daniel Eugene Wieprecht
  • Patent number: 7694418
    Abstract: The present invention relates to manufacturing of a hearing aid housing comprising a face plate and a shell that is individually matched to the shape of the auditory canal of a user. Manufacture of the face plate includes at least one automatic processing step based on data from a CAD/CAM model of the hearing aid housing. For example, data relating to the circumference of the face plate may be provided to a numerically controlled machine that automatically cuts a separately manufactured face plate along the desired contour that matches the circumference of the corresponding shell. In another embodiment, the hearing aid housing is manufactured with an integrated face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventor: Jan Tøpholm