Patents Issued in April 20, 2010
  • Patent number: 7698764
    Abstract: A seat that includes a support base including a substantially flat bottom surface, a concave portion formed in the support base opposite the flat bottom surface, the concave portion including a head rest area and a leg rest area at opposite ends of the concave portion, and a recessed area therebetween. The head rest area and the leg rest area having a height greater than the recessed area, and the substantially flat bottom surface of the support base extends from the head rest area to the leg rest area. First and second side walls extend between the head rest area and the leg rest area that border the concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Leslie Gudel Kemm
  • Patent number: 7698765
    Abstract: This disclosure describes certain exemplary embodiments of a patient support having a plurality of vertically-oriented or substantially can-shaped inflatable bladders. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a plurality of pressure sensors positioned underneath the bladders. In another embodiment, the patient support includes a support layer positioned above the vertical bladders. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes one or more filler portions that are selectable so that the patient support may conform to bed frames having different deck configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Bobey, Gregory W. Branson, Colin Clarke, Rachel Hopkins King, David Lokhorst, Eric R. Meyer, Jonathan H. Mueller, Todd P. O'Neal, Robert Petrosenko, Stephen R. Schulte, Andrew F. Skinner, Michael Z. Sleva, Sohrab Soltani, Richard B. Stacy, Daniel K. Stevens, Mayur Yermaneni
  • Patent number: 7698766
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating spinal alignment is disclosed. The contoured sleep system facilitates alignment of a person's spine along the Sagittal plane when laying in a sleep-on-side position. An exemplary contoured sleep system has a trunk rest having a trunk rest surface and a trunk rest face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: John Schultz
  • Patent number: 7698767
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present patent application is a device, comprising a first piece and a second piece. The first piece includes a stirring spoon, a bottle opener, and a corkscrew. The corkscrew has a corkscrew base. The second piece includes a removable cover that attaches to the corkscrew base to cover the corkscrew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Bayne Clark, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7698768
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine with a laundry drying function and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, in which a ventilating function is carried out during a dehydrating stroke. The drum type washing machine with a laundry drying function, provided with a ventilating fan, includes a key input unit inputting user's request command, a memory storing a pattern for driving the ventilating fan, during a dehydrating stroke period, a controller controlling the washing machine to carry out a corresponding stroke per course selected through the key input unit and to drive the ventilating fan at a pattern previously stored in the memory when a dehydrating stroke starts, and a fan driver controlling driving of the ventilating fan in accordance with a control signal of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hung Myong Cho
  • Patent number: 7698769
    Abstract: An apparatus for the rapid loading, launching and retrieval of foam pellets for tube cleaning. The apparatus uses a block configuration to allow gravity feed and rapid firing of pellets into tubes. The apparatus includes a hopper feeder attachment, which is self-adjusting during pellet jams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William O Walters
  • Patent number: 7698770
    Abstract: A system is provided for providing automated washing for debris removal from the skin of a user's hands. At least some embodiments of the present include a friction enhancing structure such as a brush. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the system includes an RFID capability for identifying when at least one component, such as a removable brush, is due to for replacement for sanitation reasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Resurgent Health & Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Barnhill, James Glenn, Timothy Prodanovich
  • Patent number: 7698771
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The electric toothbrush includes a body having an interior hollow region for retaining one or more motors, batteries, and drive mechanisms. The toothbrush includes one or more bristle carriers. Each of the bristle carriers undergoes some type of movement and is driven by the one or more motors and drive mechanisms. Various combinations of movement of the bristle carriers are described. And, numerous drive train mechanisms are disclosed for achieving the noted motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Douglas A. Gall
  • Patent number: 7698772
    Abstract: A toothbrush with a head having at least one pair of twisted wire brushes secured to the head's top surface in a position that creates a narrow and substantially uniform trench between the bristles of opposing brushes. Head construction may be solid, curved, blunt, tapering, or have a forked distal end. When a user's brace hardware and/or orthodontic wires are placed within the trench, bristles adjacent to it reach tooth surfaces behind the orthodontic wires to gently remove plaque without wire or hardware breakage. The twisted wires of opposing conical brushes are not parallel so as to create a uniform trench. The twisted wires in narrow end of conical brushes are also angled toward the distal end of the toothbrush head to facilitate reaching crowded back teeth without orthodontic wire breakage. The toothbrush handle can be laterally angled relative to its head and brushes are optionally replaceable by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Meskell Hauser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7698773
    Abstract: A holder for hygienic wipes and the like includes triangular-shaped a base member that is suitable sized and shaped for securing a wiping sheet thereto. An adjustable handle is removably attached to the base member. The base member is also configured as a wedge for allowing a user to comfortably position the apparatus between the buttocks. Gripping members are positioned on the base member bottom surface on either side thereof for securing the wiping sheet to the top surface of the base member. Each gripping member includes raised teeth for securing the wipe in place. The handle is substantially cylindrically-shaped and is telescopically extendable, allowing the apparatus to be used by larger individuals. The handle is hingedly connected to the base member, enabling the user to angle the base member for optimal contact and comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Helen Sotelo
  • Patent number: 7698774
    Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is an assembly for bending the blade of a drywall knife. In one aspect of the invention, a first and second blade bender are each attached to a drywall knife and a force is applied. This force bends the blade in such a manner that an arcuate blade is produced. The magnitude of the bend is highly adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Darren M. Coon
  • Patent number: 7698775
    Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly includes a pair of leaf spring elements supported generally parallel to each other with a space therebetween. Each of the leaf spring elements includes a longitudinal slot formed therein at opposite ends thereof. A support bracket maintains the pair of leaf spring elements in generally parallel spaced apart relation to support the squeegee therebetween. A pair of end caps is mounted on opposite ends of the pair of spring steel elements. Each of the end caps includes a pair of detents for engaging the longitudinal slots formed in the spring steel elements and a pair of slots for receiving the ends of the spring steel elements therethrough. A longitudinal length of each of the detents is shorter than a longitudinal length of the longitudinal slots formed in the spring steel elements, so that the spring steel elements can slide with respect to the end caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Alberee Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Lee
  • Patent number: 7698776
    Abstract: A balanced cleaning apparatus that advantageously contains a carrying handle, a dust pan and a bucket wherein the dustpan and the bucket are carried at the two ends of the carrying handle in a balanced position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: John H. Lawson
  • Patent number: 7698777
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an electric blower, an electric blower controller for controlling the electric blower, an electric blower current detector for detecting at least a current flowing in the electric blower, and a dust chamber provided at an upstream of the electric blower, for collecting dust particles sucked by the electric blower. A predetermined level of a current is made to flow in the electric blower regardless of a dust particle amount in the dust chamber. Preferably, the vacuum cleaner further includes voltage detector for detecting a voltage of a power supply applied to the vacuum cleaner. More preferably, the vacuum cleaner further includes a frequency detector for detecting a frequency of a power supply applied to the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tosiaki Fujiwara, Hiroshi Nakao, Masaki Takahashi, Nobuhiro Hayasi
  • Patent number: 7698778
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a motor-fan unit and a housing part including a filter receptacle. A filter frame is slidably insertable in an insertion direction into the filter receptacle so as to be disposed in an exhaust air stream of the motor-fan unit. The filter frame has a substantially parallelepiped configuration and is configured to receive a fine filter. The vacuum cleaner includes an air-permeable cover element pivotably disposed on the housing and configured to cover the filter receptacle. The cover element is operable to redirect force resulting from a pivoting movement thereof from the insertion direction to a pressing direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction so as to press an edge contour of the filter frame toward a mating contour of the filter receptacle in an inserted position of the filter frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventor: Michael Poetting
  • Patent number: 7698779
    Abstract: A hand-guided portable vacuum/blower device has a blower unit with a blower and a motor unit with a drive motor. The blower unit is rigidly connected to the motor unit. The drive motor is drivingly connected to the blower. A grip part is connected with antivibration elements to the motor unit and the blower unit. The grip part is at least approximately ring-shaped and has a first handle. The grip part is arranged in a plane that is positioned perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of the blower and, when viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation, is located between the motor unit and the blower unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Schliemann, Manfred Rabis
  • Patent number: 7698780
    Abstract: A wheel includes a central holding member, a wheel member, a shell secured around the central holding member, a shaft partly received in the central holding member, a bearing around the shaft inside the central holding member, an upper cover tightly pressed against the bearing, a braking plate mechanism, and a pressing plate mechanism; the upper cover has a connecting extension section having first and second pivotal holes; the braking plate mechanism and the pressing plate mechanism are pivoted on the first and the second pivotal holes of the upper cover respectively; the pressing plate mechanism includes a big pressing plate, and a second pressing plate; when the big pressing plate is depressed, it will press the braking plate mechanism against the wheel member to stop the wheel member; the little pressing plate is used to move the big pressing plate away from the braking plate mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Li-Lan Yan
  • Patent number: 7698781
    Abstract: A drapery arrangement includes a drapery fabric, a sliding track, and a plurality of sliding wheels. Each of the sliding wheels includes a sliding hanger, a wheel seat, a central connecting shaft, and a plurality of sliding elements. The wheel seat, having a rotating groove, is adapted to fittedly receive in a toggle cavity of the sliding hanger, wherein the wheel seat has a through connecting channel extended along a radial direction thereof. The central connecting shaft penetrates though the connecting channel enhancing a structural rigidity of the respective sliding wheel, and evenly distributing a load imposed on the sliding wheel. The plurality of sliding elements is rotatably received in the rotating groove for running on a circular sidewall of the toggle cavity, wherein the sliding wheel is slidably mounted on the sliding track for sliding therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Yiwei Cai
  • Patent number: 7698782
    Abstract: An example furniture hinge includes a carrier arm, a door fitting having a recessed cup that is rotatably disposed on one end of the carrier arm, and an end plate adjustably connected to another end of the carrier arm. A mounting plate that attaches to a furniture body includes a wall portion. An eccentric element laterally adjustably attaches the end plate to the wall portion. The end plate includes an anchoring element for engaging behind the wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Liberty Hardware Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Horst Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 7698783
    Abstract: A hinge for a door is disclosed. The hinge comprises a receiver assembly having a slot, a door leaf having a retaining spring biased away from the door leaf, the door leaf being dimensioned for insertion into the slot and a retaining device associated with the receiver assembly for releasably engaging the retaining spring to releasably retain the door leaf in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventor: George E. Heid
  • Patent number: 7698784
    Abstract: An exemplary hinge assembly (300) for use in a flat display monitor includes a support member (10), a rotational base (20) and a pivot mechanism (30) for rotatably connecting the rotational base to the support member. The rotational base includes a fixing board (22) and a side board (24) disposed at an end of the fixing board, the side board defining an engaging hole (242) and forming an inwardly bent portion (240) at a distal end edge thereof. The support member includes an extending seat (16) defining a round pivoting hole (1601), and a retaining portion (161) extending from an exterior side of the extending seat. The retaining portion of the side board is configured for blocking the inwardly bent portion of the side board so that a range of rotation of the rotational base relative to the support member is between a first utmost position and a second utmost position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Cheng Hsu, Pu Luo, Jin-Shu Xue, Chao-Yang Wang
  • Patent number: 7698785
    Abstract: An articulated hinge is provided which is capable of supporting a panel member and permitting the panel member to be moved away from an opening and at the same time permit the panel member to be rotated approximately 90 degrees. The hinge has a scissor arm mechanism which provides for smooth opening and closing of the hinge thereby eliminating a possible sticking of the hinge during opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Paul Bennett
  • Patent number: 7698786
    Abstract: A door hinge pin (20) for a portable electronic device (900) is provided. The door hinge pin includes a lead pin portion (201), a first pin body portion (202), a second pin body portion (204), a third pin body portion (203), and a tail pin portion (205), which connect with each other in such described order. The lead pin portion and the tail pin portion are respectively positioned substantially vertical to the first pin body portion and the third pin body portion. The first pin body portion is located in parallel with the third pin body portion. The first connecting pin portion is unsymmetrical with the second connecting pin portion about a first reference line X1. The first reference line X1 is defined parallel to the first pin body portion and the third pin body portion and located therebetween. Distance spaced between the first reference line X1 and the first pin body portion is substantially the same as that spaced between the first reference line X1 and the third pin body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Chang, Yung-Chang Yen
  • Patent number: 7698787
    Abstract: A w-base fastener includes multiple legs that compress towards a common member, to which the legs are attached, during the installation through an opening of a structure. These legs then engage the backside of the structure to which the fastener is mounted to hold the fastener in a mounted position within the opening. The fastener also includes a head or similar structure that permits items to be mounted to the fastener. The w-base fastener described herein also includes opposite flex arm features for thermal expansion for assembling moldings to a panel. Embodiments of the invention are used to provide for the ease of assembly, proper fit, and functional retention of moldings to structural panels, while also providing for the thermal expansion of the moldings. Aspects of the invention may be advantageously employed on automotive body side moldings including doors, rockers, wheel flares and other areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Robert Osterland
  • Patent number: 7698788
    Abstract: A fastening clip with a flexible tether for use with a vehicle includes a first fastener attached to a component such as a vehicle body, and a second fastener attached to a removable component such as a vehicle trim panel. The first and second fasteners may be connected by generally rigid arms joined by an integral hinge and by at least one flexible tether capable of elongating and contracting. The hinged arms and tether provide multiple means to prevent the trim section from freely detaching from the vehicle body and becoming a projectile following deployment of an air bag from behind the trim panel. In addition, the rigid arms cause the trim panel to move in a controlled arc. A further aspect of the invention provides a tether that is capable of stretching to allow unimpeded air bag deployment followed by contracting to pull the trim panel back towards its original position on the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Hansen, Mark Leuthe
  • Patent number: 7698789
    Abstract: Disclosed is a towel holding apparatus for providing a ready access to a towel by a user. The towel holding apparatus includes an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly includes a clasping member capable of being detachably attached to an item of the user. Further, the attachment assembly includes a first connector detachably attached to the clasping member, and a first set of magnets removably engaged with the first connector. The towel holding apparatus further includes a holding assembly. The holding assembly includes a second set of magnets removably coupled to the first set of magnets of the attachment assembly. Further, the holding assembly includes a second connector removably engaged with the second set of magnets, and a holding member detachably attached to the second connector. The holding member is capable of removably holding the towel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Frank Cserpes
  • Patent number: 7698790
    Abstract: A reusable slider stop member has a solid body shaped to fit over a tooth element in a slide fastener assembly. The solid body has a central through channel defined by a pair of parallel prongs which fit over a tooth element. Each prong has an internal shoulder that engages a portion of the tooth element to retain the stop in place. The stop may be removed without damaging the stop or the tooth element, thus permitting easy repair of slide fastener assembly components. The stop is installed by aligning the channel at a right angle to the axis of the array of tooth elements, pressing the stop partially onto the tooth element, twisting the stop into alignment with the array and pressing the stop fully onto the tooth element to engage the internal shoulder of the stop with the tooth element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: William Stephen Holloway, Jimmy Lee Ezzell, Makoto Takayama
  • Patent number: 7698791
    Abstract: The buckle has a buckle body, and a lock mechanism for releasably locking two tongues insertable inside the buckle body in a longitudinal insertion direction; the lock mechanism includes a retaining rod movable, in a release direction perpendicular to the longitudinal insertion direction, between a lock position engaging retaining seats formed in the two tongues, and a release position disengaging the two tongues to permit expulsion of the tongues from the buckle body; the lock mechanism also includes a release button movable in the release direction to move the retaining rod into the release position; and the retaining rod is movable in the release direction independently of the release button, and is maintained in the lock position by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sabelt S.p.A.
    Inventor: Elsa Angelina Caterina Pezza
  • Patent number: 7698792
    Abstract: A method of forming a sheet metal casket comprises providing a sheet metal casket shell having at least a portion of an end wall and at least a portion of a side wall and a round corner between the portion of the end wall and the portion of the side wall, and forming a generally planar corner oriented at about a 45° angle relative to the portion of the end wall and the portion of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Batesville Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Parker
  • Patent number: 7698793
    Abstract: A method of producing an electret condenser microphone capable of reflow mounting includes a first step of providing a backplate substrate having a backplate; a second step of providing an adhesive-backed fluorine-containing resin film formed by stacking an adhesive on a film-shaped fluorine-containing resin material having a surface treated by wet or dry chemical etching; a third step of stacking the adhesive-backed fluorine-containing resin sheet on the backplate of the backplate substrate with the adhesive interposed therebetween; a fourth step of setting the adhesive to firmly secure the fluorine-containing resin material to the backplate of the backplate substrate; and a fifth step of implanting electric charges into the fluorine-containing resin film firmly secured onto the backplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7698794
    Abstract: A load control mechanism for use with a pull type tool (also called a riveter), wherein the mechanism includes a telescopic housing and a compressible element, such as a polyurethane compression spring, which works to limit the ultimate load which is applied by the pull type tool during operation, such as during removal of a rivetless nut plate from a hole in parent material. Also provided is a method of removing a rivetless nut plate by using a pulling head which includes a shock absorber and load limiting device, a resetion cup and a mandrel. The load control mechanism provides that a riveter can be used to safely remove a rivetless nut plate without causing damage or undue wear on components of the tool. This load control mechanism also absorbs operating shocks, protecting expensive work parts (ex: aircraft structure) and the operator during operation, resulting in a safe and ergonomic operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Cristinel Ovidiu Cobzaru
  • Patent number: 7698795
    Abstract: An assembly tool for installing a clutch pressure plate and clutch housing of a manual clutch on the flywheel of an engine includes a bell shaped housing which receives and pivotally supports a plurality of fingers having outwardly directed claws. A coaxial cylindrical portion of the bell shaped housing includes male threads which receive a complementarily threaded collar which may be rotated to engage, radially extend and retract the fingers. Internal threads in the cylindrical portion of the housing receive a complementarily threaded portion of a push rod. The push rod includes a thrust bearing at an end that engages the fingers of the pressure plate and may be rotated to engage, retract and extend the pressure plate. A method of clutch housing installation utilizing the tool is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Brock, Mark R. Chapman, Gerald J. Zalewski
  • Patent number: 7698796
    Abstract: A universal mounting plate for replacing a plurality of different door closers with a new door closer, the plate having a substantially flat rectangular body of a material thickness. A plurality of holes are formed through the material thickness and arranged in a plurality of patterns that correspond to the mounting hole patterns of a plurality of different door closers. The mounting plate can be attached to the door through existing mounting holes and the replacement closer attached to the mounting plate. The existing holes in the door are used to mount the plate and the plate is employed to mount the replacement closer, eliminating the need to drill new holes in the door and patching the old holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Michael T. Dowling, William D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7698797
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for joining adjacent members, wherein the members are placed in an overlapping layered relationship. The members are clamped between a die and a blank holder. Once clamped, a clinching operation is performed on the members to create at least a partial bond between them. In addition to the clinching operation, a level of vibrational energy is imparted to at least one of the members to reduce clamping force requirements, promote material flow and deformation and provide increased joint strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventors: Elizabeth Hetrick, Larry Reatherford, Jan Skogsmo
  • Patent number: 7698798
    Abstract: A rivetless nut plate has a nut, a holding bracket, a member and a nut retainer. The nut is provided with an aperture therethrough and is secured within a bracket portion of the holding bracket by the retainer but also is permitted limited movement within the bracket portion. The holding bracket further includes a tubular portion having inner and outer walls. The inner wall is tapered such that the member is positioned against the inner wall. Upon an axial force being applied to the member through the aperture of the nut, the member is pushed through the tubular portion from the first end to the second end in order to expand the inner wall and force the outer wall into engagement with the wall of the workpiece. A tool is provided to push the member through the tubular member and can be incorporated into either a manual or automatic process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Rahmatollah F. Toosky
  • Patent number: 7698799
    Abstract: A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Parker, David M. Shuart
  • Patent number: 7698800
    Abstract: An element arrangement board and method are provided. Where the element size is comparatively small with respect to the distance in element arrangement and the density of arranged elements is low, the elements can also be arranged with certainty and efficiently in a short period of time. The element arrangement board has an arrangement face on which fitting holes for receiving elements are formed and tapered faces are formed around the fitting holes and inclined downwardly toward the fitting holes. Elements to be arranged are mixed in fluid. The fluid is supplied to the arrangement face of the element arrangement board. The elements are acted upon by force toward the fitting holes on the tapered faces so that they are fitted in a self-aligned fashion into the fitting holes and arranged on the element arrangement board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7698801
    Abstract: In a wire-processing machine, by a linear movement away from a first holding unit, a gripper applies to a gripping unit a pull-out force in the longitudinal axis of the wire. The pull-out force that is exerted on the wire is measured by, for example, a force sensor that is arranged on the holding unit or by the motor current of the motor that causes the linear movement. The gripper and the gripping unit together make measurement of the pull-out force possible also for medium-sized and large wires without the gripper needing to be constructed stronger, or its dimensions, or the gripper-arm drive, needing to be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Komax Holding AG
    Inventor: Alois Conte
  • Patent number: 7698802
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a calibration device for an active circuit on a chip, comprises: providing an active circuit that is capable of exhibiting a desired electrical characteristic; and providing a calibration mechanism on-chip with the active circuit. The calibration mechanism generates a control output and comprises a device under test (DUT) configured as a replica of at least one segment of the active circuit, and which generates a test output that causes finite adjustments to the control output, based on a comparison of the electrical characteristics exhibited by the DUT with a known electrical characteristic. The method further comprises: attaching to each control input terminal of the active circuit a corresponding control output from the calibration mechanism. The control output of the calibration mechanism dynamically adjusts control input applied to devices of the active circuit to force the active circuit to exhibit the desired electrical characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Clements, William P. Cornwell, Carrie E. Cox, Hayden C. Cranford, Jr., Vernon R. Norman
  • Patent number: 7698803
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laminated stator core includes: forming a band-shaped yoke core piece having a shape that a yoke of the laminated stator core is developed in a straight line and having concave connection portions in the inner circumferential edge thereof by punching a metal plate; forming a laminated yoke body by winding and laminating the band-shaped yoke core piece in a spiral shape and coupling the laminated band-shaped yoke core piece in a caulking manner; forming a magnetic core piece having a convex connection portion at the base end thereof by punching a metal plate; forming a laminated magnetic body by laminating and coupling a predetermined number of the magnetic core pieces to each other in a caulking manner; and coupling the laminated yoke body and the laminated magnetic body to each other by winding a coil around the laminated magnetic body and then inserting the convex connection portions into the concave connection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsui High-Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Mitsui, Katsufusa Fujita
  • Patent number: 7698804
    Abstract: A fully transposed composite superconductor of the Roebel bar type is produced. The superconductor is formed from combines superconductors. The process step for forming the subconductors, which are being configured with a lateral projection into a region of a neighbouring subconductor, is separated from the stranding step. Carrier strips, which are coated with the superconductive material, are used as the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martino Leghissa
  • Patent number: 7698805
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit device having antenna conductors is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a wafer with a plurality of integrated circuit components; forming a first antenna conductor on the surface of each integrated circuit component; forming a plurality of metal bumps above the first antenna conductor; coating an insulating layer to encapsulate the plurality of integrated circuit components and to cover the plurality of metal bumps; removing a portion of the insulating layer to expose a top portion of each metal bump; and forming a second antenna conductor on the insulating layer by screen printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mutual-Pak Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lu-Chen Hwan, P. C. Chen, Yu-Lin Ma
  • Patent number: 7698806
    Abstract: The application discloses processes for fabricating a slider or head for a data storage device. The processes disclosed provide a transducer portion that is separated from a slider body by a gap. In an illustrated embodiment, actuator elements are fabricated in the gap to adjust a position of the transducer portion relative to the slider body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Wayne A. Bonin, Roger L. Hipwell, John R. Pendray, Kyle M. Bartholomew, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Patent number: 7698807
    Abstract: Formation of the magnetic sensor layers of a magnetic sensor are separated into at least two depositions to reduce the dimension of the sensor. The free layer portion of the sensor is deposited at a different process step than the pinned layer portion. The top of the free layer stack can be a tunnel barrier, the free layer, or part of the free layer. The free layer stack also may contain an in-stack bias layer. The longitudinal bias layer may be patterned in a separate processing step, which allows the stack containing the free layer to be effectively thinner and allow smaller track width dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Robinson Childress, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Jeffrey S. Lille
  • Patent number: 7698808
    Abstract: A substrate is prepared that includes substrate segments arranged in series in the X and Y directions. The substrate segments are respectively provided with circuit patterns on its one side and electrodes on the other side. Sets of IC devices including bobbins are mounted on the sides with the circuit patterns of the respective substrates. A conductor is wound around the bobbins successively to form the windings. Portions of the conductor extending between the adjacent windings are pressed against and connected to the circuit patterns to form leading and trailing ends of the windings connected to the circuit patterns. Thereafter, the substrate is severed to provide surface-mount coil packages each comprising the circuit board and the set of IC devices including the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Furuya
  • Patent number: 7698809
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a location of conductive pins with respect to a circuit board during an assembly process using a press tool to mate the circuit board and the conductive pins includes a detector housing holding a plurality of switches aligned with corresponding conductive pins, wherein the detector housing is configured to be mounted to the press tool used during the assembly process. The switches change state based on the location of the conductive pins with respect to the circuit board. The apparatus further includes a sensor electrically coupled with the plurality of switches, wherein the sensor monitors the change of state of each switch to indicate that the respective conductive pins are properly mated with the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: John Trent Steckler, Peter John Borisuk, José Ramon Rivera
  • Patent number: 7698810
    Abstract: A connector removal system includes a connector housing (1) forming contacts (10) therein and a contact extraction tool (3) for removing the contact of the connector housing. The connector housing has a mating face (200), a plurality of cavities (22) receiving corresponding contacts and a plurality of cantilevered flexible latches (26) retaining corresponding contacts. The latch forms an external side face of the housing. Each cavity has an open cavity entrance (220) located at a distal end thereof on the mating face and an opening (222) formed adjacent the entrance between the cavity and the external side face. The contact extraction tool includes a pair of registration posts (34) formed from an end edge thereof for positioning inside the entrances and an ejecting member (36) for deflecting said cantilevered flexible latch to disengage from said contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hahi Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John P. Huss, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7698811
    Abstract: An exemplary inner substrate for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit boards is provided. The inner substrate has a number of substrate units and a number of transverse folding portions alternately arranged along a longitudinal direction of the inner substrate. Each of the substrate units is configured for forming a unitary printed circuit board. Each of the folding portions is interconnected between neighboring substrate units. Each of the folding portions defines at least one line weakness perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the inner substrate for facilitating folding and unfolding the neighboring substrate units to each other. An exemplary method for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit boards using the inner substrate is also provided. The method can improve efficiency of manufacturing multilayer printed circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Foxconn Advanced Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Kang Yang, Cheng-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 7698812
    Abstract: A method for forming a ceramic laminate ceramic laminate from first and second sheets of ceramic material, the sheets having a first and a second surface, wherein the first ceramic material has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the second ceramic material and the outer layers comprises ceramic materials having substantially the same thermal properties, comprising (a) heating the first and the second sheets of ceramic material; (b) stacking the first and the second sheets of ceramic material wherein the second surfaces are opposed to one another to provide stacked sheets; and (c) pressing the stacked sheets and forming the ceramic laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Campbell Hamilton, Jerry Wayne Smith, Larry Earl Stahlman, Kiyoshi Mizushima, Hisakazu Hujimoto, Makoto Aoki
  • Patent number: 7698813
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a conductive blind via of a circuit substrate including the following steps is provided. First, the circuit substrate including a first dielectric layer, a patterned circuit layer and a second dielectric layer are provided. The patterned circuit layer including at least a capture pad is disposed between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. Next, a blind via exposing the capture pad is formed in the second dielectric layer. Then, an electroless plating process is performed to form an electroless copper layer on the capture pad and an inner wall of the blind via. Next, the electroless copper layer on the capture pad is removed. Finally, the blind via is filled with a conductive material to form the conductive blind via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Te-Chun Wang