Patents Issued in April 20, 2010
-
Patent number: 7699265Abstract: An ejection seat includes a headrest that, upon initiation of the ejection seat, moves forward to support the pilot's head in a tilted-forward position. By holding the crewmember's head in a tilted-forward position, windblast forces are controlled to prevent the helmet from pulling upward and backward on the crewmember's head. The headrest may include a pair of struts that extend forward around the sides of the crewmember's helmet to support the crewmember's head against flailing from the windblast. A flexible panel extending between the struts and the headrest panel may also be included to further support the crewmember's head against windblast flailing.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.Inventor: Brad Mastrolia
-
Patent number: 7699266Abstract: A sealing system for a gap (2) existing between the fuselage (3) and the elevator (4) of a orientable horizontal stabilizer (5) of an aircraft, comprises a main body (1) formed by an upper surface (18) and a lower surface (19) and at least one longitudinal vertical element (22) arranged between the two surfaces (18,19) which grants rigidity to the main body (1), and a plurality of first elastic sealing profiles (9) between the first surface (11) of the main body (1) and the outer surface of the fuselage (3) and making contact with them, and a plurality of second elastic sealing profiles (13) between the second surface (12) of the main body (1) and the first end of the elevator (15) and making contact with them, in such a way that the sealing of the gap (2) takes place and an aerodynamic continuity is produced between the fuselage (3) and the elevator (4) when the elevator (4) is at rest in the plane of the orientable horizontal stabilizer (5) for any of the orientation positions of the orientable horizontal sType: GrantFiled: April 25, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.Inventor: Agustin Mariano Martin Hernandez
-
Patent number: 7699267Abstract: An aircraft for carrying at least one rigid cargo container includes a beam structure with a forward fuselage attached to the forward end of the beam structure and an empennage attached to the rearward end of the beam structure. Wings and engines are mounted relative to the beam structure and a fairing creates a cargo bay able to receive standard sized intermodal cargo containers. Intermodal cargo containers of light construction and rigid structure are positioned within the cargo bay and securely mounted therein. The beam structure is designed to support flight, takeoffs and landings when the aircraft is empty but requires the added strength of the containers securely mounted to the beam structure when the aircraft is loaded. The aircraft is contemplated to be a drone.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Biosphere Aerospace, LLCInventor: Elie Helou, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7699268Abstract: A sling release mechanism for releasing the sling of a drogue parachute from a descending aerially delivered cargo pallet. The sling release mechanism has a body, with which a pivot arm, an inner and an outer hinge plate articulate. The inner and outer hinge plates articulate in opposite directions when in use. The inner hinge plate has a cavity or receiver into which the end tip of the pivot arm may engage. The end of a parachute sling is placed over the pivot arm, and the pivot arm and inner hinge plate are articulated to engage the pivot pin end with the receiver of the inner hinge plate. The outer hinge plate is then articulated to engage the inner hinge plate, and is held in place with a releasable retainer. The parachute sling is released by releasing the retainer, allowing the outer and then the inner hinge plates to articulate, thereby releasing the pivot arm to articulate, after which the end of the parachute sling slides off the pivot pin.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Inventor: Roy L Fox, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7699269Abstract: Circuits and methods for use on a mobile platform including a flight control system, a structure, an aerodynamic surface, and an actuator operatively coupled to the surface to control the surface. The circuit includes a first and a second input, a summing element, and an output. The first input accepts commands from the flight control system while the second input accepts a vibration signal from the structure. The summing element communicates with the inputs and sums the signal and the command. In turn, the summing element controls the actuator with the summed signal and command.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Dale M. Pitt
-
Patent number: 7699270Abstract: A wing has a changeable profile, and extends in a wing chord direction and perpendicularly thereto in a wingspan direction. The wing has a first cover skin and a second cover skin spaced apart from one another with spars therebetween. The wing includes a leading edge region and a trailing edge region opposite one another in the wing chord direction, and a wing tip region at the end of the wing in the wingspan direction. The wing further includes a flexible region that connects the wing tip region to the rest of the wing, and that is adapted to vary the profile of the wing in a direction that includes a component in the wing chord direction and a component in the wingspan direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2004Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Hans Lonsinger, Juan Perez-Sanchez
-
Patent number: 7699271Abstract: A railroad crossing gate drive mechanism has an adjustable gate arm support in the form of a split hub mounted on the external portion of a drive shaft. A fixed section of the split hub is keyed to the drive shaft and has threaded bolt holes therein. A moveable section of the split hub mounts a gate arm connector and has arcuate slots cut on the same bolt circle as the fixed section's bolt holes. Cap screws extend through the arcuate slots and into the bolt holes. The horizontal position of the gate arm connector can be adjusted due to the loose fit afforded by the arcuate slots on the cap screws. When the gate arm connector is located in the desired horizontal position, the cap screws are tightened to lock the split hub sections together.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Safetran Systems CorporationInventor: Paul D. Ward
-
Patent number: 7699272Abstract: A railroad switching indicator apparatus for use with a point detector bar, and a point locking rod which cooperatively locks with a locking bar. First and second point detector bar receptors generate first and second signals indicating the first and second terminal movements of the point detector bar. At the same time, a point lock rod receptor generates another signal indicating the locking of the locking bar with the point locking rod.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Inventor: Jim Arnold
-
Patent number: 7699273Abstract: There is provided a removable holding device for accommodating a mobile terminal and/or a screen in the passenger region of a vehicle. The holding device comprises at least one bar with a first end for insertion into fitments of a vehicle and a second end for accommodating the mobile terminal and/or the screen. That holding device has proven to be advantageous insofar as it is easy to remove/insert.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Inventor: Aloys Wobben
-
Patent number: 7699274Abstract: A temporary attachment for use with pipe hangers is disclosed which includes an elongated angle member which is supported upon the lower end of a pipe hanger and which has a plurality of ball transfer units positioned thereon which support the pipe being hung. The ball transfer units not only permit the longitudinal movement of the associated pipe with respect to the pipe hanger but also permits the pipe to be rotated about its longitudinal axis with respect to the pipe hanger.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Inventors: Gary Riibe, Marissa R. Anderson
-
Patent number: 7699275Abstract: A stand for a display device is provided. The stand prevents a viewer located at a side of the display from experiencing the problems of a narrow viewing angle by allowing the display device to be pivoted in a wide angle without interference from a wall behind the device. The stand includes a base, a swivel hinge, a fixed unit, a telescopic unit, and a movable unit. The swivel hinge is fixed to the base. The fixed unit is rotatably fixed to the swivel hinge. The telescopic unit includes one member fixed to the fixed unit. The movable unit, to which the other member of the telescopic unit is fixed, is capable of being translated in left and right directions of the base and being rotated.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Woon Geun Jang
-
Patent number: 7699276Abstract: A support post and safety fence assembly in which the post has a telescoping inner and outer tube and is supported on a threaded internal shaft coupled to a floor engaging end and ceiling engaging end preferably formed with claws that have a number of sharp penetrating points for firm engagement with a support surface. In one embodiment, a gravity lock assembly is provided for fixing the relative position of the inner and outer tubes. Dynamic adjustability of the support post is provided by internal compression springs.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Inventor: Jonathan Jonny Melic
-
Patent number: 7699277Abstract: Provided is, among other things, an attachment apparatus that includes an attachment base, a magnet attached to a first side of the attachment base and a clip structure extending from a second side of the attachment base, the second side being opposite the first side. The clip structure, in turn, includes first and second arms which can be resiliently spread apart in order to receive an item and then released in order to close around the item.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Inventor: Gary Wayne Bagnall
-
Patent number: 7699278Abstract: Apparatus for hanging curtains from wall brackets includes a hollow cylindrical rod with a longitudinal slot in its wall through which an interior clamping member for each wall bracket may be inserted. The clamping member is secured to a respective bracket by one or more screws which extend from outside of the rod to the clamping member captured within the rod. C-shaped rings mounted on the rod have openings to allow passage of the rings along the rod without coming into contact with the brackets. Each ring has a downward extending projection, e.g., a tab, which can be apertured to receive a hook, clip or other fastener attached to the curtains.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Source Global Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Allan Goldstein
-
Patent number: 7699279Abstract: A slide bracket includes a main body having an end plate and at least one hanging block. The end plate is provided with a locating holder and a corresponding opening. The locating holder contains a chamber containing a spring. The hanging block has a first post and a second post, and is disposed into the chamber to hold against the spring to expand in relation to the opening and the chamber so to allow the first and second posts penetrating through the opening of the end plate for securing the bracket to a support without relying upon tools.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shih-Long Huang, Shun-Ho Yang, Chun-Chiang Wang
-
Patent number: 7699280Abstract: A fastening system uses a plurality of clips for fastening a second component, e.g., a loud-speaker, to a first component, e.g., a vehicle door panel. The clips are mounted on the second component at pre-installation positions and are moved collectively from the pre-installation positions to installation positions at which the clips are retained by retaining elements projecting from the first component.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Frank Rosemann, Christian Kempf
-
Patent number: 7699281Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a chassis (10), a bracket (20) for securing a power supply (50) therein, and a pair of first and second members (32, 34). The chassis has a plate (12). Two parallel securing pieces (126) are formed on the plate. The bracket includes two parallel side walls (24). One end portion of each of the first and second members being respectively rotatably secured on the securing pieces, the other end portion thereof being respectively rotatably secured on the side walls of the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Hua-Tang Li
-
Patent number: 7699282Abstract: An article holder is provided for supporting a sheet of material on a vertical surface. The article holder includes a backing plate connectable to the vertical surface and a clip operatively connected to the backing plate. The clip includes a face plate and an upper wall interconnecting the upper edge of the face plate and the upper edge of the backing plate. A retaining leg extends from the lower edge of the face plate. The retaining leg moveable between a closed position wherein the terminal end of the retaining leg engages the inner surface of the backing plate and an open position wherein the retaining leg is spaced from the inner surface of the backing plate. The inner surface of the backing plate, the inner surface of the face plate and the inner surface of the upper wall define a cavity for receiving a portion of the sheet.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Inventors: Richard D. Bushey, Bret L. Bushey
-
Patent number: 7699283Abstract: A unitary support bracket facilitates secure and efficient support of an electrical box, and one or more associated conduits. The support bracket includes a central portion, and a plurality of leg portions which extend integrally therefrom. Each of the leg portions includes a downwardly deformable distal portion, which in turn each include at least one resiliently deformable tab engageable with a respective one of the conduits. By this arrangement, the efficient support of an electrical box, and one or more associated conduits, can be provided, with minimal assembly of various components required, thus facilitating convenient and efficient installation of the associated electrical system.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: S-P Products, Inc.Inventors: Peter A. Vrame, Paul A. Vrame
-
Patent number: 7699284Abstract: A three axes or three dimensional adjustment foundation target mount for use in industrial applications to provide for precise settings for machining and related operations, includes a body, the body has internal threads therein, an expandable vertical adjustment disc is provided therein, a lateral adjustment target cone is applied on top of the adjustment disc, and a top retainer disc is located and threadily engaged within the body, and holds a series of adjustment screws which can be adjusted to provide for the lateral and fore and aft adjustments to the target cone, to furnish, along with the adjustment disc, three dimensional adjustments for the survey target when applied to the mount. A cap is also provided to furnish coverage for the receptacle, following its precise setting and usage.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Hubbs Machine & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: William O. Hubbs
-
Patent number: 7699285Abstract: An external mirror mounting system for an automotive vehicle includes an outer panel having a mounting reinforcement attached to an inner surface, and an extended outer belt reinforcement which is mounted with stand off structures to the mounting reinforcement, so that a box section is constituted for supporting a mirror attached to the outer surface of the outer panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Robert A. Brancaleone, Craig S. Pearson
-
Patent number: 7699286Abstract: A label holder is provided for mounting on a shelf channel. The label holder includes a front panel, a back panel connected to the front panel with a common bottom edge with a cavity there between. The label holder also has a protective flange along a top edge of the back panel and a shelf clip portion separated from the back panel by a common top edge. The shelf clip portion includes an upward retaining flange for engaging the shelf and includes a downward angled engaging portion terminating in a catch flange and a curved resilient hinge portion that is configured to encompass the catch flange and terminate in an upward flange. The shelf clip portion provides resilient clamping onto the shelf. The catch flange is configured to engage a lower shelf channel flange as the curved resilient hinge wraps an arcuate channel of the shelf.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.Inventors: Michael Brinkman, Kirk Lewis
-
Patent number: 7699287Abstract: Support device (1) for a container enclosing a pneumatic life raft, comprising a support plate (2) and means (3) for stowing the container on the plate which comprises two separate bases (4) located opposite one another, in line with one another and at a distance from one another; the stowing means being able to comprise a rigid bar (5) of variable length extending from one base to the other by spanning the container with one end (6) articulated in rotation (11, 12) on a base (4a) and its other end (7) which may be fixed by releasable fixing means to the other base (4b); blocking means (8) blocking the container transversely to the bar; said support device may support containers of various dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Zodiac InternationalInventor: Philippe Castor
-
Patent number: 7699288Abstract: A system and method for extracting broken delineators severed adjacent to a ground surface where the delineator was installed. A distal end of a delineator extractor may be positionable in a delineator conduit. At least a portion of the distal end of the delineator extractor may be configured to engage an interior surface of the delineator conduit when the delineator extractor is activated. Upon the delineator extractor engaging the delineator conduit, a user may activate a slide hammer of the delineator extractor to amplify a force applied by the user to assist in extracting the delineator conduit. A delineator extraction system may include an installer couplable to a distal end of an outer conduit of a delineator extractor. The installer may function to install or extract a delineator system.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Texas Department of TransportationInventor: Kade Allen Kimbrew
-
Patent number: 7699289Abstract: A valve (13a) is described comprising: a housing (50) having a fluid inlet for (54) receiving a flow of compressed fluid and a fluid outlet (55); a flow duct (60) movably mounted with respect to the housing, the duct (62) having a fluid inlet (62) for receiving a flow of compressed fluid and a fluid outlet (65), the fluid outlet being positioned around at least a part of the circumference of the duct and being dimensioned to provide a different flow rate at different sections or positions around the circumference of the duct; the fluid outlet of the housing being alignable with a portion of the fluid outlet of the duct to provide a flow rate related to the relative position of the portion of the fluid outlet of the duct and the fluid outlet of the housing; and, a drive element (70) for moving, e.g. rotating, the duct with respect to the housing such that a desired portion of the fluid outlet of the duct aligns with the fluid outlet of the housing. The valve may operate as a so-called throttle valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Picanol N.V.Inventors: Jozef Peeters, Jean Marie Bamelis
-
Patent number: 7699290Abstract: A connecting device includes an inner tube having a plurality of elongate holes and a plurality of oval-shaped beads are movably engaged with the elongate holes. A plurality of openings are defined in an inner surface of the inner tube and communicate with the elongate holes respectively. A valve unit is movably located in the inner tube and includes a collar which removably closes the openings. An outer tube is movably mounted to an outer surface of the inner tube. An inlet member is connected to a first end of the inner tube. A part in short axis of each of the beads protrudes beyond the opening of the inner tube so as to provide a larger contact area with the head of hose when the head of hose is inserted into the inner tube to push the collar away from the openings.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Inventor: Jen-Chih Chang
-
Patent number: 7699291Abstract: A two-part back cap for a plug valve includes a back cap seal body and a back cap retainer nut. The back cap retainer nut secures the back cap seal body within the plug valve and securely supports the back cap seal body. A gap between an outer periphery of the back cap retainer nut and the back cap seal body permits the back cap seal body to flex and expand with a plug valve body of the plug valve. This ensures that the back cap seals are not stressed and a longer service life results.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Stinger Wellhead Protection, Inc.Inventor: Danny Lee Artherholt
-
Patent number: 7699292Abstract: An apparatus which enables the user to transition the location of a load contained within vessels or cavities which are accessed by means of a manhole, manway, or other similar openings which provides for limiting peripheral interference, the establishment of a high center point in both horizontal and vertical applications, and limiting the weight and bulk of such an apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Inventor: James Earl Barnett
-
Patent number: 7699293Abstract: An impact head for a guardrail includes cable routing means adapted to form a convoluted path through which a cable can be threaded. The convoluted path that the cables must follow through the impact head of the invention restricts movement of the cable through the head, thereby providing sufficient friction to slow down the movement of the impact head during a vehicle impact.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Armorflex LimitedInventor: Dallas James
-
Patent number: 7699294Abstract: A charge forming device may include a body having a fuel and air mixing passage, a throttle valve and choke valve moveable between first and second positions to control at least in part the fluid flow in the fuel and air mixing passage, and throttle and choke control members associated with the throttle and choke valves, respectively. The choke control member may also be associated with an engine starting system so that the choke valve is moved to its second position upon actuation of the starting system. The choke control member is selectively associated with the throttle control member to hold the choke control member in a position spaced from its first position. In this manner, the throttle valve and choke valve may be automatically positioned in a desired position for starting of the engine upon actuation of the engine starting system.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.Inventor: George M Pattullo
-
Patent number: 7699295Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for generating a precursor gas used in a vapor deposition process system. The apparatus contains a canister or an ampoule for containing a chemical precursor and a splash guard contained within the ampoule. The splash guard is positioned to obstruct the chemical precursor in a liquid state from being bumped or splashed into a gas outlet during the introduction of a carrier gas into the ampoule. The carrier gas is usually directed into the ampoule through a gas inlet and combines with the vaporized chemical precursor to form a precursor gas. The splash guard is also positioned to permit the passage of the precursor gas from the gas outlet. In one example, the gas outlet contains a stem with a tapered tip and the splash guard is positioned at an angle parallel to the plane of the tapered tip.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Wei Ti Lee, Steve H. Chiao
-
Patent number: 7699296Abstract: A micromachined actuator including a body or platform mounted to a suspension system anchored to a substrate. In one embodiment, the suspension system is comprised of a set of one or more spring flexures connecting the actuator body to the substrate with strain relief provided via connecting torsional elements. In another embodiment, the suspension system includes a first set of one or more spring flexures each with one end anchored to a largely rigid intermediate frame and the other end attached to the body. A second set of one or more flexures is attached between the intermediate frame and the substrate. A third actuator embodiment maximizes force electrode area to minimize voltage required for electrostatic actuation. A fourth embodiment provides electrical interconnect to an actuator or an actuator array using polysilicon with silicon nitride isolation.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Iris AO, Inc.Inventors: Clifford F. Knollenberg, Michael Albert Helmbrecht
-
Patent number: 7699297Abstract: A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventors: Chris W. Cicenas, Charles R. McKean, Thomas M. Chervenak, Anthony B. Fuller
-
Patent number: 7699298Abstract: A jig for holding a core which comprises a movable platform, a base positioned on the movable platform which has a receiving hole, and an inserter positioned inside the receiving hole of the base, shaped corresponding to the shape of the receiving hole, to fasten the core to the inserter. The inserter comprises a core receiving hole, a plurality of positioning recesses disposed symmetrically in the periphery of the core receiving hole, a plurality of positioning blocks received in the positioning recesses, and a plurality of resilient elements received in a space between the positioning recesses and the positioning blocks to hold the core firmly.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hung-Tsan Shen, Bi-Hui Hu
-
Patent number: 7699299Abstract: A gripping jig for assembling applies a force to a molded body in a direction perpendicular to an assembling direction. When an assembling load is applied to the molded body, the force is adjustable with an adjustment screw such that the molded body is guided to move in the assembling direction. Since the force is applied from a direction different from the assembling direction, the molded body can move in the assembling direction, and as the force is adjustable, application of the assembling load to the molded body and movement of the molded body can be adjusted. Since a plurality of molded bodies are fixed and assembled respectively, when there are variations in size of the molded bodies, if an excessive assembling load is applied, each molded body is guided to move, so that more uniform assembling load is applied to the plurality of molded bodies.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Kunihiko Yoshioka, Kazuhi Matsumoto, Koji Kimura, Shinya Yoshida, Takashi Ota
-
Patent number: 7699300Abstract: In a sheet post-processing apparatus that folds a sheet bundle, a folding roller drive motor that drives folding rollers is PWM driven such that its speed is varied in each control during the period until a blade contacts the sheet bundle, during the period when the sheet bundle is conveyed to a discharge port, during discharge operation, and during return of the motor to its home position.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ken Iguchi
-
Patent number: 7699301Abstract: A printed product processing device with an inhibit function for a movable component includes a rotating cam, a cam follower actuating the movable component, a cam follower lever supporting the cam follower, and an actuatable latch lever having a roller for rolling on the cam follower. Also provided is a printed product processing device with an inhibit function for a movable component including a rotating cam, a cam follower actuating the movable component, a cam follower lever supporting the cam follower and an actuatable latch lever, the latch lever having an a latch lever pivot point located within an arc path of the cam follower lever. A method for inhibiting a cam follower from following a cam is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Goss International Americas, IncInventor: Glen Roger Caron
-
Patent number: 7699302Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus comprises: a stacking mechanism to stack sheets of one or more printable media as a sheaf; a sheet conveyance mechanism to transport the sheaf to a respective position; a stapling mechanism to perform a stapling operation with respect to the sheaf; and a plurality of sheet regulating mechanisms disposed at positions spaced from each other along a sheet conveyance path, each sheet regulating mechanism being operable to align ends of the sheets in the sheaf according to a sheet conveyance direction. An image forming apparatus comprises such a sheet handling apparatus and an image forming device to form respective images upon the sheets and to provide the sheets to the sheet handling apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuru Ichikawa
-
Patent number: 7699303Abstract: A feeder for feeding media items from a tray includes a first nudger roller and a second nudger roller. The first and the second nudger roller are moveably mounted to the feeder. The first and the second nudger rollers are in a first position when a tray of a first type is connected to said feeder the first and said second nudger rollers are in a second position when a tray of a second type is connected to said feeder. The tray of a first type may be a shingle feed tray and the tray of a second type may be a stacks feed tray. With the shingle feed tray the first position for the first and the second nudger rollers are where each nudger roller engages each media item in a shingles tray when each such media item is positioned in the shingles tray to exit the shingles tray and to be moved from the shingles tray into said feeder.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: James A. Fairweather, Thomas M. Lyga, Theresa Bartick
-
Patent number: 7699304Abstract: A paper feed cassette incorporates a storage portion for standard-sized paper and a storage portion for small-sized paper that has an area smaller than the standard-sized paper, further includes paper conveyance paths for guiding the standard-sized paper and small-sized paper from the respective storage portions to an image forming portion, and these paper conveyance paths share a common vertical portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takateru Yamamoto, Nobuya Kishi
-
Patent number: 7699305Abstract: A method and device disclosed herein controls the movement of media sheets within an image forming device using a pick mechanism that contacts and moves a media sheet from an input area into a media path. One embodiment controls the rotational speed of the pick mechanism based on a filtered combination of a pick mechanism signal and an encoder signal. An encoder roller positioned to contact the media sheets in the input area senses the movement of the media sheet to generate the encoder signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Kenji Totsuka, John Spicer, Delbert Lester Elliott
-
Patent number: 7699306Abstract: A paper picking-up unit and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The paper picking-up unit includes a knock-up plate to stack paper thereon; a shaft disposed at a front end of the knock-up plate to rotate, a pick-up roller engaged with the shaft to rotate and pick-up the paper stacked on the knock-up plate, and a knock-up plate ascending and descending portion to raise and lower the knock-up plate according to the rotation of the pick-up roller. The pick-up roller includes a roller body engaged and rotatable with the shaft, and having a frictional layer to pick-up the paper by causing friction with the paper, a pair of roller housings to support opposite sides of the roller body such that the roller body does not move in a lengthwise direction of the shaft, and a damper disposed at an outer circumference of each roller housing to reduce noise caused by a collision of the roller housings and the knock-up plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kwang-taek Lim, Byung-sun Ahn
-
Patent number: 7699307Abstract: A medium delivery apparatus, includes: a medium insertion portion; a medium delivery port; first and second medium guide surfaces; a feed roller; a first pressing member; a second pressing member; a rotating member; an urging member, configured to give an urging force acting in a first rotation direction to the rotating member to rotate the second pressing member toward the protruding position; an elastic member, configured to cause the second pressing member and the rotating member to abut against each other; and a stationary abutting portion, against which the rotating member abuts when the first pressing member is placed in the vicinity of the waiting position.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Toshiyuki Sasaki
-
Patent number: 7699308Abstract: An apparatus for diverting sheet material, in particular bank notes (BN), includes a diverting plate (4) with a first diverting edge (7) disposed on a slant and preferably a second diverting edge (8) disposed on a slant. The sheet material is guided and transported from the rear side (6) of the diverting plate (4) around the first diverting edge (7) to the front side (5) and further around the second diverting edge (8) back to the rear side (6). If the diverting edges (7, 8) are aligned relative to the transport direction (1, 2, 3) of the sheet material e.g. in each case at a slant angle of 45°, this apparatus permits the sheet-material transport direction to be diverted by 180°, whereby the transport path is shifted parallel. Thus, a continuous bank-note stream can be diverted uninterruptedly while retaining the sheet-material orientation relative to the transport direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbHInventors: August Häusler, Ralf Linck, Markus Sperl
-
Patent number: 7699309Abstract: A collector for stacking sheets of paper, plastics, and cardboard has a feeding device and a tray downstream of the feeding device in the feeding direction. The tray is arranged in a lowered position relative to the feeding device. A stop is provided downstream of the tray. At least one transport roll transports sheets individually from the feeding device onto the tray to form a stack. An adjusting element is arranged in an area where the feeding device and the tray adjoin, wherein the adjusting element is adjustable between a lowered rest position and a position of use lifted relative to the rest position. In the position of use, the adjusting element lifts a trail end of a first sheet that has reached the tray such that a following second sheet is moved into a position underneath the trail end of the first sheet.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Mathias Bäuerle GmbHInventor: Wilhelm Markgraf
-
Patent number: 7699310Abstract: A paper pressing unit is composed of two cylindrical paper pressing portions, connecting members to which the paper pressing portions are each connected, and rotational shafts protruding outward from the central parts of the connecting members along the longer sides thereof, and is rotatably supported between frames provided inside the apparatus and disposed in the width direction of the processing tray (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2). The paper pressing portions are disposed in such a way that a surface of a circular cylinder whose cylindrical axis corresponds to a line passing through the rotational shafts is divided thereby into equal parts (into two equal parts). The paper pressing portions travel on the same orbit as the paper pressing unit rotates.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Kyocera Mita CorporationInventor: Seiichi Shirasaki
-
Patent number: 7699311Abstract: A sheet discriminating apparatus includes a pair of conveying rotary members for conveying a sheet while rotating with the sheet sandwiched between the pair of conveying rotary members, a vibration detecting sensor for detecting vibrations of the pair of conveying rotary members. The sheet discriminating portion further includes a discriminating portion for making a discrimination in a type of the sheet based on the vibrations detected by the vibration detecting sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Serizawa, Hidehiko Kinoshita, Hitoshi Kato, Katsuyuki Yamazaki, Kenji Morita, Yuichi Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 7699312Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus has a pair of conveying rotary members for conveying a sheet, an openable and closable conveying guide for guiding the sheet conveyed by the pair of conveying rotary members, a conveying path, which is disposed on a downstream side of the conveying guide, on which the sheet guide passes, a discharging portion on which the sheet having passed on the conveying path and discharged is stacked, and an obstructing member for obstructing the entrance of the conveying path. In a state in which the conveying guide is closed, the sheet conveyed by the pair of conveying rotary members is guided to the conveying path by the conveying guide. In a state in which the conveying guide is closed, the obstructing member is retracted from the entrance of the conveying path, and in a state in which the conveying guide is opened, the obstructing member obstructs the entrance of the conveying path.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masayuki Fukuda, Kenji Ninomiya
-
Patent number: 7699313Abstract: A paper sheet stacking apparatus comprises a conveying device which has first and second conveying members, wherein take-out ends of the second conveying members are positioned on a more upstream side in a paper sheet conveying direction than a take-out end of the first conveying member, and after a paper sheet is taken out from the second conveying members, the paper sheet is conveyed by only the first conveying member, an impeller which introduces the paper sheet conveyed by only the first conveying member into between vanes thereof to guide the paper sheet in a predetermined direction, and then discharges the paper sheet, and a stack housing which stacks the paper sheets discharged from the impeller.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Yoshitaka Sakoguchi
-
Patent number: 7699314Abstract: A method for hosting and playing a lottery game using nostalgic game themes. The lottery game, in one embodiment emulating Pac-Man®, comprises a player selecting a path on a grid, and a lottery populating the path with numbers either generated randomly or selected by the player. The lottery also randomly places few ghosts on the same grid. A set of player indicia is determined by the numbers on the path before the path intercept with one or more ghosts. The set of player indicia is then compared with a set of winning indicia and the player receives a prize depending on the number of matches between the player indicia and winning indicia.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.Inventor: Alan Kyle Bozeman