Patents Issued in April 20, 2010
  • Light emitting diode based surface lighting device
    Patent number: 7699517
    Abstract: An LED surface lighting device (100) comprises a plurality of LED light source modules (120) assembled together side-by-side. Each of the LED light source modules comprises a light guiding plate (122) and at least one LED (124). The light guiding plate comprises a light emitting surface (1222) and a plurality of lateral sides (1225, 1227) adjacent to the light emitting surface. At least one of the lateral sides defines a groove (123) for receiving the at least one LED. The groove keeps a predetermined distance (D) from the light emitting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Lai
  • Prism sheet and backlight module using the same
    Patent number: 7699518
    Abstract: A prism sheet includes a main body. The main body includes an incident surface, an emitting surface opposite to the incident surface, and a plurality of micro-protrusions formed on the incident surface. Each micro-protrusion includes two side surfaces and an arced ridge of intersection of the two side surfaces. Each side surface is a conical surface of an imaginary cone. The imaginary cone has a conical base whose circumference is defined by the arced ridge. The conical bases defined by the arced ridges of the micro-protrusions are parallel to each other. The present prism sheet and the backlight module using the same can efficiently decrease interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guo-Han Yue
  • Alcohol-solvent extraction system
    Patent number: 7699519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus to carry out the method for extracting petroleum distillate products from alcohol. The inventive method capitalizes on the discovered property that petroleum distillates, such as xylene and limonene, can be dissociated from their tight molecular interaction with alcohol by their higher affinity for water. The method also capitalizes on the discovered property that limonene, in the presence of water, forms terpin hydrate, forming particles that can be removed by filtration. Other, non-limonene petroleum distillates, once dissociated from alcohol, can be removed by distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Mark H. Potts
  • Micro heat flux sensor array
    Patent number: 7699520
    Abstract: Provided is a micro heat flux sensor array having reduced heat resistance. A micro heat flux sensor array may include a substrate, a plurality of first sensors formed on a first side of the substrate, and a plurality of second sensors formed on a second side of the substrate. Each of the plurality of first and second sensors may include a first wiring pattern layer of a first conductive material, a second wiring pattern layer of a second conductive material contacting the first wiring pattern layer, and an insulating layer in contact with the first and second wiring patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Wook Yoo, Yun-Hyeok Im
  • Automated binary processing of thermographic sequence data
    Patent number: 7699521
    Abstract: A method for processing thermographic data is disclosed including thermally disturbing a sample collecting, as a function of time, thermal data from said sample, converting the collected data using a 2nd derivative function, and transforming the converted data using at least one Boolean operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Thermal Wave Imaging
    Inventor: Steven Shepard
  • Four-dimensional computed tomography quality assurance device
    Patent number: 7699522
    Abstract: Quality assurance device for calibrating and testing the accuracy of movement-correlated computed tomography (“4D CT”) target-locating systems has a test unit sub-assembly adapted to be combined with a dynamic phantom system. The test unit sub-assembly has an axially and rotationally moveable test rod slideably disposed inside of a substantially hollow fixed housing. A matrix of markers, or “fiducials”, are located in the wall of the housing. A single fiducial is located near the distal end of the moveable test rod. The distal end portion of the moveable test rod is adapted to be connected to a motion actuator, which is programmed to oscillate the test rod in a predetermined pattern. When the test unit sub-assembly is inserted into a tissue equivalent phantom member, the combined sub-assembly and phantom member can then be subjected to four-dimensional imaging to generate a visual image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Vladmir Varchena
  • Radiation image photographing apparatus
    Patent number: 7699523
    Abstract: Radiation image photographing apparatus equipped with radiation source irradiating subject with radiation, detector holding part holding radiation image detector that detects radiation that is emitted from radiation source and is transmitted through subject, subject table that is arranged between the radiation source and detector holding part and holds subject, and with holding device that holds the radiation source, the subject table and the detector holding part so that phase contrast image may be generated, wherein an edge portion of the subject table is protruded toward the opposite side of the holding device beyond the edge portion of the detector holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuko Shinden
  • Utility bag for promotional materials
    Patent number: 7699524
    Abstract: A utility bag for carrying and distributing a plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials includes a housing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and including, in combination, a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of sides panels and a bottom panel, wherein the combination forms an internal compartment open at one end, and wherein the internal compartment is sized to receive such plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials. A handle or flexible strap is connected to the housing for carrying such bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph L. Moore, Sr.
  • Support arrangement for a machine portal and method for manufacture of such a support arrangement
    Patent number: 7699525
    Abstract: A support arrangement for a machine portal includes a lightweight support structure and a row of base segments supporting at least one guide rail of a linear drive on the support structure. Both the base segments and the guide rail exhibit different thermal expansion behavior from the support structure. The base segments are fixed at a distance from their edges by fixing screws to respective fastening members extending into the support structure. The base segments define at least one step on which they support the guide rail with a positive fit. The guide rail is fixed to the support structure by at least one expansion screw. The support arrangement maintains precise alignment of the guide rail while accommodating differing thermal expansions between the rail, base segments and support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: TRUMPF Sachsen GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Harnisch
  • Support dampers for bearing assemblies and methods of manufacture
    Patent number: 7699526
    Abstract: A support damper is provided for a bearing assembly to improve the damping capabilities of an uncentered squeeze film damper and to provide a support structure stiffness to minimize rotor to structure unbalance response. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, the support damper includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and U-shaped beams. The inner ring is configured to be disposed around the bearing assembly and to extend axially along a portion thereof. The outer ring is spaced apart from the inner ring and extends radially outwardly relative thereto. The U-shaped beams couple the inner ring to the outer ring. Methods of manufacturing the support damper are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. McMurray, Mohsiul Alam, Doug K. Spencer, Simeon A. Ning
  • Fluid bearing device
    Patent number: 7699527
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid dynamic bearing device in which it is possible to prevent detachment of the shaft member reliably and at low cost without involving any increase in the device size. In a thrust bearing portion T, the lower end surface of the shaft member is held in contact with a thrust plate, and the shaft member is rotatably supported in the thrust direction. Protrusions extending radially inwards are provided on a sealing portion attached to an opening of the housing, and these protrusions are engaged with a small diameter portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member, thereby preventing the shaft member from coming off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Komori, Seiji Shimizu
  • Dynamic bearing device
    Patent number: 7699528
    Abstract: A dynamic bearing device is provided, which can prevent abrasion powder generated when a sealing member is pushed into an inner circumference of a housing from entering the housing. A sealing member is inserted into an inner circumference of an opening of a housing with an adhesive interposed therebetween The adhesive moving forward in a pushing direction of the sealing member is retained by a capillary action in a lower tapered space between an outer circumference of the sealing member and the inner circumference of the housing. Abrasion powder is captured by the adhesive in the tapered space so as to be confined in the adhesive as a result of the setting of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Hori, Tetsuya Kurimura
  • Fluid dynamic bearing having pressure-generating surface patterns
    Patent number: 7699529
    Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing system having pressure-generating asymmetric surface patterns, having at least two bearing parts that are rotatable with respect to each other and form a bearing gap filled with a bearing fluid between associated bearing surfaces. The surface patterns are disposed on at least one bearing surface so that hydrodynamic pressure is generated within the bearing gap when the bearing parts rotate with respect to each other. Each surface pattern comprises at least three sections, each section generating a pumping action in a defined direction, and the pumping actions of adjacent sections being substantially aligned in opposite directions. Due to the special geometry of the surface patterns, tolerances in the geometry of the bearing gap have a less significant effect on the pre-defined pumping direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Engesser, Stefan Schwamberger
  • Oil scavenge system for gas turbine engine bearing cavity
    Patent number: 7699530
    Abstract: An oil scavenging system and method suitable for use in a gas turbine engine having a bearing housing. The bearing housing provides for arcuate slots within the housing and a plurality of peripherally arranged apertures disposed for cooperation with the arcuate slots. During rotation of the bearing and shaft, the rotational momentum induces rotation of the oil which distributes the oil to the peripheral circumference of the housing for eventual passage through the slots and apertures. The arrangement maximizes the use of the circumferential space of the bearing for efficient oil distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Daniel Blais
  • Wheel end assembly
    Patent number: 7699531
    Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes a carrier and a wheel bearing assembly, and an outside inner race is integrally formed with a spindle of the wheel bearing assembly. The wheel end assembly includes: a carrier having a cylindrical member on its one side and a second through pipe on its other side; and a wheel bearing assembly comprising a spindle integrally formed with an outside inner race on its one side and having an insert groove on its other side, a hub having an outer race having ball receiving members receiving balls, an inside inner race provided on the inner side of the outer race by pressurization, and a seal member sealing a gap between the inside inner race and the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Iljin Bearing
    Inventor: Ki Ho Han
  • Bottom bracket assembly for bicycles
    Patent number: 7699532
    Abstract: A bottom bracket assembly for supporting the crank axle of a bicycle includes a bottom bracket and two bases are securely connected to two open ends of the bottom bracket. Each base has a bearing received in a recess defined in an end thereof. Two collars each have a neck which is inserted and engaged with a central hole of the bearing corresponding thereto and each neck has a tapered inner periphery. An axle extends through the two bearings and the two collars. Two positioning rings are positioned between the axle and the tapered inner periphery of the collar. Each positioning ring has a tapered outer periphery which is matched with the tapered inner periphery of the collar corresponding thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Chien Hao Lee
  • Back-to-back receptacle
    Patent number: 7699533
    Abstract: A back-to-back receptacle and system for providing selective interconnection between a pair of optic fibres. The system comprises a receptacle comprising a pair of back-to-back receptacle sockets, with at least a first of the sockets configured to one of a plurality of predefined receptacle keying geometries, a first connector plug terminating the first optic fibre, the plug adapted for insertion into the first receptacle socket, the plug configured to one of a plurality of predefined connector keying geometries and a second connector plug terminating the second optic fibre, the plug adapted for insertion into a second of the back-to-back receptacle sockets. At least one of the predefined connector keying geometries matches at least one of the predefined receptacle keying geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Belden CDT (Canada) Inc.
    Inventor: Luc Milette
  • Plastic ferrule
    Patent number: 7699534
    Abstract: A plastic ferrule (1) for optical connecting systems, in which a optical wave guide (3) of an optical fibre (6) is guided through a support element (2), whereby the optical wave guide (3) is surface-conditioned in a partial area (4) in order to bond in a force-actuated way to a hardened casting mass (5) in this partial area (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Reichle & De-Massari AG
    Inventors: Werner Leutwyler, Giorgio Friedrich, Oliver Eckstein, Rolf Weber
  • High energy fiber terminations and methods
    Patent number: 7699535
    Abstract: A ferrule and method are presented that fuses optical fibers, capillaries and the like to ferrules while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule and minimizing stresses within the assembly. Reduced deformation and stress is accomplished by providing high contact angles in a symmetrical, short section of fusion in fusing the component carried by the ferrule to the ferrule. It is particularly applicable to hermetic terminations of polymer clad fiber optics where irregular glass fusion joints cause irregular light leakage at the fiber launch but benefits are significant when used for other fiber and capillary architectures as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: InnovaQuartz Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen E. Griffin
  • Pluggable optical transceiver
    Patent number: 7699536
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new releasing mechanism form a cage on the host system for a pluggable optical transceiver. The transceiver includes an optical receptacle, an actuator with a hook that latches with the key hole of the cage, a bail attached so as to rotate in front of the receptacle and a release button. Rotating the bail or pushing the button will bring the seesaw motion of the actuator that disengages the hook with the keyhole and the transceiver is enabled to be extracted from the cage by picking the bail positioned in front of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yoshikawa, Hirokazu Sasaki
  • Optical port apparatus and method of making the same
    Patent number: 7699537
    Abstract: An optical port apparatus includes a housing having oppositely disposed first and second housing surfaces and a housing body extending therebetween. A housing aperture extends about a central axis of the housing body. A groove surrounds the housing aperture. The groove extends partially through the housing body and has a bottom groove surface spaced from the second housing surface by a groove side wall. A shelf is located between the groove and the housing aperture. A gasket is located in the groove adjacent the bottom groove surface. The gasket surrounds the housing aperture. A window is located across the housing aperture in contact with the shelf. An elastomeric adhesive is located in the groove between the groove side wall and at least one of the window and the gasket. A bezel is fastened to the second housing surface adjacent the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Harvey Pruss, Mark Thomas Scheitler, Carey Allen Nazarian, Rita Robin Walters, Michael P. Radochonski
  • Hermetically sealing member having optical transmission means, optoelectronic apparatus, and optical transmission method
    Patent number: 7699538
    Abstract: A hermetically sealing member with an optical transmission means transmits an optical signal economically and practically between the inside and the outside of a shielding member covering a printed-circuit board while sustaining the hermetically sealed state certainly. An optoelectronic device and an optical transmission method are also provided. A hermetically sealing member with an optical transmission means includes a gasket body fixed between a printed-circuit board and a sealing face of a shielding member, and a tape fiber formed integrally with the gasket body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Advantest Corp.
    Inventors: Yusuke Hayase, Atsushi Ono, Toshiyuki Okayasu
  • Connector for plastic optical fiber
    Patent number: 7699539
    Abstract: A plastic optical fiber connector includes an optical fiber connector having a plate body formed therein. On the plate body, a focusing hole is formed, the focusing hole having a holding portion extending outwardly from a side thereof. With provision of the plate body, two reception spaces are formed in the optical fiber connector, with one of which having a seat body on which an optical transceiver is provided therein, wherein a transceiver terminal of the optical transceiver is bonded to the focusing hole on the plate body. Further, a wire seat is sleeved within the optical fiber connector so that the holding portion is allowed to be placed into an optical fiber guiding hole of the wire seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Comoss Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eden Tsai
  • Optical fiber reinforcement processing apparatus and optical fiber reinforcement processing method
    Patent number: 7699540
    Abstract: An optical fiber reinforcement processing apparatus and reinforcement processing method are provided where it is not necessary to dispose a temperature detecting device such as a thermistor, and a heating control in which the detected temperature is not varied, the power consumption is low, and which is accurate is enabled. An optical fiber reinforcement processing apparatus in which a fusion-spliced portion of an optical fiber is covered by a heat-shrinkable reinforcing sleeve to perform reinforcement has: heating controlling means for performing a heating control on a heater which heats the reinforcing sleeve; and temperature detecting means for detecting a heating temperature of the heater on the basis of a change of the resistance of the heater. The heating control and the temperature detection are performed by controlling time periods of turning on/off a power supply to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Miyamori, Kazunari Hattori
  • Optical fiber fusion splicer and method for estimating a shape of beam discharged by the optical fiber fusion splicer
    Patent number: 7699541
    Abstract: The present invention is provided for fusion splicing optical fibers with low splice loss even when a shape of a discharge beam for the splicing is distorted. In the present invention, a preliminary discharge is performed with the optical fibers outside a discharge area and an image of the discharge beam thereof is picked up. Based on this image, brightness distributions of the discharge beam are estimated on a plurality of lines in a Z direction that are set in different positions in an X direction, and a discharge center of the beam is found from the plurality of brightness distributions. Then, the abutment portion of the optical fibers is positioned at the discharge center, and a main discharge is performed so as to fusion splice the distal ends of the optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd
    Inventors: Koji Ozawa, Hiroyuki Taya
  • Portable information terminal with camera
    Patent number: 7699542
    Abstract: A transparent plate is fixed to the body of a mobile phone with a camera in order to cover an aperture for photography. A solid-state image sensor (4) is placed on the image plane of a photographing optical system. Between a base plate having an aperture for regulating the optical path of photographing light and a cover plate having an aperture, a blade chamber for housing a shutter blade is provided, and an actuator for driving the shutter blade is fixed to the outer surface of the blade chamber. The base plate and the cover plate are arranged in the body so that the aperture is located between the transparent plate and the photographing optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuaki Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Ohzeki
  • Camera function actuator
    Patent number: 7699543
    Abstract: An actuator for use with a camera may include a wire and a first member coupled to the wire. The actuator may also include a second member coupled to the first member and a power source to supply power to the wire. When power is supplied to the wire, the wire may exert a force on the first member to move the first member and the second member and perform a function associated with the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Mats Wernersson
  • Focal plane shutter for cameras
    Patent number: 7699544
    Abstract: A shutter base plate is made of synthetic resin and is configured with one overhang section on the blade-chamber-side surface at one end of an arcuate slot and the other overhang section on the blade-chamber-outside surface. A shock absorbing member made from elastic material is configured with concave portions on the blade-chamber-side surface and three concave portions on the blade-chamber-outside surface. The shock absorbing member is mounted to the shutter base plate in such a way that these concave portions come in contact with the overhang sections, and as is well known, when an exposure operation is completed, the driving pin of a driving member abuts on the shock absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutaka Yamaguchi, Nobuyoshi Inoue
  • Shutter device and image pickup apparatus
    Patent number: 7699545
    Abstract: A shutter device includes a blade member and a detecting unit. The blade member includes a first blade, a second blade, a detection portion, and a limiting portion. The blade member controls a time of exposure, performed on a recording medium, on the basis of a magnitude of a width of a slit. The slit includes slit portions and is provided when the first and second blades travel. The slit portions are provided at the detection portion and limiting portion, respectively. The detecting unit detects a state of the slit width. A cut-away portion is provided at the blade member so that a width of the slit portion at the detection portion is greater than a width of the slit portion at the limiting portion. The detection portion is detected by the detecting unit. The limiting portion limits the exposure time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Namai
  • Light amount adjusting device and image capture apparatus
    Patent number: 7699546
    Abstract: A light amount adjusting device includes: a cover plate having a light-passing hole; a first separator being sheet-shaped and having a hole; a second separator being elastically deformable and sheet-shaped, positioned on a side opposite to the cover plate with the first separator therebetween, and having a hole; a first light amount adjusting blade movable between the cover plate and the first separator; a second light amount adjusting blade being movable between the first separator and the second separator; a base body to which the cover plate, the first separator, and the second separator are mounted, having a throughhole and mounting grooves, the throughhole being formed to have a diameter larger than a diameter of the hole of the second separator, the mounting grooves allowing the second separator to be mounted therein and being opened toward the throughhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Osoniwa, Yutaka Maeda, Hideo Ohkuma
  • Compact camera module
    Patent number: 7699547
    Abstract: A compact camera module mainly includes an image sensor chip, a module case and a lens module. The image sensor chip has an active surface, a back surface and a plurality of side surfaces, wherein a sensor region is formed in the active surface. A plurality of lateral contact fingers is formed on the side surfaces. The image sensor chip is plugged in a cave of the module case, a plurality of electrically contact components disposed on inside walls of the cave electrically connect the lateral contacting fingers. The lens module is mounted on the module case to seal the image sensor chip. Because the electrically contact components can replace the bonding wires to electrically connect the lateral contacting fingers, the compact camera module can be reworked and tiny.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiang Cheng
  • Ink sheet cartridge
    Patent number: 7699548
    Abstract: An ink sheet cartridge, requiring no adhesive, capable of inhibiting the number of components from increase is obtained. This ink sheet cartridge comprises first and second case portions storing an ink sheet as well as a first hook portion and a first hook engaging portion integrally provided on the first and second case portions respectively. Either the first case portion or the second case portion is so slid as to engage the first hook portion with the first hook engaging portion, thereby fixing the first and second case portions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouichi Chikumoto
  • Ink ribbon cartridge
    Patent number: 7699549
    Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge includes spools each including a ratchet gear in one end portion. A cartridge body includes integrally formed resilient engagement pieces each including a ratchet portion that engages and disengages the ratchet gear of the respective spool and a compressed portion that is compressed by a compressing portion of a thermal transfer printer apparatus. When the ink ribbon cartridge is installed in the thermal transfer printer apparatus, the resilient engagement pieces behave such that the compressed portions are compressed by the compressing portions of the thermal transfer printer apparatus. Thereby, engagement between the ratchet gears of the respective spools and the ratchet portions is released, and the spools become rotatable in the cartridge body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Dochi, Hitoshi Kamoda
  • Modular printer
    Patent number: 7699550
    Abstract: A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Datamax Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Bouverie, Kenneth Colonel, Christopher Roy Christensen, Dwayne Tobin, Jay Huberty, Ron Consiglio, Fred Scofield, Mark Hitz, George Vazac, Richard Hatle
  • Cleaning device with squirter
    Patent number: 7699551
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning device with a squirter for squirting liquid forward of a cleaning head. The cleaning head has a nozzle head with a nozzle. A liquid receiving part is provided to extend from beneath an orifice of the nozzle toward a front face of the cleaning head. Liquid dripping from the orifice of the nozzle can be led down an inclined top face of the liquid receiving part to the outside of the cleaning head, preventing the cleaning head from being soiled with a detergent, a wax or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomokazu Suda, Yoshinori Tanaka, Masatoshi Fujiwara
  • Pump system for a personal care appliance
    Patent number: 7699552
    Abstract: A pump (10) for a personal care appliance which includes a flexible fluid cartridge member (12) having an exit opening (17) for the fluid at a forward end thereof (16), a base member (24) having a cutout portion (26) into which a fluid-filled portion (14) of the cartridge (24) can nest, and a pressing member (32) having a configuration which nests with the cutout portion over a substantial portion of its length, such that as the pressing member moves forwardly along its path, fluid in the fluid-filled portion is pressed out the exit opening and into a line connected to a workpiece element, such as a toothbrush brushhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Grez, Scott E. Hall
  • Binder and multi-function binder hold down page
    Patent number: 7699553
    Abstract: A binder hold down page of multifunction construction. The hold down page is equipped with at least one article holder. The hold down page has a hold down surface opposite an outer surface, at least one of which is configured with an article holder of integral construction. A plurality of article holders can be provided, each for holding a different type of article. In one preferred embodiment, both surfaces are configured with at least one article holder. In another preferred embodiment, both surfaces are configured with a plurality of article holders. A hold down page constructed in accordance with the invention is retained along one side in a binder. The hold down page preferably also is releasably latched to the binder along a side of the page that is spaced from the side captured by the binder. Rings can be used to retain the hold down page in the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Adam Merzon
  • Removable seal carrier for blowout preventer bonnet assembly
    Patent number: 7699554
    Abstract: A bonnet assembly for a blowout preventer uses a seal carrier that is removable so as to allow for efficient and easy seal replacement. The seal carrier has: a recess adapted to at least partially embed a seal for sealing the bonnet assembly to a body of the blowout preventer; and a first connecting rod coupled to and extending from an inner surface of the seal carrier, where the first connecting rod has a fastening structure proximal to a distal end of the first connecting rod, where the fastening structure is adapted to engage with a first fastening device, and where the seal carrier is removable from the bonnet assembly when the first fastening device is disengaged from the fastening structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: Edward R. Hemphill, William R. Holland, Michael W. Berckenhoff
  • Mounting assembly with releasable lock
    Patent number: 7699555
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for releasably mounting a rear light member to a body member of a vehicle. The mounting assembly comprises a locking member. The locking member includes a sleeve-like mounting portion adapted to be fixed to the support member, and a first locking portion integrally joined to the mounting portion. The first locking portion is adapted to snappingly engage a matingly shaped second locking portion of the structural member for retaining it. The mounting assembly further comprises a release pin axially slidably in the mounting portion of the locking member. The release pin has a shaft portion axially project from the sleeve-shaped mounting portion and is adapted to be axially displaced for releasing the two locking portions from being snappingly engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Bollhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Dembowsky, Hans-Ullrich Figge, Martin Jodeleit
  • Bolted flanged connection on a basis of shape memory effect and inverse flexion flange design
    Patent number: 7699556
    Abstract: A Bolted Flanged Connection (BFC) includes “negative creep” bolts with cores manufactured from Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) and “negative creep” gasket manufactured from the same SMA. The gasket is shape-memorized to the “swelling”, and bolt cores are shape-memorized to the compression. Temperature interval of reverse martensitic phase transformation of SMA is close to operational temperature interval of the assembly. The constrained shape recovery of the gasket and bolt cores is combined with inverse flexion flange design that constitutes original type of BFC with feature to inhibit flange rotation and creep of bolts and gasket under conditions of a variety of operational temperatures and internal pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Anatoly Efremov
  • Aquifer replenishment system
    Patent number: 7699557
    Abstract: A concrete structure for replenishing an aquifer and a method for constructing the same is provided. The structure is comprised of a pavement layer with surface drains that extend through the pavement layer and into an aggregate leach field. The leach field includes leach lines spanning the leach field. An aggregate drain extends from the leach field into a sand lens. Precipitation which falls upon the structure thus flows through the surface drain, absorbed into the aggregate leach field, and transported to the aggregate drains by way of aggregate leach lines. The water is then absorbed into the sand lens, ultimately replenishing the aquifer. Existing conventional pavement structures are retrofitted by the removal of a section of the pavement, and filling the same with porous concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lithocrete, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee A. Shaw, Ronald D. Shaw
  • Anti-ram system and method of installation
    Patent number: 7699558
    Abstract: An anti-ram system and method of construction having a shallow mounted base pad from which extend a plurality of bollards. Very little or only a shallow excavation is required for the base of the bollard system, which can be partially or fully assembled prior to bringing it to the installation site. The shallow mounting pad or base of the bollard system of this invention may be formed or constructed in various ways and of various materials, and in various configurations. The shallow mounting pad or base is constructed so as to have considerable mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: RSA Protective Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Adler, John Crawford
  • Device and method for modifying the layout of a vehicle racing course
    Patent number: 7699559
    Abstract: A device for modifying the layout of a vehicle racing course in a wide track section thereof including an arrangement consisting of individual elements for defining the edge of the track located in the region of the track section, which can be displaced, either individually or in groups, from an initial configuration of the track section into a new configuration for reshaping a bend in the racing course or/and for dividing the racing course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Albrecht von Linde
  • Dump element, method for forming a spatial structure from dump elements, as well as spatial structure formed from dump elements
    Patent number: 7699560
    Abstract: Dump element for forming a spatial structure (500, 501) such as a filtering or skeleton construction with such dumped dump elements. The dump element (99) comprises a first elongated, curved hook part (1), a second elongated, curved hook part (2), and a spacer (3) between the first (1) and the second hook part (2), which spacer holds said hook parts (1, 2) spaced apart and interlocks them. With a method for forming a spatial structure, dumped dump elements randomly interlock. In a spatial structure, hook parts of individual dump elements lying near each other interlock while then, the hook parts intersect in their longitudinal directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Anome B.V.
    Inventor: Joseph Maria Hoebe
  • Method and system for storing liquid in a geological formation
    Patent number: 7699561
    Abstract: A method for improving the recovery efficiency of storing fresh water into an aquifer, the storing includes injecting the fresh water and extracting the injected fresh water by a single water storage system that includes at least one well penetrating into the aquifer, the method includes: providing a plurality of screens, each screen being located alongside a wall of at least one well, and each screen respectively allowing a flow of fresh water between an associated storage zone in contact with the screen and the well on which the screen is located; controlling the flow of fresh water through each one of the plurality of screens according to parameters provided from a storage model of the aquifer, the storage model describing a behavior of each storage zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dominic McCann, Rolf Hermann
  • Liner assembly for a sand trap
    Patent number: 7699562
    Abstract: A liner assembly (322) for a sand trap (10) includes a retainer layer (329) that is positioned between a base (18) of the sand trap (10) and a filling material (16) within a cavity (13) of the sand trap (10). The retainer layer (329) is covered by the filling material (16) so that the retainer layer (329) is substantially unexposed. The retainer layer (329) includes a plurality of spaced apart projections (330) that can be formed from plastic, such as synthetic turf material. In certain embodiments, the filling material (16) fills the spaces between the projections (330). The retainer layer (329) can be substantially water impermeable and can cover at least approximately a majority of the surface area of the cavity (13). The retainer layer (329) can be positioned within the cavity at an angle (328) that is at least 10 degrees relative to the horizontal (300).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin L. Clark
  • Landfill and method of decomposing refuse in a landfill
    Patent number: 7699563
    Abstract: Landfills and their methods of operation are disclosed. Through the controlled introduction of septage into a wet cell having a refuse layer, refuse decomposes faster to achieve additional landfill space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Virdis Waste Control, LLC
    Inventors: Murugappan Subbarayan, John Lawrence O'Keefe, Te-Yang Soong, Jan M. O'Keefe
  • Self-contained keyhold weld fitting and method of use
    Patent number: 7699564
    Abstract: A method of attaching a branch outlet fitting to a metal pipe buried beneath the earth's surface while causing reduced disturbance to the earth above the pipe, comprising digging a vertical excavation from the earth's surface to expose a short length of the pipe; positioning a first fitting portion on a lower surface of the pipe; positioning a second fitting portion on an upper surface of the pipe in alignment with the first fitting portion, the first and second fitting portions having welding material thereon adjacent the pipe surfaces and each other; and from the earth's surface, activating the welding material to physically and sealably secure the fitting portions to the pipe and to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian S. Shaw
  • Radius endmill
    Patent number: 7699565
    Abstract: A radius endmill has a peripheral cutting edge, a bottom cutting edge, and a rounded corner cutting edges whose ridge line is defined by a circular arc having a given radius as measured in a side view of the endmill that is parallel to the axis. The rounded corner cutting edge is located in a corner portion of the endmill in which the outer peripheral and the axial end intersect each other such that the peripheral cutting edge and the bottom cutting edge are connected to each other through the rounded corner cutting edge. The bottom cutting edge has a radially inner end lying at the axis, and a radially outer end at which the bottom cutting edge is connected to the rounded corner cutting edge. The bottom cutting edge is curved such that its ridge line is defined by a circular arc as seen in a plan view of the endmill that is perpendicular to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: OSG Corporation, BTT Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Aoki
  • Tool chuck with sleeve and clutch mechanism
    Patent number: 7699566
    Abstract: A tool chuck may include a chuck body defining a longitudinal axis. A sleeve may be mounted on the chuck body and axially fixed relative to the chuck body. A clutch part may be provided on the sleeve. The clutch part may interact with a cooperating clutch part mounted on the power driver housing. The cooperating clutch part may be mounted on the power driver housing for movement between a first axial position in which the chuck body is rotatable together with the sleeve, and a second axial position in which the chuck body is rotatable relative to the sleeve to actuate the tool chuck. The chuck body may be rotatable in a first direction to actuate the tool chuck up to a first torque threshold, and rotatable in a second direction to actuate the tool chuck up to a second, different torque threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Nickels, Jr., John E. Buck, Daniel Puzio