Patents Issued in May 4, 2010
  • Patent number: 7708263
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes: a housing that has a sheet member feed-in port on a side of one side surface thereof; a feed-in mechanism disposed in a second conveyance passage to feed the sheet member from the sheet member feed-in port to a side of a junction point between a first conveyance passage and the second conveyance passage. The feed-in mechanism includes: a feed-in roller that feeds the sheet member into the sheet member feed-in port; a separation member disposed on a downstream side in a conveyance direction of the sheet member with respect to the feed-in roller; and a separation roller. An opposition position between the separation member and the separation roller is located further from the one side surface than the first conveyance passage and is located closer to the one side surface than the junction point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Yano, Atsushi Miwa
  • Patent number: 7708264
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device, having: a sheet feeding tray which stacks a paper sheet bundle formed by a plurality of sheets; a first blower which blows air to a side edge of the paper sheet bundle stacked on the sheet feeding tray; a second blower which blows air to a leading edge of the paper sheet bundle in a sheet conveyance direction from a forward side of the paper sheet bundle in the sheet conveyance direction; and an adsorption conveyance section which adsorbs a topmost sheet of the paper sheet bundle stacked on the sheet feeding tray and conveys the topmost sheet, wherein a first area in which the adsorption conveyance section is provided, and a second area in which a ventilation port of the first blower is provided, respectively includes an overlapping area in which the first area and the second area overlap on the sheet conveyance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Kosugi, Daisuke Ueda, Tomoo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7708265
    Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a housing having a cassette housing part recessed horizontally from the front surface toward the depth direction and a sheet feed cassette that can be drawn from the cassette housing part. The sheet feed cassette has an open top for storing sheets of paper. The sheet feeder includes a pressure plate provided pivotably about a first pivot so as to be inclined downwardly toward the depth direction of the sheet feed cassette and a pressure mechanism that presses sheets of paper against a pick-up roller when the sheet feed cassette is pushed into the cassette housing part. The sheet feeder includes a pressure plate regulation mechanism that inclines the pressure plate downwardly toward the depth direction while separating sheets of paper on the pressure plate or the pressure plate from the pick-up roller when the sheet feed cassette is drawn from the cassette housing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuro Kusama
  • Patent number: 7708266
    Abstract: A sheet feeder comprising: a feed roller which feeds sheet by rotating in contact with the sheet; a separation roller which is disposed at a downstream side of a sheet feeding direction; a supporting member which supports the feed roller and the separation roller, the supporting member is supported so as to be swingable around the rotation axis of the separation roller; a drive source which drives the supporting member so as to swing; an arm pivot which is disposed between the drive source and the supporting member; a first arm which is disposed at a side of the drive source; and a second arm which is disposed at a side of the supporting member, the second arm is able to be separated from the first arm; wherein the first arm and the second arm are integrally swung around the arm pivot by the drive source, thereby the supporting member swinging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsuo Hirose
  • Patent number: 7708267
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes stacker for stacking a sheet material; a feed roller for separating the sheet material stacked on the stacker; a rotatable separation roller rotatable by being driven by the feed roller; and a torque limiter for controlling rotation of the separation roller; wherein a second or subsequent sheet material staying in a nip between the feed roller and the separation roller is separated from the separation roller by a rotational direction of the feed roller being changed from a forward rotational direction to a backward direction and by a rotational direction of the separation roller being changed to a backward direction by the feed roller during a first sheet material which is in contact to the feed roller being nipped by the nip; and a first sheet material is fed toward downstream of the nip by the rotational direction of the feed roller being changed from the backward direction to the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Shigeno
  • Patent number: 7708268
    Abstract: A pile of sheets is held by a separator/feeder and a vibrator is brought into contact with a first region of the pile with a first contact pressure. High frequency vibrations are applied from the vibrator to the sheet. A takeout mechanism is brought into contact with and pressed against the pile with a second contact pressure and sheets are taken out one by one from the top surface of the pile by the takeout mechanism. A first sensor detects the position of the vibrator and outputs a first detection signal, while a second sensor detects the uppermost surface of the pile and outputs a second detection signal. A control section selects first and second contact pressures according to the first and second detection signals and maintains the first and second contact pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kiminori Toya, Hideki Nukada, Yuko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7708269
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a stacking plate, a sheet stacker, and a damping member. The stacking plate is liftably supported in the sheet stacker and is adapted for sheets to be fed into a sheet processing apparatus to be stacked thereon. The sheet stacker is adapted to be movable between a housed position where the stacker is housed in a housing and an exposed position where the stacking plate is exposed outside of the housing. The damping member is adapted to exert on the sheet stacker a damping force according to moving speed of the sheet stacker, thereby limiting the moving speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Nakashima, Toyoaki Nanba
  • Patent number: 7708270
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a media handling system is provided to transfer media through an image forming device having a primary media path and a duplex media path. The media handling system includes a media feeder configured to input media into the duplex media path of the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric L. Andersen, Wesley Alan Fujii, Anthony J. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7708271
    Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating sheets in a stack, such as would be used in a printer or copier, comprises a tray for retaining sheets. A conductive member, which may include brush filaments, is disposed less than 10 mm from a location of an edge of the sheets, and does not contact any sheets on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Wilbert Lee Major, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7708272
    Abstract: A method and device for forming a stack of sheets including a delivery surface, and also a stop and a pusher element movable in the direction of the stop, and also a guide which can occupy a first and a second position, in which the first position a sheet can be received in the guide, and in which the second position a guide path is formed, wherein the freedom of movement of the sheet edge is substantially limited in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pushing direction and substantially perpendicular to the delivery surface of the preceding sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Franciscus C. P. Van Opstal
  • Patent number: 7708273
    Abstract: A paper sheet processing apparatus including: an insertion slot into which a paper sheet is inserted, a paper sheet conveyance mechanism for conveying the paper sheet inserted into the insertion slot, a paper sheet traveling route through which the paper sheet is conveyed, a sensor for detecting the paper sheet existence in the paper sheet traveling route, a pair of contact members for holding the paper sheet, a driving source for moving one of the pair of contact members toward the other, and a control device for controlling driving of the driving source. Either of the pair of contact members is driven to convey the paper sheet. The control device controls the driving force to move either of the pair of contact members such that the pair of contact members are kept apart before the paper sheet is inserted and that the pair of contact members become closer to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Nireki
  • Patent number: 7708274
    Abstract: In a card processing apparatus a card tray and, a card-transporting device are provided. A device for sensing the position or detention of a card in the card tray and a holding device for a card that has stopped in an irregular manner in the card tray due to manipulation of the card-processing apparatus, are also included. The holding device is activated if a change in the position of the card is not detected even though a conveying signal has been issued to the card-conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Neubauer, Thorsten Kulik, Martin Landwehr
  • Patent number: 7708275
    Abstract: A paper materials sorting apparatus that includes note denomination discriminating mechanism for discriminating the paper materials based on note denominations of the paper materials, cassette assignment mechanism for assigning each of a plurality of wrapping devices and/or storage devices a note denomination, and a sorting mechanism for sorting the paper materials in accordance with their note denomination and for directing the sorted paper materials to the corresponding assigned wrapping devices and/or storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takeshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 7708276
    Abstract: An easy-to-use, inexpensive, and small sheet conveying device, which can stably and separately convey not only sheets of a fixed size that are normally used, but also highly rigid sheets and special sheets, and can further separately convey a bent sheet reliably. In a sheet conveying path switching device having a sheet carrying-in path and a switching separating nail, outlines of two separating/conveying paths out of a plurality of separating/conveying paths positioned on a downstream side of the switching separating nail are configured by a movable belt surface, the two separating/conveying paths being located closer to the separating nail than the other separating/conveying paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Okamoto, Hiroyuki Watase, Masayuki Ueda, Kenji Ueda, Yasuhiro Sagawa, Hiroshi Kajiyama, Yoshikuni Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7708277
    Abstract: A sheet delivery includes an endless conveyor for conveying printed sheets, and also comprises a secondary gripper with a gripper bar by way of which the printed sheets are received from the conveyor at their trailing edges and deposited on a delivery stack. A coupler transmission generates an annular circulatory movement of the gripper bar. The coupler transmission has criss-crossing oscillating cranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Markus Möhringer, Stefan Mutschall
  • Patent number: 7708278
    Abstract: A fishing game is played with a rod, a reel, and line. A holder is connected to the end of the line and an engaging fabric marker is removably attached to the holder. The holder and marker are cast at a target having an engaging fabric surface. If the marker lands on the target, it remains engaged to the target and separates from the holder when the line is retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: G. Theodore Norbits
  • Patent number: 7708279
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a logical board game featuring hexagonal primary playing fields as a playing area, and pieces, the primary playing fields being congruent geometrical figures that form a regular six-pointed star-shaped playing area that has axes of symmetry, one playing field of which is at the center of the playing area, and that the primary playing fields adjoin, by at least two of their sides, their neighboring primary playing fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Laszlo Polgar
  • Patent number: 7708280
    Abstract: A poker game wherein conditions for a player's hand(s) and a dealer's hand(s) are different such that the player may have different probabilities of winning than the dealer. Payouts are adjusted such that the player's hands are disadvantaged compared to the dealer (e.g., the dealer can have more cards in the dealer's hand) so that the player's payouts may be more than even money to compensate for long odds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Olympian Gaming LLC
    Inventor: Stacy Friedman
  • Patent number: 7708281
    Abstract: A method of sealing a joint between components especially in an aircraft comprises the steps of identifying the sealing gap to be sealed; selecting a suitable sealing material having a fractional maximum sealing thickness and a fractional fully-compressed thickness and selecting a suitable thickness of that sealing material, based on a consideration of the fractional maximum sealing thickness and the fractional fully-compressed thickness of the sealing material and on the sealing gap; locating, between the mating surfaces of the components to be sealed, the suitable thickness of the suitable sealing material; and fastening the components together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus UK Limited
    Inventor: Colin John West
  • Patent number: 7708282
    Abstract: A gasket for the cylinder head of a motor-vehicle engine includes a body including a polymeric matrix containing a reinforcement material including a dispersion of nanofibers or nanotubes of electrically conductive material. Each nanotube or nanofiber has a substantially elongated shape. A uniform distribution of electrodes is associated to the body. Two layers of electrically insulating material are arranged on the top and bottom surfaces of the body, one on top of and one underneath the polymeric matrix, and designed to insulate electrically the dispersion of nanofibers or nanotubes contained therein. Control and processing means are designed to be connected to any pair of electrodes of the distribution for determining any variation of load applied in an axial direction to the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Antonino Veca, Stefano Alacqua, Alessandro Zanella, Gianfranco Innocenti
  • Patent number: 7708283
    Abstract: A split mechanical composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The split mechanical composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith. A holder assembly receives one seal element and may include a double-angled lead-in to facilitate installation of the seal element. The holder assembly may include a detent groove for receiving and retaining an O-ring disposed about the seal element. The static housing may comprise two mating segments having overlapping surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: A.W. Chesterton Company
    Inventors: Henri V. Azibert, Christopher A. Kowalski, Ann T. Attenasio
  • Patent number: 7708284
    Abstract: The invention provides a seal for a rotatable shaft. The seal includes an inner case mountable to the shaft and having a body and first and second flanges extending radially outward from the body. The seal includes first and second sealing discs operable to seal against the first and second flanges of the inner case. The sealing discs are immovably associated with a housing spaced from the shaft. A spring encircles the shaft and inner case to urge the sealing discs against the flanges. The spring rate of the spring is controlled to enhance sealing, reduce turning torque, and extend life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Federal-Mogal World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Mormile, Mark D. Vinton
  • Patent number: 7708285
    Abstract: A mechanical composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The mechanical composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: A.W. Chesterton Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Grimanis, Joseph K. Kaleshian
  • Patent number: 7708286
    Abstract: A storage tank orifice flexible center mount sealing device comprising a first annular member being substantially flexible having a annular channel, a central orifice and a mating surface, wherein the mating surface is operably configured to be disposed against a wall of a container; and, a second annular member being substantially rigid having a central orifice, wherein the second annular member is disposed in the annular channel and the members are coaxially aligned. The sealing device further comprises a sealing boot disposed on the first annular member, wherein an enclosed environment is defined by the first annular member, the wall and a conduit, which passes through the wall, the central orifices of the first and second members and the sealing boot, wherein mounting hardware used to secure the first and second members to the wall are protected in the enclosed environment and first annular member has a boot mounting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Drew P. Henry
  • Patent number: 7708287
    Abstract: A collet assembly that holds two disks to be processed simultaneously uses alternating pressure zones to press against the inner diameter of the disks to hold them in place in a processing machine. While the disks to be processed are typically media disks, any type of disk processing can make use of the collet assembly of the present invention. Each pressure zone includes a contact surface on a chuck blade. When a travel stroke is initiated by an actuating device (typically an air cylinder), the drawbar pulls an angled expander rearward. The expander urges the chuck blades outward. Half of the pressure zones apply pressure (via the contact surfaces on the chuck blades) to the first disk, while the other half of the contact surfaces press against the second disk, so that both disks are held securely in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Fourte Design & Development LLC
    Inventor: Iggoni Sunga Fajardo
  • Patent number: 7708288
    Abstract: A chuck including a cylindrical body with a nose section and a tail section, the nose section having an axial bore formed therein. A sleeve is rotatably mounted about the body. Rotation of the sleeve in a closing direction moves the jaws toward a longitudinal axis of the axial bore and rotation of the sleeve in an opening direction moves the jaws away from the longitudinal axis. An O-ring is disposed adjacent the sleeve in a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. A bearing has a first race adjacent the body, a second race adjacent the sleeve and bearing elements therebetween. One race defines a ratchet and the other of the first race and the second race defines a pawl biased toward the ratchet. The O-ring biases the pawl toward the ratchet and when the pawl engages the ratchet prevents the second race from rotating in the opening direction with respect to the first race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Jacobs Chuck Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Eugen A. Bordeianu, Michael C. Goodson, Allan R. Grovo, Thomas E. Warner
  • Patent number: 7708289
    Abstract: A multiple tube, multiple lights effects neon or fluorescent lighting system for a skateboard produces a variety of controlled light effects and combinations. A pair of high strength colored protective transparent elongated casings house the light tubes. The casings are removably attached in a highly visible position on the side edges of a skateboard or under the skateboard adjacent to the side edges. The casings are secured by industrial strength mating hook and loop fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Richard A. Jaime, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7708290
    Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention provide a modular mobile workstation with storage capacity. The apparatus has a modular shell that can be used for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to, a stool and low table combination, a table and coat-rack combination, and a high table combination. The modular shell encloses a removable inner shell that can be used to store goods while traveling with the unit. In one embodiment, two large wheels cap the respective ends of the shell and allow the apparatus to roll freely behind a user. A multi-use handle is also included with the apparatus. In one embodiment, the handle is collapsible and is secured to the apparatus by a securing scarf, which also serves to hold the interlocking pieces of the outer shell together. The unit is useful for travelers needing a mobile workspace, and prevents the need for additional luggage, as it also provides storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Jeff Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7708291
    Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle that has an improved dual front wheel steering system that allows the vehicle to be maneuvered by a combination of arm and leg steering movements coupled with front end leaning that shifts the center of mass of the vehicle down and toward the inside wheel. This transfer of mass counteracts a conventional cornering vehicle's tendency to fling its mass to the outside wheel and lift the inner wheel off the ground as well as changing the angle of the line of force exerted through the tires, and enhancing the vehicles's grip on the ground. The vehicle has a reduced amount of sliding and potential of flipping when turning sharply. The steering system is compatible with traditional ACKERMAN steering geometry wherein the inner wheel turns in a smaller diameter circle than the outer wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Laddie Gene Henderson
  • Patent number: 7708292
    Abstract: In a riding mower having a frame, a mower deck supported beneath the frame, a chair on said frame and a source of motive power also supported on said frame. The frame is supported on forward and rear wheel assemblies, and the wheel assemblies each have a supporting wheel, each wheel assembly having a vibration damping system interposed between the frame and each wheel assembly. The vibration damping system comprising at least one pillow interposed between the frame and each wheel assembly and each pillow being of a resilient material for absorbing shock and vibration resulting from a wheel contacting irregularities in the terrain traversed thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Bad Boy, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Foster
  • Patent number: 7708293
    Abstract: This invention relates to individual wheel drives for individually suspended, spring-mounted wheels of a vehicle comprising one universal joint shaft (2) connecting the output shaft socket (10) of a drive device with the input shaft socket of a wheel, having one main section (4) and at least one end section (8) situated on one end thereof, via a universal joint (6), rotatingly coupled with the associated shaft socket (10), the universal joint shaft (2) having a permanent inclination which compensates an offset between drive device and wheel, and means being provided for reducing a permanent deviation defined by the inclination. The end section (8) associated with the universal joint (6) and the shaft socket (10) coupled therewith are coupled with each other via a bevel wheel pair (16, 18), the deflection angle ? of which corresponding at least partly with the corresponding permanent deflection angle between universal joint shaft (2) and shaft socket (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Max Bachmann
  • Patent number: 7708294
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided having a cargo area, a passenger compartment, and a detachable dual-use platform which is connectable to the cargo area to form a ramp, and to the underside of the vehicle to form a running board. The platform is supported by brackets at either end when used as a running board, and includes an internal locking mechanism. A platform apparatus is also provided for accessing the vehicle, including a first locator portion that is adjacent to the cargo area, and a dual-use platform portion having a step surface on one side and a second locator portion on an opposite side. The locator portions are mutually engageable to secure the platform to the cargo area. A method is also provided for accessing the vehicle, including configuring a platform for alternate attachment adjacently to the passenger compartment as a running board and adjacently to the cargo area as a ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Demick
  • Patent number: 7708295
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission assembly that is mountable to a bottom bracket shell of a bicycle frame. The bicycle transmission assembly includes an input crank assembly, an output chainring, a planetary gear mechanism, a control system and a mounting system. The planetary gear mechanism is mounted coaxially about an axis of the bottom bracket shell and provides a plurality of transmission paths. The control system is operatively connected to the planetary gear mechanism for selecting one of the transmission paths. The mounting system mounts the planetary gear mechanism and the control system to the bottom bracket shell. The mounting system includes at least one attachment point disposed on at least one frame boss extending radially outwardly from the bottom bracket shell. The control system is mounted nonrotatably to the at least one attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Wesling, Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 7708296
    Abstract: A bicycle fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs. The damping assembly includes lock-out and blow-off compression circuits. These compression circuits are externally adjustable without tools. Furthermore, these two compression circuits may be adjusted independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William Becker, Brian Lampman
  • Patent number: 7708297
    Abstract: There is described a bicycle (1) in which the rear wheel (3) is provided with a planetary hub gearbox (17) and is mounted on a single rear arm (13) positioned to one side of the rear wheel. The planetary gearbox comprises an outer casing (19) having an external bearing surface to engage a bearing mounted to the rear arm (13) of the bicycle, and releaseable mounting means for attaching the rear wheel (3) of the bicycle to the outer casing (19) of the planetary hub gearbox (17). The rear arm is of tubular or hollow construction, with the drive chain (15) or belt running enclosed within the rear arm (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Karbon Kinetics Limited
    Inventor: Richard Thorpe
  • Patent number: 7708298
    Abstract: A method of preventing motorcycle repair injuries includes a motorcycle having a handlebar. A grip and a lever are attached to and form a terminal end of the handlebar. A primary sleeve has an end wall and a perimeter wall that is attached the end wall. The perimeter wall has a distal end with respect to the end wall. The distal end defines a primary opening into an interior of the primary sleeve. The grip extends into the primary opening and is covered by the primary sleeve. The primary sleeve prevents injury to a mechanic working on the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Michael C. Folsom
  • Patent number: 7708299
    Abstract: A frameless modular trailer for towing behind a motor vehicle is provided. The trailer is made of slidably coupled extrusions for easy assembly. The front and side panels include a protrusion on the top surface. This protrusion allows for the stacking of additional panels for vary the height of the trailer. Additionally, one of a variety of top panels may be stacked on the front and side panels to multiple configurations for securing objects within the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Smart Transport Solutions
    Inventors: Bernard Duval, Scott Boyd, Joel Nehring, Mark Adams
  • Patent number: 7708300
    Abstract: A positioning guide for aiding connection of a fifth wheel towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, where the fifth wheel towed vehicle has a pin box assembly. A mirror is secured to a cover for the pin box assembly, the mirror being located at an orientation so that it is visible from the towing vehicle when the cover is attached to the pin box assembly. The mirror may be convex and located in a cowl forming part of a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Paul, Andrew M. Murray
  • Patent number: 7708301
    Abstract: A tow cable mounting structure for an agricultural tractor that includes a pin-connection feature for a tow cable so that an easily accessible tow connection anchored to the tractor frame can be provided on the tractor. The mounting structure includes a contoured end portion and a bracing structure to manage stress distribution in the mounting structure and the tractor chassis thereby enabling the attachment mount to be added to a tractor with minimal alteration of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: John T. Rasset, Landon J. Fries, Daniel M. Glood, Budan Yao
  • Patent number: 7708302
    Abstract: Snowboards are provided that consolidate and redirect a portion of the weight and forces of the rider to the optimal locations (near the edges and near the longitudinal center of the board), providing excellent turning and control and providing impact absorption when landing from a jump. In some implementations, an adjustable spring suspension system allows custom optimization of both the turning and ride characteristics of the snowboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Anton F. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7708303
    Abstract: Though the sport of snowboarding is not new, it has taken many years to understand the specific characteristics which are required for making snowboards. There is better understanding of the dynamic bending properties needed for current riders, especially for the competition driven rider whose demands require boards with different tip, tail and middle characteristics. Early snowboard designers understood the use of snowboards as articles for gliding down a snow covered slope making long curving turns, where tips and tails would be as stiff as the middle core. But now, the boards are jumped into the air, launching from half pipes edges and sliding down steel rails, requiring different flex contours. Snowboards are now required to be very flexible yet elastic being required to bend convexly and concavely, yet springing back to their shape immediately, with some riders wanting stiff tips or soft tails or a combination of both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Yankee SnowBoards LLC
    Inventor: Steven Inge
  • Patent number: 7708304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag assembly comprising: a folded airbag adapted to be inflated and deployed into a passenger compartment upon detection of a collision, a chute for guiding the airbag when it is inflated, the chute extending between the folded airbag and a deployment opening, wherein the chute widens into a side direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Loew, Kenneth John Kwasnik
  • Patent number: 7708305
    Abstract: The airbag apparatus includes an airbag folded and housed in a housing. The airbag includes an outer bag constituting an outer wall of the airbag and an inner bag disposed inside the outer bag. The inner bag includes an outlet port supplying inflation gas into the outer bag and an arm inflatable into a tapered bag contour. The arm holds down a peripheral defected region of the outer bag defected from the housing onto a top plane of a ring of a steering wheel all the while that the inner bag remains completely inflated at the operation of the airbag apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohiko Ishiguro, Michihisa Asaoka
  • Patent number: 7708306
    Abstract: An occupant restraining device is disclosed, in which stress applied to a stitch section of a sewn bag can be dispersed at the time of inflation of the bag. In one form, the device includes an inflatable bag disposed above a seat pan with the bag being capable of pushing a front portion of a seat cushion from below, and an inflator (gas generator) for inflating the bag. Weave directions of panels are biased with respect to longitudinal stitch lines by about 45°. Accordingly, stress applied to a stitch section by the lines can be dispersed at the time of inflation of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Yoshikawa, Kimihiro Koshikawa
  • Patent number: 7708307
    Abstract: A method for protecting an occupant seated on a seat of a vehicle in a side collision of the vehicle is disclosed. In the method, the lumbar region of the occupant is retained in a section that corresponds to the pelvis rearward of the acetabulum in the skeletal structure of the occupant by using an impact absorbing member. Specifically, the lumbar region of the occupant is retained in a section that corresponds to an ilium in the skeletal structure of the occupant. In a side collision of the vehicle, the impact absorbing member initially contacts the lumbar region in a section corresponding to the ilium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ida, Michihisa Asaoka, Michio Inoue
  • Patent number: 7708308
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to an inflatable cushion for deployment along an interior side of a vehicle. In one exemplary embodiment the inflatable cushion has: an inflatable portion, the inflatable portion partially surrounding an area; a non-inflatable member secured to the inflatable portion and positioned in the area; and a retentive pocket formed by the non-inflatable member and the inflatable cushion, the retentive pocket having a periphery bounded on at least one side by the non-inflatable member and the non-inflatable member being configured such that a recessed area is formed in the retentive pocket, the recessed area being disposed within the periphery of the retentive pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Abney, III, Dayne B. Hassett, Ryan T. Pinsenschaum, Douglas S. Weston, Mark T. Winters, Mike F. Fink
  • Patent number: 7708309
    Abstract: Provided is a driver's airbag module assembly structure including: an inflator for generating gas by igniting an exploder; an airbag inflated toward a driver by the gas generated by the inflator; a cage covering the inflator; a mounting plate for accommodating the inflator, the airbag, and the cage to be fixed in a cover member disposed at a handle; and a horn plate installed between the mounting plate and a steering wheel, characterized in that the mounting plate has a plurality of fixing clips formed at its outer surface, the cover member has a plurality of coupling holes coupled with the fixing clips, the horn plate is provided with a bracket having an angled tip and a fastening hole, and the steering wheel is provided with a groove having an angled step corresponding to the bracket of the horn plate. Therefore, hooks of a mounting plate push flexible pieces formed at coupling holes of a cover to allow the mounting plate and the cover to be easily coupled with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Korea Corporation
    Inventors: Tae-hoon Kim, Se-hwa Jeong
  • Patent number: 7708310
    Abstract: The steering column includes a column body, a column cover formed into a generally tubular contour and mounted around the column body and an airbag apparatus. The column cover includes an upper cover and a lower cover. The lower cover is separable from the upper cover and is split into a front section disposed proximate the airbag apparatus and a rear section disposed proximate a combination switch unit disposed at the rear of the airbag apparatus inside the column cover. The rear section is configured separable from the front section as is secured to the column body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Adachi, Kazuaki Bito, Osamu Fukawatase, Kenji Imamura, Akiyoshi Sanada
  • Patent number: 7708311
    Abstract: The airbag of the present invention, when completely inflated, is formed into a generally square conical shape whose top is in a front end of the airbag. A protection portion to be located in rear side of the airbag upon airbag inflation includes shoulder restraining portions disposed generally side by side in left-right orientation in an area from upper part to rear part of the completely inflated airbag. Each of the shoulder restraining portions continuously projects in upper part to rear part of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuaki Bito
  • Patent number: 7708312
    Abstract: A three-point safety belt system (20) including: a tongue (100) configured to receive portions of a safety belt assembly (200); the safety belt assembly (200) comprising a shoulder belt section (202) and a lap belt section (250), the shoulder belt section including a hollow, generally flat first tube or tubular section (202), the first tube or tubular part configured to tear apart along a preferred region (203), a web guide (300); a first and second retractor (240, 260); the lap belt section (250) extending from the tongue to the corresponding retractor (260) and the shoulder belt section (202) extending from the tongue to the other retractor (240), each retractor configured to respectively retract the lap belt section and the shoulder belt section and to permit the extension or protraction of same; an inflatable air bag (400) received within the shoulder belt section and movable with the first tubular part (202) of the shoulder belt section, and inflatable by an inflator causing the air bag to extend and bre
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Kalandek