Patents Issued in May 4, 2010
  • Patent number: 7708313
    Abstract: An automobile door bracket includes an attachment section and a corrugated section. The door bracket is placed within an automobile door assembly to function as a side impact countermeasure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Haba, Chaman Sahu, Behrooz Mehdian, Mohammad A. Naim
  • Patent number: 7708314
    Abstract: The invention relates to an emergency cutting device (1) for vehicle safety belts, characterised in that it comprises locking means (6,7), acting on a safety belt (3) so as to put the same under tension; means (8) for cutting said safety belt (3); and operation means (12, 13), operatively connected with said locking means (6, 7) and with said cutting means (8); said operation means (9, 10) activating in succession said locking means (6, 7) and said cutting means (8), so as to cut said safety belt (3), and then deactivating said locking means (6, 7) thus freeing said safety belt (3) and then the user of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Gianluca Chiappa
  • Patent number: 7708315
    Abstract: A suspension is provided for mud flaps to be deployed behind wheels of a vehicle. The suspension allows for resilient translation of the mud flaps, such as should they get pinched against a curb and the wheels. A housing is adapted to be coupled to a bumper or other frame portion of the vehicle. The housing supports a spring therein. Cables are coupled to opposite ends of the spring and also to one of the mud flaps. When downward forces are exerted on one of the mud flaps, the cable associated allows the mud flap to translate downward slightly and cause the spring to be extended. When the loads subside, the spring causes the mud flap to return. In one embodiment a single suspension suspends two mud flaps over separate wheels. In a second embodiment, the suspension supports a single mud flap over a single wheel or wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Ionel S. Dumitrascu
  • Patent number: 7708316
    Abstract: A scraper structure for a vehicle includes a scraper for scraping material accumulated inside a disk wheel of a wheel. The scraper is detachably attached to a lower surface of a knuckle which rotatably supports the wheel. The scraper includes an extending portion and a bent portion. The extending portion extends inwardly in terms of a vehicle body and downwardly from the lower surface of the knuckle. The bent portion is formed by bending a lower end of the extending portion toward a front in terms of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bunzo Sekii, Yoshihiro Kimura, Makoto Hotozuka
  • Patent number: 7708317
    Abstract: A hollow pipe connector is described for interconnecting opposed ends of two hollow pipes in abutting end-to-end relationship. Preferably, but not exclusively, the pipes are hollow pile cylinders of circular cross-section. The connector is formed by two flat metal plates each having interconnecting slots whereby the plates are coupled together to form a connector of X-cross-section. Each of the plates have outer side edges having opposed sloped edge portions on a respective side of an arresting raised projection formed in the outer edge in a mid-section thereof. The sloped edge portions slope inwardly towards a respective one of the opposed ends of the connector member. The connector engages opposed end portions of pipes coupled together by a frictional retaining force exerted on the inner walls at opposed ends of the coupled pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Alain Desmeules
    Inventor: Alexandre Leblanc
  • Patent number: 7708318
    Abstract: A tube-to-hose coupling includes an elongated hollow insert connected between an end of the tube and defining an insert receiving portion and the end of the hose defining an insert receiving portion. The insert is disposed in the insert receiving portion of the tube end and the insert receiving portion of the hose end in fluid tight sealing relation. Thermoplastic polymeric material is bonded between the insert and the hose during insertion of the insert into the bore of the hose. The tube is connected to the insert and the hose by plastic deformation. In one embodiment the polymeric material is a layer defining the internal bore of the hose. In another, the polymeric material defines an outer layer on the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Thrift, Rob Koshay, Carolyn Snyder
  • Patent number: 7708319
    Abstract: A piping joint that enables welding without back shielding and without oxidized scaling on the pipe's inner surface. A piping joint has an inner fitting portion formed around the circumference of an end of a first tubular material, and a first bevel is formed on the radial outside of the inner fitting portion around the circumference. An outer fitting portion, fitted to the radial outside of the inner fitting portion, is formed on the end of a second tubular material butt welded to the first tubular material, and a second bevel is formed around the circumference at the end of the outer fitting portion facing the first bevel. The cross-section of the face of the inner fitting portion located on the radial outside, and the cross-section of the face of the outer fitting portion located on the radial inside, are completely round with a constant circumferential curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Yoshihara, Shirou Ishise, Kiyoshi Miyazaki, Kouji Okamoto, Noriyasu Kajihara, Takanobu Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 7708320
    Abstract: A plug-in part for a plug connector arrangement is provided. The plug-in part being in the form of a piece of tubing and having a sealing portion, comprising a sealing element enclosing the piece of tubing in a circumferential direction, and a locking portion with at least one undercut, and it being possible for the plug-in part to be plugged into the receptacle of a coupling part of the plug connector arrangement in order to produce a fluid-tight connection, and for at least one locking element of the coupling part to engage behind the plug-in part in the region of the undercut. In order to develop the plug-in part so as to reduce the risk of the sealing element being adversely affected, the undercut is formed by a protrusion which projects from the outside of the piece of tubing and extends circumferentially merely over a sub-region of the piece of tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Binder, Joerg Schmid
  • Patent number: 7708321
    Abstract: A pipe-connector molded part for pre-insulated pipe conduits consisting of plastic, whereby the pipe conduit is pre-insulated with polyurethane foam and the pipe-connector molded part is positioned so that it can be connected to the internal wall of the pipe conduits to be connected by a method for connecting pre-insulated pipe conduits consisting of plastic by way of the molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Rohrleitungssysteme AG
    Inventors: Harald Muckenschnabel, Udo Heizmann
  • Patent number: 7708322
    Abstract: An actuator for use in fenestration systems having a swinging sash or door is characterized by the use of a linear member running continuously from an actuating assembly to a locking pin assembly. The linear member can be a flexible linear member, allowing it to convey motion to the locking pin assembly around corners. The locking pin assembly has a moveable locking pin with an actuator and an extension that can engage a keeper. The linear member has multiple actuator engagement sites along its length where the actuator of the locking pin can engage the linear member. The linear member can then be used to move the locking pin with respect to the locking pin assembly so that the extension can engage or disengage a keeper. The locking pin assembly can be mounted on a fenestration frame and the keeper opposingly mounted on a window or door mounted in the fenestration frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Caldwell Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: E. Erik Timothy, Peter Minter
  • Patent number: 7708323
    Abstract: A vehicle body strength adjusting system is provided in which a bumper beam includes a body portion which extends in a widthwise direction of a vehicle and inclined portions which extend from left and right opposite ends of the body portion and which are inclined in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Further, the vehicle body strength adjusting system includes a variable crush-strength device which is disposed between the inclined portions of the vehicle body frames, which can be crushed when a collision with the vehicle occurs, and which has a variable crush-strength. A first bolt hole is formed in each of the inclined portions of the bumper beam and a second bolt hole is formed in the mounting bracket of the variable crush-strength device. At least one of the first bolt hole and the second bolt hole is an elongate hole. The first bolt hole and the second bolt hole are fastened to each other by a bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Suzuki, Yuta Urushiyama, Yasuaki Gunji
  • Patent number: 7708324
    Abstract: A crash barrier device including: a body portion having at least an impact portion; and a fastening portion configured to fasten the body portion to a projecting load being carried by a vehicle; wherein the impact portion and fastening portion are configured such that the impact portion is nearer to a surface traveled on by the vehicle than the fastening portion. A system for carrying projecting loads is also provided and includes: a trailer having wheels and fastener(s) for fastening the trailer to a powered vehicle; and the crash barrier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
    Inventors: Richard Murray, Thomas Spinelli
  • Patent number: 7708325
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rotating objects that shift the center of gravity of an object, such as a wing assembly, from a position outside the rotation axis area of the object to a position within the rotation axis area of the object. In one example, a material handling system that employs rotatable slings may be used to rotate an object by shifting the suspended center of gravity from a position outside the rotation axis area (i.e., outside the rotatable slings in at least one position of rotation) to a position within the rotation axis area (i.e., between the slings at all positions of rotation). The suspended center of gravity may be shifted using at least one ballast component (or other suitable force-applying device) that exerts a force on the object in a direction and magnitude sufficient to so shift the suspended center of gravity of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems L.P.
    Inventor: Chad W. Grant
  • Patent number: 7708326
    Abstract: A lock device capable of locking, in a closed state, a lid member for each of side trunks provided on both sides of the vehicle body rear portion of a motorcycle. The lock device includes a plurality of catch mechanisms with catches that are swingably supported by a trunk main portion via a plurality of associated pivots, respectively. The lock device so configured expands the possibility of the layout of a plurality of catch mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Misaki, Ikuo Hara, Yoshihiro Inoue, Masayuki Dazai
  • Patent number: 7708327
    Abstract: The technology described herein provides a slidable, retractable, and foldable cargo floor organizer with a rotatable and extensible retention net frame and associated cargo retention net for the rear cargo floor area of a vehicle. The system additionally provides an interior cargo tray having multiple partitions. The system includes a cargo retention net frame disposed about the interior cargo tray, wherein the cargo retention net frame is extensible, and a cargo retention net, the cargo retention net being disposed about the retention net frame, and wherein the cargo retention net is extensible and extends as the cargo retention net frame extends. The system provides for the secure containment of cargo in the rear cargo floor area of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Stephen T. Lim, Brett Ladetto, Aaron Schnepp, Louis A. Rhodes, Paresh Rana
  • Patent number: 7708328
    Abstract: A device holder and storage compartment for use in a motor vehicle. The device holder and storage compartment are in the form of a slidable drawer that is concealed within a dashboard when in a closed position and extended from the dashboard when in an open position. The drawer has a generally horizontal bottom surface, a front end wall, a back end wall oppositely disposed from the front end wall, a first side wall and a second side wall adjoining the front end wall and the back end wall. All the walls are generally vertical in orientation. The drawer also has a generally vertical dividing wall spaced apart from the front end wall. The dividing wall defines a front region between the dividing wall and the front end wall and a rear region between the dividing wall and the back end wall. A front cover can be moveably attached to the drawer proximate the front end wall and move between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Doom, Akihiro Deshimaru, Lauren Michelle Marzolf
  • Patent number: 7708329
    Abstract: A stowable storage compartment for a motor vehicle having a frame and a flexible container portion attached to the frame, and a lid mounted on the frame, wherein the lid includes a receptacle for holding the flexible container portion when the storage compartment is stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Bernardo M. Duller
  • Patent number: 7708330
    Abstract: A device for mounting a driving robot in a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having two driver's seat tracks and a floor, utilizing the two seat tracks of the driver's seat for anchoring purposes, the device including: a length-adjustable adapter plate that engages into both seat tracks in a hook-like manner; at least one first locking element for locking the adapter plate in the seat tracks; and at least one second height-adjustable locking element for bracing the adapter plate against the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Dieter Staehle
  • Patent number: 7708331
    Abstract: A seat slides in a vehicle longitudinal direction between a pair of wheel houses projecting inside a vehicle compartment, and slides in s vehicle width direction at a portion which is in front of the wheel houses. The seat takes a first position in which its outside portion overlaps with the wheel houses in the vehicle width direction, and a second position in which its rear portion overlaps with the wheel houses in the vehicle longitudinal direction. There is provided a rearward-slide restriction device operative to restrict rearward slide of the rear seat in the first position. Accordingly, there is provided a seat device of a vehicle which can prevent any improper interference of the seat with the wheel houses, ensuring a proper long slide function of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 7708332
    Abstract: A convertible roof system employs a convertible roof assembly and a cover assembly which operably covers at least a portion of a vehicular area within which the convertible roof is stowed. In a further aspect of the present invention, the cover assembly includes a dual-acting deck lid. Another aspect of the present invention employs a movable main pivot bracket for the convertible roof assembly. Furthermore, an additional aspect of the present invention allows a stowed and collapsed convertible roof assembly to at least partially move with a stowage area cover when the cover is opened to allow rearward access into the stowage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Specialty Vehicle Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: Chris P. Theodore, Todd Schartner, Arthur L. MacNee
  • Patent number: 7708333
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle roof (20) comprises a forward roof element (22) and a rearward roof element (24). An unchangeable, upwardly opened, recessed storage area (14) for the roof elements is defined in a rear trunk lid (12). The forward roof element may be pivoted relative to the rearward roof element about a first axis (A1) that is perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal plane. The forward roof element and the rearward roof element also may be pivoted together about a second axis (A2) that extends perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal plane. At least the forward roof element is curved such that, in the open position of the vehicle roof, i.e. when it is folded onto the rearward roof element and is stored in the storage area, it forms a substantially continuous, curved outer shell together with the rear trunk lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Andre Kracht
  • Patent number: 7708334
    Abstract: A slide door apparatus for a vehicle includes a driving device mounted to a slide door and a guide pulley unit mounted to the slide door. The guide pulley unit includes a plurality of guide pulleys each having first and second guide grooves. The guide pulley unit further includes first and second housing members for housing the plurality of guide pulleys, and a separating member provided between the first and second housing members for separating the first and second guide grooves of each of the plurality of guide pulleys. The slide door apparatus further includes a cable connected to the driving device and to a vehicle body. A first portion of the cable is disposed into the first groove of each of the plurality of guide pulleys. A second portion of the cable is disposed into the second groove of each of the plurality of guide pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Yamada, Yasuhiro Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 7708335
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air-guiding device (10) of a vehicle (1), comprising a spoiler (12) fastened to a spoiler base (14), and an adjusting device (20) for adjusting the spoiler base (14) between an inoperative position, in which the spoiler (12) is essentially situated within the vehicle contour (3), and at least one first operating position, in which the spoiler (12) is deployed beyond the vehicle contour (3) in order to provide a down force effect during the journey, the adjusting device (20) comprising a pivoting-link arrangement (22, 28) coupled to the spoiler base (14) and controllable driving means for pivoting the pivoting-link arrangement (22, 28) in order to adjust the spoiler base (14) between the inoperative position and the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Fritz Wegener
  • Patent number: 7708336
    Abstract: A cross-shaped chassis frame (1) formed by abutting and connecting the end parts of side members (12) to the outer face of a front end cross member (11), wherein the side members (12) are formed of hollow pipes, the end parts of the side members (12) are gradually expanded to form joined parts (20) expanded in flare skirt shape, and the outer edges of the joined parts (20) are allowed to abut on and welded to the outer face of the front end cross member (11), whereby the side members (12) can be jointed to the outer face of the front end cross member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Hiruta-Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumikazu Taguchi, Kiyomi Kunihashi, Mitsuyori Gurita
  • Patent number: 7708337
    Abstract: A vehicular sunroof apparatus includes a front panel, a rear panel, a linking rod, a rod-locking part, and a slider linking part. The linking rod is connected to a rear slider provided for opening the rear panel. The rod-locking part is disposed on a vehicle roof for locking a distal end of the linking rod when the rear panel is in a fully closed state. The slider linking part is provided on a front slider provided for opening/closing the front panel. The slider linking part is designed to engage with the distal end part and to release the distal end part from the locking engagement with the rod-locking part when the front slider moves from a fully closed position to a half-open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignees: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Ito, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Kouichi Hotta, Michio Tamura
  • Patent number: 7708338
    Abstract: A climate controlled seat assembly comprises a chamber defined by a substantially fluid impermeable layer, the fluid impermeable layer having a first side and second side, the first side comprising a plurality of openings, a support structure positioned within the chamber, the support structure being configured to substantially maintain the shape of the chamber, a fluid transfer device configured to provide a volume of fluid to the chamber, a fluid inlet in fluid communication with both the chamber and the fluid transfer device, a fluid distribution layer positioned adjacent to the first side of the fluid impermeable layer and a seat covering positioned along the fluid distribution layer. In some embodiments, the fluid distribution layer is configured to generally distribute fluid from the openings toward the seat covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Amerigon Incorporated
    Inventor: Scott R. Wolas
  • Patent number: 7708339
    Abstract: A canopy frame particularly applicable for deck chairs, garden chairs, beach chairs and the like, which can easily be assembled or disassembled in the place itself to be used or carried by the user which comprises a set of flexible rods coupled with each other in an axial way and which define respective side poles which are extended respectively like an arc on opposite sides of the chair or deck chair and separated between them by a distance which is the same or bigger that the space covered by said chair under the frame and a set of rigid rods which define the respective mounting supports of the side poles. The rods of said mounting supports have a horizontal segment which define a coupling tip to the chair or deck chair and a coupling tip to the corresponding side pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Raul Emilio Zapater
  • Patent number: 7708340
    Abstract: A massage chair of the present invention includes an electric reclining mechanism for moving a backrest into different sloping positions, left and right holding mechanisms for respectively holding user's left and right forearms, and a controller for controlling operations of the mechanisms. The controller separately controls operations of the electric reclining mechanism and the left holding mechanism as well as operations of the electric reclining mechanism and the right holding mechanism. When controlling the former operations, the controller controls (A) allow the left holding mechanism to hold the left forearm, (B) allow the electric reclining mechanism to recline the backrest to any of the different sloping positions, (C) allow the electric reclining mechanism to raise the backrest to any of the different sloping positions, and (D) allow the left holding mechanism to release the left forearm. Similarly, the controller controls the latter operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Tanizawa, Satoshi Kajiyama, Masamichi Miyaguchi, Daisuke Tsukada, Fumihiro Nishio, Takeo Iijima, Yuichi Nishibori
  • Patent number: 7708341
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat cushion having a cushion pad deformable to be flexed when a seating load of an occupant is applied. A seating sensor is disposed within the seat cushion for detecting a seating position of the occupant. The seating sensor is configured as a push-in switch and can detect the seating position of the occupant when the seating sensor is pressed by the cushion pad. A fragile region is interleaved between the seating sensor and the cushion pad at a pressure receiving region where the pressing force is applied to the seating sensor. The fragile region has rigidity lower than the cushion pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhito Takai, Hitoshi Yanase, Koji Ito, Setsu Takuma, Hiromi Kondo, Yoshiyuki Amamiya
  • Patent number: 7708342
    Abstract: A body-conforming booster cushion seat having a malleable filler material so as to permit the cushion to conform to the body shape of a user when the user is seated thereon. The booster cushion seat includes a strap for securing the cushion to the chair, and the height of the cushion may be adjusted by adjusting the tension on the strap. The bottom of the cushion is provided with a textured base to prevent slipping when the textured base contacts a corresponding surface, and a safety belt is included to secure a juvenile user in place on the booster cushion seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Jamie S. Leach
  • Patent number: 7708343
    Abstract: This seat of a vehicle is provided with: a center supporting block having a first supporting surface for supporting an occupant; side supporting blocks that are arranged at both sides in the width of the center supporting block, and having a second supporting surface that more protrude than the first supporting surface of the center supporting block; movable supporting blocks each arranged between the center supporting block and the side supporting blocks, and each having a third supporting surface which is flush with the first supporting surface while in an initial state; joining portions each joining between the side supporting blocks and the movable supporting block; and expanding devices that are arranged at a back side of the side supporting blocks, expand the side supporting blocks, and incline the movable supporting blocks with respect to the first supporting surface of the center supporting block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kayumi, Sadahiro Yokoyama, Kaneaki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7708344
    Abstract: A patient chair for use in a dental operatory or the like generally comprises a base, a chair frame supported by the base, and a seatback support coupled to the chair frame. The seatback support is slidably movable relative to the chair frame. To provide a desired connection or fit between components, a locking assembly is configured to apply a clamping force between the seatback support and the chair frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob E. Broering, Leo R. Hanus
  • Patent number: 7708345
    Abstract: A recliner has a chair frame that provides support to a seat and back rest. The frame includes a recliner assembly that includes a bracket that is connected to the backrest enabling reclining movement of the backrest as the bracket moves through a correspondingly shaped bracket slot in a recliner base plate, and where the bracket rotates about an axis that approximates the position of the rotational axis of the hip of a seated user. The reclining chair can also be part of a modular system of components that enable one or more seating units to be in a spanned or ganged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Grabowski, John Henry Heyder, Jeremy Franklin Foreman, Michael A. Johnson, Aaron Jon Schradin
  • Patent number: 7708346
    Abstract: A seating unit has a base pivotably coupled to a back by a reclining mechanism, which has a pair of arms pivotably coupled to the base side members. The arms are coupled to a rearward transverse member that swings forward and compresses a cylinder actuator as the user reclines the back. The opposed end of the actuator is coupled to a forward transverse member, which is in turn coupled between the base side members. The actuator has a release valve that is operated by pulling a manual lever of a release mechanism. The release mechanism frees the cylinder actuator from a rigid position thereby allowing the user to force the back rearward or allowing the predisposed extension force of the cylinder to return the reclining back to the fully upright position. Discontinuing the release mechanism will cause the actuator to arrest the back in a reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Nikki White, Robert Dean Donovan
  • Patent number: 7708347
    Abstract: An article of seating furniture includes a base, a seat and a back. The back includes a reclining mechanism. The seat is interconnected with the reclining mechanism such that reclining movement of the back moves the seat forwardly and upwardly. When the back is fully reclined and the seat is fully raised, an upper surface of the seat is coplanar with an upper surface of the back. A footrest is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When extended, the footrest is generally coplanar with the seat. The back includes a spine having a lower end pivotably interconnected with the base. The spine includes a seat mounting extension to which the seat is pivotably mounted. Mounting links between the seat and the base provide movement of the seat when the back is reclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis G. Griepentrog, Scott J. Williams, James E. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 7708348
    Abstract: A footstool with a footrest platform that is adjustable to different positions/angles. The footstool includes a first sidepiece and a second sidepiece engaged by a platform, which is adjustable to one of a plurality of possible positions corresponding to one of a plurality of possible angles. In one embodiment, the sidepieces each have two notches and the platform has protrusions or extensions that engage the notches in the respective position(s). In one position, the protrusions on the platform engage one notch on each sidepiece; in the other position, the protrusions engage the other notch on each sidepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: KidKraft LP
    Inventor: David Alan Barr
  • Patent number: 7708349
    Abstract: An auditorium chair comprised essentially of four parts that interconnect creating a frame with a three point stability system. The auditorium chair structure has the following components: fastening with screws, snap tight buttons, or other fasteners, dimensioning in accordance with use in current auditorium chair sizes, and fabrication design enabling efficient shipment while maintaining stability and stacking capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Kate Chen
  • Patent number: 7708350
    Abstract: An article of manufacture is made by filling a container with expanded thermoplastic elements that are in a non-cured state and that possess a degree of latent foaming ability. After filling the container with the non-cured elements, the elements are allowed to cure under ambient conditions during which the blowing agent remaining in the elements in a vapor state condenses allowing air to be drawn in while the elements expand. This expansion of the elements distends and rigidifies the container where the container is allowed to expand or places an item packaged within a container of rigid construction under a tight fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventors: Harry Bussey, Jr., Buddy Harry Bussey, III
  • Patent number: 7708351
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a high tonnage ultra light mining truck with a greater load efficiency for off-road applications that, in addition to the body, comprises a lightweight curved dump body and a knuckle joined lightweight power and traction system, a steering system, and a lateral suspension and tipping system for the lightweight curved dump body. The truck of the present invention has a payload capacity up to three times greater than that of similar trucks of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignees: Belemark S.A., Diesel Machinery Int'l Corp.
    Inventor: Alberto Cristián Azócar
  • Patent number: 7708352
    Abstract: A vehicle axle includes an axle housing defining a cavity. The axle includes a pair of outer drive shafts, each being coaxially received in a respective housing cavity and slidable therein, each outer drive shaft defining a splined cavity. The axle includes a pair of inner drive shafts, each having a splined end coaxially coupled to a respective outer drive shaft splined cavity such that a respective outer drive shaft is slidably movable therein. A piston is attached to the inner end of each outer drive shaft and separates an inner fluid chamber from an outer fluid chamber. A fluid channel includes opposed ends in communication with respective fluid chambers. A force absorption container is in fluid communication with each fluid channel and includes a compression spring, wherein the spring is compressed when movement of the piston pushes fluid through the channel into the force absorption container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Brooks
  • Patent number: 7708353
    Abstract: An axle bearing apparatus includes a hub shaft including a wheel-mounting flange formed at its outer end portion, and a cylindrical portion formed on an inner side surface of the flange, a bearing portion press-fitted on the cylindrical portion of the hub shaft and including an inner ring, an outer ring and rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings, and a slinger having a through hole formed through its central portion. The through hole is fitted on the cylindrical portion such that an outer diameter of the slinger is generally equal to an outer diameter of the flange, and the slinger is press-clamped to the inner side surface of the flange by bolts press-fitted respectively in a plurality of bolt holes formed in the flange. O-rings are interposed between the flange and the slinger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Inoue, Chikayoshi Murotani, Shigeaki Furusawa, Takumi Harada, Yutaka Koma
  • Patent number: 7708354
    Abstract: The invention provides a brake control apparatus that improves the controllability of a vehicle in the control for restraining slip of the wheels. The brake control apparatus includes: wheel cylinders that apply braking force individually to wheels by supplying a working fluid; retention valves that are provided respectively upstream of the wheel cylinders and that are opened and closed so as to restrain slip of the wheels; a common control valve provided upstream of the retention valves to supply the working fluid to the wheel cylinders; and a control portion that controls the common control valve by different control laws to restrain fluctuations in pressure on a primary side of the retention valves caused by fluctuations in a capacity to which the working fluid from the common control valve is supplied, by opening or closing of the retention valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayasu Ohkubo, Yasuji Mizutani, Kazuyoshi Sakazaki
  • Patent number: 7708355
    Abstract: A cabinet comprises a cabinet frame having a first side and a second side, a pair of doors coupled to the frame on the first side, wherein one of the pair of doors includes a locking rod positioned along a portion of the length of the door, a latch coupled to the frame on the first side and positioned to receive the locking rod, an actuator positioned on the second side of the cabinet frame and coupled to the latch, and an access door, positioned on the second side of the cabinet frame, the access door restricting access to the actuator. Opening the access door allows activation of the actuator to release the locking rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph H. Bergesch
  • Patent number: 7708356
    Abstract: A host unit case with foldable front and rear walls and lower cover for a computer includes a front wall, a rear wall, an upper cover and a lower cover. The lower end of the front wall connects with the front end of the lower cover. The lower end of rear wall pivotally connects with the rear end of the lower cover. Hence, the lower cover, the front wall and the rear wall are unfolded to allow the lower cover engaging with upper end of the front wall and upper end of the rear wall for the host unit case being set up as a complete form quickly and being folded parts thereof to reduce the volume thereof conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsiung Cheng, Te-An Lin, Wu-Nan Wang, Chia-Chia Huang
  • Patent number: 7708357
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic locking apparatus used in a guide rail for a drawer. The automatic locking apparatus is provided at an end portion of a fixing slider to lock a movable slider when the drawer is closed. The automatic locking apparatus prevents the drawer from being opened and smoothly locks the drawer. A stopper ring is attached to the movable slider, and the automatic locking apparatus is provided on the fixing slider to cooperate with the stopper ring. The automatic locking apparatus includes a fixing plate attached to the fixing slider, a body fixed to the fixing plate while protruding toward the movable slider, an elastic member having a substantially “C” shape and being rotatably coupled to one end of the body, and a rotating member having a substantially “reverse-L” shape and being rotatably coupled to the other end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Weon-Dong Cho
  • Patent number: 7708358
    Abstract: A piece of furniture having at least a first furniture part and a second furniture part. One furniture past is mounted un a stationary manner, and the other furniture part is mounted in a movable manner, on the basic furniture structure, and can be moved relative to one another. A lockable pushing-out device is arranged on the first furniture part and is intended for moving the movable furniture part from a closed end position into an open position. An engagement element is arranged on the second furniture part and engages with the pushing-out device at least over a part of the opening/closing path (OR/SR) of the movable furniture part. The engagement element is mounted on the second furniture part such that it can be adjusted preferably in linear fashion in relation to the first furniture part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Embacher
  • Patent number: 7708359
    Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided for retaining a slide rail assembly, which includes first and second slide rails. The latch mechanism includes a latch member movably attached to the second slide rail, a stop member mounted to the first slide rail to engage in the latch member for retaining the second slide rail relative to the first slide rail, and a release member slidably attached to the second slide rail. The latch member includes first and second driven portion at one side thereof, and a cutout. The cutout has a first and second stop surfaces at opposite ends thereof. The release member is capable of pushing the first or second driven portion to release the first or second stop surface from the stop member. A resilient member is placed between the latch member and the second slide rail for returning the latch member to an original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Tang Peng, Mo-Ming Yu, Zong-Yuan Li
  • Patent number: 7708360
    Abstract: A computer network system and method for printing purchase transaction receipts includes a novel printer physical structure, data structure, and control logic for printing on both sides of a register receipt, business rules designed to facilitate the two sided printing, and print paper designed to facilitate two sided printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corporation
    Inventors: Baxter Byerly, Jeffrey Mount
  • Patent number: 7708361
    Abstract: The inkjet recording apparatus initially deposits ink on a front surface of a recording medium and subsequently deposits ink on a rear surface of the recording medium in such a manner that images are formed by the ink on the front surface and the rear surface of the recording medium, wherein, when time after depositing the ink on a first region of the front surface of the recording medium until depositing the ink on a second region of the rear surface of the recording medium which corresponds to the first region is taken to be ?T1 (sec) and viscosity of the ink to be deposited on the first region and the second region of the recording medium is taken to be ? (mPa·sec), then the inkjet recording apparatus deposits the ink on the first region and the second region in such a manner that a following relationship is satisfied: ?T1<0.45×?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Yamanobe
  • Patent number: 7708362
    Abstract: A method for calibrating one or more printheads includes printing a reference image using a first portion of image forming points of a first printhead, printing a diagnostic image using a second portion of image forming points of either the first printhead or a second printhead, detecting an optical density of the combined reference image and the diagnostic image and determining a compensation value based upon the optical density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Tod S. Heiles, R. Joseph Megaw, Hsue-Yang Liu