Patents Issued in May 11, 2010
  • Patent number: 7712822
    Abstract: Foldable cab extenders are disclosed which are secured to the rearward ends of fixed cab extenders secured to the opposite rearward sides of a tractor cab. Each of the foldable cab extenders includes a forward panel member, an intermediate panel member and a rearward panel member with the forward panel member being secured to the associated fixed cab extender and with the intermediate panel member and the forward panel member being hingedly secured together and with the rearward panel member being hingedly secured to the intermediate panel member. The cab assemblies are selectively movable between a deployed position to a stowed position and vice versa. Actuators are operatively connected to the intermediate panel members and to the rearward panel members to enable the assemblies to be pivotally moved between their stowed and deployed positions. The actuators may be hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or electrically driven devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Raimund Pfaff
  • Patent number: 7712823
    Abstract: The armored vehicle (1), showing a bottom and a top shell (4, 5) has a reinforced floor structure for protection against mines, in that the floor area (6) of the subshell (4) is connected rigidly with an inner floor plate (7) via bracing elements (13, 14, 15) having longitudinal and transverse walls, which are also connected with the side walls (11, 12) of the subshell (4) along their borders (9, 10). The minimum height of the stiff bracing elements (13, 14, 15) corresponds to distance provided for the arrangement of a drive shaft between the inner floor plate (7) and the floor area (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Mowag GmbH
    Inventors: Adolf Greuter, Hans-Jorg List
  • Patent number: 7712824
    Abstract: A cab for a construction machine is provided which is capable of providing a protective space to protect the operator from injury even if a transversely working external force is imposed on the cab, causing deformation of the cab. To this end, a transverse member, which is disposed at a position above an operator's seat and constitutes the framework of the cab, has a deformation inducing part located at a position outside the projected area of the central part of the operator's seat. Even if the cab is deformed by an external force, the cab is not largely deformed in a direction toward the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Mori
  • Patent number: 7712825
    Abstract: The invention relates to a folding top for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one first and at least one second structural element (6, 7), which are covered by a flexible roof panel (8). Said structural elements (6, 7) are designed to be mounted and detached transversally to the direction of the vehicle by means of a roof opening (2) and once attached, are fixed at the front to the windscreen frame (3) and at the rear to a bow (4) that spans the width of the vehicle. The flat structural elements (6, 7) are interconnected by means of guide devices (14, 15) and can be displaced in relation to one another transversally to the direction of the vehicle by means of said devices (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Juergen Theuerkauf
  • Patent number: 7712826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heated cushion (100) for a vehicle seat, comprising an upper part (110) having a first and a second main surface and a lower part (130) having a first and a second main surface. The parts (110, 130) are arranged with their first main surfaces one against the other and on one first main surface there is disposed a heating coil (120). The upper part (110) and the lower part (130), on their respective first main surfaces, each have one half (115, 135) of a fastening system in Velcro material, and the heating coil (120) is secured in its main surface by the Velcro elements (115, 135) of the main surface. Expediently, at least one part (110, 130) is made in a fabric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventor: Daniel Josefsson
  • Patent number: 7712827
    Abstract: A cycle saddle structure comprising a base and a container is provided. The base has a front crotch portion and a rear supporting portion. The container is adapted to slide on the bottom portion of the rear supporting portion between an open position and a closed position with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: International Bicycle Products Corporation
    Inventor: Tsai-Yun Yu
  • Patent number: 7712828
    Abstract: The device includes a tubular fitting (6) that is part of a bicycle frame and able to accommodate a saddle post (7), elements (19,20) for locking the saddle post (7) in rotation, and members (8) for holding the saddle post (7) in a longitudinal position that is determined relative to the tubular fitting (6). The holding members comprise a stop surface (7a) that is provided on the saddle post (7) and able to work with a stop (8) that is provided on the fitting (6) so as to delimit the insertion length of the saddle post (7) in the latter. The holding members also include at least one annular crosspiece (9, 10) that can be arranged between the stop surface and the stop so as to allow the adjustment of the insertion length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Look Cycle International
    Inventors: Eric Julliard, Frederic Roudergues
  • Patent number: 7712829
    Abstract: A seat structure for a vehicle includes front and rear seat bodies each including a seat cushion and a back rest. Each seat cushion has a front part configured to be tipped up about a rear part of the seat cushion. Each back rest has an upper part configured to be tilted backward and forward about a lower part of the back rest. The seat structure also includes first slide rails supporting the front and rear seat bodies in a fore and aft arrangement respectively. The front and rear seat bodies are configured to move backward and forward along the first slide rails. The seat structure further includes a lock member coupled to the front seat body for selectively securing the front seat body relative to the first slide rails. The lock member is movable between a locked position and a released position. The seat structure further includes a push member coupled to the rear seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Gilsam Park
  • Patent number: 7712830
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a seat support and a juvenile seat mounted to swivel about an axis on the seat support. The seat support is adapted to set on a vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Gilles Lhomme, Richard Biaud
  • Patent number: 7712831
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, an adjusting system and a method for moving at least one vehicle seat arranged in a vehicle cabin, particularly an aircraft seat, comprising seat components that are coupled or guided together, such as a seat part, a backrest and a leg rest, the location and/or inclination of which can be adjusted by means of at least one or more adjusting units. The adjusting system allows a separation of the basic functions from driving devices, with an electronic device for collision-free movement and for adjusting custom-designed functions and facilitating the adaptation of the custom-designed functions. The movement sequences and movements of the respective individual seat components and the seat components in relation to one another and the movements of the components or seats within an environment or group of seats are accomplished by means of a movement model in a coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Bühler Motor GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Abt, Arno Schieweck, Wolfgang Troelenberg
  • Patent number: 7712832
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a frame, a flexible cover, and a material that is sufficiently mounted with respect to the flexible cover such that the material resists displacement of at least part of the flexible cover with respect to the frame. The material is characterized by a first state in which the material is characterized by a first rigidity, and a second state in which the material is characterized by a second rigidity that is greater than the first rigidity. Thus, the firmness of the seat is selectively variable by causing the material to change between the first and second states. A corresponding method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Booth, Robert L. Demick
  • Patent number: 7712833
    Abstract: A structure intends to arrange the appearance of furniture at a connecting portion between a first member having stiffness and a second member movable relative to the first member and having stiffness without forming the connecting portion in an unnaturally large diameter. More specifically, the present invention provides a structure for connecting members comprising: a first member having stiffness; a second member movable relative to the first member and having stiffness; and a spring member in which an end portion thereof is connected to the first member and other end portion thereof is connected to the second member so as to accumulate a reaction force by elastic deformation, wherein the spring member is formed into a frame-like shape extending along the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Kokuyo Furniture Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Ueda
  • Patent number: 7712834
    Abstract: A back support includes a base, a seat, and a back frame pivoted to the base. The seating unit has a flexible back (i.e., back shell) supported on the back frame and having stiff upper and lower sections connected by a forwardly protruding flexible lumbar section for providing lumbar support to a seated user. A spring mechanism is connected to the back frame and to a center lower edge of the flexible back. The spring mechanism biases the flexible back to bias the lumbar toward a forwardly protruding shape to provide optimal lumbar support when in the upright position and also during recline of the seated user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Knoblock, Daryl Knoblock, legal representative, Arnold B. Dammermann, Larry DeKraker, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson, Charles P. Roossien, David S. Teppo
  • Patent number: 7712835
    Abstract: A structure of operation portion of height adjuster of vehicle seat is provided, in which a brake unit associated with the height adjuster and a support element on which a control lever is mounted are disposed. Further, a transmission mechanism of parallel linkage structure with four articulation points is operatively connected between the brake unit and support element. According thereto, the control lever has operative connection with the brake unit via four articulation points of three link members, such that two of the link members are pivotally connected with the respective brake unit and support element, maintaining parallel relation with each other, while other remaining one of the link members is pivotally connected between those two link members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohisa Kubota
  • Patent number: 7712836
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a height-adjustable seat frame which has at least two seat frame parts which can be moved relative to one another and at least one gas spring arranged between the seat frame parts for height adjustment purposes. The seat includes a control device that acts upon the gas spring and includes a valve device attached to a first seat frame part and has control valves for actuating gas flows for the gas spring. A control link on a second frame part actuates the control valves, so that a predefinable height of the vehicle seat is ensured regardless of a weight load on the vehicle seat. Movement of the control link relative to the second seat frame part brings about a height adjustment of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Johann Deml
  • Patent number: 7712837
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a padding for a cushion (1), such as a cushion for a seat, comprising foam material (100), with modified resilience provided by recesses (101), in at least one section of the cushion, the size and/or density of the recesses being different in adjacent sections providing a varying softness or collapsibility in the foam material (100) in one surface direction of the cushion, wherein the recesses (101) may be non-transient and a frame (410) may be completely or partly embedded in the foam. The invention also concerns a seat cushion or furniture comprising such padding and the method for producing such padding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Ekornes ASA
    Inventor: Arve Ekornes
  • Patent number: 7712838
    Abstract: An improved ground support member insertion device comprising means for attaching the device to a jackleg drill, a clutch assembly disposed adjacent to the attaching means and adapted for holding a ground support member while it is being inserted into a first drill hole; and, anchoring means disposed opposite the clutch assembly and adapted for temporarily anchoring the device for stabilization in a rock formation during insertion of the ground support member. An impact tool for engaging the proximate end of the ground support member providing rotation and impact to the ground support member to mix the resin and to secure the ground support member in a rock formation. The impact tool can also be used to manually or mechanically tension the ground support member once installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventors: Roland C. Walker, Matthew S. Slatter, Phillip E. Gramich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7712839
    Abstract: A tiles or bricks shoveling device includes a body having front wheels and rear wheels, and a handle is connected to a rear end of the body. A motor is connected to the body and drives a circular member by its eccentric shaft. A block is fixed to the body and two posts movably extend through the block. A front board and a rear board are connected to the front and rear ends of the posts. Two springs are connected to the two posts to return the rear board. A shoveling blade is connected to the front end of the front board such that when the motor is activated, the posts are moved reciprocally and the shoveling blade moves linearly back and forth with the front board to shovel the tiles and bricks up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Yuehting Chen
  • Patent number: 7712840
    Abstract: A uniformity and stabilizing system comprising a stabilizing ring used in conjunction with a balanced tire wheel assembly wherein the stabilizing ring destroys, absorbs, and dampens vibrations including those caused by non-uniformities in the tire. The stabilizing ring comprises either a solid ring or a cartridge having at least one interior chamber, the interior chamber filled with a flowable media. The stabilizing ring may be used in combination with balance weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventors: Robert D. Fogal, Sr., Robert D. Fogal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7712841
    Abstract: A hub-bearing assembly for the wheel of a motor vehicle includes a rotatable hub (18) having a radial flange (17) with bores (16) formed therethrough. Wheel fastening studs (10) each have a stem (12) inserted non-forcedly through a respective bore (16). The studs (10) are fixed to the flange (17) by an adhesive or cementing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Angelo Vignotto, Claudio Savarese
  • Patent number: 7712842
    Abstract: A method of mounting a hubcap on a wheel that involves providing a wheel having an annular hub surrounding an axis of rotation, the hub including a first periphery extending along the circumference of a circle surrounding the axis of rotation and a second periphery spaced from the circumference of the circle, providing a hubcap having a top wall and a cylindrical sidewall extending from the top wall, the cylindrical sidewall having an end edge spaced from the top wall and a circumferential flange projecting from the cylindrical side wall, the circumferential flange having a sidewall and an alignment tab projecting from the sidewall, aligning the hubcap alignment tab with the second periphery, placing the hubcap sidewall against the hub and the alignment tab over the second periphery, and clamping the hubcap to the wheel. Also a wheel (10, 80) including a hubcap (30, 90) and a clamp (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Parker, Matthew D. Spray, David D. McAfee, Andrew S. Haynes, Todd R. Auel, Steve Hodge
  • Patent number: 7712843
    Abstract: A front wheel of a golf cart includes a supporting component, a round rotating member, and a joining shaft coupling the rotating member to the supporting component; the supporting component includes a holding part, which has an outer stopping protrusion, a polygonal portion, and a round portion adjoining the polygonal portion; the shaft includes a shank partly held in the holding part; a spring biases the shaft to such a position that the shaft is prevented from rotating by the polygonal portion; a fixing component is secured around other end of the shank, and contains the stopping protrusion; the fixing component has a polygonal hollow portion to fit closely around the polygonal portion to prevent the shaft from rotating; the round rotating member can be turned together with the shaft to fold the front wheel after the polygonal hollow portion is relocated around the round portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sports World Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fang-Li Wu
  • Patent number: 7712844
    Abstract: A master cylinder assembly includes a housing and a cover coupled to the housing, defining a reservoir adapted to contain fluid at a level. The cover includes an aperture. A sight glass is received within the aperture and adapted to indicate the fluid level. The sight glass has a top portion, bottom portion, and middle portion between the top and bottom portions. The top and bottom portions each have a perimeter sized to be received within the aperture and to seal the reservoir. The middle portion has a reduced perimeter. The sight glass is movable between a raised position where the bottom portion is received within the aperture, sealing the reservoir and a lowered position where the top portion is received within the aperture, sealing the reservoir. The middle portion allows fluid flow through the aperture when the sight glass is moved from the raised position to the lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Jensen, Michael Murphy, Paul Murray
  • Patent number: 7712845
    Abstract: A method of selective, automatic application of one rear brake of a motor vehicle under appropriate vehicle operating conditions in response to intent of a driver to make a turn, whereby the rotational speed of the selected braked rear wheel is reduced so as to reduce the turn radius of the vehicle. Vehicle sensor outputs and calculated parameters in conjunction with vehicle systems such as, but not limited to, ESC, ABS, and traction control are used to determine if appropriate vehicle operating conditions exist to actuate the present invention. The method of the present invention is implemented via an algorithmic control, preferably within an ESC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Mackovjak, Robert L. Nisonger, Mario B. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7712846
    Abstract: An endless drive track for a snowmobile is provided with traction lugs that are inclined relative to normal to the track base. When the traction lugs are inclined away from the direction of travel for the track, the traction lugs can compress the snow before engaging the snow for traction, thereby providing lift for a snowmobile traveling in deep snow. Second traction lugs, angled opposite the first, provide hard snow traction and long traction life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Schindler, Andrew Beavis, Bret Rasmussen, Jason Howell
  • Patent number: 7712847
    Abstract: A laboratory station has rear legs and front legs which supports a table top. Utilities can be run through the rear legs and superior connections over prior art techniques are believe to be provided with preferred embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Collegedale Casework, LLC
    Inventors: Chip Albright, Brian White, William Szabo
  • Patent number: 7712848
    Abstract: A storage device includes a base bounding a storage space and an opening into the storage space, a first panel pivotally attached to the base and a second panel pivotally attached to the first panel. The first and second panels pivot between a stored position including the first panel positioned against the base and the second panel positioned against the first panel, and a closed position including the first panel first panel positioned against the top of the base and the second panel received against the base overlying the opening into the storage space enclosing the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Valerie S. Frost-McKinley
  • Patent number: 7712849
    Abstract: A scrapbook workstation includes a base workstation member including a first plurality of adjustable shelves, at least one bi-fold door rotatably coupled to the base workstation, and a collapsible table rotatably coupled to the base workstation member, wherein the at least one bi-fold door further comprises a second plurality of adjustable shelves formed in a first panel and a coupling board formed on a second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventors: Glenn Jakins, Darin Davis, Garth Hubert
  • Patent number: 7712850
    Abstract: The drop-bin unit has at least several bins arranged to pivot outwardly about a generally horizontal axis, from a closed position where outer faces of the bins are generally aligned vertically with each other, to an open position where the outer surfaces angle outwardly from their closed positions. The bins are stacked one above another within a housing, and are connected together, for example via at least one gang bar, such that pivoting one bin outwardly causes all of the bins to pivot outwardly in unison. The units may be sold separately, for use as stand-alone containers, or may be sold to be placed in a holder which holds one or preferably a number of the units. The holder can be sold with one or more of the units, or may be sold as a completely separate item. The holder can take a variety of forms. The units on their own or in holders provide flexibility for carrying job-specific items, avoiding the need to carry an entire toolbox to a particular job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Team Fair Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Kailash C. Vasudeva
  • Patent number: 7712851
    Abstract: A slide rail assembly includes a first slide rail having a release portion, a second slide rail having a slot, a third slide rail having a stop portion, a latch member slidably attached to a slot of the second slide rail, and a resilient member connected to the latch member for returning the latch member to an original position. The latch member includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion located at opposite sides of the second slide rail. Wherein the first engaging portion engages with the stop portion of the third slide rail such that the third slide rail is capable of driving the second slide rail to slide together relative to the first slide rail. The release portion of the first slide rail is capable of engaging with the second engaging portion to bias the latch member to slide along the slot to release the third slide rail from the first engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen)Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Ming Huang, Mo-Ming Yu, Zong-Yuan Li
  • Patent number: 7712852
    Abstract: A double drawer for a refrigerator has a main drawer, an auxiliary drawer having drawings rails which assist the main drawer to slide out, and guide rails assisting the auxiliary drawer to slide out. A sufficient extended length can be secured, the space usability is improved. The durability can also be improved despite its extended length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Bong Choi, Heui Il Jeong, Min Bon Koo, Min Gu Son
  • Patent number: 7712853
    Abstract: A printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes: a disk drive; a printer; a single light-emitting indicator unit able to luminously indicate colors; an ink tank containing color inks of which the number corresponds to the number of colors the light-emitting indicator unit can indicate; an ink level detection unit that detects color ink levels in the ink tank and outputs detected signals; a printing operation detection unit that detects a printer operation and outputs a detected signal; a drive operation detection unit that detects a disk drive operation and outputs a detected signal; and a first light emission control unit that controls a luminous color and state of the light-emitting indicator unit in accordance with the printer operation, the disk drive operation and the color ink levels on the basis of the detected signals from the ink level detection unit, printing operation detection unit and drive operation detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Ashizaki, Tatsumi Ito, Makoto Ando, Takahiro Toyoda, Minoru Takeda, Seiji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7712854
    Abstract: A piezoelectric fluid injection device and a driving voltage calibration method thereof. The piezoelectric fluid injection device includes at least one inkjet printhead comprising a plurality of nozzles, at least one voltage control element connecting to the inkjet printhead, a controller connecting to the voltage control element, a reference capacitor connecting to an auxiliary voltage control element and the controller in parallel with the inkjet printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hsiang-Pei Ou, Chieh-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 7712855
    Abstract: A signal converter that may perform functions to enable a thermally based technology to be used with a piezo-electric printhead. The signal converter and piezo-electric printhead may optionally be used in conjunction with a chassis assembly having an adjustable vertical member for sizing the chassis assembly to a printer. Methods of using a piezo-electric printhead in a printer having a thermal printhead configuration may include the steps of coupling the printhead to the printer and performing conversion functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: MVM Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Loyer, Stephen L. Boden
  • Patent number: 7712856
    Abstract: A pattern formation method for forming a pattern by ejecting a liquid droplet of a pattern forming material in a pattern formation region of a substrate includes: ejecting the liquid droplet at an outer periphery of the pattern formation region in an ejection direction directing from an inside of the pattern formation region toward an outside thereof when viewed from a normal line direction of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Iwata
  • Patent number: 7712857
    Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing on a medium to be printed includes an ink ejection section for intermittently ejecting ink while moving, wherein the printing apparatus detects a distance from the ink ejection section to the medium to be printed, and controls a timing of intermittent ejection of the ink from the ink ejection section based on the distance that has been detected. With such a printing apparatus, the timing at which ink is ejected can be controlled taking into account the distance from the ink ejection section to the medium to be printed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 7712858
    Abstract: In relation to a superimposed image obtained by superimposing second image data on first image data in which respective pixels are arranged in a staggered pattern, an image forming apparatus discriminates a region where the second image data is superimposed from a region where the second image data is not superimposed. When forming an image in a region determined as the region where the second image data is not superimposed in the superimposed image, the printing mechanism is controlled based on a first control pattern. When forming an image in a region determined as the region where the second image data is superimposed in the superimposed image, the printing mechanism is controlled based on a second control pattern different from the first control pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Morimoto, Takeo Miki
  • Patent number: 7712859
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead for use in a printer so that it can print onto a substrate at different print resolutions. The inkjet printhead has an array of nozzles, each nozzle having an ejection aperture and a corresponding actuator for ejecting printing fluid through the ejection aperture. A print engine controller sends print data to the array of nozzles in accordance with a designated print job. During use, the print engine controller can selectively reduce the print resolution by apportioning print data for a single nozzle between at least two nozzles of the array. The invention recognizes that some print jobs do not require the printhead's best resolution—a lower resolution is completely adequate for the purposes of the document being printed. This is particularly true if the printhead is capable of very high resolutions, say greater than 1200 dpi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7712860
    Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method are provided which are capable of minimizing image impairments caused by a bias of satellite positions even when an odd-numbered-pass bidirectional multi-pass printing is performed. To this end, in an odd-numbered-pass bidirectional printing, a mask pattern, in which print permitted pixels and print non-permitted pixels are arranged such a way that a percentage of pixels in which predetermined two inks are permitted to be printed by scans in different directions is higher than a percentage of pixels in which the predetermined two inks are permitted to be printed by scans in the same directions, is used. This increases the probability of satellites of the two types of the inks printed in the same pixels being printed on both sides of main dots, thus allowing a uniform image to be produced even by an odd-numbered-pass bidirectional printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Edamura, Kiichiro Takahashi, Minoru Teshigawara, Akiko Maru, Yoshiaki Murayama, Takatoshi Nakano, Hiroshi Taira
  • Patent number: 7712861
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an image forming device which has a plurality of nozzles performing droplet ejection of ink to deposit droplets of the ink to form an image onto a prescribed medium; an image reading device which acquires read image data by reading in the image on the medium; a deviation amount calculation device which, for each of the nozzles, calculates a current deviation amount that is a deviation amount in the droplet ejection with respect to a prescribed central value, by finding a weighted average of an initial deviation amount and past N deviation amounts nearest to a current time calculated for the nozzle according to past read image data; and a droplet ejection correction device which corrects the droplet ejection of each of the nozzles according to the current deviation amount of the nozzle calculated by the deviation amount calculation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Seiichiro Oku
  • Patent number: 7712862
    Abstract: Printer ink-drop detectors are used to detect ink stalagmites forming on a waste ink receiving spittoon. A warning message can be issued so that the stalagmites can be removed before automatic printer shutdown is initiated. Additionally, a record of the ink stalagmite detection can be stored within the printer for later access by service personnel during routine maintenance and/or resource replenishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alejandro Campillo, Justin Davison, Brian D Gragg
  • Patent number: 7712863
    Abstract: A maintenance method that discharges liquid L collected in a liquid receiver 15 of a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first step of causing a nozzle opening face 43a of a liquid ejecting head 3 to be disposed facing the liquid receiver 15 in a non-contact state and applying an electric field between both, a second step of ejecting liquid D from a nozzle 47 to the liquid receiver 15, a third step of detecting a voltage change based on electrostatic induction at the time of ejecting the liquid D to the liquid receiver 15, a fourth step of determining a liquid level height H of the liquid L collected in the liquid receiver on the basis of a result of detection of the voltage change, and a fifth step of discharging the liquid L collected in the liquid receiver when the liquid level height H reaches a predetermined height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 7712864
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a recording head which has a nozzle opening in a nozzle-defining surface thereof, and ejects, from the nozzle, a droplet of an ink toward a recording medium, in a state in which the recording head is separate from a remaining portion of a recording device. The apparatus includes a cover member which is adapted to air-tightly contact the recording head to cover the nozzle-defining surface of the recording head such that a space is formed between the cover member and the nozzle-defining surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Shindo, Kiyoharu Hayakawa, Katsunori Nishida, Hikaru Kaga
  • Patent number: 7712865
    Abstract: There are provided a sucking unit having a recording medium transportation surface including a plurality of sucking holes, a decompression chamber communicating with the sucking holes and a sucking device for sucking air in the decompression chamber, and a delivering device for sucking a recording medium supplied onto the recording medium transportation surface of the sucking unit onto the recording medium transportation surface through the sucking hole by the sucking device, and delivering the recording medium from an upstream side of the sucking unit to a downstream side thereof. Each sucking hole of the sucking unit is formed by a through hole section communicating with the decompression chamber and a sucking chamber having a larger area of a sucking surface opposed to the recording medium than a sectional area of the through hole section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Ishii, Yoshitaka Shimada
  • Patent number: 7712866
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assembling a modular printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes a flexible elongate ink-delivery member and a plurality of modules for being received in fluid communication with the ink-delivery member. The ink delivery member and the modules are received in a metal channel. The method includes the step of flexing the metal channel apart at a plurality of locations there-along to enable receipt of respective printhead modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7712867
    Abstract: A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer. The assembly comprises: a plurality of printhead modules, each module having: a plurality of inlets for receiving ink; and a printhead integrated circuit with an array of nozzles in fluid communication with the plurality of ink inlets for ejecting ink; a flexible printed circuit board for conducting power and data from the printer to each printhead integrated circuit; and a flexible extrusion having a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the plurality of inlets of the plurality of printhead modules, wherein the extrusion supplies ink provided by the printer to the array of nozzles of the printhead integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7712868
    Abstract: Provided is a printer assembly for a pagewidth printer, said assembly having a support frame for supporting a printhead arrangement. The support frame includes an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion separated by an internal cavity. The support frame also includes a lower arm portion and an upper wall fast with the outer and inner wall portions. The upper wall portion defines a channel for receiving printhead tiles of the printhead arrangement. The upper wall portion and arm portion have a clipping arrangement configured to receive a printed circuit board (PCB) having electronics for controlling the printhead arrangement. The support frame is configured to minimize substantial dimensional changes due to environmental changes to retain a positional relationship between individual printhead tiles of the printhead arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Norman Michael Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson, Akira Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 7712869
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead comprising: an array of ink chambers, each having a nozzle and an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle; wherein, the nozzle has a nozzle rim defining a nozzle aperture and a localized irregularity on the nozzle rim extending toward the center of the nozzle aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7712870
    Abstract: To provide an ink jet recording head, by which a recording operation with a high recording quality can be performed without causing deformation or breakage of a recording element substrate and the manufacture cost is reduced, a filling groove filled with sealant for protecting a recording element substrate from ink includes a salient or divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Shibata, Hiroki Tajima, Toru Kanda
  • Patent number: 7712871
    Abstract: An embodiment relates generally to a method of ejecting ink. The method includes providing a continuous stream of ink from a pressurized fluid chamber and activating a drive signal to activate a micro-electrostatic mechanical system (MEMS) membrane. The method also includes stably breaking up the jet stream into uniform droplets in response to deflecting the MEMS membrane to perturb the continuous stream of ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Drake, Joseph DeGroot, Andrew Hays