Patents Issued in June 1, 2010
  • Patent number: 7726419
    Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. The drill bit has a central longitudinal axis and may be operated by applying at least a rotary motion about the central longitudinal axis and optionally applying longitudinal reciprocal movement to the drill bit so as to exert a percussive force on the borehole bottom. The drill bit has a surface provided with a plurality of shear cutters having a rake surface arranged to induce a scraping movement along the borehole bottom upon application of the rotary motion. The rake surface, during operation, faces the direction of rotation at a back-rake angle of less than 90°, wherein the backrake angle is defined as the angle included between the projection of a line perpendicular to the rake surface on a plane defined by the central longitudinal axis and the direction of the tangential velocity component of the shear cutter and a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Antonio Maria Guimaraes Leite Cruz
  • Patent number: 7726420
    Abstract: A cutter for a drill bit used for drilling wells in a geological formation includes an ultra hard working surface and a chamfer along an edge of the working surface, wherein the chamfer has a varied geometry along the edge. The average geometry of the chamfer varies with cutting depth. A depression in the shaped working surface is oriented with the varied chamfer and facilitates forming the varied chamfer. A non-planar interface has depressions oriented with depressions in the shaped working surface to provide support to loads on the working surface of the cutter when used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuelin Shen, Youhe Zhang, Steffen S. Kristiansen
  • Patent number: 7726421
    Abstract: Thermally stable diamond-bonded compacts include a diamond-bonded body having a thermally stable region extending a distance below a diamond-bonded body surface. The thermally stable region comprises a matrix first phase of bonded together diamond crystals, and a second phase interposed within the matrix phase. At least some population of the second phase comprises a reaction product formed between an infiltrant material and the diamond crystals at high pressure/high temperature conditions. The diamond bonded body further includes a polycrystalline diamond region that extends a depth from the thermally stable region and has a microstructure comprising a polycrystalline diamond matrix phase and a catalyst material disposed within interstitial regions of the matrix phase. The compact includes a substrate attached to the diamond-bonded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Stewart N. Middlemiss
  • Patent number: 7726422
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention disclose a spherical walking robot, the spherical walking robot comprises a spherical coronal; a spherical housing which has a surface groove; a walking and transmission mechanism in the spherical housing; a lift and transmission mechanism; mechanical arms located in the surface groove, and the mechanical arm comprises a little arm and an upper arm connected the little arm by an elbow joint motor. The embodiments of the present invention also disclose a spherical walking robot, the spherical walking robot does not comprise the lift and transmission mechanism, but a fastness mechanism and a rotating mechanism rotatably connected with the fastness mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Beijing University of Posts & Telecommunications
    Inventors: Hanxu Sun, Qingxuan Jia
  • Patent number: 7726423
    Abstract: A vehicle having a main chassis (3) and a power source (4) for driving the vehicle, a drivable steer carriage (1) pivotally supporting the main chassis (3) about an at least substantially upright pivotal axis (2), the carriage including a plurality of opposed pairs of carriage wheels (5a, 7a, 9a), at least one said pair of carriage wheels being driven by a drive transmission including an input shaft (17a) at least substantially aligned with said upright pivotal axis (2) such that the power source (4) can transfer power through the input shaft (17a) to at least one carriage wheel pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Trackaxle Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kerry Atley
  • Patent number: 7726424
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a chassis, a passenger compartment disposed on the chassis, a control center for remote, controllable equipment, the control center being disposed in the passenger compartment, and a dedicated interface for connecting the control center to the controllable equipment. A method for making a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce P. Hollenbeck, Michael P. Kline, Chris Andrew Hillman
  • Patent number: 7726425
    Abstract: A power transmission system of a hydraulically driven working vehicle comprises: a prime mover supported by a vehicle frame, the prime mover including a prime mover output shaft projecting in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; a pump housing; a hydraulic pump disposed in the pump housing, the hydraulic pump including a pump shaft projecting from the pump housing in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle so as to be drivingly connected to the prime mover output shaft; a first hydraulic motor disposed outside the pump housing so as to be fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump; a transaxle supported by one of front and rear portions of the vehicle frame, the transaxle including a transaxle housing, a pair of axles disposed in the transaxle housing so as to be driven by the hydraulic motor, and a differential gear unit disposed in the transaxle housing so as to be drivingly interposed between the hydraulic motor and the pair of axles; a PTO shaft; and a working power train extracting a part of power t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Koji Iwaki, Fumitoshi Ishino
  • Patent number: 7726426
    Abstract: A hub drive includes an in-hub motor and a shifting in-hub transmission coupled with the motor. A hub drive wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel. A vehicle includes a chassis, a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel for rotating the wheel with respect to the chassis. A method includes providing a shifting transmission and a motor coupled with the transmission in a hub of a wheel, providing electrical power to the motor, and rotating the motor with the electrical power. The method further includes rotating the transmission with the motor and rotating the wheel with the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Beck, Jon T. Stinchcomb, Wendell H. Chun, David A. Clemens, John C. Dunne, Dean Banks
  • Patent number: 7726427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for fixing a battery (11), consisting of a support tray (12) comprising an essentially-flat support face (16) and two longitudinal flanges (17a, 17b). According to the invention, the first longitudinal flange (17a) comprises fixed lugs (20) which serve as positioning stops for a first lug (14a) of the battery (11). The support tray (12) comprises mobile lugs (21) which are connected to the second longitudinal flange (17b) and which each define a first blocking surface (22) for a second lug (14b) of the battery (11). The fixing device (10) comprises elastically-deformable actuation levers (25) which are associated with the mobile lugs (21) and a locking ramp (26) which co-operates with each mobile lug (21) and each corresponding actuation lever (25) such as to lock the battery (11) in position in the support tray (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventor: Christophe Picavet
  • Patent number: 7726428
    Abstract: A device protects at least a portion of an A/C condenser of an automotive vehicle against damage from stones and other road debris. The device includes a guard having a plurality of spaced apart louvers for intercepting and deflecting the stones and other road debris but permitting air to pass through the guard between the louvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Jerome E Kowalski
  • Patent number: 7726429
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes: a motor chamber provided in a front part of the vehicle; side frames extending on right and left sides of the vehicle in a front-to-back direction of the vehicle; a fuel cell; a motor for driving the vehicle, wherein the motor is driven using electric power generated by the fuel cell, and the fuel cell, the motor, and the side frames are installed in the motor chamber; and a support frame for coupling rear portions of the side frames with each other in a width direction of the vehicle, and for supporting the fuel cell installed on the support frame, wherein the motor is arranged below the support frame. The fuel cell vehicle may further include a guide member for guiding the motor toward a lower-back side of the support frame when a front collision of the vehicle occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7726430
    Abstract: An energy storage type of differential hybrid power distribution system to drive an all wheel driving carrier; a revolution output end of an internal combustion engine (or any other revolution power source) to drive the front wheel through an intermediate transmission and control interface device, and to also drive an input end of the energy storage type of differential hybrid power device to output kinetics to further drive the rear wheel; and an electro-mechanical unit functioning as a generator and a motor being disposed in the energy storage type of differential hybrid power device to regulate the power distribution between the front wheel and the rear wheel by controlling the electro-mechanical unit to operate as a motor or as a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 7726431
    Abstract: Steering drive for a wheel of a ground conveyor with an apparatus for recording the actual angle of the steered wheel, with a steering motor, a steering controller or regulator driven by a steering angle transmitter, the input signal of which is given to the steering motor, a steering drive coupled with the shaft of the steering motor, the output side of which is connected with a steering plate, which mounts the steered wheel, and a rotation angle sensor, which records the rotation angle of the steering plate, wherein the shaft of the steering motor is designed as a hollow shaft, through which a sensor drive shaft is inserted and which is connected on the drive side with the output side of the steering drive and works together with the angle sensor on the side of the steering motor facing away from the steering drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Manken, Bjorn Nommensen, Christoph Weber
  • Patent number: 7726432
    Abstract: A seat includes a seat frame and a resilient web supported by the seat frame. The web is adapted for movement between an at rest condition in which no operator is seated on the seat, and a deflected condition in which the web is deflected with respect to the frame in response to an operator seated on the seat. A switch actuator is mounted to the web and is movable between a non-actuating position when the web is in the at rest condition and an actuating position when the web is in the deflected condition. A switch is mounted to the frame, the switch includes first and second parts movable with respect to each other to open and close an electrical circuit in response to the switch actuator moving between the non-actuating and actuating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Seats, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Nemec, Chad Ruetten, Harold Van Duser
  • Patent number: 7726433
    Abstract: In a plan view seen from above a vehicle, a cover (20), which closes an airbag deployment opening (14) formed in a hood outer panel (12), is elongate, and has an arc shape. The center portion of the cover (20) in a vehicle-width direction protrudes toward the front of the vehicle. Hinge portions (20E) of the cover (20) are formed in the vehicle rear-side edge of the cover (20) at positions near both end portions in the vehicle-width direction. Each clip (28), which fixes the cover (20), is disposed in a vehicle front-side edge (20J) at a position offset outward from a center portion (20K) in the vehicle-width direction. Thus, the clips (28) are prevented from interfering with an airbag that has passed through the airbag deployment opening (14) and has been deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Satou, Hiroyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7726434
    Abstract: A holding fixture for a camera and a method for monitoring the surrounding area of a vehicle, using at least one camera, which is used to draw a holding fixture out of the body shell of a vehicle, as needed. The holding fixture is extended as a function of a speed signal or a transmission-setting signal, and, in addition to a camera, the holding fixture has a further device, in particular a washer device or a trunk handle. Furthermore, the holding fixture can be drawn out as a function of a signal from a control element. Holding fixtures having cameras can be attached at various positions of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Pöchmüller
  • Patent number: 7726435
    Abstract: In a hydraulic excavator wherein a control valve unit having a plurality of control valves in a united form and an operation pattern switching valve for switching from one to another among combined patterns of operating valves and control valves are disposed side by side in front and rear positions respectively within a valve accommodating space formed between an upper frame base plate and a floor plate in an upper rotating body, the operation pattern switching valve is inclined forwardly downward in a state in which its upper surface side including an operating lever thereof faces an operation port being formed to the floor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanobu Nakayoshi, Hirokazu Imashige, Tomohiko Asakage, Kazuyuki Takeda
  • Patent number: 7726436
    Abstract: A torque control element for a steering system in a motor vehicle, and such a steering system are provided. The torque control element includes at least two electrical units, each of the electrical units being assigned a separate power supply unit, connected via at least one fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Pfeiffer, Werner Mayer, Werner Harter, Jochen Koepernik
  • Patent number: 7726437
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device and control method for use in steer-by-wire steering systems. A steering instrument is operable to receive input from a driver and a turning device is operable to turn at least one wheel. A selectively engageable backup clutch is positioned between the steering instrument and the turning device. Engagement of the backup clutch results in a mechanical connection between the steering instrument and the turning device for assisting control of the at least one wheel, and release of the backup clutch results in a separation of the steering instrument and the turning device for steer-by-wire control of the at least one wheel. A controller is operable to switch from the steer-by-wire control to the assisting control when the backup clutch engages during operation of the steer-by-wire control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kasahara
  • Patent number: 7726438
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic steering system (100) for a vehicle, especially a mobile working machine, comprising at least two steering cylinders (1, 2) within which two cylinder pistons (3, 4) can be displaced, and a first hydraulic pump (14) that can be adjusted regarding the swept volume. The position or the direction of displacement of the cylinder pistons (3, 4) in the steering cylinders (3, 4) defines the steering angle or the steering direction of the steerable vehicle wheels relative to a body (5) of the vehicle. The displaceable cylinder pistons (3, 4) divide the associated steering cylinder (1, 2) into two respective pressure chambers (6 and 7, 8 and 9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Brueninghaus Hydromatik GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Beck, Dieter Roth
  • Patent number: 7726439
    Abstract: An apparatus for steering a vehicle includes a hand steering device, a road wheel steering device, a steering motor and a connection device. The hand steering device is a device which a driver of the vehicle manipulates for steering road wheels. The road wheel steering device actuates the road wheels. The steering motor, which is attached to the road wheel steering device, produces an assist force for the road wheels. The connection device selectively connects and disconnects the hand steering device and the road wheel steering device. In the apparatus, a ratio of a displacement made by the hand steering device to a displacement generated by the road wheel steering device increases as a speed of the vehicle becomes greater while the vehicle is traveling in a predetermined range of speed, and a gradient of the ratio is adapted to be greater when the speed is lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Akuta, Nobuo Sugitani
  • Patent number: 7726440
    Abstract: Vehicle electrical and electronic components are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The percentage by weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination thereof is between about 20% and 50% of the weight of the conductive loaded resin-based material. The micron conductive powders are metals or conductive non-metals or metal plated non-metals. The micron conductive fibers may be metal fiber or metal plated fiber. Further, the metal plated fiber may be formed by plating metal onto a metal fiber or by plating metal onto a non-metal fiber. Any platable fiber may be used as the core for a non-metal fiber. Superconductor metals may also be used as micron conductive fibers and/or as metal plating onto fibers in the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Integral Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Aisenbrey
  • Patent number: 7726441
    Abstract: There is provided an acoustic vibratory plate having at least first to third laminated bodies layered. In the acoustic vibratory plate, the first and third laminated bodies are formed of a polymer material, and the second laminated body is formed of a polymer material different from the polymer material forming the first and third laminated bodies in dynamic internal loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Uryu, Yoshio Ohashi, Kunihiko Tokura
  • Patent number: 7726442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an acoustic baffle device for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity, comprising a piece of sealing material that is formed in a shape corresponding to but being smaller than the shape of the cross section of the cavity. The acoustic baffle device of the invention is characterized in having a flap assembly having a lower neck defining a passage for a flexible tube or a similar device, said lower neck having a flap secured in closed position by a locking device and being connected preferably to the lower end of the lower neck through means that permit the reversible opening of the above-defined passage. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a flap assembly useful for such an acoustic baffle device, and to a process for sealing a cavity of a vehicle body at a predetermined cross section of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sika Technology AG
    Inventor: Vincent Belpaire
  • Patent number: 7726443
    Abstract: A muffler of a work machine in the form of an engine blower includes: a muffler body; and a diffuser that covers an exhaust outlet of exhaust gas provided on the muffler body. The diffuser has a diffusion space to diffuse the exhaust gas and an exhaust surface on which a plurality of exhaust circular holes are provided to exhaust the exhaust gas to an outside. An opening ratio provided by the exhaust holes of the exhaust surface is gradually increased from a portion corresponding to the exhaust opening toward an outer periphery of the exhaust surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Husovarna Zenoah Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koue Miyazawa, Naomi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7726444
    Abstract: An exhaust system baffle is provided comprising a tube and a plurality of radially extending flanges mounted in surrounding relation about the tube. Each flange includes a centrally positioned aperture and a slit that extends through the flange from the aperture to an outer edge of the flange. The tube extends through the apertures of the flanges. Each flange includes a first edge portion that bounds a first side of the slit. Each flange includes a second edge portion that bounds a second side of the slit opposite the first side of the slit. The opposed first and second edge portions of each flange are bent such that the opposed first and second edge portions are orientated to extend outwardly from the tube at angles that are each acute in opposed directions with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: James C. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 7726445
    Abstract: A stabilizer for bracing a pump-jack scaffold to a roof is provided that includes an arm having a plurality of slots for engaging and disengaging one or more anchor points on a roof and a base or foot coupled to the arm for relative movement with respect to the arm and engagement with a scaffold post and with the roof. The slotted arm permits engagement and disengagement with fasteners in the roof without requiring removal of the fasteners from the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin Livingstone Parnell
  • Patent number: 7726446
    Abstract: A mobile hunting blind includes a platform that may be raised and lowered to accommodate handicapped persons in a vehicle for transportation of the hunting blind and the person. The platform has a hunting blind wrapped around it and has a turntable that allows a person to spin within the hunting blind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Vernon Roger Buchanan, Francelia Lynn Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7726447
    Abstract: A scaffold assembling of a large component for a boiler requiring inspection is not performed by a high-place work but assembled safely and in a short time. The scaffold is assembled to the large component for the boiler supported by a component supporting beam at the ground side before it is attached to a steel frame main-beam 16. Scaffold lifting/supporting beams interposing coil spaces of a superheater 14 are suspended on wires 36 lifted down from spaces of a ceiling tube wall 34 being a horizontal member of the superheater 14. The scaffold lifting/supporting beams 32 are lifted to raise little by lithe within the superheater, and scaffold components are assembled sequentially toward downward. After a required number of steps of scaffolds are assembled, the scaffold lifting/supporting beams 32 are coupled to the ceiling tube wall 34 to be supported. Finally, the superheater 14 is raised by a lifting means to install to the main-beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Kawaguchi, Kazuhito Nakamitsu, Sinnichi Sagawa
  • Patent number: 7726448
    Abstract: A distributor element, in particular a feed distributor, is provided for the metering of lubricants for lubricating installations. The element includes a valve piston featuring a bore. The valve piston moves under the pressure of a lubricant operating at a lubricant inlet against the force of a first return spring from a starting position in which the bore releases a connection between a dispensing chamber and a metering chamber via a connecting passage, to a metering position in which the valve piston releases a passage from the lubricant inlet to the connecting passage and therefore to the metering chamber. Furthermore, the distributor element features a dispensing piston which under the effect of a lubricant entering the metering chamber moves against the force of a second return spring from a starting position and thereby pushes the lubricant volume present in the dispensing chamber between the valve piston and the dispensing piston into a lubricant outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Lincoln GmbH
    Inventors: Zdravko Paluncic, Andreas Schönfeld
  • Patent number: 7726449
    Abstract: An airtight damper, an input axis, and a flywheel are mounted to the input axis with a bolt. A torque transmitter, a torque transmitter attachment unit of the flywheel, and a support plate are united with each other using a bolt. The torque transmitter includes a spline unit. A pressure plate engaged with the spline unit is pressed by a pressure spring so as to press a friction plate and a torque transmitter plate against the support plate. Since the torque transmitter plate is fixed to a drive plate by a rivet, the torque from the input axis can be transmitted to the drive plate. Although the torque from the engine is larger than an allowable value, a friction member can slip at a constant torque depending on the pressure of the pressure spring, thereby protecting the damper against an excess load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yabe, Dai Okamura
  • Patent number: 7726450
    Abstract: A shim for use in a braking subassembly comprising a metal backing plate comprising a first side surface, wherein the shim comprises at least one flexible tab extending from an edge thereof for assisting in coupling the shim to the backing plate along a backing plate side surface thereof, and wherein the at least one flexible tab comprises an integrally formed and extending finger therefrom, wherein the finger has a leading edge that frictionally engages the backing plate edge surface when the shim is subjected to a separation force, which, relative to the backing plate, has a directional component at least essentially parallel to and in the same direction as the direction in which the finger extends; whereby the shim is resisted from separating from the first side surface of the backing plate at least in part by the frictional resistance of the leading edge of the finger against the backing plate side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Anstro Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Bosco, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7726451
    Abstract: A vibration damper with amplitude-selective damping force includes a piston rod carrying a piston arrangement axially movably arranged in a cylinder and dividing the cylinder into two working spaces. A flow connection is present between the working spaces and controlled by an axially movable switching ring which cooperates with a working surface which faces the ring to define a pilot opening cross section. A bypass channel with at least two connecting openings to the flow connection is provided hydraulically in parallel to the flow connection. At least one connecting opening upstream of each of two stop surface of the switching ring. A check valve arrangement separates the bypass channel and the flow connection from each other in the different flow directions as a function of the movements of the piston rod, the check valve arrangement having two check valves which close in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hammer, Michael Doppernas, Manfred Denner, Matthias Planitzer
  • Patent number: 7726452
    Abstract: An active vibration damping system having a supporting spring for addressing a static force from a payload, and an independent actively isolated damper positioned in parallel between a payload and a source of vibration for damping dynamic force from the payload to an actively isolated point. The actively isolated damper includes a small intermediate mass, distinct and decoupled from the payload mass, and a passive isolator element for dynamic coupling of the isolated platform to the small intermediate mass. The small intermediate mass provides a point to which dynamic forces from the payload may be dampened. The active damper also includes at least one actuator coupled at one surface to the small intermediate mass and coupled at a second surface to the vibrating base platform. A motion sensor may also be provided on the small intermediate mass so as to generate a feedback signal as a function of the movement of the small intermediate mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Technical Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Emil Kraner
  • Patent number: 7726453
    Abstract: A device for controlling the activation of an apparatus by a motor, intended to be inserted between, the operation output of the motor and the operation input of the apparatus whose activation is to be controlled. The device includes: —a blade pump having a rotor, at least one blade carried by this rotor and a rotary body forming a pumping chamber missing an outlet, and one of the component parts, among the rotor and the rotary body, being connected to the operation output of the motor, whilst the other of these component parts is connected to the operation input of the apparatus to be controlled; —and a supply intended to supply liquid to the pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: VHIT S.p.A. Unipersonale
    Inventor: Leonardo Cadeddu
  • Patent number: 7726454
    Abstract: A free coaster bicycle wheel driving apparatus is provided with a clutch that employs radially acting, rather than axially acting components. An annular drive sleeve projecting inwardly from a drive sprocket is disposed within multiple transmission power transmission sleeves, which are disposed within a cylindrical wheel hub shell. The drive sleeve defines multiple cam lobes and the power transmission sleeves define multiple cam lobes and multiple pockets. When the drive sleeve cam lobes are disposed in the power transmission sleeve pockets, the driving apparatus is disengaged and allowed to free coast. Upon forward rotation of the driving apparatus, the drive sleeve cam lobes rotate toward and engage the power transmission sleeve cam lobes, thereby forcing the power transmission sleeve radially outward towards the wheel hub shell, thereby allowing the sprocket to engage the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Bear Corporation
    Inventor: George French
  • Patent number: 7726455
    Abstract: A clutch comprises an input pinion and an output pinion associated with a rotatable locking member that has a surface inclined with respect to an axis of rotation of the locking member. The surface cooperates with an engagement member, and the locking member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the surface forms a recess to receive the engagement member, and in the second position, the surface forms a projection to force the engagement member into abutment with the input pinion to establish a driveable connection between the input pinion and the output pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems —France
    Inventors: Dominique Benoit, Franck Rivoiret, Thierry Pebre
  • Patent number: 7726456
    Abstract: A linear electromotive actuator mounted on an input shaft of a manual transmission clutch system and a clutch operation is controlled by a current signal applied in response to an operating stroke of a clutch pedal. In addition, according to the clutch system and a method for controlling the same, a vehicle weight is reduced and a clutch vibration or an impact can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Donghyun Ha
  • Patent number: 7726457
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a currency processing device for receiving and processing a stack of currency bills is disclosed. The currency processing device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles for receiving bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism for transporting the bills from the input receptacle to the output receptacles, and a discriminating unit for examining the bills. The output receptacles are arranged such that a center of at least one output receptacle is laterally offset from a center of the input receptacle. The discriminating unit includes a detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles and is adapted to determine the denomination of bills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Ken W. Maier, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Marek Baranowski, Yanmei Chen
  • Patent number: 7726458
    Abstract: A structure maintains a gap in a paper money discriminating apparatus that may be provided in an automatic teller machine. The structure may include a paper money discriminating sensor that is provided in an upper body to discriminate whether a paper money to be conveyed along a conveyance path is counterfeit money, a lower body that is provided so as to face the paper money discriminating sensor with a predetermined gap therebetween, and spacing protrusions that protrude upward from an upper surface of the lower body and come in contact with both end portions of the paper money discriminating sensor so as to maintain a constant gap between a lower surface of the paper money discriminating sensor and the upper surface of the lower body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Nautilus Hyosung, Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Young Kim
  • Patent number: 7726459
    Abstract: An escalator step (12) includes a sound barrier material (40) covering over at least a portion of an inner surface (42) of a tread portion(30) and an inner surface (44) of a rise portion (32). In one example, the sound barrier material (40) comprises a sheet of vinyl. The sound barrier material (40) reduces noise radiation from the step (12) toward a cavity (26) within a passenger conveyor support structure (20) and reduces noise emanations from the cavity (26) through the steps (12). Several embodiments for securing the sound barrier material (40) in place are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Vijay Jayachandran, Goldino Alves, Dave Jarvis, Fred Spielman
  • Patent number: 7726460
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tray transfer system (TTS). This system is designed to automatically transfer trays of mail between dollies and conveyor belts. The TTS is an efficient method for shipping, moving, storing, loading, and unloading mail trays. It allows mail-processing centers to physically and temporally separate the process of sorting mail and the process of moving mail into automation compatible trays (ACT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Neebe, Thomas Anthony Hillerich, Randall Keith Neilson, Robert Lee Schlender, Matthew Gene Good, Jacob L. Timm
  • Patent number: 7726461
    Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus for controlling spacing of objects conveyed by an object conveyor and for selectively ejecting objects from the object conveyor include flights that extend transversely across the object conveyor to limit travel of the objects to control their relative spacing, and ejectors associated with the flights that can be selectively actuated to eject the objects whose travel has been limited by the associated flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert F Risley
  • Patent number: 7726462
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and a unit for the formation of groups of products in a machine for continuous packaging of products, according to which at least two continuous rows of products are fed via two conveyor devices set in series with respect to one another along a first given path and in contact with at least one alignment element, which is set transverse to the first path and in front of the rows of products to align the rows themselves with respect to one another, and is displaced along a second, loop-like, path defined by two portions, along which the alignment element is set on the inside and on the outside, respectively, of the first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: KPL Packaging S.p.A. Societa Unipersonale
    Inventors: Nicola Baldanza, Moreno Cremonini, Giordano Gorrieri
  • Patent number: 7726463
    Abstract: A unit for grouping packages along a transfer path includes an input station receiving the packages arranged in longitudinal lines parallel to the transfer path; an output station for groups defined by a given number of packages from respective longitudinal lines and aligned in at least one line crosswise to the transfer path; a movable conveying surface, which is fed at predetermined time intervals with a number of packages equal to that of each group, and feeds the packages along the transfer path; and at least one movable member, which is fed cyclically along an operating path having at least one portion parallel to the transfer path, and has an aligning surface, against which, at each cycle, the packages in each group upstream from the movable member come to rest and are aligned in at least one line crosswise to the transfer path; the movable member also has a push surface which, at each cycle, acts on each group of packages downstream from the movable member to push the group out of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Niclas Aronsson
  • Patent number: 7726464
    Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide an apparatus for forming a stable arrangement of bottles so they can be moved on an inline conveyor system. This is accomplished by an apparatus for nesting bottles comprising a first conveyor having lanes of bottles, and a second conveyor, wherein a fixed number of bottles from each lane is released from each lane in a staggered arrangement to facilitate nesting of the released bottles and then pushing and guiding the released bottles from the first conveyor onto a second conveyor so that the bottles form a nested bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Alain Cerf
  • Patent number: 7726465
    Abstract: A bench mining system and mining method, particularly useful for open pit bench mining, employs a combination of bulldozers and transversely movable apron feeders to provide the primary mechanism for removal of overburden. The apron feeders are preferably equipped with a self-cleaning arrangement to facilitate continuous operation without undue stoppages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Drummond Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Garry N. Drummond, Eugene Honeycutt, Harold Gene Anderson
  • Patent number: 7726466
    Abstract: The invention concerns a conveyor belt scraper (10) which includes blade segments (12) each arranged to scrape a portion of the width of a conveyor belt (22). Each blade segment is supported by a bracket (14) which is mounted to a link (16.1) of a deformable, parallelogram linkage (16). An inflatable hose (30) extends through and acts on the linkages to urge the blade segments against the conveyor belt. The link has a projecting, holed boss (42) and the bracket has a recess (40.3) to receive the boss with the hole of the boss aligned with a hole in the base of the recess to receive a fastener (50) that connects the bracket to the linkage in thermally transmitting relationship. This relationship reduces heat degradation of components of the scraper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Ghislain Justin Marie Mat
  • Patent number: 7726467
    Abstract: A conveyor coupler system for efficiently increasing the longevity and productivity of the conveyor. The conveyor coupler system generally includes a coupler including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends from the second portion. The first portion includes a first connecting portion, wherein the first connecting portion extends within the first portion and includes at least one slot. The second portion includes a second connecting portion extending within the second portion and including a plurality of ridge members. The first connecting portion connects to a first planetary gear structure of a conveyor unit and the second connecting portion connects to a second planetary gear structure of the conveyor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Albert G. Schoonover, Gordon L. Schoonover
  • Patent number: 7726468
    Abstract: A floating conveyor belt (20) for a belt conveyor forms a loop and includes a surface (32) for receiving transportable products arranged on one face thereof and a surface (30) supported by a support structure and arranged on the other surface thereof. The belt (20) is embodied in the form of an unflattened tube over the main part thereof and contains the product receiving surface (32) arranged thereinside, thereby delimiting a closed tubular space for confining transported products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Rene Brunone