Patents Issued in June 1, 2010
  • Patent number: 7726869
    Abstract: An LED track light device includes a plurality of LED-units that fit within a track means. At least one LED element(s) is fitted within the LED-unit's geometric construction, and leads of the LED are connected by conductive means, resilient conductive means, contact means, and/or bus means to deliver electric signal from an AC or DC power source, circuit means, switch means, sensor means, timer means, and/or control means to the element(s) to provide a desired area-illumination light function. The LED-units have a geometric construction and space to allow the element(s) to be fixed in position or incorporated with reflector means that may be arranged to rotate, swivel, or tilt. Hanging means or other electric devices also can added to the said LED track light device or the LED-units to add more practical extra functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
  • Patent number: 7726870
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mixing a static fluid with another component, such as a particulate material, a liquid, a compressible liquid or gas, or combinations thereof, using a motive fluid stream, producing a low pressure region within the static fluid using radial eductors in a tank. The invention further relates to a method for separating oil form an oil and water mixture using a motive fluid stream and air, producing a low pressure region in a tank with entrained air bubbles, wherein the oil attaches to the air bubbles and rises to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Vortex Systems (International) CI
    Inventor: William Gerald Lott
  • Patent number: 7726871
    Abstract: Vibrational energy generated with a pneumatic vibrator is controlled to independently adjust the amplitude and the frequency. A mechanical resonator is used to adjust the frequency. The controlled vibrational energy can be applied to equipment, such as a heat exchanger to mitigate fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Leroy Clavenna, Ian A. Cody, Mohsen S. Yeganeh, Alan H. Wolf, Glen B. Brons, Wayne J. York
  • Patent number: 7726872
    Abstract: The application discloses a method of making a balance spring (100) from continuous fibers or ceramic by winding them around a cylindrical former (90), interspaced with a releasing agent (110). Also disclosed is a method of making a balance spring, preferably of a ceramic material (60), by applying it to a rotating former (70) mandrel or plate and subsequently heat treating. Balance wheels (30) having a moment of inertia which decreases with a rise in temperature due to a special arrangement of components (8, 9, 10) having different coefficients of thermal expansion are also disclosed. A mechanical oscillator system comprising a non-magnetic ceramic or continuous fiber balance spring (50) and a non-magnetic balance wheel (30) formed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 6×10?6K?1 and having a plurality of non-magnetic poising or timing appendages (5) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Gideon Levingston
  • Patent number: 7726873
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus (10) is for analyzing a heat-transferring nano-fluid (20) with a view to obtaining information on heat-transferring properties of the nano-fluid. Typically, the nano-fluid is used for heat pipes. The apparatus includes an evaporating device (100) and a detecting device (200). The evaporating device is configured for preparing a gaseous sample (20?) of the nano-fluid for analyzing. The evaporating device includes a container (110) configured for containing the nano-fluid, and a temperature controller (120). The container has a first opening (112) allowing vaporized nano-fluid to exit therethrough. The temperature controller is configured for heating the nano-fluid in the container up to a predetermined temperature, and maintaining the nano-fluid at the predetermined temperature. The detecting device is configured for generating a laser light and receiving an optical emission from the gaseous sample, thus enabling heat-transferring properties of the nano-fluid to be analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mong-Tung Lin
  • Patent number: 7726874
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for determining the capacity of a heat exchanger is provided. The effective heat transfer coefficient for the heat exchanger is calculated from the measured inlet and outlet temperatures of the product and the measured inlet and outlet temperatures of the auxiliary medium. By means of the value, the outlet temperature of the product set for maximum flow of the auxiliary medium is determined as that at which the change in the heat content of the product is at least approximately the same as the change in the heat content of the auxiliary medium and the amount of heat transmitted by the heat exchanger for the product flow. The value is displayed to the user and permits a decision as to how much longer the heat exchanger can reliably be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Kirchberg
  • Patent number: 7726875
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for monitoring a condition of a material are disclosed. In particular, the example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture emit a first acoustic signal into a wall of the tubular member having a first temperature value and obtain a first propagation time associated with the first acoustic signal. In addition, a second acoustic signal is emitted into the wall having a second temperature value and a second propagation time associated with the second ultrasonic acoustic signal is obtained. The second temperature value is determined based on the first temperature value and the first and second propagation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Measurement Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Yuhas
  • Patent number: 7726876
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a non-intrusive thermal (NIT) monitor for sensing temperatures useful for semiconductor manufacturing applications. In some embodiments, a NIT monitor comprises a thermopile, a fluid housing with a fluid window, and an elongated member positioned between the thermopile and the fluid window for transmitting or reflecting infrared signals corresponding to a temperature of a fluid in the fluid housing. The fluid housing may have a cross-sectional profile to enable the manipulation of the fluid flow under the fluid window, enhancing the speed and accuracy of the temperature sampling. The elongated member, which may be hollow and coated with gold, may an extended piece of the fluid housing or a part of an optics housing. In some embodiments, the NIT monitor is connected to a main conditioning circuit board via a cable for processing the temperature measurements at a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Laverdiere, Robert F. McLoughlin, Michael Clarke, Dale Maenke, Wiley James Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7726877
    Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and apparatuses of measuring a temperature. A method of measuring a temperature can include generating a time varying signal that varies with time in a known manner, such as having a repeating sawtooth waveform. Further, the method can include generating a first intersecting signal that intersects with the time varying signal at a first time, and generating a second intersecting signal that varies with temperature and intersects with the time varying signal at a second time. Subsequently, the method can construct a pulse signal having a first edge corresponding to the first time and a second edge corresponding to the second time, with the pulse signal having a width corresponding to the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Marvell Israel (M.I.S.L.) Ltd.
    Inventor: Shimon Avitan
  • Patent number: 7726878
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a clinical thermometer that facilitates easy measurement operation while suitably illuminating a location where a probe is to be inserted. Measurement can be performed even while subjects wear a garment. The clinical thermometer can include the following: a main body having on the outer face thereof a display for temperature display and a housing that includes a measuring device configured for temperature measurement; and an elongated probe part extending from the main body in a first direction and including a temperature sensing device located at the tip of the probe part that abuts against a user's armpit. The clinical thermometer can include, in the region where the main body is joined to the base of the probe part, a shoulder part curved or bent in a direction that intersects the first direction. The main body can also include an illumination device configured to emit light in the direction along which the probe extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Pigeon Corporation
    Inventors: Youji Ishimaru, Masayuki Nakahara, Hideki Iwayama
  • Patent number: 7726879
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a visible light imaging unit which captures an image of a visual field region with visible light, an X-ray irradiation unit which irradiates X-rays, an X-ray imaging unit which receives the irradiated X-rays and acquires a radiograph based on the X-rays, and a detection unit which detects an irradiated region irradiated with the X-rays based on the acquired radiograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Abe, Tsukasa Sako, Yuichi Nishii, Hideto Shiozawa
  • Patent number: 7726880
    Abstract: The flexible storage bag includes overlaying first and second sidewalls defining an internal volume that can be accessed from an open top edge. To evacuate air from the internal volume after the open top edge has been closed, the bag includes a one-way valve element attached to the first sidewall and communicating with the internal volume. To prevent the one-way valve element from becoming clogged by the opposing second sidewall, the bag also includes a clearance member that maintains at least a partial clearance between the first and second sidewalls proximate the valve element. The clearance member can take many forms such as a textured portion on the second sidewall that includes evacuation passages which provide air in the internal volume access to the valve element, a permeable element covering the valve element, and a rigid or compressible structure that spaces the second sidewall from the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Dean Arthur Zimmerman, Carl Louis Bergman, Chinto Benjamin Gaw, Michael G. Borchardt
  • Patent number: 7726881
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing device is provided for use with a spindle motor. The hydrodynamic bearing device has a sleeve made of a sintered metal that is obtained by sintering a sintering material that is iron, an iron alloy, copper, a copper alloy or a mixture thereof. This sintered metal has independent pores, which do not communicate with each other, by selecting conditions for forming a desired sintered body within a predetermined range. The conditions includes a grain size of powdered metal of a material for the sintered metal, a molding pressure when the molded body is formed, sintering temperature and sintering period in the sintering step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hamada, Takafumi Asada, Hideaki Ohno
  • Patent number: 7726882
    Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing having a hub, a sleeve, and a sealing arrangement comprising a first capillary seal substantially retaining a first fluid and a second capillary seal comprising a second fluid. The second capillary seal is located between the first capillary seal and an opening between the hub and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Norbert S. Parsoneault, Robert Alan Nottingham, Alexander Parkhomovsky, Robert M. Pelstring, Jeffry Arnold Leblanc, Troy Michael Herndon
  • Patent number: 7726883
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus for reducing vibrations in a compressor shaft (17) carrying a rotating compressor (10) is provided. The bearing apparatus comprises a first bearing (14) for supporting the shaft (17) and a second bearing (13) spaced outboard from the first bearing (14) for producing a moment on the shaft and additional damping counter to the direction of vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Elliott Company
    Inventors: M. Theodore Gresh, James Shurina, Francis Kushner
  • Patent number: 7726884
    Abstract: A differential device includes a differential case which is supported in a housing so as to be rotatable around an axis of the housing by a conical roller bearing including plural conical rollers provided between an outer race and an inner race. In the differential device, a wave spring having a predetermined elastic force is provided between the outer race and the housing. Also, the differential device includes a stopper mechanism which stops movement of the outer race before the wave spring is completely contracted due to movement of the outer race in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Hojo
  • Patent number: 7726885
    Abstract: An optical connector of a fitting pin positioning type includes multiple optical fiber insertion holes arranged in one row and fitting holes or fitting pins. The fitting holes or the fitting pins for positioning are respectively disposed on mutually opposite sides of a straight line connecting centers of the optical fiber insertion holes and are located point-symmetrically with respect to a center of the row of the entire optical fiber insertion holes arranged on the straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Akito Nishimura, Kunihiko Fujiwara, Tatsuya Ohta, Kenji Sasaki, Yukio Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7726886
    Abstract: An end of a built-in optical fiber of a ferrule is made with one end of the built-in optical fiber matched with a splicing end surface and other end of the built-in optical fiber protruded from an end portion opposite to the splicing end surface and one end of a splicing optical fiber to be spliced are placed is fusion-sliced with the one end of the splicing optical fiber. The ferrule is held by inserting a cylindrical portion of the ferrule into a holding unit of a ferrule holder from the splicing end surface. The ferrule is transferred while holding a stem extended on an opposite side of the holding unit of the ferrule holder and the splicing optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7726887
    Abstract: A case for accommodating a camera includes a wrist cuff, a connector secured to the wrist cuff, and a strap having opposite ends coupled to the connector. The wrist cuff includes two elastic members, and a through hole with two openings at opposite ends of the through hole. The elastic members are arranged at opposite end portions of the wrist cuff for closing the openings when the elastic members are in normal state, and the elastic members are deformable so as to open the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Tsung Su, Ying-Chieh Tsai, Ming-Hui Chiu
  • Patent number: 7726888
    Abstract: A mobile device which supports apparatus for site imaging while in transit is disclosed. The mobile device comprises a plurality of wheels, an imaging unit having at least one camera and supported above the head of an operator, a control unit for monitoring and controlling operation of each camera and of generated image data so as to produce an interactive movie, a steering device for navigating the mobile device within the site, a measuring device for measuring the relative displacement of the mobile device, a computer for determining the relative location and orientation of the mobile device within the site and for processing data, and a monitor. In one embodiment, two of the wheels are self-aligning caster wheels, and a mechanism and method for preventing drifting during the initial advancement of the mobile device are provided. A rotating mechanism is actuated until each caster wheel achieves a trailing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mentorwave Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Rony Amira, Gadi Royz
  • Patent number: 7726889
    Abstract: Foreign substances adhered to a focal plane shutter are shaken off by vibrationally driving the shutter a plurality of times in succession while the focal plane shutter, which controls the incidence of light on a photoelectric transducer converting an optical image of a photographic object into an electrical signal, shields the photoelectric transducer from light incident thereon. In other words, implementing vibrational removal of adhered foreign substances by means of overloading the focal plane shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 7726890
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a lens-interchangeable camera which has operability equal to a right-handed user and a left-handed user without necessity of any addition of extra members and without sacrificing a design for a smaller size. Since a camera according to the present invention does not need any extra members, a user-friendly camera which eliminates any disadvantage for a use by left-handed persons at a high level that any conventional cameras have not yet achieved can be achieved. Also, since a camera body can be disposed on a left side as needed even for a right-handed user and the right-handed user can operate the camera body only with his/her left hand, this form is convenient when the user picks up images while the user is operating another apparatus with his/her right hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Misawa
  • Patent number: 7726891
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, a resist cover film processing block, a resist cover film removal block, and an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block. A resist film is formed on a substrate in the resist film processing block. A resist cover film is formed on the resist film in the resist cover film processing block before the substrate is subjected to exposure processing by the exposure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sokudo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Kaneyama, Akihiro Hisai, Toru Asano, Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7726892
    Abstract: A cartridge is provided with a supply housing having at least one exterior surface defining a supply area adapted to receive a donor ribbon of predetermined width and a take-up housing having a main wall that defines a take-up area for receiving donor ribbon of predetermined width. A take-up projection on the take-up housing and the main wall jointly define a take-up window therebetween through which donor ribbon passes into the take-up area. The take-up projection includes at least one tensioning feature so as to pre-load the take-up projection such that the take-up projection is inhibited from warping toward towards the main wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul A. Lysiak, Kevin H. Blakely
  • Patent number: 7726893
    Abstract: When a label tape 36 after the printing on a label 39 has been fed to a tape cutting position, heating elements R1-Rn of a thermal head 9 is situated to face a position slightly on the upstream side of a label front end position (at the downstream end in the feeding direction) of the next label 39 which will be printed on next and to face a position on the downstream side of a print start position of the next label 39 (a<b in FIG. 7), and a mark sensor 12 is situated on the upstream side of the heating elements R1-Rn and to face a position slightly on the downstream side of a position indication mark 39B (c<e in FIG. 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironori Harada, Yoshihito Nonomura
  • Patent number: 7726894
    Abstract: The present invention provides a screw-type writing instrument having an expansion and contraction function in which an outer shaft cam, a cartridge holder and an inner shaft cam are coupled in a double screw manner, so that the expansion or contraction of the writing instrument and the advancing or retracting operation of a pen core can be simultaneously conducted, thus being convenient to use, and which, thanks to the contractible structure, is convenient to carry and hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Morris Corporation
    Inventor: Hyun-son Yoon
  • Patent number: 7726895
    Abstract: A pen retention device for releasably securing a pen to a tether is disclosed. The device includes the pen having an end and an annular interior surface defining a bore, a cap comprising an expandable retention interface disposed within the bore proximate the end, and an anvil securedly attached to the tether. The expandable retention interface includes a radially outwardly directed surface in contact with the annular interior surface. The expanding retention interface further includes a radially inwardly directed surface in operable communication with the anvil. The expanding retention interface is responsive to an application of force less than a release force by the tether via the anvil to expand and secure cap to the pen, and is responsive to an application of force greater than the release force to release the cap from the pen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wesley D. Dickover, Dean F. Herring, Philip M. Woodward
  • Patent number: 7726896
    Abstract: An apparatus for enabling a liquid or dye to be conveyed from a nib of a source of liquid or dye to a fluid absorbent nib of a marker pen. The apparatus includes a tubular docking member having the source and the nib of the source at a first end and an open portion at a second end configured to receive and engage an end of the marker pen including the nib of the marker pen, the length of the docking member being such as to enable the nib of the marker pen selectively to be placed in contact with the nib of the source to cause liquid or dye to pass between the nib of the source and the nib of the marker pen. The liquid may comprise a translucent liquid such as water and the dye may comprise an indicator such as a water-based ink containing colored dyes, dispersed pigments or other coloring media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Terence William Bolton
  • Patent number: 7726897
    Abstract: A ring mechanism having a housing and at least one ring configurable between a closed position for retaining loose-leaf pages and an open position. A pair of hinge plates, operatively connected to the ring, are pivotable within the housing between first and second position corresponding respectively to the closed and open positions of the ring. Each hinge plate has a free end and a line of weakness formed therein proximate the free end to facilitate bending of the hinge plate. A hinge plate actuator has a bearing surface engageable with the hinge plates proximate the free ends thereof upon movement of the actuator from a first position toward a second position thereof such that the hinge plates bend proximate their free ends to delay pivoting movement of the hinge plates upon initial movement of the actuator from its first position toward its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Yuen To, Chun Hai Lin
  • Patent number: 7726898
    Abstract: An adjustable-length tube (10) for sticks, having an outer tube (12) and an inner tube (11) that can be inserted telescope-like into the outer tube (12) for adjusting the length of the tube, and having a spreading device (15) that is supported at the insertion end of the inner tube (11), the spreading device being able to clamp the inner tube (11) axially in the outer tube (12) and having a spreading element (16) that can be radially pressed apart and that is furnished with an inner cone (27), an interior element (17) that is provided with a reverse-oriented outer cone (22) and that is accommodated in the spreading element (16) so as to be axially movable, and an adjusting screw (18) that is axially oriented and is supported in a rotationally fixed manner on the inner tube (11), the adjusting screw having an operational connection to an internally threaded bore (21) in the interior element (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Leki Lenhart GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Lenhart
  • Patent number: 7726899
    Abstract: A coupling device for driving an engraved cylinder of a printing device. The coupling device comprises a single part of chromium, nickel and molybdenum alloyed steel having undergone core hardening. The coupling device includes a central cylindrical portions, first and second flanges at the respective first and second ends of the cylindrical portion, each flange having a side portion operable to distort under stress and act as a membrane. The ratio of the difference between the diameter and the flange and the diameter of the central portion divided by the average thickness of the side portion of the flange is between 7 and 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Bobst S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Clement
  • Patent number: 7726900
    Abstract: A system for providing a mechanical and electrical connection between the ends of two essentially-coaxial shafts (1 and 2), whereby each shaft end includes a groove (11, 12) close to an axial end extension (17 and 8; 18 and 9). Moreover, the aforementioned ends are connected inside a sleeve (10) including the following: a first annular shoulder (13) having a shape that is complementary to that of the groove of the first shaft, such that there is no clearance therebetween; a second annular shoulder (14) having a shape that is complementary to that of the groove (12) of the second shaft, but with a clearance therebetween; and a cavity (16) which is intended to receive the shaft ends, said cavity having an axial height which is greater than the sum of the axial heights of the axial end extensions (17 and 8; 18 and 9). Further, the axial end extensions (17 and 8; 18 and 9) of the two shafts are in permanent mechanical and electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: E.C.L.
    Inventor: Bernard Bourges
  • Patent number: 7726901
    Abstract: A connecting structure detachably connects the upright post of a floor support to the upright frame supporting a panel lift device. The upright post has a pair of upright panels diverging forward to form a V shaped flange that has its lower portion open in front and a rounded knob mounted at the bottom of the post and spaced forward from the forward diverging V shaped flange. The post also has a pair of upright panels converging forward with upper portions of the panels tapering toward one another to form a pointed V shaped upper end. The frame has a forward diverging V shaped flange with an upper portion having dual pair of forward converging flanges in spaced relation to one another to form a forward converging V shaped slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Telpro, Inc.
    Inventor: Roland O. Young
  • Patent number: 7726902
    Abstract: A locking cover apparatus for an opening in the ground is disclosed. The apparatus can be retro-fitted to an existing ground opening, or can be newly constructed ground opening fitted with the apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus features a keyed lock that has a projecting portion that fits under an existing or newly constructed shroud that is installed at ground level and around the ground opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Brad Bongiovanni, Shawn Funderburk
  • Patent number: 7726903
    Abstract: A manhole system that includes a manhole cover and a frame with at least one locking device for maintaining the manhole cover in place on the frame. The locking device is selectively movable between locked and unlocked positions to selectively engage the cover to hold the cover in place on the frame. The locking device may be rotatable between “locked” and “unlocked” positions about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the cover. The locking device may includes a plurality of cam locks that engage the outer circumferential edge of the cover and are configured to increasingly clamp down the cover against the frame with increasing rotation from “unlocked” position to “locked” position. A plurality of locks can be arranged around frame to engage the cover at different locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: East Jordan Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Vrondran, Jeremy I. Johnson, David Fuller
  • Patent number: 7726904
    Abstract: An mobile material placer or slinger with a placer conveyor having a gear-to-gear pivoting mechanism. The mobile material placer includes a body, a material hopper coupled to the body and configured to receive and store material, a feeder conveyor coupled to the body, and a placer conveyor pivotally coupled to the body about a vertical axis. The gear-to-gear pivoting mechanism includes a first gear attached to the body of the material placer and that drives a second gear fixedly mounted to the placer conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Rexius Forest By-Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David Looney
  • Patent number: 7726905
    Abstract: An apparatus for reconditioning a paved surface includes a vehicle adapted to traverse the paved surface. The vehicle has a manifold with a plurality of jets disposed within a surface adjacent the paved surface and at least one of the jets has a high temperature, high pressure nozzle. The high temperature, high pressure nozzle has a hard material with a hardness of at least 2,000 HK. The jets are in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir through a fluid pathway, and the fluid pathway has a pressurizing mechanism and a heating mechanism for bringing the fluid to a high temperature and a high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: David R. Hall, David Wahiquist, Timothy Duke
  • Patent number: 7726906
    Abstract: A precipitation (e.g., rain, snow, sleet, etc.) harvesting apparatus 3000 comprising a basic storage chamber or cistern 3002, which comprises an open vessel 3003 (such as a children's inflatable pool) and an optional primary catchment membrane 3004 which is placed over and attached to the open vessel 3003 to form the storage chamber 3002. An optional extended membrane 3005 is shown extending upward and away from vessel 3003 and is shown optionally supported by optionally inflatable or collapsible support tubes 3006 which are in turn fastened to the ground 3008 or other surface on which the apparatus 3000 is resting using tie lines, cables, strings and/or the like 3010 which are attached to ground stakes 3012. A liquid dispensing conduit 3014 is shown connected to and leading away from the storage vessel 3003 for draining harvested rainwater or other liquid 3016 contained within the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: John Raymond Essig, Jr., James Michael Essig
  • Patent number: 7726907
    Abstract: An automatic trip gate for installation in a gate support structure at a bank of an impounded body of water. The automatic trip gate controls a release of an overflow of water through the gate support structure upon the occurrence of an overflow event. The automatic trip gate includes a plate supported by a hinge assembly that attaches to the support structure. A trough attached to the plate catches and retains overflow water. When the level of overflow water in the trough reaches a tipping level, the plate pivots from a substantially vertical orientation wherein the impounded body of water is maintained behind the plate, to a tipped position wherein the impounded body of water is released o through the gate support. A plunge pool is located below the automatic trip gate that absorbs the energy imparted by the plate when tripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: C. Thomas McCreedy, Dennis Daugherty
  • Patent number: 7726908
    Abstract: This invention involves a Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) treatment processing technology. The process entails a type of MSW landfill treatment process. This invention features the following steps. Firstly: MSW separation. Second: organic trash landfill. Third: the recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Xu Fei Wu
  • Patent number: 7726909
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for concurrently forming a plurality of pipelines. The apparatus includes a support chassis coupled to at least one transportation facilitation member. The transportation facilitation member facilities the movement of the support chassis along a surface. A first pipe fuser is disposed on the support chassis and is configured to fuse a first section of pipe to a first pipeline. A second pipe fuser may also be disposed on the support chassis. The second pipe fuser may be configured to independently fuse a second section of pipe to a second pipeline. The first pipe fuser fuses the first section of pipe to the first pipeline with the support chassis in a stationary position. The second pipe fuser fuses the second section of pipe to the second pipeline with the support chassis in the same stationary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hi-Pointe Management Services, Inc
    Inventors: Beverly A. Miller, William H. Miller, Christopher S. Shannon
  • Patent number: 7726910
    Abstract: A leg guide for use in a leg of a jack up unit adapted to provide sliding guidance of the leg during vertical movement of the leg. The leg guide has a first portion contacting an edge of a leg chord and a second portion contacting a face of the leg chord along a longitudinal plane opposite the contact plane of the first portion. The edge contacting guide has a deflecting guide unit, which uses a compressible member sandwiched between two rigid plates. As the leg moves, the teeth of the leg chord contact the edge guide unit, with the compressible member absorbing compressible loads acting on the leg chord. The second portion provides for a face plate mounted transversely to the edge contacting guide for reducing the build-up of horizontal moment acting on the leg chord during the vertical movement of the leg and for reducing bending moments acting on the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Offshore Technology Development Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Kok Seng Foo, Chin Kau Matthew Quah, Cheng Choong Chan
  • Patent number: 7726911
    Abstract: Provided are systems, methods and techniques by which a wind-powered energy generating platform, secured to an anchor, can pull (or winch) itself beneath the surface of the water and thereby avoid most of the significant effects of storms and waves. In more particularized aspects, a variable-buoyancy anchor is utilized, thereby facilitating the construction and transportation of the entire assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Harry Edward Dempster
  • Patent number: 7726912
    Abstract: A support structure (1) that includes a support panel (11), at least one pile (14) having associated therewith at least one bracket (17) and at least one mounting strap (20). Each bracket (17) includes a lower portion (70), at least one extension (91, 92) extending upward from the lower portion (70), and a retainer (85) extending outward from a first surface (73) of the lower portion (70). The retainer (85) of the bracket (17) is received within an aperture (67) of an apertured sidewall (64, 215, 218) of the pile (14). At least one mounting strap (20, 23) maintains: the first surface (73) of the lower portion (70) of the bracket (17) in abutting relationship with the apertured sidewall (64) of the pile; and the retainer (85) within the aperture (67) thereof. A first surface (94) of the extension (91, 92) of the bracket (17) and the apertured sidewall (64) of the pile (14) together define a vertical slot (112) having an open top (115) and a closed bottom (118).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: LRM Industries International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Polk, Jr., Victor Wolynski, Dean Higley
  • Patent number: 7726913
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for casting a cementitious or stone pile into the ground. The present invention comprises an exterior driving casing and an interior mandrel acting in cooperation to hold and deliver the pile forming material. A retrievable driving driving shoe is also disclose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: David Sjogren
  • Patent number: 7726914
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machining tool holder comprising alignment elements in a housing and clamping elements on the base of the housing, the elements being used to align and clamp a removable cutting tip comprising a lateral slide for the lateral deviation of a pressure force exerted by a screw belonging to the tool holder, the screw being guided such that it abuts obliquely against the lateral slide in order to push the slide, and consequently the tip, back towards a longitudinal alignment side which defines the housing and which serves as an alignment end stop for the associated alignment edge of the tip. In this way, the tip is oriented as desired in order to slide along the longitudinal side and abut against a rear alignment side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Safety Production
    Inventor: Richard Fouquer
  • Patent number: 7726915
    Abstract: A machine for spectacle lens, comprising a lens holding unit for holding left and right spectacle lenses, and a drill drive unit relatively moving in left and right directions and in front and rear directions with respect to the lens holding unit and for forming a hole on the spectacle lens held on the lens holding unit, wherein the lens holding unit has lens supporting base plates separated at left and right to match the left and the right spectacle lenses, the spectacle lenses at left and right are supported by the lens holding unit via the lens supporting base plates, and the left and right lens supporting base plates can be rotated around positions symmetrical with respect to the front-to-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Takubo Machines Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadao Takubo
  • Patent number: 7726916
    Abstract: A dowelling jig (10) comprising a pair of spaced apart rail members which comprise an upper rail member (11) and a lower rail member (12), at least one drill guide member (13) which is slidable between the spaced apart rail members and which is releasably lockable relative to at least one of said spaced apart rail members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Luke MacKenzie Turner, Bruce MacKenzie Turner
  • Patent number: 7726917
    Abstract: A drill chuck has a chuck body having a forwardly open large-diameter threaded bore centered on an axis and a rearwardly open bore also centered on the axis and of small diameter. A power-unit spindle end is threaded into the small-diameter bore and projects axially forward into the large-diameter bore. A sleeve assembly axially fixed but rotatable on the chuck body is formed centered on the axis with a plurality of axially extending, angularly spaced, and forwardly open angled guides slidably receiving jaws. A coupling body has a large-diameter rear end threaded into the forwardly open large-diameter bore of the chuck body and a front end fitted to and angularly coupled to the jaws so that rotation of the sleeve assembly, jaws, and coupling body relative to the chuck body axially shifts the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Rohm GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Mack
  • Patent number: 7726918
    Abstract: A power tool including: a base slidable on a workpiece, and an opening provided through the base; a main unit supported to the base and movable in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the base, the main unit including an electric motor; a cutter driven by the electric motor, the cutter being capable of protruding through the opening from the base; a stopper pole supported to a housing coupled to the main unit, the stopper pole being movable in the first direction, the stopper pole having one end protruding from the housing toward the base, thereby regulating a moving distance of the cutter; a digital display unit including a moving distance detection portion for detecting a moving distance of the stopper pole and a digital display portion for displaying the moving distance; and a dust prevention member provided between a part of the stopper pole protruding toward the base and the moving distance detection portion, thereby preventing dust from entering into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Onose, Hiroki Uchida