Patents Issued in August 19, 2010
  • Publication number: 20100207407
    Abstract: An air conditioner filter removing system for air filters located in elevated return-air vents, such as return-air vent mounted in a ceiling or upper wall. The device consists of a filter-grabbing mechanism that can be mounted to an extension pole. The filter-grabbing mechanism has teeth protruding from it to grab an air filter and a holding plate where the filter is balanced once engaged by the teeth. In its preferred embodiment, the system has a holding means present on the return-air vent so the filter-grabbing mechanism can easily pull the vent open. Further, the preferred embodiment also has kicker plates kick the teeth out of the grill louvers they are inserted into, on the vent door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Robert D. Walker, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100207408
    Abstract: A remote device access system is provided. The system includes a receiving member, an engaging head and a containment cage. The receiving member is configured to be coupled to a device (such as a smoke detector and the like) that is to be positioned in an out of arms reach location. The engaging head is configured to be coupled to an elongated member. The engagement head is further configured to selectively engage the receiving member coupled to the device. The containment cage is configured to be coupled to a surface at the out of arms reach location. The containment cage forms a containing chamber that is configured to selectively hold the device. The elongated member is configured to place and remove the device from the containing chamber of the containment cage via the engaging head and receiving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Dwight Newport
  • Publication number: 20100207409
    Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Perlman, Keith S. Attee
  • Publication number: 20100207410
    Abstract: An anchor hook supporting device is for use with an anchor hook having a hook end for engaging a first surface of a support member and a shank end which includes an eyelet opening for receiving a rope or cable. The supporting device includes an attachment assembly for being secured to the shank end of the anchor hook and an engagement assembly for engaging one of a second surface of the support member and another surface which is fixed with respect to the support member. A biasing member having a first end secured to the attachment assembly and a second end secured to the engagement assembly biases the engagement assembly toward the attachment assembly to bias the shank end of the anchor hook and the engagement assembly toward each other for holding the hook end of the anchor hook on the first surface of the support member and the engagement assembly on the second surface of the support member or the other surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: LIFE-PACK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert L. LEON
  • Publication number: 20100207411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a design and microfabrication method for microgrippers that are capable of grasping micro and nano objects of a large range of sizes and two-axis force sensing capabilities. Gripping motion is produced by one or more electrothermal actuators. Integrated force sensors along x and y directions enable the measurement of gripping forces as well as the forces applied at the end of microgripper arms along the normal direction, both with a resolution down to nanoNewton. The microfabrication method enables monolithic integration of the actuators and the force sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Yu Sun, Keekyoung Kim
  • Publication number: 20100207412
    Abstract: A force sensor is disposed on a hand attaching base portion, a finger base on which a pair of fingers are placed so as to be opposed to each other is disposed on a measuring unit of the force sensor, a finger driving mechanism base is disposed on the hand attaching base portion in a manner so as not to be made in contact with none of the force sensor, the finger base and the fingers, finger driving mechanisms are disposed on the finger driving mechanism base so that vectors of driving forces, which allow the pair of the opposed fingers to move so as to open or close, are made face to face with each other within a plane on which the pair of the opposed fingers are moved to open or close so as to be cancelled with each other, with the result that the fingers are driven so as to make the resultant force virtually zero, and an actuator, which is positioned at a place other than the hand attaching base portion, the force sensor, the finger base, or the fingers and the finger driving mechanism base, and drives the
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Yasunao Okazaki, Masaki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20100207413
    Abstract: The invention discloses a connecting plate and a van-type vehicle having the connecting plate. The connecting plate is used to connect the carriage and the frame of the van-type vehicle. The connecting plate has a generally gooseneck shape and comprises a wing plate coupling portion for coupling to a lower surface of an upper wing plate of a frame main longitudinal beam on exterior side, a fastener assembling portion for connecting to one end of the wing plate coupling portion, a carriage bottom coupling portion for coupling to a bottom surface of the carriage, and a connecting portion for a slant connection between the fastener assembling portion and the carriage bottom coupling portion. The fastener assembling portion has first through holes formed passing through from top to bottom therein. The carriage bottom coupling portion has second through holes formed passing through from top to bottom therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: CHINA INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONTAINERS (GROUP) LTD., QINGDAO CIMC REEFER TRAILER CO., LTD., QINGDAO CIMC REEFER CONTAINER MANUFACTURE CO., LTD., Qingdao CIMC Special Reefer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: T.H. HUANG, Robert WANG, Ryan XU, Tony LIANG
  • Publication number: 20100207414
    Abstract: An engagement member (29), which is activated by operation of an operating button (40), is configured to be protruded from and retracted into respective positioning recesses (15, 16), facilitating the positional adjustment of a lid (3) and securing a high position-retaining force for the lid (3) in normal use. In order to cope with an accidental external force, a base member (7) includes a cantilever member (51) formed of slits, and the cantilever member (51) has a positioning recess (16) formed in a leading portion such that the cantilever member (51) is flexed to bring the engagement member (29) out of engagement with the positioning recess (16) when a load having a certain value or more is applied through the engagement member (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: Nifco Inc., Daikyo Nishikawa Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Tsuda, Tomohide Okuda, Takeo Matsui
  • Publication number: 20100207415
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly is provided for a cargo bed of a vehicle. The tailgate assembly includes a support panel and a tailgate panel. The support panel is configured for attachment to a vehicle such that the support panel is selectively pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions. The tailgate panel is attached to the support panel. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define an end wall for the cargo bed when the support panel is in the horizontal position. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define a step when the support panel is in the vertical position. A vehicle including a cargo bed having such a tailgate assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Darin D. King, Lee N. Bowers
  • Publication number: 20100207416
    Abstract: A seat structure for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a seat arranged rearwardly of a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle body frame. The seat includes a cushion member, and a bottom plate for holding the cushion member. The cushion member is made of an elastic material. The bottom plate is fixed to the vehicle body frame and to the fuel tank. The cushion member includes a bulging portion which bulges forwardly from a front end portion of the bottom plate and onto an upper surface of a stepped portion of the fuel tank. The bulging portion is supported on the upper surface of the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yusuke Inoue
  • Publication number: 20100207417
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include an operating lever of a vehicular seat provided at a front face, an upper face, or a back face of a seat, including a seat cushion and a seat back, and a first lever and a second lever. The first lever and the second lever are axially supported pivotably to each other on one end sides in length directions. An other end side in the length direction of the first lever is axially supported pivotably to the seat and is connected to a lock mechanism capable of changing a state of an attitude of the seat. The other end side in the length direction of the second lever is formed as an operating portion. The attitude of the seat can be operated while bending the first lever in two stages around axial shafts on sides of both ends in the length direction of the first lever by operating an operating portion of the second lever in a direction of being remote from the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Ito, Yoshihiro Ooishi, Tomohiro Muramatsu, Robert Day, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20100207418
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle seat having an increased number of kinds of seat arrangements. A vehicle seat includes a seat support part for rotatably supporting the rear side of a seat cushion, a seat back that is foldable over the seat cushion via a reclining mechanism, a stowage recess provided on the vehicle body floor side, a front leg provided in the front part of the seat cushion, a leg locking mechanism that engages and disengages the front leg with and from the vehicle body floor side, a link mechanism connected to both the reclining mechanism and the leg locking mechanism, and a strap that operates the reclining mechanism and the leg locking mechanism via the link mechanism, and further includes a seat arrangement selective mechanism for enabling or disabling the operation of the reclining mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Sayama
  • Publication number: 20100207419
    Abstract: A stopper includes an attachment portion and a pair of flanges. The attachment portion contacts an outer surface of a bottom wall portion of a lower rail and is attached to the bottom wall portion. The flanges extend from the attachment portion to be passed through insertion holes in the bottom wall portion. The flanges are located in an inner space of the lower rail. The flanges are engaged with second cut-and-raised pieces formed in an upper rail, thereby limiting the range of movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Yoshihisa Hori
  • Publication number: 20100207420
    Abstract: There is provided a stowable vehicle seat that can be stowed and restored with improved operability. The stowable vehicle seat has a seat support part for supporting a seat cushion so that the seat cushion is rotatable in the front and rear direction, a seat back having a reclining mechanism that folds over the seat cushion, a stowage recess provided on the vehicle body floor side, a front leg provided on the front side of the seat cushion, a leg locking element that engages and disengages the front leg with and from the vehicle body floor side, a link mechanism connected to the reclining mechanism and the leg locking element, and a strap that operates the reclining mechanism and the leg locking element via the link mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Sayama
  • Publication number: 20100207421
    Abstract: A stowable vehicle seat having improved operability and safety at the time of seat stowage are provided. A seat having a seat cushion back includes a foot lock mechanism for inhibiting the rotating of the cushion, a reclining lock mechanism for inhibiting the rotating of the seat back, a strap pullable toward any pull direction, and a lock releasing mechanism for keeping/releasing the rotate inhibiting states of the foot lock mechanism and the reclining lock mechanism by the pulling operation of the strap. When the pull direction of the strap is a horizontal direction, the lock releasing mechanism releases the rotate inhibiting states of both the foot lock mechanism and the reclining lock mechanism, and when the pull direction of the strap is an upward direction, the lock releasing mechanism keeps the rotate inhibiting states of both the foot lock mechanism and the reclining lock mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Sayama
  • Publication number: 20100207422
    Abstract: There is provided a stowable vehicle seat having improved operability. This seat includes a seat support part for rotatably supporting one end part side of a seat cushion, and a seat back that is foldable over the seat cushion via a reclining mechanism. The reclining mechanism includes a spiral spring for urging the seat back to fold the back to the seat cushion side with a predetermined angle with respect to the seat cushion, a first locking part disposed in a raised state on the cushion side of a connecting part between the cushion and the seat back to lock one end part side of the spiral spring, and a second locking part disposed in a raised state on the seat back side of the connecting part between the cushion and the back to lock the other end part side of the spiral spring to the seat back side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Sayama
  • Publication number: 20100207423
    Abstract: A pivotable tailgate for a motor vehicle includes pivot arms disposed as one piece on the tailgate body at a distance from one another. At an upper end of each pivot arm, a respective hinge arm is provided, each of which is mounted in a roof section of the body so that there is sealing between an upper tailgate section, a tailgate body, and a tailgate opening via a single encircling seal disposed at the tailgate opening, without additional sealing of the respective pivot arms being required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Nicholas Aldersley, Michael Rodewald, Achim Dockweiler
  • Publication number: 20100207424
    Abstract: A frame assembly of a folding top for a vehicle includes a front roof bow, a front support having a rear control arm, and a middle support having a front control arm. The rear end of the front support and the front end of the middle support face one another. The front roof bow and the front end of the front support are connected together through a first bolt connection. The rear end of the front support and the rear control arm are connected together through a second bolt connection. The front control arm and the front end of the middle support are connected together through a third bolt connection. The rear control arm and the front control arm are connected together at a joint such that the front support and the middle support are connected together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Jan Just
  • Publication number: 20100207425
    Abstract: Method is provided for after market conversion of a 4×4 vehicle produced by a manufacturer into a high mobility vehicle having increased maneuverability and on-road and/or off-road capability, relative to the 4×4 vehicle. The 4×4 vehicle has a chassis with a frame, front axle and rear axle, said chassis having a standard wheelbase. The method includes dismounting at least one of the front axle or rear axle from the frame; shortening said frame; and mounting the dismounted axle to the shortened frame so as to obtain a shortened chassis having a shortened wheelbase which is shorter than any standard wheelbase of the line of models produced by the manufacturer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: PLASAN SASA LTD.
    Inventors: Yakov BEN-ARI, Tal DAI
  • Publication number: 20100207426
    Abstract: Provided is a side part structure of a vehicle body capable of reliably dispersing a collision load applied from the side of a vehicle. A bulkhead (5) arranged in a rocker (3) has an outer bulkhead (5A) joined to an outer rocker (3A) and an inner bulkhead (5B) joined to an inner rocker (3B). Facing walls (6A, 6B) of the outer bulkhead (5A) and the inner bulkhead (5B) are provided with proximity portions (7) which are engageable with each other. This allows a collision load at a side collision to be reliably transmitted from the outer rocker (3A) to the inner rocker (3B) via the proximity portions (7) formed on the mutually facing walls (6A, 6B), thereby reliably dispersing the collision load from the side of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Tsuruta, Naoya Kosaka, Takashi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20100207427
    Abstract: A vehicle may have a load floor with a load receiving surface that is supported to the frame and a panel having first and second sides, the second side having a storage cavity. The panel may be adjustable between: (1) a first position where the first side defines at least a portion of the load receiving surface and the second side defines no portion of the load receiving surface; and, (2) a second position where the first side defines no portion of the load receiving surface and the second side defines at least a portion of the load receiving surface. When the panel is in the first position, a pillow may be at least partially received within the storage cavity and it may be hidden. When the panel is in the second position, the pillow may not be hidden.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Travis Reel
  • Publication number: 20100207428
    Abstract: A second closed cross section which projects toward the outside from a third lower flange of a side sill outer and a lower end portion is provided. Lower cross sections of the third lower flange and the lower end portion contact a second upper wall portion. The second closed cross section and a third closed cross section are formed by a side sill reinforcement of a frame member of a vehicle body. Thereby, a split line can be made be recognized as on body with the second closed cross section, so that both increasing the vehicle-body rigidity and improving the exterior appearance can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshio FUKUSHIMA
  • Publication number: 20100207429
    Abstract: The folding canopy chair includes a frame, a seat, a back, and arm rests. An umbrella is secured to the frame and is pivotal between an upright use position extending above the chair and a downward storage position adjacent the frame. The umbrella is pivotal about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis for selective positioning of the umbrella relative to the chair, so as to shade a person sitting in the chair from the sun. The umbrella is non-symmetrical, and is removably mounted on either the left or right side of the chair using a clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: PRO PERFORMANCE SPORTS
    Inventor: THOMAS A. QUINN
  • Publication number: 20100207430
    Abstract: A shingled thin seat back for a vehicle having a generally centrally-located panel which is movable in the rearward direction when the seat is occupied and which is immovable in the forward direction when folded flat to accept a load. The seat back includes a support structure which provides support to the movable panel. The support structure includes at least one edge and the panel includes at least one edge. The panel is movable from a first position where the edge of the support structure and the edge of the panel are in overlapping contact (creating a shingled arrangement) to a second position where the edge of the support structure and the edge of the panel are not in contact with one another but instead are spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kolich, John W. Jaranson
  • Publication number: 20100207431
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat element (1) for a seat system, which extends substantially across an entire zone of a backrest and/or a seat area of a seat in a mounted state. Said seat element (1) comprises devices (12-21) for receiving functional elements in order to provide additional seat functions. Such a modular seat system makes it possible to create in a simple manner different fittings of a seat, especially a vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: SCHUKRA GERATEBAU AG
    Inventors: Jan Petzel, Thomas Preiss, Veit Stossel, David Anthony Swan, Renato Colja
  • Publication number: 20100207432
    Abstract: A base for a patient support apparatus includes a bump member configured to at least partially surround an electrical system of the patient support apparatus. The bump member is configured to be releaseably engaged with a cover that is configured to at least partially cover the electrical system of the patient support apparatus. The engagement of the cover and bump member is manually releasable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Aaron Ochsner, Edward R. Jacobs, Jason Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20100207433
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle. The seat includes an occupant support defining a support surface for an occupant of the seat, and a mounting assembly coupled to the occupant support and rigidly mounted to the vehicle. The mounting assembly resists non-vertical movement and guides vertical movement of the occupant support relative to the mounting assembly. The seat also includes a shear member having a first hardness and a sacrificial member have a second hardness lower than the first hardness. The sacrificial member is sheared by the shear member in response to a generally downward force on the occupant support arising from inertia of the occupant in the presence of a rapid upward movement of the vehicle. Shearing the sacrificial member absorbs energy associated with the rapid upward movement of the vehicle and accommodates downward movement of the occupant support relative to the mounting assembly, reducing acceleration of the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: SEATS, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas C. Hahn
  • Publication number: 20100207434
    Abstract: Office components are described that include a base, a seat supported by the base, a microprocessor, and a load sensor electrically coupled with the microprocessor and mechanically coupled with the seat and, based on movement thereof, operative to detect occupancy of the seat and provide a signal to the microprocessor indicative thereof. The load sensor may be a strain gauge, a piezo device or combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew J. Kurrasch, Robert L. Beck, Daniel Robert Kuiper, Arturo J. Bonomie
  • Publication number: 20100207435
    Abstract: A seat adapter for facilitating the use of playground equipment by infants. The seat adapter comprises: a back member; an infant holding portion attached to the back member at a lower location, a left side location and a right side location thereby defining openings for the infant's legs and torso; and upper fasteners and at least one of lower fasteners and mid-way fasteners for attaching the seat adapter to, and over, the piece of playground equipment. The seat adapter is particularly useful for use by young infants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Iris Vered
  • Publication number: 20100207436
    Abstract: A child restraint comprises a base and a seat which can be detachably connected to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: COSCO MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Taco Karremans, Petrus Henricus Maria Stokman, Mark Schrooten
  • Publication number: 20100207437
    Abstract: A swivel rocker chair connection assembly facilitates construction of a swivel rocker chair and allows for the secure and stable operation of the chair. The chair includes a base portion, a seat portion and a connection assembly having at least one dual washer plate adapted to engage one or more rocker spring members positioned and engaged with the chair base and seat portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Agio International Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Oliver Wang, Huey-Ping Lee
  • Publication number: 20100207438
    Abstract: The chair type stretching apparatus in this invention comprises a seat, a backrest, a flexible sheet, a tension means, and a controller. The backrest has a width. The flexible sheet is disposed in front of the backrest to be movable between a normal position and a projected position. The flexible sheet in the normal position lies in a close relation with a front surface of the backrest. The flexible sheet in the projected position is spaced away from the front surface of the backrest. The tension means is provided on the backrest in order to apply tensional force to the flexible sheet so as to move a center of the flexible sheet toward a front direction of the backrest. The tension means is provided on at least one width end of the backrest in order to apply tensional force along a width direction of the backrest to the flexible sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Inoue, Keisuke Shimizu, Daisuke Morikawa, Shinji Tsutsui
  • Publication number: 20100207439
    Abstract: There is provided a stowable vehicle seat having an erroneous operation preventive mechanism operating at the time of stowage/restoring operation. A stowable vehicle seat having an operating element using a strap for stowage/restoring operation includes brackets formed on a seat back frame, a rocking member rockably supported on the brackets, and a braking member fixed to the strap. The brackets each have an elongated hole extending in the up/down direction. The rocking member includes right and left plate bodies, each having a braking hole that is long in the up/down direction, and an upper plate connecting the plate bodies to each other. The upper plate comes into sliding contact with the strap on its lower side. The braking holes each have an expanded-width part on their front side. The braking member has the erroneous operation preventive mechanism formed being inserted through both of the elongated holes and the braking holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Sayama
  • Publication number: 20100207440
    Abstract: A vehicle seat can include a stopper capable of stopping a forward tilting of a seat back at a forwardly tilted position, and a stopper operation mechanism. The stopper operation mechanism has a main pivoting member that is pivoted through an operation of a forward tilting operation lever, a sub pivoting member that is pivoted with respect to the main pivoting member, and a connection spring connecting these tilting members to each other. When the forward tilting operation lever is operated, the sub pivoting member receives a force from the connection spring to be pivoted together with the main pivoting member, causing the stopper to move to an acting position. When the stopper is pushed from the acting position toward a non-acting position, with the forward tilting operation lever being operated, the sub pivoting member receives a force from the stopper to elastically deform the connection spring, and is pivoted with respect to the main pivoting member together with the stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromasa Hayakawa, Shingo Suzushika, Masaharu Nakamura, Ko Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100207441
    Abstract: A support for an armrest of a motor vehicle seat, formed of generally U-shaped solid plastic defining: a bottom intended to be attached to an armature of a backrest of the seat, and two parallel branches perpendicular to the bottom, each branch defining in a surface opposite to the other branch a hole intended to receive one end of an axis of the armrest and a groove intended to receive an armrest rotation stop element. An armrest armature, an armrest and its assembly method and a motor vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Faurecia Sieges D'Automobile
    Inventors: Thierry SENGES, Emmanuel Cardon, Alain Vissiere
  • Publication number: 20100207442
    Abstract: The technology described herein provides a seat wedge comprising at least one dovetail, integrally formed vertically along a first edge of the seat wedge and at least one groove integrally formed vertically along a second edge of the seat wedge. The seat wedge is configured to interlock with an at least one adjacent seat wedge. The technology described herein also provides a modular seating system comprising a plurality of seat wedges. The plurality of seat wedges, when interlocked, forms a circular seating pattern. The technology described herein also provides a portable seating assembly. The potable seating assembly includes plurality of seat wedges, a seat cushion, a base, a table top, a post, an umbrella, and a carrying means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Gabriel P. Hrib
  • Publication number: 20100207443
    Abstract: A cushion is adapted to set on a seat pan included in a vehicle seat. The cushion includes an inflatable air bag in, for example, a lumbar-support device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory Brncick
  • Publication number: 20100207444
    Abstract: A vehicular seatbelt device whereby slack in a lap belt is sufficiently eliminated according to a traveling state of a vehicle, and a comfortable ride for a vehicle occupant is maintained. A seatbelt device comprises a belt retraction part and an actuator for driving the belt retraction part. The belt retraction part pulls part of a belt in a direction opposite the direction in which the belt is wound up by a belt reel so as to restrain the vehicle occupant. A controller includes a plurality of pre-set control modes for controlling a motor and the actuator in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle, and selects and implements one control mode corresponding to the traveling state from among the plurality of control modes. The control modes include a mode for drivably controlling both the motor and the actuator, a mode for drivably controlling only the motor, and a mode for drivably controlling only the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shotaro Odate, Yo Ito
  • Publication number: 20100207445
    Abstract: The present invention is a wheel assembly having a rim with a valve aperture extending therethrough that is designed to receive a valve having a simplified a construction that can be seated directly within a tire wheel assembly to minimize the number and type of components necessary for the valve. The valve includes a main body that is positionable in a sealed and recessed or embedded configuration within the aperture in the wheel rim in communication with the interior of the tire and with a pressurized air source that is used to inflate or deflate the tire. The main body encloses a valve mechanism that includes a components situated within the main body in a manner that enables the parts to be easily removed, cleaned and/or replaced if necessary without having to remove the entire valve assembly from the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Martin A. Medley, Douglas P. Miller, Donald E. Blackman
  • Publication number: 20100207446
    Abstract: The invention is based on a hydraulic unit for regulating the brake pressure in a vehicle brake system. Hydraulic units of such a type are the core component of an anti-lock vehicle brake system, of a drive slip vehicle brake system or of a vehicle brake system which regulates driving stability. The invention proposes a particularly advantageous arrangement of the required recesses in a housing block of a hydraulic unit. On account of the arrangement, the housing block can be reduced in terms of its dimensions, and can be produced with a lower weight and more simply in terms of production. For this purpose, according to the invention, the pressure fluid connection from one of the ports of the master brake cylinder to the suction side of one of the pump elements extends through the valve receptacle of the switching valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Juergen Tandler, Andreas Weh
  • Publication number: 20100207447
    Abstract: A traction control method is provided for dynamically maintaining safe driving traction between a tire (12) and a driving surface in a decelerating motor vehicle (10) through a modulated braking device (18, 24). The method monitors the acceleration response of a tire (12) to a torque change induced by modulation of a braking device (18, 24). Observation of the acceleration profile over time is used to determine whether additional braking torque or pressure can be applied without causing the tire (12) to slip. A Traction Reserve value is computed through observing the acceleration trend of the tire (12) over time after a single change in torque, whether that change is accomplished as an increase or a decrease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Patrick Joyce
  • Publication number: 20100207448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a load management controller for a household electrical installation comprising a pair of electricity supplies, a grid supply and a micro-generator supply, providing electricity to a plurality if sub-circuits. The household electrical installation has means to monitor the amount of electricity being supplied by the micro-generator supply and the amount of electricity being consumed in the household. The load management controller has means to access and use that information to control the supply of electricity to an energy storage sub-circuit to route surplus electricity supplied by the micro-generator to the energy storage sub-circuit. Furthermore, the load management controller can communicate with a remote electricity supplier to control the loads in the household to achieve better grid management and efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick Cooper, Colin David Harris, Thomas Laurence Bean
  • Publication number: 20100207449
    Abstract: Power is automatically allocated among a plurality of network switches, such as a plurality of stackable switches. In one embodiment, one device in the network is designated as a “master” device which controls the power allocation for all of the switches. In another embodiment, a distributed algorithm is used, in which each device uses power allocation decision logic to formulate a mutually agreed-upon power allocation. Power from multiple power-granting devices may be consolidated to provide aggregated power to one or more power-needing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: James Hiscock, Hazem Kabbara
  • Publication number: 20100207450
    Abstract: The invention provides a switching circuit and a power converter having a built-in power source for a conduction control terminal even if they have a single-arm structure. In the switching circuit having a switching device and a conduction control terminal power source capacitor, a negative terminal of the capacitor is connected to a reference voltage terminal of a main power source and to the gate terminal selectively through a half-bridge circuit and a positive terminal of the capacitor is selectively connected to a positive terminal of the main power source and to a source terminal of the switching device through a half-bridge circuit. The capacitor is charged when the positive terminal is connected to the main power source and discharges when the negative terminal is connected to the gate terminal and the positive terminal is connected to the source terminal and applies voltage to the gate terminal of the switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Kazutoshi OGAWA, Katsumi Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100207451
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an analog photovoltaic power circuit, comprising: a photovoltaic device group for receiving photo energy to generate an input voltage; a power stage circuit for converting the input voltage to an output voltage; an optimum voltage estimation circuit for receiving a predetermined voltage and estimating an optimum voltage according to a direction of variation of the input voltage and a direction of variation of the power generated by the photovoltaic device group; and an analog comparison and control circuit for comparing the optimum voltage with the input voltage, to thereby control the operation of the power stage circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Jing-Meng Liu
  • Publication number: 20100207452
    Abstract: The mobile hybrid electrical power source (100) is reconfigurably disposed in a street-legal size compact metallic container (105) positioned on a hydraulic trailer (107) that can be towed by a truck. An alignment pin (109) is provided on the container (105) for aligning and mating the container with a rotary bearing (111) on the trailer (107). The rotary bearing (111) allows the metallic container (105) to rotate about a vertical central axis +/?180° from an initial position of the container (105). The generator (100) combines a plurality of power sources to provide optimal operation in multiple applications and conditions. The power sources comprise wind, solar, and fossil fuel energy components. When a power grid is available, the mobile hybrid electrical power source (100) can be connected to the grid to sell energy back to the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Antoine Saab
  • Publication number: 20100207453
    Abstract: An environmentally friendly combination of wind turbine and solar energy collectors are provided. Solar photovoltaic material is secured to the surface of the wind turbine tower to augment the power generation capability of a wind turbine. The wind turbine energy output is controlled by a power management program and may be combined with the solar power energy that is generated from solar photovoltaic material covering the surface area of the body of the wind turbine's tower through an electrical subsystem associated with the wind turbine, an electrical subsystem associated with the solar energy collection system, and a combination subsystem conductively coupled both the electrical subsystem associated with the wind turbine and the electrical subsystem associated with the solar energy collection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: CANDEW SCIENTIFIC, LLC
    Inventor: DAWN EMILY OTTMAN
  • Publication number: 20100207454
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a DC plant controller, methods of selecting among multiple power sources and DC plants incorporating the DC plant controller or the method. In one embodiment, the DC plant controller includes: (1) a source identifier configured to identify power sources couplable to a common DC bus, (2) a source prioritizer coupled to the source identifier and configured to prioritize the power sources based on at least one criterion and (3) an output characteristic assigner coupled to the source prioritizer and configured to assign output characteristics to the power sources that differ from one another as a function of the priority.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Lineage Power Corporation
    Inventors: Anurag Jagota, Roy J. Davis, Vijayan J. Thottuvelil
  • Publication number: 20100207455
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the DC/DC converter are integrated into a photovoltaic package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Robert W. Erickson, JR., Steven Croft, Shawn Everson, Aaron Schultz
  • Publication number: 20100207456
    Abstract: A method includes operating a microsource in a grid mode in which the microsource is connected to a utility grid. The microsource is located in a microgrid and is configured to deliver a power P1 at a frequency ?1. During operation in the grid mode ?1 is a first frequency and P1 is a first power. The first frequency is an operating frequency of the utility grid. The microsource is transferred from the grid mode to an island mode, causing a frequency change such that ?1 changes to a second frequency and a power change such that P1 changes to a second power. The frequency change occurs at a first rate with respect to the power change while ?1 is less than a slope switch frequency. The frequency change occurs at a second rate with respect to the power change while ?1 is greater than the slope switch frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Robert H Lasseter, Paolo Piagi