Patents Issued in October 19, 2010
  • Patent number: 7815358
    Abstract: A backlight for a display device, such as a liquid crystal display device, includes a light guiding plate having a front and a rear surface. The front and rear surfaces may be parallel to one another, or may instead be non-parallel. To the extent that such surfaces are non-parallel, one surface may be inclined at a single, or multiple angles with respect to the other surface. The backlight further includes a light source that is coupled to an edge of the light guiding plate by means of an energy conserving coupling section, and which provides light that is conditioned and transmitted through the light guiding plate. Light extractors are disposed on at least one side of the light guiding plate to assist in the transmission and conditioning of the light that is provided to the light guiding plate by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Benzion Alter Inditsky
  • Patent number: 7815359
    Abstract: A transparent resin plate includes a plurality of slits formed intermittently and located along the border line between a housing frame portion and a light conductor plate portion, the slits includes either or both of respective first optical path converting portions and a second optical path converting portion, and flap portions of a reflector are inserted at least in the first optical path converting portions. Also, the second optical path converting portion of the plurality of slits is arranged to meet at least part of optical paths of hypothetical optical paths which are emitted forward from a light source in the forward direction, reach directly the housing frame portion and which do not cross the first optical path converting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Shimura, Motoji Egawa, Akinobu Sano
  • Patent number: 7815360
    Abstract: A material processing plant comprises two screw-type extruding machines (1, 2) which are interconnected by means of a link (29). The link (29) is movable from a position of connection into an open position of release of the casing bores (12). Provision is further made for a mover (38) which acts on the link (29) for implementation of the motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Coperion GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Munz, Jürgen Strecker
  • Patent number: 7815361
    Abstract: In a method for automated colour mixing in a customer-operated and enclosed arrangement, a container with colour base component can be inserted and shaken, the tin with the shaken colour base component is provided with a hole, one or more doses of colour pigment are added via the hole, the hole is closed and shaking is then carried out again. Devices for carrying out the said functions are controlled by microcomputer equipment that is arranged to work interactively with the customer. The making of the hole is carried out using a knife edge or injection device that penetrates the material of the container. The dosing of the colour pigments is carried out by means of a pump and valve arrangement in which one or more valves are opened and closed or by means of a pressure or piston arrangement. The dosing is initiated in the open state of the valve or by activation of the pressure or piston device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Texo Application AB
    Inventor: Bo Lindblom
  • Patent number: 7815362
    Abstract: A device for cutting/shearing in a process vessel (1) product clusters and/or materials (3) into smaller particles and dispersing them in a liquid product bulk (4) or for mixing in the process vessel liquid products with each other that are difficult to mix. The device has an electric motor (13) arranged out-side the process vessel and, driven by the same by magneto drive, a processing unit (12) positioned inside the process vessel. The processing unit comprises a stationary inner part (14) and, rotatable about this, an outer part (15), the inner and outer parts having the shape of substantially concentric rings (16, 17) arranged with a close fit to each other and having a plurality of through slotshaped shearing recesses (18) opposing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Millipore AB
    Inventors: Lennart Myhrberg, Cristian Eriksson
  • Patent number: 7815363
    Abstract: A timepiece movement having at least two regulating members with their escapement and elements for alternately stopping and releasing the operation of the regulating members, such that a single regulating member is thus driven at any one time by means of the energy source of the timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: BNB Concept SA
    Inventors: Mathias Buttet, Enrico Barbasini, Michel Navas
  • Patent number: 7815364
    Abstract: The mechanism avoids the rate variations due to the effect of gravitation on a regulating organ of a timepiece whose regulating organ includes a sprung balance and an escape wheel mounted onto a platform. The platform includes an unbalance and is mounted so as to freely rotate about at least a first axis relative to a plate of the movement so that this platform will rotate about the first axis under the effect of terrestrial gravitation. This mechanism includes a wheelwork with a driving kinematical chain linking the escape wheel to a barrel system of the timepiece, and a corrective kinematical chain compensating the movements and speed of the platform relative to the plate, so that these movements of the platform will not perturb the chronometry of the timepiece, this wheelwork including one or several epicycloidal gear trains, each of which contains wheels with straight toothing exclusively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Cartier Creation Studio SA
    Inventors: Carole Kasapi, Patrick Pichot
  • Patent number: 7815365
    Abstract: A diver's watch includes a timepiece exterior assembly including a movement, a hand setting stem pipe, a crown for operating the movement, and a cover pipe. A locking face is formed at an outer peripheral portion of a case body provided to the timepiece exterior assembly. The hand setting stem pipe is fixed to the case body and includes a pipe side screw portion. The crown includes a crown cylinder inserted to inside of the hand setting stem pipe, and a crown head integral with the crown cylinder. The crown head is formed with a crown side screw portion attachably and detachably screwed to the pipe side screw portion, and an engaging end face brought into contact with and separated from the locking face. The cover pipe is arranged to be more proximate to the crown cylinder than the engaging end face. Thereby, the hand setting stem pipe is covered by the cover pipe and the covered state is maintained regardless of a movement in an axial direction of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
  • Patent number: 7815366
    Abstract: In the present invention, a heating plate is divided into a plurality of regions. Integrated values of temperature fluctuations in each of the regions when a substrate is mounted on the heating plate in a normal state without extraneous matter are collected. A Mahalanobis reference space in the discriminant analysis method is formed based on the integrated values at normal time. During actual heat processing, an integrated value of temperature fluctuation of each of the regions when the substrate is mounted on the heating plate is then detected, so that a Mahalanobis distance about the integrated value during the processing is calculated based on the integrated value during the processing and the Mahalanobis reference space obtained in advance. Whether or not there is extraneous matter on the heating plate is determined by comparing the calculated Mahalanobis distance to a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kouji Okamura, Hiroshi Tomita, Shuji Iwanaga, Shinichiro Araki
  • Patent number: 7815367
    Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is an infrared thermometer with multiple probes for use at a variety of bodily sites. The thermometer automatically detects which of the multiple probes is currently attached, loads a predetermined program from memory that corresponds to the current probe, and thereafter obtains a temperature measurement from a patient using infrared radiation emitted therefrom. Each of the probes is comprised of an infrared target which provides a substantially consistent sources of infrared radiation for the thermometer to measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Lane, David E. Quinn
  • Patent number: 7815368
    Abstract: The temperature detector comprises a thermistor embedded in varnish, a connector, a lead wire connecting the thermistor and the connector to each other, and a transfer suppressing portion provided between the thermistor and the connector and suppressing the movement of the varnish on the surface of the lead wire. The suppressing portion comprises a protection tube surrounding the lead wire and a grommet filled in a space inside the protection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kei Sasaki, Akira Takasaki
  • Patent number: 7815369
    Abstract: A method of measuring temperature of a TMR element includes a step of obtaining in advance a temperature coefficient of element resistance of a discrete TMR element that is not mounted on an apparatus, by measuring temperature versus element resistance value characteristic of the discrete TMR element in a state that a breakdown voltage is intentionally applied to the discrete TMR element and a tunnel barrier layer of the discrete TMR element is brought into a stable conductive state, a step of bringing a tunnel barrier layer of a TMR element actually mounted on the apparatus into a stable conductive state by intentionally applying the breakdown voltage to the mounted TMR element having the same structure as that of the discrete TMR element whose temperature coefficient has been measured, a step of measuring an element resistance value of the mounted TMR element with the tunnel barrier layer that has been brought into a stable conductive state, and a step of obtaining a temperature corresponding to the measure
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Antoku, Eric Leung, Luke Chung, Man Tse
  • Patent number: 7815370
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting temperature threshold events in an aftertreatment device. The system may include an aftertreatment device configured to treat an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine and a temperature responder disposed within a region of interest of the aftertreatment device. The temperature responder is configured to melt at a threshold temperature. The system may further include two access points electrically coupled to the temperature responder and an observation module configured to measure an electrical resistance value across the two access points. The observation module detects the melting of the temperature responder based on the electrical resistance value measured across the access points. In alternate embodiments the observation module is included within an engine control module (ECM) or a service tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad J. Simon, III, Randall J. Stafford
  • Patent number: 7815371
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray emitter 1 comprising an X-ray tube 2 disposed in an oil-tight housing 3 containing a high-tension transformer 2.1, wherein an electrical supply line 4 for the heater voltage for X-ray tube 2 is provided, which is led through the housing 3. Read-out and storage electronics 5 including a microcontroller 5.4 and a data storage device 5.2 are provided on or in the housing 3, and at least one period of operation of the X-ray tube 2 can be acquired and stored in the data storage device 5.2 by means of the read-out and storage electronics 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Schulze-Ganzlin
  • Patent number: 7815372
    Abstract: Pop-up disposable bag is formed of light-weight disposable bag assembly capable of self erecting and self-standing. It does not require any stakes, poles, ropes or additional supports or frame to support it. The entire bag assembly is flexible and can be folded to a compact form for packaging and sale and can easily be opened into a self-standing position by removing the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventors: John William Stanton, Ronald Ghee Jin Ong
  • Patent number: 7815373
    Abstract: A symmetric ultra-precision spindle design in which all forces of constraint are, within the tolerances of manufacturing and assembly processes, symmetrically arranged about its axis. Additionally this design may require little or no external power other than the forces to rotate the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: InsituTec Inc.
    Inventors: Marcin B. Bauza, Stuart T. Smith, Shane C. Woody
  • Patent number: 7815374
    Abstract: A system for cooling a bearing of a shaft of a motor comprises an oil sump adapted to collect oil that contacts a bearing enclosed within the sump; and a heat exchanger physically separated from the sump and the bearing, the heat exchanger adapted to be in fluid communication with the sump and the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Kreitzer, Mark Hodowanec, Warren G. Holter, Margaret M. Holter, legal representative, Jason Obermeyer
  • Patent number: 7815375
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for an adjusting device in a motor vehicle comprises a bearing point in the form of a bearing opening of a base part and a bearing element extending through said bearing opening. The base part arranged on the edge of the bearing opening comprises at least one deformation area which protrudes in a radial manner from the edge to the inside and which acts as radial supports for the bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventor: Gregor Kröner
  • Patent number: 7815376
    Abstract: Localized strain is effectively eliminated in a shape sensing optical fiber where the fiber exits a link in a kinematic chain. In one aspect, the fiber is positioned in a channel within a fiber fixture portion of the link, and a surface of a lip of the channel is curved. The curved surface of the lip begins tangent to a wall of the channel and has a maximum radius of curvature that is less than the minimum bend radius that the fiber will experience during shape sensing. In another aspect the fiber is positioned within a shape memory alloy tube that extends from the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore W. Rogers, Giuseppe Prisco
  • Patent number: 7815377
    Abstract: A fiber optic mechanical splice connector including a single connector element operable for providing optical fiber alignment and strain relief includes opposed splice components that define first and second grooves for receiving the bare glass portions of mating optical fibers, as well as the coated or buffered portion of at least one of the optical fibers when the splice components are biased together by an actuator. The mating optical fibers are aligned while the coated or buffered portion of one of the optical fibers is retained within the same connector element, thus eliminating positioning problems that occur when separate connector elements are utilized for fiber alignment and strain relief. The splice components may be unbiased to allow removal of at least one of the mating optical fibers without destroying the connector assembly or potentially damaging the optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Donald G. Doss, Daniel Leyva, Jr., Brandon Andrew Barnes
  • Patent number: 7815378
    Abstract: A visual presenter includes a base, an upright portion standing from the base and having a distal end, a support column including a horizontal portion formed by bending the distal end of the upright portion so that the horizontal portion protrudes forward away from the base, the horizontal portion having a distal end, an imaging camera head mounted on the distal end of the horizontal portion, and a pivot portion provided on the upright portion of the support column so that the horizontal portion is pivotable horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Elmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sukenari, Shinji Ono
  • Patent number: 7815379
    Abstract: The focus adjustment support device is mounted on a lens apparatus included in an image pickup system for supporting the focus adjustment of the lens apparatus. The image pickup system comprises: an image pickup apparatus having a lens apparatus including focus adjusting section requiring a manual adjustment; and, a case member disposed at a given position for covering at least the image pickup range of the lens apparatus and focus adjusting section, while a portion of the case member corresponding to the image pickup range of the lens apparatus is made of a first light transmissible member having a given optical characteristic. The focus adjustment support device includes a second light transmissible member formed to have an optical characteristic which can provide the same image forming position as in a state where the case member is disposed at a given position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Masumi David Sato
  • Patent number: 7815380
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for creating a new folder in an image forming apparatus having a built-in storage unit and a method and an apparatus for storing data using the same. The method of creating a folder in an image forming apparatus having a built-in storage unit includes determining whether to create the new folder in the built-in storage unit; and creating the new folder. The method of storing data includes: determining whether to store data from an external source; designating a folder for storing the data through a manipulation unit; and storing the data in the designated folder. When the data from an external storage is stored in a mass storage medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a user is allowed to create, retrieve, and designate a folder for storing the data through a manipulation unit, such as a number key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-ok Choo
  • Patent number: 7815381
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer keyboard having user-manipulable components for multi-media applications and additional computer interface and control purposes that are desirably designed for ease of manufacturing and cost effectiveness. A preformed roller module has a small top cover and base forming an enclosure to hold the entire roller mechanism, including the electronic components. The roller module is then attached to the keyboard. A volume control dial is provided for audio volume control. The dial desirably is also preformed and then attached to the keyboard. Keyboard feet may be provided on the rear edge of the keyboard for tilting the keyboard without taking up space at the bottom of the keyboard, so that the keyboard height profile can be kept low. An opaque keyboard frame may be placed over the key mechanisms of the keys to hide them from sight, and a translucent top case may be placed over the opaque keyboard frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick Monney, Alain Tabasso, Antoine Merminod, Keith Tritschler
  • Patent number: 7815382
    Abstract: A cutter assembly for cutting printed media in a printer comprises a housing arranged for displacement across a media path, in a cutting direction at right angles to a media advance direction in the printer, a first rotary cutting blade carried on said housing such as to be positioned generally on the printed side of the media, and a second rotary cutting blade carried on said housing such as to be positioned generally on the side of the media opposite the printed side, the cutting blades being engageable with each other such as to cut the media between them, and the first rotary cutting blade being arranged upstream of the second rotary cutting blade in the media advance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Antonio Monclus, Wei Kyan Goh
  • Patent number: 7815383
    Abstract: The compact toothbrush (10) has a handle that is designed so that the toothbrush (10) can be held within a user's open palm. The toothbrush's lower portion (12) has a substantially triangular contour. The toothbrush has a bristled head (14) and an oppositely disposed support rib (26). The support rib extends along the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush from an upper edge of the toothbrush's head (14), to a central region of the toothbrush's lower portion. The lower portion of the toothbrush handle has first and second opposed, outwardly flared side edges (30, 32) that are joined together at the lower edge (34) so that the lower portion has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional contour. The user cups the toothbrush (10) in the palm of his hand and extends two fingers adjacent to the support rib to stabilize the toothbrush (10) while brushing his teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: William Thomas Hall
  • Patent number: 7815384
    Abstract: A device for applying a coating comprises at least two cylindrical cartridges, a static mixing nozzle in fluid communication with the cartridges, a spray tip, in fluid communication with the nozzle, a first flexible hose disposed between and in fluid communication with the nozzle and the spray tip, and a second hose, in fluid communication with the spray tip, for supplying atomization air to the spray tip. Methods of applying coatings with the device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Richard Parks Corrosion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Parks, Heather Parks
  • Patent number: 7815385
    Abstract: A chuck unit (4) for grasping a writing lead (10) and a rotor (6) arranged to be movable in a direction of rotation and an axial direction within a body cylinder (1) are provided. First and second cam faces (6a) and (6b) are respectively formed at one end face and another end face of the rotor in the axial direction, and first and second fixed cam faces (13a) and (17a) are arranged on the body cylinder side to face the first and second cam faces respectively. The first cam face in the rotor is brought into abutment with and meshed with the first fixed cam face by retreat operation of the chuck unit under writing pressure, and the second cam face in the rotor is brought into abutment with and meshed with the second fixed cam face by releasing the writing pressure, so that the rotor rotates, whereby the writing lead also rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotake Izawa, Takeo Fukumoto, Norio Ohsawa, Kyo Nakayama, Yoshitoshi Osano
  • Patent number: 7815386
    Abstract: A device for the storage and extrusion of a flowable substance (A) includes a loading unit (13) for an application tool (14). The loading unit has a pot-shaped insert (15) for a holder (17). Through axial pressure on the holder (17) the flowable substance A can be extruded from a chamber (12) of the holder through openings (20A) made on the perimeter of the insert (15) into a chamber (16) of the loading unit (13), so that the application tool (14) set at right angles to the axis of the insert (15) is loaded with the substance (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Dentaco Dentalindustrie-und Marketing GmbH
    Inventor: Alberto C. Sogaro
  • Patent number: 7815387
    Abstract: A device for applying a product may comprise a first portion and a second portion moveable with respect to the first portion so as to selectively place the device in one of a closed position and an open position. The first portion and the second portion may define a substantially closed reservoir when the device is in the closed position. The device may further comprise an application member. The application member may be at least partially compressible and configured such that, when the device is in the closed position, the application member is at least partially compressed inside the substantially closed reservoir and, when the device is moved from the closed position to the open position, the application member becomes substantially uncompressed. The application member may be configured so that when the application member is uncompressed, the application member is capable of being loaded with substantially all of an amount of product that the device is capable of containing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret
  • Patent number: 7815388
    Abstract: A retractable writing surface system including a binding mechanism and a pocket directly bound to the binding mechanism, the pocket having an inner cavity. The system further includes a polymer writing surface at least partially received in the pocket. The writing surface is movable between an extended position wherein at least part of the writing surface is exposed for writing upon by a writing instrument, and a retracted position wherein less of the writing surface is exposed for writing upon by the writing instrument compared to when the writing surface is in the extended position. At least part of the writing surface is located in the cavity when the writing surface is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Edward P. Busam, Bertholt Ludwig Ted Schroeder, Jeffrey T. DeBord
  • Patent number: 7815389
    Abstract: A rail system includes a cap rail defining a slot. Within the slot may be positioned expansion brackets that permit the cap rail to be mounted to a wall or a post. The expansion bracket is configured to engage an end of a fixture to position and secure the fixture within the slot. The expansion bracket defines a cable way for wires extending to or from the fixture. Other expansion brackets may be mounted within the slot to position and secure ends of fixtures when the mounting expansion brackets are not correctly positioned with respect to the end of the fixture. A rail system includes a pair of rails extending between a pair of posts. An in-fill panel is positioned within slots of each rail and extends between the rails. Expansion brackets within the slots engage the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: R&B Wagner, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wagner, Alan Nash
  • Patent number: 7815390
    Abstract: A rivet or screw connection, comprising: a first component having a first through-opening; a second component having a second through-opening; and a rivet or screw having shank, wherein the first and second through-openings are arranged and penetrated by the shank of the rivet or screw, the rivet or screw comprises a rivet head, screw head or nut on both sides of the through-openings, having a diameter larger than diameters of the through-openings, and at least the first component comprises a pot-like recess near the rivet or screw extending towards the second component, on whose base the first through-opening is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schmelz, Eric Zimmermann, Marko Hermann
  • Patent number: 7815391
    Abstract: A connector and method for joining one end of a first wood member such as a wood log or beam to a side of a second wood member involving metal sleeves secured in aligned holes in a respective member with a protruding one of the sleeve slidable into the other sleeve. A bolt is threaded into an internally threaded element on the inner end of the sleeve in the first member and advanced to pull the members together. The sleeves are secured in the holes with spike features driven out into the surrounding wood. Alternatively, a tee connector has a plate portion fitting into a slot extending through aligned holes in the plate and one end of the first member. A cross plate is held against the one side of the other member with thread fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Richard W. Kauppila
  • Patent number: 7815392
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for a seamless curb system suitable for a sanitary environment while providing an energy absorbing structure. The multicellular structure has a substantially uniform cross section. The structure is formed of hi-density, energy absorbing, expanding polypropylene foam, similar to bumper systems used in cars and trucks. An outer shell is disposed over at least a front portion of the structure. The outer shell may be stainless steel or a polyurea/polyaspartic reinforced coating, as examples. The elements are sealed to each other in an end to end relationship adjacent to a wall to form an energy absorbing protective barrier to the wall. At least one anchor is disposed in a slot in the floor of the manufacturing facility to provide support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Keith Thomas Kwasny
  • Patent number: 7815393
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for rotatably mounting a surface processing tool holder on at least one motor driven rotatable arm of a surface processing apparatus, such that the tool can spin freely as the arm is driven by the motor, includes an elongate shank having a smooth surfaced, cylindrical portion intermediate its ends adapted for positioning within an aperture in the tool holder with one threaded end portion projecting through the aperture for attachment to an elongate mounting bar adapted for attachment to the arm. A bearing supported by the tool body and surrounding the smooth surfaced portion of the shank is rotatable relative to the shank. The mounting bar includes a threaded aperture for receiving the threaded end portion of the shank and the threaded aperture includes a counterbore for receiving the end portion of the smooth surfaced shank portion which is adjacent the threaded end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Wagman Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Snyder, Brett L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7815394
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a watercraft for picking up and launching boats. The device comprises an extension arm that is coupled in such a manner that it can swing freely on the watercraft, that extends at an acute angle in relation to the surface of the water and floats in water by means of floats. The extension arm comprises guide tracks for a boat retrieving device that is maintained on the extension arm in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The boat retrieving device comprises a holding head that is articulated in a displaceable manner on a running part guided on the guide rails, about an axis that is horizontal and approximately transversal in relation to the extension arm. The running part is connected to the drive means for longitudinally displacing the boat retrieving device. The holding head comprises at least one adjusting means that acts upon its adjusting movement about the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Global Davit GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Dieter Bergmann
  • Patent number: 7815395
    Abstract: A subsurface drainage assembly for directing fluid drainage from a surface is disclosed. The subsurface drainage assembly includes a plurality of drain structure panels that include a plurality of spaced apart tubular support members arranged to define a unit having a plurality of side edges, the tubular support members having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending there between. The drain structure panels further include at least one strut extending from each support member to another support member to latterly support the tubular support members. An anchor plate is positioned between at least two tubular support members. The anchor plate has an aperture formed there through sized and configured to receive a ground anchoring member for securing the drain structure panel to a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Airfield Systems, L.L.C
    Inventor: Charles R. Blackwood
  • Patent number: 7815396
    Abstract: A wave generating apparatus and method in which a chamber is at least partially submerged beneath a body of water in a pool and is connected to a gas supply for at least partially filling the chamber with gas, displacing water in the vicinity of the chamber. A vent valve is arranged to vent gas rapidly from the chamber so that the water level in the vicinity of the chamber falls, forming a wave trough. A wave reflecting wall is positioned in the pool adjacent the chamber and in the vicinity of the wave trough formation so as to reflect the wave away from the chamber and across the body of water. The chamber may have a flexible wall for displacing water or may be a rigid chamber communicating with the water through a submerged passageway. This apparatus forms a wave trough followed by a wave peak which travels across the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: American Wave Machines, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. McFarland, Steven M Harrington
  • Patent number: 7815397
    Abstract: Disclosed is an expansion-sealed flood control gate, comprising a water board, a frame structure, two symmetrical constraint tracks, at least one encased expandable sealing tube, and a plurality of adapters. A U-shaped slot is formed between the two symmetrical constraint tracks for plugging in the water board. Each constraint track has a U-shaped expanding compression chamber connecting from one end to the other end to accommodate the tube inside. The adapters are connected with the open ends of the tube and fixed on the constraint tracks at the connected ends. Accordingly, there can be effectively repelled floods that the tube with the characteristics of active filling and uniform packing stress have the higher geometric tolerance, even if the slits between the water board, the constraint tracks and ground emerge the unexpected geometrical change, the encased expandable sealing tubes are ballooned to mend the slits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Chen-Yuan Dung
  • Patent number: 7815398
    Abstract: A vessel is provided that is an improvement over previously disclosed jack-up rigs and lift boats. The vessel has at least three thrusters and is self-propelled. The vessel additionally has a raised and hollow crane support on which a crane may be mounted. The crane support is preferably affixed to tracks, which permit the crane to slide along the deck of the vessel. The raised and hollowed feature of the crane support permits the storage of equipment and things beneath the crane support without hindering the movement of the crane along the tracks. Optionally, the vessel further has an extension assembly atop which may be deployed a workover rig assembly. The crane may be used to assemble the extension assembly and thus aid in the construction, remediation, and demolition of offshore oil and gas platforms and wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Remedial Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Richard A. Altman, Michael D. Brown, Peter W. Nimmo
  • Patent number: 7815399
    Abstract: A method of mechanized construction has developed for installing an earth wire under-bracing by using an auger crane and adjustable excavating unit with an auger crane. The extendable excavating unit is mounted to the lower end of an auger shaft of the auger crane and excavation teeth extendable and retractable are mounted to the excavating unit, thereby allowing excavation of a burial hole suitable to the size of the earth wire under-bracing. Whether it is needed to bury the earth wire under-bracing having a larger diameter than the diameter of excavation existing on the auger crane, or bury small-sized earth wire under-bracing, a method for mechanized construction of the earth wire under-bracing is enabled without difficulty by using an auger crane and adjustable excavating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Daewon Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Sae Won Kwon, Dong Hwi Shin, Dong Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 7815400
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a retainer assembly for anchoring environmental containment and remediation materials in a desired location. The retainer assembly includes a buoyant retainer structure and an anchor assembly attached thereto. The anchor assembly defines the limits of motion of the retainer in three dimensions with respect to a selected anchor point and permits the anchor assembly to float within these limits. The anchor assembly also includes an attachment mechanism to secure the remediation materials to the retainer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Louis DeAngelis
  • Patent number: 7815401
    Abstract: A pneumatic tube transport system for grossly irregular shaped objects is disclosed. The system comprises a pneumatic tube and a series of one or more flexible, sealable bags adapted to contain the objects to be transported. The bags may be fenestrated, but, if desired, the bags can be designed and manufactured so that when they are filled and sealed, they can assume a generally inflated shape. The bags can be made out of a thin material such as that found in a grocery store produce section or check out area. A bag providing apparatus can be supplied either to the individual picker in the field or to the region near the entry to the pneumatic tube. If desired, an inflating device and a bag sealing device can be provided. After placement of the object(s) into the bag these devices can inflate and the seal the bag and then allow for its quick release and deposition at the entry end of the pneumatic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Picker Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Vincent E. Bryan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7815402
    Abstract: A cutting insert is provided with at least a circular-arc blade cutting edge as a cutting edge in the form of a substantially quarter circular arc, at an intersection between a rake face and a flank face, and an outer cutting edge extending from one end portion of the circular-arc cutting edge. The rake face is formed so as to be convex in a direction of rotation when the cutting insert is mounted on a tool body. On a section perpendicular to the cutting edge, the rake face is inclined so as to become gentler with distance from the circular-arc cutting edge or outer cutting edge. The circular-arc cutting edge is formed to be convex in the direction of rotation. The outer cutting edge is formed so that its edge ridge line is substantially parallel to the axis of the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Tunalogy Corporation, OSG Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Yoshida, Katsutoshi Watanabe, Masuo Saitoh
  • Patent number: 7815403
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a material removal tool has a housing at a mating end, an extension longitudinally extending from the housing to a distal end, a plurality of spacers arranged along the extension, and a nut at the distal end of the extension, wherein the plurality of spacers are formed from a material having a Young's modulus of greater than about 1.5 times that of steel. The spacers along the extension of the tool place the stiffer material of the spacer at a location of greatest resistance to bending moments (i.e. highest sectional modulus). Optionally preloading and “built-in” relief points contribute to improved performance of the material removal tool. A method of manufacturing a material removal tool and a method of machining a workpiece are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Valenite LLC
    Inventors: Brian Hoefler, Don Azzopardi
  • Patent number: 7815404
    Abstract: A liner for a transverse trough of a coil-transport railway car for cushioning a coil and for preventing lateral creep of the load during transport. Each sloping wall of a transverse trough is lined with at least one liner to prevent lateral creep in both transverse directions. Each liner is comprised of a horizontal bottom base or support layer, from which upwardly project a plurality of spaced-apart, flexible fingers or ribs. The fingers or ribs of the liner of the invention may be oriented leftward or rightward in direction of cant, and oriented such as to face or incline toward the centerline of the transport vehicle, and behave or act as leaf springs. When the load of coil is placed onto the liner of the present invention, the fingers thereof serve as the load-bearing surface, and bend or deflect in accordance with the weight of the load, to thereby support the load of coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Kastalon, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Bruce DeMent
  • Patent number: 7815405
    Abstract: A vehicle article carrier system employing a pair of support rails adapted to be secured to the sidewalls of a bed of a pick-up truck. Attached to the sidewalls are a pair of tie-down assemblies that can be fixedly secured at various points along each of the support rails. A load bar assembly is also included that can be quickly and easily attached to and detached from the tie-down assemblies. When the load bar is not in use, the tie-down assemblies can be used in connection with external bungee cords, nylon straps or other fastening implements to help restrain articles within the bed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: JAC Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey M Aftanas
  • Patent number: 7815406
    Abstract: An element attachable to a sheet metal part by riveting, in particular an element in the form of a centering bolt, having a shaft part and a head part, wherein the head part has at its side confronting the sheet metal part an at least approximately ring-like ring recess which merges at the radially inner side into a cylinder section of the head part which in turn merges into the shaft part and into a tubular rivet section which surrounds the shaft part in the region of the head part, is disposed within a ring-like contact surface arranged radially outside of the ring recess and merges at the radially outer side via an at least approximately conical wall into the ring-like contact surface, is characterized in that at least one local recess and preferably a plurality of in particular uniformly distributed local recesses is or are provided in the conical wall of the ring recess and/or in an optionally present ring-like base surface of the ring recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 7815407
    Abstract: A self-drilling anchor is provided which includes an elongated tapered plastic body and anchor assembly. The body has an external helical threaded portion, a central clear bore for receiving the anchoring assembly, two diametrically opposed break-away slotted portions, and an axial driving flange concentrically positioned relative to the tapered body first end. The flange has inner and outer walls, a central clear aperture for receiving a screw driver, and at least two diametrically opposed notches for receiving a bladed driver for drilling the tapered body into a hollow wall. The anchoring assembly is centrally received in the clear bore, and includes an externally threaded screw, a collar, and at least two diametrically opposed separable arms. The collar is internally threaded for receiving the screw. The separable arms have spring loaded ends and pointed ends. The spring loaded ends are pivotally attached to the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Kucharyson