Patents Issued in May 31, 2011
  • Patent number: 7950162
    Abstract: A tilt sensor includes a light emitting element and two light receiving elements accommodated in a case. The case is formed with an inner space in which a rolling member is provided in a freely movable manner by the pulling force of gravity. A cover plate is fixed to the case to close the inner space. The cover plate is provided with an irregular, inner ceiling surface that is exposed to the inner surface so as to come into sliding contact with the rolling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Horio, Satoshi Fujitani
  • Patent number: 7950163
    Abstract: A foot type and plantar pressure measuring device is provided. The device includes a color pad and a foggy film on the color pad. The device further includes a mesh pad on the foggy film and/or a resilient pad under the color pad, the resilient pad having protrusions. When a patient stands still on the device for a few seconds and then steps off, the patient's foot type and plantar pressure is shown by color pattern displayed on surface areas of the foggy film. The color pattern corresponds to the plantar pressure exerted on the device, and tones of the color pattern represent the plantar pressure exerted on the surface areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Ming-Jor Lo
  • Patent number: 7950164
    Abstract: A roundness measuring apparatus includes: a stylus having a contact part; a holding member that holds the stylus while allowing displacement of the contact part; an elastic member that presses the contact part against a measurement target object; a detector holder that supports the holding member rotatably; a motor; an elastic force adjustment member that is rotatable and concentric with the holding member; a joining section that joins the elastic force adjustment member with the holding member to maintain relative rotational positions; and a restricting section that restricts rotation of the elastic force adjustment member at a predetermined rotational position. The displacement direction of the contact part is adjusted in a first rotation range. The rotational position of the holding member relative to the rotational position of the elastic force adjustment member changes with the rotation of the elastic force adjustment member being restricted in a second rotation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuki Nakayama, Hideki Shindo
  • Patent number: 7950165
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus (10) comprises a plurality of first members (12) and a plurality of second members (14). First and second co-operating formations (16, 22) are provided on the first and second members. The co-operating formations can co-operate with one another to secure the first members to the second members. The first members include spaced alignment formations arranged to align the placement of articles on the surface. The first co-operating formations may constitute the alignment formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Arthur Hall
  • Patent number: 7950166
    Abstract: A simplified energy-return shoe system includes an energy-return shoe system is disclosed including a shoe portion for containing a user's foot with an upper sole having an upper toe sole area and an upper heel sole area. The upper sole is affixed to a bottom surface of the shoe portion and the upper sole is bendable at a point between the upper toe sole area and the upper heel sole area. A lower sole has a lower toe sole area and a lower heel sole area. The lower sole is bendable at a point between the lower toe sole area and the lower heel sole area. A heel suspension mechanism links the upper heel sole area to the lower heel sole area whereas the upper heel sole area is held in a parallel relationship to the lower heel sole area and the upper heel sole is allowed to move backwards in relationship to the lower heel sole. A device such as a spring is provided for pushing the upper heel sole area away from the lower heel sole area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen Perenich
  • Patent number: 7950167
    Abstract: A sole construction having a cushion insert that is installable in the sole at different orientations to vary the support/cushioning characteristics of the sole. The sole construction may include a midsole defining a receptacle configured to receive the cushion insert in a plurality of different orientations. The cushion insert and the receptacle may include a plurality of lobes that are interfitted when the cushion insert is installed in the receptacle. The size, shape and configuration of the lobes may be varied between different regions of the cushion insert so that different regions of the cushion insert provide different support/cushioning characteristics. The cushion insert and the receptacle may be generally disc-shaped so that the sole is adjusted simply by rotating the cushion insert with respect to the receptacle. The lobes may be configured so that rotation of the cushion insert adjusts the sole between supination, pronation, soft and firm settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Patent number: 7950168
    Abstract: A sole construction includes a cushion insert that is installable in the sole at different orientations to vary the support/cushioning characteristics of the sole. The sole construction may include a midsole defining a receptacle configured to receive the cushion insert in different orientations. The sole may be inserted into low-profile footwear having an outsole with a receptacle for retaining a corresponding differentiated heel portion of the sole. The sole may be included in a shoe construction having an outsole portion capable of bending or pivoting to provide access to the cushion insert for adjustment thereof. The sole may be included in a shoe construction having an outsole that defines an opening, through which the cushion insert may be accessed and manipulated. The cushion insert may include at least one channel that varies in depth about the insert so that different regions of the insert provide different support/cushioning characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Patent number: 7950169
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may be incorporated into footwear and other products. The chamber is formed from a polymer material that defines a first surface, a second surface located opposite the first surface, and a sidewall surface extending around a periphery of the chamber and between the first surface and the second surface. A plurality of bonds are spaced inward from the sidewall surface and join the first surface and the second surface, and the bonds are distributed to form a regularly-spaced array, such as a hexagonal array. In some configurations, the first surface and the second surface may define elliptically-shaped structures between the bonds. In addition, the bonds may be formed to have a slope that is an average of slopes of the first surface and the second surface in areas proximal the bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Holt, Troy C. Lindner, Christopher W L Brandt
  • Patent number: 7950170
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a trenching machine has at least one roller assembly comprising a body rotationally supported by an axle exteriorly mounted to a trenching chain or wheel. At least a portion of the body comprises a substantially conical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Neil Cannon
  • Patent number: 7950171
    Abstract: A saddle block assembly including a main body having a shipper shaft opening through the main body bottom end, and an eccentric pin opening in the main body top end, an eccentric pin received in an eccentric pin opening in the top end of the main body, and a wear plate support. The wear plate support has a pin receiving opening, the eccentric pin being received in the pin receiving opening. Wear plates are mounted on the bottom end of the wear plate support and are adapted to bear against the top of a dipper handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew M. Wurster
  • Patent number: 7950172
    Abstract: A vehicle identification card has the words SERVICE and READY on its front and rear sides, respectively, and includes a top segment having a horizontal band of static cling vinyl covered by a removable protective liner. Upon removal of the protective liner, the card can be adhered to the inside of a vehicle windshield with the word SERVICE visible from outside the vehicle and the top segment may be folded 180 degrees and adhered to the inside of the vehicle windshield with the word READY visible from outside the vehicle. The card is preferably a two section card with the before mentioned construction in an upper section and having a lower section which includes a removable key tag and a removable vehicle claim ticket. Service personnel can place the card on, and remove the card from, the inside of the vehicle windshield without bodily entering the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Marjen, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7950173
    Abstract: A portable sign including three legs movable between deployed and collapsed positions and a flexible covering bearing text, graphics or both includes a biasing mechanism urging the legs toward the deployed position. A support within the biasing mechanism secures three springs with the coils facing outward, one extension from each spring embedded in an upper support member and another extension movable within a plane tangential to a periphery of a lower support member and received by a hollow portion of one of the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: DBK Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Maya P. Jedlicka
  • Patent number: 7950174
    Abstract: A windproof billboard, including at least a body, a pair of first supports, multiple second supports, a rotating shaft, multiple linkage mechanisms, a transmission mechanism, a power mechanism, and at least one brake, wherein the first supports and the second supports are disposed on the ground, the bottom of the body is hinge connected to the first supports, the linkage mechanisms are hinge connected an upper part of the back of the body and fixed on the rotating shaft, and operate to drive the body to rotate with respect to the first supports, the rotating shaft abuts against one of the second supports, the power mechanism is fixed on the transmission mechanism and operates to drive the rotating shaft to rotate via the transmission mechanism, and the brake is disposed on one of the second supports and operates to fix the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Peiyuan Xu
  • Patent number: 7950175
    Abstract: A folded folder track with sliding tab either writable and/or channel tab which travels along the folded track area of the folder whereby the user can position the tab wherever it is needed along the top horizontal edge of the folder. This allows every tab in the filing system to be moved into a convenient, viewable position. Also, the user will be able to maintain the files in alpha numeric order without the tabs being hidden behind other tabs or without hiding other tabs which provides for quick and efficient retrieval of folders and the filing of folders. This folded folder track and writable tab will be of various lengths and colors to be of greater value for the user with multiple identification needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Kitty Kay Kubusheski
  • Patent number: 7950176
    Abstract: A handheld multiple-charge weapon for remote impact on a target with an electric current includes a housing including a launch power supply, a power source, a voltage converter, and a high voltage generator and triggered by a firing element. A clip on the housing carries a plurality of unitary cartridges. Each of said cartridges carries an electrode for contact action on the target and delivering the electric current thereto. The cartridge includes a wire connected to an electrode launched from each of at least two of said cartridges by the power source toward the target when the firing element is actuated in a firing position. The clip moves two cartridges to the firing position and after the firing element is actuated extracts the cartridges and associated wires. The wires are connected to the high voltage generator subsequent to the firing element being actuated after which the cycle of firing and extraction of spent cartridges can be repeated multiple times in manual, semiautomatic or automatic mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Oleg Nemtyshkin, Yury Ladyagin
  • Patent number: 7950177
    Abstract: A bolt action firearm includes a bolt assembly with a bolt body having an outer surface defining a longitudinal guide channel extending along a length of the bolt body from a rearward end to a forward end. A receiver defines a central longitudinally extending bore for accommodating the bolt body. A bolt guide is configured to be coupled to the receiver. The bolt guide includes a projection configured for traveling in the guide channel when moving the bolt body in the receiver so as to ensure that the bolt body is at a predetermined correct angular orientation within the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Laney, Matthew Zglobicki
  • Patent number: 7950178
    Abstract: A striking mechanism for the semi-automatic operation of a cartridge firing firearm includes a receiver, a barrel attached to the receiver and providing a breach, an op rod assembly, and a bolt adapted for reciprocating movement within the receiver and engagable with the breach of the barrel and the face of a cartridge chambered therein. The bolt carries a primary firing pin, and a bolt lock means is pivotally connected to the bolt for selectively locking the bolt within the receiver. A bolt link assembly is pivotally connected to the bolt lock means and to the op rod assembly. The bolt link assembly provides a bolt link transfer pin. An op rod transfer pin is carried by the op rod assembly and can engage the bolt link transfer pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Ohio Ordnance Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert I. Landies, Daniel L. Albright, Joshua G. Hershberger
  • Patent number: 7950179
    Abstract: An attachable storage receptacle for storing an accessory on a firearm comprises a storage receptacle body having a top portion, a bottom portion and a wall portion, and an attaching mechanism on the top portion of the storage receptacle body for releasably attaching the storage receptacle body to a bottom end of a firearm magazine. The wall portion is connected to the top portion at one end and the bottom portion at the other end, thereby forming a hollow inner portion for storing the accessory in the storage receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Lightsword, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Confrey
  • Patent number: 7950180
    Abstract: A fish lure break away system, having a lure attachment member, a hook section with at least one elongated shank, an eyelet, an eyelet guide, and a least one curved bend terminating in a tip section. The eyelet defines an eyelet gap having a predetermined width. In one embodiment the lure attachment member has a predetermined breaking strength in combination with a selected thickness and flexibility such that the lure attachment member can be squeezed through the eyelet gap and thereby attached to the eyelet. The lure attachment member may be of strength less than that of fishing line so as to break if snagged to release and avoid loss of a lure. The hook section has an inwardly projecting member which may be maneuvered to close or minimize the eyelet gap to retain the lure attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Marcus Craig Hatfield
  • Patent number: 7950181
    Abstract: A photobioreactor includes a cultivation zone configured to contain a liquid culture medium and facilitate growth of a microalgae biomass, a plurality of parallel edge-lit light transmitting devices mounted within the cultivation zone, and a collection zone oriented in relation to the cultivation zone such that at least a portion of the liquid culture medium and microalgae from the cultivation zone may be periodically harvested. Methods for illuminating algae, for dissolving materials into an algae medium, for extracting oil from algae, and for producing biodiesel from algal oil are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: MIP, LLC
    Inventor: Joe McCall
  • Patent number: 7950182
    Abstract: A harvesting apparatus comprising a first conveyor (30) for conveying seedling trays (10), a cutting station (40) adjacent the first conveyor (30) to cut the leaves of the seedlings and a second conveyor (41) for taking cut leaves away from the cutting station (40). A stationary plate or grill (82) is placed in the gap (82A) between the first conveyor (30) and the cutting station (40) for supporting the trays (10). The cutting mechanism at the cutting station (40) may be adjustable in height above the plate or grill (82). A method of harvesting leafy vegetables and legumes using this apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Withcott Group Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Graham Erhart, Wendy Erhart
  • Patent number: 7950183
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of producing a synchronized population of conifer somatic embryo germinants in preparation for transplantation. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) culturing conifer somatic embryos on sterile germination medium for a sufficient period of time to produce germinants comprising a visible, well-defined epicotyl stem of a desired length; (b) selecting a plurality of germinants having an epicotyl stem of the desired length; (c) storing the selected germinants having an epicotyl stem of the desired length produced in step (a) while still on the sterile germination medium from step (a) in a cold environment in which the temperature is in the range of 0.5° C. to 10° C. for a time period up to six months; and (d) transferring the germinants stored according to step (c) from the germination medium into water for a time of up to about four weeks at a temperature of about 0.5° C. to about 5° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: Amy M. Jamruszka-Lewis
  • Patent number: 7950184
    Abstract: To open a two-action gate, a sliding of a latch and a lifting of the gate to disengage a double stop is required. Performing one step without the other fails to open the gate. The gate is engaged in a frame which may in turn be engaged in a partition or doorway. Via a thumb tab, a portion of the latch can be slid out of the frame. Then the gate is lifted to lift the double stop up and clear of a lower portion of the frame such the gate is swingable. The gate is journaled to a vertically running frame member which serves as the swinging and sliding axis for the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Carlson Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A Flannery
  • Patent number: 7950185
    Abstract: A window regulator device includes a rail having at least one projecting lug, a plate having at least one lug, a drive cable, and a cable drum placed in a recess of the plate. The plate is fixed to the rail by a joint action of a tensioned drive cable and the mutual imbrication of the lugs of the plate and the rail. The assembly of the window regulator device is simplified, and the drum can be fixed independently of the mounting and removal of an actuation motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Arvinmeritor Light Vehicle Systems—France
    Inventors: Francois Lefevre, Eric Simonneau, Michel Mounie, Nicolas Galliot, Francois-Paul Meurou, Jacky Mercier, Franck Corgier
  • Patent number: 7950186
    Abstract: A vehicle seal assembly incorporates an integrated attachment feature to secure a flexible seal to closely spaced inner and outer body panels joined along a flange region. First and second spaced openings are aligned in a direction extending from the flange region. The seal assembly includes a generally planar portion having a finger secured at one end and extending outwardly in a generally parallel direction to the planar portion. The finger extends through the first opening and directs the seal assembly as the seal assembly is advanced toward the second opening where a retaining member snap fits therethrough for retaining the weatherstrip to the body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Gross, Alan Peth, Mark Faunce
  • Patent number: 7950187
    Abstract: A top portion (12) of the gutter section (10) is formed with a pair of longitudinally extending, relatively spaced apart ridges (20) and with a plurality of openings (22) disposed on, in front of, in between and behind the ridges (20) for draining rainwater into the gutter (10). A front wall (13) extends downwardly from the top portion (12) and a ledge (14) extends generally horizontally form a lower portion 13B of the front wall (13). The distance D between an upper edge (17) of the front wall (13) and the horizontal ledge (14) is relatively short to improve the versatility and appearance of the cover section 10. The aluminum alloy from which the cover section (10) is formed is relatively thin and the openings (22) in the on the cover section top portion (12) are large enough to facilitate drainage, yet small enough to keep debris from accumulating on the cover section (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Anthony M Iannelli
  • Patent number: 7950188
    Abstract: A gutter protector formed of a flexible open cell porous foam has at least one undulated bottom surface. The undulations of the bottom surface may be ridges defining generally parallel channels to direct water through the gutter passageway. Optionally, undulations may be provided on one side surface. Such undulations on the side surface may be ridges or other convolute cut projections that are compressible and help to secure the gutter protector under compression within the gutter passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Foamex Innovations Operating Company
    Inventors: C. John Galbraith, Kenneth Overk, Chiu Y. Chan
  • Patent number: 7950189
    Abstract: A modular in-wall medical services unit for medical care facilities. A frame supports a cabinet with a cover panel providing electrical and/or gas outlets. Built-in electrical and gas conduits are included. A junction box and ends of the gas conduits near the top of the frame are accessible after wallboard is applied. Thus, wallboard can be installed before or after wiring is completed and gas connections are made. The self-aligning cover panel is “floatingly” supported on the frame so that a bead of sealant can be applied around the edge before the cover panel is “snugged up” to the wall and secured. The trim flanges on the cover panel include vertical equipment mounting tracks. Manufacturing is simplified by making the height of the frame adjustable; the same frame elements can be used to assemble units for different ceiling heights, decreasing the number of required parts in inventory and expediting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Modular Services Company
    Inventors: James A. Walker, Taylor C. Culpepper, Richard J. Webb, John R. Pierson
  • Patent number: 7950190
    Abstract: A concrete panel lifting insert assembly that includes an X-shaped foot and an insert, which is generally pear-shaped or triangular-shaped, having a bottom side which is elongated. The insert's bottom side is secured to a cross-member of the X-shaped foot such that the insert stands in a vertical orientation. The other cross-member of the X-shaped foot is in a transverse tangential orientation to that of an opening formed by the pear-shaped or triangular-shaped insert. This other cross-member optionally includes elevated C-shaped clips for engaging rebar material to provide additional strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Todd M. Schulze
  • Patent number: 7950191
    Abstract: A surface support structure is provided with at least one cell having a plurality of upright walls. A first wall of the plurality of upright walls has a recessed portion forming at least a portion to allow extension and contraction in multiple directions of the at least one cell. The plurality of upright walls of the at least one cell define a perimeter such that the recessed portion extends towards a second wall of the plurality of upright walls and is within the perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Conwed Plastics LLC
    Inventor: Henricus Brouwers
  • Patent number: 7950192
    Abstract: A framed panel and related method of manufacture are disclosed. A framed panel unit includes a panel along the edge of which thermoplastic frame members are disposed. The frame members have first and second opposed side walls which define a channel for receiving the edge of the panel. The channel of each frame member has spacers between the panel and each side wall for spacing the panel from the side walls. Prior to welding together the ends of the frame members, the spacers retain the frame members on the panel. The panel may include multiple opposed sheet members with a spacer between the sheet members spacing them apart, and a reactive thermoplastic sealant material bonding the sheets to the frame members. An associated method of forming a named panel, frame members for a panel, and a spacer component for use in mounting a panel within a channel of a frame member are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Bystronic Maschinen AG
    Inventors: Michael Glover, Stephen Field
  • Patent number: 7950193
    Abstract: A decorative security panel assembly for insertion into an opening of a door or an opening of a window. The assembly can include a polymer security with a low-moisture content of no more than five wt %, such that the polymer security grille does not produce condensation within the assembly. A seal can be disposed about the polymer security grille. A translucent panel can be disposed over each side of the polymer grille and engaged with the seal. An air space can be formed between the two translucent panels, with the polymer security grille disposed within the air space. A first frame can be engaged over one of the translucent panels, while a second frame is engaged over the second translucent panel, forming a frame assembly. The frame assembly can be inserted into an opening of a door or an opening in a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Glasscraft Door Company
    Inventors: John B. Plummer, Marjorie Plummer
  • Patent number: 7950194
    Abstract: A corner key for joining ends of spacer sections to form a corner of a spacer frame of a multi-sheet unit includes an elongated body having a first end and an opposite second end and a cut out between the ends of the body. The body is bendable to decrease spacing of the cut out to form a corner of the spacer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Barent A. Rosskamp, Michael Buchanan, Stephen L. Crandell, William B. Davis, William R. Siskos, Cory D. Steffek
  • Patent number: 7950195
    Abstract: An adjustable housing assembly for mounting to a wall is disclosed. The assembly generally includes a back plate having a flange that defines an axis extending perpendicularly from the back plate and a front plate disposed in parallel relationship to the back plate. A connector connects the plates in the parallel relationship at various distances longitudinally along the axis. The connector includes co-acting male and female components extending circumferentially about the axis and at least one of the male and female components is spaced longitudinally along the axis for connecting the plates at any one of the various distances in response to relative rotation between the male and female components about the axis. The connector may also include a mounting ring separate from the back plate and the front plate that couples the front plate to the back plate. The mounting ring allows for additional distances to be obtained between the front plate and the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventor: Todd M. Lajewski
  • Patent number: 7950196
    Abstract: An anchorage for post-tension system has an anchor body with an interior passageway, a polymeric encapsulation extending over the anchor body so as to define a trumpet extending outwardly on one side of the anchor body, and an annular seal formed so as to extend inwardly relative to a wall of the trumpet. The annular seal is in liquid-tight sealing relation with an outer surface of a tendon extending through the interior passageway. A fixing element is formed within the interior passageway so as to fix a position of the sheathing on the tendon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Felix L. Sorkin
  • Patent number: 7950197
    Abstract: An apparatus for fixing the sheathing of an end of a tendon within an anchor body of a post-tension anchor system has an anchor body that has a cavity formed in an interior thereof, a tendon extending into the cavity that has a sheathing extending at least partially thereover and has a sheathed portion and an unsheathed portion, a pair of wedges in engagement with the unsheathed portion of the tendon in the cavity of the anchor body, and at least one wedge member engaged with the sheathed portion. The wedge member has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is of a generally constant thickness and has an end adjacent the pair of wedges. The second portion has a first end and a second end, the second portion being of a decreasing thickness from the first end to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Felix L. Sorkin
  • Patent number: 7950198
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components for use in building construction. The invention provides wall components and systems which have fire-retardant characteristics, as well as wall components which allow for needed ventilation in a building throughout times when no fire is present. Embodiments include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving intumescent material. When the intumescent material becomes hot, it expands rapidly and fills its surrounding area, blocking fire, heat, and smoke from traveling to other areas of a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: California Expanded Metal Products Company
    Inventors: Don A. Pilz, Raymond E. Poliquin, Fernando Hernandez Sesma
  • Patent number: 7950199
    Abstract: A filler assembly for spanning, filling, and concealing a gap between an installed metal cabinet and an adjacent wall, or adjacent cabinet is disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket, a backing strip and a filler strip and the filler strip is formed with a projecting tongue. The bracket includes a narrow channel sized to receive the tongue of the filler strip in a sliding relationship. The tongue of the filler strip can slide into the channel to different depths so that the tongue and bracket span and fill the gap and the position of the backing strip can be adjusted by an adjustment feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Viking Range Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Newhouse, Troy McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7950200
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which includes a drilling device and a tube. The drilling device typically has a first end, at which a point is located and a second end which is connected to a first end of the tube. The apparatus also includes an insertion bar having a first end inserted into the tube and a second end at which a latching device is located. The latching device can set a location of the insertion bar with respect to the tube so that a height is set. The apparatus may also include a first pole receiver connected at the second end of the insertion bar. The apparatus may include a handle which can be inserted into the insertion bar for rotating the insertion bar, tube, and drilling device to drill the drilling device into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Tropiano
  • Patent number: 7950201
    Abstract: Drainage under a deck can be performed by a structure that includes hanging components and corrugated panels. For example, a hanging component can have connected first and second portions, with the first portion being connected to hang from one of the joists and extending downward to where it connects to the second portion, which is below the joist. The second portion can be connected to support of at least one of the panels from above. The upper surfaces of panels are sloped so that drainage occurs from a high part to a low part. The direction of slope and the direction of corrugations are not perpendicular, and can be approximately the same. The hanging components can, for example, be L-shaped brackets, U-shaped, or inverted T-shaped, and can be integrally formed by extrusion of plastic or can be metal. The panels can be corrugated plastic or metal sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: OFIC North America Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Adair, Jr., L. Paul Nelson, II
  • Patent number: 7950202
    Abstract: There is provided a medicine packing device, which prevents a free end of a bottom plate of a tablet dispensing measure from tilting due to its own weight. A bottom plate 43 is provided at a lower opening of a tablet dispensing measure 42. The bottom plate 43 includes a pin 44 at its base end. A leading end of the bottom plate is a free end. When the tablet dispensing measure 42 reaches corresponding stepped portions 37a to 37d by a movement of a tablet dispensing member 36, an opening protrusion 144b of a fixed plate 37 is fitted to an opening recess 43c of the bottom plate 43 and thus the bottom plate 43 pivots about the pin 44 from a closed position to an open position. If the bottom plate 43 moves to the open position, then tablets in the tablet dispensing measure 42 drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kodama, Katsunori Yoshina, Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7950203
    Abstract: A method of retaining a longitudinally compressed flexible duct, the method includes disposing a strap about a closed flexible container enclosing a longitudinally compressed duct to circumferentially restrict a circumferential dimension of the flexible container and a corresponding circumferential dimension of the longitudinally compressed duct intermediate a first end of the longitudinally compressed duct and a second end of the longitudinally compressed duct. The method further includes opening an end of the flexible container to allow expansion of the longitudinally compressed duct intermediate the opened end of the flexible container and the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: William R. Gray
  • Patent number: 7950204
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating foil layers in a foil processing line, the foil layers being caused to move relative to each other, and to a method and an apparatus for further processing the separated foils for manufacturing a product in which an insert is interposed between two foils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: KIEFEL GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Dandl, Dieter Kamml, Marco Hobelsberger, Heinz Hinterseer, Martin Klein
  • Patent number: 7950205
    Abstract: Pouches are provided to the user of an automated pouch handling apparatus in a pouch container. The pouches are oriented the same way in the box. The box may be sealed to prevent pouch contamination. A door on the box is opened or removed to define a door opening. A portion of the pouch stack is accessible through the opening. These pouch containers may be stacked near a pouch handling apparatus where the operator may open the door and load the pouch containers directly into the pouch handling apparatus. The pouch handling apparatus removes the pouches directly from the pouch container through the door opening. The apparatus may include a pouch separator that bends the edge of the pouch out through the door and slides the first pouch away from the second pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Anthony H. Gates
  • Patent number: 7950206
    Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters, each having a machine-readable canister identifier. The device for dispensing pills further includes a reader adapted to read the machine-readable canister identifier and a selector interfaced to the reader. An active pill canister from the plurality of pill canisters is selected by the selector using data from the reader to determine which of the plurality of pill canisters is at a target location. A control is provided for releasing a desired quantity of pills from the selected pill canister at a target location into a target package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: QEM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
  • Patent number: 7950207
    Abstract: A packaging machine for producing packs from packagings filled with items, by means of which the shelf life of items that need to breathe can be improved is proposed. This is achieved according to the invention by means for influencing the atmosphere in the space inside the packs (26) in a way dependent on the breathing rate of the item (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Maisel
  • Patent number: 7950208
    Abstract: A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material includes a supporting body, and a first work surface which interacts, in use, with a second work surface on a further jaw to grip the material to be sealed and perform a sealing operation; one of the jaws defines an anvil, and the other of the jaws defines heating means; the jaw has connecting means for connecting the first surface to the supporting body; the connecting means define a curved third and a curved fourth surface made of rigid material and cooperating mutually to allow the first surface to oscillate with respect to the supporting body when gripping the packaging material prior to the sealing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Mancin, Francesco Giordano, Ernesto Di Dodo
  • Patent number: 7950209
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for an agricultural machine, especially a field chopper, has a motor driven gearbox (3) that is connectable at a drive-end to at least one drive motor (1). At least one first hydraulic pump (8, 8?) is provided to feed at least one hydraulic motor (14), (17) to drive a working mechanism of a machine. A belt pulley (4) of a belt drive (5), especially for driving a chopper drum (10), is coupled with the gearbox (3). A release clutch (7), with an input-side first clutch element (36) and an output-side second clutch element (37), is also coupled with the gearbox (3). The first clutch element (36) is drivingly connected to the motor driven gearbox (3). The second clutch element (37) is drivingly connected to the belt pulley (4). The second clutch element (37) is non-rotationally connected to a drive shaft (38) to drive the at least one first hydraulic pump (8, 8?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: GKN Walterscheid GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Rauschenbach, Andreas Roth, Maik Sterzel, Thomas I. Strobel
  • Patent number: 7950210
    Abstract: A cutter bar drive system for a draper header has a cutter bar disposed at a leading edge of the header to cut crop. A cutter bar gear box in operative engagement with the cutter bar is mounted on a forward portion of the header with a drive train mounted on the header to drive the gear box and cutter bar. An external flywheel is mounted along the drive train remote from the gear box and is engaged with the drive train to reduce vibration in the cutter bar and gear box from a remote, external position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Steve Tippery, Craig Kaster
  • Patent number: 7950211
    Abstract: A power tool for facilitating an operator's cutting of foliage over and along the ground, the tool including a case; a tubular shaft fixedly attached to and extending forwardly from the case; a flexible line trimmer head mounted at the tubular shaft's distal end; a motor housed within the case; an axle linking the flexible line trimmer head with the motor, the axle extending through the tubular shaft; and a handle and wheeled carriage combination connected operatively to case, the handle and wheeled carriage combination being adapted for alternatively facilitating manual movement of the case, tubular shaft, trimmer head, motor, and axle during the operator's over the ground foliage cutting, and facilitating rolling movement of the case, tubular shaft, trimmer head, motor, and axle during the operator's along the ground foliage cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Scott Ta