Patents Issued in June 9, 2011
  • Publication number: 20110131794
    Abstract: A capacitive microphone and method for making the same are provided. A backplate with a plurality of holes is formed on a substrate with at least one cavity, and a diaphragm is formed above the backplate. There is an air gap between the backplate and the diaphragm. The air gap and the cavity communicate with each other by each hole. The diaphragm and the backplate are separated by a first distance and a second distance which is smaller than the first distance, such that the difference is formed on the diaphragm. The second distance area is fastened through surface stiction produced by mist or other fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Jen-Yi Chen
  • Publication number: 20110131795
    Abstract: A method and device for wire termination on stators (1) wherein the wire (15) is wound about poles (6) distributed by a flier (10), guided by shrouds (16) that move radially with respect to the stator (1) overlapping the respective pole (6). Wire termination operations are provided on the wire ends (15) into the terminals (4) with the aid of the flier (10), carried out by an apparatus equipped with a termination device (20), comprising a first deflector (21), a second deflector (22), a blade (23), and a clamp formed by a movable gripper (24) and a fixed gripper (25). The movable gripper is suitable for closing onto the fixed gripper for gripping the wire (15). The device (20) can carry out the steps of catching, moving, introducing and cutting the wire (15) with movements parallel to its own axis (27), or to the axis (7) of the stator (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Massimo Ponzio, Roberto Giachetti
  • Publication number: 20110131796
    Abstract: A method for re-powering a star-connected stator having a plurality of parallel stator slots, wherein a plurality of stator winding bars having external winding connections are disposed in stator slots includes bridging the external winding connections so as to connect the stator winding bars in series and to form a polygonal stator capable of producing a polyphase alternating current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Alain Lacaze
  • Publication number: 20110131797
    Abstract: An inductor may be formed from a magnetic film on a package substrate. Conductors coupled either to a die or a voltage converter extend perpendicularly through the film to conductive plates, defining current paths through and across the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Donald Gardner, Gerhard Schrom, Fabrice Paillet, Shamala Chickamenahalli
  • Publication number: 20110131798
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microfabricated inductors with through-wafer vias. In one embodiment, the present invention is an inductor including a first wafer, a first plurality of metal fillings located within the first wafer, and a first plurality of metal conductors connecting the first plurality of metal fillings together to form a first spiral with a first plurality of windings. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method for producing an inductor including the steps of forming a first plurality of vias in a first substrate, filling the first plurality of vias in the first substrate with a first plurality of metal fillings, forming a first plurality of metal conductors, and connecting pairs of the first plurality of metal fillings together using the first plurality of metal conductors to form a spiral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: Alexandros Papavasiliou, Jeffrey F. DeNatale, Philip A. Stupar, Robert L. Borwick, III
  • Publication number: 20110131799
    Abstract: According to the method for manufacturing electrode sheets, in a first cutting step, an original sheet, including a belt-shaped metal foil and an electrode material coated thereon in a lengthwise direction to form a plurality of coated portions spaced at a predetermined gap, is cut at a location between the coated portions. In a pressing step, the original sheet strips having been cut in the first cutting step are pressed. In this case, the original sheet strips that are pressed by the rolling device are independent from each other. Therefore, the effect produced in rolling of the coated portions remains within each of the original sheet strips. In addition, distortions occurring in the original sheet strips can be prevented from affecting each other and the occurrence of wrinkles can be inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ito, Akiji Hayashi, Hiroki Ishida, Ichiro Shibata, Keisuke Omori
  • Publication number: 20110131800
    Abstract: A front opening wafer carrier formed principally of plastic and comprising an enclosure portion and door has a path to ground with respect to the wafers, the path to ground effectuated by the door. The base “ground” may be provided at the machine interface upon which the carrier sits, or through the robotic arm that grasps, operates and moves the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ENTEGRIS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Bores, Suraj Kalia, Anthony Mathius Tieben
  • Publication number: 20110131801
    Abstract: A tool for engaging a telecommunications connector within a slot so that a releasable latch of the connector is released by the tool. The tool may be used to remove a telecommunications connector from a mating opening of a receptacle or may be used to insert a connector within a receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Nelson, Ponharith Nhep
  • Publication number: 20110131802
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a coaxial cable wherein an inner conductor is coated with an adhesive solid or high-density foam polymer or blend. The adhesive solid or high density foam polymer or blend surrounding the inner conductor is provided with a thickness at least 30 percent of the inner conductor diameter. The adhesive solid or high-density foam polymer or blend is surrounded with a foam dielectric. The foam dielectric is surrounded with an outer conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ANDREW LLC
    Inventors: Mark Witthoft, Alan Moe
  • Publication number: 20110131803
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow surface mount type electronic component has a preparing step, a gluing step and a cutting step. The preparing step includes preparing a baseboard, a clapboard and a cover board, mounting multiple circuit segments and conducting points on two opposite faces of the baseboard at intervals and boring multiple through holes on the clapboard corresponding to the circuit segments. The gluing step includes mounting multiple electronic elements on the baseboard to connected with the circuit segments, gelatinizing glue on the boards to mount the clapboard between the baseboard and the cover board and pressing the boards by a pressing machine. The cutting step includes cutting the boards by a cutting machine to produce multiple single SDM electronic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Chin-Chi Yang
  • Publication number: 20110131804
    Abstract: A support section (28) for supporting a wafer (1) is convexly formed in the center of a receiving section (26) of a support groove (25) of a boat 21. At the time of boat loading of the boat (21), in which wafers (1) respectively received by the supporting sections (28) are aligned, from a standby chamber (33) to a processing chamber (14), the pressure in the standby chamber (33) and processing chamber (14) is set to 200 pascals or more, and 3000 pascals or less. By supporting the wafer upwards from the receiving section with use of the support section, even if peeling of the film on the wafer occurs from a large frictional force between the supported surface of the wafer and the support section under a reduced pressure, the particles from the peeling are caught by the receiving section and therefore particles are prevented from adhering to the IC fabrication surface of the wafer directly below the receiving section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Ozaki, Kenichi Suzaki
  • Publication number: 20110131805
    Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to receive a mating plug utilizes low-profile jack terminal contacts that can flex in their PCB-anchored base portions, which are substantially parallel to the PCB. Any bend in the distal connecting portion or in the intermediate transition portion of each terminal contact is gradual and forms an obtuse angle, thus minimizing stress concentrations. The contacts preferably are arranged in two oppositely facing and interdigitating rows of four contacts each. In one embodiment, the terminal contacts are anchored to the PCB by a contact cradle that constrains the base portion of each terminal contact at two spaced anchoring locations, allowing the base portion to flex therebetween. In another embodiment, the base portions of the terminal contacts are embedded in at least one elastomeric member, which is fitted to the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Shadi A. Abughazaleh, Joseph E. Dupuis, Christopher W. Gribble, Naved S. Khan, Douglas P. O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20110131806
    Abstract: A method for recognizing alignment marks includes preparing a substrate having multiple alignment marks including alignment marks positioned adjacent to each other, and recognizing the alignment marks on the substrate by capturing images of the alignment marks using a recognition camera. The recognizing of the alignment marks includes adjusting the position of the recognition camera when capturing images of the alignment marks positioned adjacent to each other such that each of the alignment marks positioned adjacent to each other is positioned equidistant from the center of an image-capturing region of the recognition camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: IBIDEN CO., LTD
    Inventor: Yuji IKAWA
  • Publication number: 20110131807
    Abstract: A method of forming an isolated electrically conductive contact through a metallic substrate includes creating at least one via through the substrate, where the via includes a first opening in a top surface of the substrate, a second opening in an opposing bottom surface and at least one continuous sidewall extending therebetween. A dielectric sleeve is formed on the at least one sidewall of the via while preserving at least a portion of the through via. An electrically conductive filler is then placed into the via. In the examples disclosed, the filler may be a conductive ink or a conductive epoxy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTRO SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Nashner, Jeff Howerton
  • Publication number: 20110131808
    Abstract: An electrode, in particular a deep brain stimulating (DBS) electrode or a deep brain lesioning electrode, a method for manufacturing an electrode and use of the electrode, and a directional electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventor: Steven Streatfield Gill
  • Publication number: 20110131809
    Abstract: A system for arranging wind turbine blades includes first and second root cradles and a first tip cradle proximate to the second root cradle, wherein the first tip cradle is angled approximately 30 to 60 degrees with respect to a horizontal line. The system also includes a second tip cradle proximate to the first root cradle, wherein the second tip cradle is angled approximately 30 to 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal line. A method for arranging wind turbine blades includes transferring a first wind turbine blade to a first root cradle and transferring a second wind turbine blade to a second root cradle. The method further includes rotating at least a portion of the first wind turbine blade about at least a portion of the second wind turbine blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Gabell Riddell, Michael Claude Ebner, René Michel Beukers, Hendrik Cejus de Roo
  • Publication number: 20110131810
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a bearing, which may be used in a tool within a bore hole. The process includes providing a tubular sleeve, applying a hard facing material on an outer surface of the tubular sleeve so that the hard facing material is fixed to the outer surface, and thereafter applying a material layer over the hard facing material so that the material layer is fixed to the hard facing material. The process further includes machining the material layer so that a portion of the material layer is removed, and then machining the inner surface so that only the hard facing material is left as an inner surface. The process further includes machining the inner and outer surfaces to form the bearing. The process further includes placing the bearing into a housing and inserting a mandrel into the bearing, where a hard coating of the mandrel abuts the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Gunther HH. von Gynz-Rekowski
  • Publication number: 20110131811
    Abstract: A multi-purpose hair cutter according to the present invention includes a body member, a blade member, and a projection member. The blade member is attached to a first side of the body member in a height direction. The projection member has a base part and at least one projecting part. The base part is attached to a second side of the body member opposite to the blade member in the height direction. The projecting part is formed to project from the base part and rises in a direction opposite to the blade member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: TOKYO RIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toru HIRANO
  • Publication number: 20110131812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically operated hair cutting device having a short hair cutting system fashioned on a front end of a housing and having a bearer part, attached to the front or rear side of the housing, that accepts at least one additional cutting device. The cutting device is made up of at least two cutting elements that slide relative to one another via a drive motor, the cutting elements of the additional cutting device being fashioned in a shaving head frame. The shaving head frame, with the cutting elements, is mounted in the bearer part against the force of a spring system. In addition, the shaving head frame is guided upward and downward in the bearer part via guide elements. According to the present invention, the shaving head frame is pivotably mounted on the bearer part via a central bearing. In this way, a shave is ensured that is particularly gentle to the skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Andreas Erndt, Daniel Dietzel, Thorsten Piesker, Johannes Stimpel, Nicolas Salomez, Uwe Ludaescher, Matthias Matern
  • Publication number: 20110131813
    Abstract: A grip structure for a pair of scissors is disclosed. The pair of scissors is provided with a first grip portion to be engaged between the first joint and the joint at the base of the thumb of the user. The first grip portion is centrally formed with a inserting hole for insertion of the first joint of the thumb. The first grip portion is further formed with a concave portion which makes room for the first joint of the thumb when the thumb is inserted in the inserting hole of the first grip portion, ensuring the first grip portion to be located on the first segment bone adjacent to the first joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Chong-Jiang LIN
  • Publication number: 20110131814
    Abstract: A compound leverage hand tool with an interchangeable tool head. The tool includes a pair of pivotably interconnected handles and a tool head defined by a pair of pivotably interconnected blade members. Each blade member terminates at one end in a mounting dowel that is pivotably mounted in a pair of retention slots in one of the handles. Tool head latches are pivotably mounted to the handles and include locking fingers that extend over the retention slots. The tool head latches can be pivoted relative to the handles between a locked position, wherein the locking fingers prevent the mounting dowels from being removed from the handles, and an unlocked position, wherein the mounting dowels can be removed from the handles. A spring biases the tool head latches toward the locked position. To unlock the tool head latches and remove the tool head, a user engages a tool head latch and pulls the handles apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Midwest Tool and Cutlery Company
    Inventor: Scott Musser
  • Publication number: 20110131815
    Abstract: A combination blower and trimmer assembly including a centrifugal clutch transmission for shifting a drive shaft driven by a motor between engagement with an impeller of the blower and engagement with a drive shaft of the trimmer for selective operation of either the blower or trimmer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Edward P. Hurley
  • Publication number: 20110131816
    Abstract: A bush cutter comprises an operating rod, a cutting unit, a main unit and a transfer shaft. The cutting unit is disposed at a front end of the operating rod and rotatably supports a cutting blade. The main unit is disposed at a rear end of the operating rod and houses a motor that drives the cutting blade. The transfer shaft is disposed within the operating rod and transfer output torque of the motor from the main unit to the cutting unit. An adapter is fixed to the rear end of the operating rod and the main unit is provided with a rod insertion hole configured to receive the rear end of the operating rod with the adapter fixed. This configuration may prevent the operating rod, which has versatility, from being erroneously assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryosuke Ito
  • Publication number: 20110131817
    Abstract: A bush cutter comprises an operating rod, a cutting unit disposed at a front end of the operating rod, a main unit disposed at a rear end of the operating rod and a transfer shaft disposed within the operating rod. The cutting unit rotatably supports a cutting blade. The main unit houses a motor that drives the cutting blade. The main unit is provided with a battery pack interface configured to slidably receive a battery pack for supplying electric power to the motor. A direction in which the battery pack slides in the battery pack interface is angled with respect to an central axis of the operating rod. According to this configuration, a user can easily attach and detached the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryosuke Ito
  • Publication number: 20110131818
    Abstract: Devices for removing semi-solid food from a cylindrical container, the devices comprising an elongate shaft having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, a means for rotating the shaft, such as a handle connected to the upper end portion, and at least one curved blade member extending radially outward from the lower end portion of the shaft around its periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Lichty
  • Publication number: 20110131819
    Abstract: A jigsaw drive shaft is connected to a blade by the blade clamp of the present invention. The blade clamp comprises a clamp body mounted securely to the drive shaft by a bracket. The clamp body has a hollow portion formed to receive an upper portion the jigsaw blade. The clamp body also includes a hollow tubular extension. A cam body is pivotable about an axis through a cylindrical bore such that cam surfaces move in and out of contact with an interior surface of the clamp body to engage or release the blade. A spring biases the cam body into engagement with the clamp body surface. The user must press on a protrusion of the cam body to pivot the cam surfaces way from the clamp surface and against the force of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: BLACK AND DECKER INC.
    Inventor: Mike Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110131820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held jigsaw, especially a compass saw, having a housing and a lifting rod with a pendulum mechanism, especially a pendulum lever, with which a pendulum stroke can be given during sawing to a saw blade carried by the lifting rod, especially a jigsaw blade. According to the invention, the hand-held jigsaw can be used more safely and in more special applications as the lifting rod is arranged such that it can rotate about the axis thereof and pivot transversely to the axis, and the pendulum mechanism can rotate about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Hans Kaiser, Marcel Casota, Joachim Platzer, Thilo Koeder, Ulli Hoffmann, Jan Koegel
  • Publication number: 20110131821
    Abstract: Method for detecting an angle of rotation of an angle sensor arrangement including at least one first element and one second element, which are designed and arranged such that they can be rotated relative to one another, and at least one capacitor element whose capacitance changes on the basis of the angle of rotation, the angle of rotation being detected or determined directly or indirectly on the basis of this capacitance of the capacitor element, the capacitor element having at least one first band, and the angle of rotation being detected or determined at least on the basis of the positioning of the first band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Manfred Goll, Hilmar Müller, Udo Hilgenberg
  • Publication number: 20110131822
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a shape of an eyeglass frame, includes: a tracing stylus to detect a position of the rim in a moving radius direction and in a vertical, a tracing stylus shaft for the tracing stylus, a holding unit movably holding the tracing stylus shaft and including a pressure applying element for pressing a tip end of the tracing stylus to the rim, a moving unit for moving the holding unit, a rotating unit for rotating the holding unit around an axis along a vertical direction; a moving radius position detection unit configured to detect a position of the tracing stylus; and a controller configured to obtain a rotating angle of the rotating unit and a position of the holding unit in the moving radius direction at a next measurement position, and control the rotating unit and the moving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinori MATSUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20110131823
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a shape of an eyeglass frame, includes: a tracing stylus moving unit that includes a tracing stylus detecting a position of a rim of the frame in a moving radius direction and in a vertical direction, a tracing stylus shaft for the tracing stylus, a holding unit configured to vertically-movably hold the tracing stylus shaft, a vertical direction moving unit for moving the holding unit in the vertical direction, and a moving radius direction moving unit for moving the holding unit in the moving radius direction so that the tracing stylus traces the rim; a vertical position detection unit for detecting a position of the tracing stylus in the vertical direction; and a controller for obtaining a next measurement position of the holding unit in the vertical direction based on the detecting result of the vertical position detection unit, and controls the vertical direction moving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinori MATSUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20110131824
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a manual surveying instrument that allows easily performing a collimating operation and allows performing a high precision measurement in a short time, [Solution Means] The manual surveying instrument includes a collimation assist device (70) having a collimation light transmitting system that emits a collimation light (R) along a collimation axis (O) toward a target installed at a measurement point, an area sensor (80) that obtains an image of a scene captured within a field of view of a collimating telescope (3), a display unit (48) that displays the image, a collimation light detecting unit (82) that detects the target as a result of receiving the collimation light reflected on the target by the area sensor, and an arithmetic control unit (46) that displays an area (94) being within a predetermined deviation from the collimation axis and where distance measurement is possible and a symbol indicating the target on the display unit as an animation image, judges that collimation has been
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SOKKIA TOPCON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yanobe, Yutaka Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110131825
    Abstract: A parameter related to the Earth's magnetic field can be used to determine accuracy of a magnetometer of a mobile device. In one aspect, a first instance of a parameter related to Earth's magnetic field is determined using data generated by the magnetometer. The magnetometer data can be based in part on a position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. A second instance of the parameter can be determined using data generated by a model of Earth's magnetic field. The model data can also be based in part on the position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. The first instance of the parameter can be compared with the second instance of the parameter. An accuracy metric for the magnetometer can be determined based on a result of the comparison. An indication of the accuracy metric can be presented by the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Robert Mayor, Patrick Piemonte, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Parin Patel
  • Publication number: 20110131826
    Abstract: A system and method for quick and accurate tramming are disclosed. The system includes an apparatus comprising a plurality of indicators spaced apart in a plane perpendicular to a body shank and connected thereto, the body shank configured to be received into the spindle. The system also includes a calibration device configured to temporarily remain fixed in place on the mill table to provide a single point of calibration for each indicator received in the apparatus. The method includes calibrating the indicators one at a time by positioning an indicator shank tip atop the calibration device and adjusting the indicator to read a calibration value common to all the indicators. The spindle is moved toward the mill table until at least one indicator tip touches the mill table and the mill head is adjusted until all indicator tips touch the mill table and all indicators read the same value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Sean Edward Gordon
  • Publication number: 20110131827
    Abstract: The Ultimate Gear Dryer is a device for drying and deodorizing the inside of athletic gear after it is damp from wear. Primarily intended for use with sport specific gloves and footwear, the device supports the gear being dried. The device combines mechanical suction of stale air from the inside of the athletic gear with the blowing of fresh air that has been passed through a filter into the athletic gear. This device helps remedy conditions that breed germs and foul scents inside the athletic gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick John, Jean-Luc Annet, Joshua Paul Goldfarb
  • Publication number: 20110131828
    Abstract: A method for hardening a coating of an object, more particularly a car body. A conveyor system moves the object to the proximity of a radiator and moves it away from said radiator with at least one transport cart that can be translationally moved on at least one running surface. A support frame for the object is fixed to the transport cart in order to rotate or pivot the object about a rotational or pivoting axis extending crosswise relative to the translational movement and independently thereof so that all areas of the surface can be exposed to approximately the same amount of radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Werner Swoboda
  • Publication number: 20110131829
    Abstract: Infrared air float bar for use in floating and drying a continuous planar web of a material in a dryer. Direct radiated or reflected infrared electromagnetic energy from an infrared light source in a removable channel assembly accelerates drying, or evaporation of solvents, or curing of web material passing in proximity to the bar, either by infrared electromagnetic energy, or in combination with convention airflow. The infrared source is cooled by pressurized air passing through an interior portion of the removable air bar channel assembly, and the air is further conducted into fluid contact with the web in an air gap between the emitter and web to promote convective heat transfer and to contribute to the air pressure field supporting web flotation. The removable channel assembly is configured for replacement of the infrared emitter and to allow the setting of the pressurized cooling air flow to the optimum level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: MegTec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Zagar, Michael O. Rocheleau, Les Peterson
  • Publication number: 20110131830
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising one, two or more microchannel structures (101a-h), each of which comprises a reaction microcavity (104a-h) intended for retaining a solid phase material in the form of a wet porous bed. Each of said one, two or more microchannel structures comprises the solid phase material in a dry state together with a bed-preserving agent comprising one or more compounds having bed-preserving activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Mats Inganas, Susanna Lindman, Helene Dérand
  • Publication number: 20110131831
    Abstract: An article of footwear may incorporate a chamber with an outer barrier and a tether element. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that defines an interior cavity, and tether element may be located within the interior cavity and joined to opposite sides of the barrier. Upon pressurization of the chamber, the tether element may extend across the interior cavity and be placed in tension by the outward force of a pressurized fluid within the interior cavity. The tether element may have a variety of configurations. For example, the tether element may have a diagonal orientation, or different tether elements may have different lengths. A tether element may also have plates or tie pieces secured to opposite sides of the chamber, with one or more tethers extending between. Also, the tether element may include one of more sheets that extend across the interior cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Lee D. Peyton, James C. Meschter, Danielle L. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110131832
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may include a pair of polymer layers that define a plurality of subchambers and a web area. The subchambers are protruding portions of the polymer layers that enclose a fluid, and the web area is portions of the polymer layers that are located between the subchambers and lay adjacent to each other. The subchambers may have greater thickness than the web area. A perimeter bond joining the polymer layers and extends around a periphery of the chamber. In addition, a plurality of interior bonds join the polymer layers and extending around the subchambers, which may seal the fluid within the subchambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Brandt, Jonathan A. Eckart, Danielle L. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110131833
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber. The chamber may be bonded to other portions of the sole to secure the chamber within the sole. A surface of the chamber may also be angled to form a corresponding bevel in a lower surface of the sole structure, potentially in a rear-lateral area of the sole structure. A plate may also extend under a portion of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Bryan N. Farris, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Steven F. Smith, Paul VanDomelen
  • Publication number: 20110131834
    Abstract: A shoe midsole has a sole plate, a plurality of blades integrally standing on the sole plate, a cover bonded to the circumference of the sole plate, and a fluid sealed between the sole plate and the cover. A first concave part in a shape equivalent to a sole of a foot is formed on the surface of the sole plate, on which the plurality of blades stand, wherein the plurality of blades are accommodated within the first concave part. The plurality of blades are aligned at a predetermined interval in a direction nearly orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sole plate, and some of the plurality of blades are tilted toward the toe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Osamu Shibata, Masao Shibata
  • Publication number: 20110131835
    Abstract: An insole providing cushioning and control of foot motion. The insole includes a stability cradle and pods secured to the underside of the insole core or base. A lateral heel pod and a medial heel pod have differing material properties selected to help control foot pronation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SPENCO MEDICAL CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Melvyn P. Cheskin, Ray M. Fredericksen
  • Publication number: 20110131836
    Abstract: A footwear assembly with integral footbed suspension system is disclosed. A shoe comprises a sole, a blade extending away from the sole, an Energy Return System (ERS) connected to the blade, an upper, and a cradle coupled to the upper and coupled to the ERS via a plurality of ties, wherein the ERS is intermediate the cradle and the blade. The ERS is configured to resiliently deform under pressure from the foot while the foot is substantially suspended via the cradle relative to the sole. A plurality of sensors are configured to detect relative movement between components of the shoe and to transmit data to a chip positioned in the shoe. The data can be used for gait and performance analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: PLANTIGA TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventor: Norman McKay
  • Publication number: 20110131837
    Abstract: A removable spat may be used with a shoe having a sole and an upper. The spat includes a boot portion having a back opening and a front end, and a sleeve connected to the boot portion. The back opening of the boot portion is adapted to receive the shoe therein. The sleeve has a fixed end connected to the front end of the boot portion and a free end opposite the fixed end. The sleeve extends freely from the front end to define a first sleeve position, and the sleeve is foldable over the boot portion to define a second sleeve position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Foxen, Jonathan Johnsongriffin, E. Scott Morris, Craig A. Nomi
  • Publication number: 20110131838
    Abstract: An orthotic device comprises a flexible support structure comprising at least one surface for contacting a body part of a user, a plurality of pressure sensors configured for coupling to a microcontroller, and a plurality of displacement regions. Each region defines a portion of said flexible support structure, wherein each portion includes at least one sensor disposed on or below the at least one surface and at least one electrically deformable unit. Each unit comprises at least one electroactive material and is configured for coupling to the microcontroller and to a power source. The device is dynamically adjustable to change its shape and support properties, when an electrical voltage is applied to the electroactive material under the control of a microcontroller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sylvia D. PAS, Michael F. PAS
  • Publication number: 20110131839
    Abstract: A system for alternately applying and relieving pressure of predetermined portions of a foot of a user. The system includes a plurality of inflatable chambers, located at predetermined locations, corresponding to the predetermined portions of the foot and a pump. The system also includes a center pneumatic valve, coupled with the pump and with the inflatable chambers, for receiving air from the pump and inflating at least one of the inflatable chambers. The system further includes a pneumatic valve assembly, coupled with the center pneumatic valve. The pneumatic valve assembly is coupled with at least a respective one of the inflatable chambers. The pneumatic valve assembly is moveable between two positions, and changes position when a predetermined pressure value is achieved in the corresponding inflatable chamber. When the pneumatic valve assembly changes position, the center pneumatic valve changes position, thereby inflating another inflatable chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Benny Ballin, Noam Calderon, Alexander Salman
  • Publication number: 20110131840
    Abstract: Systems and methods for affecting a position of a foot are provided. In some aspects, a foot orthotic system comprises a compartment system configured to engage a shoe and engage at least a portion of a foot when the foot resides in or on the shoe. The compartment system may be adjustable from a first shape to a second shape. The foot orthotic system may also comprise one or more elongate members. In some aspects, as the compartment system is adjusted from the first shape to the second shape, an elongate member may change from a first state to a second state that is more taut than is the first state. In some aspects, when the compartment system engages at least a portion of the foot and is adjusted from the first shape to the second shape, a position of the foot relative to the shoe is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Stanley W. YANG
  • Publication number: 20110131841
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control element (3) for installation in a sole (5) of an article of footwear (1). The control element (3) comprises a rearfoot portion (13), a central portion (15) and a forefoot portion (17). The forefoot portion (17) is suitable for supporting medial and/or lateral portions of a wearer's foot. The central portion (15) joins the rearfoot portion (13) and the forefoot portion (17). The rearfoot portion (13) provides an inclined support (19) for controlling pronation. The present invention also relates to an article of footwear (1) incorporating a control element (3) therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: DAVID W. FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20110131842
    Abstract: An improved waterproof shoe incorporates several improvements. All layer-edges are connected to a net-typed insole. Neighboring layers are glued together to reduce leaking tunnels formed by crinkles therebetween. An ethylene vinyl acetate with a broad melt transition is added as a spacer to ensure sufficient injection spaces. Net-typed material is used for the material insole to ensure tension stress and mesh size. A water-absorbent and durable lining is added inside the waterproof functional layer to protect the functional layer from the damage by foot. Different materials are used for the sole to distinguish an inner sole which has the best injecting character and an outer sole which is commonly used for touching the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Yuk Ling Sek
  • Publication number: 20110131843
    Abstract: A wear assembly for securing a wear member to excavating equipment that includes a base having a nose and a wear member having a socket. The nose and socket are each provided with one or more complementary stabilizing surfaces in central portions thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ESCO Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher M. Carpenter