Patents Issued in August 9, 2011
  • Patent number: 7992433
    Abstract: At least one aspect of the invention provides an improved fuel sensing system for a generator, in addition, one or more other aspects of the invention provide improved systems and methods for determining remaining run-time of a generator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: William Ziegler, Craig L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7992434
    Abstract: A measurement device is disclosed which includes a structure adapted to be removably coupled to a Christmas tree, a sleeve operatively coupled to the structure and a flowmeter positioned at least partially within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Zollo, Andrew Beck, Sean Walters
  • Patent number: 7992435
    Abstract: In a structure in which peripheral part of a diaphragm section of an electrical insulating film is covered with a protective film made of an organic material, the resistor wire on the diaphragm section crosses the peripheral part of the diaphragm section. At a place where a narrow wire of a resistance temperature detector and the like crosses the peripheral part of the diaphragm section, the protective film is thinner than the other part, and the dust impact resistance is reduced. At a place where a heating resistor wire connected to a heating resistor body or resistance temperature detector wires connected to resistance temperature detector bodies cross a periphery of the diaphragm section, a film component protruding from an electrical insulating film is arranged side by side with the heating resistor wire or the resistance temperature detector wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rintaro Minamitani, Keiji Hanzawa, Akio Yasukawa
  • Patent number: 7992436
    Abstract: The electro-optic liquid level sensing system detects a level of liquid in a container having an upper opening, such as for a server container of a beverage maker for a transport system, such as for aircraft, trains, trucks, buses and the like. A support housing mates with the upper opening of the container, and a primary liquid level sensor is mounted in the support housing for non-intrusively measuring the liquid level. A secondary liquid level sensor may be mounted in the support housing to sense a predetermined liquid level to prevent accidental overflows. Protective lenses may be placed in front of the primary liquid level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: BE Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien A. Ramus, Keith R. DeBald, Joseph C. Dettmer, Winston S. Fliess
  • Patent number: 7992437
    Abstract: A liquid level detector for conductive liquids for vertical installation in a tank, the detector having a probe positioned within a sheath and insulated therefrom by a seal so that the tip of the probe extends proximate to but not below the lower end of the sheath, the lower end terminating in a rim that is provided with notches, said lower end being tapered, the taper and notches preventing debris collection and bubble formation, said lower end when contacting liquid as it rises will form an airtight cavity defined by the liquid, the interior sheath wall, and the seal, the compression of air in the cavity preventing liquid from further entry into the sheath and contact with the seal. As a result, the liquid cannot deposit a film to form an electrical bridge across the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eugene M. Tshishiku
  • Patent number: 7992438
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiaxial gyroscope, which comprises a vibration-sensing device, a plurality of elastic connecting parts, a first substrate, and a plurality of electrodes. The first ends of the elastic connecting parts are adapted on the periphery of the vibration-sensing device. The sidewall of the first substrate connects with the second ends of the elastic connecting parts. The plurality of electrodes is located on the periphery of the vibration-sensing device and is opposite to the plurality of elastic connecting parts. The vibration-sensing device comprises a ring and a plurality of vibration blocks. By means of the vibration blocks, the sensing area as well as the driving amplitude of the gyroscope can be increased effectively. Thereby, the intensity of the sensed signals of the gyroscope can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology, Armaments Bureau, M.N.D.
    Inventors: Yuan Lo, Chui-Kunn Chiu, Sheng Jing Ku, Chih Wei Tseng, Kye-Chyn Ho
  • Patent number: 7992439
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe head, in particular for an ultrasonic flow meter having a housing and an ultrasonic transducer in the housing, wherein ultrasonic signals can be created and/or detected by the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic signals from the ultrasonic transducer can be emitted and/or received via an ultrasonic window. A thin, relatively flexible solid interface layer is provided between the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic window, the surface of the ultrasonic window having contact with the solid interface layer has a specified roughness and the ultrasonic transducer is impacted with a force, wherein the material of the solid interface layer and the ultrasonic window, the specified roughness of the surface of the ultrasonic window and the force are attuned to one another so that the solid interface layer nestles into the ultrasonic window of the housing at least also by plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Aart Jan van Bekkum, Jeoren Martin van Klooster
  • Patent number: 7992440
    Abstract: An optical fiber vibration sensor includes a light source, an optical receiver, an optical dividing/coupling portion, a signal processing unit, and a fiber loop portion made of an optical fiber. A part of an optical fiber composing the fiber loop portion is installed inside a housing of a main body of the optical fiber vibration sensor as an optical fiber for delay and another part of the optical fiber composing the fiber loop portion is installed outside the housing as a vibration detecting optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kumagai, Wataru Ohnuki
  • Patent number: 7992441
    Abstract: A pressure sensor module is disclosed. The pressure sensor module comprises a sensing element (1) mounted on a front side (3) of a support member (5). The support member (5) comprises a hole (7) through the support member (5) from the front side (3) to a back side (9). The sensing element (1) covers the hole (7) at the front side (3). A back side barrier (6) provided at the back side (9) of the support member (5) surrounds a surface of the back side (9) of the support member (5) and forms an enclosed area (8), wherein the enclosed area (8) and the hole (7) form a pressure channel (10). A back side protective member (2) fills the hole (7) and at least partially the enclosed area (8). The support member (5), back side barrier (6) and back side protective member (2) form a module that can be placed during production of the pressure sensor in a housing of the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Mulligan, Frank Morsink, Jun Bae, Gerald Spijksma, Tom te Boekhorst
  • Patent number: 7992442
    Abstract: A method for reducing microcrack formation and crack growth in the glass carrier of a component having a micromechanical sensor element that is bonded to the glass carrier. The upper side of the glass carrier acts as a bonding surface for the sensor element. The rear side of the glass carrier, situated opposite the upper side, acts as a mounting surface for the component, and the glass carrier has side surfaces that connect the upper side and the rear side. In particular, the glass carrier is formed by a segment of a glass wafer into which at least the contours of the glass carrier have been stamped, so that at least the areas produced in this way of the side surfaces of the glass carrier and the rear side of the glass carrier form a surface that is largely closed and free of microcracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Pinter
  • Patent number: 7992443
    Abstract: A sensor design, respectively a micromechanical sensor structure for capacitive relative-pressure measurement, that will allow very small pressure differentials to be reliably recorded at high absolute pressures even in harsh, particle-laden measuring environments. For that purpose, the micromechanical sensor element includes a deflectable diaphragm structure which is provided with at least one deflectable electrode, and a fixed support structure for at least one fixed counter-electrode which is located opposite the deflectable electrode. The diaphragm structure includes two mutually parallel configured diaphragms that are joined rigidly to one another via at least one connecting crosspiece, so that each application of force to one of the two diaphragms is directly transmitted to the respective other diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Opitz, Christian Doering, Hans Artmann, Janpeter Wolff, Remigius Niekrawietz
  • Patent number: 7992444
    Abstract: The pressure detection device includes a buffer member deformable by a pressure change, including one or more magnets, and a sensor assembly including one or more magnetic sensors to detect a variation of a magnetic field accompanied by deformation of the buffer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kesatoshi Takeuchi, Yojiro Okakura
  • Patent number: 7992445
    Abstract: In a pressure sensor including a pressure detecting element in an intermediate portion or at a deep side of a through hole formed in a protrusion, a body portion (a base portion and the protrusion) is made of ceramic or an insulative resin material and molded into a predetermined shape, and the pressure sensor is constituted as a molded interconnect device in which a conductive pattern is formed on a surface thereof. Accordingly, a smaller pressure sensor can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kobayashi, Hiroshi Inoue, Hitoshi Makinaga, Junji Imai, Yasufumi Masaki, Naoto Ikegawa, Youichiro Nakahara
  • Patent number: 7992446
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring pressure in a container (1) filled or capable of being filled, using a pressure sensor (6) and a control unit (5). The filling or emptying is carried out under the control of the control unit (5) which receives as input signal, in addition to the pressure value (Ps) measured by the pressure sensor (6), a switching state (8) of a valve (4) controlled to fill or empty the container (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Conti Tech Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Ebel
  • Patent number: 7992447
    Abstract: A strain sensing apparatus including a deformable substrate is presented. The deformable substrate is configured to detect a strain of the body that can be coupled to the deformable substrate. Sometimes, the deformable substrate is a flexible substrate having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The lower can be coupled to the body. There are sensing elements fabricated within the flexible substrate and proximate to the upper surface to detect properties of the body. The strain sensing apparatus is able to detect different strain modes, such as whether the strain is the result of bending of a body or a uniaxial elongation. Furthermore, the apparatus is small and less fragile than most conventional sensors, making it easy to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Analatom Incorporated
    Inventor: Trevor Graham Edward Niblock
  • Patent number: 7992448
    Abstract: A mechanical-quantity measuring device capable of measuring a strain component in a specific direction with high precision is provided. At least two or more pairs of bridge circuits are formed inside a semiconductor monocrystal substrate and a semiconductor chip, and one of these bridge circuits forms a n-type diffusion resistor in which a direction of a current flow and measuring variation of a resistor value are in parallel with a <100> direction of the semiconductor monocrystal silicon substrate, and an another bridge circuit is composed of combination of p-type diffusion resistors in parallel with a <110> direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Shimazu, Hiroyuki Ohta, Yohei Tanno
  • Patent number: 7992449
    Abstract: A method for determining the condition assessment and residual life span of bridge cables based on a parametric statistical model. The method includes random sampling of individual cable wires, mechanically testing the sampled wires, determining the probability of broken and cracked wires and the ultimate strength of cracked wires using fracture toughness and imputing the above data to simulate stress-strain curves for each wire in the cable, applying strain increments until reaching ultimate elongation. Assessing remaining service life of the cable by determining the rate of change of broken wires detected over a time frame, measuring the rate of change of fracture toughness over said time frame, and applying the rates of change to a time-dependent degradation prediction model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Khaled M. Mahmoud
  • Patent number: 7992450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the mass flow, in particular of a foaming liquid, comprising a measuring device with two electrodes and at least one electrical means for generation of an electrical parameter and an analytical device. The electrical means is connected to the first electrode at two remote points, such as to be wired in parallel with the first electrode. The second electrode is connected to the first electrode by means of the analytical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Gea Farm Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Springer, Otto Krone
  • Patent number: 7992451
    Abstract: A magnetoinductive flow meter has an electromagnet unit which is mounted on an outside periphery of a measuring tube. The electromagnet unit can include magnetic flux-concentrating device and electric coils for generating a magnetic field which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of a measuring medium which flows through the measuring tube. The magnetic flux-concentrating device of the electromagnet unit can include ferrite pole cores each respectively associated with each one of the electric coils. A single magnet yoke composed of an electric sheet material can be connected to each ferrite pole core. The magnet yoke can surround the electric coils jointly in a clip-like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Marco Ehrenberg, Hans-Werner Schwiderski
  • Patent number: 7992452
    Abstract: A measuring transducer of vibration type for registering, on the basis of the Coriolis principle, at least one measured variable of a medium flowing through a pipeline. The measuring transducer includes: a measuring tube, which is connectable with the pipeline via an inlet and an outlet, wherein the measuring tube includes a first measuring tube arc and a second measuring tube arc; an oscillation exciter for exciting oscillations of the measuring tube arcs; at least one oscillation sensor for registering resulting oscillations of the measuring tube arcs; and a transducer housing surrounding the measuring tube arcs. The measuring tube arcs are elastically coupled to the transducer housing. In this way, a robust and reliable measuring operation is guaranteed, which is little influenced by oscillatory in-couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Martin Anklin-Imhof, Gerhard Eckert, Dieter Mundschin
  • Patent number: 7992453
    Abstract: An erosion-resistant insert is provided for a flow measurement device having a fluid displacement member. The insert includes a flange and a sleeve extending axially from the flange. The sleeve may be inserted into a recess machined into a fluid conduit of the fluid measurement device to protect the inner wall of the conduit. The insert maintains the inner diameter of the conduit and the beta ratio of the flow measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Philip A. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7992454
    Abstract: A testing system includes a single air collection box and a laminar flow system for obtain an airflow measurement. The single airflow box has air inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends. The laminar flow element has a laminar flow element inlet in fluid communication with the air collection box and a laminar flow element outlet sealed with the air outlet port of the air collection box. A blower in fluid communication with the laminar flow element outlet draws airflow into the air collection box through a unit under test and out of the air collection box through the laminar flow element. A pressure transducer senses the differential air pressure across the laminar flow element and enables a determination of the airflow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Purdy, Mark E. Steinke, Leo H. Webster, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7992455
    Abstract: A tightening torque measuring unit capable of reducing errors with respect to either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as soon as possible is provided. A tightening torque measuring unit 10, installed in a tightening device, includes a torque sensor 12 that detects a tightening torque and an amplifier that amplifies an output from the torque sensor 12. The amplifier 40 or 42 applies a different gain to the output from the torque sensor depending on whether the tightening direction of the tightening apparatus is clockwise or counterclockwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Maeda Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Kushida, Tatsuo Hirai
  • Patent number: 7992456
    Abstract: A nut for a lead screw assembly, a lead screw assembly and a method for preventing backlash in a lead screw assembly are provided. The nut of the lead screw assembly includes a one-way clutch that permits relative motion of between two nut bodies in a first direction but prevents relative motion in an opposite direction. The one-way clutch preferably includes at least one sprag element that acts between the two nut bodies to permit or prevent relative motion between the two nut bodies of the nut. The lead screw assembly generally incorporates a nut incorporating such a nut. The method generally includes binding the first nut body relative the second nut body to prevent relative motion of the nut bodies in one direction while permitting relative motion in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Pacific Bearing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Schroeder, Gregory Lyon
  • Patent number: 7992457
    Abstract: An actuator device (1) comprising an actuator housing (2), a driving motor (4) attached to the actuator housing (2), which driving motor (4) is provided with a motor spindle (28), the motor spindle (28) being displaceably engaged with an actuator spindle (6) via a nut (38), and where an auxiliary frame (8) which can be displaced relative to the actuator spindle (6) and biased by use of the driving motor (4), and which can be releasably coupled to the actuator housing (2), is arranged to displace the actuator spindle (6) independently of the motor (4), and where the nut (38) is releasable coupled to the actuator spindle (6), thereby being arranged to bias the auxiliary frame (8) while disengaged from the actuator spindle (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Ifokus Engineering AS
    Inventors: Lars Gunnar Hodnefjell, Stale Hope
  • Patent number: 7992458
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, having a shifting claw transmission and an electric motor connected to a countershaft of the transmission to facilitate central synchronization for gear speed changes, a transmission controller is connected to the electric motor for sensing the electric motor speed and, together therewith the rotational speed of the countershaft based on the induction values present in at the electric motor and sensed by the transmission controller for use in adjusting the energization of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Karl-Ludwig Krieger, Frank Sager
  • Patent number: 7992459
    Abstract: In a shifting claw transmission for a motor vehicle including a main shaft and a countershaft and an electric motor for rotating the countershaft or being rotated thereby with freely rotatable gear wheels supported on the counter shaft and engageable with the countershaft by claw engagement structures, the speed of the countershaft is adjustable by the electric motor to be close to, but somewhat different from, the speed of the freely rotatable gear wheels to be engaged in order to facilitate shifting but avoid a tooth-on-tooth problem which would inhibit shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Karl-Ludwig Krieger, Frank Sager
  • Patent number: 7992460
    Abstract: A drive device for a hatch of a motor vehicle, wherein a spindle drive is provided with a threaded spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the threaded spindle, by which drive the first fastening element and the housing tube can be driven axially relative to each other. The spindle drive can be rotatably driven by an electric motor. The threaded spindle has a thread with a lead that changes over the length of the threaded spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Rolf Mintgen, Andreas Ritter
  • Patent number: 7992461
    Abstract: A motion guide device includes a ball nut attached onto a shaft and having helical grooves for receiving ball bearing elements, a tubular member is engaged with the ball nut and includes a ball circulating pathway communicative with the helical groove of the ball nut, and includes an intermediate segment, two curved segments, and two end coupling segments each having a ball guiding channel which includes a wider inner section for guiding and circulating the flexible coupling member of a ball coupler to smoothly move through the ball guiding channel of each end coupling segment and for preventing the flexible coupling member from being twisted. The tubular member is preferably formed by two half members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Yao Lin, Chang Hsin Kuo, Zong-Sian Jiang
  • Patent number: 7992462
    Abstract: In a resin double-helical gear formed by injection-molding, smooth meshing of teeth can be performed for rotation of the resin double-helical gear in both directions, and occurrences of thrust-direction load and noise can be prevented. Peak-side tooth flanks 7c and 7d and valley-side tooth flanks 7e and 7f of a tooth 7 in a resin double-helical gear 1 are formed such as to become farther away from peak-side tooth flanks 9c and 9d and valley-side tooth flanks 9e and 9f of a standard tooth 9 in an inward direction, the closer the peak-side tooth flanks 7c and 7d and the valley-side tooth flanks 7e and 7f are to a tooth width direction center section 3 from one tooth width direction end section 4a and another tooth width direction end section 4b. As a result, meshing escape sections g (g1 and g2) and h (h1 and h2) having dimensions in a tooth thickness direction that increase towards the tooth width direction center section 3 are formed on the peak-side tooth flank side and the valley-side tooth flank side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Takumori
  • Patent number: 7992463
    Abstract: A shifter for an automatic transmission has a gate plate with a main gate and a sub-gate. A shift lever has a spherical portion and is movable along the main gate and the sub-gate. A switching member enables switching the automatic transmission to a manual operation. The switching member includes a body held in a swingable manner, and a lever holding section integrally formed with the body to rotatably hold the spherical portion. The body is adapted, to be uncoupled from the shift lever so as to place the automatic transmission in a manual mode when the shift lever is swung from the main gate into the sub-gate about the spherical portion and to be coupled to the shift lever so as to return the automatic transmission to an automatic mode when the shift lever is returned from the sub-gate to the main gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mizuho Ueta, Takumi Kusayama
  • Patent number: 7992464
    Abstract: A steering column arrangement having a steering spindle (2) which is mounted in a casing tube (3, 5) so as to be rotationally movable, and having a switch module (7) which is held immovably with respect to the steering spindle (2). The switch module (7) is fixed radially and axially on the casing tube (3), the switch module (7) being supported on a bearing (12) which is arranged on the steering spindle. The Switch module comprises a centering device (8) which, under action of a force (F) which is oriented coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the steering spindle (2), fixes the switch module (7) on the casing tube (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Axel Hebenstreit, Hans-Dieter Loeffler, Markus Mauch
  • Patent number: 7992465
    Abstract: A drive unit (10) actuates drives in a motor vehicle with a first housing part (12), in particular a pole pot (12), and a second housing part (14), in particular a gear housing or electronic housing (14, 15), which can be connected with connecting elements (40), wherein the first housing part (12) features receptacles (38) for the connecting elements (40), wherein the receptacles (38) are embodied as centering holes (36) for corresponding centering pins (48), which are arranged on the second housing part (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Haussecker, Stefan Freund, Thomas Huck, Markus Ochs
  • Patent number: 7992466
    Abstract: A cable stripping pliers has facingly disposed arcuate cutting edges formed at the ends of transversely oppositely disposed arcuate surfaces. The pliers are adjustable to two positions for the jaws to engage differently sized cables. The resilient insulation is disposed away from the arcuate surfaces when the cutting edges cut the resilient insulation for readily removing the insulation from the core material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Channellock, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry C. Farrell
  • Patent number: 7992467
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a shingle removing apparatus which includes a handle, a stripper member, a drive assembly and a drive linkage assembly with lost motion mechanism. The stripper member is adapted for inserting under a shingle has a first end portion and a second end portion. The drive assembly drives at least a portion of the stripper member and the drive linkage assembly causes at least portion of the stripper member to reciprocally move up and down to thereby remove the shingle. The drive linkage assembly provides a lost motion mechanism which allows the stripper member to intermittently not be driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Adoozie, Inc.
    Inventor: Bill Becoat
  • Patent number: 7992468
    Abstract: A spinner tool has a shaft that is receivable in a rotation-imparting device, such as a hand-held drill. The shaft carries mounts in which the shaft rotates. Gripper elements are mounted between the mounts for radial movement relative to the shaft. The shaft is configured to move the gripper elements away from the shaft away from the shaft upon rotation of the shaft. This movement of the gripper elements causes the gripper elements to engage the interior surface of a hollow-cylindrical element in which the tool is inserted, so that the hollow-cylindrical element rotates together with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Dustin Jones
  • Patent number: 7992469
    Abstract: A screw feeding device includes a feeder box, a stopper member, an operating member, and a resilient member. An adjustment slot is formed in the stopper member, and has two closed ends and alternate large-diameter and small-diameter slot portions. An operating protrusion of the operating member has a large-diameter protrusion portion and a small-diameter protrusion portion. The operating protrusion is biased by the resilient member away from the feeder box. The operating member is movable relative to the feeder box between a first position whereat the large-diameter protrusion portion is disposed within a selected one of the large-diameter slot portions, and a second position whereat the small-diameter protrusion portion is disposed in the adjustment slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Basso Industry Corp.
    Inventors: Shin-Nan Chang, Hung-Da Chen
  • Patent number: 7992470
    Abstract: A self-energizing and de-energizing adjustable gripping tool for engaging a work piece to impart work thereto includes a first element and second element connected for relative movement. The second element includes an actuation portion having a plurality of slots. The first element includes gripping elements which are each associated with a force transfer element which engages one of the slots such that movement of the second element relative to the first element actuates the gripping elements to engage the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Loggerhead Tools, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel P. Brown
  • Patent number: 7992471
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus for hand tool includes a shank, a driving head, a switch, and a positioning device. The shank has a connecting end having a receiving space and a slot communicated with the receiving space. The driving head has multiple positioning holes. The switch includes a screw. The positioning device is received in the receiving space. The positioning device includes a spring, a pusher, and a base. The base is received in the receiving space. The base has a recess for receiving the spring and the pusher and a slot communicated with the recess. The spring has one end abutting against a bottom of the recess and the other end abutting against the pusher. The screw passes the switch and fastens with the pusher via the slot in the shank and the slot in the base. The pusher selectively engages with one of the multiple positioning holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Ming-Ching Tsai
  • Patent number: 7992472
    Abstract: A torque-limiting and ratcheting driver. The drive comprises a handle having an enclosed end and an open end, which houses a drive assembly. The drive assembly comprises a drive shaft, a drive clutch member and a camming clutch member supported by the drive shaft. The camming clutch member is coupled to the drive shaft, and the first drive clutch member and second camming clutch member are biased towards one another. The drive assembly has a locking screw supported by the drive shaft, with the locking means located at the enclosed end of the handle. The drive assembly is secured with the housing. The driver also comprises a ratcheting assembly connected to the handle, independently assembled of the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Bradshaw Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Hua Gao
  • Patent number: 7992473
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a pipe includes a housing with a central aperture for holding the pipe in a fixed position. A rotatable collar is mounted on the outer surface of the fixed housing, with a cutting head attached to the collar. The cutting head is configured to translate forward and backward such that the combination of the rotational movement of the collar and the translational movement of the cutting head is capable of performing complex cuts without ever moving the pipe. A number of different cutting tools (laser, plasma, etc.) may be attached to the cutting head, and a variety of different tasks may be performed including cutting completely through the entire pipe, inscribing on the pipe surface, forming through-holes along the pipe, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventors: Melvyn James Marple, James Arthur Marple
  • Patent number: 7992474
    Abstract: A separator chute is placed at a standby position while a part is machined, and when the processing of the part is completed, the separator chute is swung and moved to a reception position to receive the part separated from a spindle. An opening portion of a cover structure, formed near a pivot shaft of the separator chute, is formed in the size through which the machined part can be discharged. The opening portion is closed by the separator chute when the chute is in the standby position and opened when the chute is in the reception position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Maehara, Umeo Tsuyusaki
  • Patent number: 7992475
    Abstract: A plate workpiece processing method includes utilizing one or more cutting devices of a machine tool to perform first and second cutting operations on a plate workpiece. During the first cutting operation, the workpiece is moved relative to cutting device(s) used for the first cutting operation, at least two cut-outs are partially formed in the workpiece with only a common residual connection left that jointly connects the partially formed cut-outs to a remaining portion of the workpiece and that is shortened along one or more cutting lines of the second cutting operation to a size that is larger than a working area of the cutting device(s) used for the second cutting operation. During the second cutting operation, the workpiece is maintained stationary supported by the machine tool, the shortened common residual connection is severed along the cutting line(s) to completely separate the cut-outs from the remaining portion of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Buettner
  • Patent number: 7992476
    Abstract: A food chopping or slicing device preferably includes three primary components, including a lid, a blade tray, and a food reservoir. A trimming blade secures to an edge of the device to cut overlength food items. In some embodiments, a reservoir bottom is removable and the device includes orthogonal volumetric markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventor: Sascha Kaposi
  • Patent number: 7992477
    Abstract: A medicine feeding device including a support portion (32) for supporting a seal surface side of a press through pack (5), a press section (33) for pressing the housing recess portions (9) from one side other than the seal surface of the press through pack (5), and a cutter (38) for making a cut slit in the sheet (11) at a boundary portion between the housing recess portions (9) and the seal surface (8) at least before the sheet (11) is broken or the medicine (6) is damaged by the pressure exerted by the press section (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Hiroshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7992478
    Abstract: A miter saw having a base assembly, a rotatable table rotatably disposed on the base assembly, and a saw assembly rotatably supported by the table. The miter saw also has a miter lock assembly for locking the rotational position of the saw of the table relative to the base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl S. Meredith, Stephanie L. Vogel, Frederick R. Bean, Brian P. Wattenbach, Adan Ayala
  • Patent number: 7992479
    Abstract: A table saw includes a base assembly, a table assembly supported by the base assembly, a saw assembly connected to at least one of the base assembly and the table assembly, the saw assembly having a blade extending through the table assembly, a height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of the blade, the height adjustment assembly comprising a height adjustment wheel, and bevel adjustment assembly for adjusting the bevel angle of the blade, the bevel adjustment assembly comprising a bevel adjustment wheel. The height and bevel adjustment wheels are disposed at the front of the base assembly. The position of the height and bevel adjustment wheels relative to the front of the base assembly does not change regardless of the blade height and bevel angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Burke, Jaime E. Garcia, Jeffrey D. Weston, Craig A. Carroll, Peter Chaikowsky
  • Patent number: 7992480
    Abstract: A table saw includes a curved channel formed in a supporting base, a cradle attached to the supporting base, an arbor bracket attached to the cradle for supporting a saw blade and a motor, a height shaft attached to the cradle and extended through the curved channel of the base for engaging with the arbor bracket, a tilt shaft attached to the base and engaged with the cradle for adjusting the saw blade relative to the base to selected angular positions, a follower slidably engaged in the curved channel of the base, and a signal generating device attached to the follower for detecting a bevel angle of the arbor bracket and the cradle and the saw blade relative to the base and for precisely showing the angle with digits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Ben Yu
  • Patent number: 7992481
    Abstract: A panel cutting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a bench and a rail mounted to the bench, and adapted to guide a saw along the rail. A bench aligner displays a visual indication of a desired cut line of said workpiece. A positioning guide allows for convenient repositioning of a workpiece, allowing a user to make accurate, repeatable cuts in a workpiece, such as a panel material or sheet of plywood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Ronald Carter
  • Patent number: 7992482
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a substrate includes first and second belt conveyers for conveying the substrate thereon, a scriber for scribing the substrate along a cutting-reserved line, the scriber provided between the first and second belt conveyers and being spaced apart from the first and second belt conveyers, and a substrate support for securing the substrate, the substrate support provided between the first and second belt conveyers along a scribing direction of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung Sik Kim