Patents Issued in January 31, 2012
  • Patent number: 8104365
    Abstract: A vibration generator has two groups of shafts, on which at least two groups of imbalances are disposed, and which are connected with at least one drive, by means of which they are put into rotation. The shaft groups are connected with the at least one drive in such a manner that the speed of rotation of one shaft group amounts to half the speed of rotation of the other shaft group, and the ratio of the static moments of the shaft groups provided with the imbalance groups amounts to between six to one and ten to one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: ABI Anlagentechnik-Baumaschinen-Industriebedarf Maschinenfabrik und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Christian Heichel, Albrecht Kleibl
  • Patent number: 8104366
    Abstract: A double-clutch transmission is provided that includes, but is not limited to an inner input shaft inside an outer input shaft. Two clutch discs are connected to the inner input shaft and the outer input shaft, respectively. A first layshaft and a second layshaft are spaced apart from the inner input shaft and arranged in parallel to the inner input shaft. One or more of the two layshafts comprise a fixed output gearwheel for outputting a drive torque. Gearwheels are arranged on the shafts. The gearwheels comprise six gearwheel groups for providing six forward gears and one reverse gear. Each of the gearwheel groups comprises a first fixed gearwheel on one of the inner input shaft meshing with one of the idler gearwheels on one of the first layshaft, the second layshaft, or the third layshaft. Furthermore, a second fixed gearwheel meshes with a second gear idler gearwheel and a fourth gear idler gearwheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mathias Remmler, Markus Rockenbach, Axel Geiberger, Mikael Mohlin
  • Patent number: 8104367
    Abstract: A transmission connectable to an input member and having an output transfer gear, first and second transmission input shaft members, first and second countershaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of gears, synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tejinder Singh, Henryk Sowul, Patrick S. Portell
  • Patent number: 8104368
    Abstract: A system for laterally transporting a load. The system uses a sprocket and an integrally formed rack combination. The crowns of the teeth of the rack are rounded so as to engage the lower most troughs of the space between the teeth of the sprocket so that a vertical load may be placed on the system and yet allow lateral translating of the load as the sprocket is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Charles Wayne Aaron
  • Patent number: 8104369
    Abstract: The one end side portion is nipped by a jig including a jig member having a pair of convex portions which are to be fitted to a depressions in contact with a tooth side face and a inclined portion and positioning a bar and a jig member which is to be clamped/opened with respect to the jig member. A die having an inside diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer periphery is pressed onto the outer periphery of the end portion of the cylindrical end side portion projected from the jig up to a press-in depth determined preliminarily based on the rack, so as to reduce the diameter of the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Neturen Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yamawaki, Ryosuke Suzuki, Tetsuji Murata, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Yutaka Kiyosawa
  • Patent number: 8104370
    Abstract: A carrier plate and related method for an automatic transmission is provided, whereby the carrier plate has a ring gear (1) connected to a driving plate (2) by means of welding and has at least one thickening plate (4, 5) connected to the driving plate (2) by means of welding. Preferably the ring gear (1) is connected to the driving plate (2) means of beam welding using auxiliary material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Johann Hay GmbH & Co. KG Automobiltecnik
    Inventor: Tobias Wesnigk
  • Patent number: 8104371
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dial control device having a maneuverability of a control knob improved by making this in cylindrical shape and downsized by disposing another control knob installed within the first-mentioned cylindrical control knob. A dial control device comprising: a cylindrical control knob, a sun gear rotating integrally with said control knob for transmission of a driving force from said control knob, a planet gear interlocking with said sun gear, an internal gear cooperating with said sun gear to guide said planet gear in a direction of its movement, and a control cable coupled to said planet gear so as to operate an external device, wherein said driving force generated by rotational operation of said control knob is transmitted via said sun gear, said planet gear and said control cable to the external device to control operation of said external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: U-Shin Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Morizono, Makito Fukazawa, Yasuo Nemoto
  • Patent number: 8104372
    Abstract: A horizontal multijoint type robot is so constructed that it comprises a first arm connected through a first joint shaft to a base, a second arm connected through a second joint shaft to the first arm, and a working shaft provided rotatably and movably up and down on the distal end of the second arm, and that the arm length L1 of the first arm and the arm length L2 of the second arm are equal to each other so that the second arm is able to overlap the first arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Christoph Meyerhoff, Kazushige Akaha
  • Patent number: 8104373
    Abstract: A cable-type driving force transmission mechanism includes a driving member including first and second end pin attachment holes, a cable including an inner wire and an outer tube, whose one end is detachably and immovably attached to an outer tube attachment portion, a cable end pin including a shaft portion and first and second arm portions, and a first plate spring including first and second engagement pieces for rotating the cable end pin and for restricting an inverse direction of the cable end pin, wherein the end pin attachment hole includes a rotation allowing hole portion and a deformation allowing hole portion, and an end portion of the inner wire is connected to the driving member via the cable end pin and the end portion of the outer tube is attachable to the outer tube attachment portion from an outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhito Hayashi, Keiichi Shino
  • Patent number: 8104374
    Abstract: In a belt continuously-variable transmission, a casing or a housing is formed with an air communicating hole extending through an upper part of the casing or the housing. The casing and the housing include inner walls defining an air breather chamber and communicating parts. The air breather chamber is defined in a region located above a joint between the casing and the housing and ranging from an upper side of the second shaft to an upper side of the first shaft and between the second shaft and the first shaft. The communicating parts are defined at a position in the upper side of the first shaft and at a position between the second shaft and the first shaft. The air breather chamber communicates with open air via the air communicating hole, and communicates with an inside part of a casing assembly via each of the communicating parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Kenji Matsubara, Hiromi Taguchi, Yasuhiko Kunii, Kenji Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8104375
    Abstract: A differential gear unit for motor vehicles comprises a housing and, therein, a differential gear mechanism (8), two coaxial gear mechanisms and two controllable friction clutches, the coaxial gear mechanisms transmitting an additional torque to one or other axle shaft according to the degree of engagement of the friction clutches. In order for it also to be possible for very high forces to be absorbed in long-term operation with very low installation space and wear, the coaxial gear mechanisms have in each case one internal gear which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to one side of the associated friction clutch, and one sun gear which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to the respective output element, and the second element of each coaxial gear mechanism is a sun gear, and a third element is configured as an annular gear which has an external toothing system which meshes with the first element and an internal toothing system which meshes with the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Helmut Kassler
  • Patent number: 8104376
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for the labeling of items, such as containers or the like, with at least one carousel, at least one labeling unit for the labeling of the items positioned on its periphery, and synchronously drivable transport elements for the feeding and removing of the items in a manner adjusted to position, whereby the transport elements are supported on a table plate, and the carousel is supported in a rotary bearing positioned outside the table plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Erich Eder
  • Patent number: 8104377
    Abstract: In an index table, a left-hand specification and a right-hand specification of a motor can be changed. As solving means, there is provided an index table 1 in which a rotating table 3 is rotatably supported at a frame 2 by a rotating shaft 10, a setting surface 5 is provided at the frame 2 orthogonally to a rotating table surface 4 of the rotating table 3, a motor 8 is disposed at a surface 6 among two surfaces (6, 7) of the frame 2 that are orthogonal to the rotating table surface 4 and the setting surface 5, an output shaft 9 of the motor 8 is connected to an end portion at a side of the surface 6 of the worm shaft 11 through transmitting elements (14, 15), the worm shaft 11 being orthogonal to the surface 6, and the motor 8 drives the rotating table 3 through the transmitting elements (14, 15), a worm 12 of the worm shaft 11, and a worm wheel 13, the worm wheel 13 being provided at the rotating shaft 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Tsudakoma Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8104378
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing of preforms (15, 25) for saw blades respectively saw bands, comprising the following steps (a) arranging a strip (30) of a cutting material for a cutting edge of saw blades respectively saw bands without any play between the edges (12, 22) of a first carrier band (10) and a second carrier band (20); (b) guiding of a laser or electron beam (40) along a first edge (32) of the strip (30) for welding part per part of the first carrier band (10) to the strip (30), wherein regions (36) along the first edge (32) of the strip (30) remain unwelded; (c) guiding of a laser or electron beam (40) along a second edge (34) of the strip (30) for welding part per part of the second carrier band (20) to the strip (30), wherein regions (36) along the second edge (34) of the strip (30) remain unwelded; and (d) guiding a laser, water or electron beam (50) between the first edge (32) and the second edge (34) of the strip (30) or the second edge (34) and the first edge (32
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Böhler-Uddeholm Precision Strip GmbH
    Inventor: Leander Ahorner
  • Patent number: 8104379
    Abstract: According to disclosure, the hammer has a head made of striking grade steel. The handle comprises a 6-4 titanium hand grip and over strike plate insert in the handle and under the head. The head has an eye for accommodating a handle which in a preferred embodiment is made of a graphite titanium composite comprising from about 60 to 65% graphite by weight and from about 35 to 45% 6-4 titanium. The head of hammer has a claw end and a striking head. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the device of the disclosure comprising using one or more bladder compressed carbon fiber processes to anneal the graphite, titanium and steel components of the hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Pull'r Holding Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jared W. Hanlon
  • Patent number: 8104380
    Abstract: A light bulb changing tool comprising a holding structure configured to engage a light bulb, the holding structure configured along an axis, the motorized holding structure configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction. The light bulb changing tool further includes a force generator configured to selectively force the light bulb against the holding structure and a control unit configured to remotely communicate with the holding structure and the force generator, wherein the electronic control unit sends control signals to drive the holding structure to selectively move in the first direction and the second direction and/or to activate the force generator. The tool further comprises an arm member for positioning the holding structure in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the holding structure. The holding structure further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the holding structure in the first direction about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Johnson, Robert J. Gallegos, Steven Simas Escobar, Anders Scott Hudson, Idriss Mansouri-Chafik Ruiz, Yugen Patrick Lockhart, Howard Allen Wilson, Eric M. Colton
  • Patent number: 8104381
    Abstract: A unidirectional ratchet wrench includes a body. The body has a first containing groove disposed at an action end of the body. A ratchet includes a sheathing portion formed thereof. A brake tooth is in an arc shape, and the brake tooth includes a plurality of latch teeth formed thereon for engaging with the engaging teeth of the ratchet. A control plate is contained in the arc-shaped second containing groove, and the control plate has the same height as the pressing edge of the body. An elastic element is contained in the accommodating groove of the brake tooth. A cover is installed in an upper cover groove of the body. A latch ring is latched to an circular latch groove of the body for fixing the cover onto the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Yu-Tang Chen
  • Patent number: 8104382
    Abstract: A universal joint includes a coupling member having an end for coupling with a tool. A body includes a rounded base pivotably mounted to the other end of the coupling member. The body further includes a drive column spaced from the rounded base along an axis. A reinforcing section is intermediate the rounded base and the drive column. The reinforcing section includes an outer periphery having a recessed portion with a receptacle extending in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis. A control member is moveably received in the receptacle to control coupling of the drive column and an object to be driven. In any case, a spacing from an outer end of the control member to the axis in the radial direction is substantially not larger than a spacing from the outer periphery of the reinforcing section to the axis in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 8104383
    Abstract: A torque socket assembly includes a first connecting portion which has a positioning hole and a fitting hole respectively defined in two ends thereof. A second connecting portion which has a driving hole and a receiving hole respectively defined in two ends thereof. The fitting hole and the receiving hole respectively have a first and a second positioning block disposed therein. A first and a second gear teeth are respectively disposed on the first and the second positioning block and are meshed with each other. A through hole is penetrated through the first and the second connecting portion, and the positioning blocks. A torque setting unit includes a resilient piece, a rod, and a screwing nut. The rod is inserted through the through hole, and the screwing nut is fastened to a second end of the rod for setting a stable torque value to the torque socket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Jin-Tsai Lai
  • Patent number: 8104384
    Abstract: This invention relates to a demolitions shears, including a body having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw that pivots with respect to the fixed jaw. A main shaft for pivotally mounting the moveable jaw to the body. A hydraulic cylinder for actuating the movable jaw to pivot. The movable jaw includes a first rotation stop and the main shaft including a second rotation stop. When the main shaft is installed in the moveable jaw, the first rotation stop and the second rotation stop are coupled to prevent relative rotation between the main shaft and the movable jaw, without axially fixing the main shaft to the movable jaw. A removable stop assembly is constructed and arranged to limit axial movement between the main shaft and the movable jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaret L. Wilkins, Shane Laurence Bubacz
  • Patent number: 8104385
    Abstract: The brittle workpiece splitting system 1 includes a substrate holding mechanism 10 for holding a substrate 51, and a processing unit 5 for splitting the substrate 51 held by the substrate holding mechanism 10 by a splitting process. The substrate holding mechanism 10 has an edge damper 12 adapted to clamp an edge part of the substrate 51 from the sides of the opposite surfaces of the edge part, and support members 19 for supporting the substrate 51 thereon at a predetermined height. The support members 19 are disposed on the side opposite the side of the edge damper 12 with respect to the intended split line 61 parallel to the edge part of the substrate 51. The edge damper 12 has an edge holder 15 on which the substrate 51 is seated, and a pressure bar 14 for pressing the substrate 51 against the edge holder 15 to hold the substrate 51 between the edge holder 15 and the pressure bar 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Shibaura Mechatronics Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masakazu Hayashi, Shinji Nakata, Susumu Yahagi
  • Patent number: 8104386
    Abstract: A quick release device for a saw blade guard assembly in a circular saw includes a mounting block having two spaced sidewalls, a mounting groove defined between the two sidewalls for receiving a spreader, and two through holes respectively defined through the sidewalls and in communication with the mounting groove and a locating hole. At least one movable engagement member is movably disposed in the through hole of the mounting block. A locking member having two spaced locking blocks mounts onto the mounting block. Each of the locking blocks has a retaining wall portion for engaging the at least one movable engagement member and forcing the at least one movable engagement member to be held in the locating hole of the spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Rexon Industrial Corporation Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Huo Chen
  • Patent number: 8104387
    Abstract: An apparatus (400) for facilitating the removal of a tube stub from a drum includes an arbor (401) configured to extend within the tube stub to be removed, and a circular, rotating cutter (402) protruding from the arbor (401). The cutter (402) is configured to score an internal surface of the tube stub along an axial direction of the tube stub. A controller (403) associated with the apparatus (400) controls the axial and rotational movement of the arbor (401) to create one or more cuts in the tube stub to facilitate removal of the tube stub from the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: William A. Keegan, Stanley G. Tomalesky
  • Patent number: 8104388
    Abstract: A workpiece feeding device used in a saw machine is disclosed to include a carrier having a base frame movably mounted on the machine base of the saw machine and an angle scale fastened to the base frame, a fence unit having a rip fence pivotally mounted on the base frame of the carrier and biasable relative to the angle scale, a magnetic plate assembly mounted on the base frame of the carrier and carrying a magnetic strip, and a magnetic sensor mounted in the fence unit and movable with the fence unit to measure the biasing angle of the fence unit relative to the angle scale subject to change of magnetic induction between the magnetic sensor and the magnetic strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: OAV Equipment and Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsuan-Chu Liu, Belle Chang
  • Patent number: 8104389
    Abstract: A vibrating microtome and measuring device for measuring the transverse offset of a vibrating knife comprises a light barrier into which the knife is placeable and a control application signal (pklo, pkhi) that describes the time course of the vibration of the knife and an electronic measurement system of the measuring device measures the coverage of the light barrier as an oscillating signal (tpm), and determines the transverse offset from the signal values at points in time that are defined by the control application signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Tanki, Felix Redl
  • Patent number: 8104390
    Abstract: A device and a method are disclosed for manually perforating a sheet of aluminum foil. The device includes a first member having a first surface with a plurality of apertures formed therein and a first guide member extending upwardly above the first surface. The device also includes a second member having a lower surface with a plurality of projections extending downwardly therefrom. Each of the projections can be simultaneously inserted into one of the plurality of apertures. A second guide member is formed on the second member and cooperates with the first guide member to permit the second member to move vertically relative to the first member. A sheet of aluminum foil can be placed between the first and second members, when they are spaced apart from one another, and the sheet of aluminum foil can be perforated by pressing the second member against the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Arthur Chizek
  • Patent number: 8104391
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for slicing food products, and particularly soft, pliable food products susceptible to being deformed to the slicing process. The slicing apparatus includes a slicing wheel assembly and device for stabilizing the food product as it is being fed through the slicing wheel assembly. The slicing wheel assembly includes a hub, a rim circumscribing the hub so as to define an annular space therebetween, and arcuate blades extending between and removably attached to the hub and rim. The hub, rim, and blades lie in a cutting plane of the slicing wheel assembly. Each blade has an arcuate cutting edge on a convex portion thereof, with radially innermost and radially outermost extents of the blade that do not lie on the same radial of the slicing wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Urschel Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. McCracken, Michael S. Jacko
  • Patent number: 8104392
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rod-shaped fiber composite material (400) composed of a matrix (412) and a circular braid (402) embedded into the matrix. To increase the stability of the fiber composite material (400) and also to perform ducting functions for electricity and fluids, the wall of the circular braid is provided with wall chambers (408) which are separated by a phase boundary from the matrix (412) of the fiber composite material (400). These wall chambers (408) lead to inner and outer sections of the wall of the circular braid (402) being spaced apart, which is useful for the stability with regard to flexing and torsional loading in particular. Rod-shaped fiber composite materials (400) according to the invention can be used for creating stable structural components as well as for producing efficiently protected ducts. The invention further relates to an apparatus and a process which are useful for producing fiber composite material according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Deutsche Institute fur Textil-und Faserforschung Denkendorf Stiftung Des Oeffentlichen Rechts
    Inventors: Markus Milwich, Carsten Linti, Thomas Stegmaier, Heinrich Planck, Thomas Speck, Axel Herrmann, Olga Speck
  • Patent number: 8104393
    Abstract: The invention relates to a charging handle assembly for a firearm. The assembly includes a handle mechanism having a pull rod to engage an action of a firearm, a handle and a stop surface. A latch mechanism is rotationally secured to the handle and is meant to be manually activated. When the latch mechanism is moved to an open position, a surface of the latch mechanism contacts the stop surface of the handle mechanism. A spring mechanism is used to maintain the latch mechanism in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Abrams Airborne Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Kincel
  • Patent number: 8104394
    Abstract: Flash suppressors having novel expansion features are disclosed. In one embodiment, a suppressor includes an attachment portion adapted to attach to a gun barrel, and a suppressor portion coupled to the attachment portion. The suppressor portion has a suppressor bore that is adapted to be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the gun barrel to allow a projectile from the gun barrel to pass therethrough. The suppressor bore is defined by at least one bore surface having at least one expansion groove disposed therein. The expansion groove may be partially-circumferentially disposed about the suppressor bore, or may include a plurality of expansion grooves. In another embodiment, a flash apparatus includes a suppressor portion having a plurality of longitudinally elongated members spaced apart about a circumference of the suppressor bore, each member being separated from adjacent elongated members by a longitudinal slot, at least one longitudinal slot having non-parallel sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: B. E. Meyers
    Inventor: Brad E. Meyers
  • Patent number: 8104395
    Abstract: A safety device comprises a shield, and an supporting frame. The shield is fixed on the body of the rifle to protect the shooter's face. The supporting frame is adapted to support the shield against the impact of a bullet shooting on the shield or other attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Xiaocheng Ran
  • Patent number: 8104396
    Abstract: A reactive armor that may include multiple layers. The reactive armor may include a self-healing outer layer, a ceramic tile layer and a backing layer. The ceramic tile layer may include a plurality of ceramic tiles and explosive material. The ceramic tiles may be hexagonal. The ceramic tiles may each define a hollow space in which the explosive material is deposited. The reactive armor may be combined with non-reactive armor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Armordynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Warren
  • Patent number: 8104397
    Abstract: A diaphragm for use in a gas meter that includes an expansion section having a series of convolutions. During repeated use of the diaphragm, the expansion section flexes to allow the center section of the diaphragm and the attached diaphragm disk to move between a retracted position and extended position. The convolutions formed in the expansion section include a series of curved peaks and curved troughs joined by web sections. The multiple convolutions in the expansion section allows for more consistent and repeatable movement and volume displacement of the diaphragm between the extended and retracted positions. The action of the convolutions also contributes to extended life by eliminating wrinkling of the diaphragm material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: M&FC Holding, LLC
    Inventor: Leland E. Gelnett
  • Patent number: 8104398
    Abstract: A hydrostatic axial piston machine utilizing a swashplate design has a cylinder drum (3) that is mounted so that it can rotate around an axis of rotation (2). The cylinder drum (3) is provided with cylinder bores (4), in each of which a piston (5) is mounted so that it can be displaced longitudinally. The pistons (5) are each supported on a swashplate (7) by a sliding element (6). Between the piston (5) and the cylinder bore (4), there is at least one annular groove (20; 20a, 20b) which is located in the area of the inner half (LFi) of the guided length (LF), such as the minimum guided length (LF) of the piston (5) in the cylinder bore (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Linde Material Handling GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8104399
    Abstract: A cage for holding a filling material includes a housing have a first part and a second part. An orifice is defined between the first part and the second part for holding a filling material. The housing is shaped in a manner such that is it insertable inside a cavity and has an open position in which filling material may be inserted into the orifice. The housing also has a closed position in which the filling material is trapped within the orifice. The housing is cage-like for holding the filling material. The housing may include a handle, hinges for joining the first and second parts, and a latching mechanism for latching the first and second parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Levie
  • Patent number: 8104400
    Abstract: There are provided a first belt-clutch mechanism switching power transmission to a first large-diameter pulley, and, at the same time, a second belt clutch mechanism switching power transmission to a second large-diameter pulley, and a first and a second belt clutch mechanism are provided with a first and a second arm members, tension clutch pulleys installed at point portions of these arm members, and actuators which rotate a first and a second arm members in such a way that a position at which a first no-end belt is wound on the first large-diameter pulley is switched to a position at which winding is avoided, and, at the same time, a position at which a second no-end belt is wound on a second large-diameter pulley is switched to a position at which winding is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Koreda, Seiji Yorioka, Chozaburo Ikuta
  • Patent number: 8104401
    Abstract: The invention is a plastic bottle crushing that includes a housing having a slidable tray that is positioned underneath the bottle to be crushed in order for any remaining liquids contained within said bottle to be collected. The housing also includes a bottom crushing surface that has a hole in order to support the top portion of the plastic bottle in an inverted position. The invention may be either manually operated or by an automated mechanical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Henry Powell
  • Patent number: 8104402
    Abstract: A hand-operated stamp (1) includes an at least partially open-pored printing plate (27) which can be displaced counter to a spring force, from a resting position in which it is retracted into a housing (2), into a printing position by an actuation element (3). The printing plate rests against an ink storage body (25) in order to receive stamping ink therefrom, the ink storage body being mounted in a holder (24) which at least partially encloses it. The holder (24) is trough-shaped and is directly locked with a connecting part (6) which is locked with the actuation unit and which comprises at least one refill support (40, 41) which is oriented towards an ink refill opening (42, 43) in the base wall of the holder (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Colop Stempelerzeugung Skopek Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Alois Feilecker, Hartwig Pointl
  • Patent number: 8104403
    Abstract: A header assembly includes a header holding a plurality of electrode pins to be insulated from one another, an ignition element mounting capacitor having at the center of its outer circumferential surfaces external terminal electrodes for electrically connecting to an ignition element mounted on the capacitor, an IC having first, second, and third electrode pads to be electrically connected to end electrodes of the ignition element mounting capacitor and the external terminal electrodes and further having connection electrodes to be electrically connected to the electrode pins of the header for communication with the external. The IC is located on the header, and the ignition element mounting capacitor is located on the IC and electrically connected to the electrode pins through the connection electrodes provided on the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nipponkayaku Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Maeda, Dairi Kubo, Yasuaki Matsumura, Toshiaki Furuya
  • Patent number: 8104404
    Abstract: An ignition element mounting capacitor having an ignition element mounted on a capacitor, includes therein a first capacitor section and a second capacitor section, and first external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the first capacitor section and second external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the second capacitor section. The first capacitor section has a capacity for igniting ignition powder, and the second capacitor section has a function for removing noise which affects external circuits. Further, provided on the surface of the capacitor are third external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the ignition element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nipponkayaku Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Maeda, Atsushi Ishida, Katsuki Nakanishi, Yoshihiro Koshido, Hajime Yamada, Naoko Aizawa, Yasuaki Matsumura, Toshiaki Furuya
  • Patent number: 8104405
    Abstract: An ammunition firing device incorporating a firing pin intended to impact a pyrotechnic composition to activate its ignition, wherein said firing pin incorporates a rod that slides when said ammunition is fired through the effect of the firing acceleration from a starting position to a deployed position, able to be locked in said deployed position, said rod being integral with a percussion tip occupying a fixed position in contact with said pyrotechnic composition, said rod being located fully inside said tip in said starting position and protruding from said tip in its deployed position, said device further incorporating a hammer to strike said rod during the impact of said ammunition on a target to cause the ignition of said composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nexter Munitions
    Inventors: Renaud LaFont, Pierre Magnan
  • Patent number: 8104406
    Abstract: The present invention provides an explosive device for use with a warhead comprising a rupturable core having an interior chamber which is filled with a volume of a gas. A frequency generator resonates the gas at a high frequency to fully resonate the gas to produce a new and more powerful type of explosion. Means for securing the frequency generator to the core are also provided, as well as a detonator having a high-temperature metal as a conductive material and means for inserting the conductive material into the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: David J. Shulte
  • Patent number: 8104407
    Abstract: An electrified projectile, according to various aspects of the present invention, delivers a current through electrodes and through a target. The projectile stows the electrodes with a film and deploys the electrodes in the absence of the film. Deployment is accomplished by a release of torsion. A spur may include two electrodes and a loop. The spur may store the torsion and conduct the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Taser International, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Gavin
  • Patent number: 8104408
    Abstract: An obstacle-removing device having brushes that can be retracted when the device is at the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The device includes a vertical frame positioned to the leading end in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and a lifting/lowering device attached to the vertical frame to lift and lower a brush holder having brushes and attached to a vertically movable member which can be lifted and lowered by the lifting/lowering device. The brush holder is pivotally attached to the vertically movable member such that the brush holder is tilting forward when the brushes held by the brush holder contact the running surface to perform an obstacle-removing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Kanemori, Yoshinori Mitsui, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8104409
    Abstract: A freight rail car suspension has independent but co-operating springs; a first spring is load carrying and has a variable damping function and a second control spring operates on a friction shoe to apply a constant damping component. A practical embodiment has a friction shoe engaged for vertical displacement by the first spring which is mounted on a side frame and the second spring is obliquely arranged between the bolster of the bogie and the friction shoe, which has guides to cause it to move into greater frictional engagement upon load being applied through the spring. This arrangement provides a dual damping characteristic involving both constant damping and variable damping forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Bradken Resources Pty Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Wolinski, Philip Edward Morris
  • Patent number: 8104410
    Abstract: A desk having a reversible work platform. In one embodiment, the reversible work platform is attached to a frame assembly with a plurality of bushings and associated bolts, and can be reconfigured from a left-handed configuration to a right-handed configuration by removing the bushings and bolts from above the desk, flipping the reversible work platform, and reinstalling the bushings and bolts from above the desk. In one embodiment, an L-shaped desk is reconfigured by flipping the reversible work platform and rearranging the parts of the frame assembly. Leg assemblies of the frame assembly include height adjustment mechanisms, which are actuated by a hand crank to change the height of the reversible work platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Watson Furniture Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Lanfear, Daniel A. Novak, Jacob Anthony Baron-Taltre
  • Patent number: 8104411
    Abstract: A device for supporting equipment and for attaching to an apparatus. The device includes a tray which supports the equipment and which includes a mounting location. The device also includes a back plate which is configured to engage the mounting location. The back plate is also attached to the apparatus. The mounting location may include a tooth and notch, a step or other types of mounts that engage the back plate. The device is suitable for supporting a computer or other equipment, and for attaching to an exercise apparatus or other apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: James R. Fenton
  • Patent number: 8104412
    Abstract: A deflector device for improving particle distribution within a coal piping system includes a base defining an outer circumference. The base is configured to be mounted inside a pipe such that the base extends partially around the inner circumference of the pipe with the circumferences of the pipe and base being substantially aligned concentrically. A deflector extends radially inward from the base. The deflector is configured to direct a concentrated flow of coal particles toward the center of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Riley Power Inc.
    Inventors: Vlad Zarnescu, Craig A. Penterson
  • Patent number: 8104413
    Abstract: A camless automated thread cutting system for an electronic lockstitch pattern tacking sewing machine having a sewing needle driven by a main shaft and having a knife mechanism in proximity with the needle for cutting thread at the end of a pattern sewing cycle. The cutting system comprises a pneumatic cylinder for mechanically engaging the knife mechanism through a mechanical linkage in the machine, a solenoid-actuated air valve in fluid communication with the pneumatic cylinder, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and a pair of independently adjustable discs mounted on the main shaft of the sewing machine and operatively coupled to a proximity sensor which supplies an electrical signal to the PLC. The PLC is responsive to a machine signal indicative of the end of a sewing cycle and to the proximity sensor signal for generating a control signal for actuation of the valve so as to initiate and subsequently terminate a knife movement sequence at the end of the sewing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: ISM Services LLC
    Inventor: Felipe Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8104414
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing large stitched products has a multiple needle stitching unit, a storage device, and a processing station. The multiple needle stitching unit has a large number of stitching elements and a guide device which is arranged in the region of the stitching elements and movable in relation to the stitching elements in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the stitched product. Between the multiple needle stitching unit and the processing station is a device for compensating for an annular offset of the stitched product between an output of the guide device and an input of the processing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nahmaschinenfrabrick Emil Stutznacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Stutznäcker, Christian Sturm