Patents Issued in February 7, 2012
  • Patent number: 8108955
    Abstract: A motor with nozzle for a massage bathtub includes a cover, a silica gel ring, a water separator, at least one vent silica gel, at least one removable nozzle, a butterfly bolt, a propeller, a seat, and a motor. The seat is installed by an air inflow pipe, and air outlets and lamp holes are formed therein. A center axle of the motor is scaled from water and a connecting hole is formed on an end of the center axle. The butterfly bolt is screwed to the connecting hole to fix the propeller. The water separator is installed above the propeller and the vent silica gel and the removable nozzle are installed to the water separator. The cover is covered onto the seat of a motor body through the silica gel ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Egis Bathware Development Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Li-Fu Yu
  • Patent number: 8108956
    Abstract: A grab bar assembly includes tabs which engage respective pockets to position a cap within a grab bar recessed area. The tabs and pockets position the cap while a locking tab secures the cap within the recessed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Liberty Hardware Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Earl David Forrest
  • Patent number: 8108957
    Abstract: A patient support surface including a cover defining an interior region, a layer of three dimensional material, located at the interior region, and an air circulation device disposed adjacent the layer of three dimensional material. The patient support surface includes at least one of a percussion device and a vibration device, located at the interior region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandy M. Richards, Christopher R. O'Keefe, Bradley T. Wilson, Kenith W. Chambers, Mayur Yermaneni, Gregory W. Branson, Michael Z. Sleva, Karen M. Gove, Andrew F. Skinner, Stephen R. Schulte, Todd P. O'Neal, Rachel Hopkins King, Teresa M. Mirabella, Paula M. Cooper, Eric R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8108958
    Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for continuous collection of human waste products is disclosed. The apparatus may include a bed frame, a lower plate having a container coupled thereto, an upper plate having an aperture defined therein, a mattress having an aperture defined therein, a mattress cover having an aperture defined therein and an absorbent pad or drawsheet having a bag coupled thereto. The apparatus may further facilitate preventing human waste products from contacting the skin of the patient, thereby substantially reducing the occurrence of pressure ulcers. The apparatus for continuous collection of human waste products may also provide continuous zero pressure in the area of the buttock while maintaining the patient in a comfortable position. As a result, the apparatus can prevent and treat pressure ulcers that frequently occur in the area of the buttock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: George Gregory Stephens, Lynn Babb Stephens
  • Patent number: 8108959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for washing a washing tub (120) in a washing machine, and a washing machine having a washing tub washing course provided thereto for enabling washing tub (120) washing by the same, and more particularly, to a method for which makes effective washing tub washing, with a small amount of washing water consumption, a lower power consumption, and high washing effect; and a washing machine having the same applied thereto. A method for washing a tub (120) or a drum (130) in a washing machine having the tub (120), the drum (130) rotatably mounted in the tub (120), and a steam supply unit for supplying steam to the tub (120), includes a steam supply step for supplying steam to the tub by using the steam supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seok Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 8108960
    Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a particle removing member of a substrate processing equipment which can be assuredly conveyed into the substrate processing equipment and can conveniently and assuredly remove an adhered foreign matter, and a particle removing method of a substrate processing equipment that uses the particle removing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Hashimoto, Yoshio Ota
  • Patent number: 8108961
    Abstract: A broom assembly includes a head structure and a rod structure. The head structure includes a base having a coupling face formed with a reception chamber and an opening for access into the reception chamber, and a plurality of resilient ribs provided at the periphery confining the opening and extending inwardly and radially toward a center axis of the opening. The rod structure includes a coupling member provided partially, rotatably and detachably within the reception chamber in the coupling face of the base. When the coupling member is detachably received within the reception chamber, the coupling member biases against and engages the resilient ribs so as to be prevented untimely disengaging from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Dikai International Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-I Lin, Ming-Che Ting, Hung-Chun Peng
  • Patent number: 8108962
    Abstract: A toothbrush is provided having an elongated handle and a brush head supported by the handle. The brush head has a base and a plurality of bristles that are arranged in sections. Each section has bristles that extend from the base to form a contact surface elevated from the base. One or more of the sections include bristles that extend to varying lengths from the base to form a contact surface that inclines or declines relative to the base. The sections of bristles further include a first outside section having a contact surface that declines inwardly, an inside section, adjacent the first outside section, having a contact surface that declines outwardly toward the first outside section, and a second outside section positioned adjacent an opposite side of the inside section from the first outside section. The second outside section has a contact surface that declines inwardly toward the inside section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Davidson, Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 8108963
    Abstract: A wash bucket for use with detergent and water to ensure that the detergent and water are mixed in a predetermined ratio. The wash bucket has a cup within the wash bucket cavity. In some embodiments the cup is attached to the wash bucket structure and not easily removed by hand. In other embodiments the cup is removably attached to the wash bucket structure. A proper detergent to water ratio is achieved by filling the cup to a point indicated on the cup and then filling the wash bucket to a point indicated on the wash bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Griot's Garage, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Griot, Timothy Ty Willard
  • Patent number: 8108964
    Abstract: A sealed pick-up head for a mobile sweeper comprises a housing defining a substantially hollow interior and a suctioning bottom opening. A suctioning front opening is for receiving debris into the substantially hollow interior of the housing. A door frame surrounds the suctioning front opening. A rotatable door has at least a first door portion and a second door portion joined together at a central pivot axis, and is operatively mounted at the central pivot axis in rotatable relation on the pick-up head at the suctioning front opening. A seal is operatively disposed between the rotatable door and the door frame for sealing the rotatable door with respect to the door frame, to thereby substantially preclude air from ingressing into the substantially hollow interior of the housing through the suctioning front opening, as the rotatable door rotates to permit debris to enter the substantially hollow interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 8108965
    Abstract: A convertible vacuum attachment for conveying a particulate material is disclosed. The attachment comprises a housing defining a chamber, with the housing having an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber and that defines an inlet opening. The housing has an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber for connection to a vacuum source. The convertible vacuum attachment also comprises an area changing structure configured to change an area of the inlet opening from a first area to a second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Richard L. Reimnitz
  • Patent number: 8108966
    Abstract: A ceiling tool assembly has a unique ergonomically curved handle supported by a user at its rearward end with a cantilever rocker-shaped arm and forwardly slanted pistol grip. A curved concave surface conforms to the underarm part of a user's forearm above the elbow and further includes a forwardly slanted pistol grip with stub extension and an upward handle offset bend. Scraping force is provided by handle shape and handle attachments of my scraping unit for easy removal of popcorn from an overhead ceiling. A forearm resting area allows the user to provide either a right handed or left handed lifting force to the scraper unit. The offset portion, provided at the mid point of the handle, together with a handle attachment/design allows a two arm back and forward scraping force to be exerted along the length of the scraper unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: James C. Viviano
  • Patent number: 8108967
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a cleaning appliance includes a slidably extendible wand and a connecting portion that includes a first locking arrangement releasably securing the handle assembly to the main body of the cleaning appliance, a second locking arrangement releasably locking the wand in a pre-determined position with respect to the connecting portion and an actuator. The actuator is adapted and arranged to move the first and second locking arrangements between locked and unlocked positions. The first locking arrangement is movable independently of the actuator. This arrangement allows a single actuator to be operated by a user to unlock both the first and second locking arrangements simultaneously. However, because the first locking arrangement can move independently of the second locking arrangement, it is possible to secure the handle assembly to the main body of the cleaning appliance while keeping the wand in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Ralph Michael Wood
  • Patent number: 8108968
    Abstract: A grommet assembly includes a retainer including a sleeve, and a boot secured to the retainer, including a first and a second series of pleats aligned with the sleeve, each pleat of the second series decreasing in size as distance from the retainer increases, each pleat of the first series having a substantially uniform size and spaced from a consecutive pleat of the first series by a distance that is less than a space between consecutive pleats of the second series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brad L. Pietryga, Douglas P. Gonsler
  • Patent number: 8108969
    Abstract: A checker-equipped door hinge device for vehicle includes: a first bracket fixed to one of a body and a door; a second bracket fixed to another one of the body and the door; a hinge pin connecting the first and second brackets to each other, and allowing the brackets to be relatively rotatable; an inner cylinder connected integrally to the first bracket and disposed coaxially with the hinge pin; an outer cylinder connected integrally to the second bracket and disposed so as to surround the inner cylinder in a manner of being rotatable relative to the inner cylinder; and a checking-force generating mechanism provided between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, the checking-force generating mechanism generating a checking force against the door at a predetermined opening position of the door, wherein an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder are eccentric to each other, so that a thick wall portion having a large distance between the inner peripheral surface and th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Rikenkaki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Manabu Ochiai
  • Patent number: 8108970
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism has at least one hinge assembly, a rail assembly and a sliding bracket. The hinge assembly has a hinge and a lifting seat. The hinge is adapted to pivotally connect a cover and a base of an electronic device. The lifting seat is attached to the cover and has a recess. The rail assembly has at least one rail seat having a rail slot. The sliding bracket is adapted to be deposited an input unit, is movably mounted between the hinge assembly and the rail assembly and has at least one upper sliding shaft and at least one lower sliding shaft. The upper and lower sliding shafts are respectively mounted in the recess and the rail slot. A side of the sliding bracket would be elevated by the lifting seat to allow the sliding bracket to be inclined to the cover, whereby the input unit is convenient for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 8108971
    Abstract: A pivot hinge for roof windows with a sash pivoting around the axis located between the upper and the lower member of a window, has a balancing system, which ensures the state of equilibrium of a window sash when its centre of gravity is located outside the sash rotating axis and the friction spring of the hinge is unable to hold the sash pivoted in each its position. At the same time the window fittings, its assembly, installation in a roof and its appearance remain unchanged. Also the method of separating of both hinge parts (taking a sash out of a window frame) remains unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Fakro PP Spolka Z O.O.
    Inventor: Ryszard Florek
  • Patent number: 8108972
    Abstract: A decoration is installed in a seating channel provided in a handle bar. The seating channel with the decoration installed therein is shielded by a transparent or translucent handle cover. Cover end coupling pieces are provided at both ends of the handle cover and coupled with coupling ribs of a handle bar body of the handle bar or a cover base. The cover end coupling pieces protrude and extend from both ends of the handle cover to be perpendicular to other portions. A luminous body or jewel may be used as the decoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Wook Bae, Jong-Hyeok An, Hyeon-Po Cho, Chang-Bong Choi
  • Patent number: 8108973
    Abstract: A side buckle of swimming goggles is approximately formed into a strip shape. The side buckle has a retaining clip and a retaining groove respectively at two ends thereof. The retaining clip has two shaft rods and a step-shaped urging portion. The retaining groove has two shaft holes and a belt hole. A connecting portion is formed between the retaining clip and the retaining groove. The retaining clip and the retaining groove may be locked to each other after the connecting portion is bent. Thereby, the side buckle of swimming goggles is fitted at side edges of a pair of swimming goggles and connected to a belt. The connecting portion is pressed to trigger the operation of the retaining clip to loosen or fasten the belt, so as to quickly adjust a length of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: First Rank Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Yo Chen
  • Patent number: 8108974
    Abstract: Disclosed is a closure for joining at least two pieces of material, especially layers of material (14, 20). Said closure comprises two closure elements (2, 3) which are spaced apart in some sections. The first closure element (2) is provided with at least one fastening means (7) while the second closure element (3) is fitted with an especially central gap (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: T.SP-Gilmor Ltd.
    Inventor: Michaela Graf
  • Patent number: 8108975
    Abstract: A karabiner including a generally C-shaped body having opposed free ends with a gap therebetween and a gate for closing the gap through constraint. The gate is formed of a wire member located on one free end of the body and includes a shaped free end. The other free end of the body is configured to receive the shaped free end of the gate, and includes a shape that corresponds substantially with the shape of the shaped end of the gate. In one embodiment, the loop is oriented substantially transversely to the plane of the karabiner body, and in another embodiment, the second free end of the body includes a recessed seat. A locking means on the gate or karabiner body is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Wild Country Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Brown, Mark Carnall
  • Patent number: 8108976
    Abstract: A buckle for a seat belt that resists unintentional unlatching when subjected to rapid acceleration or deceleration. The buckle assembly includes a female buckle and a removable male tongue plate. The female buckle includes a spring-loaded pawl that lockingly engages a slot in the removable tongue plate. The spring urges the pawl into locking engagement with the slot in the tongue plate. The present invention discloses a pawl-loading spring made from a material that resists elastic deformation when the buckle is subjected to a force perturbation such as the sudden acceleration or deceleration of the buckle that occurs during a crash. The spring material exhibits resistance to deformation when loaded at a high loading rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar K. Thorbole, David Renfroe
  • Patent number: 8108977
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods and services, or other products, through messaging over a financial services electronic payment network, are provided. A customer provides electronic order registration activation information for an electronic order transaction card. The customer is provided an electronic order card having a unique electronic payment network compatible electronic order card identifier including a non-financial transaction IIN and a customer number, and is provided a catalogue or list including product order codes each associated with a different product, to enable electronic ordering over the financial services electronic payment network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventor: Eric D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8108978
    Abstract: A tooling apparatus for positioning end effector tooling for engagement with a workpiece to facilitate the performance of work operations on the workpiece. The apparatus includes an elongated rectangular tubular backbone member, a plurality of tubular collars positioned over and secured to the backbone member at predetermined longitudinally spaced locations along the backbone member, and a plurality of support structures secured to a side of one or more of the collars utilizing a plurality of fasteners engaging apertures in the collars and aligned apertures in the underlying backbone member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Van Zile, III
  • Patent number: 8108979
    Abstract: A method of repairing a part, which has a first side, a second side opposite of the first side, and an aperture that makes the part susceptible to cracking, includes the steps of forming a slot in the first side of the part near the aperture, inserting a stiffener into the slot, and attaching at least one repair ply onto the first side of the part to cover the stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel M. Stadtlander, William F. Bogue, Michael J. Madel, Jr., Brian K. Holland
  • Patent number: 8108980
    Abstract: An aircraft door includes a seal that integrates a flexible silicone seal portion and a rigid blade seal portion into a single continuous seal around the mold line gap between the door and frame. The arrangement allows for the use of space saving piano hinges to mount the door. The seal includes a rigid blade seal around three edges of the door and a flexible hinge cover seal adjacent to the hinge edge of the door. The flexible hinge cover seal is bonded to terminal blocks which in turn can be mounted to the door edge and to the door frame such that the flexible hinge cover seal covers the mold line gap adjacent to the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James V. Eveker, Roger K. Young
  • Patent number: 8108981
    Abstract: A method of making an electrostatic chuck comprising positioning a plate into a channel in a body to form a plenum and inserting a dielectric component into an opening in the plate, where the dielectric component defines a portion of a passage from the plenum. Thereafter, depositing a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the body and at least a portion of the plate to form a support surface. The dielectric layer is polished to a specified thickness. In one embodiment, the polishing process forms an opening through the dielectric layer to enable the dielectric component to define a passage between the support surface and the plenum. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the dielectric layer is porous proximate the dielectric component such that the porous dielectric layer and the dielectric component form a passage between the support surface and the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitry Lubomirsky, Kadthala Ramaya Narendranath, Xinglong Chen, Sudhir Gondhalekar, Muhammad Rasheed, Tony Kaushal
  • Patent number: 8108982
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a tool for forming an article in a molding operation has a tool body formed from a non-particulate material, with a particulate material bonded to the body. The body provides a forming surface for forming the article. The particulate material, or the particulate material and the tool body collectively provide a duct for conveying a fluid for transfer of heat with the forming surface. In another embodiment, the tool has a tool body formed from a non-particulate material with a cavity and the particulate material is disposed within the cavity. A heat transfer material is disposed in the cavity bonding the particulate material to the tool body. Methods for manufacturing such tools are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Floodcooling Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Manuel, Thomas N. Greaves, Matthew T. Lowney, Michael Wasylenko
  • Patent number: 8108983
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the realization of stable electrical connections between coils and a commutator without causing slackening of the coils wound on individual magnetic teeth. An armature of a rotary motor includes an armature core structured splittably into magnetic tooth members which are individually wound by concentrated-winding type coils, and a commutator having the same number of segments as the number of the magnetic tooth members, the individual segments having connecting terminals, wherein an end portion of the coil concentratedly wound on one of the magnetic tooth members is connected generally in a straight line to the connecting terminal of the segment which is located at a position offset in a circumferential direction by a specific angle from the aforementioned one magnetic tooth member, and a conductor line connected to the connecting terminal of the segment is concentratedly wound on another magnetic tooth member adjacent to the aforementioned one magnetic tooth member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamamoto, Koichi Tao, Yuki Fujioka
  • Patent number: 8108984
    Abstract: Methods of manufacture of integrated circuit inductors having slotted magnetic material will be described. The methods may employ electro- or electroless plating techniques to form a layer or layers of magnetic material within the slotted magnetic material structure, and in particular those magnetic material layers adjacent to insulator layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Donald S. Gardner, Gerhard Schrom, Peter Hazucha, Fabrice Paillet, Tanay Karnik
  • Patent number: 8108985
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording. The method includes forming a write pole, and then depositing a refill layer. A mask structure can be formed over the writ pole and refill layer, the mask structure being configured to define a stitched pole. An ion milling or reactive ion milling can then be performed to remove portions of the refill layer that are not protected by the mask structure. Then a magnetic material can be deposited to form a stitched write pole that defines a secondary flare point. The stitched pole can also be self aligned with an electrical lapping guide in order to accurately locate the front edge of the secondary flare point relative to the air bearing surface of the write head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Yi Zheng, Yimin Hsu, Wen-Chien David Hsiao, Ming Jiang, Aron Pentek, Sue Siyang Zhang, Edward Hin Pong Lee, Hung-Chin Guthrie, Ning Shi, Vladimir Nikitin, Prabodh Ratnaparkhi, Yinshi Liu
  • Patent number: 8108986
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head for perpendicular magnetic recording, the write head having a write pole with an increased bevel (taper) angle. The write pole is constructed by forming a mask structure over a magnetic write pole material, and then performing a combination of sweeping or rotation with static (non-rotating, non-sweeping) ion milling at an angle relative to normal. The ion milling is performed while moving the wafer laterally within the ion milling tool to ensure that the ion milling is performed uniformly across the wafer during static milling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Yinshi Liu
  • Patent number: 8108987
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided including providing at least one magnet positioned between a keeper device and a yoke, the keeper device being positioned at a pole region of the at least one magnet, positioning at least one pole device at the pole region of the at least one magnet, and removing the keeper device from the pole region to allow the at least one pole device to be positioned at the pole region of the at least one magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bulent Aksel, Judson Sloan Marte, Juliana Chiang Shei, Mark Gilbert Benz, Yuji Inoue
  • Patent number: 8108988
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laminated iron core using a die, includes punching out iron core pieces from a thin steel sheet material by a first working row, each piece having a spindle hole and a plurality of slot holes of a given configuration. Electrically insulating sheet pieces are punched out from an electrically insulating thin sheet material by a second working row, each piece having a spindle hole and a plurality of slot holes with a configuration similar to, but smaller than, the slot holes of the iron core pieces. Thereafter, the iron core pieces and electrically insulating sheet pieces are stacked such that edges of the slot holes of the electrically insulating sheet pieces extend outwardly beyond edges of the slot holes of the iron core pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kuroda Precision Instruments Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishizawa, Hideo Horii
  • Patent number: 8108989
    Abstract: A manufacturing cell has a plurality of stations arranged in two rows having a main aisle therebetween. Each of the plurality of stations has a station-aisle interface that provides an interaction area to the main aisle. The manufacturing cell also comprises a plurality of storage units that are located within the cell along the main aisle and a guided forklift truck that traverses the main aisle without requiring steering control of a stock handler operating the forklift truck within the main aisle to relocate containers from the storage units to designated station-aisle interfaces and to remove containers from the designated station-aisle interfaces when work is completed at the corresponding stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Rick J. Muhlenkamp, David G. Schaefer, Todd A. Thomas, Stephen E. Wagner, Joel E. Zacharias
  • Patent number: 8108990
    Abstract: A printed circuit board including a conductor portion, an insulating layer formed over the conductor portion, a thin-film capacitor formed over the insulating layer and including a first electrode, a second electrode and a high-dielectric layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a via-hole conductor structure formed through the second electrode and insulating layer and electrically connecting the second electrode and the conductor portion. The via-hole conductor structure has a first portion in the second electrode and a second portion in the insulating layer. The first portion of the via-hole conductor structure has a truncated-cone shape tapering toward the conductor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kariya, Hironori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8108991
    Abstract: Connection with an ACF is realized relative to a wiring board having an electronic component mounted on the rear surface thereof with high connection reliability and uniform thermal compression bonding. A thermal compression bonding head 12 is used to apply pressure to flexible printed circuit boards 4 and 5 relative to a motherboard substrate 1 having an electronic component 6 mounted thereon and heat an anisotropic conductive film, thereby connecting the motherboard substrate 1 with the ACF to the flexible printed circuit boards 4 and 5 that are connecting members. At this time, in a state in which a receiving plate 13 made of an elastic material, such as silicone rubber, and provided at a mounting position of the electronic component 6 of the motherboard substrate 1 with a concave portion 13a corresponding in shape to the electronic component 6 supports thereon the rear surface of the motherboard substrate 1, the thermal compression bonding is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Chemical & Information Device Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Saito
  • Patent number: 8108992
    Abstract: A method of making a self-supporting field director structure for use in heating an article in a microwave oven comprises in any operative order, the steps of folding a first and a second elongated vane blank along a central fold line to form at least two V-shaped vane doublets; inserting each of the vane doublets into a slotted annular support member so that each vane in each vane doublet extends through an adjacent slot in the annular support member; and attaching the vane doublets at their vertices to define a vane array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: William R. Corcoran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8108993
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wiring substrate is disclosed. The method includes: (a) preparing a supporting substrate including a main body and a through electrode penetrating the main body, wherein the supporting substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a trace is formed on the second surface of the supporting substrate; (b) forming a build-up wiring structure by alternately forming a wiring layer and an insulating layer on the first surface of the supporting substrate; and (c) obtaining a wiring substrate by separating the build-up wiring structure from the supporting substrate. Step (b) includes: forming the wiring layer using the through electrode as a power feeding wiring, and step (c) includes: peeling the build-up wiring structure from the supporting substrate to obtain the wiring substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Higashi, Kei Murayama, Masahiro Sunohara, Hideaki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8108994
    Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps has at least the tip of one blade member formed of a composite material having aligned elongated particles of nickel interspersed in a matrix of silver particles. The tip can be provided as a tip member attached, such as by brazing, to the body of the blade member, or the entire blade member can be formed of the silver/nickel composite material. In another embodiment, the tip or blade member is formed of a dispersion strengthened silver or copper composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kirwan Surgical Products LLC
    Inventors: John P. Ariola, Jr., Lawrence T. Kirwan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8108995
    Abstract: A method includes coupling a cylinder head to a cylinder block. A valve member is then moved into a valve pocket defined by the cylinder head such that a first stem portion of the valve member engages an actuator. A first portion of the biasing member is then disposed against a second stem portion of the valve member, the second stem portion being opposite the first stem portion. An end plate is then coupled to the cylinder head such that a second portion of the biasing member engages the end plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: JP Scope LLC
    Inventor: Charles E. Price
  • Patent number: 8108996
    Abstract: A method of producing shafts such as shafts used in a transmission, particularly for a motor vehicle, is provided. A shaft base body and at least one gearwheel, which is at least substantially finished separately from the shaft and subsequently is fixed to the shaft in such a way as to transmit torque available at the shaft or input torque by the gearwheel having a hollow hub body and being axially pressed onto a seat on the shaft base body so as to form a frictional connection which transmits the torque from the shaft to the gearwheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nuemayer Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Vogel, Volker Szentmihályi
  • Patent number: 8108997
    Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a shaft in an essentially horizontal position while an anchoring object at one end of the shaft is replaced without removal of an object at the opposite end of the shaft that would otherwise tend to destabilize the shaft from its essentially horizontal position includes a half-spool member configured to clamp above and around the shaft to resist torque around the rotor, under supports configured to attach to the half-spool member and clamp an underside of the shaft below the half-spool member, and a hydraulic or mechanical brake configured to resist torque on the shaft when the brake is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Weaver, Kirsh Alimohammed Afimiwala, Norman Scott Winneguth, Fulton Jose Lopez, Michael Ulfert Homemann, Craig Leonard Christenson
  • Patent number: 8108998
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a laser cutting method where a laser beam is condensed at internal points inside a substrate forming processing regions, and where the laser is swept along a cutting line, where the cutting line is associated with a recess on the substrate and where the recess can be formed contemporaneously with the formation of the processing regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Genji Inada, Junichiro Iri, Masayuki Nishiwaki, Sadayuki Sugama
  • Patent number: 8108999
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes a shell (104) manufactured by a rapid prototyping process, so as to include a first part customized to adapt it to the shape of the ear canal of a user, and a second part that defines an aperture; an electronics module; and a plug (200) with means for retaining it in a fixed position in the shell. The shell has guideways (212) for guiding lateral portions of the plug to support the plug in the aperture. The shell is adapted to receive by the aperture the electronics module; and the electronics module is adapted to engage a lip (206) of the plug to secure it in the shell. The invention further provides a method of assembling a part of a hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventor: Dennis Brian Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8109000
    Abstract: A method of forming a Salisbury axle that includes: forming an assembly having a housing that is made of nodular iron, the housing having an opening and a pair of apertures; removing a pair of caps from the housing to expose a pair of journals; installing a differential through the opening to the journals; replacing the caps to the journals; forming a pair of axle tubes from a high strength steel, each of the axle tubes having a circular proximal end, a circular distal end and a mount portion between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends of the axle tubes being larger in diameter than the apertures, the mount portion having a top wall and a pair of opposite side walls that are oriented generally perpendicular to the top wall; and inserting the proximal ends of the axle tubes into the apertures. A Salisbury axle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: George Zalanca, Gregory Joseph Hilker
  • Patent number: 8109001
    Abstract: Shaving apparatus including a drivable shaving unit for performing a first shaving action on a user's skin; a motor adapted to drive the shaving unit to perform the first shaving action; a blade having a razor-sharp cutting edge positioned for shaving engagement with the user's skin; and a guard surface provided in front of the razor-sharp blade. During use, the blade performs a second shaving action to cut hair while the drivable shaving unit performs the first shaving action. The first shaving unit may be rotary or linear and may have a static or moving skin-engaging cutter. Two razor-sharp blades may be provided, facing in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Terence G. Royle, Robert White
  • Patent number: 8109002
    Abstract: A wire stripping knife having a back bar which cooperates with the handle to strip wire. In one form the back bar is a lock back bar to lock the knife in an open orientation, and in yet another form the back bar is biased to a closed orientation when the blade is in an extended orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sog Specialty Knives and Tools, LLC
    Inventor: Spencer Frazer
  • Patent number: 8109003
    Abstract: Pruning shears include a first arm including a first handle and a jaw including a first tab; a first blade including a cutting edge and an ear opposite the cutting edge and having a first through hole wherein the first arm and the first blade are secured together by inserting the first tab into the first through hole; a second arm including a second handle and a joining section; a second blade secured to the joining section; a pivot joint for pivotably securing the first arm to the second arm; and a torsion spring positioned between the first arm and the second arm. The torsion spring exerts an expansion force to push the first arm and the second arm apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Success & Tech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Chih Liu
  • Patent number: 8109004
    Abstract: A scribing system comprising a mounting mechanism, stylus, and force generating mechanism is provided. The mounting mechanism is configured to rotate an elongated object in such a manner that the object is subjected to a bow effect wherein a middle portion of the object bends relative to the end portions of the object. The stylus is for scribing the object at a position x along the long dimension of the object while the mounting mechanism rotates the object. The force generating mechanism is connected to the stylus so that the stylus applies the same constant force to the elongated object regardless of the position x along the long dimension of the object that the stylus is positioned, while the mounting mechanism rotates the object and thereby subjects the object to the bow effect, thereby scribing the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Solyndra LLC
    Inventors: Alex Shenderovich, Boris Djurovic, Daniel Liu, Wen Chang, Benyamin Buller, Erel Milshtein