Patents Issued in February 14, 2012
  • Patent number: 8113487
    Abstract: A grease supply mechanism is provided inside a vacuum transfer chamber. The grease supply mechanism includes: a grease storage part in a bottomed cylindrical shape storing grease therein; and a movable cover covering an opening of the grease storage part and sliding while being in contact with an inner wall of the grease storage part. When the cover is pressed and moved, the grease is supplied into a grease inlet via a grease supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Takehiro Shindo
  • Patent number: 8113488
    Abstract: A hammer that includes a handle with a first end, a hammer head secured to the first end of the handle, the hammer head having a striking head at one end, the striking head having a striking surface thereon, a first frontal extractor extending from the striking head, and a second frontal extractor disposed between the handle and the striking head. In one embodiment, the hammer includes a slot positioned between the first and second frontal extractors, and the webbing being integrally formed with the frontal extractors to connect the frontal extractors together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: David W. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8113489
    Abstract: A railing system for decks and stairs has identical top and bottom metal extruded rails with upright spindles extended between the rails. Anchor balls secured to the rails with fasteners hold the spindles in assembled relation with the rails. The anchor balls have continuous circumferential ribs located in a force fit relationship with inside surfaces of the spindles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Willard J. Harder
  • Patent number: 8113490
    Abstract: A wind-water ultrasonic humidifier includes a housing, a hollow connecting portion, a water circulation system, and a power control box. The water circulation system includes an electric base, a rubber cork plugged into the top of the water circulation system and having a baffle inserted into a concave hole, a circular threaded pipe including a nebulizer and a water pump, two arc-shaped bridging support stands provided for connecting both sides of the electric base in an arc shape, a latch structure disposed at a lower end of the support stand, latches disposed on both sides of the electric base, and a water dripping device installed at an upper end of the bridging support stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Hui-Chin Chen
  • Patent number: 8113491
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas liquid contactor and effluent cleaning system and method and more particularly to an array of nozzles configured to produce uniformly spaced flat liquid jets with reduced linear stability. An embodiment of the invention is directed towards a stability unit used with nozzles of a gas liquid contactor and/or an enhancer for stable jet formation, and more particularly to reducing the stability of liquid jets formed from nozzles of the gas liquid contactor. Another aspect of the invention relates to operating the apparatus at a condition that reduces the stability of liquid jets, e.g., a droplet generator apparatus. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to operation of the apparatus with an aqueous slurry. Still another aspect of the invention is directed towards to an apparatus for substantially separating at least two fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Neumann Systems Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kurt Neumann, Andrew R. Awtry, Jason K. Brasseur, Keith R. Hobbs, Boris R. Nizamov, Thomas Lee Henshaw
  • Patent number: 8113492
    Abstract: A system for evaporating excess water from a source includes a housing having: an air inlet, the air inlet directing air in a first direction; an air outlet; a plurality of channels arranged generally perpendicular to the first direction, the channels having undulations; and a water reservoir that feeds water into the channels. In some embodiments, baffles are created with walls that depend from the ceiling of the housing and that are interdigitated with dividers that separate the channels. This configuration can remove water generated by the source (such as an external compressor unit) in a quick and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Cora, Matthew P. Daniels
  • Patent number: 8113493
    Abstract: A resilient device includes a fixing member defining two sliding holes, two slide members slidably mounted to opposite sides of the fixing member, and a number of elastic members. Each slide member includes a protrusion engagable in a corresponding sliding hole. The fixing member includes at least one receiving portion for receiving the elastic members, and the elastic members are disposed between the slide members and separated by the slide members. Therefore, each elastic member is positioned to resist against the slide members for biasing the slide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Bin Shen
  • Patent number: 8113494
    Abstract: Active cushioning mechanisms that detect imminent impact and activate a damper by driving power from an onboard power supply into an electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator transforms the stored electric power into an electromechanical damping force. The actuators may be arranged about the exterior surface of the device, and may be selectively activated to provide protection at different points on the surface depending on the location of expected impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Ashwin Sunder
  • Patent number: 8113495
    Abstract: A vibration damper comprises a vibration dampening structure and a load bearing plate disposed on the vibration dampening structure. The vibration dampening structure includes a slip resistant layer and at least one foam layer disposed between the slip resistant layer and the load bearing plate. A resilient mounting layer is disposed on the load bearing plate. The vibration damper may act directly between an underlying support surface and equipment or may act between the underlying support surface and a sheet of flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Paul C. Downey
  • Patent number: 8113496
    Abstract: Annular bearing member for supporting a support element that comprises elastic material and that when installed is under pressure and that is in the area of a suspension strut, whereby the bearing member comprises a material that has a greater hardness than the material of the support element and whereby the bearing member includes a bearing surface upon which the support element with a counter-surface is supported, whereby elevations are arranged encirclingly on the surface of the bearing surface and concentric to one another and form an integral component of the bearing member, whereby every two adjacent elevations limit an encircling receiving space for elastic material of the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Fritz
  • Patent number: 8113497
    Abstract: The present invention includes a fixture for securing a work piece to a support surface at a machining workstation comprising a base attachable to the support surface and having at least one undercut edge, and, a work piece holder engaging the at least one undercut edge of the base, spaced apart from the support surface, and having moveable work piece attaching jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kell Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Kellerson
  • Patent number: 8113498
    Abstract: A method and device for transferring signatures. The device includes a first gathering chain which conveys the signatures with the aid of pushers and which transfers the signatures in a transfer region to a second gathering chain. The second gathering chain includes at least one conveying chain provided with pushers that are arranged at a pre-defined distance relative to each other. The second gathering chain includes recesses adjacent to each of its pushers such that each pusher of the first gathering chain corresponds to a pusher of the second gathering chain and can be lowered through a respective recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Marcel Buerge
  • Patent number: 8113499
    Abstract: When a sheet bundle is being conveyed by any one pair of plural pairs of rollers independently movable toward and away from the bundle sheet, before the bound portion of the sheet bundle passes the pair of rollers, the pair of rollers on the downstream side nearest to the bound portion are separated from the sheet bundle, and the pairs of rollers more downstream than that pair convey the sheet bundle. Thereby, it happens less often that the pairs of rollers gather the air collected between adjacent ones of the sheets of the sheet bundle to the bound portion to thereby cause a slack to the sheets, and the occurrence of wrinkles or twists in the sheet bundle can be reduced. Also, the pair of rollers are separated from the sheet bundle before the bound portion passes the pair of rollers, whereby it happens less often that the pair of rollers are damaged by the bound portion, and the sheet bundle can be conveyed smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kushida, Taro Ikeda, Hiroaki Takagishi, Kenichi Hayashi, Tomokazu Nakamura, Wataru Kawata, Hiromasa Katayama
  • Patent number: 8113500
    Abstract: A duplex automatic document feeder includes first, second, third, and fourth paths, an ejecting path, a scanning module, first and second reversing roller units, a feeding tray, and an ejecting tray. A document is moved from the feeding tray to the scanning module for scanning of a first side surface thereof. Subsequently, the document is moved along a second-side scanning path defined by the first reversing roller unit, the third path, a portion of the first path, the fourth path, and the first reversing roller unit to allow for scanning of a second side surface thereof. After the first and second side surfaces are scanned, the document is moved along a document-inverting path defined by the second reversing roller unit, a portion of the fourth path, the ejecting path, a portion of the second path, the first reversing roller unit, and the ejecting tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chen-Tsai Tsai, Keng-Wei Shih, Hsuan-Yang Lin
  • Patent number: 8113501
    Abstract: A sheet supply device includes a sheet storing section on which sheets are stacked and are stored; a sheet feed unit controlled by a controller that feeds the sheets stored in the sheet storing section to a next process; and an air blower controlled by the controller that blows air to the sheets stored in the sheet storing section, the air blower has an air nozzle and a mechanism that can adjust a height of the air nozzle in an up-down direction, and the mechanism increases or decreases the air flow rate of the air being blown to the sheets, wherein a force provided by the air blower to push up the sheets is exerted on the sheets, such that a less force is exerted when the sheets are being fed compared to when the sheets are not being fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Uji, Hiroaki Fujikura
  • Patent number: 8113502
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes: an arm member that is provided with a drive shaft at a base end thereof, the arm member being configured to swingably rotate around the drive shaft; a feed roller that is disposed at a leading end of the arm member, the feed roller feeding a sheet by being rotated while pressed on the uppermost sheet; and a transmission mechanism that is provided with one or more transmission rollers that transmit power provided from the drive shaft to the feed roller. Each of the transmission rollers is provided with a spindle that protrudes from both side faces thereof along an rotational axis. The arm member is provided with one or more pairs of bearing members for the respective transmission rollers, each of the pairs of the bearing members being faced with each other and being monolithically formed on the arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Kozaki, Yuji Koga
  • Patent number: 8113503
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an apparatus for feeding a stack of sheet stock in blocks. The apparatus includes a backstop, a block pusher plate, and at least one sensor for determining a height differential between the stack at generally near a lead edge of the stack and the stack at generally near a trail edge of the stack. The apparatus automatically adjusts for warp in the sheet stock. The present disclosure further includes a method comprising obtaining a first measurement at generally near a lead edge side of the stack, obtaining a second measurement at generally near a trail edge side of the stack, comparing the first and second measurements, and pushing the portion of sheet stock from the stack with a block pusher plate when the second measurement is within a predetermined tolerance of the first measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: J&L Group International, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis A. Roth, Craig Gendreau, Chad Faith
  • Patent number: 8113504
    Abstract: A sheet feeding method includes supporting a media stack on an elevator, initiating operation of a pick roll in conjunction with a top most sheet, sensing whether or not the pick roll is operating in conjunction with the top most sheet, and moving the elevator, in response to the pick roll not operating in conjunction with the top most sheet, to overcome occurrence of a media handling failure mode between the pick roll and the top most sheet. The elevator is lowered, in response to the pick roll rotating but the top most sheet not arriving at a sheet arrival sensor, to increase a normal force imposed on the top most sheet to overcome the occurrence of a ‘fails to feed’ failure mode. The elevator is raised, in response to the pick roll not rotating, to decrease the normal force imposed on the top most sheet to overcome the occurrence of a ‘pick roll stall’ failure mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Paul Cahill
  • Patent number: 8113505
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a paper feeding device and an image forming apparatus capable a convenient removal a paper jammed between a pickup unit and a multi-sheet feeding prevention unit. The multi-sheet feeding prevention unit may be moveable in cooperation with a detachable paper cassette such that the multi-sheet feeding prevention member supported on the moveable multi-sheet feeding prevention unit moves toward and away from the pickup unit so that the pressing force between the pickup unit and the multi-sheet feeding prevention unit may be released to allow the jammed paper to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 8113506
    Abstract: A sheet supply apparatus is provided with a print medium storage device for storing a print medium. The print medium storage device includes a guide member for guiding the print medium thus stored; an engaging portion for engaging the guide member at a specific position; an engaged portion for engaging the engaging portion; an operation portion disposed to be movable for separating the engaging portion from the engaged portion; and an abutting portion for abutting against the operation portion to move the operation portion when the print medium storage device is situated at a first position, and for separating from the operation portion when the print medium storage device is situated at a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Kaseda
  • Patent number: 8113507
    Abstract: A pair of conveyor rollers arranged in an image forming apparatus to convey a recording sheet which has been subjected to a fixing process toward outside of a body of the apparatus is configured to be shiftable relative to the body between a first position and a second position. A first holding member is configured to support one of the conveyor rollers in such a manner that a conveyor roller supported by the first holding member is swingable around a pivot located adjacent to a sheet conveyance path upstream of the supported conveyor roller to allow the pair of conveyor rollers to be shifted between the first position and the second position. The first holding member comprises a sheet guide portion which provides a variable-position guideway extending from a position located upstream along the sheet conveyance path toward a peripheral surface of the supported conveyor roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kei Ishida
  • Patent number: 8113508
    Abstract: The invention provides a bill processor that substantially horizontally delivers bills one by one to an upper space of a stacking unit from a delivery unit, downward strikes and drops the trailing edge of a delivered bill in its delivery direction by impellers, and stacks the bills in the stacking unit. The bill handling machine has a regulating member that engages the leading edge of the bill in its delivery direction, which is delivered to the upper space of the stacking unit from the delivery unit. The regulating member can be changed in position in the delivery direction according to the length of a bill in the delivery direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Laurel Precision Machines Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Onodera, Toru Inage, Tomohisa Oe
  • Patent number: 8113510
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that processes sheets transported in a transport direction and stacked on a tray, including: a sheet moving device configured to be brought into contact with an upper surface of a sheet stacked on the tray and to be moved in a width direction intersecting with the transport direction to move the sheet in the width direction; an alignment member against which a side edge of the sheet moved in the width direction by the sheet moving device is brought into abutment, to align the sheet; and a guide member configured to hold down the sheet between the sheet moving device and the alignment member with the sheet moving device in contact with the upper surface of the sheet, wherein the guide member is moved integrally with the sheet moving device in the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.
    Inventor: Yuki Kurosu
  • Patent number: 8113511
    Abstract: A document deskewing module comprises a set of sensors arranged to detect when a document transported in a first direction of document travel along a document transport path is deskewed, a first set of drive rollers in the form of hard drive rollers disposed along the document transport path, a first set of idler rollers moveable towards and away from the hard drive rollers, a second set of drive rollers in the form of soft drive rollers disposed along the document transport path, a second set of idler rollers moveable towards and away from the soft drive rollers, a track bottom disposed on one side of the document transport path and movable in the first direction of document travel, and a controller arranged to control operation of the first and second sets of idler rollers and the movable track bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Fredrik L. N. Kallin, Robert J. Ross
  • Patent number: 8113512
    Abstract: Aligning of banknotes is carried out without using an aligning device. A medium conveyance mechanism includes an upper belt (2) entrained around two rollers (3a, 3b), a lower belt (5) entrained around two other rollers (6a, 6b) and disposed so as to overlap the upper belt (2), and an aligning guide (15) disposed at one side of the upper belt (2) and the lower belt (5) at a distance therefrom, which aligning guide (15) has an inclined surface (16) for carrying out aligning of a banknote and a conveyance reference surface (17) formed at an end side of the inclined surface (16). When the banknote being conveyed abuts the inclined surface (16) of the aligning guide (15) for aligning, one side of the banknote is guided by the conveyance reference surface (17) while the banknote is slipped with respect to the upper belt (2) and the lower belt (5) in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the banknote is conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: OKI Electric Industry Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 8113513
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus including a cross-directionally moving device for moving a sheet in a direction crossing a sheet discharging direction, and a cross-side restricting member for receiving one side edge of the sheet moved in the crossing direction by the cross-directionally moving device, and restricting the movement of the sheet, wherein the cross-directionally moving device moves the next sheet from a position between the other side edge of the sheet received by the cross-side restricting member and the cross-side restricting member to the cross-side restricting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.
    Inventor: Naoyasu Funada
  • Patent number: 8113514
    Abstract: A moving unit includes first and second transportation paths that can selectively link to main transportation path of a recording sheet, a first roller arranged between the first and the second transportation paths, second and third rollers capable of making contact with the first roller across the first and the second transportation paths, respectively. When the moving unit moves to a position at which the first transportation path or the second transportation path is linked to the main transportation path, a mechanism varies a pressing force of the second roller or the third roller with respect to the first roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sekino, Junji Shirakawa, Yutaka Shoji, Takayuki Muneyasu
  • Patent number: 8113515
    Abstract: In a paper sheet transporting device, in an air duct portion of a suction duct, a suction confluence opening that collects air that is sucked and allows the air to pass through is disposed in a position included in a region where suction openings whose suction force is relatively the highest of plural suction openings exist and which position is away from the inner surface side of the suction surface portion, with the air duct portion being formed in a shape where the opening cross-sectional area of an air duct becomes relatively narrower away from the suction confluence opening in the rotating axial direction of a transport belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Komiyama, Kazutoshi Sugitani, Kiyotoshi Kaneyama, Katsunori Kikuchihara
  • Patent number: 8113516
    Abstract: A casino style game apparatus preferably having a table layout for playing a roulette or roulette-like game without a roulette wheel. The preferred embodiment uses a ball blower to select a numbered ball from a set of thirty-eight numbered balls. A monitor displays the selected ball as viewed from a video camera mounted above the ball blower. The number displayed constitutes the random number decision generation replacing the use of a roulette wheel. An additional embodiment uses a random number generator to select a number from one to thirty-eight for random number decision generation. Another embodiment uses a shuffled thirty-eight card deck from which a numbered card is selected constituting the random number decision generation. An additional embodiment uses a remote control activated by a player to initiate the random number generator for selection of a number from one to thirty-eight to constitute the random number decision generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: INAG, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark H. Jones
  • Patent number: 8113517
    Abstract: A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair includes a seat and a tactile device for providing tactile sensations via the seat according to at least one of events occurring in the wagering game, and player input through an input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Canterbury, Jacob C. Greenberg, Timothy C. Loose, Eric M. Pryzby, Norman R. Wurz
  • Patent number: 8113518
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional puzzle is formed from a first jigsaw puzzle made from a first set of inter-fitting puzzle pieces and a second jigsaw puzzle made from a second set of inter-fitting puzzle pieces. The second jigsaw puzzle is mounted above the first jigsaw puzzle through the use of platforms positioned on mounting blocks, thus creating a spaced relationship between the first jigsaw puzzle and the second jigsaw puzzle and giving the multi-dimensional puzzle a three-dimensional look.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence I. Rosen
  • Patent number: 8113519
    Abstract: A packing material fitting structure that prevents the packing material from easily dropping out and facilitates mounting and fixing of the packing material in a packing material fitting place in a part such as a casing or a cover of an engine or a pump with sealing ability. The fitting structure is provided with a packing material having an annular main body portion and a plurality of projections each having a main protruding portion formed to protrude from the annular main body portion and an auxiliary protruding portion formed integrally in the vicinity of the main protruding portion, the projections being formed with an appropriate spacing in the longitudinal direction of the main annular main body portion. The fitting structure is also provided with a casing having formed therein an annular fitting groove for inserting the annular main body portion of the packing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Yamada Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8113520
    Abstract: An adapter (9) for a motor-driven machine tool with a tool to be rotatably driven has positive-fit counterpart pieces (10) on one face (16) which are adapted to positive-fit elements (3) of the tool shaft (1). Multiple axially protruding mandrels (11) are arranged along the circumference on the opposite face (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Adolf Zaiser, Jens Blum, Marco Braun, Heiko Roehm, Daniel Grolimund, Katharina Holzer
  • Patent number: 8113521
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic air suspension system that automatically adjusts its air pressure includes a vehicle speed detector, a vehicle height detector, a level detector, a first pressure sensor, a control end, and four air struts on the vehicle suspension system. The data of the vehicle speed detector, the vehicle height detector, the level detector, and the first pressure sensor are integrated to obtain the dynamical condition of the moving vehicle and its position on the road. Such information is transmitted to the control end and displayed on the monitor end at the same time. According to needs, the user can set manual or automatic control to adjust the air struts so that passengers in the vehicle enjoy more comfort. The air struts can also be adjusted according to the driver's habits to have better controllability. Moreover, the vehicle height can be adjusted according to its load, ensuring the safety of both passengers and cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Pin Hsiu Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masa Lin, San-Shan Hung, Mong-Chi Yang
  • Patent number: 8113522
    Abstract: An actuator includes a first rotary motor, a second rotary motor, and a transmission coupled to the first and second rotary motors. The transmission converts rotation of the first rotary motor in a first direction and simultaneous rotation of the second rotary motor in a second direction to linear motion of an output shaft in a single direction. The actuator is usable in an active automobile suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Oteman, Steven N. Brown, Dariusz Antoni Bushko, Wade P. Torress
  • Patent number: 8113523
    Abstract: A backrest reclining mechanism is applied to a stroller. The backrest reclining mechanism includes a fabric, at least one pulley, at least one cable, and an adjusting device. The fabric is disposed around a backrest of the stroller. Two ends of the fabric are connected to two sides of a main body of the stroller respectively. The pulley is rotatably disposed on the backrest. The cable is wound around the pulley. A first end of the cable extends within the fabric to be connected to the main body. The adjusting device is movably disposed on the backrest and connected to a second end of the cable. The adjusting device is used for changing a length of the cable between the first end and the pulley when moving, so as to adjust a reclining angle of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Mountz
  • Patent number: 8113524
    Abstract: A personal vehicle for carrying a passenger, the vehicle comprising: a center frame; two wheel assemblies, wherein at least one wheel assembly is hubless; a foot support in a center portion of at least one wheel assembly; and at least one pivot means between at least one wheel assembly and the center frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Alon Karpman
  • Patent number: 8113525
    Abstract: A scooter has a folding device provided to selectively pivotally connect to a T-shaped handle bar and a platform. The folding device for scooters comprises a pair of side plates respectively secured to a lower portion of a T-shaped handle bar, a seat secured between the pair of side plates and an engaging unit mounted onto an underside of the platform. The engaging unit is selectively engaged to the seat to fix the relative connection between the handle bar and the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Henkel Lin
  • Patent number: 8113526
    Abstract: Suspension systems and methods of assembling suspension systems for weight-bearing structures are presented. The suspension system can have linearly translating load-bearing or load support members that confine displacement of a weight-bearing body or member to a longitudinal axis or displacement axis rather than a lateral axis or not coincident with the longitudinal axis, comprising a rail and bridge assembly. The linear bearing assembly can comprise a rail and a bridge slidably movable along the longitudinal axis of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Longley, Brian R. Boule
  • Patent number: 8113527
    Abstract: The cross-member (12) comprises first and second beam elements (20, 22) having an open cross-section and firmly secured to each other so as to enclose a closed cross-section chamber (32) having such shape and sizes as to provide the cross-member (12) with the desired torsional stiffness. A free edge (20a) of the first beam element (20) is firmly secured to the outer surface of an intermediate portion (22c) of the second beam element (22) and a free edge (22a) of the second beam element (22) is firmly secured to the inner surface of an intermediate portion (20b) of the first beam element (20). The two beam elements (20, 22) are advantageously made as stamped sheet metal pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sistemi Sospensioni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Guido Borgna, Armando D'Aponte, Piero Monchiero, Andrea Santini
  • Patent number: 8113528
    Abstract: A racing wheelchair is disclosed. The racing wheelchair may have a pair of rear wheels and a steerable single front wheel. The rear wheels may be independently driven by a lever, through a derailer and a chain, such that pushing one of the two levers will move one of the wheels but not the other. The front wheel is steerable by twist grips located at the removed end of the levers. Brake assemblies and shifter assemblies of the derailers are located adjacent the twist grip, and may be rigidly mounted to the push lever or mounted to the twist grip to rotate therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: William Taylor
  • Patent number: 8113529
    Abstract: A bicycle component with a wheel mount at which a wheel with a hub can be received, with the wheel mount including two tube components provided with a mounting device at each of its end portions. At the mounting device of at least one tube component a bushing device is arranged to be exchangeable and to be suitable and intended to receive and support a hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Martin Achenbach
  • Patent number: 8113530
    Abstract: A bicycle comprises a frame. A portion of the frame includes a substrate and a layer of nano-crystalline material extending over at least a portion of the substrate. A conductive interface is disposed between the substrate and layer of nano-crystalline material for improved adhesion of the layer of nano-crystalline material to the substrate and improved impact performance of the frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: PowerMetal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Pierick, Herbert Reyes, William F. Davidson, III, Dhananjay Bhatt, Yongkui Wen
  • Patent number: 8113531
    Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle includes an base unit having a frame and front and rear pivot arms pivotally mounted at respective front and rear pivot points. The front and rear pivot arms support casters. A drive unit having a ground engaging mid-wheel drive wheel is connected to the frame. A linkage connects the front and rear pivot arms to each other in a manner such that an upward or downward rotation of one of the pivot arms about its pivot point causes rotation of the other pivot arm about its pivot point in an opposite rotational direction. The base unit may also include a drive unit that is pivotally supported on the base unit by a torque arm and a suspension system that includes a suspension stop. The torque arm selectively disengages the suspension stop to allow movement of the front caster wheel in response to the terrain traversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Z. Zhou, Mark A. Jackson, John J. Tarter, Mark E. Greig, Rex W. Stevens, James M. Koerlin, Samuel D. Traxinger, Allen B. Killebrew
  • Patent number: 8113532
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards, in one embodiment, a process, apparatus or assembly to prevent the theft of or movement of a towable trailer while the trailer is un-hitched from its corresponding original tow vehicle. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a support strip coupled to a support housing. Preferably, at least one off-the-shelf locking means is integrated with the support housing which is adapted to securely couple to or otherwise engage a trailer having an integrated locking dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: James R. Garton
  • Patent number: 8113533
    Abstract: A board for gliding on snow includes a bottom at least partly defined by a base, a top and sides which connect the bottom and top to each other. Part of the top and the sides are part of a visible surface of the board in use. The board also includes a first part of means for reversibly mounting at least one removable decorative mask on said visible surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol
    Inventors: Philippe Largueze, Marie Lorene Barth, Nicolas Puget
  • Patent number: 8113534
    Abstract: This invention relates to a safety buckle structure of baby stroller which shows a collapsible stand provided between rear wheels thereof, a main rod being provided at the central portion of a main joint of the collapsible stand, two upper rods being pivoted at the top end of the main rod and to the corresponding rear wheel rods at the other ends thereof, two lower rods being pivoted at the bottom end of the main rod and to the corresponding rear wheel rods at the other ends, a buckling means being pivoted at the pivot of the bottom end of the main rod and the lower rods, the main rod and lower rods are inserted and fixed in the buckling means. Thus, the front and rear wheel rods can be moved closely to the center to shrink the volume thereof as small as possible for facilitating assembly, storage or transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Pao-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 8113535
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system for motor vehicles having sensor devices for detecting an accident and an apparatus for reinforcing a carrying construction (1) of a motor-vehicle roof (6), in particular the A, B or C column of the motor vehicle, which protrudes beyond a lower edge of a window opening (4), in which an inflatable reinforcing element (2) is deployed which is fastened to the carrying construction (1) and can be filled with gas via a gas generator (3) if corresponding sensor data are present. The invention also relates to a carrying construction (1) per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Bengt Pipkorn
  • Patent number: 8113536
    Abstract: A method of folding an inflatable cushion into a housing of an airbag module is provided, the method including: arranging the inflatable cushion in an un-inflated position to define a first pleat and a second pleat each extending from a first end of the inflatable cushion to a second end of the inflatable cushion, the second end being opposite the first end, the inflatable cushion also having a first flap portion extending from the first pleat and a second flap portion extending from the second pleat, the second flap portion being opposite the first flap portion; rolling the first end and the second end of the inflatable cushion towards each other and underneath a top surface of the inflatable cushion, wherein a first pocket is formed by the first pleat below the top surface and a second pocket below the top surface is formed by the second pleat; and folding the first flap into the first pocket and folding the second flap into the second pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Laura A. Hawthorn, Patrick W. Schatz
  • Patent number: 8113537
    Abstract: An airbag module with a gas generator, airbag, diffuser and with an airbag module housing, in particular for carrying the gas generator and the airbag is provided. The diffuser is designed as a component partially fitting tightly at the ends thereof against the gas generator, whereby the diffuser extends in the region of the gas outlet openings of the gas generator at a distance from the gas generator. The airbag module housing has in the region of the ends of the gas generator contact surfaces for the gas generator, whereby dented sections of the airbag module housing are provided as contact surfaces. The gas generator is clamped between the diffuser and the airbag module housing for arranging the gas generator on the airbag module housing, whereby the contact surfaces form first clamping points fitting against the gas generator for clamping the gas generator on the airbag module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Tobias Fechner, Norbert Sahm, Christian Kempe