Patents Issued in February 14, 2012
  • Solar module connector and method of use
    Patent number: 8113890
    Abstract: A solar module connector comprising: a cable; a housing having a mounting surface at least a portion of which partially defines an opening for facilitating contact with at least one buss lead of a solar module, a cavity, a cable end, and a passageway between the cavity and the cable end; a seal disposed around the cable and at least partially seated in the passageway; and a contact electrically connected to the cable and disposed in the cavity proximate the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Stephen Duesterhoeft
  • Connector terminal
    Patent number: 8113891
    Abstract: A connector terminal which is curved from a strip-shaped metal plate to form a substantial R-shape includes a soldering plate and a flexible arm gradually away from the soldering plate from one end of the flexible arm to the other end of the flexible arm and arching toward the soldering plate. One end of the flexible arm abuts against the soldering plate and the other end of the flexible arm is bent towards the soldering plate to form a contacting end. An arched bent portion connects the soldering plate and one end of the flexible arm, which abuts against the soldering plate, to make the connector terminal show a substantial R-shape. When an external force acts on the contacting end to press the contacting end towards the soldering plate, the contact area between the flexible arm and the soldering plate is gradually enlarged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Qiang Huang, Bing-Tao Yang, Yin-Lung Wu, Ming-Chiang Chen
  • Steering control system for a watercraft with three or more actuators
    Patent number: 8113892
    Abstract: A marine propulsion control system receives manually input signals from a steering wheel or trim switches and provides the signals to first, second, and third controllers. The controllers cause first, second, and third actuators to move control devices. The actuators can be hydraulic steering actuators or trim plate actuators. Only one of the plurality of controllers requires connection directly to a sensor or switch that provides a position signal because the controllers transmit signals among themselves. These arrangements allow the various positions of the actuated components to vary from one device to the other as a result of calculated positions based on a single signal provided to one of the controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Gable, Jason S. Arbuckle
  • Exhaust device for outboard motor multi-cylinder engine
    Patent number: 8113893
    Abstract: An exhaust device for an outboard motor multi-cylinder engine includes an exhaust passage having a first end connected to the multi-cylinder engine, a catalyst provided in the exhaust passage, and an exhaust chamber connected to a second end of the exhaust passage as well as to a main exhaust passage positioned below the engine. The exhaust passage includes upstream portions for cylinders which have inlet ends respectively connected to exhaust gas outlets of a plurality of cylinders whose exhaust valve opening periods are different, a collecting portion arranged to connect the outlet ends of these upstream portions to each other, and a plurality of downstream portions which are branched from the collecting portion and connected commonly to the exhaust chamber. The catalyst is provided in each of the plurality of downstream portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsugunori Konakawa, Yusuke Takahashi
  • Outboard engine unit
    Patent number: 8113894
    Abstract: Exhaust passage system in an outboard engine unit includes: an engine-side exhaust pipe; a downstream exhaust pipe for directing exhaust gas downstream from the engine-side exhaust pipe, a lower end portion of the engine-side exhaust pipe and an upper end portion of the downstream exhaust pipe being positioned in horizontally parallel to each other and horizontally overlap each other so as to provide fluid communication therebetween via a through-hole formed in the overlapping portions of the end portions; and a vertical partition wall provided, in an upper end region of the overlapping portions for hampering back-flows of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kuroda, Kazuyoshi Sato, Hiroki Tawa, So Tanaka, Hideaki Takada
  • Article such as surfboard and production method thereof
    Patent number: 8113895
    Abstract: A production method of an article for water sports such as a surfboard with a hollow structure achieves a wide range of selections for users. The article is established with sufficient strength and durability, and is capable of achieving low cost and short delivery time. The article is configured by an outer shell having a hollow structure for forming an outer shape of a main body of the surfboard, a partition wall arranged within an internal space of the outer shell for connecting inner surfaces facing one another in said internal space, sectioned spaces separated and sealed by said partition wall and the inner surfaces of the outer shell, and a vent hole formed on said partition wall so that the sectioned spaces adjacent to one another can properly communicate with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Watanabe
  • Aquatic carrier and rudder thereof
    Patent number: 8113896
    Abstract: A fin of aquatic carrier is described, which includes a fixing component, a retractable component, and a first elastic component. The retractable component is pivoted to the fixing component; the first elastic component connects the fixing component and the retractable component and supports the retractable component. When the retractable component experiences an external force, the first elastic component is compressed and causes the retractable component to rotate with respect to the fixing component. When surfers or swimmers are hit by the fin of aquatic carrier described in this invention, the rotation of the retractable component with respect to the fixing component reduces the force exerted on them, thus preventing them from being hurt. In addition, an aquatic carrier with a fin is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Grandot Tech. Incorporated
    Inventors: Dave Wang, Angela Lu, Christine Wang, John Wang
  • Flotation aid
    Patent number: 8113897
    Abstract: A flotation aid which has an inflation unit comprising an inflatable bladder and a gas container assembly including a capsule containing a compressed gas for inflating the bladder and having a valve through which gas may be released into the bladder, the gas container assembly being located substantially within the bladder and actuating means actuable externally of the bladder for actuating the valve to allow release of gas from the capsule into the bladder to inflate the bladder. In one form, the inflation unit is housed within a two-part longitudinally split casing, the parts of the casing being interconnected but being separated upon and by inflation of the bladder to release the bladder. In another form, the floatation aid is incorporated in pants or other article of clothing being located in a pocket and secured to the pants or article of clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: John Hanson
  • Gas discharge device with electrical conductive bonding material
    Patent number: 8113898
    Abstract: Plasma-shells filled with ionizable gas are positioned on or within a rigid, flexible, or semi-flexible substrate. Each plasma-shell is electrically connected to one or more electrical conductors such as electrodes with an electrically conductive bonding substance to form an electrical connection to each electrode. The electrically conductive bonding substance may comprise a pad connected to the plasma-shell and/or an electrode. The bonding substance is made of a light reflective material that reflects photons to enhance light output from a plasma-shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Imaging Systems Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Wedding, Oliver M. Strbik, III, Carol Ann Wedding
  • Method for producing plasma display panel
    Patent number: 8113899
    Abstract: A method for producing a plasma display panel, the method comprising the steps of: (i) preparing a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel being a panel wherein an electrode A, a dielectric layer A and a protective layer are formed on a substrate A, and the rear panel being a panel wherein an electrode B, a dielectric layer B, a partition wall and a phosphor layer are formed on a substrate B; (ii) applying a glass frit material onto a peripheral region of the substrate A or B, and then opposing the front and rear panels with each other such that the glass frit material is interposed therebetween; (iii) supplying a gas into a space formed between the opposed front and rear panels from a direction lateral to the opposed front and rear panels, under such a condition that the front and rear panels are heated; and (iv) melting the glass frit material to cause the front and rear panels to be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Okumura, Ryuichi Murai, Takahiro Takisawa, Hiroyoshi Sekiguchi, Takayuki Ashida, Yoshihiro Sakaguchi
  • Method of making organic light emitting display device
    Patent number: 8113900
    Abstract: A method of making an organic light emitting display device is capable of enhancing the accuracy of a lighting test. The method of making an organic light emitting display device comprises: forming at least one first panel on top of a large substrate and forming at least one second panel on a bottom of the large substrate; forming independent pads, each receiving and transferring power supply from the exterior to the panels formed on the large substrate, the number of independent pads being the same as the number of panels; and forming independent wires between the panels and pads, the independent wires between the panels and pads each having the same length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Min Kim, Won-Kyu Kwak
  • Manufacturing method of 3D display device and grating device thereof
    Patent number: 8113901
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a 3D display device and a grating device provides a photopolymerization polymer solution, an electrochromic solution and at least one transparent conductive substrate are provided; mixes a specific quantity X of the photopolymerization polymer solution with a specific quantity Y of the electrochromic solution to produce a grating manufacturing solution; places the grating manufacturing solution between two transparent conductive substrates or at a side of a transparent conductive substrate; projects light through a photomask onto the grating manufacturing solution which is cured to form a transparent fence-shaped isolating element, and a portion of the grating manufacturing solution remains at a fluid state. The devices are manufactured in a primary manufacturing step to improve the manufacturing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: J Touch Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Chou Yeh, Chao-Yi Wang, Wen-Chih Lo, Chi-Hsien Sung, Tsung-Her Yeh
  • Flat display panel sealing apparatus and method of the same
    Patent number: 8113902
    Abstract: A flat display panel sealing device that can prevent separation of a sealant by applying pressure to a first substrate and a second substrate with the sealant therebetween is disclosed. While the pressure is applied, light is irradiated to the sealant, whereby the first and second substrates are sealed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Wook Kang, Min-Sang Koo
  • Fabrication method of light-emitting device
    Patent number: 8113903
    Abstract: A flip-chip type light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof provides a curved surface formed on the transparent electrode layer and a reflective layer transferred with the curved surface of the transparent electrode layer is additionally formed on the transparent electrode layer, so that the light generated from the active layer is incident to the reflective layer through the p-type nitride layer and the transparent electrode layer, and then is reflected from the curved surface of the reflective layer so as to exhibit an effect of extracting a larger amount of light in a vertical direction as compared to the conventional light-emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Korea University Industrial & Academic Collaboration Foundation
    Inventors: Tae-Geun Kim, Wan-Ho Lee
  • Flying toy having boomerang flight characteristics and controlled landing abilities
    Patent number: 8113904
    Abstract: A flying toy assembly having a secondary body suspended from a boomerang rotor configuration. The rotor configuration includes a plurality of rotor blades that radially extend from a common hub area. The central hub area has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a predetermined thickness between the top surface and the bottom surface. An annular grommet extends through the central hub area. The grommet defines a hole having a length generally equal to the thickness of the central hub area. A secondary body is attached to the grommet. A shaft extends from the secondary body. The shaft extends through the hole in the grommet, thereby joining the secondary body to the rotor configuration. Stops are provided on the shaft. The stops are disposed a predetermined distance apart along the shaft. The predetermined distance is at least twice as long as the length of the hole in the grommet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Walterscheid
  • Directionally controllable flying vehicle and a propeller mechanism for accomplishing the same
    Patent number: 8113905
    Abstract: A flying vehicle in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention includes a propeller control mechanism for flying the vehicle. The propeller control mechanism includes a propeller having a center shaft for connecting to the drive shaft; first and second propeller blades extending from the center shaft; and a control mechanism including a first linkage connecting the center shaft to the first propeller blade and a second linkage connecting the center shaft to a region defined on the propeller, wherein a change in a driving torque of the drive shaft causes the first linkage and the second linkage to change the pitch and height of the propeller blades while substantially unchanging the tip path plane of the propeller blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Davis
  • Air blown noisemaker
    Patent number: 8113906
    Abstract: A noisemaker assembly that includes an annular horn body having an inner wall, an outer wall and a groove disposed there between. The groove is open at the top surface of the horn body. A tubular mouthpiece is provided that extends into the horn body. The mouthpiece communicates with the groove inside the horn body. When air is blown into the mouthpiece, that air passes into the groove within the horn body. A membrane is placed over the horn body so that the membrane covers the top of the groove. When air is blown into the groove, the air slips past the membrane from inside the groove. This causes the membrane to vibrate and generate a loud low frequency noise. The horn assembly can be held within a housing. The housing has perforations to enable sound energy from the horn assembly to escape from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Wayne Cohen
  • Simulated eye for toy
    Patent number: 8113907
    Abstract: A simulated eye is capable of being rotatable in a first direction and a second direction. The simulated eye includes an eyeball, a housing for receiving the eyeball, and a holding member. The eyeball is rotatably connected to the holding member, and the eyeball is rotatable relative to the holding member in a first direction. The holding member is pivotally connected to the housing, and the holding member holding the eyeball is rotatable relative to the housing in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bao-Shuai Liu
  • Stiffened brassiere
    Patent number: 8113908
    Abstract: A stiffened brassiere having two layers of fabric between which a stiffening element is inserted. The two layers of fabric are joined together by adhesive bonding and are then shaped to form the cups and the side bands of the brassiere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: DBA Lux 1 Sarl
    Inventors: Giovanna Modena, Federica Gambirasi
  • Cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere or the like
    Patent number: 8113909
    Abstract: There is provided an improved brassiere comprising a pair of breast cups; a connector securing together an inner edge of each of the breast cups; a back wing or pair of back wings for securing the brassiere to the torso of a wearer; and an underwire disposed about a lower periphery of each breast cup. A cushioning structure for the underwire comprises an inner sleeve for receiving the underwire, the inner sleeve having two major surfaces and opposed elongate edges; a cushioning material covering at least one of the major surfaces; and a panel of outer fabric having first and second opposed elongate edges; wherein the first and second elongate edges of the panel of outer fabric each fold over an opposed elongate edge of the inner sleeve to substantially cover the cushioning material. A cushioning structure and a method of making the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Regina Miracle International Limited
    Inventor: Zhen Qiang Liu
  • Adherable garment pads
    Patent number: 8113910
    Abstract: A garment pad kit for coupling a garment pad (20A, 20B, 120A, or 120B) to a garment (11 or 102) is provided. The garment pad kit includes a garment pad (20A, 20B, 120A, or 120B) having a body portion (23 and 123) having an adhering surface (19, 21, 119, and 121) disposed on the body portion. The garment pad kit further includes an adhesive (33, 34, 133, or 134) for coupling the adhering surface to a garment (11 or 102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Paige Fortner
  • Maternity body support
    Patent number: 8113911
    Abstract: A maternity body support worn for correcting a woman's posture that includes an expandable body shell with a lower torso section, an upper torso section, a back section, and an abdominal opening. Mounted on the body shell is a pair of lower anchors located on opposite sides of the body, a pair of upper anchors located near the upper lateral region of the chest, a pair of elastic first support straps, and a pair of elastic second support straps. The first support straps attach to the lower anchors and then extend upward and around the back and coupled to the opposite shoulder complexes. The second support straps extend between the lower and upper anchors on each side of the body. The body shell, the two pairs of anchors and the two pairs of straps support the body and simultaneously rotate the opposite pelvis backwards and move the opposite shoulder complexes towards the mid-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Expecting Support
    Inventors: Kevin Hansen, Jessica St Marie
  • Eyeglass lens processing apparatus
    Patent number: 8113912
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a processing chamber for processing the lens; a grinding water supply unit which includes a first switch unit for turning on/off a supply of grinding water to a first nozzle for ejecting grinding water toward a processing point of the lens; a cleaning water supply unit which includes a second switch unit for turning on/off a supply of cleaning water to a second nozzle for ejecting cleaning water for cleaning processing refuse of the lens scattered in the processing chamber. According to a selection signal indicating a material of the lens being plastic, the control unit controls the first switch unit to turn on the supply of the grinding water in whole processing processes, and controls the second switch unit to turn off the supply of the cleaning water in the whole processing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoshi Tanaka
  • Method for the simultaneous grinding of a plurality of semiconductor wafers
    Patent number: 8113913
    Abstract: Simultaneous double-side grinding of a plurality of semiconductor wafers involves positioning each wafer freely in a cutout of one of plural carriers which rotate on a cycloidal trajectory, wherein the wafers are machined between two rotating ring-shaped working disks, each disk having a working layer of bonded abrasive, wherein the form of the working gap between working layers is determined during grinding and the form of the working area of at least one disk is altered such that the gap has a predetermined form. The wafers, during machining, may temporarily overhang the gap. The carrier is optionally composed only of a first material, or is completely or partly coated with the first material such that during machining only the first material contacts the working layer, and the first material does not reduce the machining ability of the working layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignees: Siltronic AG, Peter Wolters GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Pietsch, Michael Kerstan, Heiko aus dem Spring
  • Treating method for brittle member
    Patent number: 8113914
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a treating method for brittle member capable of stably holding the brittle member when applying predetermined treatments such as transportation and grinding back surface of a brittle member such as a semi-conductor wafer and separating the brittle member without breakage after finishing required treatment to thereby attaining high thickness accuracy of the brittle member. A treating method for brittle member comprising: a step of removably fixing a brittle member on a flexible glass base plate, a step of treating said brittle member, a step of fixing said brittle member side by holding means, and a step of separating said flexible glass base plate from said brittle member by bending said flexible glass base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: LINTEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ohashi, Naofumi Izumi
  • Grinding worm, profiling gear and process for the profiling of the grinding worm
    Patent number: 8113915
    Abstract: A grinding worm for the continuous generation grinding of a work piece is provided with mutually overlapping rough grinding and finish grinding zones arranged along the worm's axis, the finished grinding zone being provided with a three-dimensionally modified flank geometry having a width related design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Reishauer AG
    Inventors: Ralf Jankowski, Roland Schmid, Dieter Nobs, Michael Siebert, Wolfgang Thyssen
  • Straightening and centerless grinding of wire for use with medical devices
    Patent number: 8113916
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of manufacturing shafts to be used in medical devices. In particular, methods are disclosed to improve straightness and profile of wire used to form guidewires. The wire is preferably twist-straightened with a desired twist orientation, followed by grinding a desired profile on an apparatus having a spin configuration that is aligned in the same direction as the twist orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Art Miller, Charles B. Sjostrom
  • Grinding structure having micro ball
    Patent number: 8113917
    Abstract: A micro-grinding device with a micro ball at an end is made. The micro ball is deposited with grinding particles. The grinding device is able to grind a surface having an arc degree more than 180 degrees. Thus, the present invention is suitable to be used for forming micro molds, removing burr, and micro-milling, micro-paring or micro-grinding a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Biing-Hwa Yan, Jung-Chou Hung, Shao-Chun Lien
  • Substrate supporting unit and single type substrate polishing apparatus using the same
    Patent number: 8113918
    Abstract: Provided are a substrate supporting unit and a single type substrate polishing apparatus using the substrate supporting unit. During a polishing process, the bottom surface of a substrate is attached to the substrate supporting unit by vacuum suction, and during a post-cleaning process, the substrate is supported by the substrate supporting unit at a position spaced apart from the substrate supporting unit for cleaning the bottom surface of the substrate. Therefore, according to the substrate supporting unit and the substrate polishing apparatus using the substrate supporting unit, in a state where the substrate is supported by the single type substrate supporting unit, a process for polishing the top surface of the substrate and a post-process for cleaning the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate can be sequentially performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gyo-Woog Koo, Chang-Ro Yoon, Jung-Gun Cho, Ki-Hoon Choi, Jung-Bong Choi, Duk-Hyun Son, Se-Hun Goo
  • Bowling ball surface treatment apparatus
    Patent number: 8113919
    Abstract: A bowling ball surface treatment apparatus is designed to uniformly abrade and polish a bowling ball. The apparatus includes a housing and a ball movement guider provided inside the housing for guiding movement of a bowling ball and confining the bowling ball within a limited surface treatment area, and a surface treatment disc arranged below the ball movement guider for supporting, rotating and revolving the bowling ball. The surface treatment disc has a disc shaft and a surface treatment element for abrading or polishing the bowling ball. The apparatus further includes a disc rotating device for rotating the surface treatment disc about a disc center axis and a disc revolving device for rotatably holding the disc shaft of the surface treatment disc and for causing the surface treatment disc to make revolving movement around a sun axis offset from the disc center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Sang-Bae Shim
  • Cut-off wheel comprising a double core clamping device
    Patent number: 8113920
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composite system for a cut-off wheel. The cut-off wheel includes an abrasive external cutting ring with depressions on both sides in the vicinity of the bore and two flush-fitting tensioning plates placed in the depressions to act as a core clamping device. The clamping plates are reusable elements, retained by the user, and transfer forces to the clamping flanges of the machine. The plates also increase stability and reduce waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Gerhard Gissing
  • Tool set for an eccentric grinder
    Patent number: 8113921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a grinding disk for an eccentric grinding machine. In order to operate the grinding disk (22) having different disks diameters on one and the same eccentric grinding machine for achieving grinding results at optimum quality, without any loss of smoothness and handling quality, the disk mass of the grinding disk has a fixed predetermined value that is independent of the disk diameter selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Krauss, Christian Funke, Heiko Roehm, Andreas Heber
  • Machine tool, in particular hand-held power tool
    Patent number: 8113922
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool, particularly a hand machine tool, which comprises a driving motor and an air guide element, which is disposed in the housing of the machine tool and conducts an air current passing over the driving motor to the outside. The air guide element comprises a functional section, which forms a part of the outer lateral surface of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Florian Esenwein
  • Chamfering tool and drum sander
    Patent number: 8113923
    Abstract: A device for chamfering and sanding is disclosed. The device comprises a cylindrical body containing a hollow cone lined with sandpaper attached to the surface of the cone with adhesive. Two corners of the sandpaper are inserted respectively into two slots contained in the sidewall of the cone to further hold the sandpaper in place. The device comprises a shaft attached to the bottom of the device for clutching by a drill press or a three jaw chuck. As the device rotates, objects that require bevelling or sanding are inserted into the cone and pressed against the sandpaper. A sandpaper sleeve is attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical body that may be used for sanding and smoothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Frederick Carl Reinhardt
  • Apparatus for transferring a stick with a strand of sausage or the like suspended therefrom
    Patent number: 8113924
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a stick with a strand of sausage or the like suspended therefrom includes a transversely transferring device for transferring a stick from a first position to a second position by stick transverse transfer members; and a vertically transferring device having stick vertical transfer members which receive the stick from the stick transverse transfer members at the second position and deliver the stick to a conveyor device. The transversely transferring device has a stick transfer body having the stick transverse transfer members provided thereon, a rail body for supporting the stick transfer body and guiding its linear movement, and a transverse wrapping connector traveling body wound around and trained between transverse transfer wheels. A stick transfer body is adapted to be reciprocatingly moved by a transverse transfer electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: HITEC Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nakamura, Katsuya Tanabe
  • Displacement elements for a clip machine
    Patent number: 8113925
    Abstract: A displacer assembly for a clip machine, in particular a sausage clip machine, including at least a first pair of displacer shears and a second pair of displacer shears arranged parallel thereto. The displacer shears are arranged pivotably about a common axis and are reversibly movable towards each other for constriction of the filled packaging casing for forming a filling material-free plaited portion. In that respect the first pair of displacer shears comprises two displacer shears which are at least approximately identical in minor image relationship and the second pair of displacer shears has a second displacer shear which is at least approximately identical to the displacer shears of the first pair of displacer shears, as well as a first, shorter displacer shear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Poly-clip System GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Reitz, Manfred Waldstädt
  • Method for decreasing spastic wing activity of poultry during slaughter
    Patent number: 8113926
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method for humanely stunning and slaughtering poultry, and more particularly to a method for decreasing the spastic wing activity of poultry during slaughter. In particular, the birds are placed into a sealed chamber and the pressure in the chamber is reduced at a continuous rate to a target decompression pressure. The low atmospheric pressure slaughter is more humane than traditional slaughter techniques and results in less spastic wing activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: Hollis Cheek, Bruno Cattaruzzi
  • Cooling tool
    Patent number: 8113927
    Abstract: A tool has a first member cooperatively associated with a second member. The first member has a first gripper integral at an end thereof. The first member has an internal longitudinal groove in communication with a plurality of internal spaced locking grooves. The second member has a second gripper attached at a first end. The second member has a projection at a second end. The projection of the second member is received by the longitudinal groove. The second member is moveable with respect to the first member between a fully contracted position and a plurality of extended positions. In one of the plurality of extended positions, the protrusion is selectively received in one of the plurality of locking grooves to lock the members in one of the plurality of extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: John H. Carbaugh, Oral Wayne Johnson
  • Single piece nozzle cover design and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 8113928
    Abstract: A blower wheel housing for an air conditioning system is formed of a single molded element having a base section and a nozzle section with included vanes having complex shapes. This is accomplished by employing a pair of mold core elements which together form a cavity into which a plastic material is injected to form the cover with its integral nozzle and vanes, and the mold core elements are then withdrawn in opposite directions but at an angle to the direction normal to the two mold core elements to thereby accommodate the complex shapes of the vanes. In one embodiment, the top wall of the nozzle is disposed at an acute angle to the longitudinal plane of the cover, and the mold core elements are also withdrawn in a plane that is parallel to this wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Shafi N. Khan, Robert S. Simeone
  • Combination residue spreader and collector for single pass harvesting systems
    Patent number: 8113929
    Abstract: A crop residue harvesting system for a harvesting machine is provided. The crop residue harvesting system includes a blower and a transition member having a first position and a second position. In a first position the transition member directs at least a portion of the crop residue to the blower for harvesting of the crop residue. In a second position the transition member allows for spreading at least a portion of the crop residue. A lever or actuator may be operatively connected to the transition member for selecting between the first position and the second position or selecting an intermediate position to control the proportions of the crop residue harvested and the crop residue spread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart J. Birrell, Benjamin J. Schlesser, Mark D. Dilts
  • Dartboard assembly
    Patent number: 8113930
    Abstract: A dartboard assembly includes a housing that has a front wall, a rear wall and a perimeter wall attached to and extending between the front and rear walls. A dartboard is mounted on the front wall. A support apparatus is attached to the housing. A game camera is mounted on the support apparatus and is directed toward the dartboard when the support apparatus is in a deployed position. A player camera is mounted to the support apparatus and is directed away from the dartboard and toward any player throwing darts at the dartboard. A data port is mounted on the housing and is electrically coupled to each of the game and player cameras. The data port is connectable to a computer network to allow other persons to remotely view the game and player cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: John O. Coats
  • Video game processing apparatus, video game processing method and video game processing program
    Patent number: 8113931
    Abstract: A controller executes a special effect selection representation using a slot representation representing a slot machine when a fever accumulative value, which is accumulated by a player character doing damage to an enemy character, reaches a predetermined value, and a fever gauge becomes filled up, in accordance with a player's operation. The controller assigns a special effect to the player character in accordance with a result of the representation. Then, when the fever accumulative value is sequentially subtracted and reduced to an initial value, the assignment of the special effect to the player character is finished. Thus, the special effect to be assigned to the player character when predetermined selection allowance conditions are fulfilled is prevented from being specified in advance by the player, and increase the player's interest in a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventor: Koichi Ishii
  • Method and computer readable medium relating to creating child virtual decks from a parent virtual deck
    Patent number: 8113932
    Abstract: Methods and systems relating to virtual playing instruments generated from physical playing instruments are provided. In one embodiment, a child deck may be created using one or more rules to resequence a parent virtual deck created from physical playing instruments, such as cards. In one embodiment, a player may be allowed to “cut” the deck of virtual playing instruments before a virtual deck is assigned to a game session. In another embodiment, a copy of the child (or parent) virtual deck is created before the child (or parent) virtual deck is transmitted for use in a game session, and a game may be electronically recreated using the copy of the virtual child deck to confirm the outcome of the game. Further aspects relate to allowing a player of a game to request a secondary audit of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Gioia Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gene George Gioia, Andrew Nicholas Gioia, Brendan Michael Fogarty
  • Gaming machine providing multiple poker games with a push up feature
    Patent number: 8113933
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a gaming machine having a poker game with a push-up feature. One aspect of the systems and methods include displaying a main hand and providing a plurality of push-up hands. As each main hand is dealt, cards to be placed in the push-up hands are determined. The push-up hands may comprise the hands from the first deal in the main hand. Alternatively, the push-up hands may comprise cards held in the main hand supplemented by randomly drawn cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred Thomas
  • Gaming system, gaming device and method for draw poker game
    Patent number: 8113934
    Abstract: A gaming system, a gaming machine and a method is provided having a Five Card Video Draw poker game with multiple hands. An initial five card hand is displayed to the player face-up. The player then chooses which of the initial five cards to discard. Each card that is held is then duplicated into all of the other hands to be played. Replacement cards for the unheld cards are displayed and each hand is completed to have a final five card hand. The poker hand ranking of each final five card hand is determined and winning hands receive an award. The player also receives an additional award depending on the number of final hands that fall into each poker hand category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Ernest W Moody
  • System and method for presenting payout ranges and audiovisual clips at a gaming device
    Patent number: 8113935
    Abstract: A gaming device presents a paytable with entries showing a range of outcome values. When the outcome displayed by the gaming device matches an entry on the paytable showing a range of outcome values, an audiovisual clip is played and the player is informed as to which precise value within the range of values is the actual outcome value. The particular audiovisual clip shown may provide an indication of where within the range the precise value lies by virtue of the particular clip's importance. The audiovisual clip is repurposed from its original purpose for use in the gaming device, and may be a clip from a movie, motion picture, television show, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Michael W. Patterson, Robert C. Tedesco, James A. Jorasch
  • Time-based casino gaming using cumulative paytables
    Patent number: 8113936
    Abstract: Tournament-Style casino games bring players all of the advantages of gaming tournaments such as rapid play, building excitement, and player vs. player competition in a manner that addresses limitations of existing games by: a) generating revenue for tire casino in all featured embodiments; b) being available on-demand; c) paying winners instantaneously; and d) featuring a casino hold that is stable enough to meet regulator requirements. In one embodiment of tournament style gaming, a high score progressive jackpot is provided such that players are playing against both the game's built in pay table and against the daily performances of other players. Inefficient game play results in increasing the progressive jackpot by a value of the time wasted by such inefficient game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Cameron Anthony Filipour, Adam Singer, Alexander Popovich, Thierry Brunet De Courssou
  • Slot machine pin and ball game
    Patent number: 8113937
    Abstract: An electronic gaming console is illustrated having a console cabinet 10 including a prize display 12, a coin entry slot 13, a payout tray 14 and internally mounted game control processor circuits. A video game is provided for play on the console in which mages of objects (balls) are dropped through a series of obstacles (pins) and eventually fill a number of containers. Prizes are paid according to either the number of balls which are in each container at the end of the ball drop and/or the manner in which the pins are hit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett, David Villa, Christopher Michael Stevens
  • Video games adapted for wagering
    Patent number: 8113938
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to allow players to wager on video games. The method disclosed herein can allow players to win or lose money while partaking in any video game previously played for entertainment purposes. A player can purchase play time on a game, play the game and earn monetary prizes during the game, and then redeem the monetary prizes for real cash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Olympian Gaming LLC
    Inventors: Stacy Friedman, Jon Muskin
  • Gaming device and method providing relatively large awards with variable player participation levels
    Patent number: 8113939
    Abstract: An improved number matching game is provided. The game includes a matching game with multiple number sets. A player can win standard Keno paytable awards in addition to relatively large awards. A player's initial set has a minimum size requirement for the player to be eligible for the relatively large award. The gaming machine provides supplemental numbers to the player if the player does not select the minimum quantity of numbers. Any supplemental numbers created for the player cannot be used towards the Keno paytable awards. In one embodiment, odds of winning the relatively large awards are kept proportionate with the player's wager level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Lee E. Cannon