Patents Issued in January 8, 2013
  • Patent number: 8347431
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for holding a pillow on an upwardly extending end of a mattress having a single sheet of material having a upper end and a lower end along with a first side and a second side having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower end is folded back upon itself to form an enclosure so that the upper surfaces of the folded section are adjacent to each other having a pillow disposed in the enclosure. The upper end is wrapped around the upwardly extended end of the mattress, using straps to hold the upper end in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: William N. Cohron, III
  • Patent number: 8347432
    Abstract: An infant swaddle blanket that includes a torso wrap section with wings and a leg pouch for the infant's legs. The torso wrap section is designed to wrap around the infant's torso for swaddling. The swaddle includes various hook and loop fasteners which facilitates swaddling and makes the swaddle easier to use, as well as making the swaddle safer to use by providing a more secure, adjustable fit. External hold-down straps augment hook and loop closures on the wings. The leg pouch permits the infant's diaper to be changed without unwrapping the torso wrap section, thereby facilitating diaper changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Halo Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Schmid, Dawn Griffin
  • Patent number: 8347433
    Abstract: An electric bed includes a bed frame, a power converter mounted with the bed frame for converting a 110V AC power to a 5V DC power, and a USB receptacle mounted to the bed frame and electrically connected with the power converter for transmitting the 5V DC power generated by the power converter. By this way, a user lying down on the electric bed can charge an electric device through the USB receptacle without leaving the electric bed, thereby enhancing the convenience of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Ruoey Lung Enterprise Corp., PPJ, LLC
    Inventor: Chuan-Hang Shih
  • Patent number: 8347434
    Abstract: An air-operated device for better sleep includes a pad whose inside has an interlayer composed of two sheets stacked together. The top surface of the pad has an accommodating cavity in communications with the interlayer. The pad has an air vent. Two airbags are disposed adjacently in the accommodating cavity. The airbags are in touch with the interlayer by the adjacent side. The airbags are connected to the air vent of the pad via an air-transporting pipe, respectively. An action pad is disposed correspondingly in the accommodating cavity and depresses the two airbags. A controller is connected to the air vent of the pad to inflate and deflate the airbags. When the airbags are inflated, the action pad is pushed by the air bags to sway upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Trinity Biotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Peng Chan, Hsi-Chuan Huang
  • Patent number: 8347435
    Abstract: A pillow having positionable inserts is provided. Certain embodiments include inserts that are made from memory foam material formed into a variety of shapes that can assist in correcting the curvature of a user's spine. Some inserts may be made from cylindrical pouches that contain particulate materials. Inserts may be color-coded to correspond to different sizes of inserts or different filling materials. The inserts may be affixed within the pillow or on a bottom end of the pillow with hook and loop fasteners, double stick tape or other fastening means. Certain embodiments may contain measurement indicia, such as an internally located imprinted grid, to assist in precise placement of inserts within the pillow. The measurement indicia can assist physicians in monitoring a patient's progress or in making changes to therapy regimens. Certain embodiments of the pillow may have a cradling end configured to more comfortably cradle a person's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Chang Jun Yu
  • Patent number: 8347436
    Abstract: A mattress system has a cover, a crib, and a fluid bladder system. The crib surrounds the perimeter of the fluid bladder system and the cover overlies the top surface of the crib and fluid bladder system. The fluid bladder systems provide at least one conventional bladder therapy to a patient positioned on the mattress system. The fluid bladder system interconnects to the crib to not form a hammock effect so the crib functions as a restraint. The fluid bladder is also designed to bottom out to form an exterior cavity. A second cushion is inserted into the exterior cavity and positioned so the crib continues to function as a restraint. The second cushion provides a therapy to the patient that is different from the fluid bladder system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Roland E. Flick, Karl H. Cazzini
  • Patent number: 8347437
    Abstract: A washing machine and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control method includes supplying water into a tub, washing an object to be washed via rotation of a drum, rinsing the washed object, and dehydrating the washed object to remove moisture from the object. In the water supply step, steam is ejected simultaneously with the supply of water, to regulate the interior temperature of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Pyoung Hwan Kim, Soo Young Oh
  • Patent number: 8347438
    Abstract: Textile Components, such as upper members for articles of footwear, include: (a) a first portion having a first edge, wherein the first edge includes a first portion of material engaged with a first seam support material via a first thermoplastic material; (b) a second portion having a second edge, wherein the second edge includes a second portion of material engaged with a second seam support material via a second thermoplastic material; and (c) structure to engage the first and second edges in an abutting edge joint (such as a zig-zag stitch). The resulting textile components may be lightweight and breathable (e.g., due to use of lightweight upper fabric), having a comfortable fit (e.g., due to the abutting edge joint), while still providing a strong, stable, and durable construction (e.g., due to the presence of the seam support member(s)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Bell
  • Patent number: 8347439
    Abstract: A reduced height combination ramp and load leveler includes at least two lengthwise support members, a plurality of cross members and plurality of cross treads. A retention tube is secured to each end of the at least two lengthwise support members. The at least two lengthwise support members and the plurality of cross members are preferably fabricated from an aluminum alloy having a tensile strength of at least 50,000 to reduce a height of the combination ramp and load leveler. Two stake receivers allow a single ramp to be used as a load leveler. Each stake receiver is sized to removably receive an adjustable stake. A ramp stand includes a support base and an adjustable tube receiver that is vertically postionable relative to the support base. The adjustable tube receiver retains the retention tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Richard R. Beilstein
  • Patent number: 8347440
    Abstract: A pair of integrated ramps attach to the rear of a trailer or utility cargo bed, the ramps swinging on a horizontal plane from a stored position and then being rotated to form a pair or flat ramps surfaces in a flat position, the ramps sliding along the rear end of a trailer on a secure end railing. The sliding railing provides adjustment to the width of the ramps for the purpose of off loading cargo carried upon the cargo surface of the trailer, the ramps forming a stable angled surface between the cargo bed and the ground. The ramps may form a tailgate in a stored position or be made part of the side rails for the trailer in the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Clayton Chance Runyan
  • Patent number: 8347441
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load bearing construction such as a bridge in which there is provided a deck structure which is supported by and spans at least two support portions. The invention provides for the advancement of the deck structure along said support portions and in advance of said structure excavation can occur to create the space into which the deck structure is to be advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: James Thomson
  • Patent number: 8347442
    Abstract: A barbeque grill cleaning device including a soaking container, in which the grill may be submerged in a cleaning liquid, and a rotary scrubbing head for scrubbing the grill while positioned in the soaking container. The barbeque grill cleaning device includes: a container defining a cavity shaped and sized for receiving a barbeque grill therein; and a scrubbing head for scrubbing the barbeque grill, the scrubbing head is rotatable relative to the container; such that the cleaning of the barbeque grill is aided by a scrubbing action as a result of contact between the barbeque grill and the rotating scrubbing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Bernard Micael Peacocke
  • Patent number: 8347443
    Abstract: A window cleaning assembly includes an elongated pole that has a first end and a second end. An axle is rotatably coupled to the pole adjacent to the first end. A brush head is mounted on the axle and is rotated when the axle rotates. The brush head includes a plurality of bristles that are positionable against a windshield of a vehicle. A motor is mounted on the pole and is mechanically coupled to the axle. The motor rotates the axle when the motor is turned on. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the brush head and is mounted on the pole. A pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The pump draws fluid from the reservoir and injects the fluid into the brush head so that the brush head can eject the fluid through apertures in the brush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Fred E. Conrad
  • Patent number: 8347444
    Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis having forward and rearward portions and a drive system carried by the chassis. The forward portion of the chassis defines a substantially rectangular shape. The robot includes a cleaning assembly mounted on the forward portion of the chassis and a bin disposed adjacent the cleaning assembly and configured to receive debris agitated by the cleaning assembly. A bin cover is pivotally attached to a lower portion of the chassis and configured to rotate between a first, closed position providing closure of an opening defined by the bin and a second, open position providing access to the bin opening. The robot includes a body attached to the chassis and a handle disposed on an upper portion of the body. A bin cover release is actuatable from substantially near the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Schnittman, Zivthan A. Dubrovsky, Jeffrey W. Mammen, Aaron Solochek
  • Patent number: 8347445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote controlled robot for cleaning inner walls of a duct, more specifically, to a remote controlled robot comprising: a cart movable in the duct by remote control; at least one first link pivotally connected to the cart, which is relatively rotatable to the cart; a first driving unit to drive the first link to relatively rotate to the cart; at least one second link pivotally connected to the first link, which is relatively rotatable to the first link; a second driving unit to drive the second link to relatively rotate to the first link; and a cleaning means installed at the second link for separating dusts from the inner walls of the duct, thereby enabling to clean the upper inner-walls and the bottom inner-wall of the duct simultaneously, and to continuously proceed with the cleaning in case of the height change of the duct to reduce cleaning time thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: IBS Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung Wook Park
  • Patent number: 8347446
    Abstract: A tool for cleaning a drainage structure comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a barrel housing having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the barrel housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the barrel housing having an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the drainage structure, the distal opening of the barrel housing having a sinusoidal tearing contour. The tool further comprises a plurality of cutting implements radially coupled to and between the rod and the barrel housing, the cutting implements having a distal cutting edge and being angularly oriented to facilitate sweeping debris in a selected direction, and the barrel housing and cutting implements operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod to dislodge and loosen debris inside the drainage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Harr Technologies, Inc
    Inventor: Robert E. Harr
  • Patent number: 8347447
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mop body that includes side surfaces that are substantially recessed from a lowermost contact point. The greatly recessed side surfaces completely remove a large portion of the cleaning surface from contact with the surface to be cleaned. Upon rotation of the mop body, the side surfaces can be placed into contact with the surface to be cleaned in order to pickup dirt, hair, lint, or other debris captured by the portion of the mop body contacting the surface to be cleaned. Further, in some embodiments the lowermost contact provides essentially a single point of contact with the surface to be cleaned to enable the mop body to easily remove debris from corners. The disclosed mop construction greatly enhances the total amount of surface area that can be effectively used for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Shaelyn D. Benson, Sean C. McGreevy, Lloyd S. Vasilakes, Ivana Babic
  • Patent number: 8347448
    Abstract: An output shaft of a wiper motor is connected to a wiper to transmit a rotational force of the wiper motor to the wiper to reciprocally swing the wiper between an upper return position and a lower return position in response to forward and backward rotations of the output shaft upon energization of the wiper motor. When the wiper is stopped at the lower return position, the control unit executes a stop position holding control operation in such a manner that the control unit controls a rotational direction of the wiper motor to apply a rotational force to the wiper in a downward direction and controls the rotational force of the wiper motor based on a speed of the vehicle to substantially maintain the wiper at the lower return position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Natsume
  • Patent number: 8347449
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighboring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating wiper arm, as well as a spoiler, a special feature of which is that the spoiler as a separate constructional element is detachably connected to the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul S.A.
    Inventors: Sophie Genet, Pierre Henin, Xavier Boland
  • Patent number: 8347450
    Abstract: A wiper blade includes a lever member, a rubber blade, and a movable cover member. The lever member includes a main lever and a yoke lever. The yoke lever includes a plurality of grip portions, by which the rubber blade is gripped. The rubber blade includes a following end projecting outward from the one of the grip portions that is located at a longitudinally outer side of the lever member. The movable cover member includes a holding portion and a basal portion. The holding portion holds the following end. The basal portion is pivotally coupled to the yoke lever so that the movable cover member pivots relative to the yoke lever when the following end bends and deforms in a direction orthogonal to the wiping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichirou Amano
  • Patent number: 8347451
    Abstract: A free-of-bearing rotational positioning device for a dewatering basket of a non-treading type wringer bucket, comprising: a bucket body having a projecting seat being extended from the bottom of the bucket body toward inside; a support shaft being covered and secured by the projecting seat, the upper portion thereof jutting out of the top of the projecting seat to create a connection part; a positioning element having a conic part at the top thereof, the conic part being tapered upward, a positioning surface being formed at the bottom of the conic part and extended outward from the periphery of the support shaft; and a dewatering basket having a driven seat at the center of the bottom thereof. The bottom of the driven seat includes a shaft holder made of non-metal material. In mounting the dewatering basket, the driven seat fits from top to bottom over the connection part of the support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tuo Shen International Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Yung-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 8347452
    Abstract: A vehicle vacuum cleaning system may have a portable vacuum module that employs a vacuum module case, a vacuum fan within the interior of the vacuum module case and a vacuum fan drive shaft coupled to the vacuum fan. The vacuum module attaches and detaches to an HVAC module within the vehicle. The HVAC module may utilize an HVAC case, an electric motor within the HVAC case, an HVAC fan drive shaft coupled to the electric motor and an HVAC fan coupled to the HVAC fan drive shaft. The vacuum fan drive shaft is adapted to receive rotational energy from the HVAC fan drive shaft, either directly or through an auxiliary shaft. The vacuum module may employ gears to increase the speed and drawing force of the vacuum fan. A debris receptacle is detachable to the vacuum module. The HVAC fan drive shaft ultimately drives the vacuum fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Maehata, Delomer Gosioco
  • Patent number: 8347453
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a nozzle, an air conduit including a projecting tube, a suction source positioned to provide a flow of dirty air, a bag docking assembly, and a filter bag coupled to the bag carrier. The bag docking assembly includes a main body mounted to the air conduit. A bag carrier is configured to engage the main body and configured to move between a first position and a second position. A lever is coupled to the main body and the bag carrier and the lever is configured to move the bag carrier between the first position and the second position. The bag docking assembly is configured such that when the bag carrier is in the first position, the filter bag is not engaged with the projecting tube and when the bag carrier is in the second position, the filter bag is engaged with the projecting tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Steven Frackowiak
  • Patent number: 8347454
    Abstract: A surface treating appliance includes a main body and a head rotatably connected to the main body about an axis, the main body and the head being provided with first and second electrical connectors, respectively. The first and second electrical connectors can be connected to provide an electrical connection between the main body and the head. One of the first and second electrical connectors is slideable within a channel. By providing an electrical connector within a channel, complicated and potentially unreliable arrangements such as slip-rings can be avoided while still providing an electrical connection between the head and the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Giles Ashbee, Robert Thomas Burnham
  • Patent number: 8347455
    Abstract: A hand-held cleaning appliance includes a suction conduit, an airflow generator for generating an airflow along the suction conduit, a separating apparatus in communication with the suction conduit for separating dirt and dust from the airflow, a power source for supplying power to the airflow generator and a handgrip enabling a user to maneuver the hand-held cleaning appliance. The handgrip has a first end and a second end. The airflow generator is arranged directly adjacent the first end of the handgrip and the power source is arranged adjacent the second end of the handgrip. By providing a hand-held vacuum cleaner with such an arrangement, the hand-held vacuum cleaner is easier and more comfortable to manipulate in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Richard Morgan Hickmott, Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 8347456
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance includes a rotatable brush bar assembly, a motor for driving the brush bar assembly, and a drive mechanism connecting the motor to the brush bar assembly. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable input drive member connected to the motor, a rotatable output drive member connected to the brush bar assembly and moveable relative to the input drive member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the drive members, a belt connecting the input drive member to the output drive member, and a belt tensioning member located between the drive members for tensioning the belt by urging the output drive member away from input drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Sweeby, Nigel Youatt Dymond
  • Patent number: 8347457
    Abstract: An attachment for a vacuum cleaning appliance includes a head having a bristle carrier and a bristle cover. The bristle carrier includes a plurality of bristles and the bristle cover includes a plurality of apertures. The attachment includes a conduit which is connectable to a vacuum cleaning appliance for conveying an air flow from the bristle cover towards the appliance, a handle connected to the head, and an actuator which is depressible towards the handle to effect relative movement between the bristle carrier and the bristle cover between a stowed configuration in which the bristles are retracted relative to the bristle cover and a deployed configuration in which the bristles protrude from the bristle cover through the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Giles Ashbee, Simon Edward Ireland, Emma Jane Heatley-Adams
  • Patent number: 8347458
    Abstract: A bypass-type motor protecting device includes: a casing fitted into a bypass opening in a body housing of a vacuum cleaner and having an inner abutment wall; a seat body having a bypass entry port; a valve body unit movable within the casing relative to the bypass entry port and including a valve disc to be engaged with and disengaged from the seat body, a plunger body having an externally accessible operated head and an axially extending threaded shank, and an abutment member threadedly engaged with the shank such that rotation of the operated head results in a change of an axial distance between the abutment member and the inner abutment wall; and a biasing member disposed to bias the abutment member and the inner abutment wall such that a biasing force thereof is varied in strength by the change of the axial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Zeng Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shui-Chun Tseng, Chin-Chao Chung, Ming-Da Li
  • Patent number: 8347459
    Abstract: A hinge (1) has a carcass-side hinge portion (4) which can be pre-mounted on a furniture carcass (2) and a hinge portion (6) which can he pre-mounted on a door wing (3), the hinge portions (4, 6) being joined together in an articulated manner and at least one of the hinge portions (4, 6) having height adjustment means (10) and/or a lateral adjustment means (5). The hinge portion (6) mounted on the door has a hinge cup (8) in which the height adjustment means (10) are arranged, and at least one locking element (17) for immobilising the door wing (3) in relation to the furniture carcass (2) at the set vertical position of the door wing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: PRÄMETA GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rolf Heisig
  • Patent number: 8347460
    Abstract: A door hinge device for vehicle includes a checking-force generating mechanism provided between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The checking-force generating mechanism has a holding member attached to the outer cylinder, an elastic member biasing the holding member toward the inner cylinder, a detent roller being held in a holding groove of the holding member, and detent grooves that are provided in an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and are capable of holding the door at a plurality of positions where the door should be stopped by an engagement with the detent roller. The detent roller applies a compression load to the elastic member even in a state where the detent roller is engaged with any of the detent grooves. An assembly groove is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder and allows the detent roller to be inserted into the holding groove in a state where the holding member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rikenkaki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yumiko Minegishi
  • Patent number: 8347461
    Abstract: Used in an electronic device comprising a cover panel and a base member, a slide cover mounting structure includes two hinges bilaterally mounted on the top wall of the base member, two sliding rail holders respectively connected to the pivot shafts of the hinges, two sliding rails bilaterally mounted on the bottom surface of the cover panel and respectively slidably coupled to a sliding groove on each of the sliding rail holder, two gears pivotally connected between fixed rails on the sliding rail holders, and two gear racks respectively mounted on the cover panel and meshed with the gears. Thus, the cover panel is prohibited from biasing during sliding movement, and turnable about the pivot shafts of the hinges from a horizontal position to a tilted position relative to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lianhong Art Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia Hui Chen, Che-Hsien Lin, Tzu-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 8347462
    Abstract: A sliding and rotating hinge module for supporting a display screen or the like, includes a bracket, a slider and a support member. The slider is capable of sliding movement relative to said bracket and said support member is capable of pivotal movement relative to said slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Lowry, Mark Cooper
  • Patent number: 8347463
    Abstract: A limiting structure is used for a foldable electronic device including a cover and a body. The limiting structure includes a receiving portion formed in the cover, a latching element, a support element and an elastic element. The receiving portion defines a notch and a holding portion. The latching element is fixed to the body. The support element defines a cutout. The cutout is aligned with the notch. The latching element is received in the cutout and the notch. The elastic element surrounds the support element. The cover is opened relative to the body, and the latching element is latched with the holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: De-Zhi Han
  • Patent number: 8347464
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rib insert, a ginning rib and process for a ginning seed-cotton. The insert and ginning rib have an outer profile so that seed-cotton in contact therewith is urged away from the ginning zone formed between the ginning rib and saw. Advantages of the invention include increasing the rate of lint removal during ginning and increasing the long fiber length compared to conventional ginning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Bagshaw, Stuart Geoffrey Gordon
  • Patent number: 8347465
    Abstract: A clip comprises a grommet and a pin, and the grommet has a flange and leg pieces. The flange has a pair of right and left flange bodies, bridges for joining the flange bodies, and an opening portion formed at the center portion thereof. Peripheral walls of the opening portion are formed by the respective end faces of the flange bodies and the bridges, and the right and left peripheral walls formed by the end faces of the flange bodies and the front and rear peripheral walls formed by the end faces of the bridges are offset in a thickness direction, thereby establishing a positional relationship in which the right and left peripheral walls and the front and rear peripheral walls do not intersect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: PIOLAX Inc.
    Inventor: Oomi Arisaka
  • Patent number: 8347466
    Abstract: A loop element for a hook-and-loop fastener has a substrate layer of a nonwoven having an outer face, a fleece cover layer on the outer face of the substrate layer, and an adhesive layer on the outer face securing the cover layer to the substrate layer. A multiplicity of loops formed of polymer threads are knitted into only the cover layer and project from an outer face thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mondi Gronau GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Baldauf, Dieter Homoelle
  • Patent number: 8347467
    Abstract: A casket arrangement includes a casket body, a first lid portion, and a second lid portion. The casket body is in the form of an open top box with a bottom, side walls or panels, and end walls or panels. The second lid portion includes a tab configured to fit under a top panel of the first lid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vandor Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Davis, Chad L. Eversole, Gary L. Cox
  • Patent number: 8347468
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a current collector comprising embossing a sheet comprising lead thereby forming an embossed grid comprising rows of raised portions and lowered portions, and slots comprising edges of the raised portions and lowered portions; creating areas for tab creation by pressing or stamping areas of the embossed grid to a flattened state, thereby forming a sheet comprising embossed grid sections and flat sections; applying paste to the top and bottom of the embossed grid sections; and stamping current collectors out of the sheet such that at least one tab is created from a flat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Axion Power International Inc.
    Inventor: Edward R. Buiel
  • Patent number: 8347469
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a crystal oscillator piece in which the generation of leakage vibration is suppressed, and a method for manufacturing such a crystal oscillator piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiko Katoh, Takashi Moriya
  • Patent number: 8347470
    Abstract: Portable robot for carrying out the drilling process in the assembly of aeronautical components which are secured on a support known as a stand. The robot comprises a displaceable platform in order to permit it to be located close to the stand, and an arm, which supports a frame comprising a beam intended to support a drilling head that can be displaced in the three axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.
    Inventors: Javier Gonzalez Sáinz, Juan Ramón Astorga Ramírez, Agustin J. Sáenz Fernández, Valentin Collado Jiménez
  • Patent number: 8347471
    Abstract: Snap ring pliers include first and second pivotal levers wherein the first lever has a first jaw and a first handle and the second lever has a second jaw and a second handle; a biasing member interconnecting the handles; and a ratchet mechanism comprising a curved ratchet rack having one end secured to an end of the second handle and the other end proximate an end of the first handle; a sliding member secured to the end of the first handle and comprising a projection at one end, and a channel with the other end of the ratchet rack moveably disposed therein; a lock member having one end pivotably secured to the projection and comprising a protrusion at the other end; and a pawl member on the lock member and having one end secured onto the projection, the pawl member comprising a lock hole with the protrusion locked therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Yuan Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 8347472
    Abstract: A clip automatic-mounting tool comprises a clip holder (10) for holding and retaining a clip (C) to a first axial portion of a tensioning wire (W) embedded in a cushioned padding (P) for a seat, a drive cylinder (13) for moving the clip holder (10), a guide plate (11) including a portion having a first width substantially equal to that of the clip holder (10), and a tip end portion having a second width wider than the first width, the clip holder (10) being adapted to be moved along the guide plate (11) by the drive cylinder (13), and an insertion arm (12) extending along a side edge of the tip end portion of the guide plate (11) and forward protruding in an oblique upward direction from the tip end portion of the guide plate (11), the insertion arm (12) having a cutout groove (12b) formed in a tip end portion (12a) thereof for engagingly receiving a second axial portion of the wire (W), which is spaced from the first axial portion of the wire (W), when the insertion arm (12) is inserted into the cushioned pa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: TS TECH Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanao Nanjo
  • Patent number: 8347473
    Abstract: A stud installation tool comprising a slide shaft including a pair of arms angled towards each other, a slide bar with a triangular head at an end engaged within the pair of arms to enable the slide bar to move along the slide shaft without disengaging, a receiving brace attached to the slide shaft at an opposing end from the slide bar, where said receiving brace includes a threaded hole, a bolt threaded through the slide bar and extending down and through the threaded hole, a bolt head fastened to the bolt and positioned above the slide bar, and a stud holder connected to the slide bar at an end opposite from the triangular head wherein the stud holder includes an opening to accept a stud after the stud is slid through a hole in an axle plate and positioned between the receiving brace and the stud holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Alton Wayne Hux
  • Patent number: 8347474
    Abstract: A pulling tool includes a elongated main support body having a plurality of retention holes formed on opposite sides thereof. An actuator stem member is threadably mounted in the support body. A pair of jaw members is slidably mounted on opposite side of the support body. The jaw members have extended hook portions adapted to engage an outer periphery of a wheel element removably mounted on a stationary wheel mounting member. A pair of tubular holders is slidably mounted on opposite sides of the support body, and retained against outer faces of the jaw members to prevent lateral outward movement of the jaw members on the support body and to orient the jaw members substantially perpendicularly to the support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: A & E Incorporated
    Inventors: Joshua Oachs, Maximilian N. Knoell
  • Patent number: 8347475
    Abstract: A handle structure suitable for disposing on a surface of a carrier is provided. The carrier has a locating part is assemble to a case. The handle structure includes a holder, an elastic element and a fastening element. The holder has a rotating axis and a locating element, and has a first end and a second end opposite thereto. The rotating axis connecting to the carrier is disposed on the first end, and the holder is pivoted on the surface. The locating element disposed on the first end interferes with the locating part. The elastic element has a first fixing part fixed to the carrier and a pushing part connected to the first fixing part and pushing against the holder. The fastening element has a second fixing part fixed to the carrier and a fastening part connected to the second fixing part and fastened to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Shi-Feng Wang, Ji-Peng Xu, Tsai-Kuei Cheng
  • Patent number: 8347476
    Abstract: A clamping device, for detaching a universal coupling of a remote controlled car shock absorber, comprises a horizontal roller, a holder, and a mobile element; wherein the horizontal roller is pivotally connected to the holder for rotation purpose; the mobile element is connected with the holder such that the mobile element can clamp and hold the axis of the shock absorber, and engage the universal coupling of the shock absorber into the engagement socket of the horizontal roller; by way of the rotation of the horizontal roller, the invention can allow the user to easily detach or assemble the universal coupling and adjust the coupling depth of the universal coupling via screwing without impairing the axis of the shock absorber during detaching, assembling or adjusting the universal coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Daimler Chu
  • Patent number: 8347477
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a shaping frame (2) of a pipe producing apparatus (1) includes a plurality of linking bodies (20) in which a pair of linking elements (21, 22) are rotatably coupled via a coupling shaft (23), a bending link (30) with opposite ends of which coupling elements are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which expands or contracts the shaping frame (2), a drive unit (40) with opposite ends of which coupling elements (25, 25) are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which forcedly sends out a profile strip (100) from the inside, and a joint unit (80) with opposite ends of which coupling elements (21, 22) are rotatably coupled via coupling shafts (23) and which is provided at a joint portion (120) of a winding of the profile strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Kakine, Hiroshi Sugahara, Takushi Minagi, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8347478
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of refurbishing a microplate reader such as a FLIPR type microplate reader by the replacement of the water cooled laser with an LED source which provides a relatively homogeneous light and operating performance comparable to the laser light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Leen
  • Patent number: 8347479
    Abstract: A first material with a known maximum temperature of operation is coated with a second material on at least one surface of the first material. The coating has a melting temperature that is greater than the maximum temperature of operation of the first material. The coating is heated to its melting temperature until the coating flows into any cracks in the first material's surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, John A. Newman, Robert S. Piascik, Edward H. Glaessgen
  • Patent number: 8347480
    Abstract: A comestible product sheeter is configured to provide enhanced access to the rollers and other components of the roller assembly. The one or more frame members of the roller assembly are configured to support the rollers at different vertical locations. Enhanced access is provided to both the rear and front rollers of the roller assembly by supporting one of the rollers in a cantilever configuration. The roller assembly may also be provided with a pivotally mounted cutting roller support arm to further improve access to the rollers and other components of the roller assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: J.C. Ford Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Ruhe, Peter A. Scherz