Patents Issued in January 8, 2013
  • Patent number: 8347481
    Abstract: This invention provides an improved protective mat that includes a magnet at each end for temporally securing the mat to a pipe so that the mat remains in position during a welding process. The mat is flexible so as to conform to the curvature of the pipe and may be placed in any position preferable on the surface of the pipe. The positioned and secured mat prevents spatter from coming into contact with the external surface of the pipe lying under the positioned protective mat. The mat is preferably heat and fire resistant up to temperatures of about 1500° F. and may be a silicone-coated fiberglass mat. When the mat is not in use, the mat may be folded and the magnets may be used to secure the ends of the mat to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Doyle J. Crenshaw, David L. Mixon
  • Patent number: 8347482
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ferrite magnet device including a ferrite body and first and second center electrodes arranged so as to intersect and be electrically insulated from each other and a permanent magnet arranged to apply a direct current magnetic field to the ferrite body and a method for manufacturing an isolator or a composite electronic component, which include the ferrite magnet device. A magnetic force of the permanent magnet is adjusted using a measurement jig and a magnetic force adjusting apparatus while the permanent magnet is fixed to a principal surface of the ferrite body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8347483
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes an array of PZT elements mounted on a non-recessed distal surface of a backing block. Between each element and the backing block is a conductive region formed as a portion of a metallic layer sputtered onto the distal surface. Traces on a longitudinally extending circuit board—preferably, a substantially rigid printed circuit board, which may be embedded within the block—connect the conductive region, and thus the PZT element, with any conventional external ultrasound imaging system. A substantially “T” or “inverted-L” shaped electrode is thereby formed for each element, with no need for soldering. At least one longitudinally extending metallic member mounted on a respective lateral surface of the backing block forms a heat sink and a common electrical ground. A thermally and electrically conductive layer, such as of foil, transfers heat from at least one matching layer mounted on the elements to the metallic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: MR Holdings (HK) Limited
    Inventor: Xiaocong Guo
  • Patent number: 8347484
    Abstract: A rotary actuator includes an outer enclosure having an inner diameter surrounding a hollow interior. A stack of stator laminations, each having a stator diameter greater than the inner diameter of the outer enclosure when in an unflexed state, are also included in the rotary actuator. Each of the stator laminations is configured to flex into a shape so as to be positionable within the outer enclosure and substantially conform to the inner diameter. The stator lamination thus forms a line-to-line fit with at least a portion of the outer enclosure to form an interface having a desirable reluctance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Allen Bischel
  • Patent number: 8347485
    Abstract: A procedure for centrifugally casting a shorted structure around induction motor rotors is described. The method is commonly applied to a plurality of rotors disposed and arranged for rotational balance and supported on a suitable support, or optionally, on a plurality of supports arranged in layered fashion about a common rotational axis. The method comprises forming a wax representation of the shorted structure around a lamination stack; mounting a plurality of such lamination stacks in a mounting fixture and-attaching a suitable gating and runner system; forming an investment by coating the structure with refractory followed by melting out the wax; casting molten metal into the investment while it is rotating and aligning the mold to allow the centrifugal force generated to promote mold filling; and, continuing to rotate the investment until solidification is substantially complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott W. Biederman, Mark A. Osborne, Michael J. Walker, Thomas A. Perry
  • Patent number: 8347486
    Abstract: Various methods are disclosed herein for forming an apparatus, which is configured to reduce the electromagnetic interference between a pair of antennas coupled to a wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the method includes extracting a shape of the apparatus from a thin sheet of conductive material, and folding the shape into a plurality of resonant circuit elements. In other embodiments, the apparatus is formed within various cavities of a mold; a liquefied substance may be inserted into the mold for filling the various cavities and forming a plurality of resonant circuit elements. In all embodiments, the plurality of resonant circuit elements are each configured to resonate at (or near) a carrier frequency of a signal transmitted by one of the pair of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Motion Computing, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Steigerwald, Jerry Mayfield
  • Patent number: 8347487
    Abstract: A fabricating method of a magnetoresistance sensor is provided with cost effective and process flexibility features. Firstly, a substrate is provided. Then, at least one magnetoresistance structure and at least one bonding pad are formed over the substrate, wherein the bonding pad is electrically connected with the magnetoresistance structure. Then, a passivation layer is formed over the magnetoresistance structure and the bonding pad. Then, a magnetic shielding and concentrator structure is formed over the passivation layer at a location corresponding to the magnetoresistance structure. Finally, bonding pad openings is formed on the passivation layer by patterned polyimide, thereby exposing the bonding pad. After bonding pad was opened, the patterned polyimide can be removed or retained as an additional protection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Voltafield Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Fu-Tai Liou, Chih-Chien Liang, Chien-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 8347488
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a non-magnetic step layer, non-magnetic bump at the front of the non-magnetic step layer and a write pole with a tapered trailing edge. The tapered portion of the trailing edge of the write pole is formed by a two step process that allows the write pole taper to be formed with greater accuracy and repeatability than would be possible using a single step taper process. An alternative method is also described on how to make a non-magnetic bump structure with adjustable bump throat height prior to Damascene side shield gap formation in a Damascene wrap around shield head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Liubo Hong, Aron Pentek, Yi Zheng
  • Patent number: 8347489
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a tapered write pole as well as a leading edge taper, and independent trailing and side magnetic shields. The method allows the write pole to be constructed by a dry process wherein the write pole material is either deposited by a process such as sputter deposition or electrically plated and the write pole shape is defined by masking and ion milling. The write pole has a stepped feature that can either be used to provide increased magnetic spacing between the trailing shield and the write pole at a location slightly recessed from the ABS or can be magnetic material that increases the effective thickness of the write pole at a location slightly recessed from the ABS. A bump structure can be further built over that stepped feature to enhance field gradient as well as reduce trailing shield saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Liubo Hong, Aron Pentek, Yi Zheng, Honglin Zhu
  • Patent number: 8347490
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a carrier with a three-dimensional inductor comprises the steps of providing a substrate having a protective layer; forming a first photoresist layer on the protective layer; patterning the first photoresist layer to form a second opening and a plurality of disposing slots; forming a first metal layer in second opening and disposing slots; removing the first photoresist layer; forming a first dielectric layer on the protective layer; forming a second photoresist layer on the first dielectric layer; patterning the second photoresist layer to form a plurality of slots; forming a second metal layer in slots to form a plurality of inductive portions; removing the second photoresist layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer; forming a third photoresist layer on the second dielectric layer; patterning the third photoresist layer to form a plurality of slots; and forming a third metal layer in slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Chipbond Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Ming Kuo, You-Ming Hsu
  • Patent number: 8347491
    Abstract: An adjustably mounting electrical device with one or more fixed yokes located perpendicularly to a face of the electrical device, one or more moveable yokes located perpendicularly to the face of the electrical device, and one or more adjustment screws inserted through the one or more fixed yokes and threaded into the one or more moveable yokes, the one or more adjustment screws capable of moving the one or more moveable yokes perpendicularly to the face of the electrical device. The system may comprise mounting flanges that may have threaded hubs or the system may further comprise an electric device having front and back shells moveable on a track in response to depression of a button allowing for movement of the back shell so that the electric device may be mounted having its front face coplanar with a front wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Baldwin, Richard L. Cleghorn, Nathaniel A. Falendysz, Marcus J. Shotey
  • Patent number: 8347492
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making an arrangement for collecting or emitting light. A flexible sheet of material serves as substrate for a plurality of light collecting or emitting devices mounted in spaced relation on the sheet. The sheet has thereon electrical leads for interconnection to each device. For each device, a respective light coupler is formed by (1) forming a plurality of reflectors on the sheet around the intended periphery of the respective device, by applying reflective material to selected areas of the sheet; (2) forming cut lines around selected edges of the plurality of reflectors; (3) forming fold lines associated with the reflectors; and (4) folding the reflectors and attached substrate away from the substrate portion on which the device is mounted, to form a coupler whose interior is reflective and that is substantially closed around a main axis of light propagation into or from the respective device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Energy Focus, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger F. Buelow, II, Lazlo Takacs, Baris E. Karadag, Darrell W. Popovich, Christopher H. Jenson, Keith D. Kazenski
  • Patent number: 8347493
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wiring board with a built-in electronic component including providing a first base material having a support body and a first metal foil detachably adhered on the support body, forming a connection terminal for mounting an electronic component on the first metal foil of the first base material by an additive method, mounting an electronic component to the connection terminal such that the electronic component is electrically connected to the connection terminal and mounted on the first base material, covering the electronic component with an insulative material structure having a hollow portion such that the electronic component is accommodated in the hollow portion of the insulative material structure after the mounting and detaching the support body from the first metal foil such that a substrate having the first base material and the insulative material structure is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Taniguchi, Toshiki Furutani, Takeshi Furusawa, Takashi Kariya
  • Patent number: 8347494
    Abstract: A mounting method for mounting an electronic component on a printed circuit board, the mounting method includes fixing a lower surface of a magnet panel to a magnetic body included in the electronic component by a magnetic force, seizing the electronic component by attracting a part of an upper surface of the magnet panel to an attaching unit, determining a position of the attracting unit to place the electronic component at a predetermined position with respect to the printed circuit board and releasing the attracting unit from the upper surface of the magnet panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yusaku Fujiishi, Hiroshi Shimamori
  • Patent number: 8347495
    Abstract: End segments of cables are stripped of their individual shielding coverings so as to form unit shielding pigtails extending from a terminal portion of the strand from which shielding has not been removed and around which a conductive packing strip has been wound so as to reach a predetermined diameter. The pigtails are folded back and distributed uniformly around the circumference of the terminal portion of the strand in the successive turns of the packing strips. The packing strip is clamped by an annular reinforcing spring blade, and then the assembly is surrounded within two half-shells that are coupled to each other and connected to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Labinal
    Inventors: Jean-luc Biesse, Sébastien Guerrero, Didier Laurent
  • Patent number: 8347496
    Abstract: Methods are provided for automatically crimping terminals or connectors to wires wherein the terminals or connectors are provided in strip form and may be of varying sizes, shapes, and pitches. A method according to the present invention includes providing a plurality of terminal connectors, the connectors being secured to a terminal strip in side-by-side relationship with their axes extending laterally from the strip; moving a crimping die on a ram through a working stroke towards, and a return stroke away from, a crimping anvil to crimp an individual terminal connector located therebetween onto a wire during each working stroke of the ram; and indexing the strip between successive crimping operations thereby to locate a next leading connector on the strip between the die and anvil, wherein the strip is indexed by a drive mechanism contacting the strip through pressure-engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: SureTech Assembly, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Thomas Garner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8347497
    Abstract: In a processing method for processing a cylinder block, a finish processing for the cylinder bore is performing, by pressing the portion of the bolt phase for fastening the cylinder head on the cylinder portion outer peripheral surface forming the inside surface of a water jacket, on the condition that the rigidity of the pressed portion on the cylinder portion toward the pressure from the side of the cylinder bore (the surface pressure from the grinding stones by honing process) is enhanced compared with the other portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Harada, Kazuhiro Asayama
  • Patent number: 8347498
    Abstract: A method for repairing a guide vane segment of a gas turbine, the guide vane segment including at least two guide vanes as well as an inner and an outer shroud. At least one guide vane is irreparably damaged and is separated from the guide vane segment while the guide vane segment is completed by joining at least one replacement vane. If the one irreparable guide vane is located in one half of the segment outside the circumferential center of the guide vane segment, or if the several irreparable guide vanes are located in the same half of the segment, the matching number of guide vanes to be separated from the segment and replacement vanes to be joined to the segment are determined first. The determined number of replacement vanes are then joined to the guide vane segment. The same number of guide vanes, including the at least one irreparable guide vane, are finally separated from the guide vane segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Anja Lange
  • Patent number: 8347499
    Abstract: A method for producing a turbine casing for a rotating machine is provided. The casing is manufactured by a casting process, and is cast in two casing halves which are separated by a parting plane which passes axially through the turbine casing. Each casing half is first cast in one piece in each case, and each casing half is separated into at least two casing sections which are joined together for forming a casing half in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Beate Grzondziel, Michael Fischer
  • Patent number: 8347500
    Abstract: A mid turbine frame with an annular interturbine duct may be assembled by placing an mid turbine frame inner case of into the interturbine duct, inserting a plurality of mid turbine frame spokes radially through respective hollow radial struts of the interturbine duct to be connected to the mid turbine frame inner case to form a mid turbine frame spoke casing. A mid turbine frame outer case is also connected to the spokes, to provide an assembled mid turbine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Eric Durocher, John Pietrobon
  • Patent number: 8347501
    Abstract: Within the field of wind turbine generators (WTG), to provide a consistent way of manufacturing a WT blade there is disclosed a blade mould and a blade spar fixture to support the spar in the mould so as to provide a fixed predetermined relative position, and preferably also orientation, between at least a root end, such as a bushing in the root end of the blade spar, and a root end of the mould. Overall consistency is also obtained in that hereby a blade with anticipated aerodynamic and strength characteristics is provided, among others in that at least adjacent to the root of the spar there is substantially the same distance for a cured adhesive between an innermost surface of each of blade shells and an outermost surface of the spar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Leif Kappel Petersen, Olav Davis
  • Patent number: 8347502
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a heatsink and a method for forming a heatsink. In one embodiment, a method for forming the heatsink includes forming at least one thermo pyrolytic graphite element. The at least one TPG element includes a first side having a wedge-shaped surface and a second side having a flat surface. The method further includes layering a metal material over the at least one TPG element, the metal configured to be complementary to the first side of the at least one TPG element, and applying pressure to fasten the metal material to the at least one TPG element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GE Intelligent Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Slaton, David L. McDonald
  • Patent number: 8347503
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing brazed aluminum heat exchangers involved in boiling and condensing, including a high performance nucleate boiling surface bonded with the walls of fin-less boiling passages. One method includes providing a first heat exchanger core subassembly including a first joinable end, at least one cooling and one boiling passage, and a first partial finless passage arranged at the joinable end. A second heat exchanger core subassembly is provided similar to the first including a second joinable end. The first and second heat exchanger core subassemblies are brazed. The first joinable end is affixed, preferably by welding, to the second joinable end and the first partial finless passage is affixed to a second partial finless passage to form a coupled finless passage, and thereby a heat exchanger core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. O'Neill, Thomas J. Godry, Dennis P. Held
  • Patent number: 8347504
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel injector having high-flow orifices in its tip includes removing a bulb from a fuel injector tip having at least one spray orifice with a first diameter, and friction welding a slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a fused interface of material of the slug and material of the fuel injector tip. The method further includes modifying the slug subsequent to friction welding the slug to the fuel injector tip, including forming a new bulb from the slug having at least one spray orifice therein with a different diameter than that of the removed bulb. A remanufactured fuel injector, and fuel injector tip, includes an injector tip body having a first tip portion of a first material and a second tip portion of a material compatible for friction welding with the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Karen Raab, James D. Sparks, Scott A. Johnston, Sami El-Sayed
  • Patent number: 8347505
    Abstract: A spring for use in downhole tools delivers a high force over a long deflection in a relatively uniform fashion. The spring is a tubular shape that is preferably metallic and is preferably plastically deformed into an undulating walled tube either before assembly into a downhole tool or downhole after assembly to the downhole tool. Alternatively the shape can be machined. Spacer rings are used inside and outside the tube as it is compressed to obtain the desired corrugated wall pattern and to prevent localized buckling that can cause wall failure. The spring can conduct pressurized fluids and be rotationally locked to transmit torque and to facilitate milling out. Some machining internally and/or externally can assist in forming the desired corrugated wall shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry J. Urban, Edward J. O'Malley, Steve Rosenblatt
  • Patent number: 8347506
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engineered wood flooring product including providing a flat plywood platform having an original thickness, sanding top and bottom surfaces of the platform to achieve a final thickness less than the original thickness, wherein the amount of material removed from the bottom surface is greater than the top surface to induce center lift in the platform, applying adhesive to the platform, applying a veneer face to the platform, and subjecting the lay-up to a lineal pressing system to ensure bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Wolf, Incorporated
    Inventor: Barry Shannon Fuller
  • Patent number: 8347507
    Abstract: A method for assembling a roller bearing having rollers and spacers interposed between the adjacent rollers includes alternately disposing, along the inner circumference of an outer ring, the rollers and the spacers. Two spacers are then placed along inner portions of rolling contact surfaces of the rollers having been disposed. The last roller is then inserted toward the outer ring so that the spacers placed on both sides are allowed to slide, whereby the last roller is mounted on the inner circumference of the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Ozu
  • Patent number: 8347508
    Abstract: An electric shaver includes a rod-shaped body part, a head part, and a link mechanism. The head part projects from one end portion, in a longitudinal direction, of the body part and is swingably attached to the body part with a support base between the body part and the head part. The head part includes a shaving portion and a drive mechanism. The shaving portion is formed to be elongated in a direction orthogonal to a projecting direction of the head part and has paired blades configured to operate relative to each other. The drive mechanism is configured to drive at least one of the paired blades. The link mechanism includes two link arms each connected to the support base and the head part respectively at connecting axes parallel to a longitudinal direction of the shaving portion. The link mechanism is configured to support the head part on the support base swingably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Shimizu, Hiroshi Shigeta, Shin Hosokawa, Jyuzaemon Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8347509
    Abstract: A tool system is presented. The tool system includes a tool body sized and dimensioned to fit comfortably in a human hand, and includes a plurality of interchangeable tool cartridges. Some of the tool cartridges include a tool bit cover capable of remaining in a closed, locked position sheathing a tool bit. Once installed, the tool bit cover can be unlocked via actuation of a trigger disposed on the body of the tool or on the cartridge. Preferably, the tool bit cover unsheathes the underlying tool bit due to pressure or force of a work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Votolato Living Trust
    Inventor: Earl Votolato
  • Patent number: 8347510
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a power tool is disclosed, in which the power tool has a housing, a motor provided in the housing, an output shaft adapted to be caused by the motor to execute reciprocating motion, and a blade assembly (5) extending from the housing along a first axis (A-A). The handle assembly (2) comprises a front handle (6), a rear handle (7) integral with the front handle (6) and a mounting portion adapted to be mounted to the housing of the tool, wherein the rear handle (7) is displaced from the plane (A-A) of the blade assembly (5) in use. As a result of this, the knuckles of the hand of the user that is gripping rear handle (7) are raised away from the surface of the object being cut. This provides the advantage that the user's knuckles avoid any grazing or cutting resulting from contact with the object, or with the ground when carrying out low cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Stones
  • Patent number: 8347511
    Abstract: A concave tapered food product includes a cross section and a second end having a shape defined by a generally concave arc and a generally convex arc. The concave tapered food product has a first side and a second side shaped by a longitudinal cut along the foodstuff. A cutter assembly for cutting a foodstuff to form the concave tapered food product includes a housing member. The cutter assembly also includes a curvilinear blade including a cutting edge for cutting the foodstuff, the cutting edge defining an arc along a first portion of the curvilinear blade and a foot positioned at an end of the curvilinear blade for supporting the curvilinear blade. The foot is configured for being received and secured in the housing member. The housing member is configured for at least partially enclosing the curvilinear blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlow Young, John Julian
  • Patent number: 8347512
    Abstract: Cutting members for razors are provided that have been subjected to a localized heat-treating process, e.g., application of laser energy. In some cases, the cutting members include a bent portion, and the localized heat-treating process is used to enhance ductility and thereby facilitate formation of the bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: William Masek, Robert Smith, John L. Maziarz, Joseph A. DePuydt, Ming Laura Xu, Craig Stephen Vickery
  • Patent number: 8347513
    Abstract: A hand-held saw with a rigid saw frame is disclosed. The rigid frame of the hand-held saw allows a saw blade to remain highly tensioned during the cutting process. The rigid saw frame has a “C-shape,” is unbent, and contains openings that make up a truss-like structure, which distributes an external force that is focused on one portion of the saw frame across other portions of the saw frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Buster Lee Marshall
  • Patent number: 8347514
    Abstract: An alignment jig uses steel alignment cross members and chords to align multiple load bearing member footing legs simultaneously with great accuracy, thereby greatly speeding construction footing installation times. Using preset adjustment stops, multiple footing patterns may be readily accommodated. The entire alignment jig may be readily assembled or prepared for transport by skilled workers in an hour or less. By using the alignment jig, the speed of footing construction may be greatly increased. In some cases, footings that would have previously required four days to a week to build were reduced to a single day, with consequent cost and time savings. Although one initial use of the alignment jig is for high voltage power line tower footings with four legs, it may be used with as few as two legs, and may be used with more than four legs, and in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: KV Structures, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert McCollum
  • Patent number: 8347515
    Abstract: The present invention proposes an external-coupled electronic angle measurement apparatus including a housing, a display element, an angle detection system and a coupling portion. The housing is movable through the coupling portion to fasten the external-coupled electronic angle measurement apparatus to a desired location of different hand tools to accurately measure turning angles of a screw driven by the hand tool through the angle detection system and display the result on the display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Eclatorq Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hwa Lee, Xiu Jiang
  • Patent number: 8347517
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device of flexible material for the determination of parameters for the production of dental prostheses which combines different functions, including protractor, spacing template, ruler and an option of utilizing a compass-formed modulus shear measuring module to facilitate shearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Heraeus Kulzer GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Polei
  • Patent number: 8347518
    Abstract: A screw mount placement device allows an item to be hung levelly and allows the item to be hung in a desired position relative or not relative to already mounted objects on a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Richard J. Martinez
  • Patent number: 8347519
    Abstract: A drainer basket assembling structure of a stepping wringer bucket includes a bucket body, having a containing space concavely formed at the bottom of a front side, a shaft base formed at the top of the containing space; a base, having two support stands installed in the containing space; a driving mechanism installed between the two support stands for producing a driving force; a transmission shaft installed in the containing space and whose bottom is driven by the driving mechanism; and a drainer basket driven by the transmission shaft. An upper end of the transmission shaft is protruded out from the shaft base, and a protruding end is provided for sheathing the coupling base of the drainer basket and form a sheathing and linking structure with the protruding end of the transmission shaft, such that the drainer basket can be assembled from the top of the bucket body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tuo Shen International Corporation
    Inventor: Yung-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 8347520
    Abstract: In a laundry washing/drying machine involving drying by a heat pump cycle, in an initial stage of the drying operation the heat within an air circulation path is deficient and therefore it is impossible to effect quick heating of air on a drum inlet side up to a sufficiently high temperature. According to the present invention there is provided a drying unit capable of raising the drum inlet air temperature quickly up to a sufficiently high temperature in an initial stage of the drying operation and thereby shortening the drying time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8347521
    Abstract: A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, and at least one slot-like opening communicating with the fan and arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The slot-like opening has a maximum width which is no greater than 0.8 mm. This produces a very narrow, high velocity, high pressure airflow which is capable of drying an object efficiently and quickly and is suitable for use in a hand dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: John Churchill, James Dyson, Peter David Gammack, Paul Cedric Campbell Hackwell, Frederic Nicolas, Roy Macnaughton
  • Patent number: 8347522
    Abstract: A drying apparatus has a casing, a cavity formed in the casing for receiving an object, a fan located in the casing and creating an airflow, a motor arranged to drive the fan. At least one opening communicates with the fan and is arranged in the casing so as to direct an airflow transversely across the cavity. The motor and fan arrangement generate an airflow across the cavity, wherein, in use, the pressure of the airflow emitted through the opening is at least 8 kPa. The motor has a rotor which, in use, may rotate at a speed of at least 80,000 rpm. The high velocity, high pressure airflow provided by the apparatus is capable of drying an object efficiently and quickly and is suitable for use in a hand dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 8347523
    Abstract: A clothing dryer including a rotating drum, a shelf installed inside the rotating drum, and a support member, which is rotatably installed at a rear end of the shelf such that the shelf is supported by a rear surface of the rotating drum. The rear end of the shelf is installed on a rear surface of the rotating drum through the support member, so that the shelf is more stably installed inside the rotating drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Suk Chung
  • Patent number: 8347524
    Abstract: The dryer comprises a casing having a longitudinal axis, a mixing shaft, a circular plate that seals an opening made in one of the end walls of the casing, and a frame supporting the casing and the shaft. In the edge portion of the opening closest to the chamber a first circumferential groove is made which is formed by a first radial cavity and by a second radial cavity deeper than the first, joined by an axial portion. An annular sealing element made of a non-stick material, having a cross-section comprising at least one axial strip and one radial strip, is inserted into the first groove in such a way that the radial strip is inserted into the second cavity and the axial strip occupies the axial portion and the mouth of the first radial cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Paolo Debolini
  • Patent number: 8347525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spray drying system and a method for its operation that provides a composition of dry. or essentially solvent free, particles from a solution of an agent. The system comprises a generally vertical tube reactor arranged for counter-current removal of solvent from a process flow fed with aerosol droplets of solution descending from the top said reactor with an ascending gas flow. The reactor includes a perforated process tube for transportation of the process flow from the outlet of an aerosol generating device to a dry particle collecting device. A membrane sleeve essentially surrounds the peripheral area of said process tube and separates the descending process stream from the ascending gas stream. Vaporized solvent is transported from the process stream to the ascending gas stream. A reactor housing is sealingly covering said process tube and membrane sleeve and is provided with means for introducing and/or removing the process fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Inhalation Sciences Sweden AB
    Inventor: Per Gerde
  • Patent number: 8347526
    Abstract: A shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are located in a forefoot portion of the shoe between an upper and an outsole of the shoe, and one or more springs for biasing the first plate and the second plate apart from each other. A device for a shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are installable in a forefoot portion of the shoe, and an energy return member positioned between the first plate and the second plate. A method of using a shoe includes applying, with a foot, a force on at least one of two plates that is positioned in a forefoot portion of a shoe, so as to move the two plates together and increase a loading of a spring, and launching the foot due to the two plates being moved apart by the spring as the foot is being lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Athletic Propulsion Labs LLC
    Inventors: Mark Goldston, Adam Goldston, Ryan Goldston, Jon Bemis
  • Patent number: 8347527
    Abstract: A shoe sole and a shoe comprising such a shoe sole are described, with the shoe sole being equipped with integrated anti-slipping elements which are adjustable between an inactive position and an active position by means of a central actuation unit. This arrangement is characterized in that the anti-slipping elements, which in particular have the form of spikes, are respectively supported in individual functional units and are axially adjustable between their active and inactive positions through rotation by the central actuation unit via at least one flexible drive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tecvision AG
    Inventor: Klaus Thielen
  • Patent number: 8347528
    Abstract: The surface rake apparatus provides for use either in forward or rearward motion, by virtue of the first member's forward wings and the second member's rearward wings. Debris such as snow, leaves, and limbs, for example, can thereby be easily channeled toward a desired destination. Snow, for example, can be pushed or pulled off of a roof or other surface. An important feature of the rearward wings of the second member is the upward slant of each. Another important feature is the inclusion of wheels on the first member. The wheels ensure against scraping by elevating the lower edges of the first and second members slightly above the surface to be rid of debris. The telescopic handle provides benefit of length adjustment so that the apparatus may be most conveniently used in reaching distant surfaces and also in reduced length for those areas more proximal to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Richard E. Seltzer
  • Patent number: 8347529
    Abstract: A machine configured so that its ground speed is at least in part dependent on the measured force that is applied to an attachment attached thereto is provided. An attachment for a machine that is configured to provide feedback to the machine it is configured to be attached to, wherein the feedback is representative of the force applied to the attachment is also provided. Also provided is a method of automatically controlling the ground speed of a machine based on feedback measured in an attachment attached to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Casey Dean Berg, Oleg Khalamendik, Ted Jay Sanders
  • Patent number: 8347530
    Abstract: A tooth assembly including an adapter and a tooth. The adapter has a nose portion with a first predetermined configuration. The tooth is assembled onto the adapter nose portion by relative longitudinal movement. The tooth defines a blind cavity having a second predetermined configuration and opening to a rear of the tooth. The second predetermined configuration defined by the tooth cavity is greater than the first predetermined configuration defined by the adapter nose portion such that a space is provided between the adapter nose portion and the blind cavity when the adapter and tooth are arranged in operable combination relative to each other. A securement member releasably maintains the tooth and the adapter nose portion in operable combination relative to each other. The securement member fills the space defined between the tooth cavity and the adapter nose portion to resist longitudinal movement between the tooth and the adapter nose portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: H&L Tooth Company
    Inventors: Charles Clendenning, Russell N. Drake, Brian L. Launder
  • Patent number: 8347531
    Abstract: Steam wrinkle-removing appliance comprising a water tank (110) in direct communication with a steam-producing boiling chamber (60), said boiling chamber (60) comprising a heating unit (4) and a steam outlet (62) through which the steam can freely flow toward a wrinkle-removing element such as a steam brush, characterized in that the boiling chamber (60) is supplied with water from the tank (110) by means of several supply lines (70) with a small flow cross-section of less than 15 mm2, said supply lines extending lengthwise between an end (70A) opening into the tank (110) and an end (70B) opening into the boiling chamber (60) so as to generate head losses that limit the backflow of hot water or steam toward the tank (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Rowenta Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Krebs, Reinhard Ahlers, Stefan Panten