Patents Issued in February 12, 2013
  • Patent number: D676207
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Gottschall, John Griffin, Robert L. Crevling, Jr.
  • Patent number: D676208
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Gregg A. Singleton
  • Patent number: D676209
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventor: Michael L Sirard
  • Patent number: D676210
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventor: Michael L Sirard
  • Patent number: D676211
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventor: Michael L Sirard
  • Patent number: D676212
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Clean Cubes LLC
    Inventor: Jose Luis Javier Colayco
  • Patent number: D676213
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Q Enterprise Solutions AB
    Inventors: Filip Dyrvall, Jerzy Antowski
  • Patent number: D676214
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rotacaster Wheel Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter R. McKinnon, Gerry Taylor
  • Patent number: D676215
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Steve Eugene DeJong, Dennis DeJong, Chad Culbertson
  • Patent number: PP23382
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawTwentyFive’ characterized by having very large sized, conical fruit with strong sweetness and high yield is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ferguson, Terrance C. Moran
  • Patent number: PP23383
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawTwenty’ characterized by having large, conical fruit with medium sweetness and high yield is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ferguson, Jorge Rodriguez Alcazar
  • Patent number: PP23384
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Prunus incisa named FPMSPL that is characterized by its weeping habit, its variegated white and yellow-green summer foliage color, its variegated green, red-purple, grey-orange, orange-red and red-purple fall foliage color and its lack of seeds and fruits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Carlton Plants LLC
    Inventor: Nick Dunn
  • Patent number: PP23385
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Viburnum plant named ‘PIIVIB-I’, characterized by its compact, mounding growth habit, small, lustrous, dark green, evergreen foliage, white flowers produced in abundance even on young plants, clusters of red fruit that turn black when mature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Plant Introductions, Inc., University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Dirr
  • Patent number: PP23386
    Abstract: ‘NEBLAN5151’ is a new variety of lantana plant having a compact growth habit and white and lemon bicolored flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Volmary GmbH
    Inventor: Hans de Does
  • Patent number: PP23387
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea paniculata plant named ‘PIIHP-I’, characterized by its compact rounded growth habit; strong stems that hold the inflorescences upright and do not splay; thick, dark green foliage; and solid inflorescences in which the showy white sepals cover the fertile flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Plant Introductions, Inc., University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Dirr
  • Patent number: PP23388
    Abstract: An Osteospermum variety named ‘KLEOE10179’; particularly distinguished by a stable uniformly enlarged disc floret corolla and a compact growth habit is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Klemm+Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nils Klemm, Andrea Dohm
  • Patent number: PP23389
    Abstract: A new and distinct Gaillardia plant named ‘Red Sun’ characterized by a very compact habit, ray florets of dark red tipped with orange, overlapping ray florets in multiple layers, and excellent vigor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harini Korlipara
  • Patent number: PP23390
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Heliopsis, ‘Summer Pink’, characterized by its inflorescences with yellow and orange ray florets with red cones, its slightly curled foliage that is variegated with blades that are pink, green and creamy white in color with dark green veins, its stems that are dark reddish in color, and its ability to bloom predictably as a one-year-old plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Jelitto Staudensamen GmbH
    Inventor: Georg G. Uebelhart
  • Patent number: PP23391
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Heliopsis, ‘Summer Stripe’, characterized by its inflorescences with yellow ray florets with red cones, foliage that is variegated with blades that are pink, green and creamy white in color with dark green veins, its stems that are dark reddish in color, and its ability to bloom predictably as a one-year-old plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Jelitto Staudensamen GmbH
    Inventor: Georg G. Uebelhart
  • Patent number: PP23392
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Sedum plant, ‘Nonar’, characterized by its evergreen foliage that emerges bright yellow then maintains this bright yellow color until fall and winter when it changes to hues of burnt orange. Foliage on lower ? of floral stems is suffused with burnt orange during the summer. Its flowers of early summer are bright lemon yellow upon erect flat-topped inflorescences, atop stout, leafy, upright floral stems that emerge from a low growing procumbent plant habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hortech Inc.
    Inventor: David MacKenzie
  • Patent number: PP23393
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Sedum plant, ‘Nonah’, characterized by its evergreen foliage that emerges yellow-green often variably suffused with purple-red and holds this color throughout summer. During the fall and winter the purple-red hues intensify. Its flowers of early summer are bright lemon yellow upon erect flat-topped inflorescences, atop stout, leafy, upright floral stems that emerge from a low growing procumbent plant habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hortech, Inc.
    Inventor: David MacKenzie
  • Patent number: PP23394
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Sedum plant, ‘Nonic’, characterized by its evergreen foliage that emerges sky blue and stays sky blue during summer. During fall and winter it changes to violet-blue. Its flowers of early summer are bright lemon yellow upon erect flat-topped inflorescences, atop stout, leafy, upright floral stems that emerge from a low growing procumbent plant habit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hortech Inc.
    Inventor: David MacKenzie
  • Patent number: RE43989
    Abstract: This load cell attachment structure includes a male screw which is formed on a load sensing part of the load cell, a nut which attaches the load cell to the attachment plate by engaging with the male screw, and a wave washer which is disposed between the attachment plate and the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Furukawa, Naotaka Kumakiri, Mikihito Kojima, Masashi Yoshifuku, Tatsuya Yamazaki, Toyohiko Shindo, Harutomi Nishide, Shigeru Endo, Kenji Sato
  • Patent number: RE43990
    Abstract: A multi sensor detection and disabling lock system includes detector cases for holding interchangeable detectors that sample for chemical, biological and radiological compounds, agents and elements, with each detector case disposed in or upon the monitored product whereupon light alarm indicators (color coded) on the detector case light up when a specific compound or agent is detected whereupon the detector case transmits detection information to a monitoring computer terminal and transmits a signal to a lock disabler engaged to the product to lock or disable the product's lock thereby preventing untrained, unauthorized and unequipped individual's from gaining access and entry to the product, and also preventing further contamination of the area. An authorized individual resets the detection system, and the system's power source is electrical, battery or computer generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Larry Golden
  • Patent number: RE43991
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at method of designing a Color Filter Arrays (CFA) for CMOS image sensors under the effects of crosstalk for optimal color reproduction. Instead of a focus on lowering crosstalk, a novel method of designing color filter spectral responses to compensate for the effect of crosstalk at the color imaging system level is proposed. As part of this method, a color reproduction model for CMOS and CCD image sensor under the effect of crosstalk is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventor: Chen Feng
  • Patent number: RE43992
    Abstract: A lamp holding apparatus for mounting a lamp to a lamp mounting member includes a mounting plate provided with a locking portion which protrudes to a base side, inserted into a mounting hole provided at the base and is lockable to a peripheral edge of a back side thereof. The mounting plate is provided with a pin which protrudes to an opposite side from the base side and is capable of being gripped by an operator at a time of being attached to and detached from the base. The locking portion is disposed at a position corresponding to a back side of the pin. As a result, when the locking portion is inserted into the mounting hole while gripping the pin, both the locking portion and the mounting hole are easily positioned. Thus, at a time of insertion, bending forces are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiki Takata, Hiroki Azuma, Tatsuya Kudari
  • Patent number: RE43993
    Abstract: A copy prevention method and apparatus of a digital magnetic recording/reproducing system performs the copy prevention function by encoding to insert a marker involving copy prevention function information and executing the function and allows a program supplier to realize a desired copy prevention function of various patterns, in which the marker formed by a control word for scrambling audio and video bit straps and copy prevention information for preventing an illegal copy is encrypted by an encoded key to be multiplexed with the audio and video bit strips scrambled by the control word. The marker transmitted is detected from the bit strips to be decrypted and analyzed by the encoded key to determine whether the copy is permitted or not, so that the detected marker is updated to be recorded on a video tape and the control word is produced from the marker to perform the descrambling to supply the result to a monitor to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Joon Park
  • Patent number: RE43994
    Abstract: A flexible material includes a plurality of separate resilient elements joined to a flexible, resiliently stretchable substrate. Such a material is suitable for providing protective war for human and animal bodies. Preferably, the elements includes a foam material such as a closed cell polyethylene foam and the substrate includes a knitted fabric. In an advantageous embodiment, a second flexible substrate is bonded over the elements to sandwich them between the two layers of substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Stirling Mouldings Limited
    Inventor: David Stirling Taylor
  • Patent number: RE43995
    Abstract: A printer has a controller configured to give an instruction to a LAN controller, the instruction specifying which one of communication speeds the LAN controller should communicate at. When it is determined that the mode of the printer is changed from a power mode in which power is supplied to the controller to a power mode in which power is not supplied to the controller, the controller instructs the LAN controller to reduce the communication speed. After the instruction to reduce the communication speed is given, a power supply unit cuts off power supply to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadaaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 8370962
    Abstract: A rapid doffing and donning vest uses a clam shell design wherein the ends of the cummerbund are removably attachable to the rear panel. A blade on the cummerbund mates with a receiver on the rear panel and has a plunger hold the two together. The plunger is attached to a pull strap located on the front panel's shoulder strap via a cord. As the pull strap is pulled outwardly, the cord pulls the plunger away from the mated blade and receiver and allows the two to decouple detaching the cummerbund from the rear panel. Outward pulling on the pull strap also facilitates decoupling of the shoulder strap from the rear panel. When the vest is doffed, the front panel and cummerbund remain attached to each other and detached from the rear panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: William B. McBride, John Rogers
  • Patent number: 8370963
    Abstract: A baseball glove comprises a palm section, a finger section, a thumb section, and a web section between the fingers and thumb sections. The finger section comprises four finger stalls. The outermost finger stall is wide enough to accommodate two fingers and a rigid insert is inserted into the outermost finger stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Russell Brands, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald P. Laliberty
  • Patent number: 8370964
    Abstract: A protective garment for use while cleansing at least a portion of a user's body including: a lower garment, wherein the lower garment is adapted to releasably shield at least a portion of at least one lower extremity of an associated user while exposing an associated user's anal region; wherein the lower garment comprises a flexible, substantially waterproof member which includes: an upper region, wherein the upper region comprises a lower garment securement member which enables substantially water-tight releasable securement of the lower garment to an associated user; and a lower region, wherein the lower region and the upper region are spaced apart from one another to define a lower garment length. The protective garment optionally includes an upper garment and/or a base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bluewater Concept, LLC
    Inventor: Terry J. Kaper
  • Patent number: 8370965
    Abstract: A detachable solar thermal coat assembly with carbon nanocapsule composite material includes an outer jacket, an inner lining and a conducting wire. The outer jacket has therein a power input device that provides electric power to a carbon nanocapsule fiber composite layer of the inner lining through the conducting wire so that the carbon nanocapsule fiber composite layer is powered to give out heat and warm a user wearing the solar thermal coat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Liang-Yang Lin, Hong-Wen Wang
  • Patent number: 8370966
    Abstract: A roofing glove is provided. The roofing glove includes a fitted protective covering receivable to a hand of a user, at least one spike having an anchor and a sharp protrusion extending from the glove and narrowing at a distal tip, anchored within the covering at a first predetermined location, and at least one grip pad disposed upon the covering at a second predetermined location. The at least one spike and the at least one grip pad are adapted to grip a surface, or the like, upon a fall by the wearer of the glove to prevent further fall or slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Luke Hendon, Ray Hendon
  • Patent number: 8370967
    Abstract: An adjustable head band for a helmet has a base, a band, an adjusting wheel, a dial and a cover. The base has at least one pawl. The band is annular and is movably mounted through the base and has two toothed ends. The toothed ends correspond to each other. The adjusting wheel has a gear and a ratchet wheel. The gear engages the toothed ends of the band. The ratchet wheel engages the at least one pawl of the base. The dial is mounted on the adjusting wheel. The cover is mounted on the base. The adjustable head band is attached to a helmet and is convenient and easy to operate to allow customization of the helmet on a head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Minson Enterprises Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Heng Chen
  • Patent number: 8370968
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cervical protective device that reduces the possibility of neck injuries in contact sports. In a preferred embodiment, this device is worn in conjunction with a football helmet and football shoulder pads. Without restricting normal movement of a football player, the device contacts the lower most parts of the sides of the helmet and has a shape that is molded as to the normal anatomy of the upper back and lower cervical spine. The device contacts the lower sides of the player's neck and is held in place by the shoulder pads as normally worn by football players. Force received at the top of the helmet is applied to the protective device, absorbed by compression elements contained within the protective device and the force is directed away from the cervical spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Patrick E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 8370969
    Abstract: A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectable characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Limit, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Bowcutt, Ahmed Shishegar, Matthew Ibarra, Daniel L. Corbin, Dennis Repp, Robert M. Connell, Oscar Dufau, Gregory Blake, Sam Iravantchi
  • Patent number: 8370970
    Abstract: This device incorporates a new method for attachment of a pop-up drain stopper to the pivot rod which controls its mechanical motion as is typical in bathroom sinks, thereby providing the consumer with a simple and convenient method of removing and installing the stopper as is needed for extraction of drain clogs. As shown in FIG. 5, the stopper is inserted into the drain with the connecting journal channel opening (6) positioned over the pivot rod (8). Downward pressure is applied (FIG. 6) forcing the pivot rod to pass through the channel and snap into the connecting journal (FIG. 7). Transversely, by pulling upward, the stopper disengages from the pivot rod and is removed from the drain opening. By incorporating two or more conjoined connecting journals in an elongated connecting bracket (FIG. 8), the stopper can accommodate a wider range of pivot rod placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Martin Reavis
  • Patent number: 8370971
    Abstract: A faucet connecting structure contains a body including an internal chamber having a groove; an outlet pipe including an inlet end and an outlet end; the inlet end including an connecting segment with a slot; a retaining loop to define a C-shaped peripheral wall and an elongated opening; the peripheral wall including an outer face having plural first raised portions to form a first flexible deforming structure and having plural first recessed portions, including an inner face having plural second raised portions to form a second flexible deforming structure and having plural second recessed portions, the peripheral wall also including a first end and a second end, and the first end including a rib; a limiting means used to limit the retaining loop in the groove of the body to prevent the outlet pipe from disengagement from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Ruifu Wang
  • Patent number: 8370972
    Abstract: A lift and stretcher apparatus for a patient includes a base portion at least partially defined by an elongated portion extending generally in a first orthogonal direction and having a first end, a second end, and a central portion interposed there between; a frame having a first lateral portion extending in the first orthogonal direction and defining a first lateral portion distal end and a first lateral portion proximal end, a second lateral portion defining a second lateral portion distal end and a second lateral portion proximal end, a proximal portion, and a distal portion extending generally in a second orthogonal direction; a lifting portion interconnecting the base with the frame for moving the frame relative to the base generally in a third orthogonal direction; a first axle portion having; and a second axle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Fredrick C Shriver
  • Patent number: 8370973
    Abstract: A foldable mattress support with legs includes a metal frame with a fabric covering. The metal frame includes first upper and lower frames and second upper and lower frames. Each of the upper and lower frames is pivotally attached to a vertical plate of a hinge. A bolt that is oriented along a first axis passes through the first upper frame and through the vertical plate. A leg attaches through the fabric covering to a base plate of the hinge. The first upper frame pivots about a first axis; the second upper frame pivots about a second axis; the first lower frame pivots about a third axis; and the second lower frame pivots about a fourth axis. Each of the axes is orthogonal to the vertical plate, and the third axis is spaced farther apart from the fourth axis than the first axis is spaced apart from the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Zinus, Inc.
    Inventor: Suk Kan Oh
  • Patent number: 8370974
    Abstract: A fitted top sheet is provided with a lip having an elastic member that runs side to side along at least a portion of the lip. This provides corners that grab the corners of the mattress for a form fit, while at the same time permitting movement of the sheet upwardly to accommodate an individual's toes without having to provide a so-called zone of expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Karen Caines
  • Patent number: 8370975
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide a movable examination bed that includes a movable platform for supporting an object to be examined, a supporting body connected to the movable platform from below and used for supporting the movable platform, and a guide rail arranged underneath the movable platform. The examination bed also includes a transport mechanism that drives the supporting body such that the supporting body moves on the guide rail. The examination bed includes a connection mechanism securely connected to the transport mechanism, an electromagnet fixed to the connection mechanism and operable to magnetically attract the supporting body, and a controller operable to control the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet and the supporting body. The examination bed is operable to rapidly separate the movable platform from the transport mechanism in case of an emergency and return the movable platform to an original position after the emergency situation is over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hong Shang, Jin Xiao
  • Patent number: 8370976
    Abstract: A folding headrest apparatus for massage consisting of an upper plate with a cushion attached thereto for the purpose of placing a massage receiver's head face-down. A rotatable mounted mechanism attached to an upper plate and an upwardly extending base portion for the purpose of rotating said upper plate generally 180-degrees. A lower plate portion for inserting between a mattress and box spring of a typical bed that meets said upwardly extending base portion at a generally 90-degree angle. A removable spacer element(s) sandwiched between the cushion and upper plate for the purpose of adjusting height of the cushion relative to a lower plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: David J Matt, Kevin Gard
  • Patent number: 8370977
    Abstract: A patient line management device to manage one or more patient care lines is provided. The line management device includes a line manager coupled to a support. The support is adapted to be coupled to a patient support such as a hospital bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Newkirk, Richard H. Heimbrock, James L. Walke, Robert A. Till, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8370978
    Abstract: A hospital bed is equipped with a patient mobility aid device having at least one adjustable lateral grip that aids the patient in performing certain movements such as entering or exiting the bed. The patient mobility aid device includes a support crossmember having a length oriented along a width of the bed. Couplers at the ends of the crossmember attach to frame elements of the bed. The crossmember houses at least one arm to which the adjustable lateral grip is coupled. The at least one arm extends and retracts with respect to the crossmember.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hill-Rom S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Bernard Duvert
  • Patent number: 8370979
    Abstract: Provided is a mattress wherein the elastic characteristics of each portion can be changed simply and inexpensively depending on the user's preference. A mattress (10) has a plurality of spring units (60, 70, 80, 90) respectively constituted by holding a plurality of vertically stretchable pocket coils integrally, a lower elastic body (40) in which a housing space (44) capable of housing and holding the spring units (60, 70, 80, 90) is formed, and an upper enclosure (21) and a lower enclosure (30) for covering the outer periphery of the lower elastic body (40), wherein the lower elastic body (40) is provided with a partitioning elastic body (50) for dividing the housing space (44) into a plurality of spaces, and the spring units (60, 70, 80, 90) are formed in such a shape that each of the spring units can be housed in the divided housing spaces (44), and are housed and held in the respective divided housing spaces (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michihiro Fukano
  • Patent number: 8370980
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes a rotating drum having a rotating axis in a substantially horizontal direction and sustained rotatably in a tub. The washing machine further includes a motor for driving the rotating drum, a water supply for supplying water into the tub, and a controller for washing, rinsing and liquid-extracting by controlling workings of the motor. The controller of the washing machine washes a laundry by pouring detergent bubbles in the washing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroko Minayoshi, Eiji Matsuda, Kiyonobu Yoshida, Haruo Ida, Yukihiro Kitazaki
  • Patent number: 8370981
    Abstract: A method of washing fabric articles in a tunnel washer includes moving the fabric articles from the intake of the washer to the discharge of the washer through first and second sectors that are a pre-wash zone. In the pre-wash zone, liquid is counter flowed in the wash interior along a flow path that is generally opposite the direction of travel of the fabric articles. The fabric articles are transferred to a main wash zone, and a washing chemical is added to the main wash zone. At about the same time, counter flow is reduced or stopped. The main wash zone can be heated as an option. After a period of time (for example, between about 20 and 120 seconds) counter flow is increased. The increased counter flow after chemical treatment amounts to either an intermediate rinse or a pre-rinse depending upon which module or zone the goods occupy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pellerin Milnor Corporation
    Inventors: Russell H. Poy, Karl Schubert
  • Patent number: 8370982
    Abstract: A ramp which comprises a user support element, an edge element at an edge of the user support element, a handrail, a support connector which is slidably engagable with the edge element, an elongate upright handrail support, and an adjustable elongate depending ramp support. The handrail support and the ramp support are coaxially held by the support connector. The ramp may also comprise a user support element, an edge element at an edge of the user support element, and a height adjustable ramp support which includes a foot and two arms pivotably engaged with the foot. Each arm has a slider pivotably engaged at its distal end remote from the foot, and each slider is slidably engagable with the edge element for lengthwise adjustment of the ramp support along the edge element and for slidable adjustment relative to each other so as to set a distance between the edge element and the foot. Each slider is further fixedly holdable in place to maintain its set position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: DLP Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Peters