Patents Issued in March 12, 2013
  • Patent number: 8393571
    Abstract: Upgrading existing aircraft braking systems to accommodate replacement of existing brake units employing sintered friction materials with brake units employing carbon-carbon composite friction materials is often desirable. However, when upgrading the braking systems it is necessary to ensure that the integrity of the existing airframe is not compromised by the use of the new brake assemblies employing the carbon-carbon composite friction materials. Consequently, the present invention replaces existing pressure control valves of existing braking systems with an electronic control unit (126) coupled to a pressure control servovalve (128), thereby ensuring proper application of hydraulic pressure to brake assemblies (122). An advantage of this invention is that the pressure profile of the hydraulic fluid is controllable and hence the integrity of the airframe is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Meggitt Aerospace Limited
    Inventor: Richard John Miller
  • Patent number: 8393572
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a floor element for a door area of an aircraft that comprises a floor segment and an illuminating device. The illuminating device is integrated into the floor segment. In addition, the illuminating device can be connected to central device of the aircraft such that the coordination and the supervision of evacuation measures can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Tilo Budinger, Carsten Vogel
  • Patent number: 8393573
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing air. The apparatus includes an air distribution vent that distributes air into a compartment, wherein the distribution of air into the compartment causes compartment air from the compartment to be drawn from the compartment. The apparatus also includes a contaminant removal system, wherein compartment air drawn from the compartment is processed to remove contaminants before being distributed back into the compartment by the air distribution vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond H. Horstman, Richard A. Johnson, Chao-Hsin Lin
  • Patent number: 8393574
    Abstract: A lightweight leg assembly for an aircraft seat assembly includes a leg frame comprising at least one leg attachment bracket and a main frame member carried by the at least one leg attachment bracket and comprising a thermoplastic material. At least one track fitting may be carried by the leg frame. A method of fabricating a leg assembly for an aircraft seat assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Max Kismarton
  • Patent number: 8393575
    Abstract: A rib post (10) has a hollow substantially triangular cross-section comprising composite material. The rib post (10) can form a structural member to join two adjacently placed components together, for example a spar and internal rib in a wing of an aircraft. The rib post (10) can be formed from first (12), second (14) and third (16) walls. The first wall (12) can abut a surface of one component and the second wall (14) can abut a surface of a second component. The first and second walls (12, 14) can be attached to the respective components, such as a rib and spar, to join them together. The third wall (16) joins together the first and second walls (12, 14) to form the hollow triangular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Limited
    Inventors: Richard J. Perry, Paul M. Anderson, Dale J. Edmunds, Sam T. Hutchins
  • Patent number: 8393576
    Abstract: An apparatus may comprise an inflatable control surface for an aircraft and an end of the inflatable control surface configured for attachment to a fuselage of the aircraft. The end of the inflatable control surface may be configured to be rotated about an axis to control movement of the aircraft during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin Reed Lutke, Aaron Jonathan Kutzmann
  • Patent number: 8393577
    Abstract: A decompression device for an aircraft includes a cabin lining element, which has a first aperture for discharging exhaust air in normal operation of the aircraft and a second aperture for discharging a decompression air flow. The device also includes an unlockable closure element, which is fixable in a closing position in such a way that the second aperture is closed for air flow, and which after unlocking, can take a releasing position so that the second aperture is opened for air flow. The device also includes a locking device designed to fix the closure element in normal operation of the aircraft in the closing position, and is designed in the case of decompression to release the fixing of the closure element, so that the closure element can take the releasing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventors: Ingo Roth, Timo Philipp Heidorn
  • Patent number: 8393578
    Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a first skin panel having a first surface, a second skin panel having a second surface, a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel, a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, and a strip having a third surface. The first skin panel may be located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel. The strip may be bonded in the channel. Fluid flow over the third surface of the strip, the first surface of the first skin panel, and the second surface of the second skin panel may have a desired state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Pradip Girish Parikh, Henry John Koppelman, Todd Matthew Harris, Frederick M. Swanstrom
  • Patent number: 8393579
    Abstract: System (10) for disconnecting the nozzle (1) of a boom from a receptacle (2) to which the nozzle (1) is connected for fuel transfer, comprising latches (3) which are situated in the nozzle (1) and engage with latch-pins (5) arranged in the said receptacle (2), characterized in that the system (10) comprises a receptacle disconnection system (20) which operates the latch-pins (5) of the receptacle (2) and a nozzle disconnection system (30) which operates the latches (3) of the nozzle (1) such that, when an operator performs normal disconnection of the nozzle (1), the system (10) sends a first signal (21) to the receptacle (2) so that its latch-pins (5) are retracted in order to release the latches (3) of the nozzle (1) and, in parallel, sends a second signal (31) to the nozzle (1) so that the latches (3) of the nozzle (1) are retracted and release the said nozzle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eads Construcciones Aeronauticas
    Inventors: Francisco Jose Lagares Carrasco, Andres Molina Cano
  • Patent number: 8393580
    Abstract: An aircraft comprises an airframe, an electric propulsion system, a number of battery pods, and an engagement system. The number of battery pods has a physical connector system. The engagement system is attached to the airframe and is capable of engaging the physical connector system to connect the number of battery pods to the airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher K. Droney
  • Patent number: 8393581
    Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed regarding deployable structures with expandable longerons adjustably coupled with supporting structures such that an angle between the supporting structures can be adjusted. Such structures can include and/or be used for solar arrays, bridges, support structures, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Doug Richardson, Adam G. Gray
  • Patent number: 8393582
    Abstract: A launch system is provided which includes a secondary payload. The secondary payload includes a propellant tank and at least one module that is supported by an adapter ring that is commonly used to secure an upper stage to a primary payload. The propellant tank is launched empty and subsequently filled with residual propellant from the upper stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: United Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bernard Friedrich Kutter, Jonathan D. Barr, Mari E. Gravlee, Gerard P. Szatkowski, Frank C. Zegler
  • Patent number: 8393583
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling an aircraft when the hydraulic system of the aircraft has been compromised. The system includes a digital fly-by-wire control system configured to rescale at least one gain vector. The gain(s) may then used by a digital control to modulate engine thrust. In this manner, engine thrust modulation may be used for stabilization and control of control-configured aircraft without requiring a substantial change in piloting technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Henry L. Beaufrere
  • Patent number: 8393584
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding a portable electronic device. The apparatus includes a base having a storage compartment. The base includes a neck cavity. The apparatus includes an attachment member extending from the base and configured to couple to another object. The attachment member includes a suction cup. The apparatus includes a neck extending from the neck cavity of the base; wherein when the neck is retracted substantially fits within the neck cavity. The neck includes a plurality of frustoconical nested members configured to extend from the neck cavity or retract therein. The apparatus includes a mount coupled to a distal end of the neck and configured to couple to a portable electronic device. The mount includes an actuation device configured to actuate the portable electronic device. The apparatus includes a remote control configured to actuate a portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Salih Maurice Burns
  • Patent number: 8393585
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a framework for supporting pieces of equipment or other objects, and in particular to a variable position workstation for supporting work surfaces and/or electronic equipment such as computers, video displays, keyboards and the like. The workstation structure in one embodiment generally comprises a stand having a pair of spaced apart upright supports, a lateral support extending between the upright supports and having mounting means for mounting equipment from the stand. The mounting means typically allow for the positioning of a work platform or other piece of equipment at one of a plurality of different horizontal and vertical positions on the stand, thereby providing flexibility for the user. In addition, stand can comprise at least two foldable feet for maintaining the workstation in an upright position. The feet may be folded when the workstation is not in use to reduce the overall footprint of the workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Evans Consoles Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Han, Shannon Lundrigan, Matko Papic, Carlos Renderos
  • Patent number: 8393586
    Abstract: A ladder support device for securing a ladder to a vehicle is described having a hitch tube suitable for being received by a receiver hitch of a vehicle. A pair of side plates are attached to the hitch tube wherein each side plate of the side plates comprises a pivot void and an upper void wherein each pivot void is arranged to align with a first hollow ladder rung of a ladder and each upper void is arranged to align with a second hollow ladder rung of the ladder. A first rod is provided which is adapted for inserting in each pivot void and the first hollow ladder rung with the first hollow ladder rung between the side plates. A second rod is provided adapted for inserting in each upper void and the second hollow ladder rung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Conrad Mercure
  • Patent number: 8393587
    Abstract: A method for installing an accessory for a bath includes attaching a first mounting bracket to a structure; placing the accessory on a first side of a system wall that is visible after installation; placing a second mounting bracket on a second side of the system wall that is not visible after installation; attaching the accessory to the second mounting bracket through the system wall; and attaching the second mounting bracket to the first mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Masco Bath Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Hoernig
  • Patent number: 8393588
    Abstract: An adaptor for fixing a medical apparatus to one or two support structures, wherein the adaptor is constructed in three parts from a bearing part and two support parts, wherein the bearing part can be connected to the medical apparatus, the first support part can be connected to a first support structure and the second support part can be connected to a second support structure, and the adaptor can assume at least three states, wherein: in the first state, the bearing part is connected free of clearance to the first support part only; in the second state, the bearing part is connected free of clearance to the second support part only; and in the third state, the bearing part is connected free of clearance to the first support part and the second support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Stefanie Blum, Steffi Blechinger, Holger Rossner, Richard Wohlgemuth
  • Patent number: 8393589
    Abstract: A blood cleansing system includes: a weight scale; a container support device for supporting a container of a blood treating fluid, wherein the container support device includes: an attachment member for coupling the container support device to the weight scale; a joint body attached to the attachment member and configured to rotate about an axis of the attachment member; a support body secured to the joint body; and at least one container support extending from the support body, wherein the container support is configured to stably support the fluid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Rainer Hartwig, Gunter Heeke, Matthias Gretzinger
  • Patent number: 8393590
    Abstract: A vehicle seat rail assembly has a lower rail having a guide groove opening upward in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, that extends in a direction coincident with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and supported stationary relative to the vehicle body; an upper rail attached to a vehicle seat and guided by the lower rail to slide in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and a cover mechanism that is disposed between a pair of inner walls that define the guide groove of the lower rail and that closes the guide groove. The cover mechanism includes a stationary cover that remains stationary relative to the lower rail and a movable cover that slides relative to stationary cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kato, Hiromasa Hayakawa, Masaharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8393591
    Abstract: A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a first rail, a second rail, a lock member, a plurality of engagement bores including a rear end engagement bore, a front end portion of the rear end engagement bore being further positioned in a forward direction than a rear end of the second rail in a state where the second rail is positioned at a foremost position, a rear end portion of the rear end engagement bore being exposed to a rear of the rear end of the second rail, a memory member, a holding member holding the memory member to move integrally with the second rail or holding the memory member to engage with one of the engagement bores, and an auxiliary bracket restricting a movement of the memory member that engages with the front end portion of the rear end engagement bore towards the rear end portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryousuke Mizuno, Hideo Nihonmatsu
  • Patent number: 8393592
    Abstract: The oil and gas well pad foundation form system isolates a concrete pour from the well head and provides blockouts for piping installation. The system can be removed after concrete pour and set up and reused countless times. The system is provided in different sizes with blockouts in varying locations as desired. Multiple well heads can be prepared for within a given cellar, simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Chuck Caron
  • Patent number: 8393593
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable molding apparatus for constructing pre-cast structure. The portable molding apparatus comprises a container, a plurality of partition members, at least one retainer, and a plurality of spacing members. The container comprises a floor, and a pair of longitudinal walls vertically extending from the floor for configuring an interior space therebetween. The plurality of partition members is supported on the floor in a spaced apart manner. The at least one retainer is positioned between at least one pair of partition members of the plurality of partition members for configuring at least two sets of partition members. The plurality of spacing members is positioned between partition members of each of the at least two sets of partition members for configuring a plurality of mold cavities therebetween. The plurality of mold cavities is adapted to receive a building material for constructing the pre-cast structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: William Randall Hoff
  • Patent number: 8393594
    Abstract: A driving mechanism (100) includes a first rotor (10) that rotates around a first shaft L1 and a second rotor (20) that rotates around a second shaft L2 that is provided in parallel with the first shaft L1. The first rotor (10) includes a guide (13) that extends in a circular arc around the first shaft L1 and a drive pin (14) that is provided outside the guide (13) relative to the first shaft L1. The second rotor (20) includes a first member (40) with a plurality of leads (41) that extend in the radial direction from the second shaft L2 and a second member (50) that is provided between the first rotor (10) and the first member (40), that moves together with the first member (40), and that includes a plurality of first surfaces (51) with substantially the same curvature as a circular arc-shaped outer surface (13b) of the guide (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: T&D Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Morozumi, Manabu Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8393595
    Abstract: The device (1) includes a housing (2) in which an electric motor (5) is secured, the shaft (6) of this motor being coupled to a rotary control member (11) having on one surface a cam profile (11c) cooperating with a coordinated profile (20d) of a controlled member (20) which may move in translation in the housing (2) such that when the motor (5) is actuated, the rotation of the rotary control member (11) is adapted to cause the controlled member (20) to move in translation into a first position remote from the control member (11) or to enable this controlled member (20) to move in translation into a second position close to the control member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Elbi International S.p.A.
    Inventor: Leo Querio
  • Patent number: 8393596
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool (1) for forcing a door comprising:—an elongated shaft (2); and—a head (5) fixed to the shaft (2) at the front end thereof, the head (5) having a base part (6) provided with a striking surface (7) on a first side for receiving impacts from a striking tool and a wedge part (8) extending from the base part on the opposite side thereof essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The wedge part comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and two side walls extending between the top surface and the bottom surface on opposite sides of the wedge part. Each one of the side walls is provided with cutting edges (44) extending in parallel to each other or at least essentially in parallel to each other between the bottom surface and the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gränsfors Smide i Gnarp AB
    Inventor: Peter Lindskog
  • Patent number: 8393597
    Abstract: A control system for a lifting device and a lifting device comprising the same are disclosed. The control system includes a control unit comprising a processor with a memory communicatively coupled to the processor and having computer readable and executable instructions. A battery is electrically coupled to the control unit in addition to at least one indicator. The processor executes the computer readable and executable instructions to: determine an operating characteristic of the lifting device and an operating time of the lifting device as the lifting device is actuated; determine an accumulated load-time parameter for the lifting device based on the operating characteristic and the operating time; store the accumulated load-time parameter in the memory of the lift control system; compare the accumulated load-time parameter to a service constant; and provide an indication the indicator that a lift structural component requires service based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Liko Research & Development AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Liljedahl
  • Patent number: 8393598
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for shoring an airplane in order to facilitate the replacement of one or more airplane parts, such as an airplane's upper skin panels, lower skin panels, and/or window assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael W Sievers, Timothy A George
  • Patent number: 8393599
    Abstract: An apparatus for atomizing a precursor liquid for vapor generation and thin film deposition on a substrate. The precursor liquid is atomized by a carrier gas to form a droplet aerosol composed of small precursor liquid droplets suspended in the carrier gas. The droplet aerosol is then heated to form vapor, producing a gas/vapor mixture that can be introduced into a deposition chamber to form thin films on a substrate. The liquid is introduced into the atomizing apparatus in such a manner as to avoid excessive heating that can occur or lead to the formation of undesirable by-products due to material degradation as result of thermal decomposition. The apparatus is particularly suited for vaporizing high molecular weight substances with a low vapor pressure that requires a high vaporization temperature for the liquid to vaporize. The apparatus can also be used to vaporize solid precursors dissolved in a solvent for vaporization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin Y. H. Liu
  • Patent number: 8393601
    Abstract: A vibration isolation fastener insert comprising: a rigid cylindrical hub having an externally extending flange and a through longitudinal opening to receive a fastener. An elastomeric bushing around the hub has a slot therein receiving the external flange. An upper housing is disposed around the side of the bushing and has a flange over the top of the bushing. A lower housing is disposed around the external side of the upper housing and has a flange extending below a lower surface of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Applied Concepts Aircraft Solutions, Inc., The Young Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel Loret de Mola
  • Patent number: 8393602
    Abstract: A coil spring with irregular cross section according to the present invention is made by subjecting a coil wire having an irregular cross section to a fatigue-strength improving treatment including a shot peening treatment after coiling the coil wire into a spring configuration, and the coil spring with irregular cross section has a vertical cross sectional profile whose coil inner-peripheral-side section is expressed by following Equation (1) and Equation (2) in a polar coordinate system and orthogonal coordinate system: x=(LR??b)cosnxr ?+?b??(1) y=SR sinnyr ???(2) wherein ? is a deflection angle in said polar coordinate system; and 0°??<90°, 270°??<360°, 0.7?nxr?0.9, 0.8?nyr?1.0, and 0.1SR??b?0.3SR; in said Equation (1) and Equation (2). In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide a coil spring with irregular cross section that exhibits more uniform and higher fatigue strength along a cross-sectional peripheral direction of the coil wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Togo Seisakusyo Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Isobe, Jun Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8393603
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fixtures and methods for assembling automotive instrument panels. Some embodiments include a means for locating an instrument panel in a lateral direction and in a selected rotational direction. Some embodiments also include a means for locking the panel in specific desired rotational position. Furthermore, some embodiments may accommodate a wide variety of panel designs having variable lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shalette Farmer
  • Patent number: 8393604
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a device comprising a platform and a handle end seat coupled to the platform. The handle end seat is configured to seat therein a handle end of a handle of a hand-held tape dispensing gun. The device includes a gun handle cradle coupled to the platform and spaced from the handle end seat. The gun handle cradle is configured to secure the handle of the hand-held tape dispensing gun. In operation, the device securely holds the tape dispensing gun vertically or horizontally so that the user's hands are freed to dispense various lengths of tape from the roll of tape in the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Richard V. Bundy
  • Patent number: 8393605
    Abstract: A positioning fixture for positioning a workpiece includes a base, a support mounted on the base and for receiving the workpiece, two toggle clamps mounted on two opposite sides of the base and the support and an upper cover placed on the support. The upper cover cooperates with the two toggle clamps to position the workpiece on the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guang Yang, Hong-Wei Ren
  • Patent number: 8393606
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a printing device with a detachable stapling device including a printing device housing, a connecting frame and a stapling device. The connecting frame has a locating post and a fixing hook and is connected with the stapling device. The position of the connecting frame can be adjusted by the locating post of the connecting frame, and the connecting frame can be assembled on the printing device housing or detached from the printing device housing by the fixing hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kai Wang, Ching-Tse Wang, Ming-Han Chiu, Chung-Jung Chiu
  • Patent number: 8393608
    Abstract: A substrate finishing system includes a sheet input that feeds sheets to a compiler for compiling. The sheets may be stapled at the compiler. A trail edge support of the compiler is movable from a first position to a second position. The compiler is configured to drop a sheet or set of sheets to build compiled set stacks at the first and second positions on a stacking tray positioned beneath the compiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventors: Carlos M. Terrero, Richard J. Milillo, Brian J. Dunham
  • Patent number: 8393609
    Abstract: A document handler is provided that comprises a validator 2 having a main conveyor 4, a stacker 3 having a storage 50 detachably attached to validator 2, a storage conveyor 5 in storage 50 for stowing a document fed from validator 2 into storage 50 and picking out the document stored in storage 50 to validator 2 through main conveyor 4 to issue picked document from validator 2, a reversible motor 70 in main conveyor 4 drivingly and detachably connected to storage conveyor 5 of storage 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Japan Cash Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Karasawa, Tomonori Kitano
  • Patent number: 8393610
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device, which is configured to feed stacked sheets one by one in a sheet feed direction, is provided with a sheet tray configured to accommodate the stacked sheets, a feed-out roller protruded from the sheet tray and configured to feed the stacked sheets from the sheet tray, a feed-out nip member arranged above and opposite to the feed-out roller, the feed-out nip member being configured to contact an uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets and bias the sheets toward the feed-out roller, a separation unit located on a downstream side, in the sheet feed direction, of the feed-out roller, the separation unit separating a lowermost sheet from the stacked sheets fed by the feed-out roller, and a friction member configured to contact the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheets at a position different from a position where the feed-out nip member contacts the uppermost sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shingai
  • Patent number: 8393611
    Abstract: A sheet-supply cassette including a main member which is open upward and which is adapted to store a plurality of recording sheets which are stacked on each other and each one of which is separated from the other recording sheets, and is fed in a sheet-feed direction, by a sheet feeder; an inclined sheet-separate plate which is provided in a downstream-side portion of the main member as seen in the sheet-feed direction, and which cooperates with the sheet feeder to separate the each recording sheet from the other recording sheets; and a plurality of back-surface support portions which are formed integrally with the downstream-side portion of the main member, such that the back-surface support portions are distant from each other in a perpendicular direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet-feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Kozaki
  • Patent number: 8393612
    Abstract: A removable currency storage device is arranged to monitor and record access to the contents of the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: MEI, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Nunn
  • Patent number: 8393613
    Abstract: A media level indicator and a printer having some are disclosed. The printer has the media level indicator, a housing and a media container slidably contained in the housing. The media level indicator includes a media detecting assembly and a level indicating assembly, wherein the media detecting assembly includes a shaft for rotatably engaged with the housing, a detecting arm fixed to the shaft and abutting the top of the paper stack, and a driving arm. The driving arm is articulated with a lever of the level indicating assembly. When the paper amount changes, the detecting arm is moved and drives the media detecting assembly to rotate, which provides motion in an indicating end of the level indicating assembly, which extends outwardly from the media container. Therefore, a change in the paper amount is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yan-Mei Chen
  • Patent number: 8393614
    Abstract: In a sheet feeding apparatus, an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus, an original document tray on which sheets are accommodated along the sheet feeding direction includes a placing plate on which the sheets are placed and which can be lifted and lowered and to move the sheets to a position at which the sheets can be fed by a pickup roller, a detection unit which detects that sheets are placed on the placing plate, and a curl suppressing member which presses a central portion in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction of the accommodated sheets to suppress upward curl of downstream edges in the sheet feeding direction of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akiyuki Mitamura
  • Patent number: 8393615
    Abstract: A document position-limiting mechanism includes a first paper guide plate, a second paper guide plate, a connecting wheel and a switching module. The first paper guide plate and the second paper guide plate are used for guiding a document on a paper input tray to be fed into an automatic document feeder. Through the connecting wheel, the first paper guide plate and the second paper guide plate are movable on the paper input tray. By means of the switching module, two operating modes of the document position-limiting mechanism can selected by the user in order to meet the requirements of different users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Hsun Hsu
  • Patent number: 8393616
    Abstract: A sheet collecting apparatus includes a sheet discharge outlet for sequentially carrying out a sheet, a sheet collecting device to load and store the sheet from the sheet discharge outlet, a stopper device for regulating a front end position of the sheet loaded on the sheet collecting device, a stopper driving device for shifting a position of the stopper device, and a carry-in guide member for guiding the sheet from the sheet discharge outlet onto an uppermost sheet collected on the sheet collecting device. The carry-in guide member includes a pivot point, a slide-contact guide surface that swings on the pivot point corresponding to a load amount of the sheet collecting device to guide a sheet front end fed from the sheet discharge outlet onto the uppermost sheet, and a sheet pressing portion continued to the slide-contact guide surface and pressing the uppermost sheet on the sheet collecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Ichitaro Kubota, Tsukasa Kondo
  • Patent number: 8393617
    Abstract: A sheet alignment device includes a first alignment arm, a second alignment arm, a first sensor and a controller. The first alignment arm includes a first blocking piece and a second blocking piece. During the sheet-aligning action of each sheet, the first alignment arm is moved for a preset distance from a standby position. Then, the first alignment arm is moved back to the standby position, and a waiting time is required to introduce a next sheet into the sheet placement tray. When the first sensor is no longer interrupted by the second blocking piece of the first alignment arm, the controller starts to calculate the moving distance of the first alignment arm. Since the moving distance of the first alignment arm is calculated at the same start point during the sheet-aligning action of each sheet is performed, the possibility of resulting in the moving distance error is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Tse Wang, Chia-Wen Wu
  • Patent number: 8393618
    Abstract: A skew correction device includes a first conveying unit arranged in a sheet conveying path; a second conveying unit arranged downstream of the first conveying unit in a conveying direction of a sheet; and a skew correction unit. When the sheet is unfolded paper, the skew correction unit performs a first skew correction that corrects for the skew of the sheet so that a leading edge of the sheet conveyed by the first conveying unit abuts on the second conveying unit that is stopped. When the sheet is fold paper, the skew correction unit performs a second skew correction that corrects for the skew of the sheet so that a leading edge of the sheet conveyed by the first conveying unit abuts the second conveying unit and the second conveying unit is driven in a reverse direction to the conveying direction at a predetermined operational timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kyosuke Nakada, Masahiro Tamura, Shuuya Nagasako, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Keisuke Sugiyama, Yuusuke Shibasaki, Junya Suzuki, Yasuo Niikura, Kazunori Konno, Tomomichi Hoshino, Akira Kunieda, Takahiro Watanabe, Tomohiro Yoshizaki, Kiichiro Goto, Kazuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8393619
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body frame, an image forming unit and a transporting unit. The transporting unit includes a transporting tray, a side guide, a plate, a skew roller and an urging member. The transporting tray is configured to support the recording medium which is being transported. The side guide is configured to abut with an end of the recording medium in a width direction. The plate is facing the transporting tray. The skew roller is rotatably supported by the plate and is configured to skew the recording medium toward the side guide. The urging member is configured to urge a portion of the plate toward the transporting tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 8393620
    Abstract: A transport device for transporting printed products is provided including a first and a second tape for receiving and transporting the printed products, a first and second roller for guiding the tapes, a nip-adjusting device adjusting a nip formed by the first and second tapes at the first and second rollers and a sensor determining a thickness of the printed products, the nip adjusting device being actuated as a function of the sensor. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis John Doucet, Glenn Alan Guaraldi
  • Patent number: 8393621
    Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a conveyance portion, a first sheet stacking portion, a second sheet stacking portion, and a controller. The conveyance portion includes a holding portion that moves while holding a downstream end of a sheet. The first and second sheet stacking portions include stacking surfaces and the second sheet stacking portion is arranged downstream of the first sheet stacking portion. The controller controls to cause the holding portion to convey to the second sheet stacking portion. When the sheet to be stacked on the second sheet stacking portion passes over the first sheet stacking portion, an upstream end of the sheet in the sheet conveying direction is guided along the first sheet stacking portion stacking surface, on which a sheet is not stacked, while the downstream end of the sheet is held by the holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Hayashi, Yusuke Obuchi
  • Patent number: 8393622
    Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, there are provided systems for conveying a sheet article into an intended pathway. The multi-way gate system for diverting sheets into multiple pathways in a sheet conveying device includes at least three pathways for directing the sheet from the sheet conveying member in a particular direction. A single gate plate is between the sheet conveying member and the pathways. The single gate plate is rotatable about a single axis to direct the sheet exiting the sheet conveying member toward one of the pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Injae Choi, Barry Paul Mandel