Patents Issued in March 12, 2013
  • Patent number: 8393773
    Abstract: A light-guide light is described that is capable of providing a substantially monochromatic beam of light, and is suitable for use as a signal lamp in an automotive vehicle. The light (1) comprises a housing defining a light-guiding optical cavity (4) having first and second major faces (5, 6), and a light source (11) arranged to direct light into the cavity from one side. The light source may be an array of light emitting diodes providing substantially monochromatic light. The first major face (5) comprises an interference film (for example, a multilayer polymeric film) that, for light at the design wavelength, substantially transmits light that is incident on the film over a limited angular range and substantially reflects light that is incident at other angles. The second major face (6) comprises a scattering reflective material having a reflectance of at least 85%, for example a highly-efficient reflective material provided with a suitable textured pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael Charles Lea
  • Patent number: 8393774
    Abstract: It is provided a luminaire kit of parts (100) for assembling a luminaire. The luminaire kit of parts (100) comprises light sources (107a-b) and light out-coupling devices (105a-b), The luminaire kit of parts (100) further comprises a light guiding element (101), the light guiding element (101) being configured to receive at least a subset of the light sources (107a-b) and at least a subset of the light out-coupling devices (105a-b) into a first type of 5 openings (103a-c) and a second type of openings (104a-b) respectively. It is also provided a method for assembling a luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Marcellinus Petrus Carolus Michael Krijn, Oscar Hendrikus Willemsen, Michel Cornelis Josephus Marie Vissenberg, Ramon Pascal Van Gorkom
  • Patent number: 8393775
    Abstract: A backlight unit and a display device including the backlight unit are discussed. According to an embodiment, a light generating device comprising: arrays of light source devices arranged on a first layer and including a first light source device and a second light source device configured emit light in opposite directions, at least one of the first and second light source devices including: a housing having inclined inner walls that define a cavity, a light emitting diode disposed in the cavity and configured to generate the light, and at least one material filled in the cavity; a reflection layer disposed on the first layer and configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source devices; and a second layer covering the light source devices and the reflection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungwoo Kim, Sangjeon Kim, Sangtae Park, Soonhyung Kwon, Buwan Seo, Bupsung Jung, Seungchoon Bae, Seonghwan Ryu
  • Patent number: 8393776
    Abstract: A backlight module is provided in the present invention. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source plate and a plurality of side-view lighting elements. The light guide plate comprises a light guide body being an integrally-formed single plate body and comprising a plurality of elongated grooves and a plurality of penetrated grooves. The penetrated grooves and the elongated grooves are collectively arranged on a surface of the light guide plate to separate the light guide plate into a plurality of light emitting regions. The side-view lighting elements arranged on the light source plate are attached to a side of the light guide body and respectively disposed for the penetrated grooves to illuminate corresponding light emitting regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Global Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Huang-Chun Liu, Chung-Lin Tsai, Sheng-Ju Chung
  • Patent number: 8393777
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide luminance-preserving non-imaging backlights that comprise a luminous source emitting light, an input port that receives the light, an injector and a beam-expanding ejector. The injector includes the input port and a larger output port with a profile that expands away from the input port acting via total internal reflection to keep x-y angular width of the source image inversely proportional to its luminance. The injector is defined by a surface of revolution with an axis on the source and a swept profile that is a first portion of an upper half of a CPC tilted by its acceptance angle. The beam-expanding ejector comprising a planar waveguide optically coupled to the output port of the injector. The ejector includes a smooth upper surface, and a reflective lower surface comprising microstructured facets that refract upwardly reflected light into a collimated direction common to the facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Minano, Pablo Benitez, Julio Cesar Chaves, Waqidi Falicoff, William A. Parkyn
  • Patent number: 8393778
    Abstract: A backlight module and a wire positioning/holding device for the frame structure thereof are disclosed. The backlight module mainly includes a frame and a light source module. The light source module is disposed on the lateral side or on the bottom of the frame. The wire holding device mainly includes a main body and a winding pillar. A first guide slot is disposed on the main body, and the first guide slot has an inlet end and an outlet end. The winding pillar extends from the main body and is situated at one side of the first guide slot. The winding pillar and the main body together form a wire holding portion. The wire holding portion is disposed corresponding to the outlet end of the first guide slot to receive the wires of the light source module coming out of the outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Chen Cheng, Chi-Chung Lo
  • Patent number: 8393779
    Abstract: Generally, existing LED lamps often use robust metallic cases since each of the cases functions as a heat sink. Various shapes for increasing the heat dissipation properties of the case have been employed; there is no unified shape. Existing LED lamps therefore have a problem that they cannot be easily disassembled at the time of recycling. Thus, an object is to provide a lamp which can be easily disassembled at the time of recycling. A lamp includes: a case having a certain shape; an LED module including a semiconductor light-emitting device; and a power supply circuit provided inside the case, for driving the semiconductor light-emitting device to emit light, wherein on an outer side of the case, a step for splitting the case is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Myojo
  • Patent number: 8393780
    Abstract: Screw assemblies are provided for cooking extruders characterized by operation using significantly reduced specific mechanical energy inputs, wherein the screw assemblies include first and second elongated, axially rotatable screws which are substantially coextensive in length, with the screw flighting presenting a pair of axially spaced apart sections of short pitch length and an intermediate section of greater pitch length. The intermediate section has an axial length greater than about four times the length of the axially spaced apart sections. The screw assemblies permit incorporation of significantly greater amounts of steam into comestible products during cooking thereof, as compared with prior art designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: LaVon Wenger, Marc Wenger, Galen J. Rokey, Allan C. Spellmeier
  • Patent number: 8393781
    Abstract: An orbital shaker which provides a shaking motion that is both stable and accurate to allow repeatability is provided, which allows for ease of cleaning of the shaking platform due to its mounting on a drive platform that keeps the entire drive system in an assembled state even if the shaking platform is removed for cleaning. A vibration sensor can also be provided that senses an unbalanced load on the orbital shaker and communicates with the orbital shaker controller to reduce the shaking speed in a pre-determined, trackable manner so that shaking of samples can be continued at a vibration level that is below a threshold value. Additionally, an incubating enclosure can also be provided in which a uniform heat is created throughout the entire incubating chamber in order to assure minimum temperature fluctuations between samples being processed regardless of their position on the shaking platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Henry Troemner LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Manera, Martin P. Yankowy, Michael Elefante, H. William Busch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8393782
    Abstract: A high efficiency mixing device for mixing first and second fluids within a conduit. A biscuit element is positioned at the upstream end of the conduit having a longitudinal axis that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The biscuit element is provided with a plurality of openings including a central opening positioned along the longitudinal axis and a plurality of additional openings spaced proximate to the central opening. The openings are provided with primary mixing elements which induce a rotational angular velocity to a first fluid passing therethrough of the same rotational sign. Second fluid feed ports are positioned within each of the openings for introducing a second fluid to the first fluid as the first fluid passes through the openings and into the conduit. Secondary and tertiary mixing elements are optionally located downstream of the biscuit element to enhance the mixing of the first and second fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Robert S. Smith
  • Patent number: 8393783
    Abstract: Hairspring for a balance wheel/hairspring resonator, comprising n blades, where n?2, which are fastened via at least one of their respective homologous ends and wound in spirals with an angular offset capable of neutralizing the lateral forces liable to be exerted on its central arbor when one of the ends of each blade is moved angularly around said central arbor relative to its other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Jerome Daout, Richard Bossart
  • Patent number: 8393784
    Abstract: A method for identifying types of flaws in a composite object includes: a) rapidly heating the surface of the object; b) recording pixel intensities in a sequence of IR images; c) determining temperature-versus-time data for each of the pixels from the IR images; and d) determining what type of flaw if any corresponds to each of the pixels using the temperature-versus-time data determined in step (c). A contrast curve derived from the temperature-versus-time data may be used in determining what type of flaws if any corresponds to each of the pixels. The contrast curve may be determined by subtracting a synthetic reference curve from a temperature time curve from the temperature-versus-time data. The types of flaws may be determined from size and/or shapes of peaks in the contrast curves. Some flaws are delaminations, layers of porosity, and uniformly distributed porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harry Israel Ringermacher, Donald Robert Howard, Bryon Edward Knight, William George Patterson, Thomas Edward Bantel
  • Patent number: 8393785
    Abstract: A nanocalorimeter includes a merging layer having, a drop placement area for holding drops to be merged and a thermal equilibration area. A measurement layer includes a substrate, and a temperature probe on the substrate, wherein the temperature probe extends out of the surface of the substrate to come into operative contact with the thermal equilibration area when the measurement layer is placed in operative association with the merging layer. The nanocalorimeter is configured to have the merging layer and the measurement layer non-integrated, making the measurement layer reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Dirk De Bruyker, Francisco E. Torres, Michal V. Wolkin, Gregory B. Anderson, Eugene M. Chow
  • Patent number: 8393786
    Abstract: Methods for forming sensors using transition edge sensors (TES) and sensors therefrom are described. The method includes forming a plurality of sensor arrays includes at least one TES device. The TES device includes a TES device body, a first superconducting lead contacting a first portion of the TES device body, and a second superconducting lead contacting of a second portion of the TES device body, where the first and second superconducting leads separated on the TES device body by a lead spacing. The lead spacing can be selected to be different for at least two of the plurality of sensor arrays. The method also includes determining a transition temperature for each of the plurality of sensor arrays and generating a signal responsive to detecting a change in the electrical characteristics of one of the plurality of sensor arrays meeting a transition temperature criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: John E. Sadleir
  • Patent number: 8393787
    Abstract: Two vertically offset thermistors for sensing a fluid such as oil and refrigerant in a compressor shell are monitored by a method that takes into account rapidly changing conditions within the shell. The system can determine the fluid's sump temperature, high/low liquid levels, and can determine whether the thermistors are sensing the fluid as a liquid, gas, or a mixture of the two, such as a foam or mist of liquid and gas. For greater accuracy, thermistor readings can be dithered and filtered to provide temperature or voltage values having more significant digits than the readings originally processed through a limited-bit A/D converter. For faster response, limited microprocessor time is conserved by sampling thermistor readings at strategic periods that enable the microprocessor to identify certain conditions and temperatures via simple delta-temperature ratios and undemanding equations rather than resorting to exponential functions or lookup tables to determine time constants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Okoren, Jerry E. Brown, Joel C. VanderZee, Charles E. Nelson, Steven K. Klingemann, Jeffrey J. DeGroot
  • Patent number: 8393788
    Abstract: Disclosed is a digital X-ray image capturing device for easy mobility, including: a cassette having a built-in image plate; an image plate transfer device for taking the image plate out of the cassette and transferring the same to a scanning point; an image scanning device for scanning an X-ray latent image of the image plate by irradiating laser beams to the scanning point; an internal body including the image plate transfer device and the image scanning device; and an external housing surrounding the internal body. The image plate transfer device includes: a scan drum having a fastening means on a surface thereof, the fastening means being combined with an end of the image plate; at least one roller installed near the scan drum to closely wind the image plate on the surface of the scan drum; and an electric power means for applying torque to the scan drum. The slide mounting type or up-mounting type of cassette can be attached to the image plate transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: 3D Imaging & Simulations Corp.
    Inventors: Asbjorn Smitt, Sung Woon Lee
  • Patent number: 8393789
    Abstract: A radiographic image capture managing system includes an information storage unit for storing image information acquired by a radiation detector in chronological order, a usage status acquirer for acquiring information concerning a usage status of the radiation detector, a deterioration information acquirer for acquiring information concerning an extent of deterioration of the radiation detector based on the image information, a service life predictor for predicting a service life of the radiation detector based on the acquired information concerning the extent of deterioration and the acquired information concerning the usage status, a service life prolongation information setter for setting service life prolongation advice information required to prolong the predicted service life based on a preset relationship between the usage status and the extent of deterioration of the radiation detector and history information, and a service life prolongation advice output unit for transmitting service life prolongati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Enomoto
  • Patent number: 8393790
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elongated feed beam (4) for use on a drill rig (1), which feed beam comprises a profiled beam of a light metal or a light metal alloy made from a hollow extruded profile with a substantially rectangular cross section. The profiled beam comprises an upper wall (11), a lower wall (12) and two side walls (13, 14) and at least one pair of external guide beads (8, 9). The individual guide beads (8, 9) of the at least one pair of guide beads are placed on either side of either the upper wall (11) or the lower wall (12) at the locations where said upper or lower wall (11, 12) meets the opposed side walls (13, 14). The guide beads (8, 9) have a substantially prismatic cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventors: René Deutsch, Dan Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8393791
    Abstract: A method of providing conditional electrical isolation for a bearing is disclosed. An inner race coupled to a first structure and an outer race coupled to a second structure are provided. An isolative means is provided for conditionally electrically isolating the first structure from the second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory J. Thornton, Mark Barr, Mark E. Smith
  • Patent number: 8393792
    Abstract: In a bearing device 1, annular recesses 3a and 6a that house a thrust bearing 7 are formed in side surfaces of a housing 3 and a cap 6, a rotation preventing protrusion 12b is provided in an outer periphery of a lower side half-split thrust bearing 12 in the thrust bearing 7, and a rotation preventing groove 6b into which the rotation preventing protrusion 12b fits is formed in the annular recess 6a formed in the cap 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukitaka Muramoto, Masaru Kondo, Yasuaki Goto, Masao Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8393793
    Abstract: A sensor-equipped wheel support bearing assembly capable of accurately detecting load acting on the vehicle wheel by reducing concentration of strain on a cutout portion corner area of a strain generating member in a sensor unit is provided. The wheel support bearing assembly having rolling elements interposed between rolling surfaces in outer and inner members, includes at least one sensor unit provided in a stationary member, which is one of the outer and inner members. The sensor unit includes a strain generating member, having two or more contact fixing segments secured to the stationary member in contact therewith, and a sensor fitted to the strain generating member for detecting a strain in the strain generating member. The strain generating member has a cutout portion between the contact fixing segments, and corner area of such cutout portion is of an arcuately sectioned shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Kentarou Nishikawa, Toru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8393794
    Abstract: A bicycle bottom bracket assembly is provided with a support member, a bearing unit and a seal member. The support member includes a hanger mounting structure and a bearing mounting structure. The bearing unit includes an outer race, an inner race and at least one roller element disposed between the outer and inner races. The outer race is fixed to the bearing mounting structure of the support member. The seal member has a proximal end fixed to the support member and a distal end slidably contacting the inner race of the bearing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shingo Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8393795
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus incorporating a rotational speed detecting apparatus has a protecting cover. A cylindrical fitting portion of the cover is press-fit into the end inner circumference of the outer member. A donut-shaped shielding portion extends radially inward from the fitting portion, via a radially reducing portion. A bottom portion is continuous with the shielding portion, via a stepped portion, to close the inner-side end of the inner member. A sealing member is integrally adhered to the outer circumference of the radially reducing portion. The sealing member and annular portion has a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the fitting portion of the protecting cover. The sealing member projected portion has a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fitting portion of the protecting cover. The projected portion is press-fit into the end inner circumference of the outer member via a predetermined interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Aritake, Kazuo Komori
  • Patent number: 8393796
    Abstract: In an amphibious ATV, the wheel bearings are housed in a spherical mounting-structure, because of possible angular misalignment. The spherical mounting-structure comprises separable primary and secondary elements. The new system provides that both elements are axially wide, being e.g as wide as the outer-race of the bearing. Now, the elements are highly resistant to every distortion, which means the mounting-structure can seal the bearings very effectively—both as to keeping dirt and water out, and keeping lubricant in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventor: Brian Mark Cressman
  • Patent number: 8393797
    Abstract: Repairs of clocks with worn wheel pivots may be made with a ball bearing pivot wheel support system. The system may utilize a standard sized ball bearing and a bushing in frictional engagement with an inner race of the ball bearing. The bushing may be bored to provide frictional engagement with the pivot wheel so that the pivot wheel may rotate without relative motion between the wheel pivot and the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Butterworth
  • Patent number: 8393798
    Abstract: A bearing device for a wheel has minimized circumferential play and allows a hub ring and an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint to be connected with excellent workability. Axially extending projections are formed on either one of the outer diameter surface of a shaft of the outer joint member and the inner diameter surface of a hole of the hub ring, and the projections are axially press fitted into the other. Recesses fitted in an intimate contact manner onto the projections are formed in the other. Thus, a recess/projection fitting structure is formed. In the structure, the entire fitting/contact portions of the projections and the recesses are in intimate contact with each other. Further, a shaft come-out prevention structure is provided between the shaft of the outer joint member and the inner diameter surface of the hub ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Nakagawa, Yuichi Asano, Kiyoshige Yamauchi, Masahiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8393799
    Abstract: A roller assembly comprises a first race and a second race. The second race is coaxial with the first race and is axially movable relative to the first race. The first and second races are movable between a static axial position and a dynamic axial position relative to one another. The roller assembly includes at least one biasing member that is operative to bias the first and second races from the dynamic axial position toward the static axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Bruce A. Dahl
  • Patent number: 8393800
    Abstract: Needle roller bearing includes an outer ring having first outer ring member having center angle larger than 180° and second outer ring member having center angle smaller than 180°, needle rollers, a retainer having ring section pairs and column sections arranged between the pair of ring sections, d<X<D and the formula below are satisfied wherein D represents the outer ring inner diameter, r represents a needle roller radius, d represents the retainer outer diameter, and X represents a line segment length l1 connecting circumferential ends of an inner diameter surface of the first outer ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Katsufumi Abe, Akihiko Katayama
  • Patent number: 8393801
    Abstract: An outer ring has a tapered tubular portion having a tapered raceway surface, a small diameter side extension portion that extends radially outward from a small diameter side edge of the tapered tubular portion, and a large diameter side extension portion that extends from a large diameter side edge of the tapered tubular portion in a direction away from the axis of the outer ring. The small diameter side extension portion and the large diameter side extension portion are larger in thickness than the tapered tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Hamada, Hiroshi Ueno, Isao Usuki, Hironori Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 8393802
    Abstract: An optical connector having a body with an outer surface, a first cavity extending within the body from the outer surface and a second cavity spaced apart from the first cavity and extending within the body of the connector from the outer surface. An optical component is positioned within the first cavity and an ejector, which extents into the second cavity, is coupled to the optical component. A biasing mechanism is operatively coupled to apply a biasing force to the ejector to secure the optical component within the first cavity. When a force greater than the biasing force is applied to the ejector within the second cavity, the ejector ejects the optical component from the first cavity so that it extends beyond the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Stanley, Albert John Golko, Felix J. Alvarez Rivera
  • Patent number: 8393803
    Abstract: A connector for an optical fiber includes a first coupling element threadedly secured to a second coupling element such that the first coupling element and second coupling element define a lumen. A collet configured to receive a portion of the optical fiber is disposed in the lumen such that the collet holds the optical fiber in place with respect to the first and second coupling elements. An adjustable ferrule is threadedly secured to the proximal end of the second coupling element and is rotatable with respect to the second coupling element to translate a proximal end of the adjustable ferrule longitudinally with respect to a proximal end of the optical fiber. A connector element is secured to the proximal end of the second coupling element with the adjustable ferrule and is rotatable with respect to the second coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hogue Surgical, LLC
    Inventor: Roger S. Hogue
  • Patent number: 8393804
    Abstract: A terminus for a fiber optic cable includes a ferrule. In one embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through a central bore of the ferrule and is attached to a lens seated in a conical or cylindrical seat formed in an end surface of the ferrule by an epoxy. In a second embodiment, an optical fiber of the cable passes through the central bore of the ferrule. Next, a cap sleeve with a lens therein is slid over and attached to the ferrule such that the lens abuts or is attached to the optical fiber. In either embodiment, an inspection slot may optionally be formed in the ferrule and/or the cap sleeve to allow a technician to inspect the state of the attachment and/or abutment and/or spacing of the optical fiber and lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Nielson, Gary Gibbs, Matthew Cruz, Timothy W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8393805
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a shutter spring which urges a shutter drive member for driving shutter blades, a shutter charge unit which is used to charge the shutter spring, and is switched between a fixed state in which a charge operation of the shutter spring is complete, and the shutter drive member is fixed and a released state, and a drive unit which drives the shutter charge unit. When a second determination unit determines that a switching ready state of a mirror from a mirror-down state to a mirror-up state is set when a first determination unit determines that a charge operation of the shutter spring is complete, the drive unit is controlled to drive the shutter charge unit to the released state without latch the shutter charge unit in the fixed state after the charge operation of the shutter spring is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8393806
    Abstract: A photo arm is proposed here. A revolving handwheel is equipped for driving a transmission mechanism to bring the photo arm to rotate, so that a camera fixed on the photo arm can shoot from different angles along a circular path. The photo arm is also equipped with a power and signal connecting box for supplying power to the camera and transmitting image information and control instructions. Furthermore, a hoist handwheel is equipped for adjusting the height of the rotation center of the photo arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ortery Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peng-Cheng Lai
  • Patent number: 8393807
    Abstract: A camera accessory is equipped with an accessory mount assuming a bayonet structure with first through third tabs set over intervals along a circumference and projecting from inside of the accessory toward the outside. The mount is structured so that insertion of the mount is allowed when the mount is inserted at a correct interlock phase without any of the first through third tabs contacting any of three camera body-side tabs, and that insertion of the mount is disallowed if the accessory mount is positioned at an incorrect interlock phase with at least two tabs contacting at least two of the camera body-side tabs. The first through the third tabs extend along varying lengths along the circumference. When the first tab and either other tab contacts two of the camera body-side tabs at a total of two contact locations, the first tab contacts near the second side end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Hasuda, Noriyasu Kotani, Hideaki Hoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8393808
    Abstract: A method of developing a substrate including rotating the substrate and supplying a developing liquid from a discharge port of a developer nozzle onto the surface of the substrate, while moving the developer nozzle, disposed above the substrate, from a central portion towards a peripheral portion of the substrate, and supplying a first rinse liquid from a discharge port of a first rinse nozzle onto the surface of the substrate, while moving the first rinse nozzle, disposed above the substrate, from the central portion towards the peripheral portion of the substrate. The supplying of the developing liquid and the first rinse liquid are performed concurrently, with the first rinse nozzle being maintained nearer to a center of the substrate than the developer nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Taro Yamamoto, Kousuke Yoshihara, Yuichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8393809
    Abstract: A printer includes a carriage movable between first and second ends of a reciprocating path; and a driving force-transmitting, path-selecting mechanism provided at the second end. The force-transmitting, path-selecting mechanism includes a driving force outputting member; force receiving members; a selecting member; and a position retainer. The selecting member connects the driving force outputting member to one of the force receiving members, and moves with the carriage when the carriage moves in a vicinity of the second end in a first direction from the first end to the second end. The position retainer keeps the position of the selecting member when the carriage moves in a second direction from the second end to the first end. The force receiving member connected to the driving force outputting member is selected in accordance with a movement of the carriage along the reciprocating path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Koga, Masatoshi Izuchi
  • Patent number: 8393810
    Abstract: The present invention provides a media guide system for guiding media unwound from a roll of a roll assembly along a direction of roll feeding in a printer. The guide system includes a guide base including a datum edge guide surface and a plurality of edge guide receivers. The datum edge guide surface is aligned along a direction of roll feeding. The plurality of edge guide receivers is formed in the guide base and extends along the direction of roll feeding. When the roll assembly is loaded into the guide base by engaging an edge guide of the roll assembly into at least one of the plurality of edge guide receivers, the datum edge guide surface of the guide base and the edge guide of the roll assembly serve as edge guides to guide the roll through the printer during a printing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Brady Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent A. Bandholz, Richard L. Carriere, Robert J. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 8393811
    Abstract: When a cut lever is rotated, a tape printer cuts a tape by using a cutting mechanism unit. The cutting mechanism unit has a cut lever rotatably supported by a lever shaft, a cutter holder provided with a cutter blade and a cutter blade receiving member. Upon rotation of the cut lever, the cut lever moves the cutter holder in a cutting direction, the cutter blade presses and cuts the tape in cooperation with the cutter blade receiving member. At a point the cutter blade comes into contact with the cutter blade receiving member, a line segment connecting a lever shaft center and a contact protrusion tangent point T becomes perpendicular to the cutting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidenori Jo, Keiji Seo, Shinji Kobayashi, Toshihiro Takahashi, Atsushi Kasugai, Takehiko Inaba, Toshiyuki Furuyama, Hiroaki Kita
  • Patent number: 8393812
    Abstract: Hand-held device that accommodates an instrument, preferably a writing instrument. In certain embodiments, the device is a unitary elongated member that is shaped and configured to receive an instrument such as a pen or pencil, thereby defining a holder and instrument assembly. It has a curvilinear generally central portion which is shaped and positioned to rest against the hand of the user between the index finger and thumb. A plurality of bores receive the instrument and secure it in place to create a unitary assembly that allows the user to readily and easily control the instrument. The instrument is readily removable from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Concord Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Shultz
  • Patent number: 8393813
    Abstract: Personal care product dispenser systems include a dispenser and a base station. The dispenser comprises a casing including a personal care product and a shaft. The personal care product is disposed within the casing and comprises an antiperspirant or deodorant. The shaft extends through a portion of the casing and including a first end and a second end and is configured to advance the personal care product through the casing when rotated in a first direction. The second end has a chuck contact surface defining a first shape. The base station includes a motor and a chuck. The motor is operatively coupled to the chuck and is configured to rotate the chuck, and the chuck has a wheel contact surface to correspond to the first shape of the chuck contact surface. The base station is configured to rotate the chuck when the dispenser is mounted to the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventor: Travis T. Yarlagadda
  • Patent number: 8393814
    Abstract: A retractable instrument in accordance with the disclosure advantageously has a simple construction and fewer pieces or sub-assemblies than known retractable instruments. The retractable instrument includes a barrel that encloses a tool holder. The tool holder has an extension, and a tool extending from the distal end of the extension. A valve selectively covers the tool to protect the tool from environmental conditions. A biasing element is disposed between the valve and the tool holder, the biasing element biases the valve away from the tool holder. A movable closure assembly retains the valve on the extension and selectively allows the lid to open and close. The closure assembly includes a closure ring and a retention ring connected by one or more closure arms. The retention ring is disposed on the tool holder and the retention ring is prevented from sliding off of the tool holder by a retention stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sanford, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert G. Challman, Jaime Arenas
  • Patent number: 8393815
    Abstract: A condiment packet having a spreading apparatus, and a method of use thereof. The condiment packet includes a substantially flat, sealed pouch containing a condiment. The condiment packet further includes a spreading apparatus being within the sealed pouch. The spreading apparatus may be used to spread the condiment over a food substance once the condiment is squeezed onto the food substance and once a portion of the spreading apparatus is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Crucs Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Crucs
  • Patent number: 8393816
    Abstract: A glow-in-the-dark marking pen that is intended for use for marking structures during search and rescue operations, particularly during a fire, is herein disclosed. The glow-in-the-dark properties of the ink are activated by breaking an inner glass tube contained within the plastic marker body and shaking it. The cap is removed and the pen can be used upon various surfaces as needed. The glow-in-the-dark ability of the ink allows others to see writing in diminished lighting environments, such as emergency personnel who wish to alert other personnel that a room of a structure is being checked or has been checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: John D. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8393817
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The tootbrush includes two elements to be driven, wherein the first element is a movable brush head and the second element is a pump; an electric motor; and a device that drives the movable brush head in both directions of rotation of the electric motor and drives the pump in one direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Benedikt Heil, Hansjoerg Reick, Michael Stolper, Andreas Kramp, Norbert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8393818
    Abstract: An assembly structured to restrict contamination of individuals from association with the heads of stethoscope comprising a housing including a path of travel along which the head portion passes. Different embodiments include the dispensing of cleaning fluid or the delivery of protective barriers onto predetermined portions of the stethoscope heads, while passing along the path of travel. A dispenser assembly and a cooperatively disposed activating assembly are manually operated by moveable, driving engagement with the head portion passing through the housing. The activating assembly is thereby operatively positioned to activate the dispenser assembly when engaged by a head passing along the path of travel. Differently structured dispenser assemblies function to either deliver the cleaning fluid or individually dispense the barriers onto different heads, so as to either facilitate the cleaning or protective covering of exposed surfaces of the stethoscope heads, dependent on the embodiment utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Seedlings Life Science Ventures, LLC.
    Inventors: Michael Perlman, James M. Sellers, Keith Rubin, Mathew Cardinali, Michael R. Cole, Sidney Perlman
  • Patent number: 8393819
    Abstract: Binder apparatus are described. An example binder apparatus includes a housing comprising a plurality of lateral recesses or apertures and a first carrier rail having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the housing engaging the first longitudinal edge. The example binder apparatus includes a second carrier rail having a third longitudinal edge and a fourth longitudinal edge, the housing engaging the third longitudinal edge, the second longitudinal edge hingably engaging the fourth longitudinal edge. The binder apparatus includes a slider comprising a plurality of protrusions to be received by at least some of the lateral recesses or apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Moore Wallace North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Warmus
  • Patent number: 8393820
    Abstract: A rotationally locked drive assembly for a VSI crusher comprises a drive shaft 52 rotatably securable in a bearing cartridge assembly 60, the drive shaft having a tapered upper end portion 62 for forming a taper joint in cooperation with the tapered central opening 72 of a flywheel 54, a top opening key receptor 81 formed on the top surface 76 of the flywheel for receiving a locking key 56, whereby tightening of fasteners 58 secures locking key 56 in key receptor 81, presses flywheel 54 onto drive shaft 52, thereby fortifying the taper joint between the flywheel 54 and drive shaft 52, and locking drive shaft 52, flywheel 54 and locking key 56 in rotational alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Damian Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8393821
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a clamping device for locking two elements, e.g. rotatable shafts, having a substantially circular cross-section. The clamping device comprises a central holding part having two partly curved sections being adapted to at least partly encircle and hold the elements, which curved sections are inversely curved. Further, the clamping device comprises an upper holding part having a partly curved section arranged being adapted to at least partly encircle and hold a first element and a lower holding part having a partly curved section being adapted to at least partly encircle and hold a second element. The central, upper and lower holding parts are adapted to co-operate to lock the elements when pressed together by means of a tightening element. The curved sections are inversely curved in relation to each other and form together with the substantially rectangular section a substantially S-shaped central part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Elekta AB (Publ)
    Inventors: Kristian Wiberg, Per Carlsson
  • Patent number: 8393822
    Abstract: A lightweight, portable roadway barrier is disclosed. The barrier (3) comprises a structural framework (5, 7, 9) for resisting collapse of the barrier in response to impact of a vehicle and panels (13) mounted to opposite sides of the barrier for deflecting vehicles on impact with the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Saferoads Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Darren John Hotchkin