Patents Issued in April 9, 2013
  • Patent number: 8413894
    Abstract: A card for use in secure transactions includes a card body having a first major surface and a second major surface, the first major surface having a combination of a plurality of symbols disposed thereon. The card body has a plurality of LEDs disposed in connection with the plurality of preprinted symbols, individual ones of LEDs being disposed to identify respective individual ones of the plurality of symbols when illuminated. An LED controller is coupled to the plurality of LEDs and operable upon actuation to selectively illuminate individual ones of the plurality of LEDs to identify a sub-combination of the plurality of symbols, thereby providing an illuminated one-time code for use in a secure transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: X-Card Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Kenneth Bona, Rune Petter Domsten, Finn Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8413895
    Abstract: A communication device includes an analog unit that processes an analog signal received from an antenna unit which performs a contactless communication with an external device. The communication device also includes a wired interface that connects to an information processing terminal through a wire. In addition, the communication device includes a digital control unit that manages a communication mode set between the external device and the information processing terminal and controls a communication path between the external device and the information processing terminal according to a present communication mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Felica Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Toyokazu Ota, Yasumasa Nakatsugawa
  • Patent number: 8413896
    Abstract: A system and method for execution of financial and data transactions includes a point-of-sale device configured to execute a transaction in which at least one good or service is sold to an individual having a card with a storage medium encoding a card number. The transaction is completed after said point-of-sale device receives a data transmission authorizing said transaction. The point-of-sale device is configured to communicate via the Internet with a first computing system. The first computing system stores a set of instructions that cause the first computing system to evaluate the transaction to determine whether the transaction is to be authorized, and to send a transmission authorizing the transaction via the open network to said point-of-sale device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Serve Virtual Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason J. Hogg, Patrick Graf
  • Patent number: 8413897
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for securing an enclosed space by identifying the persons authorized to access, including: (i) at least one “human detection system” (3) whose issue(s) activate the entry(ies) (8b) of one or several comparator modules (8); (ii) identification units (i) of the aforesaid types able to communicate with the identification receiver(s) (2) in order to activate the entry(ies) (8a) of one or several comparator modules (8); and (iii) at least one, better several comparator modules (8) characterized by the fact that its (their) issue (8c) will be activated only if the entry (8b) of this same module has been activated, and the other entry (8a) has not been activated alter an adjustable delay. This device is characterized by the fact that an authorized person wears an identifying device which automatically allows the inhibition of the alarm system, which has been previously activated by human detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Yvan Peyrot
  • Patent number: 8413898
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing search results responsive to a web enquiry made using an Internet user's wireless communication device. The geographical location of the Internet user's wireless communication device is determined wirelessly. That geographical location is associated with a computer signature of that same Internet user's wireless communication device. Receiving a web enquiry from the Internet user's wireless communication device and replying with geographically relevant information based on the Internet user's location, as determined by reference to the Internet user's computer signature. The location may be cached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Guy Heffez
  • Patent number: 8413899
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a purchased article registration apparatus includes a declaration unit, an input unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The declaration unit accepts a declaration input indicating that a customer carries a reusable shopping bag with which the customer takes a purchased article home. The input unit accepts input of article identification data that can identify the article purchased by the customer. The determination unit determines whether the article specified by the article identification data having its input accepted by the input unit is an article to be separately packaged or not. The notification unit notifies that separate packaging should be provided, when the declaration that the customer carries the reusable shopping bag is accepted and it is determined that the article is an article to be separately packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuuichi Iida
  • Patent number: 8413900
    Abstract: A method for tracking shipments of a letter or package shipped by at least one shipper to an address of at least one addressee including printing a bar code on each shipment to be tracked, wherein the bar code includes at least one part for identification of the shipper of the shipment, which is invariable for each shipper, and a shipment rank identification part of each shipment, which is variable for each shipment; and a device for tracking shipments of a letter or package shipped by at least one shipper to an address of at least one addressee including at least one database having at least one user data table listing bar codes of the shipper and address information, and a data table of shipments being tracked listing each shipment by shipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Frederic Jouvin, Jean-luc Jouvin
  • Patent number: 8413901
    Abstract: A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to enable an individual to complete a financial transaction by swiping a magnetic stripe card through a card reader connected to a mobile device. The size of the card reader is miniaturized to be portable for connection with the mobile device. The card reader is configured to reliably read data encoded in a magnetic strip of the card with minimum error in a single swipe and provide a signal that corresponds to the data read to the mobile device, which then decodes the incoming signal from the card reader and acts as a point-of-sale device to complete the financial transaction. Such an approach enables a person to become either a micro-merchant (payee) or a buyer/customer (payer) without having to purchase expensive card reader devices or software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventor: Xuancong Wen
  • Patent number: 8413902
    Abstract: An optical component of an image acquisition device includes at least two faces each having a first optically active region, the first optically active regions of the at least two faces being assigned to optical functions homologous to each other, but according to different acquisition configurations, the at least two faces defining respective reference planes, the normals to the reference planes being differently oriented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Datalogic Scanning Group S.R.L.
    Inventors: Guido Maurizio Oliva, Federico Canini
  • Patent number: 8413903
    Abstract: Various algorithms are presented that enable an image of a barcode, captured by a camera of an electronic device, to be decoded on the device without need to upload the image information to a server for processing. The algorithms can account for variations in focus of the image, as may result in blur due to move movement or auto-focus features. The approaches can handle multiple barcode formats, and can handle barcodes on curved surfaces, barcodes with damaged areas, or barcodes that are otherwise uneven. Such algorithms are highly accurate while being fast and lightweight enough to execute on portable electronic devices, such as tablet computers and smart phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: A9.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnab S Dhua, Max Delgadillo
  • Patent number: 8413904
    Abstract: A keyboard layout for a handheld electronic book device is described herein. The device includes a display screen adapted for displaying visible representations of textual or graphic content related to the electronic book. The device also includes a keyboard for controlling presentation of the content. The keyboard includes two sets of keys. A first set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a first point of reference on the device. A second set of keys is arranged in an arcuate configuration relative to a second point of reference on the device. The second point of reference is spaced from the first point of reference on the device. One or more of the first set of keys and one or more of the second set of keys are arranged in a horizontal row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Gregg E. Zehr, John E. Johnston, Symon J. Whitehorn, Thomas J. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 8413905
    Abstract: A portable prescription sample transaction payment device has a substrate with a surface rendering corresponding to a prescription medical supply sample. Memory, in contact with the substrate, stores an identifier for the prescription medical supply sample, a quantity for the prescription medical supply sample, a dosage for the prescription medical supply sample, and an identifier for a patient. The memory also stores a pharmaceutical company account for a dispensing pharmacist to charge the cost of the prescription medical supply sample for payment to a dispensing pharmacist account to reimburse the dispensing pharmacist for the prescription medical supply sample. An image corresponding to the prescription medical supply sample is stored in the memory, as is an identifier for a prescribing medical practitioner prescribing the prescription medical supply sample to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Stacy Pourfallah
  • Patent number: 8413906
    Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a new technique for hiding sensitive information in smart cards. A smartcard system relying on stegnography rather than cryptography may act as a countermeasure to prevent extraction of cryptographic information such as passwords. In one embodiment, the smart card system of the present disclosure may be used to authenticate a smart card user. A password may be stored within a hidden memory location of a smart card. A smart card may interface with an external device. Data representing the hidden memory location of the stored password may be transmitted to an external device. Access to the hidden memory location of the smart card by the external device may be allowed. The password stored within the smart card memory is compared to input data entered into the external device. If the input data matches the password stored within the smart card, a user may be authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Hanan Ahmed Hossni Mahmoud Abd Alla, Khaled Soliman Alghathbar
  • Patent number: 8413907
    Abstract: A wireless IC device that is miniaturized, allows simple and low-cost mounting of a wireless IC, and eliminates the possibility of damage occurring to the wireless IC due to static electricity, and an electronic apparatus equipped with the wireless IC device, includes a wireless IC chip that processes transmission and reception signals, and a feeder circuit substrate that includes a resonant circuit having an inductance element. Feeder electrodes are provided on a surface of the feeder circuit substrate and are electromagnetically coupled to the resonant circuit. The feeder electrodes and are electromagnetically coupled to radiation plates and provided for a printed wiring board. The wireless IC chip is activated by a signal received by the radiation plates and a response signal from the wireless IC chip is radiated outward from the radiation plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Ikemoto, Satoshi Ishino, Yuya Dokai, Noboru Kato, Takeshi Kataya, Ikuhei Kimura, Mikiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8413908
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical security mark that can be applied to an object, said mark comprising a structure made of a metamaterial that generates a magnetic response to incident radiation having a wavelength (?) corresponding to a specific code of formula ?r(?) where ?r is the relative magnetic permeability of the metamaterial and ? is a wavelength of the incident radiation having a value of between 15 nm and 1100 nm, or a specific code of formula ?(?r) or combinations of said codes. Said mark has a first tranverse dimension bx in a first transverse extension of the metamaterial and a second transverse dimension by in a second transverse extension of the metamaterial, different from the first transversal dimension, the first transverse dimension and the second transverse dimension each being at least equal to the wavelength (?) of the incident radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Universitat Politecnica de Valencia
    Inventors: Alejandro Jose Martinez Abietar, Carlos Garcia Meca, Javier Marti Sendra
  • Patent number: 8413909
    Abstract: A two-dimensional code having a rectangular region is provided. In the rectangular region, there are code blocks composed of a plurality of cells, a first specific pattern specifying the positions of the cells, and a second specific pattern separating the code blocks from a background of the code. The first specific pattern is located at a specified corner of the rectangular region. The second specific pattern is located along one or more of first borders along which the first specific pattern is located, the first borders being part of the borders of the rectangular region. The code blocks include error-correction code blocks, which are located along second borders which are different from a border of the borders along which the second specific pattern is located. The second borders are part of the borders. Compressed data code blocks are also arranged in the same way as the error-correction code blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Wave Incorporated
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mizukoshi, Masami Tanaka, Yuichi Ito, Hayato Kita, Takao Ushijima, Masahiro Hara
  • Patent number: 8413910
    Abstract: The invention provides a base plate, and a fastener equipped with such a base plate, whose weight is minimized and whose stiffness is optimised on the one hand and which is suitable for being supported on an elastic intermediate layer on the other hand. To this end, a base plate according to the invention for fastening a rail to a fixed bottom support has, the base plate being made of a plastics material and a stiffening structure which is formed by ribs and by depressions present between the ribs being formed or molded in the underside of the base plate, which underside is associated with the fixed bottom support, depressions of the stiffening structure being closed off, in accordance with the invention, by a filling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Vossloh-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bösterling, Lutz Rademacher, Adrian Bednarczyk, André Hunold
  • Patent number: 8413911
    Abstract: A sprayer for spraying a fluid can include a sprayer body, a fluid reservoir, a trigger assembly, a flow adjustment mechanism and a flow rate indicator. The sprayer body can include a nozzle assembly that defines a fluid outlet and includes a needle arranged within a fluid conduit. The needle can be movable between a closed position and a fully opened position. The fluid reservoir can be coupled to the sprayer body and be in communication with the fluid outlet and fluid conduit. The trigger assembly can be coupled to the nozzle assembly and be configured to move the needle as the trigger assembly is depressed. The flow adjustment mechanism can be configured to adjust a flow rate of the sprayer by limiting movement of the trigger assembly and the needle. The flow rate indicator can provide an indication of the flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Jamie S. Munn
  • Patent number: 8413912
    Abstract: A push-button for a pressurized product dispensing system, including a body having a mounting shaft on a pressurized product supply tube and a housing equipped with a passage for dispensing the product between the shaft and a swirl assembly including a swirl chamber provided with a dispensing aperture as well as at least one supply channel for the chamber, in which the push-button also includes a needle movably mounted in the housing between a position closing the supply of the dispensing aperture and a position opening the supply; the needle has an actuation bearing in communication with the dispensing passage so as to enable the movement of the needle into the opening position; the needle has a distal wall arranged opposite the dispensing aperture so as to form the base of the swirl chamber when the needle is in the opening position, and the distal wall has a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rexam Dispensing Systems S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Songbe
  • Patent number: 8413913
    Abstract: A unit fuel injector (30) has a boundary edge filter. A first endless annular internal space (100) is open to a holes (92) forming a fuel inlet port, a second endless annular internal space (102) that is spaced axially of the first endless annular internal space and through which fuel is supplied to an injection mechanism, and a series of circumferentially spaced apart, axially extending channels (104) through which fuel can pass from the first endless annular internal space to the second endless annular internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC.
    Inventor: Erik Jordan Hansen
  • Patent number: 8413914
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrostatically spraying a plural component fast set polymer is disclosed. The system comprises a spray gun and at least two hoses connected to the head of the spray gun. The system also includes a proportioner connected to an end of the at least two hoses and a high voltage generator electrically and pneumatically in communication with the spray gun. The electrostatic spray system will allow for a fast set polymer to be imparted with electrical charge after mixing of a first and second component in a spray head thereof prior to expulsion via a nozzle to a grounded target that is being coated with the electrostatic spray coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hanson Group, LLC
    Inventor: Melissa Pena
  • Patent number: 8413915
    Abstract: Fibrous materials, compositions that include fibrous materials, and uses of the fibrous materials and compositions are disclosed. For example, the fibrous materials can be operated on by a microorganism to produce ethanol or a by-product, such as a protein or lignin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Xylero, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall Medoff
  • Patent number: 8413916
    Abstract: A shredder includes a cutting assembly capable of shredding paper mounted in a shredder housing and a detector mechanism capable of shutting off the cutting assembly in response to detecting a force applied to the cutting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Alan Pilch, Josh Davis
  • Patent number: 8413917
    Abstract: A roller mill for grinding particulate material such as cement raw materials, cement clinker and similar materials comprises a mill housing surrounding a substantially horizontal grinding table, a number of rollers each rotating about a roller shaft and configured for interactive operation with the grinding table and at least one mechanism or device for introducing gases into the mill housing. The at least one mechanism or device for introducing gases into the mill housing comprises an annular duct having openings in a wall facing the grinding table and being located around the outer circumference of the grinding table. As a consequence hereof, a significant reduction of the pressure loss in a roller mill and thus a significant reduction of energy consumption will be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventor: Bent Horning
  • Patent number: 8413918
    Abstract: A buffering device of the invention includes a motor and a drive cutter shaft driven by the motor. Mounted on the drive cutter shaft are a drive cutter gear, a buffering disc, and a buffering gear. The buffering disc contains a cylindrical portion. A shifting block is extended from the cylindrical portion. A receiving hole is defined in the buffering gear. Plural recesses are extended from the circumferential inner wall. The cylindrical portion is inserted into the circumferential inner wall, while the shifting blocks are placed into recesses. A circumferential gap is defined between the shifting block and a recess. By this way, the gear components or motor are protected from being damaged due to overload, hence making it possible to protect the mechanical components and motor of the paper shredder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Fengqiang Zhong
  • Patent number: 8413919
    Abstract: A roller storage system is proposed for storing sheet-like items, especially bank notes, comprising at least one film drum (3, 4) that can be driven rotatably by a motor having at least one strip-type film (7, 11), a winding drum (1) that can be driven rotatably by a motor and a hysteresis coupling (21) on the film drum (3, 4) and/or on the winding drum for transmitting torque from a motor to the film drum (3, 4) and/or the winding drum (1). The film (7, 11) is wound from the film drum (3, 4) onto the winding drum (1) for the reception of the sheet-type items (20) and wound from the winding drum (1) onto the two film drums (3, 4) for the delivery of the sheet-type items (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventor: Andre Michels
  • Patent number: 8413920
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for unwinding a roll of web material are disclosed herein. The web material is unwound from the roll and the machine direction of motion of the web is altered without creating a problematic span of web material. A value analogous to the tension of the web material is determined. The speed of the web is adjusted according to the analog of the tension of the web. The apparatus can comprise an unwind stand to rotate the roll, and a means for altering the direction of travel of the web material. The apparatus further comprises a means to determine an analog of the web material tension and a means of controlling the speed of the web according to the analog of the web tension. The web material is routed to a downstream process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bruce Jerome Solberg, David Kent Mattheis
  • Patent number: 8413921
    Abstract: A supporting mechanism is provided that prevents swings and deflections of a long piece of material, as well as eliminates any scratches of it that may arise when it is being processed. The supporting mechanism includes a group of spherical bodies C, four pieces of movable supporting members 1, and coil springs 2. The group of spherical bodies C comprises a first group of spherical bodies C1. The movable supporting members 1 are provided around the second group of spherical bodies C2, contacting the periphery of the group. The coil springs 2 are a biasing device that pushes the movable supporting members 1 toward the central axis of the long piece of material W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitugi Umemura
  • Patent number: 8413922
    Abstract: An acoustic treatment structure related to a leading edge onto which an aerodynamic stream flows, in particular at an air intake of an aircraft nacelle, includes—from the outside to the inside—at least one acoustically resistive substructure (30), at least one alveolar substructure including strips (32) of cells, arranged in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the aerodynamic stream, and at least one reflective layer (34). Each strip (32) includes a first part that insulates the strips from one another, called a support, with a U-shaped cross-section in the longitudinal direction, whose open surface that is opposite to the bottom of the U shape is flattened against the acoustically resistive substructure (30), and at least a second part, called partitioning, making it possible to partition the space that is delimited by the support and the acoustically resistive substructure (30) into cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Creuzet Aeronautique, Airbus Operation SAS
    Inventors: Alain Porte, Jacques Lalane, Fabrice Gantie, Jacques Barillot-Creuzet
  • Patent number: 8413923
    Abstract: For damping vertical oscillations in a helicopter having a rotor drive-unit and an airframe and carrying an external payload suspended via a lifting gear from a load attachment point on the airframe, oscillation sensors are arranged on the helicopter, and an actively operated linear actuator is provided between the load attachment point and the lifting gear. With the oscillation sensors excitations of a first mode of the vertical oscillations, in which the external load and the rotor drive-unit oscillate together relative to the load attachment point, and of a second mode of the vertical oscillations, in which the load attachment point oscillates relative to the external load and the rotor drive-unit, are sensed, and forces opposed to the vertical oscillations are applied with the actuator between the load attachment point and the lifting gear as a function of the phase and of the amplitude of the sensed excitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Hanno Brenner, Mario Hamers
  • Patent number: 8413924
    Abstract: A startup assistance apparatus for a fine pitch Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is provided and includes a generator to provide motive power to the RAT when operating in a first mode and to generate electricity from RAT operation when operating in a second mode and a control unit, including a speed sensing unit configured to sense an operating condition of the generator and a controller operably coupled to the generator and configured to control the generator to operate in the first or the second mode based on the sensed operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Bannon, Scott J. Marks
  • Patent number: 8413925
    Abstract: An aircraft engine attachment pylon including a rigid structure forming a caisson, and a rear engine attachment including an attachment body and at least one lateral fitting arranged on either side of the caisson. Each fitting includes a first portion pierced by first assembly holes enabling it to be fixed to the caisson, and a second portion defining a fixing surface of the body. The second portion includes a housing orifice receiving a self-locking nut cooperating with a screw supported against the body and, in transversal section, an axis of the screw passes through the first holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Martinou, Michael Berjot
  • Patent number: 8413926
    Abstract: The invention provides an aircraft with an auxiliary power unit isolated from the aircraft. An auxiliary power unit suspension system includes at least one suspension linkage. The suspension linkage terminates with a first low stiffness elastomeric rod end. The low stiffness elastomeric rod end has a low spring rate with the aircraft auxiliary power unit suspension system providing the aircraft auxiliary power unit with a suspended auxiliary power unit natural frequency, the suspended auxiliary power unit natural frequency below the aircraft auxiliary power unit operation frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk W. Olsen, Gerald P. Whiteford, Pat Sheridan, Scott K. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8413927
    Abstract: A pivotal connection and a substantially rigid yet disruptable mechanical connection mount a respective foot pad on a distal end of each one of plural landing legs of a lander spacecraft. The mechanical connection includes at least one predetermined rated breaking point designed to break when the foot pad makes contact with a landing ground surface. At least two sensor elements, preferably electrical conductors or switches, are incorporated in the mechanical connection(s) of one or more foot pads. When the foot pad makes ground contact, the mechanical connection breaks at the rated breaking point(s), which also disrupts or actuates the sensor element(s), which thus provides a signal to an evaluating unit, which triggers the shut-down of at least one braking retrorocket or retrothruster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Buchwald, Erich Werth
  • Patent number: 8413928
    Abstract: An array of aerodynamic riblets is formed with a surface layer for adhering to an aerodynamic surface and a plurality of riblet tips having a parabolic cross section extending from the surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Diane C. Rawlings, James D. McLean, Jr., Mary J. Mathews
  • Patent number: 8413929
    Abstract: An aircraft assembly is equipped with a lightning protection structure that is not easily destroyed by lightning current and that is highly reliable. The aircraft assembly includes a skin in which a CFRP layer serves as a main structure, a shear-tie that supports the skin from the inside, and a fastener that couples the skin and the shear-tie. A copper foil and an outside GRFP layer are provided on an outer surface side of the skin, in this order towards the outside, and a copper paint layer, which contains copper powder, is provided on the outside GFRP layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Kamino, Kazuyuki Oguri, Koichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8413930
    Abstract: An air intake duct of an aircraft engine or other component is provided with a thermal anti-icing system. The front of the air intake duct comprises a toroidal outer skin (16) which forms, with a toroidal internal bulkhead (18), a toroidal plenum (8) about the center line (26). The bulkhead has an inner edge nearest the center line. Within the plenum there is a toroidal inner skin (9) defining with the outer skin a substantially continuous toroidal channel (19). Hot air is supplied via an inlet (7) to the plenum (8). The air flows into an inlet (14) at an end of channel (19) and out of an outlet (11) through the bulkhead (18). This provide more heat to the leading edge of the duct, and to the surface of the duct facing the center line, than to other parts of the duct to prevent build up of ice which may enter, and damage, the engine. This reduces the mass flow of hot air needed for de-icing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Limited
    Inventors: Karl Gregory, Michael James Sheppard, Scott Attrill
  • Patent number: 8413931
    Abstract: An exoatmospheric device comprises an inertial measurement unit comprising a spin axis gyroscope adapted to obtain data regarding angular rotation of the exoatmospheric device about a spin axis, and at least one off-spin axis gyroscope adapted to obtain data regarding angular oscillation of the spin axis. The exoatmospheric device further comprises a processing unit coupled to the inertial measurement unit and adapted to detect attitude error by analyzing correlations between the measured rotation about the spin axis and the measured angular oscillation of the spin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Zygmunt Zubkow, Jeff Hegg
  • Patent number: 8413932
    Abstract: A system for augmenting ducted fan thrust is provided, the system including a peripheral ejector comprised of inner and outer cowling members. With the addition of actuators mounted between the trailing edges of the inner and outer cowling members, the system may be used to generate control moments in the ducted fan. The peripheral ejector may be segmented to form discrete ejector control sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Aerofex, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Stephen De Roche
  • Patent number: 8413933
    Abstract: A bracket (10) includes a body (14) for receiving the pipe and a suspension part (16) connected to the body for suspending a pipe from a profile (12) in several different ways. The suspension part includes an overlie part (18) having a bridge part (22) and two leg-parts (20,21). The bridge part extends between the two leg-parts and includes at least one resting section (49) being constructed to rest on an upper surface of the profile. The leg parts are constructed to extend on either side of the profile. A projection (45) is formed on the bridge part and a hole (50) is formed in bridge part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Flamco B.V.
    Inventors: Leonard Theodoor Benne, Raymond Vonk
  • Patent number: 8413934
    Abstract: A bracket (20) that is fixed to a band (10) mounted on an outer peripheral surface (2a) of a cylinder tube (2) supports a pipe (4). The band (10) includes a first tab (11a) projecting outward in a radial direction and a second tab (11b) projecting outward in the radial direction. The bracket (20) supporting the pipe (4) is formed with an inverted U-shaped cross-section constituted by a pair of leg plate portions (20a) and a top plate portion (20b) formed integrally with the leg plate portions (20a) to join the leg plate portions (20a). The pair of leg plate portions (20a) are fixed to the first tab (11a) and the second tab (11b) by a bolt, and a small and lightweight pipe fixing structure is thus realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiko Hara
  • Patent number: 8413936
    Abstract: A support device includes a platform, a connecting rod connected with the platform, a main support unit connected with the connecting rod, a weight member connected with the main support unit, two opposite clamping boards each pivotally mounted on the weight member, a swivel mechanism swivelably mounted between the connecting rod and the main support unit, a pivot member pivotally mounted on the swivel mechanism, and an auxiliary support unit connected with the pivot member. Thus, the video camera support device can be operated in two different manners to facilitate a user carrying the video camera. In addition, when the platform is moved by the user, the platform is kept at a horizontal state by provision of the weight member and the clamping boards so that the video camera is moved solidly and stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Tai-Shun Wang
  • Patent number: 8413937
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing a bracket, to which a side skirt may be attached to a frame of a wheeled container chassis semi-trailer. The assembly includes a support and at least one resilient securement member. A proximal end of the support may be mounted in a substantially outwardly transverse horizontal orientation to one side of the semi-trailer; a distal end secures the bracket in a position to maintain the side skirt in a substantially vertical configuration between the frame and a ground surface on which the semi-trailer is situated and substantially in line with the wheels on the one side of the semi-trailer. The securement members mount the support to the frame. The support may move relative to the frame in response to an applied force and is biased to return and maintain the support in the substantially outwardly transverse horizontal orientation when the force is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Innovative Trailer Design Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Benito Di Franco
  • Patent number: 8413938
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting an electrical panel to a handrail has a first portion having a U-shaped portion for receiving the handrail, a second portion having an attachment for attaching to the electrical panel, and a pivotal connection connecting the first portion to the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Brendan Whelan, Chad Whelan
  • Patent number: 8413939
    Abstract: The description concerns a fastening element for a bolt provided with a thread, in particular a stud bolt, comprising a block which is made of plastic, provided with a threaded bore hole and can be screwed onto the bolt. The fastening element is characterized in that the threaded bore hole is open laterally by means of an axial slot in such a way that the block can also be fitted on the threaded bolt laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: DIRAK Dieter Ramsauer Konstruktionselemente GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Ramsauer, Armin Gorontzi, Peter Hoeschler
  • Patent number: 8413940
    Abstract: A holding device fastening a part (1) to a frame (3). The holding device has an upper bracket (5) fastened to the frame (3), a lower bracket (6) fastened to the frame (3) below the upper bracket (5), and a holder (7) fastened to the part (1). The holder (7) has a hook (13) and a fixing plate (14). The upper bracket (5) has a hook mount (15) shaped complementary to the hook (13). The hook (13) is hung in the hook mount (15). The lower bracket (6) has a plate mount (16), shaped complementary to the fixing plate (14). The fixing plate (14) is inserted into plate mount (16) the from the top. A positive-locking connection is formed between the plate mount (16) and the fixing plate (14), which secures the fixing plate (14) at right angles to an insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Krause, Arthur Wieland
  • Patent number: 8413941
    Abstract: A stand for a surgical microscope is suggested that is provided with vertical and horizontal supports, articulation units and a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in an X direction extending horizontally and transversely to an oblique pivot axis. The displacer has a pivot support provided with a pivotable parallelogram support and a holding arm that is attached to the pivotable parallelogram support and is configured such that it simultaneously serves as a displacer for displacing the optics carrier in the X direction. The pivot support is provided with an additional displacement unit that determines the position of the parallelogram support with reference to the second articulation unit and the additional displacement unit contains a displacement screw that protrudes through the parallelogram support and is connected in an articulated fashion at one of its ends to a displacement element mounted to the parallelogram support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrzej Metelski
  • Patent number: 8413942
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat suspension system comprising a support assembly, a regulating system, and a control system. In an exemplary embodiment, the control system, which can comprise a hardware control for setting-selection by a human operator, directs the regulating system to adjust the support assembly as needed. Based on the human operator's chosen settings, the regulating system, in conjunction with the support assembly, can emulate a passive, semi-active, or active suspension. Preferably, the regulating system comprises a rotary motor, which drives the support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne Ward
  • Patent number: 8413943
    Abstract: A securing device for a tablet device has a main seat, two positioning rods, two first resilient elements, two driving sliders, two sets of holding legs and a lock. The holding legs hold the tablet device. When the lock is locked, the lock is unable to detach from the main seat, and the positioning rods, the driving sliders and the holding legs are unable to move. Consequently, the securing device is unable to detach from the tablet device. Thus, as a cable of the lock is looped around a post, the tablet device is secured at a specific position and is not stolen easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ABA UFO International Corp.
    Inventor: Chi-Yuan Li
  • Patent number: 8413944
    Abstract: Mounting systems for mounting solar panels to a surface are disclosed and can include panel clamp assemblies and rail clamp assemblies. Panel clamp assemblies can comprise a panel clamp having a base and arms extending from edges of the base, the base having an aperture, a rail clamp having a central portion with an aperture and two flexible tabs extending from the central portion on opposing sides of the aperture and a fastener threaded through the apertures such that that flexible tabs contact a head of the fastener and the arms extend in an opposite direction from the flexible tabs. Rail clamp assemblies can comprise a base member having a bottom and two side walls, the bottom having at least one aperture and each side wall having an elongated aperture, two clamping members and a fastener, wherein the side walls of the base member are positioned such that the opening is of sufficient size to receive the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Energy Technologies
    Inventors: John Henry Harberts, Aaron Faust, John Edward Klinkman, Ronald Paul Katt, David Wayne Raffler