Patents Issued in August 20, 2013
  • Patent number: 8511665
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a processing tray configured to stack a sheet to be processed, a sheet overlap unit configured to allow a sheet fed while the sheet to be processed is stacked on the processing tray, to be overlaid and made to wait, first and second bundle conveyance rollers configured to convey the sheet to the processing tray from the sheet overlap unit, and a sheet processing apparatus control unit configured to control an overlap operation in the sheet overlap unit, wherein the sheet processing apparatus control unit determines, based on sheet information relating to the sheet fed to the sheet overlap unit, whether a sheet to be then fed is overlaid on the sheet fed to the sheet overlap unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Iwata, Yusuke Obuchi, Hideki Kushida, Rikiya Takemasa
  • Patent number: 8511666
    Abstract: The provides a two money kinds recycle box provided with a plurality of paper money accumulating portions and storing and feeding the paper money at one position, thereby simplifying a carrier path structure of a whole of a paper money inputting and outputting machine provided with the two money kinds recycle box, and corresponding to a lot of money kinds with a compact structure. The two money kinds recycle box is provided with an output and input port outputting and inputting the paper money with respect to an external portion, a plurality of paper money accumulating portions storing the paper money, a pickup roller provided at one position of each of the paper money accumulating portions and carrying out an accumulating motion of the paper sheets onto the paper money accumulating portions and a feeding motion of the paper sheets from the accumulating portions, and a two-way carrier path carrying the paper sheets in a two-way direction between the one output and input port and a plurality of pickup rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi-Omron Terminal Solutions, Corp.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ichikawa, Shinji Shibata, Minoru Kadowaki, Riichi Kato
  • Patent number: 8511667
    Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a paper pick-up device, a first roller assembly, and a second roller assembly. The first roller assembly includes a first shaft, a first roller, and a power coupling device. When the power coupling device is connected with the first shaft and the first roller for transmitting a paper, the first roller is driven to be rotated by the first shaft. When the front edge of the paper is moved to the second roller assembly, the first roller is driven to be rotated at a higher speed by the paper. Consequently, a power connection between the first roller and the first shaft is released by the power coupling device. Then, the first roller reaches a static status in order to correct the skew phenomenon of the next paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Hung Kuo
  • Patent number: 8511668
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet carrying unit and an attraction separation and conveyance device. The sheet carrying unit is configured to carry thereon a sheet stack. The attraction separation and conveyance device is configured to electrostatically attract the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack and separate and convey the uppermost sheet from the sheet stack, and is placed between the upstream end and the central position in a sheet conveying direction of the sheet stack located at a sheet carrying position and having a minimum sheet size compatible with the sheet feeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikuni Ishikawa, Yu Wakabayashi, Toshiaki Takahashi, Manabu Nonaka
  • Patent number: 8511669
    Abstract: In a sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus of the present invention having stable performance without occurrence of double-feeding and non-feeding regardless of a type of sheet, a sheet holding portion which distorts a sheet as restricting sheet movement in a sheet drawing direction by pressing the upper face of sheets stacked on a bottom plate of a sheet cassette is disposed to the downstream in the sheet drawing direction of a feeding roller which is capable of performing forward and reverse rotation and a sheet holding position by the sheet holding portion is set to be closer to the feeding roller with decrease of sheet stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fuyuko Koyama
  • Patent number: 8511670
    Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: an openable-and-closable cover including a handle and a detecting member that detects presence of a sheet, wherein the detecting member is caused to rotate in association with the handle in a process of closing the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hiroshi Maeda
  • Patent number: 8511671
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus including a sheet stacking portion, a feeding roller, a biasing member, and a cam member, wherein a predetermined idling section in which the feeding roller does not work with rotation of the feeding shaft is provided between the feeding roller and the feeding shaft, the sheet feeding apparatus comprises a returning mechanism which returns the feeding roller to the initial feeding position after the feeding roller finishes feeding the sheet on the sheet stacking portion, and when a sheet feeding operation is started, at a time when the cam member starts rotating together with the feeding shaft and passes the idling section, the feeding roller starts rotating, feeds out the sheet on the sheet stacking portion and then is returned to the initial feeding position by the returning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Takiguchi, Shinya Noda
  • Patent number: 8511672
    Abstract: A roller main body including a roller core and a roller holder that supports the roller main body. The roller main body includes a boss protruding from each of both side surfaces of an end portion of the roller core, and a rib formed on each of the both side surfaces of the roller core, the roller holder includes a groove portion that detachably and rotatably supports the boss, and a recess that fixes the roller main body by locking the rib of the roller main body that rotates about the boss, the groove portion includes a rotation sliding contact portion that rotatably slides the boss, and a guiding path portion that guides the boss to the rotation sliding contact portion, and the guiding path portion is formed to have a width smaller than a maximum diameter of the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Kubo
  • Patent number: 8511673
    Abstract: A mailpiece selector device comprising a guide co-operating with at least one opposing selector roller to separate mailpieces one-by-one from a stack of mailpieces and to transport them downstream, said guide having at least two adjacent selector fingers having different lengths, it being possible for each of said selector fingers to pivot independently from the other(s) about a common pivot axis and against respective associated resilient return means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Romain Pillard
  • Patent number: 8511674
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus enabling to prevent generating a dent at a retard roller. When a sheet feeding operation is started, a driving motor normally rotates, and a swing arm is moved to a first position to cause a retard roller to press to a feed roller by a C input gear and a C gear. Also, when the sheet feeding operation is finished, the driving motor reversely rotates, and the swing arm is moved to a second position to cause the retard roller to separate from the feed roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroto Koga
  • Patent number: 8511675
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet storing portion storing sheets stacked on a stacking surface thereof; a feeding roller feeding each of the sheets by rotating while being in contact with a topmost one of the sheets; a support member having a support surface that supports downstream-side part, in a sheet feeding direction, of the sheets and, at the time of sheet feeding, being movable perpendicularly to the stacking surface while lifting the downstream-side part of the sheets with the topmost sheet kept in contact with the feeding roller; and a stopper member configured to come into contact with leading ends of some sheets to be fed by the feeding roller and to stop sheets other than the topmost sheet. The support surface of the support member slopes upward, with respect to the stacking surface, toward a downstream side in the sheet feeding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Yamagishi, Satoru Ishii, Kenichi Ishikura
  • Patent number: 8511676
    Abstract: A medium feeding device includes a medium placing member, a feeding mechanism for feeding the medium, and a lifting unit for moving the medium placing member toward the feeding mechanism. A first switching unit connects a transmission of a driving force from a driving source to the lifting unit based on a shifting of the feeding mechanism. A second switching unit connects the transmission based on control by a control unit. The control unit causes the second switching unit to transmit the driving force to the lifting unit to move the medium placing member upward based on detection by a medium detecting unit. When the medium placing member moves upward to a predetermined position, the first switching unit disconnects the transmission, holding the medium placing member at the predetermined position. The control unit causes the second switching unit to disconnect the transmission so that the medium placing member moves downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8511677
    Abstract: A sheet guide includes a base on which a sheet is placed; a pinion which is rotatably provided on the base; a pair of racks which are extended in a sliding direction, which sandwich the pinion therebetween, which are engaged with the pinion to move opposite to each other in the sliding direction; a pair of positioning members which are provided at one end portions of the pair of racks respectively; a sliding guide which is formed in the base and which guides the pair of racks in the sliding direction; and a contact portion which is provided at a side of at least one rack of the racks; a first supporting member configured to press the contact portion to urge the at least one rack against the pinion; and a second supporting member configured to support the other end portion of the at least one rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuta Uchino
  • Patent number: 8511678
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a fixed tray and a movable tray. The fixed tray is fixed at its downstream portion in a sheet transport direction and includes a sheet loading surface. A downstream portion of the sheet loading surface of the fixed tray is positioned at a higher level than an upstream portion thereof. The movable tray is pivotally supported, at its upstream portion, by a pivot support provided on the fixed tray. An angle between a sheet loading surface of the movable tray and a horizontal direction is more gentle than an angle between the sheet loading surface of the fixed tray and the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Terumitsu Azuma, Shigefumi Soga, Takeshi Hirabayashi, Kentaro Fukami, Shinji Tanoue, Hiroki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8511679
    Abstract: A sheet processing device in the form of an offset stacker, a sheet fence (103, 104) is provided on a side of sheets (S) to be processed stacked on a stack tray (3) opposite from a jogger (101, 102) so that the sheet fence accurately defines a final offset position of the sheets. When a transient offset position at which the sheets are stacked on the stack tray varies from one sheet to another, the side edges of sheets selected for offset stacking can be lined up without fail owing to the jogging action of the jogger and the supporting action of the sheet fence. A pair of joggers may be arranged on either side of the sheets, along with a pair of corresponding sheets fences on the opposing sides. The jogger and sheet fence on a same side may be supported by a common moveable frame (107, 108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Gradco (Japan) Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Kimura, Kenichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8511680
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a main body having a metal main frame, first and second resin frames attached to the main frame, a conveying section attached to the first resin frame and made of third resin, an input section provided to the conveying section, and an output section supported to the second resin frame and liked to the input section. The conveying section conveys a recording medium upon receiving driving force through the input section and the output section. Both the first and second resin frames have a higher liner expansion coefficient than the main frame, and a linear expansion coefficient of the third resin is higher than that of the main frame and lower than that of the first and second resin frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Souda
  • Patent number: 8511681
    Abstract: A paper money handling apparatus comprises a service mechanism unit for delivery of a paper sheet or sheets, a counting processing unit for counting of a paper sheet or sheets, a stacker for storing of a paper sheet or sheets, and conveyance paths for conveyance of a paper sheet or sheets to the service mechanism unit, the counting processing unit, and the stacker. The apparatus further comprises connection guides provided between the conveyance paths and the stackers to perform delivery of a paper sheet or sheets, a motor, a cam and a solenoid, which switch the connection guides to a connected state to connect the same to the conveyance paths and the stackers to enable delivery of a paper sheet or sheets and to an evacuated state to release the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi-Omron Terminal Solutions, Corp.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakata, Masanori Terao, Sho Mizuno, Hirokazu Aoji, Hiroshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8511682
    Abstract: A roulette board, including a roulette wheel on which a plurality of symbols are arranged in a circumferential direction of the roulette wheel, a plurality of ball reception portions that are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of symbols, the plurality of ball reception portions being configured to receive a ball that rolls on the roulette wheel, a banked passage that is endlessly provided along an outer circumference of the roulette wheel, and allows the ball to roll in a circumferential orbit, and a ball discharging mechanism that is provided with a ball discharging member and discharges the ball received in one of the plurality of ball reception portions from the one of the plurality of ball reception portions toward the banked passage by bringing the ball discharging member into contact with the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Yokota
  • Patent number: 8511683
    Abstract: A set of playing tokens (2, 8, 13, 14, 16) includes a numeric sub-set of playing tokens (2, 8). Each numeric token (2, 8) indicates a first numeric value, wherein a second numeric value is derived from the digit or digits which represent that first numeric value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: James Bruce Hampton Findlay, Carolyn Jean Hammond
  • Patent number: 8511684
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying unexpected cards in a card-handling device are disclosed. The method comprises providing a card-handling device, wherein the card-handling device comprises a card storage area, an output end for the manual removal of cards, a processor with associated memory, and a card recognition system capable of reading at least a rank of a card, wherein the associated memory has a data file of a set of expected card values, reading a value of a card, comparing the read card value to the set of expected card values, and when the card value is not an expected card value, generating an error signal indicative of a card not belonging to the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: SHFL Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Roger M. Snow, James R. Roberts, James P. Jackson, Nathan J. Wadds, Oliver M. Schubert
  • Patent number: 8511685
    Abstract: A stellated icosahedron puzzle has a plurality of assembled together parts forming in an assembled condition a stellated icosahedron, the assemblies including six mated together hollow octahedron assemblies and twelve hollow pyramid assemblies located on the hollow octahedron assemblies rotatable around each of the octahedron assembly via pivot shafts of the octahedron assemblies and stoppable every 180° of rotation, and the pyramid assemblies being independently attachable to and detachable from each of the pivot shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Igor Goldman
  • Patent number: 8511686
    Abstract: A gaming apparatus including a top surface and four side walls connected each other and to the top, the top having a game surface such as a 64 block checkerboard pattern of a first and second color, the game surface having cutouts; eight rods running crossways under the top surface and attached to two side walls; multiple rollers accessible to a player through the cutouts in the top surface. Preferably the game surface is angled on two opposing sides of each cutout to aid in rotation of the rollers underneath the game surface. The game apparatus may be adopted to play checkers, chess, backgammon or similar games. The game apparatus may also be embedded into tables or walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: Delroy Davis, Barbara Davis
  • Patent number: 8511687
    Abstract: An electronic video game apparatus is configured to facilitate simultaneous play of at least first and second independent games of chance that generate independent outcomes. The electronic video game apparatus includes a video display and at least one electronic random number generator that randomly selects values for the independent games of chance and preferably displays the values in a superimposed manner on the video display. The outcomes of the second game of chance are preferably employed to determine an outcome, such as a payout or award, for example, of the first game of chance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Vegas Amusement, Inc.
    Inventor: Julian J. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8511688
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment disclosed herein relates to an articulatable sealing device. The device includes a plurality of seal elements each of which is urgable against a seal-surface, a fixing member tightenable about a perimeter of the seal elements, and a retractor in operable communication with the plurality of seal elements and able to move the plurality of seal elements in a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Gordon Wilson, Jon M. Ballou
  • Patent number: 8511689
    Abstract: A shaft sealing apparatus of including a first mechanical seal having a mating ring disposed at the sealed fluid side and which rotates along with a shaft as the inner circumference side thereof is fixed to the shaft side, and a sealing ring disposed at the air side with respect to the mating ring and is slidable against the mating ring and which does not rotate along with the shaft. An annular space in which the sealed fluid exists is formed at the outer circumferential face side of the first mechanical seal. The shaft sealing apparatus further includes a protection cover disposed adjacent to the sealed fluid side of the seal cover in a state of being sealed with the seal cover and with the first mechanical seal respectively by an O-ring so as to suppress exposure of the seal cover to the sealed fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8511690
    Abstract: A conduit coupling system, sealing device, bell and method of use are disclosed herein. The system comprises at least two piping components, and a sealing device. A first component has a bell and a second component has a spigot, the spigot is adapted to mate with the bell. The bell comprises a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first component. The bell has a concave annular inner surface and a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the first end of the bell is greater than a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the second end of the bell. The sealing device comprises a locking segment comprising a convex outer surface and a K-type gasket coupled to a locking segment or a non-restraining anti-extrusion segment. The sealing device is adapted to fit between the bell and the spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: William W. Holmes, IV, William H. Owen
  • Patent number: 8511691
    Abstract: A conduit coupling system, sealing device, bell and method of use are disclosed herein. The system comprises at least two piping components, and a sealing device. A first component has a bell and a second component has a spigot, the spigot is adapted to mate with the bell. The bell comprises a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first component. The bell has a concave annular inner surface and a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the first end of the bell is greater than a diameter of the annular inner surface adjacent to the second end of the bell. The sealing device comprises a locking segment comprising a convex outer surface and a K-type gasket coupled to a locking segment or a non-restraining anti-extrusion segment. The sealing device is adapted to fit between the bell and the spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLP
    Inventors: William W. Holmes, IV, William H. Owen
  • Patent number: 8511692
    Abstract: A chuck including a body having a tail section and a nose section defining an axial bore. A plurality of jaws are movably disposed with respect to the axial bore and a nut is in threaded engagement with the jaws. A sleeve engages the nut so that rotation of the sleeve moves the jaws. A first ring defines a plurality of teeth and a second ring is rotatable relative to the nut over a limited arc and defines at least one pawl. In a first state, the second ring is non-rotatable relative to the first ring in both the opening and closing directions, and in a second state the first and second rings are rotatable about the body, and the second ring is rotatable relative to the first ring in the closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Jacobs Chuck Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bach Gong, J. Larry Wilson
  • Patent number: 8511693
    Abstract: A mobile base that attaches to the stand of a table saw is disclosed. The mobile base includes wheels and casters that rotate down and lift the saw when a foot pedal is depressed. The mobile base raises the saw asymmetrically to provide clearance for the legs of an extension table attached to the table of the saw. A locking mechanism locks the wheels and casters so that they do not retract while the saw is moved, and a foot-operated lever releases the wheels and casters so that they may retract and lower the saw back to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, James F. W. Wright
  • Patent number: 8511694
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting people with walking wherein those apparatus are reconfigurable to provide seating in either the forward-facing, or the rear-facing direction, includes a foldable, wheeled frame assembly, a seat mounted to the frame, and a reversible cross-arm, or backrest, for reconfiguring the apparatus from a rear-facing seating arrangement to a forward-facing seating arrangement. In a further aspect, hinged arms, one on each side of the frame assembly, are operable to at least partially rotate in a plane adjacent to the plane of the frame to which it is attached, thereby offering alternative positions of the arms that are convenient to the forward-facing seating position and the rear-facing seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: Scott N. Bradshaw, Bernarde Linde
  • Patent number: 8511695
    Abstract: A scooter features a top tube attached to the top portion of a steering column and handlebars having handgrips and stems, with the stems sized to be received within the open ends of the top tube when in a use configuration. A handlebar holder housing covers a top portion of the steering column and a portion of the top tube and includes holding bores sized to receive the handlebar stems when the handlebars are in a storage configuration. The handlebar stems are provided with spring pins that engage use apertures and storage apertures formed in the top tube and housing, respectively, when in the handlebars are in the use and storage configurations. A cord passes through the top tube and is fastened to the handlebars. The handlebar holder housing includes cord slots in communication with the holding bores and receive the cord when the first and second handlebars are in the storage configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Flyer Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Johnson, Emily Rivard, Katherine Powers
  • Patent number: 8511696
    Abstract: A sub-frame (1) of an automobile includes a pair of a front width direction member (2) and a rear width direction member (3) extending in a vehicle width direction, a pair of front-back direction members (4, 5) extending in a vehicle front-back direction, connecting members (6, 7) for connecting between a lower arm supporting part (11) of the front width direction member (2) and the rear width direction member (3), and a pair of linking brackets (8, 9) for respectively linking between an upper arm supporting part (10) of the front width direction member (2) and the pair of front-back direction members (4, 5). According to this, it is possible to achieve weight saving while maintaining rigidity in the front-back direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Tanaka, Osamu Kuratomi
  • Patent number: 8511697
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of a stabilizer (26), which is configured in two parts, on a wheel suspension for a motor vehicle, comprising torsion bars (26b) which are separated from each other and are each articulated on wheel suspension elements (16) by means of an output lever (26a) and can be co-rotated in the same or opposite direction by means of associated actuating devices (30), wherein each torsion bar (26b) is extended with a hollow shaft (26e) which encompasses the torsion bar (26b) in order to increase the effective torsion length, the output lever (26a) being formed on the hollow shaft. According to the invention, the torsion bar (26b) is mounted in a fixed bearing (59) in the actuating device (30) and in an axial loose bearing (26d) in the hollow shaft (26e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Armin Ohletz, Walter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8511699
    Abstract: A modular wheelchair assembly is adapted to be reconfigured between a fixed angle of tilt, a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's knees and a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's center of gravity. The reconfiguration is achieved by modifying a limited number of selectively removable components of the support assembly or the pivot assembly of the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: PDG Product Design Group Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Balcom, Louis Belanger, Torr Brown, Janusz Krawczynski, Phil Mundy, David Harding, David Cheng Cheng
  • Patent number: 8511701
    Abstract: A tricycle steering head having a limited steering, including a hollow support tube and a member connecting a wheel fork to a handlebar. The member is rotatably mounted to the hollow support tube via upper and lower bearing supports. A projection is oriented vertically and extends into an arc-shaped recess. The limited steering utilizes contact with one stop surface to limit rotational movement of the member in one direction and contact with another stop surface to limit rotational movement of the member in another direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Kettler International, Inc.
    Inventors: Heinz Kettler, Joachim Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl
  • Patent number: 8511702
    Abstract: The anti jackknife system has locking mechanisms which automatically lock caster type wheels at the rear of a trailer in a fixed position in the direction parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the trailer and to the line of direction of travel of the tow vehicle pulling the trailer forward. In this forward configuration the tongue of the trailer freely rotates on a trailer hitch insert. In a back up configuration a locking mechanism automatically locks the trailer tongue into linear alignment with the trailer hitch insert. The caster type wheels rotate freely about a vertical axis, and when the trailer is backed up by the tow vehicle the trailer will stay in linear alignment with the tow vehicle. The caster type wheels will automatically turn in a direction corresponding to the front wheels of the tow vehicle, thereby completely preventing jackknifing of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Howell
  • Patent number: 8511703
    Abstract: Examples of sliding hitch assemblies, and locking mechanisms therefor are disclosed. Sliding hitch assemblies include a pair of slide rails slidably supporting a fifth wheel. Each of the slide rails in turn includes a driving position locking pin that selectively locks the fifth wheel in a driving position, and a maneuvering position locking pin that selectively locks the fifth wheel in a maneuvering position. A cam member is slidably mounted inside each slide rail, and includes a first cam surface that unlocks the driving position locking pin when the cam member is in a first position, and a second cam surface that unlocks the maneuvering position locking pin when the cam member is in a second position. The fifth wheel is mounted on a pair of downwardly facing U-shaped members slidably supported on the slide rails, and a wear block is interposed each slide rail and a corresponding one of the U-shaped members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The Coast Distribution System, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Peterson, Christopher Moore, Dennis A. Castagnola, David Lamar Hoover
  • Patent number: 8511704
    Abstract: A snowboard which incorporates a rocker element instead of a camber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mervin Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Olson, Peter Saari
  • Patent number: 8511705
    Abstract: An automatic wheel adjustment mechanism mounted between two front wheels and a front wheel stem of a foldable motorized vehicle, comprising: (a) a front wheel supporting shaft having a bearing housing positioned on the top center portion of the front wheel supporting shaft, a first connecting portion, and a second connecting portion positioned on the front wheel supporting shaft, (b) a connecting member having a ring on one end and a connecting shaft on other end, wherein the connecting shaft extends upwards to form a connecting portion, and (c) a plurality of bearings, wherein outer races of the bearings is fixed at the center portion of the front wheel supporting shaft, the ring of the connecting member is connected to the lower end of the front wheel stem, the connecting shaft of the connecting member passes through and fixedly connected to the inner races of the plurality of the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: Chichun Wu, Zhao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8511706
    Abstract: An improved air bag deployment system that protects welds or other bonds that are made between the underside of an instrument panel substrate and the outer flange of an air bag deployment chute. A deflector element is located in the gap between the chute flange and the substrate to prevent the deploying air bag from expanding into the gap and potentially damaging the bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Raymond E. Kalisz
  • Patent number: 8511707
    Abstract: A driver-airbag-apparatus-attaching structure is provided having a simple configuration and with which space can be saved. A snap-lock mechanism includes brackets projecting from the front surface of a steering hub portion, attachment pieces projecting from the bottom surface of a retainer of a driver airbag apparatus in such a manner as to overlap the brackets, openings provided in the brackets, and projecting portions projecting from surfaces of the respective attachment pieces that are to face the respective brackets. The projecting portions are continuous with the attachment pieces with respective elastically deformable portions interposed therebetween. When the driver airbag apparatus is bought near to the steering hub portion, the attachment pieces move along the brackets, and the projecting portions receive reactive forces from the brackets, whereby the elastically deformable portions elastically deform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Amamori, Hiroki Shibata
  • Patent number: 8511708
    Abstract: A passenger airbag module includes a housing, an inflator generating gas pressure according to a control signal of an electronic control unit, and an airbag cushion folded in the housing such that the airbag cushion is expanded in the form of a dual chamber. The airbag cushion is provided therein with a tether having a rectangular shape corresponding to a sectional shape of the airbag cushion. The tether is installed in the transverse direction to divide the airbag cushion into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Transfer holes are formed at edges of the tether. In the passenger airbag module, the upper chamber is primarily expanded by concentrating gas flow into the upper chamber to instantly deploy the airbag cushion in the proper position, thereby safely protecting the occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Bum Soo Lee, Jae-Man Ko
  • Patent number: 8511710
    Abstract: An airbag device capable of reducing the volume of an airbag while still securing occupant restraining capability. The occupant seat airbag device is disposed inside a vehicle front-rear direction curved section of an instrument panel facing both towards the vehicle top-bottom direction top side and vehicle front-rear direction rear side. The airbag is configured including a pair of outer deployment sections that receive gas supplied from an inflator and inflate and deploy separately from each other in the vehicle width direction, and an inner deployment section formed by a connecting a cloth around substantially the entire periphery of the outer edges of the pair of outer deployment sections. An occupant side deployment section of the inner deployment section does not receive gas supplied from the inflator and deploys as the pair of outer deployment sections deploy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Fukawatase
  • Patent number: 8511711
    Abstract: A utility vehicle (1) comprising a carrier frame (3) mounted above a transaxle (2) is provided. The carrier frame (3) comprises a first carrier frame section (30) and a second carrier frame section (40). A height level of the first carrier frame section (30) differs from a height level of the second carrier frame section (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Honzek
  • Patent number: 8511712
    Abstract: Pigment flakes are blended together wherein some are magnetically alignable and exhibit a color shift from a first color to a second color with a change in viewing angle; and some are pigment flakes which exhibit a color shift from the first color to a third color or vice versa with a change in viewing angle, wherein the first, second and third colors are three different colors. The flakes are coated upon a substrate and magnetically alignable flakes are magnetically aligned. The non-magnetically alignable flakes are not aligned by the magnetic field and lie flat upon the substrate they are coated on. By judiciously selecting the angle upon which the magnetic flakes are oriented, an effect is created whereby an observer sees a color shift from a first color to a second or a first color to a third, when orienting the substrate by tilting it at different particular angles. The coated substrate can be used in security applications such as on currency or secure instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir P. Raksha, Michael R. Nofi, Charles T. Markantes, Paul G. Coombs
  • Patent number: 8511713
    Abstract: A fluid connection device (1), comprising a tubular shaft (2), the interior of which is divided by a partition (8) into two partial spaces (6,9) separated from each other. A respective side opening (11,12) opens into each of the two partial spaces. The side openings are covered by an elastomeric sleeve (3) so that the side openings are sealed shut as long as no other external forces act on the sleeve. By means of a union nut (4), which is intended to connect the tubular shaft to a container and is screwed onto the fitting thereof, the sleeve is compressed in the axial direction and produces an annular gap that extends across the side openings, by means of which the side openings are flow-connected from then on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: GL GmbH Metall—und Werkstatttechnik
    Inventor: Adolf Henzler
  • Patent number: 8511714
    Abstract: A connector assembly for a flow restricting apparatus is disclosed. The flow restricting apparatus comprises an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with an outlet conduit. The connector assembly comprises a first member configured to be engaged with the flow restricting apparatus at least partially about the outlet. The first member comprises a first face, a second face, and a bore defined through the first member. The connector assembly comprises a second member comprising a first side, a second side, a bore defined through the second member, at least one projection extending outwardly from the first side of the second member, and sealing means for sealing positioned intermediate the first member and the second member. The at least one projection forms a receiving portion configured to receive a portion of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ipex Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Guillaume Hugo Marquis-Martin
  • Patent number: 8511715
    Abstract: A pipe connector for providing a fluid connection between two pipe sections. The connector includes a connector housing, the housing including a first fluid flow port, a second fluid flow port and a fluid flow chamber extending between the first and second fluid flow ports. The connector includes a first attachment assembly for attaching the connector to the first pipe section, such that, in use, the first fluid flow port is fluidly connected to an aperture provided in a sidewall of the first pipe section. The connector further includes a second attachment assembly for attaching the connector to the second pipe section, such that, in use, the second fluid flow port is fluidly connected to an open end of the second pipe section. The connector still further includes a seal for, in use, providing a fluid seal between the housing and the first pipe section about the fluid connection between the first fluid flow port and the aperture provided in the sidewall of the first pipe section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Flowcon Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Flowcon Unit Trust
    Inventors: Calum McCann, Glenn McCann
  • Patent number: 8511716
    Abstract: A connection arrangement for a wall passage, in particular for positioning with a through-opening of a wall element and for the connection of at least one media conduit. The connection arrangement including a connector part with a first connection section that is to be passed through the through-opening, and an oppositely placed second connection section with a contact element for limiting the amount of insertion at the wall element, as well as with a retaining element for locking the connector part in its assembly position, where it is inserted into the through-opening. The connector part includes at least two separate parts, an installation part for retention in the through-opening of the wall element and a connection part, which can be connected to the installation part, and which further contains the connection sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: VOSS Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Brandt, Sascha Rosenfeldt, Ulrich Hiltemann, Martin Lechner
  • Patent number: 8511717
    Abstract: A hydraulic manifold assembly having a block including a plurality of fluid ports provided on a common surface of the block, and a set of hydraulic fittings. Each fitting is assigned to a prescribed one of the ports. Each fitting includes a hollow bolt insertable into the prescribed fluid port, and a banjo block having a first aperture for receiving the hollow bolt and a second aperture intersecting the first aperture. The second aperture provides an external fluid port for fluidly coupling a remote device. The plurality of banjo blocks includes at least one adjacent pair of banjo blocks that are unique from each other and have exterior shapes complementary to each other to control the relative orientation therebetween when coupled to the prescribed fluid ports. The exterior shapes of the adjacent banjo blocks cooperate to prevent misassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Fulmer, Brian Curtis, Christopher R. Poquette, William Boppre, Steve Twining, Samuel D. McCarley, Dean Lax