Patents Issued in November 12, 2013
  • Patent number: 8578888
    Abstract: An animal excrement disposal sheet that can reduce an area of excrement diffusing on a surface of the sheet. The animal excretion disposal sheet includes a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent layer disposed between the top sheet and the back surface sheet that includes a water absorbent resin and a hydrophilic fiber, in which the absorbent layer further includes a hydrophobizing agent having a higher affinity to the hydrophilic fiber than to the water absorbent resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Komatsubara, Takeshi Ikegami
  • Patent number: 8578889
    Abstract: A laboratory specimen, such as a mouse or rat, can be accurately and repeatedly imaged in an imaging machine, such as an MRI machine, when securely positioned on a specimen support bed. The support bed includes contours and accessories for centering a specimen on the support bed. One or more bite bars coact with a head clamp to accurately fix a specimen's head in the same position time after time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Chris D. Chiodo
  • Patent number: 8578890
    Abstract: A cat scratching device having a body portion composed of molded pulp and catnip. When molded, its exterior surface is convex and ideally includes a rope handle enabling the device to hang from a doorknob or similar support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Worldwise, Inc.
    Inventor: David Haaf
  • Patent number: 8578891
    Abstract: A lick deterrent strip for deterring an animal from licking a wound is provided. The lick deterrent strip is securable to the animal or a bandage such that the lick deterrent strip is positioned over the wound or near the area of the wound. As used herein, a “wound” refers to an injured area on an animal, including, but not limited to, abscesses, cuts, hot spots, incisions, punctures, sores, and stitches. When secured to the animal, the lick deterrent strip provides an exposed surface with electrically energized contacts arranged on the exposed surface. When a conductive portion of the animal, such as the animal's mouth, is placed in electrical communication with the contacts, the lick deterrent strip provides an electrical stimulus to the animal, which deters the animal from accessing or licking the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Travis Vickery
  • Patent number: 8578892
    Abstract: A combustion system and method for operating a combustion system, such as a furnace or boiler. The method includes providing a burner system having one or more burner elements configured to combust solid fuel and one or more oxygen providing devices configured to introduce oxygen into the near burner zone of one or more burner flames. A sensor is provided and arranged and disposed to measure a flame parameter in the near burner zone of the burner flame associated with one or more the burner elements. The flame parameter is measured with the sensor and an oxygen flow is determined in response to the measured flame parameter. Oxygen flow is introduced to one or more locations in the combustion system with the one or more oxygen providing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Daniel D'Agostini, Jeffrey William Kloosterman, Kevin Boyle Fogash
  • Patent number: 8578893
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle and method of operation are described. In one example, the engine may operate in a two stroke cycle to provide increased engine torque when a recharging operation of the on-board energy storage device is requested. Further, a transition from a four stroke cycle to the two stroke cycle may be performed while maintaining the transmission in the previously selected gear ratio in response to a requested increase in charging or a requested increase in wheel torque as requested by the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 8578894
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for a reciprocating combustion engine. A method includes operating a dual-piston engine including introducing a gas into a pair of combustion chambers; introducing a fuel into the pair of combustion chambers; compressing the gas; combusting the gas and the fuel; and exhausting combusted gases. Each of the pistons drives a reciprocating crankshaft that protrudes through a cylinder wall and cooperatively rotate a pair of rotors by engaging substantially sinusoidal cam tracks on the rotors. An apparatus includes a cam driven, concentric drive rotary-valve dual-piston engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: McVan Aerospace, LLC
    Inventors: Ray McKaig, Brian Donovan
  • Patent number: 8578895
    Abstract: Two-stroke engine (10) including an engine cylinder (18), a piston (20) sliding in the engine cylinder (18), an air pump (9), a main pipe (32) connected to the air pump (9) that communicates with the engine cylinder (18) through a plurality of scavenging pipes (28) opening into the cylinder immediately above the piston (20) in its bottom dead center position, an exhaust pipe also opening into the cylinder (18) immediately above the piston (20) in its bottom dead center position, an auxiliary pipe (29) branching from the main pipe (32) and opening into the cylinder (18) at a level higher than the scavenging pipes (28) and exhaust pipes (33), and a valve (30) capable of selectively opening and closing the auxiliary pipe (29) and configured to supercharge and decompress the cylinder (18) during the engine start-up phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Primavis S.R.L.
    Inventor: Piero Baldini
  • Patent number: 8578896
    Abstract: A method for bounce suppression of a valve member operated by a piezo actuator during the closing phase of a valve in an internal combustion engine, having the following steps: partial discharging of the piezo actuator, whereby the valve member is braked even before reaching the valve seat, interruption of the discharge of the piezo actuator, whereby the piezo actuator is upset by the valve member and builds up an electric charge, renewed discharging of the piezo actuator, the residual charge after partial discharge and the charge built up during the charge interruption being at least partially dissipated. It is provided, according to the present invention, briefly to interrupt the discharge process, whereby the piezo actuator absorbs the energy of the valve member and, even before an elastic rebound takes place, the piezo actuator is discharged again, in order to dissipate the energy absorbed by the piezo actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Violaine Chassagnoux, Stefan Schuerg, Wolfgang Stoecklein
  • Patent number: 8578897
    Abstract: A valve system for providing closing force to one or more valves of an engine is provided. In one example, the system comprises a first tappet bore in fluid communication with a second tappet bore via a bidirectional oil passage. The system may provide valve closing forces to assist in the closing of valves coupled to the tappet bores, lowering required valve spring forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Fabros
  • Patent number: 8578898
    Abstract: A valve train control device, for use in a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine having a camshaft with a primary cam lobe, is provided herein and generally includes a primary cam follower positioned in an operational path between the primary cam lobe and a corresponding valve with the primary cam follower being constructed to follow the primary cam lobe while an auxiliary motion transfer device, having at least a portion responsive to at least one engine parameter, may be placed in a variable motion operational path including the primary cam follower to shift the primary cam follower relative to the primary cam lobe during at least a portion of the camshaft rotation to alter one or more valve operating parameters relative to a set of valve parameters defined by the primary cam lobe profile interacting with an unshifted primary cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Barry Braman
  • Patent number: 8578899
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster (1) having a stator (3) and a rotor (5) located in the stator (3), having vanes (7) that are each located in a chamber (9) formed between the stator (3) and the rotor (5), each of the vanes (7) dividing its respective chamber (9) into two partial chambers, and pressurized oil being adapted to be supplied to each of the partial chambers and conducted out from each of the partial chambers via oil channels (21), so that through the pressurized oil a torque can be exerted on the rotor (5) by which the rotor (5) can be rotated, so that a camshaft adjustment can be set thereby. The rotor (5) is constructed from a metallic base frame (15) that has, axially adjacent, a casing (17) made of plastic in which at least one of the oil channels (21) is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Ottersbach, Jürgen Weber
  • Patent number: 8578900
    Abstract: A profile of a cam (33) of a camshaft (32) is set based on a relationship of a stop position of a vane rotor (36) at a most retarded phase relative to a housing rotor (37). In other words, the profile of the cam (33) arranged in the camshaft (32) is set so that a second opening (110B) of a communication passage (100), which opens in a second retardment chamber (52B), is located upward in a vertical direction from the axis C of the camshaft (32) when the camshaft (32) is at a neutral position, that is, when torque applied from the cam (33) to the camshaft (32) is the smallest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kikuoka, Masaki Numakura
  • Patent number: 8578901
    Abstract: A system and method of actuating one or more engine valves is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a valve train element; a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a shaft and adapted to rotate between a first position and a second position, the rocker arm selectively receiving motion from the valve train element; a valve bridge disposed above the one or more engine valves; and a lost motion system disposed in the valve bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ruggiero, Neil Fuchs, Zhou Yang, Robb Janak
  • Patent number: 8578902
    Abstract: A power amplifier circuit that has an inductor and capacitor connected to one end of the output winding of an RF transformer. The other end of the output winding is connected to a resistor that in turn is connected to ground. The transformer has two primary windings. Both primary windings have one end connected to a variable DC voltage supply. The other end of each primary winding is attached to a switch, such as a MOSFET. All three windings are wound around a core. Current flowing from the DC voltage supply to the switches causes a magnetic flux in the core. A voltage is generated on the secondary winding resistor. This voltage is fed back to the switches, controlling on and off timing. In this way the need to measure and record natural frequency is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Permuy, Keith Hampton
  • Patent number: 8578903
    Abstract: A glow plug, in particular for use in an internal combustion engine. The glow plug includes at least one heating body and at least one housing. The heating body has at least one first terminal contact extending from a base body of the heating body into a housing. The glow plug also has a second terminal contact extending at least partially within the housing. At least one contacting element having at least one opening is provided inside the housing, the first terminal contact and the second terminal contact being introduced into the opening from opposite sides and being electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Marie Merelle, Albrecht Geissinger, Pavlo Saltikov, Susanne Liemersdorf, Andreas Reissner
  • Patent number: 8578904
    Abstract: An engine starting method in a parallel-type hybrid vehicle comprises a motor reverse rotation driving step of applying reverse rotation current to drivingly rotate a motor output shaft in a reverse rotation direction of an engine output shaft whereby an elastic member in a damper is elastically deformed to store an urging force that urges the motor output shaft in a normal rotation direction; an urged normal rotation step of stopping the electrification to release the urging force having been stored at the motor reverse rotation driving step whereby the motor output shaft is rotated in the normal rotation direction; a motor normal rotation driving step of applying normal rotation current to drivingly rotate the motor output shaft in the normal rotation direction; and an engine start igniting step of igniting an engine with the engine output shaft being rotated by the rotation at the motor normal rotation driving step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masafumi Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8578905
    Abstract: An engine having a crank case of a variable volume may include a crankshaft that may be disposed in a crank case and may be connected to a piston through a connecting rod, which reciprocate in a cylinder, a balance shaft that may be disposed in the crank case and may be operated by the crankshaft, a chamber that may be extended from the crank case, and a balance weight that may be formed on the balance shaft and selectively opens or closes a fluid communication between the chamber and the crank case according to a position of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Suc Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8578906
    Abstract: A system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The system includes an oil pan, a pick up tube; and a spacer. The spacer is positioned vertically above a static oil level and secured to a surface of the oil pan. Further, the spacer may include an opening that may communicate with oil when the oil is in a tilt orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shuya Dan Yamada, David Matthew Gasior, Edward William Peters, Dallis Sun, Karl Robert Klomp, Michael David Deegan
  • Patent number: 8578907
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft, a variable flow rate oil pump apparatus including oil pumps having a drive shaft thereof operatively connected with the crankshaft, and a rod-shaped oil passage switching valve operatively connected with the oil pumps. The oil passage switching valve and the drive shaft of the oil pumps are arranged such that axial directions thereof are parallel to an axial direction of the crankshaft. Also, the oil pumps and the oil passage switching valve are disposed so as to overlap each other in the axial direction of the crankshaft. With such configuration of the engine, the effect on various components around the pump can be reduced, while downsizing the oil pump and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kawamata, Toshimasa Mitsubori, Satoshi Ino
  • Patent number: 8578908
    Abstract: A dual-rotor engine comprises a cylinder assembly, a transmission output mechanism, a rotor control mechanism and a lubrication system. The cylinder assembly comprises a tubular cylinder (6) and two rotors (1a, 1b). Each of the rotors (1a, 1b) comprises an inner cylindrical cylinder (99a, 99b), a rotor journal (20a, 20b) integrated with the inner cylindrical cylinder (99a, 99b) and two sector pistons (17a, 17b) symmetrically secured to the inner cylindrical cylinder (99a, 99b); four sector pistons (17a, 17b) of two rotors (1a, 1b) are arranged crosswise to each other, and two adjacent sector pistons (17a, 17b) form a combustion chamber. The transmission output mechanism comprises two rotor gears (2a, 2b) and two driving gears (3a, 3b) which engaged with each other respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Zhenming Zhang
    Inventor: Zhenming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8578909
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine. An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for an international combustion engine for highly accurate absolute pressure correction irrespective of the length of an adiabatic compression stroke period. When the number of cylinders in an engine is n (n is an integer of 2 or more), an adiabatic compression stroke period of one cylinder preceding another cylinder to be corrected into its absolute pressure by a 1/n cycle (ignition timing —IVC) is compared with a threshold CATH (step 100). In the step 100, the absolute pressure correction is carried out based on PV?=constant when the adiabatic compression stroke period is longer than the threshold CATH (step 110). On the other hand, the absolute pressure correction is carried out based on a value PIP detected by an intake pipe pressure sensor when the adiabatic compression stroke period is shorter than the threshold CATH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Urano, Yoshihiro Sakayanagi
  • Patent number: 8578910
    Abstract: A fuel injection controller includes an ECU controlling an operation of a fuel injector based on a characteristic data of the fuel injector, an EEPROM provided to the injector, and an EEPROM provided to the ECU. Identification information by which the fuel injector is individually identified is stored in both of the EEPROMs. It is determined whether the identification information stored in the injector-side EEPROM is identical to the identification information stored in the ECU-side EEPROM. Based on this determination result, it can be determined whether the injector and/or the ECU are exchanged to new one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Sugiyama, Koji Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8578911
    Abstract: Provided is a highly durable multi-layer piezoelectric element wherein an external electrode has less possibilities of being peeled off from a side face of a stacked body even when the element is continuously driven for a long period of time in a high electrical field under high pressure. In a multi-layer piezoelectric element (1), a void (2) is formed in a joining interface between a side face of a stacked body (7) wherein piezoelectric layers (3) and internal electrode layers (5) are alternately laminated and an external electrode (9) joined to the side face. Since stress generated in the joining interface between the side face of the stacked body (7) and the external electrode (9) during driving can be reduced by the void (2), there are less possibilities of having the external electrode (9) peeled off from the side face of the stacked body (7) even when the element is continuously driven for a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Shigenobu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8578912
    Abstract: A method and a device for setting an afterglow temperature in a self-igniting internal combustion engine, the afterglow temperature being reduced in a defined operating state of the internal combustion engine until a modification of an operating parameter as a result of the reduction of the afterglow temperature is required in order to maintain the defined operating state, in particular in order to maintain the injected fuel quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Schumacher, Christos Hondros
  • Patent number: 8578913
    Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a fuel injector having a leading end portion that has an internal space in which fuel is stored and an injection nozzle for injecting fuel; and an adsorbent disposed in the internal space, the adsorbent being capable of selectively adsorbing an alcohol component in a blended fuel of gasoline and alcohol. The adsorbent has a characteristic such that an amount of alcohol adsorption is small when a fuel pressure is low and large when the fuel pressure is high. Adsorption of alcohol onto, and desorption of alcohol from, the adsorbent can be controlled by changing the fuel pressure in the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Yoshioka, Fumito Chiba, Takahiro Tsukagoshi, Ryota Onoe
  • Patent number: 8578914
    Abstract: A fuel tank valve structure controlling emission gas in a hybrid vehicle may include a housing having one side connected with a fuel tank and the other side connected to a canister, a check valve mounted to the housing and opening or closing a first fluid passage connected between the canister and the fuel tank, a solenoid valve apparatus selectively connected with the check valve to open or close the first fluid passage to adjust an internal pressure of the fuel tank, a fuel limit vent valve apparatus mounted to the housing and selectively fluid-connecting to a space formed between the check valve and the fuel limit vent valve apparatus in the housing, and a relief valve mounted to the housing and selectively fluid-connecting the fuel tank with the canister through a second fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Unick Corporation
    Inventors: Chang-Hoon Lee, Sung-Won Lee
  • Toy
    Patent number: 8578915
    Abstract: A toy having a housing and a projectile launcher capable of moving between a first stowed position within the housing and a second deployed position extending from the housing. The toy further including a trigger mechanism for launching at least one projectile from the projectile launcher; and a selector mechanism for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the trigger mechanism will launch only a single projectile from the projectile launcher when the selector mechanism is in the first position and the trigger mechanism is actuated and wherein the trigger mechanism will launch at least two projectiles from the projectile launcher when the selector mechanism is in the second position and the trigger mechanism is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Sopinsky, Michael L. Strauss
  • Patent number: 8578916
    Abstract: A crossbow trigger mechanism operable to fire an arrow or bolt. The trigger mechanism includes a trigger operatively connected to a pair of jaws for holding a tensioned crossbow string when the jaws are in a closed position. An arrow or bolt is insertable between the upper and lower jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Archery America, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard C. Maleski, Carl Wilber, Kenneth Mieczkowski
  • Patent number: 8578917
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a bowstring drawing mechanism for drawing and controllably releasing a crossbow bowstring comprises a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism protects the bowstring drawing mechanism from damage caused by over-cranking and allows the user to controllably release the bowstring from the drawn position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter's Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Bednar, Michael J. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 8578918
    Abstract: A crossbow employs bowstring redirecting wheels, over which the bowstring travels, to keep the bowstring aligned with the main force vectors where the bowstring meets the tips of the crossbow power limbs or spring limbs. The bowstring is anchored to a fixed anchor points, which can be on the pylons on which the redirecting wheels are mounted, or may be at the tips of the spring limbs. In one embodiment the bowstring passes over a pulley wheel at the tip of the spring limb. This crossbow arrangement achieves superior acceleration, and can be constructed of smaller transverse dimension than conventional or compound crossbows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: John J. Islas
  • Patent number: 8578919
    Abstract: An ammunition magazine includes a first ammunition supply port (“ASP”), a second ASP, a first ammunition compartment, and a second ammunition compartment. The first ASP, in one embodiment, is able to couple to a coupling surface of the magazine and provide ammunition to a gun when the first ASP is connected to an ammunition loading port (“ALP”) of the gun. The second ASP is also coupled to the coupling surface of the magazine and provides ammunition to the gun when the second ASP is connected to the ALP of the gun. The first ammunition compartment occupies a first portion of ammunition capacity of the magazine and is able to arrange ammunition in a column formation. The second ammunition compartment occupies a second portion of ammunition capacity of the magazine and is able to arrange ammunition in a column formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Real Action Paintball, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar Alonso Macy, Loc T. Pham
  • Patent number: 8578920
    Abstract: Hoppers and similar loading systems have an integrated imaging system for still and/or video capture, display and/or networked transmission. The imaging system allows real time capture, display and/or transmission live paintball play action from the point of view of the player. Images can be transmitted to team mates in proximity with a corresponding imaging system and/or to off field personnel. Such image transmission from the perspective of the hopper held by the player permits coordination of on field activities among the team members or by an off field coach. In tournament play, the real time video transmission can be broadcast through the off field systems for display to a local audience or streamed to an internet audience. Recordable media within each hopper system permit the recorded images to be stored for later analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Evan A. Estrate
  • Patent number: 8578921
    Abstract: A paintball assembly capable of channeling air line or pipe inside of the paintball assembly using a transfer rod is disclosed. The assembly includes a main valve, an air pipe, a bolt, a hammer, and a U-shaped rod. While the main valve is configured to propel a paintball utilizing pressurized gas, the air pipe supplies and channels the pressurized gas to the main valve. The bolt guides or pushes the paintball into a firing chamber, and the hammer manages or controls the main valve for propelling the paintball upon pulling of the trigger. The U-shaped rod is used to synchronize the movement of the bolt and the hammer. In one embodiment, the U-shaped rod is configured in such a way that at least a portion of the U-shaped rod is structured around the air pipe to reduce contact with the air pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rem Action Paintball, Inc.
    Inventor: Omar Alonso Macy
  • Patent number: 8578922
    Abstract: Example embodiments of an automatic airgun method and apparatus which enable automatic and/or semi-automatic projectile propulsion. Embodiments may be implemented with selective-fire, variable rate-of-fire, and/or variable velocity projectiles. Embodiments may employ any suitable propellant that can achieve or be caused to achieve a fluid state above ambient pressure. Some variations and alternatives are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher George Granger
  • Patent number: 8578923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a base (2) for restingly receiving tiles to be cut, comprising: a surface (13) for restingly receiving a tile; and a blade (4) for encountering a lower surface of the tile during a stage of scoring the tile. The rest surface (13) is provided with a depression or slit (12) of such dimensions as to contain a portion of a rotary cutting disc (14) of the tile when the tile is resting on the rest surface (13). The invention also relates to a tile-cutting machine (1), comprising the base (2). The invention further relates to a kit and a method for adapting a manual tile-cutting machine to use with a group comprising a rotary cutting disc (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ghelfi S.r.l.
    Inventor: Stefano Ghelfi
  • Patent number: 8578924
    Abstract: An exhaust baffle is provided for a domestic appliance. The exhaust baffle includes a support bracket having two tabs, the tabs being configured to slide into engagement with slots formed in the base of the domestic appliance, two support elements, each of the support elements extending from one of the tabs at an angle and having a bearing surface, and a bridging element that extends from the two support elements at an angle, the bridging element connecting the two support elements; a baffle top having a hot gas directing portion that rests on the bearing surfaces of the support bracket and an opening that receives the bridging element; and a baffle bottom having a substantially flat member, the baffle bottom holding the support bracket in the slots when the baffle bottom is in an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Suad Elkasevic, Michael Penuel
  • Patent number: 8578925
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a door assembly having a main frame provided with an inner, central opening. A glass panel is secured to the main frame portion across the inner, central opening and an overlay member is adhesively secured to the glass panel through a plurality of adhesive elements. The overlay member includes top, bottom and opposing side sections that collectively define an outer, central opening. The adhesive elements establish airflow passages that extends longitudinally across the door assembly between the glass panel and the overlay member. The overlay member also includes first and second flanges that are arranged along the top and bottom edge sections respectively. Third and fourth flanges are provided on respective upper and lower edges of the outer central opening. The flanges, together with the adhesive elements, ensure the presence of the airflow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph E. Kelley, Russell L. Simms, II, Gregory S. Wade
  • Patent number: 8578926
    Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier. In certain embodiments, the heating chamber can be a can with prepackaged comestible substance therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Heat Wave Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Ford, Douglas Lund
  • Patent number: 8578927
    Abstract: A method of baking bread in a high temperature bake oven, comprising initiating a heating element in a lower portion of the bake oven, locating the bread on a first pizza stone located above the heating element, directing circulating heated air in the oven with a baffle around the first pizza stone to between the first pizza stone and a second pizza stone located above the first pizza stone, and directing the circulating heated air in the oven rapidly from between the first and second pizza stones out of the oven through an opening in the front of the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Willard Gustavsen
  • Patent number: 8578928
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in orientable solar panel array systems of the type of solar panel arrays comprising a plurality of panels (1) for capturing solar radiation, arranged on a bearing structure pivotally assembled with respect to a horizontal tube (3), which in turn is rotatably assembled on the end of a support column (2), the structure bearing the panels (1) comprising two parallel trusses (4) on which trusses a series of longitudinal profiles with a C-shaped cross-section are transversely arranged, on which longitudinal profiles sliding profiles (6) with a square cross-section having an open groove in the upper part are perpendicularly arranged, on which sliding profiles the panels (1) are fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Talleres Clavijo, S.L.
    Inventor: Ruben Clavijo Lumbreras
  • Patent number: 8578929
    Abstract: Modular solar collector, comprising a first supporting stand, the first supporting stand having at its upper end a first pivot bearing point defining a pivotal axis, a second supporting stand, having at its upper end a second pivot bearing point of the pivotal axis, an intermediate supporting stand having at its upper end an intermediate pivot bearing point of the pivotal axis, a first solar collector unit comprising at least one solar collector panel and a first unit frame being pivotally mounted to the first pivot bearing point and an intermediate pivot bearing point, and a second solar collector unit comprising at least one solar collector panel and a second unit frame being pivotally mounted to the second pivot bearing point and an intermediate pivot bearing point, a pivotal drive assembly comprising an x-drive unit and an x-coupling wherein each unit frame is, mechanically coupled to its adjacent unit frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Voltwerk electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Krabbe, Raphael Hoffmann, Stephan Kipper
  • Patent number: 8578930
    Abstract: A vacuum solar thermal panel includes a vacuum envelope defining a sealed volume able to withstand atmospheric pressure when evacuated. The envelope includes a first plate made of glass, a second plate facing the first plate, a perimeter frame disposed between the first and second plate close to their edge, a metallic perimeter belt joining the perimeter frame to the first plate, a plurality of spaced apart bearing elements disposed against the edges of the first and second plate, and a plurality of traction rods joining the bearing elements with the perimeter frame to pull the perimeter frame toward the bearing elements, in order to limit the deformation of the perimeter frame under the external atmospheric pressure, when the envelope is evacuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: TVP Solar SA
    Inventor: Vittorio Palmieri
  • Patent number: 8578931
    Abstract: The invention provides exemplary aerosolization apparatus and methods for aerosolizing a substance. According to one exemplary method, a liquid is transferred from a first chamber into a second chamber having a substance that is in a dry state to form a solution. The solution is then transferred from the second chamber and onto an atomization member. The atomization member is operated to aerosolize the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Yehuda Ivri, Linda R. De Young, Cheng H. Wu, Miro S. Cater, Vijay Kumar, Markus Flierl
  • Patent number: 8578932
    Abstract: A Breath Actuated Inhaler having a canister with a medication dispensed when compressing the canister. Compression of the canister is prevented by a mechanism only allowing compression when an air flow is sufficient to ensure dispensing of the medication in the lungs/throat of the person. No latch or blocking mechanism is provided so that any force exerted by the person is, at all times, directed to the canister or preventing mechanism so that when no force is exerted by the user, no force is exerted in the inhaler. Prolonged exertion of such force could otherwise cause dimension changes and subsequent uncertainty of the dose size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bang & Olufsen Medicom A/S
    Inventors: Bjørn Knud Andersen, Søren Christrup, Jørgen Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8578933
    Abstract: A device for inhalation of at least one air stream carrying a dose of medicament powder. The device comprises a powder-containing cavity which opens into a flow passage. The flow passage is arranged to direct an inhalation air flow across the cavity opening. A circulating flow is thereby induced in the cavity by the phenomenon of shear driven cavity flow. Powder is entrained in the circulating flow and deaggregated before exiting the cavity and becoming entrained in the flow of air along the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventors: Johan Remmelgas, Per Arne Kjellgren, Orest Lastow, Mårten Svensson
  • Patent number: 8578934
    Abstract: An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of dosages of a substance that have been dispensed from or remain in a container includes at least one first indicator member incrementally moveable to a plurality of positions and a second indicator member moveable in response to a predetermined number of movements of the at least one first indicator member. The at least one first indicator member includes primary dosage indicia adapted to indicate the number of dosages of substance that have been dispensed from or remain in the container. The second indicator member includes secondary dosage indicia adapted to indicate that less than a minimum predetermined number of dosages of substance remain in the container. In one preferred embodiment, the primary dosage indicia are configured as numerical indicia and the secondary dosage indicia are configured as color indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Trudell Medical International
    Inventors: Robert Morton, Winston Z. Lu
  • Patent number: 8578935
    Abstract: A cushion for a patient interface that delivers breathable gas to a patient includes a base wall structured to be connected to a frame, an underlying support cushion extending away from the base wall towards the patient's face in use, and a membrane provided to substantially cover at least a portion of the underlying cushion. The membrane is adapted to form a continuous seal on the patient's face. The underlying cushion has a spring-like connection with the base wall. The underlying cushion and/or base wall define a spring constant that varies along a length of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Aaron Samuel Davidson, Robin Garth Hitchcock, Matthew Eves, David John Worboys, Susan Robyn Lynch
  • Patent number: 8578936
    Abstract: In order to improve a support (2) for supporting a patient, particularly for surgical procedures in the shoulder region, said support comprising a substantially flat body part (4) and a bowl-shaped head part, said body part (4) comprising a back part (6) and a thorax part (8) tapered in relation thereto, the head part (10) being disposed on said thorax part by means of a transitional region, with the thorax part (8) and the transitional region sloping upwards such that the head part (10) is higher than the back part (6), and with said head part being adapted to the human profile and comprising a removable, inflatable support for adapting the position of the patient to the current positional or treatment requirements, the invention proposes that the transitional region be designed as neck part (12) and also be adapted to the human profile, comprising a removable, inflatable support for adapting the position of the patient to the current positional or treatment requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Samarit Medical AG
    Inventor: Willi Albrecht
  • Patent number: 8578937
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an obstructive sleep apnea event are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may use an electrical output generating ionic polymer metal composite sensor attached to a region in an airway passage in an oral cavity. The electrical output may be wirelessly transmitted as a signal for indication of an obstructive sleep apnea event. The signal may be further processed by a smart mandibular repositioning system for treatment of the obstructive sleep apnea event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil D. Bhat, Anant V. Hegde, Charisse M. Yung, George Y. Choi