Patents Issued in December 17, 2013
  • Patent number: 8607631
    Abstract: An inertial sensor (16) includes a differential thermocouple (13) including first (4A) and second (4B) metal traces, a poly trace (6) with a first end connected to a first end of the first metal trace to form a first (?) thermocouple junction and a second end connected to a first end of the second metal trace to form a second (+) thermocouple junction. A gas mass (10) located symmetrically with respect to the thermocouple junctions is heated by a heater (8). Acceleration or tilting of the sensor shifts the relative location of the gas mass relative to the thermocouple junctions, causing differential heating thereof and generation of a corresponding thermocouple output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter B. Meinel, Kalin V. Lazarov
  • Patent number: 8607632
    Abstract: A micromechanical sensor having at least one movably mounted measuring element which is opposite at least one stationary electrode, the electrode being situated in a first plane, and being contacted by at least one printed conductor track which is situated in a second plane. A third plane is located between the first plane and the second plane, the third plane including an electrically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Christoph Meisel, Joerg Hauer
  • Patent number: 8607633
    Abstract: A system is provided for measuring the resonant frequencies on disc brake pads. The system includes a data recording apparatus and a measuring device in the form of a sensor system. In order to record a maximum number of resonant frequencies, the sensor system consists of two or more microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell Bremsbelag GmbH
    Inventor: Boris Wernitz
  • Patent number: 8607634
    Abstract: A transducer is used to send an ultrasound pulse toward a stone and to receive ultrasound reflections from the stone. The recorded time between a pulse that is reflected from the proximal surface and a pulse that is reflected either from the distal surface of the stone or from a surface supporting the stone is used to calculate the stone size. The size of the stone is a function of the time between the two pulses and the speed of sound through the stone (or through the surrounding fluid if the second pulse was reflected by the surface supporting the stone). This technique is equally applicable to measure the size of other in vivo objects, including soft tissue masses, cysts, uterine fibroids, tumors, and polyps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: University of Washington, University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Michael Bailey, Joel Teichman, Mathew Sorensen
  • Patent number: 8607635
    Abstract: An alignment device with one or two optoelectronic transmitting and/or receiving units and an evaluation unit. At least one optoelectronic transmitting and/or receiving unit contains an inclinometer. Furthermore, the transmitting and/or receiving unit is connected to a vibration sensor which can be the inclinometer. Both the result of the alignment process and also the result of the vibration measurement are communicated to the user as an easily understandable characteristic on a display of the evaluation unit. For vibration measurement at a non-rotating part of a machine, an accelerometer/inclinometer sensor may be used for measuring acceleration forces resulting from machine vibrations to be measured and for measuring gravity and an electronic evaluation unit determining the orientation of the sensor with regard to gravity from a stationary component of the sensor output and determining sensor orientation from evaluation of non-stationary components of sensor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Pruftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventors: Dieter Busch, Heinrich Lysen
  • Patent number: 8607636
    Abstract: A triaxial vibration composite testing apparatus including a working tabletop, wherein the second axial vibration transmission mechanism in the horizontal X axial direction and the third axial vibration transmission mechanism in the horizontal Y axial direction are both cross linear guide pairs; the first axial vibration transmission mechanism in the perpendicular Z axial direction includes an upper and a lower clamps and a central panel, the upper and the lower clamps being horizontally opposite to each other up and down, the central panel being positioned between the upper and the lower clamps, the upper and the lower clamps oppositely clamping the central panel; a gap fit between the lower surface of the upper clamp and the upper surface of the central panel forms an upper fit plane, and a gap fit between the upper surface of the lower clamp and the lower surface of the central panel a lower fit plane; and the high pressure oil is pumped into the upper fit plane gap and the lower fit plane gap to form a hy
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Suzhou Sushi Testing Instrument Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuanzhen Wu, Qionghua Zhong
  • Patent number: 8607637
    Abstract: A gage pressure transducer comprising a first pressure sensing assembly exposed to a main pressure and a second pressure sensing assembly exposed to a reference pressure. The pressure sensing assemblies comprise half-bridge sensors and means for using an alignment glass plate with each sensor which reduces the amount of oil required for operation, which consequently reduces the back pressures caused by large volumes of oil. The pressure sensor assemblies are hermetically sealed using glass frits, therefore enabling the gage pressure transducer to robustly and accurately measure pressure in harsh environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductors Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Nora Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8607638
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a MEMS component. The MEMS component according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a plate-shaped membrane 110; a post 130 disposed under an edge 115 of the membrane 110; a stopper 140 disposed under the membrane 110 and disposed more inwardly than the post 130 so as to form a space 143 between the stopper 140 and the post 130; and a cap 150 disposed under the post 130 so as to cover the post 130, whereby the influence of disturbance or noise occurring from external environments or interference from surrounding sensors can be interrupted by using a predetermined region 145 of the membrane 110 disposed above the space 143.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Kyu Jeung, Jong Woon Kim, Heung Woo Park
  • Patent number: 8607639
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device for determining mechanical stress load, and optionally interface effects, on particles dispersed in a fluid. According to the invention, fluid comprising dispersed particles such as biomolecules is fed into a sample space of a device comprising a jacket which encloses a sample chamber and at least two rolls arranged within said jacket such that said sample space is defined between said rolls, said rolls being independently rotatable with respect to each other, wherein said jacket has an inner surface which is essentially adapted to the outer surface of the rolls, rotational movement is imparted to at least one of the rolls of said device, and changes in the state of said particles are determined from which mechanical stress load acting on the particles can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Krause, Carsten Weber, Sonja Simon, Wolfgang Peukert
  • Patent number: 8607640
    Abstract: A capacitive strain sensor for sensing strain of a structure. The sensor includes a first section attached to the structure at a first location and a second section attached to the structure at a second location. The first section includes a capacitor plate electrically isolated from the structure and the second section includes two electrically isolated capacitive plates, both of the plates being electrically isolated from the structure. A flexible connector connects the first section to the second section. The capacitor plate of the first section is separated from the two capacitive plates of the second section by at least one capacitive gap. When strain is experienced by the structure, a change occurs in the capacitive gap due to relative motion between the first and second sections. The first section includes a core and the second section includes a ring that receives the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Odd Harald Steen Eriksen
  • Patent number: 8607641
    Abstract: A shear test device for testing the strength of attachment between a bond and an electronic substrate. The device incorporates a clamping mechanism and a shear test tool that are mounted on a baseplate. During a set-up procedure, the shear test tool is movable relative to the baseplate. During a test procedure, the shear test tool is clamped by the clamping mechanism in a fixed position relative to the baseplate. At least one abutment is provided that is fixed in position relative to the baseplate. During the test procedure, a drive mechanism provides relative movement between the shear test tool and the bond to cause the shear test tool to shear the bond off the substrate. The at least one abutment provides an additional clamping force on the test tool while the test tool is shearing the bond off of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: David Lilley, Martin Bugg, Robert John Sykes
  • Patent number: 8607642
    Abstract: A flow body flow meter includes a flow body, a heater, and a sensor. The flow body includes an inlet, an outlet, and an internal passage coupling the inlet and the outlet. The heater evaporates at least some liquid droplets in a stream received by the flow body. The sensor has one or more sensor probes in the flow body to measure a fluid property of the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Los Robles Advertising, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Kurz, Bruce B. Burton, Ralph A. Dalla Betta
  • Patent number: 8607643
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter with a measuring tube through which a medium can flow, at least one actuator and at least one sensor, wherein the measuring tube is bent between its input and output ends into a first winding and a second winding, the first winding and the second winding merging into one another at a transitional section of the measuring tube. The first winding and the second winding run in parallel winding planes and wherein the first winding and the second winding can be excited to oscillation by the actuator and the oscillations detected by the sensor. The Coriolis mass flowmeter is comparably insensitive to the coupling of external oscillations in that oscillating sections of the first winding and the second winding are bent into a V shape that opens in a direction toward the transitional section of the measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Tao Wang, Yousif Hussain
  • Patent number: 8607644
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter having at least four measuring tubes running parallel, the measuring tubes being joined in pairs into a oscillation unit by being inserted in openings in a holding device (1) and wherein at least part of either a sensor or actuator device is attached to the holding device (1). A Coriolis mass flowmeter that has an increased measuring accuracy is implemented in that the measuring tube central axes (3) of a measuring tube pair span a common plane (E), that the holding device (1) has at least two attachment extensions (4), that the attachment extensions (4) extend across the common plane (E) and that the holding devices (1) with the attachment extensions (4) are mirror symmetric relative to the common plane (E) in respect to their projection viewed in the direction of the measuring tube central axes (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Yousif Hussain, Tao Wang
  • Patent number: 8607645
    Abstract: A water flow detector has a spring driven mechanical timer responsive to the movement of a lever. The lever is connected to a paddle. The paddle is responsive to the flow of water in a pipe. The detector via the spring driven timer responds to the flow of water in the pipe after a predetermined delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Laubach, Zoltan Borbath, Fred M. Butalla, III, James M. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8607646
    Abstract: A force sensor chip of the present invention is for detecting an external force, and comprises a base member including an action portion where the external force is applied, a support portion that supports the action portion therearound, and a connecting portion that connects the action portion and the support portion together, a plurality of strain detecting resistive elements that are formed at respective deformation producing portions of the base member which deform when the external force is applied, and a thin-film resistor that is formed at upper layers of the strain detecting resistive elements with a resistive-element wiring and an interlayer insulation film intervening between the thin-film resistor and the strain detecting resistive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ohsato
  • Patent number: 8607647
    Abstract: A bicycle power sensing system includes an electronics module that can be separated from a power-measuring hub assembly. The power-measuring hub assembly includes onboard electronics that cooperates with the electronics module when the electronics module is attached to the power-measuring hub assembly. The onboard electronics includes a memory module that stores a calibration value for a torque tube of the power-measuring hub assembly so that the torque tube does not have to be recalibrated after the electronics module is removed from the power-measuring hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Saris Cycling Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Wilson, Joshua G. Lohr, Jeffery T. Iverson
  • Patent number: 8607648
    Abstract: A rotor includes a cylindrical magnet having a plurality of magnetic pole pairs. There are two types of the magnitude of magnetic force in the magnetic pole pairs, that is, a relatively large first magnetic force and a second magnetic force that is smaller than the first magnetic force. Three magnetic sensors are arranged around the rotor. A rotation angle computing device detects the peak values of output signals of the respective magnetic sensors. Then, the rotation angle computing device identifies the magnetic pole pair, sensed by the first magnetic sensor, based on a combination of the local maximum values of the three output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 8607649
    Abstract: A torque sensor is configured so that a multi-pole permanent magnet is fixed to one of a first shaft and a second shaft linked via a torsion bar, a first rotating yoke and a second rotating yoke each having provided at equal intervals in the peripheral direction a plurality of claw portions facing the permanent magnet are fixed to the other of the first shaft and second shaft, and a magnetism detection element is disposed between a first magnetism-collecting yoke and a second magnetism-collecting yoke individually facing the first and second rotating yokes. The first and second rotating yokes are formed into identical shapes, and the claw portions provided respectively on the rotating yokes are alternatingly disposed in the peripheral direction within the same plane perpendicular to the axes of the first shaft and second shaft. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a cost by having fewer types of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventor: Kenjirou Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8607650
    Abstract: Sensor arrangement including a torque sensor for measuring the torque acting on a first shaft, the sensor arrangement having a rotational angle index unit which is designed in such a manner that it can detect and/or identify the angular position of the first shaft with respect to a defined rotational angle and/or defined rotational angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Henrik Antoni, Klaus Rink, Wolfgang Fritz
  • Patent number: 8607651
    Abstract: Hybrid force sensitive input devices are formed as a membrane assembly that is capable of detecting capacitive presence near the sensor surface as well as pressure inputs and varying applications of pressure to the sensor surface. As a capacitive sensor, the electrical charge of a user's hand, finger or other extremity is sensed by the conductive layers of the sensor as a function of the input extremity's location and proximity to the sensor surface. As a force sensor, a user's input contact with the sensor surface is detectable when conductive elements on apposing substrates are forced into contact when input force is applied. Increasing the applied force increases the number of conductive particles making contact allowing the electrons to travel from one conductive trace on a first substrate through the contacting conductive patches to a perpendicular conductive trace on a second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sensitronics, LLC
    Inventor: Franklin N. Eventoff
  • Patent number: 8607652
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling a liquid sample, especially for automatic removal of a liquid sample from a sample-taking location, comprising: a control unit; a sample collecting unit; a supply and metering system, which is embodied to convey a liquid sample from the sample-taking location and to meter the sample into a liquid receptacle of the sample collecting unit; a housing with a first housing part, which at least partially surrounds at least the sample collecting unit, and a second housing part, which is separated from the first housing part, and which at least partially surrounds a metering space; wherein at least parts of the supply and metering system are arranged in the metering space; and wherein the apparatus furthermore includes a plate, which is releasably connected with the second housing part surrounding the metering space, and which divides the metering space into a first metering space part and a second metering space part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bareiss, Michael Kirchner, Ralf Steuerwald
  • Patent number: 8607653
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a die-cast quality judging method that can easily judge whether or not a prescribed quality is satisfied; a die-casting machine selecting method of judging whether or not plural prescribed qualities are satisfied; and a die-casting condition determining method of determining die-casting conditions. It is judged that inequalities to be restricted by judging standard values QfLB2 and QaUB2 are not true from the positional relation between a process point 13 that is an intersection of a machine characteristic line 11 and a die characteristic line 12 and straight lines 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 and thus it is judged that the inequalities to restrict an upper limit of a filling time and a lower limit of an air vent exhaust velocity are not true. That is, it is judged that prescribed qualities are not satisfied with regard to misrun and gas inclusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Machinery & Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Murakami
  • Patent number: 8607654
    Abstract: A sensor stabilization platform and method for installation in an enclosure is described, wherein the platform can be lowered into the enclosure from the enclosure's entry way (without requiring a person to enter the enclosure) and properly oriented to provide the structural support/securing capabilities needed for a sensor that is “sensing” the material at the bottom of the enclosure. The securing platform is weighted or configured to rest (without movement) at the bottom of the enclosure floor or manhole, and sensors can be lowered into the platform's receptacle(s), etc. The platform may be configured to be foldable, allowing it to be compact and pass through narrow entry ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hadronex, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Hobbs, Daryl Norval, David Drake, Gregory Quist
  • Patent number: 8607655
    Abstract: A transmission connected to an engine input member and having an output transfer gear, first and second transmission input shaft members, first and second countershaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The first and second transmission input shaft members are rotatably supported in the transmission housing by a combination of ball and needle bearings. The first and second countershaft members are rotatably supported in the transmission housing by plurality of thrust bearings. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tejinder Singh, Patrick S. Portell
  • Patent number: 8607656
    Abstract: A drive device for a deployment element of a motor vehicle, in particular for a pivotable hinged window, which can be moved between an open position and a closed position in a motorized manner is provided. A spur gear transmission driven by an electric motor comprises an output gear having a coupling lever for coupling a deployment lever in a rotationally movable manner, a spur gear that meshes with the output gear, and an intermediate gear that is coaxial with the spur gear. The output gear has outer teeth having two teeth sections of different axial tooth width. The deployment lever that is coupled to the coupling lever extends in a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the rotational axes of the spur gear transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventor: Uwe Sommer
  • Patent number: 8607657
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an actuation device for a shift-by-wire-actuated speed change gearbox. The actuation device includes an operating lever (2), a position sensor (5) and a device for haptic emulation. The haptic emulation device includes a damping element (3) which is joined (8) on the base (10) of the actuation device, as well as a motor-driven actuator (6). According to the invention, the actuation device is characterized by a spring element (4) which has a known spring rate and is disposed within the operative connection (W) between the operating lever (2), the damping element (3) and the articulated joint (8). The invention enables determination of the position of the operating lever and of the operating force applied to the operating lever by way of the spring element, using only a single position sensor. The haptic of a mechanical operating lever can be completely emulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Lemforder Electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Haevescher
  • Patent number: 8607658
    Abstract: A horizontal articulated robot includes a base, a first arm provided rotatably around a first rotation axis on the base, a second arm provided rotatably around a second rotation axis on the first arm, the second rotation axis being parallel to the first rotation axis, and a main shaft provided in the second arm to be extended in a direction parallel to the second rotation axis. A distance between the second rotation axis and the main shaft is shorter than a length of a straight line connecting the first and the second rotation axes. Additionally, the first arm has a recessed portion formed so as to include a position on a rotation path where a rotation radius around the second rotation axis is equivalent to the distance between the second rotation axis and the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Ono, Christoph Meyerhoff
  • Patent number: 8607659
    Abstract: A robotic arm assembly includes a support body, a first segment, a second segment, a first driving device, a second driving device, a first bevel gear, a second bevel gear, a third bevel gear, a first transmission mechanism, and a second transmission mechanism. The first segment is rotatably connected to an end of the support body. The second segment is rotatably connected to the first segment. The first driving device and the second driving device are received in the support body. The first bevel gear and the second bevel gear are rotatably sleeved on opposite ends of the first segment, and mesh with the third bevel gear fixed to the second segment. The first transmission mechanism transmits the power of the first driving member to the first bevel gear, and the second transmission mechanism transmits the power of the second driving member to the second bevel gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guo-Qing Zhang
  • Patent number: 8607660
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various vehicle braking assemblies. Brake pedal arms include, for example, a cam block that is configured to simplify the engagement between the power booster and pedal arm. Cam block can be movable with respect to the pedal arm to manage the gap between the pedal arm and power booster in by-wire braking assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adil Khan, Clement Sagan, Dale Scott Crombez, Daniel A. Gabor, Daniel Anthony Villar, Mark Muddiman, Prashanth Kaparthi
  • Patent number: 8607661
    Abstract: A mounting aid and a mounting method is provided for a cable pull adjustor (1) which includes a pull element (S) which can be connected to at least one cable pull (5, and a driver which can be connected to the actuating member (4) of the braking device (3) and which is intended for releasably driving along the pull element (8, and also a clamping element (9) which acts between the driver (7) and the pull element (S). The mounting aid comprises a securing element (10) which locks the clamping element (9) in a partially clamped position and automatically releases it through a movement of the actuating number (4) and/or the pull element (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Al-Ko Kober SE
    Inventor: Hansjörg Geisler
  • Patent number: 8607662
    Abstract: A wall-mounted faucet control component includes a control handle, a conversion block and a restricting device, wherein two spaced protruding ribs are located at the periphery of the opening of a receiving space of the control handle, and a connecting pole is protrudingly formed at the center of the opening surface of the receiving space. The conversion block is located at the receiving space of the control handle, wherein two recessed slots are spacedly and recessedly formed at the periphery of the conversion block, and the recessed slots are engaged with the protruding ribs of the control handle. According to the abovementioned structure, since the detachable conversion block is formed at the receiving space of the control handle, it can be used for water control bases of different sizes to increase the practicability of the faucet handle and increase the convenience in assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Alexander Yeh Industry Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Chen Huang
  • Patent number: 8607663
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shift knob (31) of a driving mode switching device allowing switching of multiple driving modes by rotation of a lever member (523) having a holding unit (31a) on an upper end thereof. In a region extending from a first position in a direction of an axis of the lever member (523) to a bottom surface (315) of the holding unit (31a) located downward of the first position, a length of the holding unit (31a) in a radial direction thereof is equal to or longer than a length thereof in the radial direction at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Takehara, Shoichi Yoshizawa, Masato Inoue, Daisuke Yamamoto, Yuusuke Hoshimiya
  • Patent number: 8607664
    Abstract: A porous insert for a gearbox or transmission which retards fluid motion and flow within the device when it is subjected to rapid acceleration. The insert may be fabricated of any porous material such as open cell plastic foam, a porous ceramic or sintered metal and is shaped to conform to and is installed in a bottom rear region of the transmission housing. The insert retards motion of the fluid during rapid acceleration, preventing pump starvation and permitting a smaller charge of fluid to be placed in the gearbox or transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Addison T. Solak, David J. Varda
  • Patent number: 8607665
    Abstract: A rotary table with a main frame, at least two driving wheels, at least two driven wheels, a round inner seal plate and a round outer seal plate. The main frame is provided with an inner and outer annular track region. Driving-wheel emplacement regions are at proper locations on the outer annular track region and driven-wheels are installed in a drive-wheel annular track region between the inner and outer annular track regions. The driving wheels are installed in the driving-wheel emplacement regions of the main frame. A side of the drive-wheel is connected with a sliding block. The driven wheel is matched and gnawed with the driving wheel which can drive individually the matched and gnawed driven wheel to rotate and displace to perform plural manufacturing processes of a short machine-hour and plural fixed sites, such that all the manufacturing processes can be accomplished simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Kun-Jung Hung
  • Patent number: 8607666
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by a power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to a first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to a second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes diverge from one another. A transfer unit includes a drive member rotatably supported on the first output shaft and a driven member coupled to the second output shaft. A joint is positioned within a cavity formed in the driven member and drivingly interconnects the driven member and the second output shaft. The driven member includes first and second portions separable from and re-mountable to each other to allow service to the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl F. Stephens, William A. Hellinger, Dale R. Fine
  • Patent number: 8607667
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing razor blades from a strip material including reducing the thickness of the strip material by at least 10% and converting the strip material into razor blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Cheng-Jih Li, Stephen F. Hobbs, Nicolae Neamtu
  • Patent number: 8607668
    Abstract: An opening device for opening sealed containers of various types. The opening device removes bottle caps, twist-off style bottle caps and opens stay-on-tab cans. The opening device increases the speed with which containers may be opened and helps to protect the hands by reducing the force needed to open the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Vincent D. Frank, Joseph P. Hanna
  • Patent number: 8607669
    Abstract: A gripper having a pair of straps for safely opening a narrow cylindrical article, by wrapping a closure on a narrow cylindrical article with a first strap and wrapping the narrow cylindrical article with a second strap, grasping each and rotating each in opposing directions, releasing the friction holding the closure. The pair of straps shields a pair of glass edges created when snapping off an ampule top. The gripper is made from a sterilizable elastomeric material for use in a medical setting such as a hospital. The pair of identical straps are connected by a band attached to a portion on each strap. The gripper opens a connector on a central venous catheter (CVC) lumen, a pair of clasps on CVC stabilization device, a connector on a urine collection bag to a Foley catheter, a cap on a laboratory sample vial and a glass ampule as non-limiting examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Matthew Ostroff
  • Patent number: 8607670
    Abstract: A damaged fastener extractor is provided with a body defining generally cylindrical coordinates ?, Z and R about an axis and having a rear body portion communicating with a front body portion. The rear body portion has an outer surface shaped to be engaged by a tool to be used in rotating the body circumferentially about the axis and sized to present a working outer dimension OD to said tool. The front body portion has a front terminus and an inner surface in which the front terminus is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis and provides a generally circular receiving aperture communicating with the inner surface. The inner surface is shaped to engage a damaged fastener to be extracted and sized to present a working inner diameter ID to the damaged fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Rafal Stawarski
  • Patent number: 8607671
    Abstract: A wrench for applying a drive torque at a drive element includes an elongated handle, a clamping element or head having a torque-applying gripping surface, and at least one trigger. The head is adjustably or movably mounted at the handle and is adjustable or movable to impart a clamping force at a drive element received at the gripping surface of the head. The trigger is configured to adjust or move the head relative to the handle to impart the clamping force at the drive element. Responsive to a user actuating the trigger, the trigger adjusts or moves the head relative to the handle to impart the clamping force at the drive element irrespective of any movement of the handle relative to the drive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: American Grease Stick Company
    Inventors: John M. Peirce, Logan D. Pitts
  • Patent number: 8607672
    Abstract: A tool may loosen seized bolts by sending shock waves into the bolt shank and thread areas via axial blows with a pneumatic hammer on the center of the bolt head prior to removal. The tool may allow impacts to be centered on the bolt head without damaging the bolt head or without worry of the bit jumping off the bolt. The tool may be comprised of a separate driver and one or more sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent J. Urick, Scotty R. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8607673
    Abstract: A tool having a collar disposed rearward of a movable sleeve or tool attachment so as to deflect objects away from the rearward edge of the sleeve or tool attachment when in the tool attachment lock position thereby preventing inadvertent release of the tool attachment during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: James B. Marson
  • Patent number: 8607674
    Abstract: A torque-regulated, manual drive, hydraulic wrench for tightening and loosening which doesn't require any outer element for operating, whether hydraulic pumps with respective supply hoses, control gauges, or hydraulic centers. The torque selection/regulation is performed by a circular slide rule mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Antonio Cami Riestra
  • Patent number: 8607675
    Abstract: A torque wrench includes a driving head, a hollow handle, compression unit, an adjustment unit, an index unit and a display unit. The driving head and the handle are pivotably connected to each other. The compression unit has a resilient member and an end piece which contacts the driving head. The adjustment unit adjusts the length of the resilient member to set the torque of the wrench. The index unit has a first index and a second index, both of which are moved with the movement of the adjustment unit. The movement of the first index is detected by the display unit and transferred into digits to display the value of the torque. The second index is cooperated with the marks of the scale member to display the value of the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Ting-Ko Tsai, Chun-Wei Yang, Zhe-Ping Zhang
  • Patent number: 8607676
    Abstract: A die grooving tool for insertion into a pipe having a first die body and a second die body mounted upon a first end of the first die body. Each of the first die body and a second die body have a plurality of openings thereon for receiving a plurality of cutting wheels mounted therein. The first die body is configured to rotate at least partially in a clockwise direction and the second die body is configured to rotate at least partially in a counter clockwise direction, so that the cutting wheels of the first die body and the second die body create a double helix groove on an interior of the pipe, whereby the double helix groove intersects at an intersection point every 360 degrees along an entire length of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Algo Machine Shop Ltd.
    Inventor: Frank Ivan
  • Patent number: 8607677
    Abstract: A shock absorbing anvil pruner/lopper comprises a cutting blade and a shock absorbing anvil member with a compound action tang. The anvil member includes a liner member for engagement with the blade and a shock absorber in relation to the liner member, whereupon on engagement of the blade with the liner member during a cutting operation, the shock absorber will compress or otherwise absorb some of the force, providing for less physical shock being transmitted to the user through the pruner/lopper handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Barnel International, Inc.
    Inventors: Linn E. Nelson, Karl H. Zeller
  • Patent number: 8607678
    Abstract: A miter saw has a base assembly, a table assembly rotatably disposed on the base assembly, a support housing connected to the table assembly, and a saw assembly pivotably attached to the support housing. The saw assembly is pivotable downwardly for cutting a workpiece disposed on the table assembly. The saw has a miter lock assembly including a shoe assembly connected to the table housing and movable between a first position not contacting the base assembly and a second position contacting the base assembly. The shoe assembly has a movable shoe for adjusting the angular position of the table assembly relative to the base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Gehret
  • Patent number: 8607679
    Abstract: A laminate flooring saw system which can be used for both rip cuts and miter cuts in one embodiment includes a first power switch proximate the saw and movable with the saw along a support arm; a second power switch that is not movable with the saw along the support arm; and a third switch movable between a first position wherein application of energy to the saw is dependent upon the position of the second power switch and independent of the position of the first power switch and a second position wherein application of energy to the saw is dependent upon the position of both the first power switch and the second power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher Heflin, Gregg M. Mangialardi, Cui Ke, Matthew M. Rybka, P. Sean Gallagher, Bryan M. Shova, Donald J. Staufenberg
  • Patent number: 8607680
    Abstract: The combined dual bevel miter and radial arm saw device provides the advantages of both a radial arm saw and a miter saw. The device thereby provides for cross cuts, rip cuts and angle cuts, all simultaneously if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Steven Carr