Patents Issued in December 31, 2013
  • Patent number: 8616627
    Abstract: A gliding-reclining seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; an arm frame; a gliding mechanism attached to the base and to the arm frame, the gliding mechanism configured to enable the arm frame to reciprocate in a longitudinal direction relative to the base; a generally horizontally-disposed seat; a generally upright backrest positioned rearwardly of the seat; a footrest unit; and a reclining mechanism that interconnects and controls movement of the seat and the backrest relative to the frame between an upright position and a reclined position. In the upright position, the backrest is generally upright and positioned above the frame, and the seat has a first rearward position relative to the frame. In the reclined position, the backrest is reclined relative to the underlying surface as compared to its disposition in the upright position and the seat has a second forward position relative to the frame that is forward of the first rearward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus L. Murphy, D. Stephen Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8616628
    Abstract: There is provided a reconfigurable furniture assembly having a substantially planar surface member movable about a horizontal axis in an endless manner, a support member holding the substantially planar surface over the ground surface, and a plurality of assigned location around the planar surface member for individuals to occupy and face a portion of the planar surface member. A drive element moves the planar surface member and assigned locations about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Francis Beauchamp
  • Patent number: 8616629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seating apparatus, and more particularly to a combined table and chair. We describe a seating apparatus comprising a table (25), a chair (26) and a table base (16) wherein the table comprises a table top (10) and a table leg (11) defining an axis about which axis said table top is rotatable with respect to the table base; wherein the chair is mounted for rotation with said table top about said axis. In a preferred embodiment, the chair comprises a seat (21) and a chair frame (31) upon which the seat is mounted, wherein the frame includes at least one floor-engaging leg (22). Preferably, the table leg has upper and lower ends, the lower end being mounted for rotation upon the table base and the chair frame is mounted upon the table leg at a point intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. More preferably, the chair frame is mounted substantially adjacent the lower end of the table leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Ingemar Jonsson, Shin Azumi, Tomoko Azumi
  • Patent number: 8616630
    Abstract: A tailgating bench and table combination, including a bench portion, having a bench frame supporting a bench cushion, and further comprising a member insertable into a trailer hitch of a vehicle; a pair of leg members on the bench frame, supporting the bench portion; a flat table portion, having a pair of legs on the front end supporting the table portion; a second member extending from the bench frame to support the rear end of the table in a horizontal position adjacent the bench portion; wherein the first member extends rearward from the bench to be inserted into the trailer hitch opening; and wherein the second member extends forward from the bench, and further includes an upright portion which is secured to an underside of the table portion. The pair of legs on the front end of the table and on the bench frame are height adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Midkiff, John R. Tolbert, Sr., John R. Tolbert
  • Patent number: 8616631
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a passenger seat with a seat frame having at least one coupling projection and a seat pan assembly having at least one coupling retainer. The coupling retainer is configured to releasably engage the coupling projection via at least one locking device. The seat pan assembly is disengaged from the passenger seat by removing the locking device, disengaging the coupling retainer, and rotating the seat pan assembly to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Rik Westerink, Armando Valdes, Brad Grunwald
  • Patent number: 8616632
    Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a backrest, a seat portion connected with a lower end portion of the backrest, and a tether including a strap held with the child safety seat, and a resilient member assembled with the strap. The resilient member and the strap have different elasticity, and a tensioning of the strap causes deformation of the resilient member. When the vehicle is subject to a frontal collision or suddenly brakes, the resilient member can deform to cushion the retaining force applied by the tether, which can reduce the risk of injuries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Kenny Cheng
  • Patent number: 8616633
    Abstract: A headrest (10) for a vehicle seat has at least one base (11), such as a support rod or the like. A main body (12) is held on the base (11). A support part (13) having a head support surface (44) can move relative to the main body (12) forward in the forward direction (x) toward the back of the head of the vehicle occupant and back in the rearward direction (z). The main body (12) is movable on the base (11) and can be shifted by at least one rotatable transmission element (K1; 28, 30) in the forward direction (x) and in the rearward direction (z). At the same time, the support part, which moveable in the same direction with the main body (12) in the forward direction (x) and the rearward direction (z), is pivoted on the same rotatable transmission element (K1; 28, 30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Gerd Truckenbrodt, Udo Beil, Gerhard Muenster
  • Patent number: 8616634
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a mechanism for moving a headrest upon rear-end collision, comprising: a pressure receiving member for receiving a load of a rearward movement of an occupant; a transmitting element for transmitting the load received by the pressure receiving member to a headrest side; right and left headrest supporting members for supporting right and left pillars of the headrest; and a biasing member that biases the headrest; wherein the biasing member is disposed between the right and left pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanari Yasuda, Kenichi Nitsuma, Takamasa Adachi
  • Patent number: 8616635
    Abstract: An anti-crash seat (1) for a vehicle, the seat comprising a bucket (2) and a frame (6), said bucket (2) being provided with a seat proper (3) and with a back (4) for receiving a person. Said seat (1) includes crash energy absorber means (10) and antivibration means (20). The seat also includes inhibitor means (30) for inhibiting said antivibration means (20) so as to neutralize the antivibration means (20) when the seat (1) is subjected to acceleration towards the floor that is greater than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Laurent Dock
  • Patent number: 8616636
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat, first and second front links as well as first and second rear links are pivotally connected between a seat cushion frame and a floor of vehicle. The first front link has one pivot point pivotally connected with a drive pinion rotatably supported in one side of the seat cushion frame and another pivot point disposed forwardly of that one pivot point. Likewise, the second front link has one pivot point pivotally connected with the other side of the seat cushion frame and another pivot point disposed forwardly of that one pivot point. A first connecting link element is pivotally connected between the afore-said another pivot point of the first front link and the first rear link. A second connecting link element is pivotally connected between the afore-said another pivot point of the second front link and the second rear link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Arata
  • Patent number: 8616637
    Abstract: Described are seat support assemblies comprising at least one of a pitch reducer assembly, a fitting assembly, an energy absorption assembly, and an integrated leg assembly. The pitch reducer assembly may include a pitch reducer housing, at least one pitch riser, and at least one pitch stop. The integrated leg assembly may include a forward leg and an aft leg, where the forward leg is coupled to the pitch reducer assembly. The fitting assembly may include a pair of forward housing mating components and a pair of aft housing mating components, where the pairs of mating components are coupled to the forward and aft legs, respectively. The energy absorption assembly may include a tubular member, a die slidingly coupled to the tubular member, and a die holder coupled to the die, wherein the die holder has a hemispherical outer surface that is configured to pivotally mate with a passenger seat housing and rotate about an arc of rotation relative to the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Trimble, Rakibul Islam
  • Patent number: 8616638
    Abstract: An infant carrier apparatus having multiple seating positions comprises a support frame, a seat assembly connected with the support frame, and a backrest assembly including a backrest frame. The seat assembly includes a first seat frame and a second seat frame, and the second seat frame is operable to rotate relative to the first seat frame between an unfolded position and a folded position. The backrest frame is operable to rotate about a pivot axle relative to the support frame, wherein the folded position of the second seat frame is substantially parallel and adjacent to the backrest frame. Because the second seat frame can be conveniently folded to a disabled state adjacent to the backrest frame, erroneous use of the second seat frame can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Xiang Yong Zeng, Nangui Bu
  • Patent number: 8616639
    Abstract: A multi-swing chair apparatus comprising a top frame member, one or more frame leg members, and one or more suspension assemblies is provided. The top frame member is, for example, a generally circular top frame member. The frame leg members are rigidly connected to and extend from the top frame member. Each of the frame leg members defines a space for suspending one or more swingable chairs from the top frame member. The suspension assemblies are pivotally attached to the top frame member. Each of the suspension assemblies connects to one of the swingable chairs for suspending each swingable chair from the top frame member. The suspension assemblies facilitate one or more of swinging movements and swivel movements of the swingable chairs. In an embodiment, the multi-swing chair apparatus further comprises support members extending upwardly from the top frame member for supporting a canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph J. Britz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8616640
    Abstract: A chair includes a base that has a generally U-shaped member. The generally U-shaped member is comprised of a front member attached to a first end portion and a second end portion. A seat is supported on the base and is moveable from an upright position to a reclined position. A first resilient member is attached to the first end portion of the generally U-shaped member. A second resilient is attached to the second end portion of the generally U-shaped member. End portions of the first and second resilient members are attached to the seat adjacent to a rear portion of the seat. The first and second resilient members are sized and configured to resiliently move or flex such that the seat is positioned at the reclined position when a user sits on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventor: Hendrik R. van Hekken
  • Patent number: 8616641
    Abstract: A therapeutic back support device including a back support portion that automatically and repeatedly moves forward to maintain engagement with a user's back as the user moves forward with respect to a chair seat. The back support portion substantially resists backward motion and provides substantially continuous therapeutic support to the user's spine pending a release signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Access Enterprise, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Powicki, Stephen James Messineo
  • Patent number: 8616642
    Abstract: A fold-and-dive apparatus for a vehicle seat is provided, which includes a protrusion projecting from a seat back that is folded toward a seat cushion, a moving block moving on a connection link by the protrusion when the seat back is folded, a lock plate connected to the moving block by a cable to move upward and downward on the connection link so as to restrain and release the seat cushion, and an elastic member having both end portions installed in the seat cushion and a vehicle body, respectively, to make the seat cushion slide forward. Since the seat cushion slides forward when the seat back is folded, the overlap of bolster portions between the seat back and the seat cushion is minimized, and thus the evenness of the seat back that is folded toward the seat cushion and the luggage trim is maximally improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Young Bok Sung, Chan Ho Jeong, Tae Hoon Lee, Seon Chae Na
  • Patent number: 8616643
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat having a primary seat (1) having a seat back (3) and a seat pan (4), and a secondary support surface (5) located or locatable opposite the primary seat (1), the passenger seat being able to adopt each of an upright configuration, a reclined configuration and a substantially flat configuration, such that in the reclined configuration, the primary seat (1) is reclined relative to the upright configuration and the secondary support surface (5) is angled upwardly towards the primary seat (1) to support the lower leg(s) of a passenger seated in the primary seat (1); and in the substantially flat configuration, the secondary support surface (5) is substantially horizontal and the seat back (3), the seat pan (4), and the secondary support surface (5) form a substantially flat and continuous surface where the secondary support surface (5) is rotatable about an axis between the reclined and substantially flat configurations, the axis being translated between the reclined and substantially fl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: British Airways PLC
    Inventors: Martin Darbyshire, Matthew Round, Asa Dancy Herring, III, Dennis Isaac Waldrip, Marc Schatell, Alen Wyss, Gregory Hall, Walter Sutcavage, John Lovingood, Dan Alford
  • Patent number: 8616644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with an upper part (2, 3, 7) comprising a seat part (2) and a backrest (3), and a lower part (11), wherein a vertically adjustable seat frame (4) with at least two scissor arms (5, 6) connected to each other in a rotatable manner is arranged between the upper seat part (2, 3, 7) and the lower seat part (11), wherein at least one first end (5a, 6a) of at least one of the scissor arms (5, 6) is connected to at least one slide element (12) for the displacement—sliding in at least one displacement direction (10)—of the first end (5a, 6a) along at least one guide rail (7, 11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Konstantin Lorey
  • Patent number: 8616645
    Abstract: A seat lifter device includes a seat support member; a front link rotationally coupled to a front section of the seat support member; a rear link rotationally coupled to a rear section of the seat support member; a frame member including a front section rotationally coupled to the front link and a rear section rotationally coupled to the rear link at a position rearward of the coupling portion between the seat support member and the rear link; a cushion member including a front section rotationally coupled to the frame member and a rear section rotationally coupled to the rear link at a position further separated from the coupling portion between the seat support member and the rear link than the coupling portion between the rear link and the frame member; and a rotation transmitting member for rotating one of the front link and the rear link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sadao Ito
  • Patent number: 8616646
    Abstract: An adjuster for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, includes a drive, a gear stage (8) driven by the drive. The gear stage (8) includes a drive wheel (81) rotatable about a first rotational axis (A1) and drive teeth (81a) and a driven wheel (82) rotatable about a second rotational axis (A2) and including driven teeth (82a). Driven wheel (82) meshes with the drive wheel (81) with a fluctuating gear ratio and at least one load bearing gear driven by the gear stage, in particular a geared fitting. The fitting parts thereof performing a relative rotation with a superimposed wobble motion. At least two drive teeth (81a) and/or at least two driven teeth (82a) in the circumferential direction of the associated rotational axis (A1, A2) have different dimensions and/or different spacings from the adjacent teeth, and/or in the axial direction of the associated rotational axis (A1, A2), different dimensions and/or different axial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Elmar Deegener, Heinz Voss, Rolf Schüler, Bernd Bossmanns
  • Patent number: 8616647
    Abstract: A release actuator can comprise a support element, a latch mechanism, a release button movably assembled with the support element, a transmission element connecting the latch mechanism with the release button, and a safety latch key disposed adjacent to the release button. The release button can be movable parallel to a first axis for driving unlocking operation of the latch mechanism. The safety latch key and the release button are assembled so as to be movable relative to each other parallel to a second axis for either blocking or unblocking movements of the release button parallel to the first axis. Moreover, one embodiment of an infant carrying apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Rui-bin Chen
  • Patent number: 8616648
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in particular motor vehicle seat, including a seat part (3) and a backrest (4) which are connected by recliner fittings (5) that are connected together by a shaft (7) connected to a hand lever (9) for unlocking each recliner fitting to adjust an angle of the backrest relative to the seat base. The fitting has a first fitting part (11) and a second fitting part (12) mounted to be rotatable relative to each other about an axis of rotation. The second fitting part has inwardly facing toothing which extends along at least a portion of an arc. A locking device with a driving element 27 is connected to the shaft and locking elements movable in response to rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Walter Holzhueter, Todd Gilson, Dirk Brassat
  • Patent number: 8616649
    Abstract: A pivotal device of a vehicle seat includes ratchet and guide mounted together to be rotatable relative to each other, and pawls supported by the guide in its circumferential direction and having external teeth adapted to mesh with internal teeth of the ratchet when an operating cam pushes the pawls radially outward, so as to inhibit relative rotation of the ratchet and the guide. One of the pawls is divided obliquely into two parts in the circumferential direction, and is pushed radially outward to mesh with the ratchet while increasing its width and eliminating clearances between the pawl and the guide. The rotating cam rides on a protrusion formed on the guide during rotation thereof, so as to largely push the pawls and press the ratchet radially against the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Uramichi, Takayuki Endou
  • Patent number: 8616650
    Abstract: A head support for a backrest of a motor vehicle seat, which can be folded out of an upright use position into a cargo position directed in driving direction. The head support is mounted to be foldable toward the front side of the backrest between an upright operative position is in the use position, and a folded down inoperative position when the backrest is in the cargo position, around a horizontal head support spindle of a holder arranged at the backrest and carries the head support the head support spindle extends transverse to the driving direction. The holder is lowered completely or partially into a lowered position in the backrest in the inoperative position of the head support and can be raised from the lowered position into the raised position of the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Markel, Michael Wagner
  • Patent number: 8616651
    Abstract: An ergonomic chair for promoting hip flexibility and strength and reducing lower back pain. The ergonomic chair includes a base, a first, lower platform, and a second, upper platform spaced above the first, lower platform. The user sits on the second platform and rests their legs on the first platform in various positions. Use of the ergonomic chair results in the user rotating their pelvis to a position that is comfortable and properly aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: John P. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8616652
    Abstract: The articulating foot-elevating support includes a base into which a hydraulically actuated cylinder of telescoping sections arises therefrom to support a foot-shaped footrest thereon. The articulating foot-elevating support is designed for a specific use of aiding an end user in tying shoes onto his/her feet. The footrest can articulate about a pivot point atop the topmost telescoping section in a manner consistent with that of an ankle of a foot. The footrest includes an imprint of a foot thereon, which is a visual aid to an end user as to placement and orientation of a foot to be placed thereon. The hydraulically actuated cylinder includes multiple telescoping sections that enable the footrest elevation to be raised and lowered. The foot-shaped footrest may include a heel stop that prevents a foot from sliding off of the foot-shaped footrest when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Mario Wells
  • Patent number: 8616653
    Abstract: A frame structure of a seat cushion can include a right and left plate-like side panel having side portions of the seat cushion, and a tubular front pipe reinforcing front side portions of the right and left side panels. The front pipe can include right and left erect portions extending over the length of front sides of the side panels, right and left extending portions extending forward from upper end portions of the right and left erect portions, and a bridge portion bridging across front end portions of the right and left extending portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomokazu Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8616654
    Abstract: A method and a device for adjusting a seat are provided. The method includes the acts of detecting a pressure exerted by a user on the seat via a pneumatic sensor and/or a hydraulic sensor, and adjusting the seat based on the pressure exerted by the user. The device includes a pneumatic or hydraulic lifting element, a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure sensor connected to the lifting element, and a control unit connected to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor detects a pressure exerted by a user on the seat, and the control unit controls the first lifting element to adjust the seat based on the pressure exerted by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Raphael Zenk, Matthias Franz, Alexander Durt, Rudolf Lein
  • Patent number: 8616655
    Abstract: In an assembly of a mesh cushion in a mesh chair and an assembling method thereof, a mesh member can be strongly fixed to a frame, enough tension can be provided to the mesh member with a simple scheme, and the edge of the mesh member can be prevented from being worn away, since the mesh type cushion assembly of a chair includes: a mesh member; a middle member fixing the edge of the mesh member; a frame and a cover that are assembled with each other so as to fix the middle member to between the frame and the cover; a tension part disposed between the frame and the cover so as to provide the mesh member with tension when the frame and the cover are assembled with each other; and a coupling unit coupling the frame and the cover to each other, and wherein, the mesh member is positioned between the frame and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Duoback Korea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwan-Young Jung
  • Patent number: 8616656
    Abstract: A ploughing device for mining, with a ploughing tool having a plurality of plough bodies being interconnected by means of detachable coupling members, and with a longwall conveyor forming a plough guiding means, wherein at least one ploughing body is provided with pivotable cutter carriers. In order to have a ploughing device for mining different seam thicknesses in an efficient manner even and with low number of spare parts to be stored, the ploughing tool has three plough bodies, one forming a central ploughing body, at the end of which are connected a first and second lateral ploughing body by means of a first and second coupling members, wherein the coupling members in each case consist of a toggle bolt with toggle shaft and toggle heads being insertable on open-edged toggle pockets on the bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Adam Klabisch, Norbert Hesse, Gerhard Siepenkort
  • Patent number: 8616657
    Abstract: A hub assembly includes a retainer housing, a retaining member, a biasing element, and a restraining element. The retainer housing includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle and a pin sleeve. The pin sleeve includes a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end. The retaining member is in the conduit and is configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is in the conduit and is configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore. The restraining element is configured to prevent the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve at least prior to coupling the hub assembly to a wheel. A wheel assembly can include the hub assembly and a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GEO Plastics
    Inventor: Michael A. Morris
  • Patent number: 8616658
    Abstract: A hub assembly includes a retainer housing, a retaining member, a biasing element, and an occlusion. The retainer housing includes a wheel mounting sleeve and a pin sleeve. The wheel mounting sleeve includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle. The pin sleeve has a first end and a second end. The pin sleeve includes a conduit between the first end and the second end. The first end is in fluid communication with the axle bore. The retaining member and the biasing element are in the conduit. The retaining member is configured to engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore. The occlusion is proximate to the second end of the pin sleeve. The occlusion is configured to inhibit the retaining member from exiting the conduit at least prior to coupling the hub assembly to a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GEO Plastics
    Inventor: Michael Abraham Morris
  • Patent number: 8616659
    Abstract: The invention concerns a steering and braking system for a motor vehicle which has wheels on opposite sides thereof. Each wheel has a brake unit that can be controlled by an operator actuating a brake device, such as a brake pedal. At least one of the brake units is controlled in response to a turning maneuver of the motor vehicle independent of the actuation of the brake pedal, so that a higher braking force is applied to an inside one of the brake units with respect to the curve than is applied to an outside one of the brake units with respect to the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Hendrik Nordhoff
  • Patent number: 8616660
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a regenerative brake control method of a regenerative brake system using an electronic control brake, which is devised to increase a regenerative brake energy recovery rate of a vehicle via brake hydraulic pressure control under low brake pressure conditions. The regenerative brake control method includes determining whether or not regenerative brake cooperative control of non-drive wheels is necessary based on a vehicle speed and driver requested brake force, and selecting whether or not to perform the regenerative brake cooperative control, thereby achieving vehicle braking stability. If the regenerative brake cooperative control is necessary, brake hydraulic pressure of non-drive wheels are controlled to increase regenerative brake force of drive wheels, which increases a regenerative brake energy recovery rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: MANDO Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Mook Kim
  • Patent number: 8616661
    Abstract: An enclosure, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, comprises a plurality of peripheral frame members, a plurality of corner frame members, a plurality of corner members, a plurality of primary surface sheets, and a plurality of secondary surface sheets. In preferred embodiments, the components of the enclosure are joined together in a manner that inhibits liquids from accessing the junctions between the components. In this manner, the interior of the enclosure can be shielded from various weather and other conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Trystar, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Matthew Takata, James Jerome Koberg, Brian Allen Amacher, Jason Robert DeMars, Christopher Alan Dahl
  • Patent number: 8616662
    Abstract: An electronic device enclosure includes a chassis, a bracket received in the chassis, and a mounting assembly. The chassis includes a limiting protrusion and defines a sliding slot. The mounting assembly includes a resisting member, a rotating member and an operating member. The resisting member is secured to the bracket and includes an elastic deformable resisting portion. The rotating member is rotatably attached to the bracket and includes a first blocking portion and a blocking piece. The operating member is rotatably attached to the bracket and includes an installation portion and a second blocking portion. The installation portion is received between the blocking piece and the first blocking portion. The blocking piece is located between the resisting portion and the installation portion. The first and second blocking portions are received in the sliding slot. The limiting protrusion is blocked between the first and second blocking portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiu-Zhong Yin, Xiu-Quan Hu
  • Patent number: 8616663
    Abstract: A representative adjustable cabinet includes a bottom section, a top section, a release mechanism, and a ladder component. The bottom section includes a top wall. The top section is positioned above the bottom section and includes at least one side wall. The release mechanism is placed at the top wall and includes at least one bar that extends horizontally along a plane of the top wall. The ladder component is placed at the at least one side wall of the top section and engages the at least one bar of the release mechanism to facilitate adjusting the top section downward and upward in relation to the bottom section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Quy That Ton
  • Patent number: 8616664
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting a sliding drawer or tray to a frame includes: a main panel; a front panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; a floor panel connected and generally normal to the main panel; a front lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel; and a floor lip connected to the front panel and extending generally parallel to the main panel. In this configuration, the bracket can facilitate precise but simple mounting of the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Tenn-Tex Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hightower
  • Patent number: 8616665
    Abstract: A door bin for a refrigerator includes a metallic main body, a first endcap positioned at a first side of the main body, a second endcap positioned at a second side of the main body, an upper rail connecting an upper front corner of the first endcap to an upper front corner of the second endcap, and a glass panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew G. Czach, Matthew E. Herr, Scott E. Roales, Michael S. Seeley
  • Patent number: 8616666
    Abstract: There is provided a method of printing a regular array of rows of subpixels on a workpiece. The subpixels have c different colors and have a subpixel pitch s. A printing head has z nozzles arranged in a row with a spacing p, where z=n1(c) and p=n2(s), the printhead being at a first position relative to the workpiece. There are c different printing inks, one for each of the c colors, and each of the printing inks is supplied to the nozzles in a regular alternating pattern. The method includes steps of printing a first set of z rows of subpixels with the printing head; moving the workpiece laterally relative to the printing head by a distance d1, where d1=n3(s); printing a second set of z rows of subpixels with the printing head; repeating the printing steps for a total of n2 sets of z rows of subpixels. Variables include: c, an integer greater than 1; n1, n2, and n3 which are the same or different and are independently selected from integers greater than 0, with the proviso that n2 is not a multiple of c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Nugent Truong, Matthew Stainer
  • Patent number: 8616667
    Abstract: In a feeding course, a first design side end position Xsn of a paper is calculated. A first side end position of the paper is detected by a paper width detector, and the detected position is set to a first side end position Xd1. When the paper is fed from an additional cassette and a paper end detection flag F1=1, an ejection starting position adjustment amount ?X=Xd1?Xsn is set. However, when the deviation amount is not |Xd1?Xsn|?L, the ejection starting position adjustment amount ?X is limited to a limit value L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Fukasawa, Takafumi Ogimura, Yoshikane Tsuchihashi, Tetsuji Yatsunami
  • Patent number: 8616668
    Abstract: Provided are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of reducing color unevenness due to variations in ejection characteristics among a plurality of nozzles when printing an image using a plurality of inks. To that end, a first image which is made up a color with noticeable color unevenness and similar colors is printed onto a print medium. The user then specifies a color and a nozzle position where color unevenness has occurred. On the basis of these results, parameters are set for a correction table referenced by are MCS processor. In so doing, it becomes possible to address the factor causing the color unevenness, and mitigate the effects of color unevenness in a focused way without incurring increases in processor load, memory requirements, or processing time as compared to the case of calibrating all lattice points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Senichi Saito, Ryosuke Iguchi, Nobutaka Miyake, Tohru Ikeda, Akitoshi Yamada, Mitsuhiro Ono, Fumitaka Goto, Hidetsugu Kagawa, Tomokazu Ishikawa, Junichi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8616669
    Abstract: A control device is adapted to control a recording device provided with a nozzle for discharging a color ink and a nozzle for discharging an adhesive fluid. The control device is configured to generate color image data representing a color image made up from color dots formed by the color ink, to generate adhesion image data representing an adhesion image made up from adhesion dots, which are dots formed by the adhesive fluid, wherein the adhesion image data is generated such that the adhesion dots are arranged so that the adhesive fluid is applied at an amount that corresponds to the amount of the color ink applied per unit area and the adhesion dots are arranged so that, when the amount of the color ink applied per unit area is zero, the amount of the adhesive fluid applied differs between inside and outside of a region of the adhesion image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyohiko Takemoto, Kazuaki Tsukiana, Masakazu Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8616670
    Abstract: An image forming method, including: a first process for ejecting liquid droplets of a radiation curable ink composition onto a recording medium from an ejection head capable of ejecting the radiation curable ink composition using an ink jet recording device; and a second process for irradiating the liquid droplets with active radiation by an irradiation measure capable of emitting the active radiation, in which, among the liquid droplets of the radiation curable ink composition irradiated with the active radiation, a difference of the total irradiation energy of a liquid droplet having the highest total irradiation energy of the active radiation and a liquid droplet having the lowest total irradiation energy of the active radiation in the second process is 30% or more and 50% or lower of the irradiation energy (E90) [mJ/cm2] required for curing 90% of the radiation curable ink composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Taketoshi Kagose, Satoru Miura
  • Patent number: 8616671
    Abstract: A multi-channel image is printed on a web receiver by a plurality of printing modules. The receiver is entrained around a take-up roll on a movable transport. During printing, the transport moves past the printing modules while the take-up roll holds the receiver in position with respect to the transport, and then the transport comes to a stop and the take-up roll draws the receiver across the transport. A cutter downstream of the take-up roll cuts off the printed portion of the web receiver to provide a printed sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joel Sherwood Lawther, David James Cornell
  • Patent number: 8616672
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a recording head; a temperature detection unit; a first heating element configured to maintain a temperature of the recording head and a second heating element configured to discharge the ink; an acquisition unit configured to acquire at a plurality of predetermined intervals the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit; a first averaging unit configured to obtain an average temperature based on the temperatures acquired by the acquisition unit in a first period; a first drive unit configured to drive the first heating element based on the average temperature obtained by the first averaging unit; a second averaging unit configured to obtain an average temperature based on the temperatures acquired by the acquisition unit in a second period and longer than the first period; and a second drive unit configured to drive the second heating element based on the average temperature obtained by the second averaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shingo Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 8616673
    Abstract: A method of controlling print density in a printing system includes gathering first data from a first sensor; gathering second data from a second sensor; comparing the first data to the second data; if the first data correlates to the second data no action is required; if the first data deviates from the second data; determine a confidence level for each sensor; identify the sensor with the lowest confidence level; and take corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Terry A. Wozniak, Joseph P. Mangan
  • Patent number: 8616674
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a first detection terminal and a second detection terminal which contact with respective two first terminals of each of printing material containers; a third detection terminal and a fourth detection terminal which contact with respective two second terminals of each of the printing material containers; a first detection unit detects a first detection signal from the first detection terminal via a first attachment detection path; and a second detection unit detects a second detection signal from the third detection terminal via a second attachment detection path. The first detection unit detects a short circuit occurring between the second detection terminal and the third detection terminal on the basis of the second detection signal, and the second detection unit detects a short circuit occurring between the first detection terminal and the fourth detection terminal on the basis of the first detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Takagi
  • Patent number: 8616675
    Abstract: Actuator ink chamber systems and methods of making the same and ink jet printheads. The actuator ink chamber systems and ink jet print heads having an ink chamber with a low-adhesion coating applied on at least one portion of the inner surface of the ink chamber to reduce or eliminate actuator membrane damage during ink freeze/thaw cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Casella, Andrew W. Hays, Peter M. Gulvin, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 8616676
    Abstract: A sub-carriage includes a housing unit that houses at least part of each of multiple recording heads, and a head passage opening and an upper opening serving as opening portions through which the housing unit passes. A flow channel anchoring member for anchoring a flow channel member is attached to the sub-carriage so as to span across the aforementioned opening portions, and each of the recording heads is sequentially anchored to the sub-carriage to which the flow channel anchoring member has been attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagiwara