Patents Issued in February 18, 2014
  • Patent number: 8650998
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for automatically cutting sheet material, the machine comprising a bench having a cutting zone, a cutter head mounted on means for moving it relative to the bundle, a cutter conveyor housed inside a box placed under the cutting zone, and means for establishing suction in the box, the box bulging outwards at least in its bottom portion that is remote from the cutting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Lectra
    Inventors: Thierry Badie, Didier Chabirand, Régis Lallement
  • Patent number: 8650999
    Abstract: The cutting machine comprises a horizontal knife (17) for cutting a block (40) into plates (41). To allow for removal of a stack of plates (42) before the whole block (40) has been cut, a removal means comprising a removal conveyor (32) is provided. After completion of the last cut, the knife (17), after reversal of its cutting edge, will be entered into the cutting gap (43) again and be lifted, thus allowing a separating member (34) of the removal conveyor (32) to enter the resultant gap (44). By driving the conveyer belt (12), the stack of plates (42) is transferred onto the removal conveyor (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fecken-Kirfel GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Tillman, Helmut Tönnes
  • Patent number: 8651000
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting device for slicing food products, comprising a driven circular blade rotating about a blade axis revolving on a track about a center axis, and a cover element rotatable relative to the circular blade on the side of the circular blade facing away from a product to be sliced. A holding device is provided that is designed for counteracting the self-rotation of the cover element about the blade axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH Breidenbach
    Inventor: Günther Weber
  • Patent number: 8651001
    Abstract: A power tool in one embodiment includes a swing arm movable along a swing arm path between an upper first swing arm position and a lower second swing arm position, a latch hold mechanism movable between a first latch hold position adjacent to the swing path and a second latch hold position whereat at least a portion of the latch hold mechanism is within the swing path, an actuator configured to force the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position, a swing arm reset configured to pivot the swing arm from the second swing arm position to the first swing arm position, a latch hold reset configured to pivot the latch hold mechanism from the second latch hold position to the first latch hold position, and a control system configured to control the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Brady J. Groth, Amit K. Mehta, Robert S. Doumani
  • Patent number: 8651002
    Abstract: A sheet cutter includes: a stationary knife including a straight blade part formed in a straight-line shape in a longitudinal direction; a movable knife including a cutting edge part formed in the shape of V-character, opposed to mesh with the straight blade part of the stationary knife, the movable knife being able to freely move toward or back from the stationary knife; a movable knife pressing member for pressing the movable knife against the stationary knife; and a movable knife driver driving the movable knife forward or backward. The movable knife pressing member pressure contacts the movable knife against the stationary knife by a compression coil spring contained inside the movable knife pressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Primex Inc.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 8651003
    Abstract: A power-operated toilet paper dispensing device for automatically providing a desired quantity of existing toilet paper as needed by a user may include a housing adapted to be affixed to a support surface. Further, the device may include a plurality of spindles situated within the housing. Each of the spindles may receive and support a corresponding roll of toilet paper. A mechanism may be included for automatically and independently rotating each of the spindles along a corresponding first rotational path defined within the housing. Such a mechanism may be automatically responsive to a triggering event such that a first one of the spindles automatically and independently articulate along the corresponding first rotational path while a second one of the spindles remains statically disposed at a fixed position within the housing. Additionally, the automatically and independently rotating mechanism may automatically detect the triggering event at a location exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Bernard M. Vercellone
  • Patent number: 8651004
    Abstract: A punch includes a base and a chip cartridge that is movably coupled to the base. The chip cartridge is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the base and defines a chamber that is configured to receive and hold chips produced during a punching operation. The chip cartridge includes a chip receiving portion that is configured to receive chips created during the punching operation and to permit entry of the chips into the chamber while the chip cartridge is in the first position. When the chip cartridge is in the second position, the chip receiving portion provides communication between the chamber and outside the chamber via an area less than or equal to about 200 percent of a surface area of the chip produced by the punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: ACCO Brands USA LLC
    Inventors: Rong Liu, Christopher H. Cunningham, Jason B. Magid
  • Patent number: 8651005
    Abstract: Embodiments provide various saw chain links which may be combined to form a utility saw chain. In various other embodiments, cutting system fixtures are disclosed which may facilitate the cutting of pipes and other materials from an axis point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: James Yancey, Charlie Bailey, Todd Gerlach
  • Patent number: 8651006
    Abstract: A device and a method for producing individual blanks from a foil web and their transport are disclosed. The foil web is fed with a first conveyor to a device for producing at least one potential parting line. The formed individual blanks are transferred with a second conveyor and fed for further processing. A tear in the individual blank is formed in the area of a guide system of the second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Schmid, Manuel Kollmuss
  • Patent number: 8651007
    Abstract: Branched braided stent or graft devices and processes for fabrication of the devices are disclosed in which a trunk portion and two hinge leg portions are fabricated in one piece braided from a single plurality of filaments, whereby the legs contain the full plurality of filaments and the trunk portion contains a subset of the same plurality of filaments. The fabrication process involves braiding the hinged legs on a mandrel while retaining loops of filament between the hinged leg portions for subsequent braiding of the trunk portion of the stent or graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: AGA Medical Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel O. Adams
  • Patent number: 8651008
    Abstract: The Highly Survivable Urban Utility Vehicle (HSUUV) provides a novel way to balance the concerns of armor, mobility and cost. Prior art distributes armor to protect all areas of the vehicle evenly, thereby distributing the maximum armor weight capacity evenly. The HSUUV provides armored protection in levels, which vary depending on the location of the armor and that location's ballistic threat. Entrance to the HSUUV is located in location(s) other than the traditional side door(s) so as to provide additional armored protection in the area receiving the greatest ballistic threat. Using the HSUUV, soldiers can safely and quickly enter areas that they otherwise would have had to fight and sustain casualties to enter. The vehicle will give United States forces an unprecedented amount of flexibility, allowing for better strategic and tactical decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Right Problem LLC
    Inventor: Robert William Kocher
  • Patent number: 8651009
    Abstract: A control mechanism securable to a firing device is provided. The control mechanism includes an actuation component adapted to generate signals in response to activation of the actuation component. Further, the control mechanism includes an attachment apparatus adapted to support the actuation component adjacent to a stock of the firing device. The attachment apparatus has at least one securing member for securement of the attachment apparatus to the stock of the firing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Control Solutions LLC
    Inventors: John Hayden, Krzysztof Grzyb
  • Patent number: 8651010
    Abstract: The invention relates to the trigger and firing mechanisms for pistols. The inventive pistol comprises a frame (1), a barrel (2) with a cartridge chamber (3), a cartridge feeding mechanism (4), a fired case removing mechanism and a breech block return spring (12). The breech block (13) is slidable parallel to the barrel axis and comprises a firing mechanism, which consists of a firing spring stop (14), a firing spring (15), a striker (16) having a firing pin tip (17), a cocking notch (18) and rest pads for a firing spring (19) and for a striker spring (20). The breech block (13) includes a mechanism for sinking the firing pin tip (17) in a position, which makes possible the chambering of a cartridge, said mechanism having a striker spring (21), the force of which in a precompressed condition is greater than the precompressed force of the firing spring (15). The striker spring stop (22) is installed in the breech block (13) for fixing the precompressed force of the striker spring (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Volodymyr Igorovych Smirnov
  • Patent number: 8651011
    Abstract: A brewing device (1) for a coffee machine comprises a brewing cylinder (6) with a cylindrical hole and two pistons (3, 4) by means of which the brewing cylinder (6) can be closed off in order to form a brewing chamber (12). The brewing cylinder (6) and the pistons (3 and 4) are held in a frame (2), in a way displaceable relative to one another, and are drivable via a drive device (9, 10). This drive device (9, 10) comprises a spindle (9), the two ends of which are designed as bearing pins (25), and are mounted such that they are rotatable in a sliding way in bearing rings (26, 27) fitted in the frame (2). At least one supporting element (28) is inserted in at least one of the bearing rings (26), and is pressible substantially radially against the bearing pin (25) by means of a spring element (37). The bearing play between bearing ring (26) and bearing pin (25) is thereby compensated; a silent operation of the spindle in the brewing device results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schaerer AG
    Inventor: Peter Sinzig
  • Patent number: 8651012
    Abstract: A beverage forming system that includes a capsule for containing beverage ingredients and having an outer surface; a capsule-based beverage producing device provided with a member for injecting a liquid under pressure into the capsule, a member for draining a beverage from the capsule, and an enclosing member transferable from an opened state to a defined closed state, in which the enclosing member encloses the outer surface of the capsule; and a sealing member associated with the capsule and which is compressible when engaged by the enclosing member in the closed state, wherein the sealing member is effective to compensate for the clearance between the enclosing member and the capsule which would otherwise exist when the enclosing member is in its defined closed state. Also, a method for producing a beverage using such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Gilles Gavillet, Jean-Paul Denisart
  • Patent number: 8651013
    Abstract: The device for the formation of froth in a milk-based drink comprises a tubular structure suitable for being connected to a steam-dispensing nozzle, at least one hole for air to pass, formed through the wall thickness of the tubular structure, and an element for adjusting the flow of air through the hole for air to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: De' Longhi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe De' Longhi
  • Patent number: 8651014
    Abstract: A fire containment system and method is disclosed. The fire containment system is designed to assist in temporarily containing a fire within a semi-enclosed space having an open side for operator access. An exhaust air blower exhausts air from the semi-enclosed space through an exhaust vent. An inlet air blower provides air to the semi-enclosed space through an inlet vent. In the case of a fire in the semi-enclosed space, the fire will be drawn away from the open side and toward the inlet vent due to the air supplied by the inlet air blower. The fire is thus encouraged to remain within the semi-enclosed space, allowing additional time for a fire suppression mechanism to be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: C. Cretors & Company
    Inventors: Nenad Vidojevic, Gilbert J. Evers
  • Patent number: 8651015
    Abstract: This invention relates to a processing machine of the food industry, specifically, a new electronic sterilization device for liquid beverage or liquids. One pole of the electric voltage device is connected to the voltage connector sleeve with an outlet of hollow capillary emitter, and the other pole of the electric voltage device is connected to the collection container. The inner diameter of the exit end of the hollow capillary emitter is very small. Liquid forms a Taylor cone at the exit end under the electric field force, thus a high electric field area is formed on the surface of the Taylor cone. Bacteria passing through the high electric field area will be fully polarized, thoroughly disrupted or electroporated, and finally killed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Zhejiang Haochuang Biotech Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yixin Zhu, Tingting Lu
  • Patent number: 8651016
    Abstract: The unitized vacuum fryer is capable of low atmosphere vacuum cooking and has an elongate cooking tunnel having an upper portion separable from a base portion for cleaning and maintenance. When hermetically sealed together the two portions function to retain a high vacuum for an enclosed fry cooking system. Hermetic sealing locks at each end of the tunnel afford product entry and exit. The vacuum fryer does not require a separate enclosing pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Heat and Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew A. Caridis, James A. Padilla, Anthony A. Caridis, Thomas John Miller, Donald Giles
  • Patent number: 8651017
    Abstract: A filter system for use in a fryer includes multiple filter apparatus in a container. The filter apparatus each comprise a filter assembly, and a manifold block. Each filter assembly has a drain bracket and drain fitting attached to the lower edge. The drain fitting is shaped to slidably fit into the manifold block. Multiple filter assemblies with associated valves are in fluid communication with a pump each valve operable to close fluid communication. Flow through a filter assembly may be shut off for removal or replacement of the filter assembly during continued operation of the fryer and continued filtration by another filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas H. Bivens
  • Patent number: 8651018
    Abstract: A combination food smoker and grill system that is an effective ellipsoid shaped food smoker designed to prevent direct contact of the meat to be grilled with an open flame thereby preventing the creation of carcinogenic, carbonized meat. More specifically, the combination food smoker and grill system is a pedestal smoker and grill assembly having an upper portion grill chamber with a hinged dome cover having at least one lift handle, an adjustable heat discharge vent, a lower portion grill chamber with a first comestible grill-screen, a second comestible grill-screen, a plurality of first comestible grill-screen supports, a plurality of second comestible grill-screen supports, a smoker screen assembly, a heat portal, and a heat column assembly having a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Charlie Loud, III
  • Patent number: 8651019
    Abstract: A crank press includes an encoder measuring an angle value of a servo motor, a strain detector module generating a converted load value associated with deformation of a machine body, a memory storing at least one relation between an angle value and each of an upper torsion limit and an upper load limit, and a controller calculating a torque command value based on a position command, reading the upper torsion limit corresponding to the measured angle value, determining whether the torque command value exceeds the upper torsion limit, outputting the torque command value when negative, and outputting the upper torsion limit when affirmative. The controller further stops the servo motor when the converted load value exceeds the upper load limit corresponding to the measured angle value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Shieh Yih Machinery Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ya-Huei Guo, Tin-Chun Kuo, Jin-Hung Hsu, Ming-Yang Lin, Kuei-Chang Hsu, Yi-Wen Wang, Ju-Ru Tsai, Wei-Lun Hsu
  • Patent number: 8651020
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for web tension adjustment in a processing machine for processing a web of goods, in particular in a shaftless printing press, in which downstream web tension segments are decoupled from an adjustment of the web tension in a first web tension segment defined upstream by a first clamping point and downstream by a second clamping point. To that end, the first clamping point is subjected to a first control instruction, which is generated using a first dynamic element with a non-constant transmission function, and the second clamping point is acted upon by a second control instruction, which is generated using a second dynamic element with a non-constant transmission function. As a result of the provisions of the invention, for decoupling the downstream web tension segments from the web tension adjustment and so forth, it is unnecessary to pilot-control the corresponding downstream clamping points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Schnabel, Stephan Schultze, Mario Goeb
  • Patent number: 8651021
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a roll printing apparatus includes a cleaning device in which a cleaning nozzle unit and a spray nozzle unit are integrated so that both a reverse offset process and a cliche cleaning process may be achieved in the roll printing apparatus. The roll printing apparatus may include a base plate, a blanket roll to transfer an ink material to a cliche and a substrate, a blanket roll supporter located on the base plate to support the blanket roll, a cliche table located on the base plate to fix and move the cliche, a substrate table located on the base plate to fix the substrate, and the cleaning device installed on the base plate to clean the cliche. The cleaning device may include a cleaning nozzle unit to spray a cleaning solution and a spray nozzle unit to spray DIW, which are integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Woo Cho, Dae Jung Kim, Dong Min Kim, Sin Kwon, Jung Woo Seo
  • Patent number: 8651022
    Abstract: An inertial igniter for igniting a thermal battery upon a predetermined acceleration event is provided. The inertial igniter including: a base having a first projection; a striker mass rotatably connected to the base through a rotatable connection, the base having a second projection aligned with the first projection such that when the striker mass is rotated towards the base, the first projection impacts the second projection; and a rotation prevention mechanism for preventing impact of the first and second projections unless the predetermined acceleration event is experienced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Jahangir S. Rastegar, Richard T. Murray, Thomas Spinelli
  • Patent number: 8651023
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a hermetic covering system includes a projectile and at least one bag. The projectile has a body and a component that houses moisture-sensitive equipment. The at least one bag may be coupled to the body such that the projectile protrudes through the opening and the component is disposed in the inner cavity to protect the component during storage of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James S. Mason, James S. Wilson, Jonathan Schmidt, Joseph Robson, Angel Crespo, Rafael Quintero
  • Patent number: 8651024
    Abstract: A cartridge ammunition load and/or method. Such a load may comprise a shot casing, a combustible propellant charge, a wad, and a plurality of shot. The shot may include shot of a first size and a second size, wherein the second size is within 80-95% of the first size. The first-size shot may be arranged in a stack of one or more planar rings, and may have the second-size shot disposed in a central interstice of one or more of the rings. Embodiments may include any number of layers of shot of the first and second size, and the second-size shot need not be present between every pair of adjacent layers of first-size shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Mark Bowen
  • Patent number: 8651025
    Abstract: An overhead wafer transport system includes an over head transportation (OHT) rail and at least one shuttle. The OHT rail includes a main track and two lateral tracks, each having a hollow transverse cross-section, each lateral track being in corresponding connection with the main track through the two sides thereof, constituting an approximate tri-directional branch form. The shuttle has a track-interface assembly and a docking unit, the track-interface assembly being adapted to travel along the OHT rail. The track-interface assembly being arranged at the junction of the two lateral tracks and the main track, wherein the track-interface assembly is adapted to selectively travel along at least one of the main track and the lateral tracks. Therefore, the overhead wafer transport system can be applied to a clean room with higher transfer efficiency and clean room space utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsan-I Chen, Wen-Yu Fang
  • Patent number: 8651026
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a bolster spring, a bogie supporting the vehicle body via the bolster spring and a vehicle height adjusting mechanism. The vehicle height adjustment mechanism includes an integrating device, a measuring device and an elastic force adjusting device. The integrating device integrates a first relative displacement amount at a first position between the vehicle body and the bogie and a second relative displacement amount at a second position between the vehicle body and the bogie. The measuring device measures an integrated value of the first relative displacement amount and the second relative displacement amount. The elastic force adjusting device adjusts elastic force of the bolster spring based on the integrated value so as to adjust a relative displacement amount between the vehicle body and the bogie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeyama, Yoshinori Mitsui, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8651027
    Abstract: An aviation pallet includes an EPS loading board, which includes an EPS plate and at least three EPS supporting legs extended from the bottom surface of the EPS plate for supporting the EPS plate, wherein the EPS plate and the EPS supporting legs are wholly injection molded; and a PET film adhering to the surface of the EPS plate and the surface of the EPS supporting legs; and has a plurality of jacks provided between each two EPS supporting legs. A method of producing the aviation pallet includes forming a main body step: laminating step; heating and cutting steps; vacuum forming step; and cooling and shape steps. The aviation pallet has good mechanical properties, folding resistance, most solvents resistance, low and high temperature resistance, and is lightweight, no poison, no smell, healthy and safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Zuliang Huang
  • Patent number: 8651028
    Abstract: A shipping platform system may include a top deck, and a top block joined to the top deck. The system may also include a bottom deck, and a bottom block joined to the bottom deck. The system may further include a joint that yields under a predetermined load that joins the top block to the bottom block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Chep Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: John Thomas Storteboom, Oivind Brockmeier, Brandon M. D'Emidio, Timothy R. Proulx, Gregory S. Burkett, Jeffrey R. Chapin, Kenneth M. Brandt
  • Patent number: 8651029
    Abstract: A potting bench includes an upper frame section and a lower frame section. The lower frame section is defined by a first front support, a first rear support, a second front support, a second rear support and a work surface. The work surface includes a fixed section having a first end and a second end, an extendable section rotatably coupled to the first end of the fixed section and configurable into a lowered and a raised position and a removable section configurable into a user work position and a stowed position. The first end of the removable section is located adjacent to the second end of the fixed section in the user work position and the removable section is supported on a support hook mounted on a side wall located between the second front support and the second rear support in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Daiying Huang, Samuel J. Clavette, Stephanie A. Grotta, Sara L. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 8651030
    Abstract: A universal portable workstation that can be temporarily coupled to an existing fixture, the portable workstation comprising an adjustable support leg assembly, a first table section, a second table section and an attachment clamp. The support leg assembly includes one fixed leg and at least one adjustable leg configured for relative telescopic movement. The support leg assembly is pivotally coupled to a first table section that is configured to house the support leg assembly in a retracted position. The height of the workstation is adjustable and can be fixed by a height adjustment lock. First table section and second table section are hingedly coupled so that the two sections can be in an extended, flat position and a folded, retracted position. The attachment clamp is configured to temporarily fixedly couple an end of the second table section to the existing fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: mYdeation, llc
    Inventor: Zachary M. Coffman
  • Patent number: 8651031
    Abstract: A multi-configuration voting booth is disclosed which includes a voting tabletop assembly having a bottom cavity and a top surface. A plurality of support leg holders are movably coupled within the bottom cavity such that the holders may be positioned within the cavity or extending outward from the cavity. Coupled to the outward end of the holder is a telescopic support leg that is adjustable in length. The support leg is coupled to the holder such that the width of the space between the support legs may be adjusted to accommodate a wheelchair therein. A privacy panel assembly is provided that is foldably coupled to the top surface of the voting tabletop assembly. The voting tabletop assembly is configured for nesting two booths together to facilitate storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Mohamed S. Pazhoor
  • Patent number: 8651032
    Abstract: To provide a classification device in which product fine powder little in mixture ratio of coarse particles can be obtained. A classification device characterized in that a setting pitch P between stationary fins 13 and a width L of each stationary fin 13 are combined so that a value of P/L is in a range between 0.042×(??50)+0.64 and 0.019×(??50)+0.22 in 50°???70° when ? is an inclination angle of each stationary fin 13, P is the setting pitch, and L is the width in a direction of circulation of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock-Hitachi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Otani, Hiroaki Kanemoto, Shinichiro Nomura, Hideo Mitsui, Yutaka Takeno
  • Patent number: 8651033
    Abstract: A method to precisely meter and dispense two or more crop inputs with a common metering disc is presented to achieve proper placement in the soil relative to one another. In one embodiment, dry granular or granulized fertilizer is metered from one side of the disc and seed is metered from the opposite side of the same metering disc. The fertilizer is placed in a concentrated “pulse” approximately equal distances between seeds within a common seed furrow and/or between seed furrows to improved nutrient use efficiency by minimizing soil to fertilizer contact and subsequent chemical reactions that make applied supplemental nutrients less available to plants. Pressurized air may be utilized to assist discharge of both the seed and fertilizer from the disc meter to assure precise spacing in the soil. A cover may be placed on the meter and metering disc to recirculate air and thus minimize potential atmospheric contamination from seed coatings and fertilizer materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Nyle C. Wollenhaupt, Edward L. Swenson
  • Patent number: 8651034
    Abstract: An embroidery frame includes an attachment portion that can be removably attached to an embroidery frame moving device of a sewing machine that is capable of performing embroidery sewing, a frame-side connector that is adapted to be connected to a sewing machine-side connector of the sewing machine by an attaching of the attachment portion to the embroidery frame moving device, to enable wired communication between the embroidery frame and the sewing machine, and a storage device that can be accessed from the sewing machine in a case where the frame-side connector is connected to the sewing machine-side connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shoichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8651035
    Abstract: A multi-needle sewing machine includes a machine frame side thread guide member and guide threads drawn from plural thread spools. The multiple-needle sewing machine includes plural thread entrances to introduce threads guided by machine frame side thread guide portions to needle sides of needle bars, plural intermediate thread guide portions that guide intermediate portions of the threads, and an intermediate thread guide portion moving mechanism. The intermediate thread guide portion moving mechanism moves the intermediate thread guide portions in accordance with movements of the thread entrances during a movement of the needle bar case such that the intermediate thread guide portions are moved by maintain that the intermediate thread guide portions are spaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Fukao
  • Patent number: 8651036
    Abstract: A sewing machine operating device includes a base, a connection unit which is connectable to a sewing machine body, an output unit which is configured to generate and deliver an operation signal according to an action of a user's foot, a placement pedestal that is configured to receive the user's foot, a support unit which supports the placement pedestal so that the placement pedestal is movable in any direction on a plane that includes an upper surface of the base, and a detection unit which is configured to detect whether the placement pedestal or user's foot is located at any one of different predetermined positions when the placement pedestal is moved with the user's foot being placed on the placement pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoko Yamanashi, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Kazuki Kojima, Kei Kawase
  • Patent number: 8651037
    Abstract: A drive structure for driving an upper thread wiper of a sewing machine is provided, wherein the upper thread wiper and a drive device for driving the upper thread wiper are disposed on the cantilever and located close to the end of the needle shaft. In addition to that the drive device simplifies relative motion transmission structure, the cooperative arrangement between the upper thread wiper and the drive device further improves the power transmission efficiency and stability. The upper thread wiper can be quickly and easily assembled onto or removed from the wiper arm through a quick release device. Moreover, the drive structure is further provided with a clutch device which is capable of effecting or interrupting power transmission as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Hsien-Chang Tseng
  • Patent number: 8651038
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved design for a multi-sectional truss spar hull platform having a truss and a spar hull. One or more sections can be transported to a designated location and off-loaded into water from an available transport vessel. The truss includes a skirt tank at the upper end of truss that can be coupled to the lower end of the hull. The skirt tank can provide buoyancy during float-off and mating operations to the hull. The skirt tank is designed to allow the portion above the water to be coupled to the hull in a first orientation, the truss with the skirt tank rotated with the hull in the water to a second orientation to expose the previously underwater portion, and then the previously underwater portion can be coupled together above the water. The integral skirt tank will be flooded after the spar hull is up-ended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Michael Y. H. Luo, Zhengquan Zhou, Joseph M. Gebara
  • Patent number: 8651039
    Abstract: A boat hull cleaning system including at least one flexible line having a central portion to which a plurality of cleaning elements attach in spaced engagement disposed between a first grippable portion and a second grippable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Anthony L. Newt, Jo Ann Newt
  • Patent number: 8651040
    Abstract: A disconnectable mooring system for a vessel is presented, comprising a moonpool in the vessel, a turret structure mounted for a rotation in said moonpool and a buoy member having a plurality of passages each adapted to receive a riser. The turret structure has a lower end comprising a buoy receptacle for detachably receiving the buoy member, wherein the mooring system further comprises a plurality of mooring lines for transmitting mooring forces and each have a lower end and an upper end connected to the seabed and the buoy member, respectively. The mooring lines each comprise a first section which in a disconnectable manner is connected to the turret structure and a second section connected to the first section at a coupling point and connected to the buoy member. Also methods for disconnecting and reconnecting such a mooring system are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bluewater Energy Services B.V.
    Inventors: Rik Robert Heideman, Patrizio Giovanni Matia Ottolini, Clemens Gerardus Johannes Maria Van Der Nat, Boris Rijnten, Richard Leeuwenburgh, Jacob Jan Van Nielen, Henk Heikens Pleizier
  • Patent number: 8651041
    Abstract: An underwater personal vehicle that as twin battery powered motors affixed to a central body. The propellers preferably counter-rotate and are in shrouds to allow true tracking without stabilizing fins. The operator holds onto the device and controls it from handles on the aft end of the central body. A light and supplemental ballast tubes are available. The thrust produced by the motors is at approximately the center of mass of the vehicle to further stabilize it during motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Myers
  • Patent number: 8651042
    Abstract: An operation device comprises: a plurality of operation members attached to a common supporting member; and a plurality of inserting components having the same configurations with one another. The operation members include latching apertures for securing the inserting components to the operation members and include a plurality of kinds of structure to be attached to the common supporting member so that opening directions of the latching apertures are different from one another. The inserting components include a plurality of latching projections that protrude outward from a main body, and have configurations that can engage the latching apertures in any one of the operation members. The latching projections protrude from the main body in a plurality of directions corresponding to the opening directions of the latching apertures so that any one of the latching projections can engage the latching aperture in any one of the operation members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kosemura, Yasushi Oonishi, Yuusuke Yoshida, Kenji Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8651043
    Abstract: An alarm mark structure of a micro-differential pressure gauge includes a transparent casing. The transparent casing has at least one recess thereon. The recess is located corresponding to the range of movement of a pointer or a scale plate. At least one mark member is provided on the transparent casing. The mark member has an engaging portion. The engaging portion is inserted in the recess, such that the mark member is coupled on the transparent casing. The user can place the mark member on the recess corresponding to the numerical value on the scale plate as desired to know whether the pointer is located within a safe area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hwa Chi Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 8651044
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a generating mechanism to generate foam from a liquid or gel which may take a foam state, a coating roller having a peripheral surface supplied with the foam to coat the foam on the peripheral surface onto a surface of a recording medium, and a transport passage to transport the foam from the generating mechanism to the coating roller by an accumulation force of the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minori Ichimura, Yasuhisa Kato, Kazuyoshi Matsumoto, Manabu Izumikawa, Yasuo Katano
  • Patent number: 8651045
    Abstract: A device (1) is provided for orientating a plurality of laboratory sample cassettes (2) each having a marking surface (3) disposed on a main body (4) of the cassette (2). A cassette (2) is held by a clamp so that a printer can print on the marking surface (3) of the cassette (2). When the cassette (2) is released from the clamp, it is moved via a belt (13) to an opening (20) of a rotatable structure (15) in a cassette receiving position. When the cassette (2) has been received in the opening (20), the rotatable structure (15) is rotated so that the opening (20) is moved to a cassette releasing position. A rack (23) is positioned beneath the rotatable structure (15) in order to receive the cassette (2) from the rotatable structure opening (20) when the opening (20) is in its cassette releasing position. The cassette (2) is received into a rack slot (24) so that the marking surface (3) of the cassette (2) is at the top of the cassette (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Raymond A. Lamb Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Fergus Hughes
  • Patent number: 8651046
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying sealant. The apparatus may comprise a sealant flow control system. The sealant flow control system may be configured to engage a nozzle of a sealant container to reduce a flow of sealant from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Angelica Davancens, Branko Sarh
  • Patent number: 8651047
    Abstract: A spray shield assembly includes a spray shield handle, a universal joint carried by the spray shield handle and a spray shield carried by the universal joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Michaeldavid Uri