Patents Issued in February 18, 2014
  • Patent number: 8651399
    Abstract: A structure to hang a showerhead includes a fixed base and a supporting unit, wherein the supporting unit has two clamping arms and two conjugating arms, and one side of the clamping arms has a wedging surface that has two conjugating recessed arcs with an inclined angle corresponding to a mounting surface of the fixed base, and the inclined angle of one recessed arc is smaller than the other recessed arc. A conjugating surface extends from one end of the wedging surface, and engages with the other conjugating surface of the other clamping arm. An engaging surface is formed on the other side of the clamping arm to engage with the conjugating arms. According to this structure, the angle of the showerhead can be adjusted based on different inclined angles of the conjugating recessed arcs to further achieve the goal of easily adjusting the angle of water output from the showerhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Jiin Haur Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Piao Wu
  • Patent number: 8651400
    Abstract: A variable arc sprinkler nozzle is provided for distribution of water through nearly any adjustable arcuate span. The nozzle includes one or more arcuate slots formed by the helical engagement of spiral surfaces of a deflector and a nozzle body. A user may rotate a portion of the nozzle body to select the arcuate span of the one or more slots. A matched precipitation rate feature is adjustable to proportion the amount of water directed to the deflector depending on the extent of the arcuate span. Further, edge fins on the deflector and nozzle body channel water flow at the two edges of the distribution arc to increase the throw radius and to provide fairly uniform water distribution at the edges of the arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, Steven D. Geerligs
  • Patent number: 8651401
    Abstract: A jet regulator or jet aerator is provided with a jet regulator housing insertable into a water outlet and detachably held therein by threaded or bayonet connection. The jet regulator housing has an outflow-side housing partial region with a reduced housing outer circumference compared to the inflow-side housing partial region, and the outflow-side housing partial region is insertable into an insert opening of a turning tool such that the turning tool can be applied to a tool working surface in a rotationally fixed manner. The tool working surface is provided on the outflow-side frontal edge, the housing circumference of the outflow-side housing partial region and/or an annular shoulder surrounding the housing partial region on the outside. A sanitary water outlet is also provided, which for a plurality of visibly separately emerging water jets has a corresponding plurality of water outflows spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Stein, Hermann Grether
  • Patent number: 8651402
    Abstract: A sprayer that dispenses paint stored in a reservoir body generally includes a housing and a channel member having an outer periphery with a threaded portion and an inner periphery defining an aperture. The channel member extends from the housing. A spray nozzle is connected to the inner periphery in the channel member. A collar member has an inner periphery with a threaded portion that is operable to engage to the threaded portion on the outer periphery of the channel member. A guard member is rotatably engaged with the spray nozzle and movable between an extended condition and a retracted condition. The guard member in the retracted condition is engaged for rotation with the collar member and is operable rotate the threaded portion of the collar member over the threaded portion of the channel member. The guard member in the extended condition is rotatable relative to the collar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie S. Munn, Graeme Crawley, Steven R. Wiezorek, SuHu Zhou, GenZhang Ye
  • Patent number: 8651403
    Abstract: Mechanical milling of biomass as a pretreatment to render the biomass readily saccharifiable requires high energy input. Preceding mechanical milling by treatment with anhydrous ammonia was found to greatly reduce the energy requirement for fine milling, providing a more economical pretreatment process for commercial use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl E. Camp, Jelena Cirakovic, Bruce A. Diner, Janine Fan
  • Patent number: 8651404
    Abstract: A shredder includes a paper placement platform, a feeding roller assembly, and a shredding knife assembly. The paper placement platform includes four recesses. The four recesses are located adjacent to four corners of the paper placement platform, respectively. Moreover, plural clip removing bulges are discretely protruded from and arranged on a top surface of the paper placement platform beside each recess. The feeding roller assembly is arranged between the paper placement platform and the shredding knife assembly and exposed to the paper placement platform. During the paper on the paper placement platform is driven by the feeding roller assembly to be moved toward the shredding knife assembly, an edge of the paper is transferred through the plural clip removing bulges, so that a paperclip at the edge of the paper is blocked by the plural clip removing bulges to be separated from the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Huai Chang
  • Patent number: 8651405
    Abstract: The roller mill according to the invention substantially comprises at least one grinding roller and a grinding table, the grinding table having a grinding table inner space which is open in a downward direction, at least one grinding roller drive system for driving the grinding roller and a grinding table drive system for driving the grinding table. The grinding table drive system further has a gearless direct drive which is arranged in the grinding table inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Polysius AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Berndzen, Markus Berger, Guido Scholz, Franz-Josef Zurhove
  • Patent number: 8651406
    Abstract: A pepper grinder has a body, a grinding mechanism, and a drive mechanism for operating the grinding mechanism by causing relative movement between two grinding members. The drive mechanism has a lever for reciprocating pivotal movement in opposite directions to produce a driving force, a first ratchet arranged to transmit the driving force from the lever, upon pivoting of the lever in the first direction, causing relative movement between the grinding members in a third direction to grind pepper, and a second ratchet arranged to transmit the driving force from the lever, upon pivoting of the lever in the second direction, causing relative movement between the grinding members in the third direction to grind pepper. Upon reciprocating pivoting of the lever in the opposite directions, the first and second ratchets alternate in transmitting the driving force from the lever to the grinding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ki Mee Kitchenware Limited
    Inventor: Kwok Fai So
  • Patent number: 8651407
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a composite impactor for impact crushers, said impactor comprising a ferrous alloy at least partially reinforced with titanium carbide according to a defined geometry, in which said reinforced portion comprises an alternating macro-microstructure of millimetric areas concentrated with micrometric globular particles of titanium carbide separated by millimetric areas essentially free of micrometric globular particles of titanium carbide, said areas concentrated with micrometric globular particles of titanium carbide forming a microstructure in which the micrometric interstices between said globular particles are also filled by said ferrous alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Magotteaux International S.A.
    Inventor: Guy Berton
  • Patent number: 8651408
    Abstract: A vertical auger mixer for blending feed ingredients for farm animals has a frusto-conical shaped tub having an open top, a closed bottom and a motor-driven auger journaled for rotation about a vertical axis in the closed bottom. The tub has a discharge opening in a sidewall thereof, the opening having a door movable between an open and closed position. The tub is mounted on a base frame with plural load cells operatively disposed between the base frame and the tub such that the contents of the tub can be weighed and the tub can be rotated to fit installation requirements. An L-shaped tub reinforcing band is welded about the tub surrounding its upper rim in a way that inhibits unwanted collection of feed materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cloverdale Equipment LLC
    Inventor: Harvey Z. Fox
  • Patent number: 8651409
    Abstract: A brake-adjusting assembly for a fishing reel with a spool and has a first brake-adjusting device and a second brake-adjusting device. The first brake-adjusting device is mounted around a spindle of the spool and has a clutch cam and a lever mount. The clutch cam has a main plate body, a mounting tube, a spring and an abutting base formed on and protruding from the main plate body. The lever mount abuts with the clutch cam and has two pushing blocks, a mounting recess and at least one lever. The second brake-adjusting device is connected to the first brake-adjusting device and the spindle and has a connecting mount, a threaded tube and an adjusting switch. The connecting mount is mounted in the mounting recess. The threaded tube is mounted in the connecting mount to screw with the spindle. The adjusting switch is securely connected to the connecting mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Shih-Yuan Yeh
  • Patent number: 8651410
    Abstract: A dragging device restricting one-way rotation of a spool of a fly reel. In a rotation-restricting device of a spool having a dragging device which allows the spool to be attached to and detached from a shaft secured to a housing and which restricts one-way rotation of the spool, a sleeve is fitted on the shaft, a flange extends in the radial direction from one end of the sleeve, a flange cover is secured to the housing in the spool-attached direction, the flange makes contact between the flange cover and the housing, and a disk plate makes contact with the flange, whereby pressure applied due to rotation of a drag-adjusting knob mounted on the housing is transferred to the disk plate to restrict one-way rotation of the spool. A waterproof structure on the friction surface of the disk plate prevents infiltration of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: River Runs Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Ho Park
  • Patent number: 8651411
    Abstract: A handheld control device for a pet leash includes a rope reeled on a braking reel, a pawl unit pivotable by operation of a spring-loaded pushbutton to engage one ratchet tooth of the braking reel so as to disable rotation of the braking reel in an unwinding direction, and a locking lever operable to swing a weight end between unlocked and locked positions to disengage from and engage the pawl unit, respectively, so as to selectively prohibit rotation of the braking reel in both winding and unwinding directions and control the length of the rope that extends outwardly of a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Huo-Pia Wang
  • Patent number: 8651412
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for holding an elastically deformable winding article, in particular a flexible medical instrument such as a medical guidewire or a catheter, with a winding article receptacle and with a housing part (14) covering the winding article receptacle at least in parts, which form a receptacle space for holding the winding article, the winding article receptacle and the housing part being connected to one another such that they are twistable relative to each other and a winding article guide being provided in the receptacle space, which winding article guide arranges a number of turns of the winding article next to each other when winding the winding article. (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Endox Feinwerktechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Hernik
  • Patent number: 8651413
    Abstract: A lightning-protection fastener is provided that is capable of reliably preventing peeling off of an insulation layer during the operation of an aircraft and improving the anti-lightning-strike capability and reliability. There is a lightning-protection fastener that fastens a skin of an aircraft and a structural member positioned inside the skin, in which an insulation layer is melt adhered so as to cover one end surface of a head portion and also to mechanically engage with a fastener-side engagement portion (engagement portion) formed on the end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
    Inventors: Masahiro Kashiwagi, Yuichiro Kamino, Kazuyuki Oguri, Takeyasu Tarumi, Masahiro Bessho, Hideo Yamakoshi, Naomoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8651414
    Abstract: An airplane, including a fuselage having an elongate shape along a longitudinal axis of the airplane, and at least one wing attached to the fuselage between front and back ends of the fuselage and a substantially cylindrical central portion and a rear scaleable portion on which a vertical tail assembly and a rear propulsion assembly are attached. Between a section for connecting the rear portion to the central portion of the fuselage and the back end: the maximum width of each fuselage section is constant or increases towards the rear up to a maximum fuselage width L; the height of each fuselage section decreases towards the rear, such that the back end of the fuselage forms a thin trailing edge substantially horizontal in the indicating line of the airplane and substantially rectilinear; a reactor for the propulsion assembly is provided in a so-called semi-buried configuration in the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Olivier Cazals, Jaime Genty De La Sagne
  • Patent number: 8651415
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering an end of a housing for an engine. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a structure, a flange, and a retaining feature. The structure is configured to cover an opening of a housing for an engine. The flange is comprised of a deformable material and is configured to extend from the structure around a circumference of the structure. The retaining feature is configured to extend from a middle portion of the structure such that the retaining feature and the flange form a channel configured to receive an end of the housing. The retaining feature is configured to extend into an inlet of the engine through the opening of the housing to form an interference fit with a portion of an interior surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Rick Earl Sparks
  • Patent number: 8651416
    Abstract: An engine is mounted on a structure by an intermediate structure assembled by flanges, to the structure and to the engine, where a rigid structure connects the flanges. This arrangement enables design of the structure to be simplified while allowing a substantial overhang when it is sought to mount the engine by the plane of its center of gravity, while being obliged to move the mounting structure away from it. The intermediate structure is resistant to forces resulting from the overhang, and also allows assemblies that are favorable to a balanced transmission of forces to the structure and a satisfactory ability to filter vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Frederic Journade, Laurent Lafont, Laurent Agostini, Eric Renaud, Delphine Jalbert
  • Patent number: 8651417
    Abstract: An aircraft landing gear assembly includes a bogie beam, a landing gear strut and a stop. The landing gear strut has a first end arranged to be pivotally coupled to an aircraft and a second end pivotally coupled to the bogie beam. The stop is arranged to limit pivotal movement of the bogie beam relative to the landing gear strut The stop includes an elongate member arranged to be deflectable in bending when the bogie beam reaches a pivotal limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Messier-Dowty Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Hilliard, Ian Bennett
  • Patent number: 8651418
    Abstract: A landing gear of an aircraft, including a strut including two arms forming a rotational axis for retracting the gear, a rotating tube mounted in a mobile manner such that it rotates inside the strut about a pivoting axis, a sliding rod that is mobile in a translatory manner in the rotating tube along the pivoting axis, and carries wheels of the gear at one of its ends, and at least one bearing point that is located on one of the elements of the gear at a distance from the retraction axis and can bear necessary efforts for the retraction, the bearing point being located on the rotating tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
    Inventor: Daniel Moine
  • Patent number: 8651419
    Abstract: A composite frame includes a plurality of truss elements covered by a cap. The truss elements are flexibly coupled with each other and with the cap. The frame flexes to conform to a contoured surface to which it is attached. Once attached, the installed frame provides the required rigidity to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Andrew K. Glynn, Steve Georgiadis, David Andrew Pook
  • Patent number: 8651420
    Abstract: Overhead stowage compartments are provided for an aircraft. The stowage compartments feature an opening device that can be displaced or rolled up. This may make it possible to prevent lights or air outlets from being covered by pivoting a door upward, as well as to preserve the headroom during the opening process and to prevent collisions between the doors. The architecture of the aircraft may be optimized in this fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Ehlers, Mark Herzog
  • Patent number: 8651421
    Abstract: An aircraft fuselage structure which is constructed from a plurality of shells which are joined together is disclosed. Each shell forms part of the aircraft fuselage and comprises a support structure and a skin which is arranged on the latter and outwardly seals the aircraft fuselage in a compression-proof manner. The aircraft fuselage structure comprises an upper and side shell and a lower shell, of which the lower shell has a radius which is essentially significantly larger than the radius of the upper and side shell. The upper and side shell and the lower shell are joined together at transition regions extending in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft. The support structure of the lower shell is designed in terms of its strength in such a manner that it is capable of absorbing the internal pressure loading of the lower shell without the use of a main crossmember.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Cord Haack
  • Patent number: 8651422
    Abstract: A fuselage section for the pressure fuselage of an aircraft which comprises a fuselage shell structure and at least one pressure bulkhead made of a fiber composite material, the pressure bulkhead being formed in one piece with the fuselage shell structure. A fuselage shell comprising at least one fuselage section of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Noebel, Birgit Willms
  • Patent number: 8651423
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fireproof bulkhead, having a highly porous structure with an intumescent coating, the highly porous structure being formed as a reticulated foam or as a highly porous pimple or nub structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Berend Schoke
  • Patent number: 8651424
    Abstract: A driving controller of remote control equipment includes a yaw axis angular velocity detecting unit for outputting a yaw axis angular velocity as a yaw axis angular velocity signal; a main rotor RPM detecting unit for outputting a main rotor RPM as a main rotor RPM signal; and a phase control unit for detecting a phase deviation in a roll axis and a pitch axis based on the yaw axis angular velocity signal and the main rotor RPM signal, and generating a roll and a pitch control signal by correcting a roll and a pitch operation signal by the phase deviation. The driving controller further includes an actuator control unit for generating a roll and a pitch actuator driving signal respectively based on the roll and the pitch control signal, and outputting the generated roll and pitch actuator driving signals to a roll and a pitch control actuator, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Futaba Corporation
    Inventor: Michio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8651425
    Abstract: A helicopter includes a rotor system having a rotor with an adjustable pitch that is controlled at least in part by a pilot using a collective control and which helicopter generates a Low RPM signal that is indicative of a threshold low rotational speed of the rotor. An actuator arrangement can move the collective control by exerting a force on the collective control such that the pilot is able to overcome the actuator force but which otherwise can move the collective control from a current operational position toward a minimum pitch position. A clutch can co-rotate with a motor to serve in transferring the actuation force to reduce the adjustable pitch and can slip relative to the actuator shaft assembly responsive to an application of a counterforce applied by the pilot to the collective control such that the counterforce overcomes the actuation force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Mercer, Mark H. Marvin
  • Patent number: 8651426
    Abstract: Noise generated by a gas turbine engine 6 supported by a pylon 8 on a wing 2 of an aircraft is reduced by influencing a shear layer generated between the free-stream flowfield and flow from the engine 6. The shear layer is influenced by means of one or more winglets 18, 20, 22 which interact with the free-stream flowfield to deflect the shear layer 14 downwardly, to avoid interaction with a flap 4 on the wing 2, or to reduce the strength of the shear layer 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Romuald Morvant, Kevin M Britchford
  • Patent number: 8651427
    Abstract: An aerodynamic lift structure includes a wing and at least one wing tip device at an outboard portion of the wing. A surface of each wing tip device has a recess that reduces flow impact at a junction of the wing and the wing tip device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Adam P. Malachowski, Stephen R. Chaney, Norman K. Ebner, Stephen L. LeDoux, Christopher A. Vegter
  • Patent number: 8651428
    Abstract: An aircraft wing assembly, comprising: a fixed wing portion; a first and second flight control surfaces; a first and second actuators operatively coupled to the first and second flight control surfaces for moving respective first and second flight control surfaces with respect to the fixed wing portion; a control system operatively coupled to the first and second actuators for controlling movement of the first and second flight control surfaces; and a third actuator selectively engaged with the second flight control surface for engaging and moving the second flight control surface out of a path of movement of the first flight control surface only in the event of a failure in the second actuator or its control, so as to avoid direct contact between the first and second flight control surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Simon John Parker
  • Patent number: 8651429
    Abstract: An aircraft system includes a wing and a trailing edge device coupled to the wing. The trailing edge device is movable relative to the wing, and includes a leading edge and a trailing edge having a center flap portion and a plurality of outer edge portions integrally combined with the center flap portion such that the center flap portion is shorter in width than that of outer edge portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Michael J Czech, Russell H. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8651430
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a spoiler (5) for an aerodynamically active surface of an aircraft (1), particularly for an airfoil of an aircraft, wherein said spoiler is supported on the aerodynamically active surface such that it is articulated about an axis (11) extending transverse to the air flow direction and can be adjusted relative to the air flow. According to the invention, the spoiler features two or more segments (6, 7) that are arranged behind one another referred to the air flow direction and extend transverse to the air flow direction, wherein said segments are connected to one another in an articulated fashion and can be adjusted to different angles referred to the air flow. The successively arranged segments of the spoiler (5) can be actuated, in particular, by means of an actuating device (8, 9, 10) in such a way that the rear segment (7) is adjusted relative to the air flow by a greater angle than the front segment (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Voss, Joachim Loerke
  • Patent number: 8651431
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved aircraft control through the use of adjustable winglets. The adjustable winglets are located at the terminal ends of an aircraft's wings and may pivot about an axis parallel to the yaw axis of the aircraft. The adjustable winglets may also include outboard ailerons for improved control of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edward Val White, Blaine Knight Rawdon, Zachary C. Hoisington, Christopher K. Droney
  • Patent number: 8651432
    Abstract: A lift platform with a kinesthetic control system that is coupled to means for altering air flow through the first and second longitudinally-spaced ducts comprising the lift platform is provided. The control system includes a control handle bar with left and right hand grips, and first and second control roll bars located on either side of the lift platform's central cowling. Forward/rearward movement of the control handle bar from a neutral position generates nose-down/nose-up pitching moments, respectively; counterclockwise/clockwise movement of the control handle bar from the neutral position generates counterclockwise rotation/clockwise rotation of the lift platform about a lift platform vertical centerline; and left movement/right movement of the control roll bars generates left roll/right roll moments about the lift platform roll axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Aerofex, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Stephen De Roche
  • Patent number: 8651433
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for an on-board train control device are provided, and are based on converting speed codes received from wayside cab-signaling devices into movement authority limits. The device determines the train location independent of the wayside train detection system, and generates and enforces stopping profiles based on said movement authority limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Nabil Ghaly
  • Patent number: 8651434
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating through a rail are provided. In one embodiment, a method for communicating through a rail is provided. The method includes sending an acoustic signal through the rail of a designated section of track. The acoustic signal includes control commands to remotely control operation of a rail vehicle on the designated section of track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wolfgang Daum, Jared Klineman Cooper
  • Patent number: 8651435
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for mounting systems, for example an electrical or fluid-conveying line, on a structure, in particular of an aircraft or spacecraft, the device comprising: a basic holder which can be fastened to the structure; and at least a first system holder for mounting the systems; the basic holder being made up of at least a first part comprising a first interface for fastening the first system holder and a second part comprising a second interface for fastening the first or a second system holder, the interfaces being formed in an identical manner and pointing in different spatial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Peter Guthke, Barbara Lunitz
  • Patent number: 8651436
    Abstract: A holding device has an elastic locking piece having an extending part extending to the outside from a locking claw part. The contact part of an unlocking operating piece contacts the outside of the extending part to reduce the unlocking force of the unlocking operating piece. A sawtooth-form part is in a locked state when a locking piece of an elastic locking piece enters the sawtooth-form part. The elastic locking piece has the extending part extending outside from the locking claw part. The unlocking operating piece has a contact part for contacting with the extending part. The contact part contacts the outside of the extending part when the unlocking operating piece is pressed, the locking claw part of the elastic locking piece is ejected from the indented part of the sawtooth-form part by the contact, and the locked state between the sawtooth-form part and the locking claw part is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 8651437
    Abstract: A pivoting assembly with a positioning function includes a base and a casing assembled with the base. The base is provided with curved elastic arms and two fixing supports. Each fixing support has a pivotal hole. One surface of the casing is formed with a curved portion for allowing the curved elastic arm to abut against and two holes for allowing the fixing support to pass through. The other surface of the casing is formed with a protrusion pivotally connected to the pivotal hole. When the curved portion slides on the curved elastic arm, elastic abutment between the curved portion and the curved elastic arm makes the casing to be positioned by friction fit with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Alpha Networks Inc.
    Inventor: Tsung-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8651438
    Abstract: A collapsible device has a main body surrounded by a collar whose position is adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the main body. Pivotally connected or hinged legs are attached to the collar and to the main body with struts. When the collar is on one position, the legs deploy outward from the main body to the extent permitted by the struts, thereby allowing the legs to support the collapsible device upright. An operational unit is attached to a member that telescopes from the main body. When the collar is another position, the legs are drawn in toward the main body to form a cylindrical shape for facilitating transportation. The operational unit can be positioned so that when the telescoping member is retracted into the main body, the collar surrounds the exterior of the operational unit, thus protecting the operational unit for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Pelican Prodcuts, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Deighton, Darren Judd
  • Patent number: 8651439
    Abstract: A support structure having a body, an arm or plurality of arms connected to the body, a quick release device constructed and arranged to move the support structure from a support mode capable of supporting a cover, to a collapsed mode not capable of supporting a structure. A kit for creating a shelter having a support structure, a cover, and a kit housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Zachary Costarella
  • Patent number: 8651440
    Abstract: A portable mast capable of supporting a payload that can be fastened to and detached from an unsteady, inclined or irregular surface of attachment. The improvements include a tensioning cable which exerts pressure on the base of the mast in opposition to the surface of attachment, a guide protecting the cable from abrasion, means for adjusting and retaining tension in the cable when the mast is fastened to the surface of attachment, a base capable of housing the fastener to protect the fastener from corrosion and tampering, a base allowing attachment to and pass-through of existing cords crossing the surface of attachment, and a base having resilient compression to conform to an irregular surface of attachment while maintaining pressure between the base and surface of attachment created by tensioning of the cable. Also disclosed is a mast with mechanical means for increasing cable tension in order to secure its tripod base to a surface of attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Steven J. Hollinger
  • Patent number: 8651441
    Abstract: A support assembly for an item of furniture has an elongated support structure with a first pair of feet fast with the support structure at its lower end; a passage defining arrangement defining a guide passage fast with the support structure and extending lengthwise; a support member displaceable with respect to the support structure which has a second pair of feet at its lower end; an elongated a guided pin fast with the displaceable support member that is complementary to and longitudinally slidably engaged with the passage defining arrangement, so that the displaceable support member is slidably displaceable along a rectilinear guide path which is transverse to lines drawn between both the pairs of feet, the passage defining arrangement comprising a hollow carrier with a pair of longitudinally spaced precision washers which engage the guided pin, the dimensions of the washers and the guided pin being such that automatic frictional engagement of the guided pin occurs, in use, with inner walls of the washer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hedera AB
    Inventor: Rory Brooke
  • Patent number: 8651442
    Abstract: First fitting portions (9a and 9b) and second fitting portions (9c and 9d) are arranged in a hook shape on the bottom (3a) of a housing to face each other. The first fitting portions are fittingly engaged to one rail edge (2a) of a rail (2) in the width direction and the second fitting portions are fittingly engaged to the other rail edge (2b) of the rail. A linear spring (10) bent in a mountain shape is disposed on the bottom of the housing. The linear spring elastically deforms to reduce the inclination angle of the mountain by contacting the end surface of the one rail edge engaged to the first fitting portions. The urging force of the linear spring urges the rail such that the other rail edge is pressed by the second fitting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouetsu Takaya, Koji Okubo, Yasuhiro Naka, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8651443
    Abstract: A device for clamping a scale to an attachment face of a support, the device including a securing element and a clamping element that is secured to a support by the securing element. The clamping element includes a first spring element that is resilient in a first direction toward an attachment face of the support, wherein the first spring element introduces a first clamping force on a scale in a direction of the attachment face. The clamping element further includes a second spring element that is resilient in a second direction that extends perpendicular to the first direction and wherein the second spring element introduces a second clamping force onto the scale in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Mayer
  • Patent number: 8651444
    Abstract: A support apparatus includes an arm assembly attached to a mounting body. A frictional adjustment mechanism is provided between the mounting body and the arm assembly that permits an amount of friction induced by tilting of the mounting body to be adjusted so that a greater or lesser amount of force is needed by a user to tilt the mounting body and any object held by the mounting body. Preferably, the mounting body is configured to hold a monitor, liquid crystal display, or other display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Sapper, Ronald Snyder
  • Patent number: 8651445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable book holder that can be converted from its original size into a small size if a user wants to carry the portable book holder, thereby making it easy to be carried, adjust a supporting area in accordance with the sizes of a book, and allow a user to adjust a book holding stand to his or her desired arbitrary angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Sang-Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 8651446
    Abstract: A pc tablet holder for suspending pc tablets above the mid-body section of a user lying on bed with the back against the headboard. The holder has a tripod configuration with front legs made from a resilient elongated round bent in inverted “U”-shape and held in position by a string. A rear leg is connected to the “U”-shape's vertex by a retainer. A top clamping element, having a surface to catch the pc tablet's top edge, is carried at the “U”-shape's vertex. A bottom clamping element, having a space to receive the pc tablet's bottom edge, is carried by the string. The holder is placed on the bed with front legs across the user's mid-body section and the rear leg adjacent the user's crotch area. A pc tablet is removably clamped between the top and bottom clamping elements, achieving a hands-free holding of the pc tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Emiliano Lausell
  • Patent number: 8651447
    Abstract: A vibration damper assembly that may be attached and moved about a payload or optical mount surface of an optical structure such as an optical table. The vibration damper assembly may include a sensor and an actuator that may be disposed within a housing. In some embodiments, the vibration damper assembly or components thereof may be incorporated into an optical structure in the form of an optical component to be disposed or mounted on an optical mount surface of an optical structure such as an optical table. Embodiments of the vibration damper system may include a controller in communication with the damper assembly Embodiments of the controller may use adaptive tuning, auto-ranging selection of gain factors and other features in order to optimize damping performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Newport Corporation
    Inventors: Vyacheslav M. Ryaboy, Prakash S. Kasturi, Adrian S. Nastase
  • Patent number: 8651448
    Abstract: The invention is a frame for use with formwork to support the formwork for concrete casting and for stripping formwork from a concrete surface where a frame is moveable between a first and second position that supports and holds formwork in place for concrete casting in a first position and that retracts to a second position so as to lower the formwork away from the concrete surface wherein sufficient force is applied to the formwork as the frame retracts to the second position to strip it from the concrete surface. The invention provides a means of both supporting formwork during concrete casting as well as a means of stripping and lowering the formwork after the concrete is cast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Wasyl Rosati