Patents Issued in March 4, 2014
  • Patent number: 8661681
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method (1) of fabricating a micro-mechanical component that includes the following step: b) forming (3) at least one plate that includes a frame connected by at least one bridge of material to a part of said component, wherein said part has a hole. According to the invention, the method (1) also includes the following steps: e) stacking (5) said at least one plate against a support; f) securing (7) a pin in the hole of said at least one stacked part so as to form the component; g) releasing (9) the component formed from each plate. The invention concerns the field of watchmaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nivarox-FAR S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Fussinger, Marco Verardo
  • Patent number: 8661682
    Abstract: A ring manufacturing method of the present invention includes: a laminating step laminating a plurality of metal plates; a junction step jointing the plurality of metal plates by heating and giving pressure; a twisting step heating and twisting the plurality of metal plates after the junction step, an angle stick processing step performing twist processing to the plurality of metal plates to make angle stick shape, a slit formation step forming two longitudinal slits in angle stick component, a ring formation step opening the slits from inside thereof to make two ring components, and a cutting step cutting and separating the two ring components into two rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mokumeganeya Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8661683
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing damage to a metal component that is susceptible to damage by electro-magnetic effects or reduce manufacturing assembly steps. An initial channel is formed through the metal component. The initial channel is defined by an inner surface. A bushing is placed into the initial channel, wherein the bushing has an outer surface and an inner channel. An interference fit is created between the outer surface of the bushing and the inner surface of the initial channel through the metal component. A final channel is formed through the bushing. In forming the final channel, material is removed from the bushing to increase a size of the inner channel to one that is suitable to receive a fastener and such that the inner surface of the metal component remains unexposed within the final channel. The final channel extends through a second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wilkerson, Tanni Sisco, Paul E. Ffield
  • Patent number: 8661684
    Abstract: A single piece pulsed flow wing assembly method providing for horizontal wing manufacture is accomplished using synchronized automated vehicles guided in a predetermined manner to move and, locate wing structure in a plurality of assembly positions. Multi-axis assembly positioning systems (MAPS) are used at each assembly position to support and index components in the wing structure and determinant assembly techniques are used for indexing of the components. Modular automated manufacturing processes employing magnetic assembly clamping, drilling, fastener insertion, and sealant application are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Philip W. Boyd, John W Hall, Clayton L. Munk, James C. Roberts, Michael J. Fant, Richard D. Fiedler, Barry A. Lewis, Samuel R. Dobbs, Gary E. Mansell
  • Patent number: 8661685
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, pre-assembly and integration of part of an aircraft cabin takes place outside the aircraft structure by means of an assembly device. After pre-assembly, the part of the aircraft cabin is slid into the open section of the aircraft structure where it is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Blees, Niklas Halfmann, Dieter Krause, Marcus Gehm
  • Patent number: 8661686
    Abstract: A shell type outer ring 2 of a shell type needle roller bearing 1 is formed by a pressing combined with an ironing step, and the lubricating conditions in this ironing step on the outer-diameter ironed surface, which becomes the outer-diameter surface of the outer ring 2, are in a substantially fluid lubricating state so as to restrict the circumferential surface roughness of the inner-diameter surface, the inner-diameter roundness, and the amount of uneven thickness of the tubular portion to predetermined value ranges, thereby prolonging the life of the shell type needle roller bearing and lowering the acoustic level during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Oishi, Masatoshi Niina
  • Patent number: 8661687
    Abstract: A shaving device that includes a shaving head intended to be moved in contact with the skin, where the head has at least one blade made of conducting material having a cutting edge suitable for cutting hairs. The blade is supplied electrically by a current source suitable for transmitting a current generating an electrolysis effect at the root of a hair. A shaving method employing current transmission by the blade is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Jean Rebaudieres, Jérôme Buscail
  • Patent number: 8661688
    Abstract: An electric shaver including: a gripper portion to be held by the user's hand; and a head portion configured to hold a shaving-blade unit and supported to be swingable in predetermined directions with respect to the gripper portion, wherein the head portion is provided with an edge-trimmer-blade unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shigeta, Masanobu Yamasaki, Shin Hosokawa, Takeshi Shiba, Jyuzaemon Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8661689
    Abstract: A razor blade cartridge which has a housing with a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and one or more blades mounted within the housing. An elongated resilient skin contacting element is joined to the proximal end portion of the housing. The elongated resilient skin contacting element has an alignment array of skin contacting members having a pattern of one or more flexible skin-engaging projections that are generally transverse to one or more of the blades and define a plurality of open channels that facilitate the generally unobstructed passage of hair to one or more of the blades during shaving. The elongated resilient skin contacting element also has at least one additional array of skin contacting members having a pattern that is different than the pattern of the alignment array of skin contacting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Paul Fathallah, William Thomas O'Connor, Robert Harold Johnson
  • Patent number: 8661690
    Abstract: The invention relates to scissors and a sharpening device. The scissors include two blades, each blade having a cutting edge and a back edge which respectively form opposite longitudinal edges of the blade. A pivot connects the two blades for relative movement of the blades between an open condition in which the cutting edge of each blade are apart and a closed condition in which each blade are substantially adjacent and the back edge of each blade projects beyond the cutting edge of the other blade. The blades also include a sharpening condition in which the cutting edge of each of the blades can be sharpened. A biasing means is included for biasing the blades away from the sharpening condition towards the closed condition and/or the open condition. The sharpening device is for scissors including two blades having a cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: McPherson's Limited
    Inventors: Rosemary Murphy, Clive Solari
  • Patent number: 8661691
    Abstract: Garden shears includes two corresponding cutting members, two opposing applying arms and two assembling members. Each cutting member has a main pivot aperture at a middle section thereof, a blade portion above the main pivot aperture, a pushing arc and a sliding arc continuously disposed below the main pivot aperture and a protrusion disposed between the pushing arc and the sliding arc, and an adjustable slot at a lower section. Each applying arm has a driving pivot aperture at a middle section, an eccentric pivot aperture at a top section, a rotation portion corresponding to the sliding arc formed at a top edge, a pushing edge formed at a side of the rotation portion, an indentation formed between the rotation portion and the pushing edge, and a handle at a lower section; wherein the assembling member is a flat member and has at least one securing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ho Cheng Garden Tools Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yao-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 8661692
    Abstract: A split blade housing adapted to support an annular knife blade for rotation in a power operated rotary knife. The blade housing includes a mounting section and a body section extending from the mounting section and forming a ring. The mounting section of the split blade housing is adapted to be mounted to a handle assembly of the rotary knife and includes a recess providing clearance for a pinion gear that extends from the handle assembly to engage and drive the knife blade. The split blade housing includes an annular groove for rotatably supporting the knife blade, the groove defining a rotational plane of the knife blade. The split blade housing includes a split defining first and second end portions adjacent the split to facilitate removal of the knife blade from the housing. The housing split is peripherally offset from the mounting section recess and the split is transverse with respect to a center vertical axis of the blade housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Richard P. Bozzi
  • Patent number: 8661693
    Abstract: A pizza wheel includes a handle that is configured to fold or unfold into a variety of configurations. In a stowed, two handle halves are positioned upright, parallel to a plane defined by a cutting wheel. In a deployed position, the handle halves are rotated apart from one another to positions about 90 degrees from the original stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventor: Justin Bagley
  • Patent number: 8661694
    Abstract: A portable handheld power tool (1), such as a chain saw or a power drill, having a receiving device (100) arranged on a body portion (2) of the power tool (1). The receiving device (100) is arranged for connecting/disconnecting to the portable handheld power tool (1) either a flexible elongated member, such as a rope, or a fastening device secured to the elongated member or to an operator of the portable handheld power tool (1). The receiving device (100) has a receiving portion (110) for receiving and leading the flexible elongated member therethrough. The receiving portion (100) extends substantially in a plane (P). Furthermore, the receiving device (100) has an attachment portion (120) which is arranged to connect the receiving device (100) to a body portion (2) of the portable handheld power tool (1) by means of a pivot assembly (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Hugo van Bijsterveldt, Rikard Rydberg, Peter Bjorkman
  • Patent number: 8661695
    Abstract: The claimed invention relates to a device in a guide bar (10) for a chain saw. The guide bar (10) comprises at least two layers (11, 12, 13) that are bounded by an adhesive material. To ensure that the layer of adhesive material gets the optimal thickness is one of the surfaces of the layers that will be bounded to each other provided with several protruding parts (17). The protruding parts (17) will generate a slot, with the same width as the height of the protruding parts, for the adhesive material when the layers are put together. This is important to ensure maximum strength in the bounding as well as a constant width of a groove (14) for the saw chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Roger Hermansen, John Flaten, Lennart Ekrud, Terje Berget
  • Patent number: 8661696
    Abstract: A bow sight with at least one sight pin mounted to a frame assembly. At least one optical fiber is attached to the sight pin. The optical fiber is exposed to gather ambient light and to transmit light to a sight point located within the frame assembly. The eye alignment assembly includes an optical structure mounted to the frame assembly including a sight point of an optical fiber located near a proximal end of the optical structure and a lens with alignment indicia located at a distal end of the optical structure. An adjustment system permits the optical structure to be reoriented relative to the frame assembly. The eye alignment assembly provides an indication of orientation of the shooter relative to the bow in at least two degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Field Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Pulkrabek, Jay Engstrom, Aaron Pellett, Matthew Haas
  • Patent number: 8661697
    Abstract: Applicant has devised a slope measurement tool which can be arranged in a compact storage configuration which is relatively small and lightweight. The tool can be reconfigured to several different configurations to measure the slopes of trenches, benched slopes, and other excavations. The slope measurement tool devised is adjustable to measure several different specified angles. In one form, the apparatus can be utilized to measure benching, which is described in the OSHA code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Jack Noble
  • Patent number: 8661698
    Abstract: A spirit level including a profiled body with a bottom wall including a first outer measurement surface, a head wall facing this bottom wall, a second outer surface in sections parallel to the measurement surface, and side walls connecting the bottom wall to the head wall, and presenting a first or second outer lateral face. The body includes a bubble vial body. The body presents an asymmetric design on the lateral face over the length of the profiled body, where a first lateral face viewed in the longitudinal direction of the profiled body, presents a channel-shaped course, and a facing second lateral face includes a first section which runs on the head side and has a convex course, and a subsequent second section, whose separation from the vertical axis of the profiled body increases starting from the first section in the direction of the measurement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Stabila Messgerate Gustav Ullrich GmbH
    Inventor: Gabriel Kallabis
  • Patent number: 8661699
    Abstract: A framing tool, namely framing square, is provided with an offset at the proximal ends of the two blades, so that the blades lie in parallel planes. This tool facilitates measuring and marking tubular beams, i.e., beams of generally square or rectangular cross section, but which may have rounded or radiused edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: John Vadala
  • Patent number: 8661700
    Abstract: The present system, method, article of manufacture, software, and apparatus is an “intelligent” probe system and components thereof and may openly encompass, in at least an embodiment, an embedded IC chip located in an interchangeable probe(s) which offers repeatable, fast, easy, and error free probe swapping on a CMM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark H. Briggs, Keith George Macfarlane, Frederick John York, Marc Barber
  • Patent number: 8661701
    Abstract: A digital angle gauge includes a gauge body having a reference surface that is engageable with an object to be measured for angular inclination. An angle sensor and processor mounted in the body determine an inclination angle of the object with which the reference surface of the gauge body is engaged. A digital screen is pivotally mounted to the gauge body for visually displaying the determined inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Barry Douglas Wixey, Shi Jian, Li Guang Jin
  • Patent number: 8661702
    Abstract: A kit and method for assembling a decorative object pattern upon a fabric article including a flat, smooth surface board, a desired number of individual stencil units, slidably situated upon the board, and held movably in place by magnetic force. The stencil units are arranged upon the board surface to create a desired stencil design. Rhinestones or other decorative objects are situated within the stencil pattern with their adhesive side down. An adhesive backed cover sheet is provided to hold the decorative object pattern in place. The cover sheet is adapted to being placed on the fabric surface, and the held objects adhered thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: David C. Ihm
  • Patent number: 8661703
    Abstract: The machine for drying field crops includes lower and upper conveyors, the space between the two serving as a drying chamber. The upper conveyor is powered and drives the lower conveyor through a plurality of lateral flights that engage one another to keep the two conveyors in registry. A heating system is provided beneath the lower conveyor. Heat is delivered to a plenum between the two runs of the lower conveyor. The two conveyors are porous to allow heated air and light to pass therethrough. Heated air from the lower plenum passes through the lower belt and the drying chamber between the two conveyors, and into a collector plenum between the two runs of the upper conveyor, where it is exhausted to the atmosphere. Infrared or other lighting may also be provided in the two plenums. Alternatively, the machine embodiments may have multiple laterally situated conveyor runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Salah Jomaan Hamdan Bensalma
  • Patent number: 8661704
    Abstract: Provided is substrate processing apparatus including processing chamber that dries substrate W using high temperature and high pressure fluid, raw material accommodating unit that accommodates raw material in liquid state, and supplying unit that supplies the high temperature and high pressure fluid to the processing chamber. The supplying unit includes sealable outer vessel connected to the processing chamber and the raw material accommodating unit, and inner vessel provided within the outer vessel and configured to receive the raw material. The inner vessel is provided with opened holes portions configured to drop down the raw material toward a portion of the outer vessel to be heated. After the raw material is accommodated in the inner vessel, the raw material is contacted with the portion to be heated and then heated. A high temperature and high pressure fluid is then obtained and supplied to the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Mikio Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8661705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a polymer material filled with longer fibers, wherein the fibers, which typically have a residual moisture content of approximately 5 to 8% and a minimum length of more than 2 mm, and the carrier material are mixed and heated in a reactor or cutter-compacter, constantly moving them and optionally comminuting the carrier material, and constantly maintaining the pourability and/or lumpiness. According to the invention, the conditions, and particularly the temperature, in the reactor are adjusted so as to dry the fibers to the lowest residual moisture possible, at which the fibers are just barely sufficiently flexible so as not to break during processing in the reactor, or during an optionally following compression step, for example extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Gesellschaft m.b.H
    Inventors: Manfred Hackl, Klaus Feichtinger, Gerhard Wendelin, Walter Reisinger
  • Patent number: 8661706
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a clothes dryer by determining a load size estimation based on at least one of a temperature variation of the laundry load and a delay time wherein the delay time is a time it takes for the temperature variation to satisfy a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan R. Bellinger
  • Patent number: 8661707
    Abstract: A program-controlled laundry drier equipped with a rotary drum in which the material to be dried is inserted and moved during the drying process. The dryer comprising a heater for heating the drying air and a blower which guides the drying air stream into the interior of the drum. The axis of a current generator is mechanically coupled to the rotary drum and the output voltage of the current generator is applied to the excitation winding of a relay whose switching contacts switch the heating current circuit for the drying air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Dittmer, Thomas Nawrot, Andreas Ziemann
  • Patent number: 8661708
    Abstract: A crampon capable of being worn on general footwear for golf shoes and climbing irons is disclosed, in which because of small volume and light load, the crampon has a cheap and conveniently portable advantage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Wookyung Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wan-Do Park
  • Patent number: 8661709
    Abstract: Shoes and shoe sole assemblies and associated methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a shoe and shoe sole assembly made of a non-linearly viscous, SEBS block copolymer-based material that becomes more resilient as more energy is applied. The shoe and shoe sole assembly is configured with a heel and forefoot insert configured to fit within a recess in a midsole. In other embodiments, the non-linearly viscous, SEBS block copolymer-based material is mixed with at least one other polymer in a foam. The midsole is formed with a heel impact region and a forefoot region made of the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Brooks Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Campbell, Pete Humphrey, Vaikunthanathan Veeriah
  • Patent number: 8661710
    Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber with a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. Whereas the first surface and the second surface each have a thickness of one sheet of a polymer material, the third surface may be formed to have a thickness of two overlapping sheets of the polymer material. The third surface may be exposed to an exterior of the footwear to form a portion of a side surface of the sole structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Thomas Foxen
  • Patent number: 8661711
    Abstract: A boot laceable by means of a bootlace with a plurality of bootlace-deflecting elements and at least two separating units for dividing the bootlace into a bootlace portion extending in the forefoot region and a bootlace portion extending in the lower leg region, the separating units each comprising a base element fastenable to the boot and an eyelet element, fitted swivellably to the base element, in between which the bootlace may be clamped. The eyelet element comprises a substantially arched clip portion with a middle part and two clip legs. The two clip legs each comprise an opening, wherein the bootlace may be introduced through the one opening into the inside of the arch shape, passed under the middle part and passed back out of the arch shape through the other opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: “LOWA” Sportschuhe GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Settele
  • Patent number: 8661712
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion include holes. The top portion and medial portion are substantially solid portions without holes. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Martine I. V. Mientjes, Kelly McKean
  • Patent number: 8661713
    Abstract: Provided is a shoe outsole and/or a sheet material which can be used to fabricate such an outsole (among other things), formed of a base material that includes a number of indentations and lower-extending portions. Small particles are bonded to at least some of the indentations, but the lower-extending portions predominantly are uncoated with such small particles. Also provided are methods and techniques for manufacturing such outsoles and sheet material, as well as shoes incorporating such outsoles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dynasty Footwear, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Koo, Jonathan Goldberg
  • Patent number: 8661714
    Abstract: The shoe is a foldable shoe with sufficient rigidity during use but allows for folding during periods of non-use. The shoe has an upper which is made of a flexible material that makes it possible to push the upper together in the longitudinal direction of the shoe. In a portion of the shoe there are reinforcing elements which run perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shoe and maintain the form of the shoe in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shoe. Rigid material is formed around the toe area and the heel area of the shoe. To make the shoe sufficiently rigid for use, an outer element that clamps onto the reinforcing elements, a stiff insole, or both is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Puma SE
    Inventor: Reinhold Sussmann
  • Patent number: 8661715
    Abstract: An article of footwear has hooks which may be attached to the inner and outer peripheral edge of the sole (e.g., two or more on each side) to secure different strap or upper covering options. The footwear (shoe/sandal) is only functional when the straps/upper covering are attached to the sole of the shoe/sandal via the hooks. The design of the hook provides a securing method to removably connect the straps to the sole of the shoe/sandal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Karen Q. Roth
  • Patent number: 8661716
    Abstract: An article of footwear which has a body consisting of a polymer material, and which is shaped to closely surround a wearer's foot during use. The article of footwear has a planar insert locatable within the body portion to improve the puncture resistance of the footwear. The body may be formed as a single homogenous piece of moulded material and is deformable between a storage condition and an in use condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Philip Stead
  • Patent number: 8661717
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Miner
  • Patent number: 8661718
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of luggage identification tags, and in particular, to a removable identification patch in which indicia can be incorporated onto the patch prior to installation of the patch onto the piece of luggage. A fastening plate is positioned on the interior surface of the luggage and is securely coupled to the identification patch, which is positioned on the exterior surface of the luggage. In one embodiment, the identification patch is attached directly to the fastening plate through fasteners that extend through the luggage wall. In another embodiment, the fastening plate includes projecting tabs which extend through the luggage wall to matingly engage a housing member positioned on the exterior surface of the luggage. The housing member includes a cavity for receiving the identification patch. The identification patch can be removed from the luggage and replaced with an alternative or second identification patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Tumi, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Victor Scicluna
  • Patent number: 8661719
    Abstract: The interactive greeting card of the present invention contains a multi-panel greeting card body with various electronic components contained and concealed therein. Upon opening the greeting card, spoken instructions may instruct the user to move an attached magnet from one area of the greeting card to another to initiate a surprise or various special effects such as sound and light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Hughes, Carol Miller, John Talbot, Gary Nelson, Lauren Budzar
  • Patent number: 8661720
    Abstract: A magnetic license protection and tagging device includes a main body with at least one magnet. The main body has a first pocket for holding at least one of a license and a tag. The main body is foldable between an open position and a closed position. The at least one magnet is connected to the main body, and selectively militates against the main body moving from the closed position to the open position. The magnetic license protection and tagging device may be secured to a game animal by magnetic attraction. The magnetic license protection and tagging device is used to appropriately tag the game animal in compliance with hunting laws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Matthew Steven Miller
  • Patent number: 8661721
    Abstract: The invention provides a flame simulating assembly having a simulated fuel bed, a light source, and a screen. The light source is operable to produce an image of flames appearing to be emitted from the simulated fuel bed. The screen has a front surface disposed behind the simulated fuel bed for transmitting the image of flames through the front surface. A pattern is included in the screen for simulating the appearance of firebrick to a viewer of the image of flames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Kristoffer Hess, Kelly Stinson
  • Patent number: 8661722
    Abstract: A lockable safety selector switch adapted to replace a manufacturer's original safety selector switch for a firearm having a selector detent pin with a tip. The lockable safety selector switch has a body adapted to selectively orient between a SAFE position that prevents the firearm from firing and a FIRE position that allows the firearm to fire, and a locking mechanism configured to operatively associate with the firearm selector detent pin to selectively lock the body in the SAFE position. The locking mechanism has a spring-loaded cam that operatively interfaces with a key to prevent unintentional locking or unlocking of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is operated by a key adapted to operate a handcuff lock. The lockable safety selector switch is configured such that the firearm requires no modification for the lockable safety selector switch to replace the original safety selector switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Megamet Solid Metals, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Dionne, Michael Borrini
  • Patent number: 8661723
    Abstract: A versatile handgun comprised of a weapon frame with a grip and at least one gun barrel and comprised of at least one additional defense element differing from the actual firearm function that is arranged on the grip of the weapon or that is housed in the grip of the weapon. The handgun is capable of making help available in an emergency situation and is capable in so doing of covering a very broad range of dangerous situations. The additional defense element(s) and various other pieces of emergency equipment, medical devices and/or tools could be housed in a slide-in element and different types of barrels could be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: German Sport Guns GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Emde, Michael Swoboda
  • Patent number: 8661724
    Abstract: Applicant has disclosed a foam swab for cleaning and lubricating firearms. In the preferred embodiment, the invention comprises: a molded plastic shank having a threaded free end and a series of parallel rings spaced between parallel spacers; and a foam cover, preferably made of polyurethane, thermally bonded to the spacers. To clean a firearm, solvent or lubricant is applied to the foam cover. Then the threaded end can be screwed into a gun cleaning rod and the foam swab drawn through a firearm bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Super Brush LLC
    Inventor: Brian David Crawford
  • Patent number: 8661725
    Abstract: A method of boresighting includes providing a weapon including a bore having a centerline axis and a boresight telescope coupled into the bore. The boresight telescope has a beam splitter therein which directs image information received from an aiming reference to an eyepiece of the boresight telescope which is off-axis relative to the centerline axis. A boresight camera accessory (BCA) is removably coupled to the eyepiece. The BCA includes an objective and a photodetector array, wherein the objective focuses the image information from the eyepiece to the photodetector array which generates sensing signals. The sensing signals are automatically transmitted to at least one remote viewer, and a viewable image of the aiming reference is displayed from the sensing signals. The remote viewer individually boresights the weapon using the viewable image and a view of the aiming reference through the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Graflex, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ganther, Stephen Raymond Teklinski, Earle Norman Phillips
  • Patent number: 8661726
    Abstract: The humane animal trap has a circular base and a plurality of arcuate ribs extending upward and inward therefrom to form a generally hemispherical frame. A hollow central column extends upward from the center of the base. A drop weight is installed within the column. A collapsible net is placed about the base when the trap is set, the weight being connected to the net by tensile members. A mechanically or remotely actuated trigger and actuating mechanism is connected to a weight release mechanism at the top of the column. When an animal enters the open volume defined by the hemispherical frame and trips the mechanism or the trapper actuates the mechanism remotely, the mechanism causes the weight release mechanism to release the drop weight, thereby pulling the net upward and over the arcuate ribs to enclose the hemispherical volume at the lower portion of the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Abdulmajeed F. S. SH. Alfarhan
  • Patent number: 8661727
    Abstract: The humane animal trap has a circular base and a plurality of arcuate ribs extending upward and inward therefrom to form a generally hemispherical frame. A hollow central column extends upward from the center of the base. A drop weight is installed within the column. A collapsible net is placed about the base when the trap is set, the weight being connected to the net by tensile members. A mechanically or remotely actuated trigger and actuating mechanism is connected to a weight release mechanism at the top of the column. When an animal enters the open volume defined by the hemispherical frame and trips the mechanism or the trapper actuates the mechanism remotely, the mechanism causes the weight release mechanism to release the drop weight, thereby pulling the net upward and over the arcuate ribs to enclose the hemispherical volume at the lower portion of the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Abdulmajeed F. S. SH. Alfarhan
  • Patent number: 8661728
    Abstract: One nonlimiting variation of a detection arrangement includes one or more sensors each structured to detect at least one biochemical substance indicative of biochemistry of one or more target insect species and provide a corresponding sensor signal, a controller responsive to the sensor signal of each of the one or more sensors to determine if the one or more insect species are present and generate a corresponding output signal, and an indicator responsive to the output signal to indicate the presence of the one or more insect species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences, LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Borth, Nailah Orr, Peter N. Scherer, Brian M. Schneider, Mike P. Tolley, Christopher J. Voglewede, Gary D. Crouse, David G. McCaskill, Kerm Y. Yau, Edward L. Olberding, Joseph J. DeMark, Marc L. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8661729
    Abstract: A method for improving the performance of fracturing processes in oil production fields may rely on polymer coated particles carried in the fracturing fluid. The particles may include heavy substrates, such as sand, ceramic sand, or the like coated with polymers selected to absorb water, increasing the area and volume to travel more readily with the flow of fluid without settling out, or allowing the substrate to settle out. Ultimately, the substrate may become lodged in the fissures formed by the pressure or hydraulic fracturing, resulting in propping open of the fissures for improved productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Calder Hendrickson, Tommy K. Thrash
  • Patent number: 8661730
    Abstract: The present invention provides a versatile flower container includes a base, a top cover, a carrying container placing on the top of top cover and a sensing device placing in the base, the carrying container has a concave space can be used to accommodate the sponge, floral and water, the sensing device includes an electronic control panel, two humidity detection rod, a number of lamps and speakers, the two humidity detection rods are through the top cover and inserting into the sponge in the concave space, thereby they can detect the humidity values of the sponge, the lamps and the speaker can be activated to produce light and sound and then generate warning effect when the humidity values are not enough in the carrying container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Hsin-Ming Chen