Patents Issued in March 4, 2014
  • Patent number: 8661931
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an outer jacket defining a through aperture and an inner jacket slidably disposed within the outer jacket. A plurality of steering shafts are movable relative to one another within the inner jacket. A frictional plate is disposed within the through aperture for selectively engaging the inner jacket. A radial force transmitting assembly is coupled to the frictional plate and applies a force on the frictional plate causing the frictional plate to engage the inner jacket. The radial force transmitting assembly includes a first cam member and a second cam each coupled to the frictional plate and each including a plurality of inclined surfaces facing one another. A lever is coupled to one of the cam members for rotating the other of the cam members for applying a force on the frictional plate to prevent movement of the steering shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kongsberg Power Products Systems AB
    Inventor: Tobias Olsson
  • Patent number: 8661932
    Abstract: A speed control device, which is adapted to be used in connection with a derailleur type bicycle or an internal gear hub type bicycle, has one operation mode for up-shifting the speed and another operation mode for down-shifting the speed. The two operation modes can be affected by an operation lever, with the operation lever pivoted in a second rotation direction for the up-shifting operation and in a first rotation direction for the down-shifting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Tien Hsin Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Wei Liao
  • Patent number: 8661933
    Abstract: A brake pedal crash safety device for a vehicle in which a brake pedal arm is rotatably mounted to a first vehicle body component and has a first locking element, shaped as a circle-sector and having its geometrical center at a center of movement of the brake pedal arm. A second locking element is mounted to a second vehicle body component. The second locking element is mounted a predetermined distance from the first locking element. The predetermined distance is constant and has a predetermined amount of allowable movement therebetween for a brake pedal arm position. A crash force applied to a front of the vehicle displaces the first vehicle body component toward the second vehicle body component and the predetermined amount of allowable movement between the first and second locking elements will be closed, irrespective of a current pedal position, thereby preventing further rotation of the brake pedal arm through interlocking first and second locking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: John-Erik Andersson, Björn Roger Löfving
  • Patent number: 8661934
    Abstract: An actuator unit for a hydraulic brake mechanism on two-wheelers, comprising a housing fastened to the handlebar, a brake cylinder being arranged substantially perpendicular to the handlebar in the housing, a piston movable in it and a brake lever acting on the piston at an intermediate portion remote from either end of the lever, the lever being mounted at one end thereof to rotate relative to the housing, wherein the brake lever is mounted adjustably movable with respect to an axis substantially at an end of the lever, the axis being unchangeable in position but rotatably mounted to the housing, the adjustment option being provided for by the adjustment mechanism, wherein the lever, the adjustment mechanism and the axis rotate together relatively to the housing upon operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Takizawa, Tatsuya Matsuchita
  • Patent number: 8661935
    Abstract: A bicycle including a frame that has a head tube. The bicycle also includes a fork that is rotationally coupled to the head tube and that has a steerer tube extending upward through the head tube, a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork, a handlebar, and a stem assembly. The stem assembly is coupled to and extends from the steerer tube to attach the handlebar to the fork. The stem assembly includes a stem, a shim that is coupled to the stem, and a clamp contacting both the shim and the handlebar to secure the handlebar to the stem assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Cote, Aaron J. Foley, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
  • Patent number: 8661936
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes an armature having spokes over which a spoke ends of a steering wheel are molded. A back cover connects to the armature and the steering wheel. A trim plate snap-fits directly to the spoke ends of the steering wheel and to the back cover, without connecting directly to the armature. Because the trim plates are directly connected to the same two components with which the trim plates must provide proper fit and finish, proper fit and finish is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter L. Vigeant, Michael A. Schorle, Michael J. Olesko
  • Patent number: 8661937
    Abstract: A cam apparatus of a suspended cam type includes a cam driver 2 having a sliding surface 9; a cam slide 3 which is moved with its sliding surface 28 in contact with the sliding surface 9 of the cam driver 2; a cam-slide supporting means 4 for supporting the cam slide 3 movably in an A direction; and a returning mechanism 5 for returning the cam slide 3 to its rear initial position in the A direction of that cam slide 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Oiles Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Miyaji
  • Patent number: 8661938
    Abstract: A pedal for a bicycle includes an axial rod, a pedal body and two fastening assemblies which are mounted on the pedal body. The pedal body is assembled to the axial rod and having an upper portion and a bottom portion, and a first locking member and a second locking member. The first locking member and the second locking member are both located between the upper portion and the bottom portion. The two fastening assemblies are assembled to the first locking member and the second locking member respectively. Under this arrangement, each fastening assembly is assembled to the pedal body directly rather than be assembled to a further pedal as the prior art, so that the pedal for a bicycle of the present invention is lighter than the conventional pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Chung-I Chen
  • Patent number: 8661939
    Abstract: In a wave gear device (1), radial deflection of a flexible external gear (3) is set at 2?mn (?>1) which is larger than a normal deflection of 2nm (?=1), and the tooth depth of both gears (2, 3) is set larger than a standard tooth depth (in case of ?=1). Meshing movement locus of both gears (2, 3) is approximated by a rack in case of ?>1, and using similarity-transformation curves (AC, AD) obtained by similarly enlarging a curve (AB) on the unmeshing side at the post-stage of meshing from the vertex (deepest meshing position)(A) of the movement locus (M), the dedendum tooth profile portion (21) of a rigid internal gear (2) and the addendum tooth profile portion (31) of the flexible external gear (3) are defined and then both gears (2, 3) are brought into continuous contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Shoichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8661940
    Abstract: In a wave gear device, similarity curve tooth profiles for defining the tooth-face tooth profile of each of a flexible externally toothed gear and a rigid internally toothed gear is determined from the movement trajectory, relative to a tooth of the rigid internally toothed gear, of a tooth of the flexible externally toothed gear at a main cross-section at which the deflection factor is ?=1. Tooth profile curves, which have been subjected to profile shifting corresponding to the difference between the deflection factor ?o (>1) of the opening-end cross-section of the flexible externally toothed gear and the deflection factor ? of the main cross-section, are determined from the similarity curves; and the tooth profile curves are used to form the tooth-face tooth profile portions of the two gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Shoichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8661941
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system with first drive 11—especially a combustion engine—and second drive 12—especially an electric machine—for driving a transmission output shaft 20 of a transmission 10 for a vehicle is provided. The transmission 10 can include a first shiftable partial transmission 15 with a first main shaft 17, which is connectable by a first group of shiftable gear pairs 41/51, 45/52, 43/53, 44/54 to an intermediate shaft 28, and the first drive 11 is connectable to the first main shaft 17 of the first shiftable partial transmission 15. In addition, a second shiftable partial transmission 16 with a second main shaft 18, which is connectable by a second group of shiftable gear pairs 45/51, 46/52, 47/53, 48/54 to the intermediate shaft 28, can be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Gereon Hellenbroich, Stefan Kohlhaas
  • Patent number: 8661942
    Abstract: An angle drive arrangement for a drive train comprises an input shaft and a shift clutch. The input shaft can be driven about a first rotational axis. The shift clutch is arranged coaxially with respect to the first rotational axis and has a clutch input part and a clutch output part which can be coupled to one another to transmit torque. The angle drive arrangement further includes an angle gearing with a crown gear, which is arranged coaxially to the first rotational axis, and a pinion, which is mounted about a second rotational axis and which is in meshing engagement with the crown gear. The second rotational axis is at a right angle to the first rotational axis. The crown gear is fixedly connected to an intermediate shaft mounted in a housing by first and second bearing mechanisms, which are arranged on the same side of the second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schwekutsch, Theodor Gassmann
  • Patent number: 8661943
    Abstract: A mechanical four-speed gearbox/drive system for household appliances comprising two drive-outlets; each drive-outlet driven at two different speeds in the same rotational direction; a motor, motor shaft, first drive-outlet and second drive-outlet, with installation of one-way bearings in suitable places in the gear-train. The motor drives two drive-outlets and rotates in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions through three one-way bearings and two gear down systems to provide four different speed drives. When operating in hi-speed mode, the first drive-outlet is directly driven by the motor. When operating in lo-speed mode, the first drive-outlet is driven via the gear down system, with resulting increase in torque. Simultaneously, second drive-outlet is driven via second gear down system to provide two different speed drives. This gearbox is simple to construct and operable without expensive control electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Huiyang Allan Plastic & Electric Industries Co., Limited
    Inventors: Shu Wan Cheung, Shu Sang Cheung, To Yin Pang
  • Patent number: 8661944
    Abstract: The present invention is a nail placement device that includes an enter rod that allows the device to extend into a confined area wherein the enter rod's diameter forms an indentation on the distal end of the enter rod and a magnetic tip disposed on the distal end of the enter rod that secures a nail to be sunk into a desired surface within the relatively confined area. The device also includes an inner rod that receives the proximal end portion of the enter rod that is weighted that enhances any force utilized to set the nail with the device and an ergonomically designed handle to accommodate the user's fingers and a raised distal end to prevent the user's fingers and grasping hand from sliding off of the handle while utilizing the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Duggan Wood
  • Patent number: 8661945
    Abstract: A clamping ratcheting wrench is disclosed that is capable of being opened and closed without slipping the wrench over the end of a nut to be tightened or loosened. This wrench overcomes many problems because it may be used on a nut that is in a very tight position where a traditional wrench would not fit, nor would a conventional wrench be capable of ratcheting. The ratchet is effected by individual ratchet segments that are held in place when the wrench is opened. One of the true advantages of the various aspects is that the ratchet can be opened and closed once the ratchet segments are aligned, such that the segments are secured in place to allow the wrench to be opened up without having all the segments fall out of the wrench. A first aspect of the invention discloses an interlocking ratchet piece design, while a second aspect of the invention discloses another ratchet piece design with structural channeling to secure the ratchet segments in alignment so that the segments do not come out of the wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Ali W ElDessouky
  • Patent number: 8661946
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes first recess in the function end thereof and a second recess is defined in the inside of the first recess. A ratchet wheel is located in the first recess, and a pawl and a resilient member are located in the second recess. The resilient member is connected between the pawl and the inside of the second recess. The resilient member biases the pawl to be engaged with the ratchet wheel. A C-shaped restriction member is engaged with the first recess and has a rod which is inserted into the second recess. A space is defined between the inside of the first recess and the rod. The second end of the resilient member is located in the space so as to position the resilient member in the second recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Tsan-Chang Lee, Yueh-Li Wang
  • Patent number: 8661947
    Abstract: A three-mode direction-changeable ratchet wrench of the present invention includes a main body, a ratchet member, a ratchet mechanism, a switch mechanism having a toggle piece, and a restriction element. The main body includes a head portion and a handle, and the ratchet member is rotatably disposed to the head portion. The ratchet mechanism includes a first pawl, a second pawl, a first elastic element, and a second elastic element. The switch mechanism is disposed on the head portion. The restriction element is disposed on one of the main body and the switch mechanism and is movable between a restrict position and a release position. Thereby, the restriction element is able to alternatively restrict the toggle piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Yu-Hua Ou
  • Patent number: 8661948
    Abstract: A pliers includes a first member having a first head, a first handle, and a first grip. The first grip is positioned on the first handle such that an end portion of the first handle opposite the first head is exposed. The pliers also includes a second member pivotally coupled to the first member. The second member has a second head, a second handle, and a second grip. The second grip is positioned on the second handle such that an end portion of the second handle opposite the second head is exposed. Each grip includes a slot that facilitates sliding the grips onto the first and second handles over the end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. DeBaker, Scott R. Fischer, Daniel H. Schneider, Todd W. Johnson, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Patent number: 8661949
    Abstract: A power line spreading device used to separate the two conductor lines of a twisted pair conductor. The spreading device includes a substantially conical body and a handle. The body further includes a groove in an outer surface orientated in a conic spiral along a length of the body wherein the diameter of the conical body gradually increases from a first end to a second end. The spreading device is engaged with the two conductor lines proximate the first end, rotated about an axis of rotation whereby the groove acts to draw the two conductor lines from a first end toward a second end of the body. The gradual increase in diameter of the spreading device causes and maintains a desired spread distance between the two conductor lines of a twisted pair connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Enough Said, LLC
    Inventors: James Abel, S. Troy Snook
  • Patent number: 8661950
    Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame defining a transfer station and a machining station thereabove, a spindle having a workpiece grab and vertically displaceable on the frame between an upper position with the grab in the machining station and a lower position with the grab in the transfer station, a tool holder horizontally displaceable on the frame toward and away from the machining station, and a workpiece conveyor extending through the transfer station. After shifting a deflector underneath the machining station into a side position out from underneath the grab, the grab is lowered to pick an at least partially unmachined workpiece in the transfer station off the conveyor and then raised with the workpiece into the machining station. The deflector is then shifted between a use position over the transfer station and under the machining station and a side position allowing the spindle to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Emag Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Hessbrueggen, Markus Hessbrueggen, Helmut Schuster, Markus Schuster
  • Patent number: 8661951
    Abstract: A hand-guided power tool has a drive motor and a drive element connected to and driven by the drive motor. A working tool is connected to the drive element and driven by the drive element. A braking device is correlated with the drive element, wherein the braking device in a first state, in which the braking device is applied, blocks the drive element and in a second state, in which the braking device is released, releases the drive element so that the drive elements can rotate freely. The braking device has a brake lever and a sensor that detects the first and second states of the braking device. A control unit is provided, wherein an output signal of the sensor as a state signal of the first state or the second state is supplied to the control unit. The control unit, based on the state signal, controls devices of the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ernst Gorenflo
  • Patent number: 8661952
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting machine capable of keeping an angle of a cutting edge constant. A support block 14 is provided with two arms 14a, 14b which are spaced at a certain angle, and the arms 14a, 14b have rotation shafts 12a, 13a of rotary whetstones 12, 13, respectively, extending upright from the vicinities of the front ends thereof. The rotary whetstones 12, 13 has, at front ends thereof, flat surfaces 12b, 13b perpendicular to the rotation shafts 12a, 13a to grind the one side 11b and the other side 11c of the cutting edge 11a of the cutting blade 11, respectively. The whetstone holding mechanism 15 can be moved linearly along the guide shaft 16 and can change over grinding states in which the flat surfaces 12b, 13b of the rotary whetstones 12, 13 into contact with the one side 11b or the other side 11c of the cutting blade 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventors: Reiji Arikita, Kenji Ikoma
  • Patent number: 8661953
    Abstract: A trimmer to cut a backing on which an overlay is mounted. The trimmer includes cutting blades and a removable fence that has a stop. The fence is carried by a pair of risers that are capable of moving relative to the work surface. A rotatable lever arm is coupled to the risers by a linking cam rod. When the lever arm and linking cam rod are rotated in a first direction, the risers move upwardly from the work surface and the stop of the fence is lifted upwardly and off the work surface to create a gap that enables the backing to move past the fence to the cutting blades to be trimmed. When the lever arm and linking cam rod rotate in an opposite direction, the risers move downwardly toward the work surface, and the stop is lowered against the backing to prevent the overlay from moving to the cutting blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ellison Educational Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Corcoran
  • Patent number: 8661954
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning stock to a blade of a table saw. The apparatus includes a substantially planar base plate, a guide slot bar coupled to a bottom surface of the base plate, and a stock alignment tool. The stock alignment tool includes a first substantially planar section having a straight edge and a second substantially planar section at a different height than the first substantially planar section, and the stock alignment tool is configured to be removably coupled to the substantially planar base plate to permit alignment of stock relative to the blade of the table saw. In addition, the guide slot bar is configured to be received within a guide slot of a table portion of the table saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: William Buss Quayle
  • Patent number: 8661955
    Abstract: A multi-cutter cutting device is composed of a chassis having a guide channel, a rotary member rotatably mounted to the chassis and located at one end of the guide channel, and a plurality of cutting units. Each of the cutting units includes a shell mounted to the rotary member, and a cutter rotatably mounted to the shell and having a cutting edge protruding downward from a bottom side of the shell. Each of the cutting units can be moved along with the rotary member and along a radial direction of the rotary member to be separated from the rotary member and then can continue to move along the guide channel. In light of the above, the cutting device is structurally simple and can be easily manufactured and assembled. Besides, the cutting device is flatter to be easily packaged and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Hua Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 8661956
    Abstract: A power miter saw includes a base having a rotatable table and side. The side portions have a flat working surface for supporting a work piece. A fence assembly extends between the base side portions and has a front vertical contacting surface and an opposite rear surface, each of the base side portions having a generally vertical fence positioning surface extending downwardly substantially perpendicularly from the flat working surfaces. A securing mechanism holds the fence assembly securely to the vertical fence positioning surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Adam S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8661957
    Abstract: A cutting device includes a table for placing thereon a workpiece. A tool unit supports a cutting tool and is laterally tiltably supported on the table, so that the rotational axis of the cutting tool can be inclined relative to a horizontal direction. A positioning device includes a first positioning member and a second positioning member that can interact with each other to position the tool unit at a plurality of laterally tilted positions. At least one of the first and second positioning members can be moved to change the laterally tilted position positionable by the positioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Syuji Aoyama, Toshiyuki Kani, Shinya Kojima, Goh Yamamura, Katsuhiko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8661958
    Abstract: A device and a method are disclosed for manually perforating a sheet of aluminum foil. The device includes a first member having a first surface with a plurality of apertures formed therein and a first guide member extending upwardly above the first surface. The device also includes a second member having a lower surface with a plurality of projections extending downwardly therefrom. Each of the projections can be simultaneously inserted into one of the plurality of apertures. A second guide member is formed on the second member and cooperates with the first guide member to permit the second member to move vertically relative to the first member. A sheet of aluminum foil can be placed between the first and second members, when they are spaced apart from one another, and the sheet of aluminum foil can be perforated by pressing the second member against the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Arthur Chizek
  • Patent number: 8661959
    Abstract: A bullet-orienting system applies bullets to a feed tube from a source of bullets. The bullets each have a tip-end and a base-end. The bullet-orienting system includes a bullet conveyance that conveys bullets, in tip-end-down and tip-end-up orientations, from a source of bullets to a feed tube along a bullet conveyance path. A bullet-orienting structure comprising a block, a nose guide forming a ledge, a groove, and a tapered opening, and a ramp is disposed proximate the bullet conveyance path. For each tip-end-up oriented bullet, the bullet-orienting structure interacts with the tip-end-up bullet and flips the tip-end-up bullet relative to the bullet conveyance from the tip-end-up orientation to the tip-end-down orientation prior to application to the feed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Koskela
  • Patent number: 8661960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closed vessel arrangement (1) comprising a closed vessel (2) for safe destruction of a rocket motor (3) containing a solid propellant (4) by burning the rocket motor (3) inside the closed vessel (2), which closed vessel (2), is adjustable in size to a rocket motor (3). The invention is characterized in that the closed vessel (2) comprises two communicating chambers (7, 8) coaxially arranged to each other, one outer chamber (8) and one inner chamber (7), which chambers (7, 8) are divided into a plurality of connectable sections (13), which sections (13) are connectable in various numbers for adjusting the size of the vessel (2) to rocket motors (3) of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dynasafe International AB
    Inventor: Johnny Ohlson
  • Patent number: 8661961
    Abstract: An active denial apparatus for use in non-lethal weaponry includes at least one focusing element configured to focus millimeter-wave energy along an axis of propagation. The at least one focusing element includes an astigmatic or dual axis focusing system configured to direct a focused beam that allows the active denial apparatus to accurately immobilize targets at both close and long range within acceptable limits of intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Wavestream Corporation
    Inventors: James Jordan Rosenberg, Michael Peter DeLisio, Blythe Chadwick Deckman, Michael Loren Aronson
  • Patent number: 8661962
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an electronics unit, such as a digital pointing device, to a mortar bipod may include a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel mounting brackets having respective inner faces. A pair of support rails may be fixed to opposite outer edges of the mounting brackets. A pair of support rods may be fixed between opposite lower portions of the mounting brackets. A lower guide rod housing may be fixed to first ends of the support rails. A pair of fire control guide rods may have first ends fixed to the lower guide rod housing. A plurality of shock mounts may have respective bases and tops. The shock mount bases may be fixed to the respective inner faces of the mounting brackets. The electronics unit may include a top plate fixed thereto. A pair of side plates may be fixed to the top plate. The side plates may extend generally perpendicularly from the top plate. The tops of the shock mounts may be fixed to the side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Jeffery Hart, Scott Montanio, Benjamin Lewin, Steven McDonald, Raul Galliano, John N. Gravina
  • Patent number: 8661963
    Abstract: In embodiments, a modular rifle includes a lower receiver assembly, an upper receiver assembly, and a coupling mechanism. The upper receiver contains a bolt carrier and a housing enclosing the recoil spring and rod. Within the housing is a counter bore shoulder against which the recoil spring rests. Integrated into the top face of the bolt carrier are compartments, upon which the housing is mounted. Holes in the front of the housing and the upper receiver assembly accommodate the rod. Containing the recoil spring and rod within in the housing mounted to the bolt carrier allows the modular rifle to have a folding, collapsible, or otherwise non-fixed stock. Attached to the rod is a retaining tab, the depression of which allows for the release of the upper receiver from the lower receiver for disassembly of the rifle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Swetal K. Patel
  • Patent number: 8661964
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum-assisted brake-force booster for a motor-vehicle braking system with: a force-input member which is capable of being coupled with a brake pedal, a control-valve device which is capable of being actuated in accordance with a displacement of the force-input member, a tandem chamber arrangement with a first and a second working chamber and with a first and a second vacuum chamber and with a force-output member for delivering an actuating force to a master-brake-cylinder arrangement, wherein the first working chamber and the first vacuum chamber are separated from one another via a first movable wall, and the second working chamber and the second vacuum chamber are separated from one another via a second movable wall and in each instance are optionally capable of being connected to one another via the control-valve device and wherein at least one pneumatic connecting element is provided, via which the first working chamber is permanently connected to the second working chamb
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Schlüter, Alexander Schlüter, Stefan Schlüter, Irina Gerdt
  • Patent number: 8661965
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston (10, 110, 210) for an internal combustion engine, having a first piston component (11) and a second piston component (12), which jointly form a circumferential cooling channel (23) that is open toward the second piston component (12), whereby the first piston component (11) forms at least a part of a piston crown (13) as well as an outer circumferential wall (34) of the cooling channel, characterized in that the outer circumferential wall (34) of the cooling channel (23) has a circumferential projection (32) below the piston crown (13), which projection is provided with a circumferential guide surface (33) for coolant, directed radially inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Scharp, Michael Ullrich
  • Patent number: 8661966
    Abstract: An automated hot beverage dispensing machine and method for producing hot beverages is disclosed. The preferred apparatus includes a plurality of flavoring reservoirs connected through pumps and valves to a plenum that dispenses the flavoring directly into a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber also receives milk and steam, facilitating mixing of the milk, steam, and flavoring, and dispensing the mixture into a serving cup. The dispensing machine may include a coffee brewing system, whereby the machine can produce flavored lattés, cappuccinos, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, pressurized steam is directed through a venturi assembly that draws in refrigerated milk and ambient air and delivers the fluids to a vortex mixer to produce steamed and/or foamed milk. The flavoring is delivered to the vortex mixer, and steam is channeled to the plenum to facilitate delivery of the flavoring and maintain the cleanliness of the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Concordia Coffee Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne R. Stearns, Ray A. Ross, David E. Isett
  • Patent number: 8661967
    Abstract: An espresso making machine has a short wave heating element, selected from a halogen lamp and an infra red lamp, that is semi-external. The heating element is inside the water tank yet not exposed to water since it is encased in a heat conducting sleeve that crosses the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Guy Hanan Gonen
  • Patent number: 8661968
    Abstract: A device for foaming a liquid foodstuff, in particular, milk, including a foaming chamber (5), a foodstuff feed line (4), a steam feed line (7), and an air feed line (8) is provided. The foodstuff, steam, and air feed lines are connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the foaming chamber (5). The air feed line (9) includes an air valve (10) that can be controlled by a control unit (9), and the air valve (10) is an intermittent air valve in which, by use of the control unit (9), at least one state with a high air flow and a state with relatively lower air flow and/or with no air flow can be specified selectively. The control unit (9) and air valve (10) have an interacting construction such that the average air flow of the air valve (10) can be controlled by repeated switching between the at least two states of the air valve (10). The invention further includes a method for foaming the liquid foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Niro-Plan AG
    Inventors: Mariano Turi, Heinz Vetterli, Michel Loetscher
  • Patent number: 8661969
    Abstract: A food staging device particularly suited for shelled eggs, a method of storing shelled eggs, and a method of cooking shelled eggs are provided. The shelled egg staging device comprises an elongated body, individual receiving receptacles, a pour spout associated with each receiving receptacle, and a handle. The food staging device can be used to hold shelled eggs prior to cooking, for example. A method of storing shelled eggs in a shelled egg staging device is provided. A method of cooking the shelled eggs is provided and comprises containing shelled eggs in a food staging device and pouring the shelled eggs onto a cooking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Ewald, Craig Conley, Thomas Tapper
  • Patent number: 8661970
    Abstract: Thermally convertible food presentation modules are described. A single module may be used for both heating and refrigeration of foodstuffs as desired at any given time. Any well of a module may be switched between heating and cooling of food regardless of the status of any other well of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Low Temp Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Howell B. Shackelford
  • Patent number: 8661971
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a compressed lump of metal scrap involves forming a through hole in the metal scrap instead of drilling a finished compressed lump of metal scrap to form the through hole in the compressed lump of metal scrap. Friction and stress applied to the core are minimized while the through hole is formed in the compressed lump of metal scrap, which is compressed with high density, thereby minimizing damage to the core and thus minimizing a trouble occurrence rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Daejong Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8661972
    Abstract: A screw separator for separating solids out of suspensions, includes at least one housing and at least one feed pipe for the suspension, at least one discharge pipe for liquids, and at least one outlet for the at least partially dewatered solids wherein at least one strainer basket is provided in the housing in which a screw is rotatably mounted, and that the worm shaft of the screw terminates inside the housing and is continued by way of a separate pipe-like structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: UTS Biogastechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Czwaluk, Matthias Rabener
  • Patent number: 8661973
    Abstract: Disclosed is a screen plate for printing two-dimensionally arranged opening patterns by screen printing. The screen plate includes a dummy printing region in which a predetermined pattern is singly or plurally arranged along an edge part of one side or edge parts of two sides parallel to a printing direction of the screen plate; a full-surface printing region for performing full-surface printing, the full-surface printing region being formed into a belt shape at a position closer to a central side of the screen plate than the dummy printing region; and a printing region that is formed at a position closer to the central side than the full-surface printing region and in which the opening patterns are two-dimensionally arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makito Nakashima, Akishige Murakami
  • Patent number: 8661974
    Abstract: A moving-out and adjustment device for screens is revealed. The moving-out and adjustment device is applied to screen printing machines and having a frame, two sliding member and an adjustment mechanism. The frame consists of an upper frame and a lower frame. The two sliding members are disposed on two sides of the upper frame symmetrically and a screen is mounted between the two sliding members. Thus the screen is moved from a printing position of a screen printing machine horizontally by the sliding members. The bending and deformation of the screen can be avoided. The adjustment mechanism is arranged at the frame and having a first moving unit and a second moving unit. By operating the first moving unit and the second moving unit, the upper frame is moved in both the X direction and the Y direction in the X-Y plane in relation to the lower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Atma Champ Enterise Corporation
    Inventor: Tung-Chin Chen
  • Patent number: 8661975
    Abstract: A sheet guiding apparatus with a sheet diverter function, a production system with a printer and a folding machine for printed products, in which such a sheet guiding apparatus is used, and a method for producing printed products with the production system, permit productivity to be raised without increasing the operating speed of the folding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Heiko Feyerabend, Udo Ganter, Martin Haupt-Terlau
  • Patent number: 8661976
    Abstract: A method is provided for a rotary press of the type including at least one cylinder for printing and feeding a web to be printed, and a device for driving in rotation the or each printing and feed cylinder. In normal operation, the at least one cylinder is driven by applying thereto a positive drive torque and a positive drive power, and, in the event of the web breaking, the at least one cylinder is braked by the associated drive device. According to one embodiment of the invention, in an emergency shutdown step, the torque or the power applied to the at least one printing and feed cylinder by the associated drive device is limited in such a manner as not to exceed a predetermined torque threshold or power threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Goss International Corporation
    Inventors: Pascal Ollivier, Jean-Valere Holvoet, Francois Vidaillac
  • Patent number: 8661977
    Abstract: A feed-through element of an ignition device for igniters of airbags or seatbelt tighteners is provided. The feed-through element has a metal support body, at least one first access opening in which a metal rod is arranged in an electrically insulating fixing material, and at least one second access opening in which a further metal rod is electrically conductively fixed to the support body by a soldered connection in this access opening. The support body and the access openings are configured as a shaped part. The feed-through element further includes a solder gap between the metal rod and the wall of the second access opening, where the solder gap has a small width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Thomas Fink, Reinhard Ranftl
  • Patent number: 8661978
    Abstract: A detonator system is provided for use with explosives that utilizes two subsystems. A first subsystem functions as a non-explosives based detonator, which does not contain any explosives. The second subsystem is an initiating subsystem, which includes an initiating pellet. To set off an explosive event, the non-energetics based detonator is coupled to the initiating subsystem and the non-energetics based detonator is commanded to provide a suitable signal to the initiating subsystem that is sufficient to function the initiating pellet. Further, the initiating subsystem can be integrated directly into an associated explosive such as a booster that has been configured to receive the initiator subsystem without changing the hazard class of the booster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Roger F. Backhus, Richard W. Givens, Jerome A. Klein, Ronald L. Loeser, Jason E. Paugh, Walter G. VanCleave, III, Isaac Thomas Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8661979
    Abstract: An auxiliary safety mechanism for a grenade to prevent detonation from shockwaves, heat, fragments, etc., the grenade including a fuse housing containing a delay detonator and explosive train. In at least one embodiment, the fuse housing includes a reversible slider element interposed between the delay detonator and the rest of the explosive train to form a barrier therebetween when the grenade is in an unarmed condition, and when the slider element is withdrawn the barrier between the delay detonator and explosive train is removed leaving the grenade in an armed condition. In another embodiment, a further safety mechanism involves connecting the two sections of the housing with a weak connection that ruptures prior to the explosive contained therein reaching the critical explosive temperature/pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Israel Military Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Isar Veksler
  • Patent number: 8661980
    Abstract: A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead having an outer casing that forms an internal chamber and a dart within the internal chamber. The dart includes a main body formed with a non-explosive material and is configured to exit the internal chamber via an opening therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lone Star IP Holdings, LP
    Inventors: Steven D. Roemerman, Joseph Edward Tepera