Patents Issued in March 11, 2014
  • Patent number: 8667884
    Abstract: A Hydraulic valve device includes a first engine port and a second engine port to a double acting hydraulic motor, and a pump, a hand valve, which is arranged such that it connects the engine ports to the tank and the pump, and which hand valve has two open positions, wherein the pump in the first open position via a line is connected to the first engine port and the tank via a line is connected to the second engine port, and wherein the pump in the second open position via the line is connected to the second engine port and the tank via the line is connected to the first engine port, and a first nonreturn valve, arranged between the pump and the second engine port and opens towards the second engine port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nordhydraulic AB
    Inventor: Bo Andersson
  • Patent number: 8667885
    Abstract: An actuating device for a shift element of a transmission which is acted upon by a hydraulic actuating pressure (p_B1) and comprises a valve device. To vary the actuating pressure (p_B1), the valve device is acted upon by a control pressure (p_EDS) in an area of active surfaces (A18, A19) of at least a first and a second valve slides. An active surface (A38) of the first valve slide (A8) is acted upon by a hydraulic pressure (p_B2) which is equivalent to the actuating pressure (p_B1), acts in opposition to the control pressure (p_EDS) and can be adjusted as a function of the control pressure (p_EDS) applied, such that a smaller variation of the actuating pressure (p_B1) results from a change of the control pressure (p_EDS) within a first pressure range of the control pressure (p_EDS) than within a second pressure range of the control pressure (p_EDS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thilo Schmidt, Georg Gierer
  • Patent number: 8667886
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of generating a dynamic variable average flow applied by a hydraulic system of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Deere and Company
    Inventors: Scott Svend Hendron, Robert Moore
  • Patent number: 8667887
    Abstract: An actuator for a rotary function element, having a housing with at least one pressure means supply and being closed at both sides by a cover, in which housing a piston is guided to reciprocate in a sealing manner, the piston containing diametrically opposed, convolution-like connecting links for a transverse axis of an actuator shaft rotatably mounted in one cover, and having two guide rods firmly anchored in the housing only at one end and engaging into guides in the piston, with the one guide rod anchored in one cover, whereas the other guide rod is anchored in the other cover, and the two guides end blind in the piston in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Willi Wiedenmann, Stephan Mannl, Martin Sauer
  • Patent number: 8667888
    Abstract: A chamber having an internal volume, end surfaces and a side wall. The chamber is adapted to change its volume by leakage-free displacement of the end surface. The side wall has at least three adjacent sleeves (1-6), and an elastic seal (8-14) is arranged between each of the sleeves, such that the seals are pressurized and expanded when the sleeves are moved due to a displacement of the end surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ottelstad Breathing Systems AS
    Inventor: Nils T. Ottestad
  • Patent number: 8667889
    Abstract: A machine for the preparation of beverages by infusion using cartridges; the machine includes an infusion assembly; characterized in that the infusion assembly includes: a slide for introduction of a single cartridge; a lever for operation of a piston; the piston suitable to move rectilinearly along a direction and having a first resting position and a second working position; a chamber suitable for receiving the cartridge; the slide being positioned in an intermediate position between the first resting position and the second working position; the slide having a predefined resting position so that the capsule is positioned resting on an edge of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitaca S.r.l.
    Inventors: Francesco Blanchino, Mauro Manunta
  • Patent number: 8667890
    Abstract: A cartridge (1) for coffee or soluble products for producing a beverage, includes a container (2) able to contain the coffee or soluble product, a lid (6) disposed over the container so as to define a top wall for entry into the container (2) of the hot water under pressure for formation of the beverage, a filter (4) suitable for being positioned inside the container (2) above a bottom wall (20) of the container through which the beverage exits, wherein the bottom wall (20) of the container has a less thick central area (22), at the center of which are disposed thickening ribs (27) along the edge of which there are etchings (26) able to break when the liquid inside the cartridge reaches a pre-set pressure value, so as to form flexible tongues (28) which give rise to apertures (50) through which the beverage is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitaca S.r.l.
    Inventor: Edoardo Macchi
  • Patent number: 8667891
    Abstract: A beverage maker having a liquid director configured to channel liquid toward a lowermost surface thereof, into and though an opening in the beverage maker, and to a fluid container of the beverage maker. The liquid director can be engaged with a lid of the beverage maker and/or at least one side wall of the container. The lid can be moved between a first position where the lid at least partially covers the opening and a second position where the lid does not cover at least a portion of the opening. The liquid director can be in a deployed, fluid receiving position when the lid is in the first position and can be in an undeployed position when the lid is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge B. Garcia, Charles Brian Gross
  • Patent number: 8667892
    Abstract: A beverage forming method and system employing the introduction of air into the heater tank and/or an expansion chamber after liquid delivery is complete. An expansion chamber may be provided at the top of the heater tank and provide a tortuous flow path from an air inlet to the tank outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Keurig, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tom Cominelli, James E. Shepard, Thomas Vitella
  • Patent number: 8667893
    Abstract: The patent of invention is provides with a side door switching mechanism for a toaster, which includes two side doors, a side door open lock catch, a side door closing lifting device and a timing electromagnetic controller. The side door can be closed automatically when the lifting board presses the side door shaft. The side door is opened by press the open push rod with the lock catch lifts up by the gear effect of the gear lever. The patent of invention presents the user hurt by directly contacting the side door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shangqian Gao
  • Patent number: 8667894
    Abstract: System and methods for piling and compressing pieces of insulation wool. The system includes a piling tower for receiving and piling multiple pieces of insulation wool and compression plates for compressing multiple pieces of insulation wool. The system includes a first and a second compression plate having plane and smooth upper and lower surfaces, whereby the compression plate can be slid out from between two compressed pieces of insulation wool. The compression plates receive a batch between the compression plates and compress the batch by moving one compression plate towards the other. The pressure on the insulation wool does not need to be relieved after the pieces have been compressed once as the system and method makes it possible to gradually increase compression toward the bottom of the piling tower by shifting between the first and second compression plate being used for compressing a batch of pieces of insulation wool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Seelen A/S
    Inventor: Per Nissen
  • Patent number: 8667895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for printing one multiple-pass print on each packaging container (2), on which the packaging containers are moved in a transport direction past printing stations or printing heads for applying the multiple-pass print. The device is constructed from a plurality of modules (4.1-4.8) in at least a partial area. Each module comprises at least one transport element having an associated drive. The transport elements of the module adjacent to each other form at least one part of the transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Katrin Gerigk, Manfred Pschichholz, Frank Putzer, Martin Schach
  • Patent number: 8667896
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a screen print reflection transfer product and to reflection transfer systems produced by this method. According to said method, the reflecting color is provided with a multitude of reflecting particles, said reflecting particles protruding from the surface of the top color coat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Harald Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 8667897
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a housing and a diffuser connected to the housing. The diffuser has a cup-like shape and includes an opening portion joined to the housing and a circumferential wall portion provided with gas discharge ports. A partition plate is attached to the opening between the housing and the diffuser for closing the opening. The diffuser has first and second tubular space portions therein communicating with each other, the first tubular space portion facing the partition plate, and the second tubular space portion communicating with the gas discharge ports. A step is formed between the first and second tubular space portions such that the inner diameter of the first tubular space portion is larger than the inner diameter of the second tubular space portion, and a cross-sectional area of the second tubular space portion is smaller than the total opening area of the gas discharge ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Nakayasu
  • Patent number: 8667898
    Abstract: An amusement ride apparatus includes a suspended cable and a carriage that supports a user. The carriage is supported on and movable along the suspended cable. Additionally, the apparatus includes a load/unload mechanism that includes a tethering portion and a retractor. The tethering portion is removably coupleable to at least one of the suspended cable and carriage. The retractor is selectively operable in a first mode to retract the tethering portion when removably coupled to the at least one of the suspended cable and carriage to lower the carriage relative to the platform from a raised position to a lowered position and in a second mode to extend the tethering portion when removably coupled to the at least one of the suspended cable and carriage to raise the carriage relative to the platform from the lowered position to the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventors: Stanley J. Checketts, Val Simmons
  • Patent number: 8667899
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant for a railway locomotive is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power plant comprises two prime movers operating independently of one another. The waste energy of one prime mover is used as the energy source of the other prime mover. The shaft work of each prime mover is connected to a common load. The shaft work of the first prime mover is directly connected to the load, whereas the shaft work of the second prime mover is selectively coupled or decoupled to the load using a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: John Kipping
  • Patent number: 8667900
    Abstract: A vehicle body tilting device for railway vehicle is arranged to control the tilt of a vehicle body by exchanging compressed air between a pair of left and right air springs. This device includes: a control valve for tilt operation, connected between the air springs; a pump for tilt operation, connected between the air springs through the control valve; and a control device for controlling both the control valve and the pump. The control valve forms a circulation flow path for allowing compressed air, delivered by the pump, to circulate therethrough. Before controlling the tilt of the vehicle body, the control device drives in advance the pump to circulate the compressed air through the circulation flow path to provide a delivery standby state, changes over at predetermined timing the position of the control valve, and delivers the compressed air from one of the air springs to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Sharyo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shinmura, Tetsuya Hayashi, Takeyoshi Mihara, Naohide Kamikawa
  • Patent number: 8667901
    Abstract: A bogie for a vehicle which is guided by guide wheels that rotate while keeping contact with a guide rail arranged along a guideway of the vehicle. The bogie comprises a guide frame which includes a pair of transverse beams and a connecting member arranged between the pair of the transverse beams and each of the traverse beams being equipped with the guide wheels rotatably on both ends thereof, an axle supported on a non-turning part of the bogie such that the axle is capable of turning and running wheels which are attached to both ends of the axle. The running wheels are rigidly fixed to the axle and the guide frame is fixed to the axle so as to steer the guide frame, the axle and the running wheels integrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeyama, Yoshinori Mitsui, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8667902
    Abstract: A railway wagon for transport of for example a semi-trailer comprises—carried by two bogies or the like—a main portion, pivotally connected to a rearward bogie, and a wagon end, connected to a forward bogie, the main portion and the wagon end being releasably connected to each other. A beam is to be connected to or is connected to the wagon end for horizontally guiding the main portion at its pivoting out from the wagon end. Means are provided for vertically displacing the main portion or a part thereof in relation to the wagon end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: K Technology AB
    Inventor: Peter Linde
  • Patent number: 8667903
    Abstract: An adjustable table assembly provides a plurality of adjustable support surfaces positionable in a selectable configuration as desired by a user. The assembly includes a medial panel having a first side and a second side. A first slot extends into the first side of the medial panel. A first side panel is coupled to the medial panel. The first side panel is slidably inserted into the first slot whereby the first side panel is selectively extendable from the medial panel. A first side pivot hinge is coupled between the medial panel and the first side panel. Thus, the first side panel is pivotable relative to the medial panel. A plurality of legs is coupled to the medial panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin S. Goltry
  • Patent number: 8667904
    Abstract: A tray table having a support for portable electronic devices increases passenger convenience and comfort on flights. The support may comprise an elongated cavity configured to accept one or more portable electronic devices. The portable electronic devices may be held at various viewing angles relative to the passenger. In some embodiments, the passenger may be permitted to adjust the angle at which his or her portable electronic device is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Nick Pajic
  • Patent number: 8667905
    Abstract: A method to improve a pallet may include joining into a pallet four C-brackets, a pallet-deck, a first bottom-deck member, and a second bottom-deck member where two of the four C-brackets insides face two of the other four C-brackets' insides. The method may also include sizing a port to receive load-handling equipment tines formed by the four C-brackets, the pallet-deck, the first bottom-deck member, and the second bottom-deck member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Chep Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: David P. Anderson, Brandon M. D'Emidio, Daniel J. Lantz, John Thomas Storteboom
  • Patent number: 8667906
    Abstract: A device to be attached to the edge of a table comprises a table clamp provided with a vertical hole in which one leg of an angled tube is fastened. The other leg of the tube is horizontal and has at its outer end a tray mount, which receives in a pivotable, fixable and removable manner a centrally situated vertical pivot pin on the underside of a tray on which food and beverages can be placed. By pivoting the tube in the table clamp and the tray in the tray mount the tray can be placed in the desired position and at the desired angle while allowing the table clamp to be positioned out of the way. By displacing and fastening the tube in the table clamp the tray can be vertically adjusted to permit a user to eat in comfort with the food within sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Marija Änglavis
  • Patent number: 8667907
    Abstract: A portable and collapsible table structure comprises a tabletop, a table frame, and a plurality of folding legs pivotally attached to the table frame. The tabletop is independently collapsed to a bundled condition, for example, by folding or rolling. Similarly, the table frame and the folding legs are collapsed so as to minimize the amount of space taken up by the collapsed and bundled table frame and legs. The bundled tabletop and the collapsed table frame and legs can be further bundled or packed together for transport and/or storage. The table frame comprises adjustable members that permit the size and footprint of the table frame to be expanded to multiple usable table sizes without compromising the size of the collapsed and bundled table. The folding legs may be adjustable to reduce the size taken up by the legs in the compressed and bundled condition of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rio Brands, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel R. Grace
  • Patent number: 8667908
    Abstract: A furniture assembly comprising a frame for supporting an article of furniture, the frame including first and second spaced apart frame members, each frame member having a top end and a bottom end, the first and second frame members forming first and second substantially oppositely facing bearing surfaces along at least a portion thereof wherein the oppositely facing bearing surfaces are angled away from each other when moving from the top toward the bottom ends, at a first height, the oppositely facing bearing surfaces defining a first width dimension and a storage unit forming an opening defined by an opening rim including at least first and second substantially opposed bearing surfaces, the first and second opposed bearing surfaces defining a first length dimension that is similar to the first width dimension, wherein, the storage unit can be mounted to the frame by passing at least upper portions of the first and second frame members through the opening so that the first and second opposed bearing surface
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Kirt Martin, David C Eberlein
  • Patent number: 8667909
    Abstract: An article of furniture includes a support and a plurality of members, each of the members extending along the bottom face of the support. Each of a plurality of attachment devices attaches a respective one of a plurality of legs to one of the members such that each of the members is attached to at least one of the legs. The attachment devices include multiple bodies and multiple fasteners. Each of the attachment devices are able to be adjusted as needed to account for slight manufacturing discrepancies that may occur due to manufacturing tolerance ranges so that the legs attached to the members via the attachment devices are positionable where desired in accordance with a predetermined design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventor: Pavel Ruzicka
  • Patent number: 8667910
    Abstract: A table furniture mainly comprises a table plate, four leg units mounted at four end corners of the table plate, two couplers and a central beam. Each leg unit has a leg rod and a side bracket connected with the leg rod, an engaging portion being provided at its free end. The coupler has at least three insertion slots with shrunk openings among which two opposing insertion slots are for engagement with the engaging portions of both adjacent leg units. The central beam also has an engaging portion provided at each end for engagement with one insertion slot of the couplers adjacent to the two opposing insertion slots. In this manner, the structure can facilitate assembling and disassembling of the whole table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Chingdar Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jhen-Siang Wei Siao
  • Patent number: 8667911
    Abstract: A modular furniture system having planar vertical components having slots and/or tabs, and planar horizontal components having slots and/or tabs, wherein the vertical components and the horizontal components releasably and interlockingly mate with each other to form a plurality of different pieces of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kittrich Corporation
    Inventor: Carl Brock Brandenberg
  • Patent number: 8667912
    Abstract: In a burner for highly caking coal in which a solid fuel channel that is attached penetrating through a surrounding wall of a gasifier for gasifying a highly caking solid fuel that has been pulverized into particles and that supplies the solid fuel into the gasifier by gas flow transportation, and a gasifying agent channel that supplies a gasifying agent into the gasifier are provided, a blockage detection unit that detects a blockage situation of the solid fuel channel is provided, and a process for reducing the temperature of the solid fuel is performed when the blockage detection unit detects a predetermined blockage situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Koyama, Takeshi Aruga, Hiromi Ishii
  • Patent number: 8667913
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling retention time of a fluid medium in a fluidized-bed gasification furnace in a gasification facility are provided. A fluid medium is guided to any of a plurality of fluid-medium charge ports connected to a gasification furnace at intervals from an upstream end thereof toward a downstream side in a distribution direction of a fluid medium longitudinally of the gasification furnace. A raw material is guided to any of a plurality of raw-material charge ports connected to the gasification furnace at positions longitudinally of the gasification furnace and correspondingly to the fluid-medium charge ports. The fluid medium is extracted and guided to a combustion furnace from a fluid-medium extraction port connected to a downstream end of the gasification furnace longitudinally thereof in the distribution direction of the fluid medium. Thus, retention time of the fluid medium in the gasification furnace is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Suda
  • Patent number: 8667914
    Abstract: A process and related apparatus for the treatment of hazardous waste and an initially separate waste stream, the process comprising gasifying the waste stream in a gasification unit to produce an offgas and a char material; and plasma treating the offgas, and optionally the char material, in a plasma treatment unit to produce a syngas; and blending hazardous waste with the waste stream at a point in the process determined by the relative chemical and/or physical properties of the hazardous waste and the waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Plasma Power Limited
    Inventors: Chris Chapman, Martin Brooks, Rolf Stein, Edward S. Manukian, Robert M. Clark
  • Patent number: 8667915
    Abstract: A fertilizer stabilizer tank and tank mounting system for mounting the tank to the tongue or hitch frame of a fertilizer applicator is provided. The mounting system mounts the stabilizer tank in a manner that does not interfere with operation of the tractor or reconfiguration of the applicator as the applicator is folded/unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Marvin Kuebler, Jarod Murdock
  • Patent number: 8667916
    Abstract: The vapor exhaust assembly, for anhydrous ammonia, includes a closed filter tower and a closed exhaust tower with vertical tubes. The filter tower is connected to the vapor tower by a vapor upper pipe and a liquid lower pipe. A filter tube is mounted in the filter tower. Ammonia enters the filter tower above an open end of the filter. Ammonia vapor moves from the filter tower through the vapor upper pipe to a vapor chamber in the vapor tower. Liquid moves from the filter tower through the liquid pipe to the vapor tower. Liquid received in the vapor tower is moved upward by a dam. Vapor in the liquid moves upward to the vapor chamber. Liquid moves downward from the dam top to a liquid discharge exit. A vapor discharge valve in the top of the vapor tower is opened to discharge vapor and increase liquid in both towers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Lauren J. Kiest
  • Patent number: 8667917
    Abstract: A watercraft includes a hull and a water diverter. The water diverter comprises at least one first deflector configured to direct water upward and outward from the hull of the watercraft to create a wave. The water diverter may include a support structure in the shape of a hollow tube for the first deflector, and a second deflector positioned above the first deflector. An entanglement system for defending watercraft includes a main cable attached to the watercraft and at least one strand section. Each strand section includes a connector and a plurality of strands attached to the connector, and each strand section is attached to the main cable. A defense system for watercraft can include both a water diverter and an entanglement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: International Maritime Security Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Brewer
  • Patent number: 8667918
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for reducing the pitching and rolling motion of a vessel, the apparatus including a plurality of buoyancy members spaced apart from each other and vertically slidably mounted on a vessel, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders that are connected to the upper end portions of the respective buoyancy members and receive the locomotive power of the buoyancy members that rise from waves, and a hydraulic connection line provided in such a manner that the hydraulic pressures of the hydraulic cylinders are interconnected, so that the hydraulic pressures, which are generated from the rise of the hydraulic cylinders due to the rise of the buoyancy members located at the peaks of the waves, can be supplied to the hydraulic cylinders located at the troughs of the waves to cause the buoyancy members to fall, thereby increasing the buoyancy of the vessel and restraining the pitching and rolling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation Gyeongsang National University
    Inventor: Seok-Soon Lee
  • Patent number: 8667919
    Abstract: A boat anchor is described and which includes a fixture, which is releasably secured to a cleat that is mounted on a boat; an adjustable arm moveably mounted to the fixture and which has a distal end; a channel member mounted on the distal end of the adjustable arm and which defines a passageway; and an elongated anchor rod which is received in the passageway and which further has a distal end which is operable to engage an underwater surface, which is located near the boat, and wherein the adjustable arm maintains the boat at a predetermined distance from the anchor rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Adam Higby
  • Patent number: 8667920
    Abstract: An underwater diver glider includes: a body having a nose and a tail, opposed left and right sides, and spaced-apart upper and lower walls, the body including: an interior space defined between the upper and lower walls that is configured to contain a gas vessel therein; an air chamber defined in an upper portion of the body beneath the upper wall; and an outlet positioned in the body near the tail and below the upper wall, in communication with the air chamber; a pair of wings extending from left and right sides of the body, respectively; and a handle extending axially aft from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Glenn Faires
  • Patent number: 8667921
    Abstract: A coupling for coupling a fall (26) to a lifeboat (1) comprising locking portions and a receiving portion constituting a hollow (10) having a open end and an upwardly facing aperture (15). The locking portion (25), hollow (10) and aperture (15) having a form preventing the locking portion (25) from passing through the aperture (15). The coupling further comprises actuators (30, 35, 39) controlled by a controller (40). A string (27) may be provided for easy retrieval of the locking portions upon the retrieval of the lifeboat (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nadiro A/S
    Inventor: Bent Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8667922
    Abstract: A closure element is provided for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, in which tank an at least slight excess pressure and/or vacuum may exist. An indication is provided on the closure element, by which indication the operator is informed of the presence of excess pressure and/or vacuum in the tank. The indication takes place mechanically by way of a mechanical pressure sensor, specifically with respect to the presence of essentially ambient pressure or excess pressure by use of different colors. For this purpose, an indicating dial can be provided in the closure element, which indicating dial can be rotated by way of a pin displaceable against a spring force under the influence of the pressure existing in the tank. A jacket segment being recognizable by the operator through a window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Demmer
  • Patent number: 8667923
    Abstract: A water feed device for feeding water to a moistener for moistening envelope flaps that is incorporated into a mail handling machine, the water feed device comprising a reserve stock of water from which a quantity of water flows to a reservoir of water, said quantity of water being suitable for imbibing a piece of foam dipping in said reservoir of water, said device having at least two distinct water feed circuits for feeding water separately to two separate compartments of the reservoir of water from two isolated compartments of the reserve stock of water in a manner such as to define two distinct levels of water for the two isolated compartments of the reserve of water, and thus to define two different heights of water in the two corresponding separate compartments of the reservoir of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Yannick Claris
  • Patent number: 8667924
    Abstract: A coating device including a coating mechanism which includes nozzles for ejecting a liquid material onto front and rear surfaces of the substrate while rotating a substrate in an upright state, and a nozzle managing mechanism which manages the state of the nozzles, in which the nozzle managing mechanism includes a soaking portion which dips the front end of the nozzle in a soak solution, and a discharging portion which discharges at least the soak solution, and a nozzle managing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sahoda, Futoshi Shimai, Akihiko Sato
  • Patent number: 8667925
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for locating an instrument within a pipe. The apparatus may include body portion defining a cavity therein, a pipe engagement region for slideable engagement with a pipe, and an instrument retention portion for receiving at least a portion of an instrument therein and retaining the instrument in position relative to the body. A method is also disclosed including the use of the apparatus to locate an instrument within a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Management Services, Ltd
    Inventors: Richard Christopher, Erwin Pearson
  • Patent number: 8667926
    Abstract: A painting robot includes a fixing unit fixed to a sidewall of a painting booth; a swivel unit provided to swivel with respect to the fixing unit; an arm provided to the swivel unit; and a painting gun provided in a tip end portion of the arm. The fixing unit includes a fixing surface fixed to the sidewall of the painting booth; and a cable lead-in portion provided on the fixing surface to lead a cable into the painting robot therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Shingi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8667927
    Abstract: There is described an apparatus (1) for coating a cylinder (C), in particular a wiping cylinder of an intaglio printing press, with a plastic composition comprising inter alia a blade mechanism (4) comprising a single substantially planar blade (40) with a straight edge (40a) extending along the full length of the cylinder to be coated and which is mounted rotatably about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder to be coated. The blade comprises, at its terminal end proximate to the cylinder, an inclined end portion (4a) having an inverted-V shape rising from the upper side of the blade, the top edge of the inclined end portion forming the straight edge of the blade. The blade is adapted to be rotated so that the straight edge of the blade undergoes an upward movement substantially tangential to the periphery of the cylinder in order to discontinue the application of the plastic composition onto the surface of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: KBA-Notasys SA
    Inventors: Didier Dupertuis, Andrea Ganini
  • Patent number: 8667928
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include semiconductor processing methods and systems. One method includes forming a material layer on a semiconductor substrate by exposing a deposition surface of the substrate to at least a first and a second reactant sequentially introduced into a reaction chamber having an associated process temperature. The method includes removing residual first reactant from the chamber after introduction of the first reactant, removing residual second reactant from the chamber after introduction of the second reactant, and establishing a temperature differential substantially between an edge of the substrate and a center of the substrate via a purge process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Shyam Surthi
  • Patent number: 8667929
    Abstract: An animal self-care device including a base, at least one base rubbing surface disposed on the base for contact by an animal, and at least one arm having first and second ends. The second end of the arm is pivotally attached to the base to pivot among a stored position and a deployed position. At least one arm rubbing surface is disposed on the arm for contact by an animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventors: Molly Sullivan, Jamie Dickhaus, Caitlin White
  • Patent number: 8667930
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for averting water fowl settlements using a humane, non-lethal, optionally solar and rechargeable battery operated microcontroller controlled by preset code, a multi-patterned and changing light generating apparatus, with at least 500 nm to 570 nm visible and 300-399 nm ultraviolet spectrum LED lights, activated by means for sensing ambient light levels to determine activation periods and resting periods for retraining water fowl to relocate settlements to an alternate location by disrupting their dark-adapted night vision. The apparatus may be in the form of a floating buoy or a land or other structural surface mountable device and includes means to prevent perching thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Raymond T. Hornung
  • Patent number: 8667931
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle engine compartment cooling system by cooperatively controlling both a variable grille opening and engine cooling fan based on a number of vehicle inputs. Maximum component cooling demand, vehicle speed, and ambient temperature are inputs to lookup tables that issue grille opening demand and engine cooling fan demand. Additionally, vehicle overall power consumption is considered in the development of the lookup tables. A vehicle computing unit selects grille opening settings and cooling fan speeds that correspond to demands from lookup tables. A control signal is sent to an adjustable grille actuator and to a fan motor. Further, vehicle deceleration events are used to trigger a full open grille opening setting, allowing increased cooling at little or no loss to vehicle efficiency. A benefit of the disclosed method is optimal settings to minimize the grille opening for aerodynamic performance while providing required engine component cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 8667932
    Abstract: A spacer covets intermediate portions of respective cylinder bores in a depth direction of a water jacket throughout the entire peripherics of the intermediate portions in the peripheral direction. Accordingly, the intermediate portion of each cylinder bore becomes higher in temperature than any other portion, and is thermally expanded. Thereby, the clearance between the cylinder bore and the corresponding piston increases. Thus, the friction decreases to improve fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the temperature of oil lubricating the intermediate portion of the cylinder bore rises, and the viscosity decreases. Accordingly, the effect of friction reduction is enhanced more. Furthermore, upper and lower portions of the cylinder bores in a cylinder axis direction are sufficiently cooled. Therefore, the cooling performance of a top part and a skirt part of each piston, which tends to become higher in tempera lure, is secured. Accordingly, overheat can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeru Hamakawa, Kenji Sato, Shigeo Okui, Naoto Kodama
  • Patent number: 8667933
    Abstract: A two-stroke engine, comprising: a crankcase; a cylinder connected to said crankcase; a combustion chamber defined by a reciprocally mounted piston within said cylinder; a crankshaft mounted rotatably in said crankcase and drivingly connected with said piston; at least one overflow passage connecting the crankcase and the combustion chamber when the piston is positioned in the lower dead center region; a connecting stub attached to said cylinder which contains an intake passage that opens into the crankcase and supplies fuel and combustion air, said intake passage including therein an air-fuel mixture passage, wherein said connecting stub contains at least one section of the mixture passage; at least one fuel opening for supplying fuel into said mixture passage; and a guiding rib positioned within said connecting stub and oriented longitudinally in the mixture passage and protruding into the mixture passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Grether, Robert Köhli, Stefan Kummermehr