Patents Issued in April 1, 2014
-
Patent number: 8684344Abstract: A protective envelope for a lid of a plastic cup comprises a vacuous plastic film stuck on the top of the lid which was beforehand vaporized by an antiseptic liquid, without alcohol, then dried. The plastic film includes a detachable part, activated by a thread to be pulled, which is positioned above the opening to drink of the lid. So, when a consumer is ready to drink, he removes the detachable part by pulling the thread, so freeing the opening to drink. With such protection the lid is protected from bacteria and virus which can cause diseases. In brief, the steps of conception of the antiseptic lid are: to vaporize the lid with an antiseptic liquid without alcohol, to dry the lid, to put a thin film of plastic onto the lid by positioning the detachable part over the drink opening and to stick the film onto the lid by means of a vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Pierre Stewart
-
Patent number: 8684345Abstract: In a paper-sheet post-processing device, a paper-sheet aligning unit has: a main unit; a paper-sheet holding part which holds paper-sheets supported on a paper-sheet supporting unit; a cam mechanism which places the paper-sheet pressing part close to and separate from the paper-sheet supporting unit; and an aligning mechanism which aligns the paper-sheets supported on the paper-sheet supporting unit with a standard position by rotation of the aligning member; and the main unit has a rotation shaft rotatably supported axially by a first support part and a second support part and the cam member and aligning member are arranged to be fixed to the rotation shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Takeshi Matsuo
-
Patent number: 8684346Abstract: Provided is a sheet feeding apparatus capable of reliably feeding thin sheets in a separated state and an image forming apparatus including the same. A floating preventing member which regulates an upward movement of an uppermost sheet floated by air is provided so as to be lifted and lowered between a tail end regulating plate regulating the position of the sheet above a tray and an adsorbing and conveying portion which conveys the uppermost sheet floated by the air blowing from a downstream air blowing portion. The adsorbing and conveying portion is moved to a predetermined regulating position higher than the height position of the uppermost sheet and lower than the feeding surface of the adsorbing and conveying portion before the sheet is floated, which suppresses the movement of the sheet toward the tail end side caused by the curling of the sheet due to the air.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshitaka Yamazaki, Yuzo Matsumoto, Tetsuro Fukusaka, Taishi Tomii
-
Patent number: 8684347Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a sheet amount indicator for use in a sheet-feeding tray. The sheet-feeding tray includes a sheet stacking part having a base plate where sheets are stacked, and the base plate is configured to rise up for feeding of a topmost sheet stacked. The sheet amount indicator includes a viewing part disposed on an outer surface of the sheet stacking part, an indicator member configured to move as seen through the viewing part, a cooperative mechanism configured to move in accordance with a vertical movement of the base plate, and an amplifying mechanism disposed outside the sheet stacking part and connected to the cooperative mechanism so as to amplify the movement of the cooperative mechanism to transmit the amplified movement to the indicator member.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeyuki Ito, Yoshihide Sugiyama
-
Patent number: 8684348Abstract: A sheet supplying device includes a recording media container to accommodate a stack of recording media therein, a sheet feeding unit to feed a recording medium from the stack of recording media in the recording media container, a frame to support the recording media container and the sheet feeding unit, a holder to hold the recording media container by surrounding the outer circumference of the recording media container, and a locking mechanism to engage the frame and the holder with each other. The recording media container is detachably attachable to the frame in a first detaching and attaching operation and a second detaching and attaching operation. The locking mechanism causes the frame and the holder to engage at removal of the recording media container in the first detaching and attaching operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Toshio Matsuyama
-
Patent number: 8684349Abstract: A sheet feeder, including; a sheet holding portion; a sheet supply portion; an inclined member having an inclined surface and configured to guide each sheet in a sheet feed direction; and separation protrusions which are provided on the inclined member and each of which protrudes from the inclined surface such that a distal end thereof is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than a proximal end thereof, wherein each separation protrusion has a contact surface and said each sheet comes into contact with one or more contact surfaces of the separation protrusions, and wherein each separation protrusion protrudes from the inclined surface such that the distal end of one of the separation protrusions is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than the proximal end of another of the separation protrusions that is located immediately downstream of the one of the separation protrusions in the sheet feed direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsuo Asada, Keisuke Wakakusa
-
Patent number: 8684350Abstract: A sheet adjusting device, applicable to a sheet holding receptacle and an image forming apparatus, includes a sheet setting plate to place a sheet thereon, first and second regulating member to slidably move in a given direction, a drive transmission mechanism to transmit a driving power generated by a driving power source to at least one of the first and second regulating members and move the first regulating member in the given direction, and a stopping unit to stop the first regulating member moving toward the sheet on the setting, plate either when a load exceeding a given threshold is given to either the driving power source or the drive transmission mechanism or when a pressure exceeding a given threshold is given to at least one of the first and second regulating members.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiro Sagawa, Jumpei Aoyama
-
Patent number: 8684351Abstract: A first rack of a pair of document guides slides in pressing contact against a pinion due to contact with a protrusion. As a result, the first rack is subjected to a larger sliding resistance than when the protrusion is not provided. When one of the document guides is operated, the operating force transmits directly to the first rack. Therefore, if a large force corresponding to the sliding resistance increased by the protrusion is applied, the first rack can be slid. When the other document guide is operated, the operating force transmits to the first rack through the pinion. Therefore, the sliding resistance increased by the protrusion increases due to the gear efficiency of the pinion.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takayuki Akimatsu
-
Patent number: 8684352Abstract: Sheet inverters and methods for inverting sheets are provided that guide longer length receivers through a 180 degree turn while the receivers are being transported along a transport path while reducing the possibility of jams, the extent of sheet stress experienced during inversion and reducing the risk of creating print artifacts.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Dimitrios Kostudis, Volker Otto, Rolf Spilz
-
Patent number: 8684353Abstract: A skew feeding correction portion includes a first pair of skew-feed rollers that has rollers, a second pair of skew-feed rollers, a third pair of skew-feed rollers, as skewing at the downstream side of the second pair of skew-feed rollers, and a reference member that is arranged along a sheet conveying direction and that corrects the skew feeding of the sheet in such a manner that a side end of the sheet, which is conveyed as being skewed by the respective pairs of skew-feed rollers, is brought into contact with the reference member, wherein the first pair of skew-feed rollers releases the nip of the sheet by separating the rollers from each other before the sheet is nipped by the third pair of skew-feed rollers after the sheet is nipped by the second pair of skew-feed rollers.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hideaki Miyazawa
-
Patent number: 8684354Abstract: An image forming device includes a sheet conveyor, an image former that forms an image on a surface of a sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyor, and a re-conveyor that re-conveys the sheet to the image former which forms another image on an opposite surface of the sheet. The re-conveyor includes a guide member including upper and lower conveyance members, a regulation member that regulates a position of the sheet, a conveyer roller set that conveys the sheet therebetween, an urger that urges a pinch roller toward a driving roller, and a roller holder disposed above the upper conveyance member. The upper conveyance member has ends which are secured independently to the lower conveyance member. The roller holder secures the pinch roller overlaps the upper conveyance member in a vertical direction, and secures the pinch roller, such that the pinch roller contacts the sheet through the upper conveyance member.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hikaru Iino, Hiroshi Nobe
-
Patent number: 8684355Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes: a guide unit for guiding the side end of the sheet; a first roller pair arranged on the downstream side of the guide unit for conveying the sheet, including a driven roller held in contact with a whole sheet in a sheet width direction; and a second roller pair having a conveyance roller arranged on the downstream side of the roller and adapted to convey the sheet, and a plurality of pinch rollers pinching the sheet in cooperation with the conveyance roller, wherein each of the plurality of pinch rollers applies to the sheet a conveyance force inclined toward a conveyance path side end, which is nearer to the pinch roller, and wherein the smaller the distance between the pinch roller and the conveyance path side end, the greater the inclination of the conveyance force thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kengo Nieda, Koichiro Kawaguchi, Toshiki Takeuchi, Ryosuke Sato, Shigeru Toriihara
-
Patent number: 8684356Abstract: Provided are a high-quality sheet feeding apparatus which can detect multifeeding of sheets in a wide range of the sheet conveying direction and realize a stable conveying state, and an image forming apparatus therewith. A CPU controls a multifeeding detection sensor to detect multifeeding of sheets at a plurality of transmission points P1 to P5 of the multifeeding detection sensor. This CPU sets a plurality of transmission points across the front end and rear end of a sheet moving in the sheet conveying direction, based on size information of the sheet read from a storage portion and the timing of detection passing of the sheet in a horizontal path first sensor. This enables detection of multifeeding across the front end and rear end of a preceding sheet in the sheet conveying direction, and also enables detection of unseparated multifeeding that a subsequent sheet follows overlapping the preceding sheet.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsuro Fukusaka, Yuzo Matsumoto, Yoshitaka Yamazaki
-
Patent number: 8684357Abstract: Air hockey tables are disclosed herein. An embodiment of an air hockey table comprises an air hockey table comprising a playing surface that is at least partially curved; and a plurality of air paths extending through the playing surface, wherein air is emittable by the plurality of air paths, and wherein the puck is at least partially floatable on air that is emittable by the plurality of air paths.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventors: Martin Brooks, Timothy Crawford
-
Patent number: 8684358Abstract: A reel assembly for a gaming system is disclosed. The reel assembly comprises a spinnable reel drum having a ring member, at least one support strut extending from the ring member and serving to mount the ring member such that the ring member is spinnable during use, and a reel strip. The ring member and the reel strip are arranged such that at least part of the reel strip is engageable with the ring member so as to retain the reel strip relative to the ring member during spinning of the reel drum.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty LimitedInventor: Scott Monroe Stewart
-
Patent number: 8684359Abstract: An apparatus for driving a roulette game machine is provided. The apparatus is operated in such a way that a rotor and a stator are attached to each other by electromagnetic force generated from a coil unit and are integrally rotated, and then the rotor is separated from the stator after a predetermined time period has passed. Therefore, at an initial stage of the rotation, an inner wheel and an outer wheel are coupled to each other and rotated together. After a predetermined time period has passed, the inner wheel and the outer wheel are separated from each other and independently rotated at different speeds before stopping. Therefore, the present invention can make the roulette game more interesting.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Andamiro Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hak Jin Kang
-
Patent number: 8684360Abstract: A gaming table including a plurality of illumination devices mounted therein and a controller configured for receiving a selection of a preset game layout configuration from one or more preset game layout configurations stored in memory and actuating the illumination of a portion of the plurality of illumination devices corresponding with the selected preset game layout configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Gaming Support B.V.Inventor: Lucien Maurice van Linden
-
Patent number: 8684361Abstract: A target system includes a blocking plate with one or more openings through which bullets are fired and one or more targets for being struck by the bullets disposed behind the blocking plate and generally in line with the one or more openings. The target system may include a hinge mechanism which limits the range of movement of the target after it has been struck by a projectile. The hinge mechanism may also provide for tool less attachment and removal of the targets from the hinge mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Action Target Inc.Inventors: Blaine Henson, Jeffrey Turner
-
Patent number: 8684362Abstract: The present cartridge seal assemblies pertain to rotary lip-type seals. In certain embodiments, a sealing member is constructed of a relatively hard material that increases the lifespan of the sealing member. The sealing member is energized with a canted-coil spring, which in some embodiments includes an adjustable spring force. The present embodiments enable control of sealing force to achieve an appropriate sealing force between the sealing member and the shaft based on factors such as temperature, pressure, rotary speed, properties of fluid media, etc. to achieve longer seal life.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Pete Balsells, Farshid Dilmaghanian, Derek Changsrivong
-
Patent number: 8684363Abstract: A comb-like two-sided overlain gasket for sealing of dismountable flanged joints includes two sealing contact surfaces. Each contact surface defines a plurality of V shaped concentric grooves. Each of the V shaped grooves has an opening angle of 90 degrees. Each of the contact surfaces includes concentric surfaces that are disposed between each of the grooves. The concentric surfaces are created in a single plane and include a constant width that ranges from 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. A bottom portion of the concentric grooves are rounded and have a radius that ranges from 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. The comb-like two-sided overlain gasket also includes one of a sealing foil or a sealing plate that overlays the sealing contact surfaces and that extend beyond the concentric grooves. When compressed, the concentric grooves define a smaller volume than the volume of the sealing foil or the sealing plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: MICO, SPOL., S.R.OInventor: Miroslav Krejci
-
Patent number: 8684364Abstract: An arbor of a machine tool has a collet arbor base, an expandable and releasable collet having a top band coupled to a bottom band, an actuator pin slidable from the collet arbor base arranged concentrically within the collet and having a reverse male taper on an upper end thereof that actuates the top band of the collet, and a conical ring with a taper angle matching the upper end of the actuator pin arranged proximate a lower part of the actuator pin concentric therewith, wherein the reverse male taper at the upper end of the actuator pin activating the top band and the conical ring having a matching taper activating the bottom band of the collet cause the collet to expand and retract accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Sil Han
-
Patent number: 8684365Abstract: A stabilizer system is provided with a stabilizer bar configured to connect a left wheel and a right wheel of a vehicle to each other and suppress a roll of the vehicle by torsional reaction force, an actuator configured to control a relative torsional amount between a side of the left wheel and a side of the right wheel of the stabilizer bar, and a control device configured to control the actuator. The actuator can selectively operate in a permitting mode in which increase and decrease in the torsional amount is permitted or in a regulating mode in which the increase and decrease in the torsional amount is regulated.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoshi Kondo
-
Patent number: 8684366Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment device affords better footing by ensuring that a vehicle height is lowered upon vehicle stop. A vehicle height adjustment device 100 in a vehicle has means (ECU) for predicting a vehicle stopping predicted time, and when a predicted vehicle stopping predicted time is not more than a predefined reference vehicle stopping time, implementing a vehicle height lowering control mode, and enabling a vehicle height lowering operation through switching of a switching valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Showa CorporationInventors: Yosuke Murakami, Narimasa Hosoya, Kosuke Sano
-
Patent number: 8684367Abstract: Methods and apparatus for regulating the function of a suspension system are disclosed herein. Suspension characteristics often contribute to the efficiency of a suspended system. Depending on the desired operating parameters of the suspended system, it may be desirable to alter the functional characteristics of the suspension from time to time in order to maintain or increase efficiency. The suspension hereof may be selectively locked into a substantially rigid configuration, and the damping fluid may be phase separated and/or cooled to increase damping rate during use (or offset rate degradation). The suspension hereof may generate power usable to achieve any or all of the foregoing or to be stored for use elsewhere in the suspended system or beyond.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Fox Factory, IncorporatedInventor: David M Haugen
-
Patent number: 8684368Abstract: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Easton Sports, Inc.Inventors: Scott Van Horne, David Cruikshank, Neil Wensley, Dmitry Rusakov
-
Patent number: 8684369Abstract: A specially formed ball shaped disc 40 to 50 mm in diameter to be utilized on the PIC® inline skate, U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,360, to allow for extreme jumps, spins, and footwork moves in the sport of inline figure skating. The ball pick disc is made of molded rubber or synthetic material. The purpose of the ball pick is to provide extreme deep edges for enhanced spins, jumps, and footwork common in the sport of inline figure skating while protecting the skate frame from scraping. The ball shape is slotted to fit around the frame thus protecting the frame from scraping and allows the skater to achieve extremely deep edges. The ball shape provides 180 degrees of surface allowing the skater unlimited toe-in angles. The configuration of the disc allows the ball pick to be reversed to extend wear.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Harmony Sports Inc.Inventors: John James Petell, Nicolas Alan Perna
-
Patent number: 8684370Abstract: A skateboard truck maintains truck geometry. The truck includes a support pin including a cylindrical end slideably engaging a cylindrical passage in a base plate, and a ball end residing in a socket in a hanger. A support pin bushing under the cylindrical end is compressible and both carries some of a rider's weight and holds the ball end in the socket providing a second pivot to the truck. The second pivot eliminates horizontal play of the hanger thereby facilitating consistent compression of the kingpin bushings and improved stability of the skateboard. Support pin travel allows off-center kingpin bushing compression for steering and improves shock absorption. Eliminating horizontal play allows lengthened kingpin bushings and use of the entire height of the kingpin bushings. The combination of kingpin bushing preload, and weight carried by the support pin, tends to equalize the compression of the top and bottom kingpin bushings improving stability.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Fredrick Boyd Baumann
-
Patent number: 8684371Abstract: The present invention includes a shopping cart frame with mounting bracket units connecting caster wheels and having a plate secured underneath the base with a caster pin receiving hole and spaced-apart flanges flanking the hole and abutting on the base; a shopping cart with a support bar between side uprights for forwardly propping up a primary basket and rearwardly hanging a secondary basket; a cart with a plastic basket having rear structural tubes sheathing the frame's side uprights and being secured thereto; a modular method of making different cart models by providing multiple sets of components with cooperating mounting surfaces for interconnection; a modular plastic basket with a hooked-on suspended tray and a channel-shaped overlay detachably snapped over the edge and tray; a one-piece molded plastic basket with independent branching tubular sections with different thicknesses; and an independent gas-assisted injection method for molding a one-piece plastic basket.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Produits Cari-All Inc.Inventors: Eric Berthiaume, Gilles Simard, Richard Pare, Serge Nadeau
-
Patent number: 8684372Abstract: A modular kit for constructing a dolly comprising of at least one strut having a first and second end, and a first, second, and third through hole; at least one first connector; at least one second connector, each first connector removably attaches to each second connector, hereinafter referred to as a connector assembly, after at least two struts have been modularly assembled, each connector assembly is threaded through either the first, second, or third through holes of each respective strut; and at least one caster assembly, each caster assembly removably attaches to each connector assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventors: Luca Buttazzoni, Andres Bernal
-
Patent number: 8684373Abstract: A cart moving machine including a body portion, a movement assembly positioned on the body and including a power source coupled to a drive mechanism, the movement assembly being adapted to translate the machine relative to a surface, a hitch positioned on the body and adapted to engage a cart, a mast extending from the body and including a beacon positioned thereon, and a mast positioning mechanism, the mechanism adapted to allow the mast to be selectively positionable relative to the body between a protected position and an exposed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Dane Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Paul David Holtan
-
Patent number: 8684374Abstract: A dual handled liftable wheelbarrow with a bin and a wheel assembly has a fixed handle mounted on a rear wall thereof. A bracket is mounted on an outside of the front wall for mounting an adjustable handle with an elongated resilient grip having end arms swiveling about and mounted on said forwardly extending members of the bracket, so that the handle is rotatable between a parked position flush downwardly against the outside of said front wall, and an upwardly extending deployed position with said resilient grip above the open top of said bin. The fixed and adjustable handles are mounted at substantially equal heights on the rear and front walls, respectively, of the bin to allow two users working together to unload debris from the bin over a side wall of the bin into a collection box.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Stable Innovations LtdInventors: John Skijus, Thomas Berinato
-
Patent number: 8684375Abstract: The invention pertains to a guard assembly for securement to a wheeled base. The guard assembly comprises a central support, a plurality of wheel guards positioned in an array around the central support, a plurality of struts, and a plurality of support struts. The struts are connected to and extend between a respective pair of the adjacent wheel guards in the array. Each of the support struts are connected to and extend between the central support and a respective one of the struts. The invention also envelops a method of retrofitting an existing wheeled base with the guard assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventors: Harvey S. Fink, James Jagodzinski
-
Patent number: 8684376Abstract: Skateboard devices, and methods of riding and steering an elongated foldable skateboard with two large front wheels pivotally attached to the front of the skateboard and a single large rear centered wheel with depressible brake. The skateboard allows for the rider with one foot on the skateboard to propel the skateboard by pushing off the ground with another foot. A stabilizing assembly with angled bolt/pin/rod that inserts into an oblong eyelet opening with pliable bushing on the front axle can allow for the rider to tilt the board with their weight to turn the skateboard to the left or to the right.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: James Wurst
-
Patent number: 8684377Abstract: An articulated steerable self-propelled vehicle has a support platform mounting a motive power source and sites at opposite sides of motive power source where an operator's feet can be placed to enable the operator to stand on platform and straddle motive power source. First suspension assembly on vehicle is pivotally mounted to platform in order to dispose and couple first ground surface contacting member spaced in first direction from platform, movable to follow the ground surface, vertically movable relative to platform to accommodate impact generated by uneven ground surface, and steerable horizontally relative to platform and the ground surface. Second support assembly on the vehicle is pivotally mounted to platform in order to dispose and couple second ground surface contacting member spaced in second direction from of platform, movable to follow the ground surface, and vertically movable relative to platform to accommodate impact generated by uneven ground surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Performance Concepts, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Keel
-
Patent number: 8684378Abstract: A frame folding and adjustment mechanism for a foldable motorized vehicle, comprising: a hollow adjusting and fixing member, a hollow mounting member, an elastic element, a restricting member, and a cable assembly having a fixing cylinder, and a cable, wherein the fixing cylinder is fixed between the front rack and the hollow mounting member, the upper end of the cable freely passes through the fixing cylinder, the lower end of the cable fixedly passes through the restricting member and is connected to a lower end of the elastic element, the upper end of the elastic element is fixed to the hollow mounting member, the restricting member detaches from the hollow adjusting and fixing member when the upper end of the cable is pulled, and the restricting member engages with the edges of the hollow adjusting and fixing member when the upper end of the cable is released.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Dongguan Prestige Sporting Products Co. LtdInventors: Chichun Wu, Zhao Zhang
-
Patent number: 8684379Abstract: A cast steering knuckle for a vehicle such as a truck includes a knuckle body. One or more pipes, each including a pipe body, are molded into the knuckle body providing a duct for a fluid and/or one or more electrical harnesses.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar ABInventors: Leon Fuks, Lena Larsson, Ingemar Dagh
-
Patent number: 8684380Abstract: The invention concerns a wheel suspension system for the non-steered wheels (16) of a motor vehicle, with a twist beam axle (2) which comprises two wheel-supporting trailing arms (3, 13) pivotably mounted on a motor vehicle body (15) and a cross member (6) connecting the trailing arms (3, 13) together, and a Watt linkage (8) also connecting the trailing arms (3, 13) together, at least one articulated holder (10) being integrated in each trailing arm (3, 13) itself for articulated coupling of the Watt linkage (8).Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul Zandbergen, Andreas Carlitz, Theo Kueppers
-
Patent number: 8684381Abstract: A stabilizer bar for a commercial vehicle which comprises an elongate torsion spring (5), two suspension arms (6, 7) which are securely connected to and extend away from the torsion spring (5) and, between which the torsion spring (5) extends. An actuator (12) is connected in parallel with the torsion spring (5) and is connected to the torsion spring (5) or the suspension arms (6, 7) with the intermediate connection of hinge joints (23, 25) or leaf springs (17, 19).Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Manfred Buhl, Friedhelm Langhorst, Bernhard Eilers
-
Patent number: 8684382Abstract: The invention relates to an axle support for motor vehicles, for receiving components of the chassis of the motor vehicle. The axle support comprises frame side members (2, 3) running substantially in the driving direction, each having at least one cast connection point (5, 6), and a pipe section (7) that adjoins the cast connection point. The pipe section has an at least half-shell form in the region of the connection to the cast connection point.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: KSM Castings Group GmbHInventors: Thomas Buschjohann, Karsten Hoppe, Juergen Eickmann, Michael Wagner
-
Patent number: 8684383Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a vehicle has a frame with a first portion and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the first portion. A swing arm is pivotably connected to the frame allowing movement of the swing arm. A striker contacts the first portion of the frame. A travel stop connects to the frame to limit the movement of the swing arm. A spindle and a hub connect to the spindle for connecting a wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventor: Raymond Mullins
-
Patent number: 8684384Abstract: A process for cracking a hydrocarbon feedstream containing non-volatile components in a hydrocarbon cracking furnace having upper and lower convection heating sections within a flue of the furnace, a radiant heating section downstream of and connected to said lower convection heating section, a transfer line exchanger downstream of and connected to said radiant heating section, a furnace box containing furnace burners and said radiant heating section, and a vapor/liquid separator vessel connected between the upper and lower convection heating sections, the process comprising (a) passing said hydrocarbon feedstream into said upper convection section to heat said hydrocarbon feedstream to a first temperature sufficient to flash at least a portion of the hydrocarbons within said hydrocarbon feedstream into a vapor phase to form a vapor/liquid stream; (b) passing said vapor/liquid stream out of said upper convection section and into said vapor/liquid separator to separate said vapor/liquid stream into a hydrocarbType: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: David B. Spicer, Caleb M. Scherer, James M. Frye, Subramanian Annamalai
-
Patent number: 8684385Abstract: A steering damper device for a saddle riding vehicle includes a tubular damper including a cylindrical damper cylinder and a piston rod slidably passed through the damper cylinder. Either the damper cylinder or the piston rod is supported on an upper frame or a down frame of the saddle riding vehicle. The upper frame extends rearwardly from a head pipe through which a steering shaft passes and which holds the steering shaft therein rotatably about an axis thereof. The down frame extends downwardly from the head pipe. The steering shaft rotates with a bottom bridge. The tubular damper is disposed such that an axis thereof is disposed on a vehicle width direction central plane. The tubular damper extends or contracts as the bottom bridge rotates. The tubular damper extends or contracts within a space between the upper frame and the down frames in a side view.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirotsugu Kuboyama, Kazuhiko Gogo, Mikio Uchiyama
-
Patent number: 8684386Abstract: A head tube assembly suitable for a bicycle and comprising an open steerer configuration and cable routing. The head tube assembly comprises a head tube configured to connect with the top tube and down tube of the bicycle. The head tube includes a lower bearing component and an upper bearing component configured to rotatably engage the fork assembly. The fork assembly comprises an external steerer configured to rotate externally to the head tube. The head tube assembly includes an upper steerer section configured to secure the external steerer, and an internal chamber configured with an aperture for receiving one or more cables and being coupled to the top tube or the down tube. The internal chamber includes one or more guide tubes configured to route the cable(s) through the interior portion of the top tube or the down tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventors: Richard Peter Matthews, Robert James Pike
-
Patent number: 8684387Abstract: A steering system for a cycle that facilitates the placement of a horizontal cargo platform above and in close proximity to the front wheel. The steering system may be applied to numerous types of cycles including bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, three wheeled vehicles, etc. The steering system comprises a fork assembly that is rotatably mounted to the frame near the top of said fork. The fork is supported in its lower portion by pushrods that both steer and structurally support the fork assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: NTS Works, Inc.Inventor: Neal Tate Saiki
-
Patent number: 8684388Abstract: A bicycle having a first tube with a first tube portion and a first weld portion. The first tube portion has a first tube portion thickness and the first weld portion has a first weld portion thickness. The first weld portion has a first mating surface. A second tube having a second tube portion and a second weld portion. The second tube portion has a second tube portion thickness and the second weld portion has a second weld portion thickness. The second weld portion has a second mating surface. The first mating surface is positioned adjacent to the second mating surface, forming a weld interface between the first tube and the second tube. A weld bead formed along the weld interface coupling the first weld portion and the second weld portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Chuck Teixeira
-
Patent number: 8684389Abstract: A tow hitch comprises an elongated tubular shank of rectangular cross-section having four side walls; and at least one tow ball mounted to an adjacent side wall of the shank with a mounting shank extending from a base of the tow ball through a first hole in the adjacent side wall and a second hole in a side wall opposite the adjacent side wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Buyers Products CompanyInventor: Thomas A. Gries
-
Patent number: 8684390Abstract: A retractable tow strap apparatus includes a housing containing a spool operably connected to a crank on the exterior of the housing. A tow strap is wound around the spool, the ends of the strap extending through a pair of apertures on opposite sides of the housing. Unwinding the strap from the spool through the apertures rotates the spool in a first direction. The strap is retrieved onto the spool by rotating the spool in a second direction using the crank. Springs within the housing apply a braking force on the portion of the strap that is on the spool, whereby slack in the strap and resultant tangling may be minimized as the strap is wound and unwound from the spool. The strap is formed of a unitary webbing element that extends through the spool, thereby minimizing the application of tension forces directly to the spool during a towing operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Hampton Products International CorporationInventor: Jeffrey N. Barrette
-
Patent number: 8684391Abstract: A hook coupling with a hook body (12), which has a hook-in opening (14), and with a closure latch (16) which can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position furthermore comprises: a blocking lever (26) which is displaceable between a blocking position, in which it blocks an adjustment of the closure latch (16) from the closed position towards the open position, and a release position in which it permits an adjustment of the closure latch (16) from the closed position towards the open position, and a triggering device (36) which, in its basic position, whenever blocking lever (26) is in the blocking position, prevents displacement of the blocking lever (26) into the release position, and which, when actuated out of its basic position, permits displacement of the blocking lever (26) into the release position.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbHInventor: Udo Szczepanek
-
Patent number: 8684392Abstract: The invention relates to a ski or a snowboard, comprising a multilayered sliding board body comprising at least one strength-providing upper strap, at least one strength-providing lower strap, at least one strip-like core element arranged in between which is delimited essentially by a first and a second flat side and by lateral side surfaces, and which core element comprises at least in sections of its longitudinal extension an essentially trapezoidal cross section with a first base side with a first length and a second base side essentially parallel thereto with a second comparatively shorter length. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a prefabricated semi-finished product for the production of such a ski or snowboard, a suitably assembled semi-finished product, as well as a method for producing the ski or snowboard according to the invention by using the prefabricated semi-finished product.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Atomic Austria GmbHInventors: Helmut Holzer, Georg Klausner
-
Patent number: 8684393Abstract: A ski which when it is flat on a horizontal plane, and loaded at its waist in such a way that the edges touch said horizontal plane at the waist, has a side cut extending between the front and rear contact lines; when it is pivoted around its longitudinal axis and tilted by a non-zero angle ? relative to said horizontal plane, and loaded at its waist in such a way that one of the edges touches said plane at the waist, has a side cut extending between two end contact points, front and rear respectively wherein for a tilt (?) equal to 35°, the ratio of the distance (D?) separating the front end contact point and the front contact line, related to the distance (D) separating the mid-point (9) of the shoe and the front contact line, is more than 12%.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Skis RossignolInventors: Nicolas Puget, Vincent Bregeon, Johan Vailli