Patents Issued in April 1, 2014
  • Patent number: 8684747
    Abstract: An intelligent tutoring system can be implemented using filters, predictive modeling, and a knowledge warehouse, which allows content to be dynamically selected for individualized presentation to a learner. Such an intelligent tutoring system can be implemented using a variety of techniques, including polynomial vector equations in modeling, extensible markup language storage formats for presentation data, and a knowledge warehouse with information stored in data cubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Accella Learning, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan Bergeron
  • Patent number: 8684748
    Abstract: A method and system for playing web-based training content on a client computer system are provided. The method includes accessing previously downloaded web-based training content stored in a first memory coupled to the client computer system and playing a portion of the web-based training content on the client computer system while the client computer system is offline. The method further includes storing results associated with playing the portion of the web-based training content in a second memory coupled to the client computer system. The method further includes, in response to detecting the client is online, synchronizing results of the playing with a host computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Saba Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrey Pogodin, Roshini Unni, Land Ormiston
  • Patent number: 8684749
    Abstract: A light emitting device and method for making the same is disclosed. The light-emitting device includes an active layer sandwiched between a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer. The active layer emits light when holes from the p-type semiconductor layer combine with electrons from the n-type semiconductor layer therein. The active layer includes a number of sub-layers and has a plurality of pits in which the side surfaces of a plurality of the sub-layers are in contact with the p-type semiconductor material such that holes from the p-type semiconductor material are injected into those sub-layers through the exposed side surfaces without passing through another sub-layer. The pits can be formed by utilizing dislocations in the n-type semiconductor layer and etching the active layer using an etching atmosphere in the same chamber used to deposit the semiconductor layers without removing the partially fabricated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Techno Center Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Lester, Jeff Ramer, Jun Wu, Ling Zhang
  • Patent number: 8684750
    Abstract: A contact type of electric connection building block includes an electric connection unit, which has an electronic device and electronic connection posts mounted on a circuit board of the electronic device. The electric connection unit is modularized, and the first and second electrodes of the electric connection post are provided with the contact portions to be connected with the circuit board of the electronic device. Thus, it does not need soldering and reduces environmental contamination. Moreover, when the first and second electrodes of a building block are respectively connected with the first and second electrodes of another building block, the first and second insertion portions could provide stable and accurate contact effect. Furthermore, the electric connection post only needs the post member and the first and second electrodes to assemble. It greatly reduces the numbers of components, simplifies assembling processes and reduces assembling time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Chia-Yen Lin
  • Patent number: 8684751
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a circuit board, a signal plug and a cable. The circuit board has at least one pair of traces of the same length. The signal plug is disposed at a front side of the circuit board, and has at least one pair of terminals of the same length that are respectively conducted to a paired first signal contacts of the pair of traces. The cable extends from the circuit board in a left-right direction and conducts to the circuit board. An extension direction of the cable is substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction of the signal plug. The cable has at least one pair of differential signal lines that are respectively conducted to a paired second signal contacts of the pair of traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Lintes Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Zen Lo
  • Patent number: 8684752
    Abstract: An electrical connector and electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The electrical connector includes a first set of terminals, a second set of terminals and an insulating body. The insulating body has a first mating portion and a second mating portion. First mating portion includes an inward wall surface. First contacts of the first set of terminals and first contacts of the second set of terminals are disposed in the inward wall surface of first mating portion. Second mating portion has an outward wall surface. Second contacts of the first set of terminals and second contacts of the second set of terminals are arranged on the outward wall surface of the second mating portion. The first contacts of the first set of terminals and the first contacts of the second set of terminals elastically contact to the corresponding pads of the PCB board without bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ant Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-yu Hsueh
  • Patent number: 8684753
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electronic technologies, and in particular, to a plug and an electronic device with the plug. The present invention solves the following problem: In the conventional art, an electronic device with a plug occupies too large space in the direction vertical to the surface of an external device when the electronic device is inserted in a slot of the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Zhang, Menglong Zhao
  • Patent number: 8684754
    Abstract: A plug and socket convertible electrical connector assembly including a connector body and a slide cover is disclosed. The connector body includes a housing defining an oblong insertion opening and multiple insertion slots at two adjacent walls thereof, a rack mounted in the housing, an electrical socket mounted in the rack and aimed at the insertion opening. The slide cover carrying multiple metal conducting blades is mounted in the housing and movable between a received position where the insertion opening is opened for allowing insertion of an external power adapter cable into the electrical socket, and an extended position where the slide cover blocks the insertion opening and the metal conducting blades are extended out of the insertion slots for connection to a city power supply outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Chicony Power Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chyi-Lang Lai
  • Patent number: 8684755
    Abstract: An electrical pop out device has a shroud and an outlet housing. The outlet housing is sized to be placed inside the shroud. A guidance mechanism connects the outlet housing with the shroud. The guidance mechanism includes multiple rack gears and multiple pinion gears. The outlet housing is moveable with respect to the shroud along a direction defined by the rack gear. A spring connector electrically couples the shroud to the outlet housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Wiremold Company
    Inventor: Gordon D. Row
  • Patent number: 8684756
    Abstract: A lever-type connector includes a connector housing, a cover attached to the connector housing, a lever rotatably mounted on the connector housing. The lever is rotated in a situation that a mating connector is fitted to the connector housing in a half-fitted condition, thereby moving the mating connector with respect to the connector housing from the half-fitting condition to a completely fitting condition. A retaining portion is provided on the lever. A lock portion provided on the cover is engaged with the retaining portion when the lever has been rotated. A lever claw portion is provided on the retaining portion. The lock portion is provided on a distal end portion of the lock arm. A lock protection portion is provided on the retaining portion so as to be positioned away from a rotation center of the lever than the lever claw portion so that the lock protection portion covers the lock portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Kobayashi, Shoji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8684757
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory module connector includes sidewalls extending along a length of the connector body. A longitudinally oriented socket is provided between the sidewalls for receiving a card edge of a memory module. A top of the connector defines a socket opening. A bottom of the connector is for mounting to a system board. A plurality of air deflectors is provided adjacent to the connector body to manipulate airflow to improve cooling. The size, positioning, and spacing of the air deflectors may be selected to optimize cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy S. Bridges, William M. Megarity, Luke D. Remis, Gregory D. Sellman
  • Patent number: 8684758
    Abstract: A terminal unit having a bus bar assembly, a lug assembly, and one or more circuit protection devices attached to the bus bar assembly. The bus bar assembly includes a bus bar and a mounting unit for holding the bus bar and providing a structure for attaching circuit protection devices to the bus bar assembly. The bus bar is made of an electrically conductive material, while mounting unit is made of an electrically non-conductive (insulating) material, such as a plastic, thereby providing a “touch safe” enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mersen USA Newburyport-MA, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Gharabegian, Jerry L. Mosesian
  • Patent number: 8684759
    Abstract: A terminal connection structure which is downsized and easily connects terminal fixtures together without producing variation in electric resistance therebetween. The terminal connection structure connects a bus bar connected to an inverter and a second terminal fixture connected to a motor coil. The terminal connection structure includes a first housing receiving a thin-walled portion of the bus bar, a second housing receiving an electric-contact portion of the second terminal fixture and having an insert portion, a clip terminal arranged to make the thin-walled portion closely contact with the electric-contact portion, and a permitting/restricting portion, which permits the clip terminal to be attached to one of the first housing and the second housing when the insert portion is at a predetermined position and restricts the clip terminal from being attached to one of the first housing and the second housing when the insert portion is not at the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hideomi Adachi, Hidehiko Kuboshima
  • Patent number: 8684760
    Abstract: Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, a lockable power cord may include a power module, a locking member, a power cord, a power supply, and a loop. The locking member may include at least one arm member biased radially outward from the power module to an expanded state. The locking member may be configured to move radially inward toward the power module in response to the power module entering into the power receptacle, and expand radially away from the power module into a locking cavity of the power receptacle when the power module enters beyond a locking point within the power receptacle. The loop may include at least a first opening having a width smaller than a width of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Lam, Amy Han
  • Patent number: 8684761
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a solar insulation displacement connector (IDC) is described. The example solar IDC includes a base configured with at least one pathway. The pathway may include a plurality of ridges. At least one pathway is configured with at least one conductive cutter. The conductive cutter is formed from a conductive material (e.g., copper, silver, gold, nickel, brass). The example solar IDC includes a cover configured to hold a wire in the at least one pathway when the cover is affixed to the base of the solar IDC. The solar IDC is configured to be mechanically connected to a conductor of the wire by the at least one conductive cutter. The at least one conductive cutter is configured to cut an insulation of the wire. An inverter is operably connected to the solar IDC. The example solar IDC and the inverter are fabricated as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Jacob Weaver, Christopher Volpe
  • Patent number: 8684762
    Abstract: A junction box particularly for lighting lines for tunnels includes a casing body provided with a cover; the casing body includes an electrical socket; a junction device inside the casing body connects the electrical socket to a pair of power supply wires of a power supply line that is affected by the junction box; the junction device includes one or more insulation displacement contacts; each insulation displacement contact engages a respective power supply wire without cutting it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Palazzoli S.p.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Levi
  • Patent number: 8684763
    Abstract: A patch cord including a connector attached to an end of an electrical cable. The connector includes a boot member that slides over a portion of a wire manager to actuate a retention arrangement of the connector. Certain types of retention arrangements are actuated by deflecting flexible tabs of the wire manager inwardly to bite into at least an outer jacket of the electrical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren J. Mattson, Gordon John White
  • Patent number: 8684764
    Abstract: A field installable backshell connector for a shielded cable provides an EMI shield around control signal conductors and a plastic connector of the cable and also provides a mechanical terminal of the cable. The backshell connector provides a low impedance ground path from the cable shield to a connector socket. The connector socket includes a plastic connector header that is shielded by a grounded metal shroud. When connected to the socket, the backshell is abutted with the connector socket shroud to complete the low impedance ground path from the cable shield in order to shunt electrical noise introduced on the cable shield, connector backshell and shroud to ground to resist electrical interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Figie
  • Patent number: 8684765
    Abstract: A connector assembly that includes a receptacle connector and a light pipe. The connector is configured to receive a removable device inserted along a longitudinal axis. The connector has a side surface that extends along a plane defined by the longitudinal axis and a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The connector includes a ledge and a positive stop that project laterally outward from the side surface. The ledge has a ledge surface that joins the side surface. The light pipe extends substantially along the longitudinal axis. The light pipe has an inward-facing surface that is substantially flat throughout and abuts the side surface of the connector. The light pipe rests upon the ledge surface and the positive stop is positioned on the side surface to block the light pipe from moving in at least one direction along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Eugene Shirk, Michael J. Phillips, David S. Szczesny
  • Patent number: 8684766
    Abstract: A connector includes an insulator including contact insertion grooves and partition walls positioned therebetween, the contact insertion grooves being elongated in an insertion/removal direction of a thin plate-shaped object inserted into the insulator and arranged in a direction orthogonal thereto; and contacts inserted into the contact insertion grooves, each contact including first and second contact portions, and a connecting portion which connects the first and second contact portions to each other, wherein at least one of the first and second contact portions comes in contact with the thin plate-shaped object when the thin plate-shaped object is inserted into the insulator. A hollow portion is formed in each partition wall of the insulator so as to overlap part of each contact as viewed in a contact arranging direction, and so as to be prevented from being communicatively connected with the contact insertion grooves by the partition walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Connector Products Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kakino, Kazumi Nakazuru
  • Patent number: 8684767
    Abstract: First and second vehicle-side connectors that respectively have a ground terminal that is grounded to the vehicles and have a plurality of signal transmission-path terminals, and a vehicle connection cable that is mounted, at both ends, with first and second connectors, and has a plurality of connection-signal transmission paths that connect the connection-signal transmission-path terminals of the first and second connectors, and has a shielding layer that shields the connection-signal transmission paths and is connected to only one of the respective connection ground terminals of the first and second connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Norishige Emoto, Kazuhiro Iga, Fumiaki Eura, Masahiko Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8684768
    Abstract: A digital visual interface dual-stack connector includes a holder base and a first connector and a second connector mounted in the holder base at different elevations, the second connector having multiple second terminal pins arranged in three sets and mounted in a slotted mating body portion of a housing thereof, each second terminal pin defining a vertical rear bonding portion, a horizontal front contact portion, an oblique support arm portion and two curved portions respectively connected between the vertical rear bonding portion and horizontal front contact portion and the two ends of the support arm portion. By means of controlling the bending angles of the two curved portions of the second terminal pins and the pitch between each two adjacent second terminal pins, the invention accurately achieves impedance matching to reduce high frequency signal reflection, enhancing signal transmission stability and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Wieson Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Pin Huang, Wen-Sheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8684769
    Abstract: A first connector includes a first insulative housing defining opposite first and second mating faces, a set of first upper contacts arranged upon the first mating face, a set of first lower contacts including a first lower differential pairs, a second lower differential pairs and a lower grounding contact, and a first grounding plate. The contacting sections and the first grounding arm are arranged upon the second mating face, and the first terminal portions of the first lower differential pairs are arranged in a first row, and the second terminal portions of the second lower differential pairs and the tail section of the lower grounding contact are arranged in a second row for excellent high-frequency characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Ping Kao, Terrance F. Little, An-Jen Yang, Duong Phan, Kuo-Chun Hsu, Ming-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 8684770
    Abstract: A cable connector assembly has a first connector, a second connector and a ribbon cable connecting the first and the second connectors. The first connector includes a first insulating housing, a number of first contacts and a first shielding covering the first insulating housing. Each first contact includes a first contacting portion, a first retaining portion and a first connection portion. The first shielding has a first grounding section. The second connector includes a second insulating housing, a number of second contacts and a second shielding. Each second contact includes a second contacting portion, a second retaining portion and a second connection portion. The second shielding has a second ground section. The ribbon cable includes a number of wires, each wire having one end electrically connecting with the first connection portions and the first grounding section and having the other end electrically connecting the second connection portions and the second ground section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Alltop Electronics (Suzhou) Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chi Tai, Yong-Gang Zhang, Kun Liu
  • Patent number: 8684771
    Abstract: An electrical contact is provided for an electrical receptacle. The contact includes a main body, a first segment that is an extension of the main body and substantially parallel to the main body, a second segment substantially perpendicular to the main body and the first segment, a third segment substantially perpendicular to the second segment and substantially parallel to the main body and the first segment, a first wipe that extends from the first segment, a second wipe that extends from the second segment, and a third wipe that extends from the third segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Vikramsinh P. Bhosale
  • Patent number: 8684772
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulating housing having a number of passageways and a number of dividing walls extending from a rear side of the passageways; and a number of contact modules received in the insulating housing and arranged along a first direction. Each contact module includes an insulator and a number of conductive contacts received in the insulator. Each insulator includes a first section and a second section. The dimension of the first section along the first direction is larger than the dimension of the second section. When the contact modules are assembled to the insulating housing, the second sections are received in corresponding dividing walls, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Alltop Electronics (Suzhou) Ltd.
    Inventors: Wang-I Yu, Kuo-Cheng Liu, Zi-Yun Xia
  • Patent number: 8684773
    Abstract: There is provided a lever type connector including a positioning lock provided in a lever and a jig pressing space in the positioning lock. A spacer pressing surface is in symmetrical position to the jig pressing space with respect to a center line of the lever that intersects orthogonally with the jig passing space in a longitudinal direction of a spacer. A terminal is inserted in a state that the spacer and the lever are attached to a connector housing, then the terminal is held in a temporarily latching state, and then the spacer pressing surface is pushed down by a jig and thus the terminal is held in a normally latching state. The spacer pressing surfaces is configured to be pushed by pushing pins which are provided on the jig in bilaterally symmetrical positions with respect to a center line that intersects orthogonally with the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Kobayashi, Shoji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8684774
    Abstract: A wedge connector assembly for forming an electrical connection with an elongate electrical conductor includes a resilient spring member and a cam wedge member. The spring member defines a spring member channel. The spring member channel has a spring member channel axis and is configured to receive the electrical conductor such that the electrical conductor extends along the spring member channel axis. The cam wedge member is mounted on the spring member such that the cam wedge member is rotatable relative to the spring member about a pivot axis to a locking position wherein the cam wedge member captures the electrical conductor in the spring member channel and elastically deflects the spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Brasil LTDA
    Inventors: Jose Alexandre La Salvia, Vagner Fuzetti
  • Patent number: 8684775
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulating body provided with a plurality of receiving holes, and a plurality of terminals respectively received in the receiving holes. Each of the terminals has a base and at least one elastic arm bent upwards and extending from the base. The elastic arm is provided with a contact portion. When the contact portion receives a force in a first stage, the elastic arm is deformed mainly due to compression, and when the contact portion continuously receives a force in a second stage, the elastic arm is deformed mainly due to bending. The normal force received by the terminal is rapidly increased in the first stage, and is reduced and maintained at the low level in the second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Lotes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Yong Quan Wu
  • Patent number: 8684776
    Abstract: A single switch unit having a pair of switches is provided in the vicinity of a throttle grip which is provided in a distal end of a tiller handle. The single switch unit is provided with a function of performing the operation for changing a tilt angle of an outboard motor body with respect to a hull and a function of performing the operation for adjusting a rotational speed of an engine of the outboard motor at the time of trolling operation. Upon simultaneous pressing of a pair of the switches, these two functions of the switch unit are switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Yoshikawa, Kotaro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8684777
    Abstract: A propulsion device and a watercraft including the propulsion device. The propulsion device comprises a flexible fluke that is pivotable about a horizontal axis, for propelling a floating watercraft. The propulsion device is adapted for connection to an output drive shaft that transmits rotary motion. The propulsion device comprises a fluke oscillation drive having gear reduction of the rotary motion transmitted by the shaft and a mechanism for converting the rotary motion transmitted by the shaft to oscillatory motion of the fluke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Dolprop Industries AB
    Inventor: Thomas Jemt
  • Patent number: 8684778
    Abstract: A paddle device. First and second paddle assemblies each have a paddle blade extending from a paddle end of a paddle arm so that the paddle structures each have a paddle blade end and a paddle arm end. A hand crankable crank shaft arrangement have a center and first and second ends and having handle segments. The paddle arm end of the first paddle structure is coupled to the first end of the crank shaft arrangement and the paddle arm end of the second paddle structure is coupled to the second end of the crank shaft arrangement. First and second handle grips are rotatably coupled to the crank shaft arrangement so as to permit the crank shaft arrangement to rotate with respect to the first and second handle grips when the crankshaft arrangement is cranked. This abstract is not to be considered limiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald Wayne Bergman
  • Patent number: 8684779
    Abstract: A method is provided to isolated conductive pads on top of a multi-layer polymer device structure. The method utilizes laser radiation to ablate conductive material and create a non-conductive path, electrically isolating the conductive pads. The process is self-limiting and incorporates at least one layer within the stack that absorbs the radiation at the required wavelength. The prevention of radiation degradation of the underlying layers is achieved, as absorption of radiation occurs primarily on the surface of the structure, but not in any of the radiation sensitive underlying layers of the electronic device. The method preferably uses low energy infrared radiation which has been shown to produce little debris and no device degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Plastic Logic Limited
    Inventors: Michael Banach, Thomas Meredith Brown, Carl Hayton
  • Patent number: 8684780
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a display device including the same, and associated methods, the OLED display including a substrate member, an organic light emitting element on the substrate member, and a liquid crystal polymer layer on the organic light emitting element, wherein the liquid crystal polymer layer is configured to delay a phase of light passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soon-Ryong Park, Hee-Seong Jeong, Woo-Suk Jung, Hee-Chul Jeon, Eun-Ah Kim, Noh-Min Kwak, Chul-Woo Jeong, Joo-Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 8684781
    Abstract: An LED includes a chip having a light emitting surface, and a coating of phosphor-containing material on the light emitting surface. Phosphor particles are arranged in a densely packed layer within the coating at the light emitting surface, and such that the light emitting surface is in contacting relationship with the phosphor particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ibbetson, Peter S. Andrews
  • Patent number: 8684782
    Abstract: A convertible flower doll has garment including a skirt with layers that may be raised or lowered to convert the doll between a figure resembling a flower and a figure resembling a character. In flower form, the doll sits within a container resembling a flower pot. The doll has legs that wrap together and attach at the ankles to resemble a flower stem. The skirt has features resembling flower petals, and elastic in the lowest layer of the skirt bunches up the skirt layers when raised to resemble a flower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fiore Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Jeanette Marie Fiore
  • Patent number: 8684783
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mannequin having one or more articulated joints capable of exhibiting a full range of motion and of supporting substantial weight. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus for movably joining two parts of a mannequin. The apparatus includes a first element having an arcuate surface and a second element having a convex surface and a magnetic portion. The second element is movably engageable with the first element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Anna Ehrsam
  • Patent number: 8684784
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, photo-chromic and phosphorescent toys are disclosed. A photo-chromic and phosphorescent toy includes both photo-chromic and phosphorescent materials applied to the toy such as through an ink, paint, plastic, or dye. The photo-chromic and phosphorescent materials may be supplied within a material of the toy or applied-to a surface of the toy at the factory. The photo-chromic and phosphorescent materials may be activated in various ways with various light activating devices that can generate an activating light with appropriate wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Shoot The Moon Products II, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Schmidt, William J. Hudson, Sunil W. Moothedah, David B. Small, Paul S. Rago, Brian D. Farley
  • Patent number: 8684785
    Abstract: An infant gym includes a first support member having opposite ends engageable with a support surface, a hub located between the ends of the first support member, and a second support member having a first end pivotally coupled to a rear portion of the hub and a second end engageable with the support surface. The second end of the second support member is movable toward and away from the ends of the first support member, thereby changing the orientation of the hub relative to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol Snyder
  • Patent number: 8684786
    Abstract: An interactive talking toy with moveable and detachable body parts has the ability to talk, sing, move and dance in response to voice input from the user. Various motors, actuators, microphones, speakers and integrated circuit means are used to control and customize the movement of the toy and the accompanying sounds, based on a combination of pre-programmed parameters and real-time input from various sensors. The toy provides the user a high degree of interactivity, as well as humour, spontaneity and unpredictability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Thinking Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Wai Tai Chan
  • Patent number: 8684787
    Abstract: A rattle call for use in luring an antler-bearing game animal to a desired location includes a rib bearing sound member and a knob bearing sound member. The rib bearing sound member includes a rib plate with an upper side and a lower side, a receiving handle or sound chamber connected to the lower side of the plate, and a plurality of ribs extending from the upper side of the first plate. The knob bearing member includes a knob plate with an upper side and a lower side, an engaging handle connected to the first side of the knob plate, and a plurality of knobs extending from the upper side of the knob plate in a position complementary to the plurality of ribs on the first plate for generating a rattle sound when the ribs contact the knobs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: EBSCO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Burcham, John Woller, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8684788
    Abstract: The utility model relates to the field of women's underwear. The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a three-dimensional bra underwire which is matched with the cup shape, has good supporting effects and is comfortable to use. The three-dimensional bra underwire comprises the middle part and two ends of the underwire, wherein the underwire is a inclined-type underwire with a certain inclination angle, at least one end of the underwire is a flat section, while the other parts are inclined section, and the inclined section is connected with the flat section by a transition section. In the utility model, the traditional flat underwire is changed into a three-dimensional underwire with a certain torsional stress so as to ensure that the underwire is matched with the cup shape well and has good supporting effects, bringing the shaping functions of the underwire into full play as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kaiping Hung Hon Garment Accessories Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Suilung Cheung
  • Patent number: 8684789
    Abstract: An undergarment having a layer that is worn by being placed against a user's skin and has an exposed outer surface. The exposed outer surface has: a) a first area that has a first frictional characteristic; and b) a second area that has a second frictional characteristic. The first area of the exposed outer surface tends to resist sliding movement of an overgarment thereagainst more than the second area. The first area of the exposed outer surface tends to maintain a contacted surface of an overgarment releasably held against sliding movement along the first area of the exposed outer surface while the second area of the exposed outer surface allows a similar contacted surface of an overgarment to slide more readily along the second area of the exposed outer surface so as not to hang up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Olivia D. Gramelspacher
  • Patent number: 8684790
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for re-creation of an optimized contour of the leading edges of gas-turbine blades, in which a gas-turbine blade (2) is passed by one or more grinding machine or machines (71, 71?) with the aid of a computer-controlled robot (10). The desired contour is achieved by following a movement procedure which is stored in a data memory (21). The stored movement procedure is designed to convert a blade from a previously determined statistical mean wear state to a likewise previously determined or calculated design contour. The contact pressure of the gas-turbine blade on the grinding disk or disks (71, 71?) is measured and is taken into account in the movement procedure of the robot (10) such that the desired design contour is achieved irrespective of the initial contour and wear of the grinding disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Lufthansa Technik AG
    Inventors: Ulf Reinmoeller, Matthias Panten, Ernst Kerschbaumer
  • Patent number: 8684791
    Abstract: A linear, automated apparatus and method for clean, cost-effective, simultaneous lapping and polishing of optics, semiconductors and optoelectronic materials is presented, constructed principally from corrosion resistant stainless steel or nickel, enabling utilization of high purity water based abrasive slurry. The circular stainless steel or nickel lapping plate of the apparatus supports a synthetic nylon or rayon pad, whereby material is abraded from the workpiece primarily through the reciprocal, back and forth, linear movement of the workpiece holder, diametrically across the circular lapping plate, with intermittent rotation in step increments of the workpiece holder and affixed workpiece, tracing arcs of 180 degrees, first in a clockwise and subsequently counterclockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Alvin Gabriel Stern
  • Patent number: 8684792
    Abstract: A sanding system suitable for drywall sanding has a foam sanding block that fits into a hollow housing such that a gap is left around most of the perimeter of the sanding block and the housing near the plane of sanding. Some regions of the perimeter are dimensioned relative to the sanding block such as to not leave a gap but instead are such as to provide a friction fit between the housing and the sanding block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Juan Rocha
  • Patent number: 8684793
    Abstract: A method for chemical mechanical planarization of ruthenium is provided. A semiconductor substrate comprising ruthenium is contacted with a chemical mechanical polishing system comprising an oxidizing particle, an abrasive, a polishing pad and a liquid carrier. The pH of the polishing composition is about 8 to 12. A high ruthenium removal rate for the inventive slurry was observed. The disclosed oxidizing particle advantageously improves the polishing speed of ruthenium under low polishing pressure and decreases the scratches generated on low-k material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Yuzhuo Li, Karpagavalli Ramji
  • Patent number: 8684794
    Abstract: A polishing pad and a method of producing a polishing pad. The method includes providing a mold, having a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein the first cavity defines a recess, providing a polymer matrix material including void forming elements in the recess, forming a polishing pad and removing at least a portion of the elements from the polishing pad forming void spaces within the polishing pad by one of a chemical method or mechanical method, prior to use in chemical/mechanical planarization procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: FNS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Lefevre, Oscar K. Hsu, David Adam Wells, Scott Xin Qiao, Anoop Mathew, Guangwei Wu
  • Patent number: 8684795
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens processing apparatus is provided with: a lens chuck shaft that holds an eyeglass lens; and a beveling tool for forming a bevel on the periphery of the lens. The beveling tool includes a first processing part for forming a rear bevel on the lens rear side; and a second processing part for forming a bevel foot coupled to the rear bevel. In the second processing part, the distance from a line parallel to the lens chuck shafts and passing through a point of border with the first processing part gradually increases from the point of border as the starting point to the endpoint of the second processing surface and the increase rate of the distance gradually increases at least in two steps toward the endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoji Shibata
  • Patent number: 8684796
    Abstract: A floor grinding and polishing machine including a base that includes a shroud, and first and second spindle carriers rotatably coupled thereto which have first and second axes of rotation spaced from each other in an alignment direction. The base also includes first and second pluralities of rotatable spindles, each plurality carried by a spindle carrier and distributed about the respective spindle carrier axis of rotation. Motors are connected to the shroud and drivingly engaged with the pluralities of spindles, whereby each plurality of spindles is rotatably driven about its respective spindle axis of rotation. The machine also includes floor-engaging handle coupled to the base and defining a direction of operative movement along which the machine may linearly travel. The base and handle have different first and second selective, relative positions in which the alignment and operative movement direction have substantially different relative angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: KRMC, LLC
    Inventors: Travis McCutchen, Clinton McCutchen, Radu Stingu