Patents Issued in April 15, 2014
  • Patent number: 8695142
    Abstract: Provided are partially and fully earth-anchored cable-stayed bridges, each of which uses a prestressing unit including anchor units and a prestressing member from deck segments installed at its main span such that the prestressing unit serves as a conventional windproof cable and can simultaneously introduce a tensile stress. Thereby, a magnitude of the maximum compressive stress acting on a cross section of each main-span deck segment is reduced, so that it is possible to reduce a cross-sectional area of each main-span deck segment and thus to ensure economical construction. All or part of the compressive stress generated at the main span can be offset by the tensile stress caused by the prestressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: GS Engineering & Construction Corp., Ove Arup & Partners Korea Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Hwi Noh, Sang Hoon Lee, Jong Heon Park, Naeem U. Hussain, Matt Carter, Niels J. Gimsing
  • Patent number: 8695143
    Abstract: The toothbrush includes a drive assembly comprising a DC motor (12) driven by a battery (15) with a rotating drive shaft (16) extending from one end of the DC motor, on which is mounted an eccentric member (20) which rotates with the drive shaft. A spring assembly (24) includes a hub member (26) at a proximal end, a mount member (28) at a distal end and a V-spring member (41) mounted to and extending therebetween. The DC motor is fixed to a rear surface of the hub member, the motor and the hub member being free to move in unison in operation of the toothbrush. The mount member is fixed in position in the toothbrush. A brushhead shaft (38) is mounted to and extends between the hub member and the mount member and extends distally from the mount member. The brushhead shaft member is offset laterally from the axis of rotation of the motor drive shaft. A brushhead assembly (42), including a set of bristles (44), is removably mounted on the brushhead shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Tyler G. Kloster
  • Patent number: 8695144
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an autonomous cleaning machine with a brush cleaning unit to clean a brush unit. The autonomous cleaning machine includes a main body, the brush unit rotatably provided on the main body, first brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to move foreign substances wound on the brush unit in a lengthwise direction of the brush unit, and second brush cleaning members contacting the brush unit to remove the foreign substances wound on the brush unit from the brush unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwi Chan Jang, Dong Won Kim, Woo Ram Chung, Jae Man Joo, Jun Pyo Hong, Jae Young Jung, Kyung Hwan Yoo
  • Patent number: 8695145
    Abstract: Transferring plural semiconductor substrates under a state being held with predetermined intervals; holding the plural semiconductor substrates with roll brushes provided in plural pieces by each front side and back side of the plural semiconductor substrates, longitudinal directions of the roll brushes being oriented in parallel relative to the front side and the back side; and cleaning the plural semiconductor substrates by rotating the plural roll brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuhito Yoshimizu, Hisashi Okuchi, Hiroshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 8695146
    Abstract: An oral care implement is provided with a head platform having an opening extending between first and second faces. A first cavity may be defined between the first face and an upper support ledge and a second cavity may be defined between the second face and a lower support ledge. A channel may be defined between the upper and lower support ledges and an area circumscribed within the upper support ledge may be greater than an area circumscribed within the lower support ledge. First and second plates may be attached to the head platform proximate the first cavity and channel, respectively. A shoulder of the first plate may be received on the upper support ledge such that first cleaning elements extend away from the first face. A shoulder of the second plate may be received on the lower support ledge such that second cleaning elements extend through the second cavity away from the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolve Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Waguespack, Robert Moskovich, Bruce Russell
  • Patent number: 8695147
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device for cleaning VELCRO® comprising first and second rotating handle assemblies and a compound brush assembly comprising opposite first and second surfaces, the first surface comprising a stiff brush having metallic bristles, the second surface comprising a soft brush having non-metallic bristles. Rotation of the handles 180 degrees exposes the compound brush assembly for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: George Felton, III
  • Patent number: 8695148
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle and a head mounted to the handle. The head may generally include a membrane attached to it and configured for attachment to a cleaning element. The membrane may be generally dome shaped and may be resiliently flexible when a brushing force is applied. A plurality of cleaning elements is mounted to the membrane. The cleaning elements may be attached using anchor free tufting. In addition, the cleaning elements may be sufficiently spaced so as to allow separation of the melted portion of the cleaning elements. In another arrangement, the head may also include walls or dams positioned between the cleaning elements. The walls prevent the melted portion of the cleaning elements from merging with the melted portion of another cleaning element. This isolation of the molten nylon allows the cleaning elements to move independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Bruce M. Russell, Robert A. Moskovich, Kenneth Waguespack, Michael Charles Rooney
  • Patent number: 8695149
    Abstract: Tooth cleaning devices. An embodiment of a tooth cleaning device includes: an elongated head sized to fit in an oral cavity. The elongated head having a first surface and a neck extending from the head. A first tooth cleaning element having a plurality of upstanding wiping members extends upward from below the first surface and extends radially outward from a center of the first tooth cleaning element. Each upstanding wiping member has a free outermost edge that extends upwards substantially from the first surface to the top of the wiping member. A plurality of upstanding arcuate shaped second tooth cleaning elements secured to the head and located outboard of the first tooth cleaning element are also provided. In addition, a plurality of upstanding third tooth cleaning elements are secured to the head and border an edge of the first surface. The third tooth cleaning elements have a circular cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, William R. Brown, Jr., Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Patent number: 8695150
    Abstract: A tablet computer cleaning device (10) (TCCD 10) that is used to clean the screen of a tablet computer (80), an electronic reader (88) or the like. The TCCD (10) is particularly designed to be placed over and around the cover (82) of a tablet computer (80) when not being used to clean the screen (86) of the computer. The TCCD (10) is comprised of a resilient circular band (12) that has an outer fabric (14) and an inner fabric (32), wherein both of the fabrics function as particle-attracting fabrics. The structural integrity of the TCCD (10) is reinforced by including a border stitch (72) and to further enhance the utility of the invention, the TCCD (10) can include indicia (70) consisting of images of various forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher Cooper
  • Patent number: 8695151
    Abstract: A re-usable, shed-resistant roller cover for use with paint and other heavy liquids is provided. This roller cover includes a non-woven, woven, or knit surface material adapted to be used with paint rollers, wherein the surface material is substantially free of texture, and wherein the surface material further includes a plurality of fibers, wherein the plurality of fibers further comprise natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination thereof; and wherein the plurality of fibers have been interconnected with one another by mechanical means, chemical means, thermal means, solvent means, sonic means, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Wooster Brush Company
    Inventors: Ricky L. Dilyard, Gary L. Leisure
  • Patent number: 8695152
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the touch or display touch or display surface of an electronic device such as a cell phone or computer tablet comprising a wiper coupled to cleaner bar. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally and/or laterally across the electronic device with the wiper in contact with the touch or display surface. The wiper comprises both a moist pad and a dry pad. The moist pad is fluidly communicated to a reservoir defined within the cleaner bar. On its “cleaning stroke”, cleaning fluid is released into the moist pad and then deposited onto the touch or display surface. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally across the touch or display surface by manual or motorized means. The cleaner bar may also be in communication with the electronic device to detect when a task has been completed on the electronic device. After detection, the cleaner bar automatically traverses the touch or display surface, thereby cleaning it after every use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Marc Lemchen
  • Patent number: 8695153
    Abstract: A surface cleaning head for cleaning a surface is provided that includes a housing that has a cleaning chamber surrounded by a peripheral wall and open at the bottom, and in which a cleaning nozzle is mounted on a spray arm and is freely rotatable about a rotational axis, and a jet pump for suctioning off cleaning fluid applied to a surface, the jet pump having a pump inlet channel connected to a combining channel via a mixing chamber, and a motive nozzle upstream from the combining channel. To improve the surface cleaning head, the pump inlet channel is oriented radially with respect to the spray arm and connected to the peripheral wall of the cleaning chamber, the diameter of the combining channel is 14 to 18 mm, and the distance between the motive nozzle and the combining channel is at least 10 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Alfred Kärcher GmbH Co. KG
    Inventors: Felix Treitz, Stefan Schilpp
  • Patent number: 8695154
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner (11) with a housing (12) and a suction hose (16) as well as to a suction hose holder (31) arranged on the housing (12) that has two holding elements (32, 37) that are at a distance from each other and that each have a receptacle (34, 39) to hold two sections of the suction hose (16), whereby additional holders (20, 35, 40) are provided at the receptacles (34, 39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eduard Sever, Franz Huber, Joachim Vedder, Dragomir Ljubojevic
  • Patent number: 8695155
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly, and a steering mechanism for steering the cleaning appliance as it is maneuvered over a floor surface and for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the rolling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: James Dyson, Peter David Gammack, David Robert Sunderland, Stuart Lloyd Genn
  • Patent number: 8695156
    Abstract: The aero-acoustic duster invention disclosed herein provides for high particle removal rate from surfaces with low energy expenditure relative to competing vacuum-based devices. The device removes particulate matter from a surface using a two-step process: 1. Acoustic radiation is used to break the adhesive bonds between dust and the surface, forcing particles into a mode where they continuously bounce up and down on the surface; and, 2. A bounded vortex is generated over the surface, with suction in the vortex center and jets for blowing air along the periphery. The jets are tilted in the tangential direction to induce vortex motion within the suction region. The vortex is said to be bounded because streamlines originating in the downward jets are entrained back into the central vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Marshall, Di Chen, Nicholas Mario Vachon, Darren Hitt, Junru Wu
  • Patent number: 8695157
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner with a vacuum, a filtering unit, a switching device for switching between a vacuum cleaning and filter cleaning modes, and a separating unit is disclosed. In the vacuum cleaning mode, the vacuum forces a first air stream in a first air stream path through the filtering unit, in a first direction, to filter out dust from the dust laden air stream. In the filter cleaning mode, the vacuum forces a second air stream in a second air stream path through the filtering unit, in a second direction reverse to the first direction, to remove dust from the filtering unit. In the filter cleaning mode, the separating unit is in the air path between the vacuum and the filtering unit to separate dust removed from the filtering unit. In the vacuum cleaning mode, the separating unit is not in an air stream path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: AB Electrolux
    Inventors: Jonas Beskow, Håkan Miefalk, Stefan Jonsson, Anders Haegermarck
  • Patent number: 8695158
    Abstract: A loading mechanism is disposed on a dust-collecting apparatus. The loading mechanism includes two positioning members disposed on a dust-collecting bucket of the dust-collecting apparatus, two support members disposed on the dust-collecting apparatus, two slide members respectively sliding on the support members, an operation member connected to the slide members, and two limit members connected with the operation member and the support members. The slide members can engage with the positioning members. The user just pulls up the operation member to link the slide members to slide along the support members, such that the dust-collecting bucket can be connected to the dust-collecting apparatus or detached from the dust-collecting apparatus quickly and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: San Ford Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuan-Tai Cheng
  • Patent number: 8695159
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner (1, 21, 31) comprises an air inlet opening (3), an air outlet opening (6) and a rotatable separator (9) for separating air and airborne particles. The separator (9) comprises at least one air entrance opening (109) located between the air inlet opening (3) and the air outlet opening (6). The vacuum cleaner (1, 21, 31) is provided with air-guide means (15, 22, 37) for guiding at least part of the air towards the separator (9). In use, the air-guide means (15, 22, 37) provides an at least partially closed boundary in axial direction for a column of rotating air (17) around the separator (9). The minimum distance (Rag) of an edge (115, 122) of the air-guide means (15, 22, 37) to the rotating axis (11) of the separator (9) is larger than a distance (Rs) of the air entrance opening (109) of the separator (9) to the rotating axis (11) of the separator (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Tseard Van Der Kooi, Fokke Roelof Voorhorst, Bastiann Johannes De Wit, Joldert Maria Boersma
  • Patent number: 8695160
    Abstract: Provided is a nozzle of a vacuum cleaner. The nozzle of the vacuum cleaner includes a main body having a foreign material suction hole, a plurality of rotation members rotatably disposed on the main body, a connection member supported linearly movably by the plurality of rotation members, and a swinging member coupled to the connection member, the swinging member being vertically swung according to the movement of the connection member. The plurality of rotation members includes a plurality of sidewalls spaced from each other and a blade fixed to each of the plurality of sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Geun-Bae Hwang, Kyeong-Seon Jeong
  • Patent number: 8695161
    Abstract: A scroll assembly for use with a fluid machine, such as a wet/dry vacuum appliance, is described. Such scroll assembly may include a base portion, a cover portion configured to couple to the base portion, and a cavity between the base portion and the cover portion, wherein the cover portion and the base portion collectively form a labyrinth seal when coupled together, and wherein the labyrinth seal at least partially circumscribes the cavity. A vacuum appliance may include a scroll assembly coupled at least partially therein. A method of exhausting air from a vacuum appliance may include energizing a vacuum motor, thereby drawing air into the scroll assembly, allowing the air to contact a flow splitter, and allowing the air to exit the vacuum appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8695162
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric blower having a stator, a rotor, a bracket, a rotary fan, an air guide and a fan case. The air guide comprises a partition plate, a diffuser disposed around outer periphery of the rotary fan in the air guide, a partition-plate sloped portion and a guide vane. The fan case has a fan-facing portion, a fan case shoulder bent at the outermost part of the fan-facing portion, and a cylindrical portion extending cylindrically in an axial direction from the fan case shoulder. The fan case shoulder is so bent that it forms substantially a right angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shizuka Yokote, Michihiro Kurokawa, Akira Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8695163
    Abstract: A hold open arm assembly for a door closer to facilitate access to the holding feature by a resiliently biased plunger on a closer arm that is mounted to a soffit plate. A soffit ramp may extend from the soffit plate to provide a sloped surface for engagement by the plunger, leading to the plunger being gradually depressed as the door continues to open and receiving in a recessed area of its free end a rivet head at the soffit plate to hold the door open. When the first arm member pivots relative to the soffit plate and the plunger approaches the head, the plunger engages the sloped surface of the soffit ramp, slides along the sloped surface toward the head, and receives at least a portion of the head in the opening in the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventor: Edgar E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8695164
    Abstract: A check link assembly for positioning a vehicle closure has a selectively positionable detent feature. The check link assembly includes an elongated link having a distal end. At least one cover is attachable to the link in a first orientation and in a second orientation. The cover has a first end, a second end, and a contoured surface between the first end and the second end. At least one member is biased against the link and is configured to ride against the contoured surface of the cover. The contoured surface at least partially defines a detent feature that interferes with the biased member to increase resistance to relative movement of the link and the biased member, thereby establishing a stop position. The detent feature is further from the distal end of the link when the cover is in the first orientation than when the cover is in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Balakrishna Chinta, Raymond R. Lipowski, Tze On Hui
  • Patent number: 8695165
    Abstract: A bogey assembly including a body for supporting a cantilevered hanger bolt, a wheel to support the body on a rail and a roller, spaced lengthwise of the body and offset relative to the wheel, so as to bear against an overhead surface and resist rotation of the body away from the rail when load is applied to the hanger bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: RMD Industries Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Stylianos Pelekanos
  • Patent number: 8695166
    Abstract: A hinge for a portable computing device has a shaft, a rotating bracket and a stationary bracket. The shaft includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is a cylindrical tube. The cylindrical tube has an internal cavity. The second portion has an outer surface and a notch. The notch is formed in the outer surface of the second portion and communicates with the internal cavity of the cylindrical tube. Therefore, cables extending through the internal cavity of the cylindrical tube of the shaft will extend through the notch to electrically connect their corresponding devices in a base and a cover of the portable computing device. The connection of the cables to their corresponding devices is facilitated, because there is no obstruction in the notch, thereby increasing productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ting-Hsien Wang, Zheng-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8695167
    Abstract: A work machine handle device having a foldable handle is disclosed. As the handle is to be changed from a folded-up state to a use state, the handle is turned about a frame as a turning fulcrum. An actuating protuberance provided integrally to a turning member of a clamp body is pushed by a handle engaging/disengaging part provided to a front end of the handle, and the turning member is caused to turn. The handle engaging/disengaging part is held from either side and automatically restrained by a clamp mechanism. When the handle is changed from the use state to the folded-up state, a restraining mechanism is operated to release the engagement between the restraining mechanism and a distal end of the turning member. The turning member is turned by a return force of a spring provided to the clamp body, the handle engaging/disengaging part ceases to be restrained, and the handle can be folded up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mizuguchi, Taiyo Onodera, Yosuke Toyohira
  • Patent number: 8695168
    Abstract: A sanitary handle cover that includes a fabric strip having a first flap attached to a first long edge and a second flap attached to a second long edge, said first and second flaps including fastening means whereby the first flap and the second flap secure together to releasably attach the fabric strip around a handle of a particular appliance in question, wherein a grounding strip disposed interiorly within the fabric strip along a longitudinal axis resists rotation of the device around said handle and prevents the discharge of static electricity through the device, whereby the sanitary handle cover is washable and maintains a sanitary surface upon an underlying handle to which the device is releasably attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Frances Cepeda
  • Patent number: 8695169
    Abstract: A drawing frame (1) is described for drawing a fiber slubbing (14) of a workstation of a textile machine having two roller pairs (2, 3) which are arranged behind one another in the transport direction (A) and in each case contain a drafting roller (4, 6) which can be driven, wherein the first drafting roller (4) in the transport direction (A) is assigned a guide apron (8) which wraps around this drafting roller (4) and a guide table (10) which is arranged between the first (4) and the second (6) drafting roller. It is provided according to the invention that the first drafting roller (4) is mounted in a bearing slide (19) which can be displaced in the transport direction (A), and the second drafting roller (6) is mounted in a bearing block (22), and that the guide table (10) is fixed on the bearing block (22) of the second drafting roller (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Gernot Schäffler, Manfred Bauer
  • Patent number: 8695170
    Abstract: A system for holding a headset cord comprises a female side, a male side that releasably couples to the female side and a first groove that receives and releasably holds a cord. In some embodiments, the male side comprises a cover which removably couples to a surface of the male side to cover the headset cord when it is placed into the first groove. In some embodiments, the male side couples to an interior of the female side. Alternatively, the male side is able to couple to an exterior of the female side. In some embodiments, the first groove has a diameter that is less than or approximately equal to 2 mm. In some embodiments, the female side is integrally formed within a closure mechanism that releasably couples a first portion of an article to a second portion of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Snik LLC
    Inventor: Rob Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 8695171
    Abstract: A quick release apparatus for rapid disconnection of a waist belt from a self-contained breathing apparatus support frame, including first and second connector elements disposed on either of the support frame or the waist belt for selective connection of the support frame to the waist belt, first and second quick release pull straps releasably coupled to the first and second connectors, each of the pull straps having a quick release handle portion for grasping with a hand. A users pulls one of the quick release handle portions away from the waist belt to accomplish a partial release of the waist belt from the support frame, and by pulling both of said handle portions, the waist belt is fully decoupled from the support frame, such that the self-contained breathing apparatus may be removed by the wearer without also having to unbuckle or to remove the waist belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fire Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Juancarlos Colorado
  • Patent number: 8695172
    Abstract: A hose clamp includes a plate spring main body, and a slit and a first grip piece are formed at one end portion, while an insertion piece and a second grip piece are formed at the other end portion thereof. A locking piece having a hook-shaped locking portion is formed on the first grip piece via a bent portion, while an engagement holding portion is formed on the second grip piece. Provided on the locking piece are a taper portion which expands from the locking portion towards the bent portion and a stopper portion which extends substantially parallel to the first grip piece. The taper portion is disposed along a plane which is substantially parallel to a circumferential surface of the plate spring main body, and an intersection point between the taper portion and the stopper portion is offset in a width direction relative to the locking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Nagai, Takeaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8695173
    Abstract: The collar comprises a metal belt (10) having a projecting lug (18) in the vicinity of a first end (10A), and a hook (14) in the vicinity of a second end (10B), which hook has a front wall (15) designed to be retained against a rear wall (19) of the lug (18) while the hook (14) is hooked onto the lug (18) in order to maintain the collar in the tightened state. Seen from above, the rear wall (19) of the lug (18) has a V-shape having its tip (19A) pointing (S) away from the hook (14), and the front wall (15) of the hook (14) has hooking sides (15B) that are inclined relative to the transverse direction of the belt to match the inclination of the branches (19B) of the V-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Etablissements Caillau
    Inventors: Cyriaque Fouqueray, Adrien Sassier, Christophe Lache
  • Patent number: 8695174
    Abstract: An anchor apparatus for a bead chain of window covering comprises a first anchor member, a second anchor member, an anchor plate and a main fastener. The first anchor member has a first space to hold the second anchor member. The anchor plate is held in a lower side of the first space and a second space of the second anchor member to form a coupling relationship with the main fastener. The main fastener runs through the lower sides of the first and second anchor members and the anchor plate for closing while the upper sides of the first and second anchor members are opened, thereby allow the bead chain to be moved. The main fastener can be released to allow the anchor plate to push the second anchor member to move with the upper sides of the first and second anchor members closed to fix the bead chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Li-Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 8695175
    Abstract: A fast lock fixing clip for vehicle seatbelt includes: a front clip plate including a front clip plate main body having a first end, a second end and a turning auxiliary plate; a rear clip plate including a rear clip plate main body having a first end, a second end and a seatbelt pressing plate; a pivotal device for rotatably connecting the second ends of the front and rear clip plate main bodies; and a latch device for latching/unlatching the first ends of the front and rear clip plate main bodies with each other. When mounted on the seatbelt, the fast lock fixing clip will automatically turns upward to fold the seatbelt. In case of collision, when the folded seatbelt is abruptly straightened, the end of the seatbelt is instantaneously strongly accelerated to more sensitively and quickly activate the automatic locking device of the seatbelt to lock the seatbelt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Ching-Tien Pi
  • Patent number: 8695176
    Abstract: An adjustable tarp strap assembly is described herein. The adjustable tarp strap assembly may include a buckle assembly a strap and a securing strap. The buckle assembly may include a first slot, a second slot, a tab and a catch. The tarp strap assembly may also include a hook secured to the buckle assembly. The strap may include a first end and a second end, wherein the first end may be intertwined within the slots. The securing strap may include a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture may be engaged with the tab and the second aperture may be engaged with the catch. The securing strap may secure the strap within the buckle assembly. The strap may include a length that may be adjustable within the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cequent Consumer Products
    Inventors: Dhananjay Gangakhedkar, Matt Romanak
  • Patent number: 8695177
    Abstract: A clip may include a main body and a pin member. In the clip, an engagement condition of the anchor to an attaching hole formed in a plate member can be maintained by inserting an elastic shank portion of the pin member into the anchor of the main body. The elastic shank portion inserted into the anchor is received by a stopper of the anchor, so that the pin member can be locked in a temporary insertion position. An interfering portion of the elastic shank portion is exposed to an exterior portion the anchor. When the anchor is inserted into the attaching hole, the interfering portion of the elastic shank portion interferes with a periphery of the attaching hole, so that a condition in which the pin member is locked in the temporary insertion position can be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Daiwa Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Kato, Haruhisa Kamiya, Toshio Iwahara, Hideyuki Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8695178
    Abstract: Various embodiments of slide fasteners include a first set of coupling elements and a second set of coupling elements configured to be removably joined together by a zipper. Each coupling element includes a first surface having a first shape and a second surface having a second shape, wherein the second surface is spaced apart from and cofaces the first surface. The first shape may be substantially triangular or substantially trapezoidal, according to various embodiments, and the second shape is substantially gear shaped. When the coupling elements of the first set and the second set are removably joined together, water is substantially prevented from leaking from the first surface to the second surface. In addition, the coupling elements are disposed on stringer tapes, and the surfaces of the stringer tapes adjacent the first surfaces of the coupling elements are laminated with a water resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventors: Hisashi Yoneshima, Kentaro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8695179
    Abstract: A hook article that is constructed and arranged to facilitate attachment between two or more objects includes a fixed frame member and gate member. The gate member includes a first end that is pivotally hinged to the frame member, a second end movable with respect to the frame member to allow access into an interior space and a handle that is integral with the gate member. The position of the handle facilitates the process of and enables a user to easily open and close the gate member with a single hand, while protecting the fingers of the user against jamming. Upon applying pressure to the handle, the gate member pivotally retracts towards an interior space of the hook article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Mark G. Tebbe, Eugene Bae
  • Patent number: 8695180
    Abstract: A locking clip for securing one or more objects thereon includes a loop portion and a sleeve. The loop portion defines first and second ends interconnected by first and second intermediate segments. The first intermediate segment includes a gap defined therein. The sleeve is disposed about the first and second intermediate segments between the first and second ends of the loop portion. The sleeve is rotatable relative to the loop portion between a closed position, wherein the sleeve extends completely along a length of the gap to inhibit passage of the object(s) therethrough, and an open position, wherein the sleeve extends only partially along the length of the gap to permit passage of the object(s) therethrough. The loop portion and/or the sleeve also includes a feedback feature configured to produce an audible and/or a tactile feedback response when the sleeve is rotated to the closed and/or the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Dean Delle Donne
  • Patent number: 8695181
    Abstract: A buckle includes a male member and a female member. The male member includes: a base; a pair of legs that project from the base; engaging portions that are provided on the legs to be engageable with the female member; and a linking body that links the pair of legs. The linking body includes a curved portion that is curved such that the middle thereof is closest to the base. A pair of projecting portions that are substantially parallel with an insertion direction of the male member extend from the base to be disposed outside the curved portion such that the curved portion is interposed therebetween. With this arrangement, the linking body for linking the pair of legs can be disposed with less possibility that other objects are caught in a space in the male member and without increasing a length dimension in the insertion direction more than necessary. The male member can be stably held relative to the female member against a torsion force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kaneko, Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 8695182
    Abstract: Disclosed is a retaining mechanism for a buckle and buckle release system. The buckle release system is locked or unlocked via a manual release lever. A locking lever overlies the manual release lever and protects against the unintended release of the buckle. The retaining mechanism provides a further degree of protection. It includes a retaining bar that is pivotally interconnected to the locking lever. The retaining mechanism has a closed orientation wherein the locking lever cannot be actuated. The retaining mechanism can only be opened via a two part motion. First, the retaining bar is pivoted with respect to the locking lever. Second, the retaining bar and the locking lever are rotated together to permit access to the underlying manual release lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Carleton Life Support Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Clark, Elizabeth Rinehart, Nick Pandelos
  • Patent number: 8695183
    Abstract: An earring backing that retains the earring frontispiece with an upward tilt. A contact plate that resides in contact with the back of the earlobe of a user is coupled to a support structure that defines a channel for an earring post. The channel defines an acute angle with the contact plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Melecy M. Kent
  • Patent number: 8695184
    Abstract: An apparatus for preserving human or animal remains comprising a burial chamber further comprising a hermetically sealed interior containing gas or water vapor, wherein the gas creates a gas pressure within the hermetically sealed interior, and a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is in functional communication with the hermetically sealed interior, wherein the vacuum pump operates to evacuate the gas or the water vapor from the hermetically sealed interior, and wherein the vacuum pump is intermittently activated to reduce the gas pressure within the hermetically sealed interior for a desiccating duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Kurt Mikat
  • Patent number: 8695185
    Abstract: An absorbent material including a fibrous material having a plurality of individual fibers forming a fiber matrix, a plurality of absorbent fibers, wherein the plurality of absorbent fibers are impregnated within the fiber matrix by means of a needlepunch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Y. Fung
  • Patent number: 8695186
    Abstract: Providing a method for manufacturing a package capable of suppressing occurrence of a discharge phenomenon during the anodic bonding and achieving stable anodic bonding of the base board and the bonding film. Providing a method for manufacturing a package including: an alignment step where an inner surface of the lid board 50 is superimposed onto an inner surface of the base board 40, and an outer surface of the base board 40 is disposed on an electrode base portion 70 for anodic bonding; and an anodic bonding step where a bonding voltage is applied between the bonding film 35 and the electrode base portion 70 while heating them to a bonding temperature, whereby the bonding film 35 and the base board 40 are anodically bonded, wherein the anodic bonding step involves applying the bonding voltage in a state where the penetration electrodes 32, 33 are exposed to a void portion 73 formed in the electrode base portion 70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8695187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel device for attaching components, particularly clips, screws, nuts, or similar joining elements, to workpieces, made up of a swage head for placing the respective joining element onto a workpiece and having a supply station for feeding the joining elements at the swage head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Heiko Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8695188
    Abstract: An extractor tool, in particular for bearing rings. This extractor tool is intended to be suitable, in particular, for extracting, or demounting, bearing rings, and it is also intended to be used in mounting situations in which radial access and bilateral axial access to the machine part to be demounted are not possible and, in addition, the extractor tool is to be simple and cost-effective to produce and easy to operate. The extractor tool has at least one magnet for non-positively connecting the extractor tool to a machine part to be extracted, in particular a bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Zillmer, Dominik Gross, Gerhard Halbig
  • Patent number: 8695189
    Abstract: A cutting tool key is suitable for mounting and extracting a cutting insert into and from an insert receiving slot of a cutting tool holder blade. The key includes an elongated protrusion having first and second engagement portions with a pivot axis formed in the first engagement portion. The insert receiving slot has a holder axis extending in a forward-to-rearward direction, and a clamping-jaw surface facing a base-jaw surface. The base jaw surface has a holder-passage opening out to the holder's side surfaces, and the insert has an insert-passage opening out to the insert's lateral surfaces. The first and second engagement portions engage the holder-passage and insert-passage, respectively, with the pivot axis in the holder-passage. Rotating the key in an extraction direction about the pivot axis applies extraction-force on the insert. Rotating the key in a mounting direction, opposite to the extraction direction, applies a mounting-force on the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Iscar, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gil Hecht
  • Patent number: 8695190
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing operations on a workpiece is provided. A first frame in a frame system may be held on the workpiece by applying a vacuum to the first frame. A second frame in the frame system may be detached from the workpiece by applying a pressure to the second frame. The second frame may be moved to a location on the workpiece. The second frame may be attached to the workpiece by applying the vacuum to the second frame. An operation may be performed on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Branko Sarh, David Hassan Amirehteshami
  • Patent number: 8695191
    Abstract: An assembly device includes a shaft assembly having a plurality of pistons installed on an outer peripheral portion of a swash plate via shoes. The assembly device has a shaft support portion which supports a shaft having the swash plate in a vertical axis posture, a guide member, a shoe incorporation mechanism, a carriage which conveys the plurality of pistons in the vertical axis posture, and a piston holding portion which holds the plurality of pistons. The guide member is equipped with a first guide surface and a second guide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sanyo Machine Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Ishikawa