Patents Issued in December 23, 2014
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Patent number: 8915758Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical connector having a plurality of contact housings and a lock housing. The plurality of contact housings are vertically positioned upon each other. Each contact housing having a first end, a second end, and a step portion disposed between the first end and the second end. The lock housing includes a cover plate extending across an upper side of the plurality of contact housings and a lock arm extending from the cover plate and engageable with at least one of the plurality of contact housings. The lock arm includes an end portion engageable with the step portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Tyco Electronics Japan G.K.Inventors: Seiji Shishikura, Hiroyuki Iketani
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Patent number: 8915759Abstract: A terminal connector with an electric wire includes a bottom portion, a wall, a plurality of connection pieces, and an auxiliary wall. An end portion of the electric wire is placed on and connected to the bottom portion. The electric wire includes a core wire exposed at the end portion. The wall is provided continuously from the bottom portion and integrally rises from one side of the bottom portion extending to another side. One of the connection pieces extends from one end of the bottom portion and another one of the connection pieces extends from one end of the wall and the connection pieces are contacted and connected to an opposing terminal connector. The auxiliary wall is provided continuously from another end of the wall that is opposite from the one end from which the connection piece extends. The auxiliary wall extends downwardly to the bottom portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Miyamoto
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Patent number: 8915760Abstract: A surface mount clip includes a base part having a rear surface electrically connected to a conductor part of a printed wiring board; and an extension part extending from the base part. The extension part contacts with a conductive member attached to the printed wiring board with elastic deformation of the extension part to hold the conductive member and make electrical connection thereto. The base part includes a solder-bonding part having a bonding plane to be bonded with the printed wiring board and a floating part forming a gap from the printed wiring board in a state that the solder-bonding part is solder-bonded to the printed wiring board. The extension part includes a root part extending from the floating part toward the rear surface of the base part and a folded-back part extending from an end of the root part toward a front surface of the base part.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Kitagawa Industries Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomohisa Kurita
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Patent number: 8915761Abstract: A connector terminal which can achieve high mechanical connection strength and stabilized low electrical connection resistance when it is crimped to an aluminum electric wire, and in addition, can suppress electrical contact resistance low when it is fitted to a mating connector terminal is provided. In a connector terminal (1A) having an electrical contact section (10) which is brought into contact and conducted with a mating connector terminal by fitting to the mating connector terminal, and a conductor crimping section (12) which is crimped to the conductor of an electric wire, a metal material which constitutes the terminal uses aluminum or an aluminum alloy as a base material (100), a Zn layer (101) having a thickness in the range from 0.1 ?m to 2.0 ?m by electroless plating and a Cu layer (102) having a thickness in the range from 0.5 ?m to 1.0 ?m by electrolytic plating are formed in sequence on the surface of the base material (100), and an Sn layer (105) having a thickness in the range from 0.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Naoki Kakuta
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Patent number: 8915762Abstract: A catamaran vessel with hybrid propulsion engines for driving propeller propulsors and pump-jet propulsors. The vessel includes two side hulls and a mobile platform that can be moved between upper and lower positions relative to the side hulls to accommodate navigation conditions. The engines are selectively coupled to the propeller propulsors, the pump jet propulsors, and control mechanisms changing the position of the mobile platform-between the upper and lower positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Constructions Industrielles de la Mediterranee—CNIMInventors: Maarten Mostert, Gregory Pelard
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Patent number: 8915763Abstract: A beehive frame scraping tool that includes a head portion having a first cutaway section disposed upon a first side edge, a second cutaway section disposed upon a second side edge, a top side edge disposed endwise perpendicularly between the first side edge and the second side edge, wherein the first cutaway section includes a rectangular section cut away from the first side edge and the second cutaway section includes a generally triangular section cut away from the second side edge, wherein the first side edge is usable to scrape a frame along at least two perpendicularly adjacent surfaces, the second side edge is useable to clip foundation wire, pry and remove nails from said frame, a point edge is usable to scrape a foundation groove in a frame, and a square edge is usable to scrape a wedge slot of a frame, whereby honeycomb is more expediently harvested.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Inventor: Wyman C. Lentz
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Patent number: 8915764Abstract: A bra with embroidered support regions that provide support without compression is provided. The embroidered support regions are constructed by stitching a configurable thread pattern on a middle layer of a bra cup. The configurable thread pattern includes a plurality of top threads and a plurality of bobbin threads that are arranged to provide support in needed areas.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Stephanie J. Scott, Laura Tempesta
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Patent number: 8915765Abstract: The present invention includes a garment, such as a bra or a shaper, having regions of differential elasticity. For example, a bra includes: two cups located at a front side of the bra; and a backwing comprising a plurality of regions having differential elasticity. Optionally, the plurality of regions comprise at least five areas which comprise: a central area having reduced elasticity; a right-side area having increased elasticity; a left side area having increased elasticity; a first intermediary area, located between the central area and the right-side area, wherein the first intermediary area has intermediate elasticity; and a second intermediary area, located between the central area and the left-side area, wherein the second intermediary area has intermediate elasticity.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Delta Galil Industries Ltd.Inventors: Sagit Chayet, Eli Almog
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Patent number: 8915766Abstract: A knife sharpener includes a knife holder in which a knife is inserted so that an edge of the knife is exposed, at least one edge sensor, configured to detect the edge of the knife, at least one abrader, the at least one abrader having a sharpening surface angled to meet an edge of the knife at a sharpening angle of one side of the knife, a motive mechanism connected to the holder and the at least one abrader, and a computing device in communication with the edge sensor and the motive mechanism, and configured to cause the at least one abrader to traverse the edge of the knife using the motive mechanism, in response to the at least one edge sensor. A method for knife sharpening involves directing the abrader to traverse the edge of the knife, responsive to input from an edge sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Inventor: Dmitriy Kolchin
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Patent number: 8915767Abstract: A sandpaper replacement device is used for replacing sandpaper of a polishing device, including a support platform, a driver, a driving detector sensor, a clamping member, a clamping detector and a controller. The driver includes a cylinder body and an extension rod movably positioned on the cylinder body. The cylinder body is positioned on the support platform, and the extension rod passing through and protruding out from the support platform. The driving detector sensor is positioned on the support platform adjacent to the extension rod. The clamping member includes a main body and two claws positioned oppositely to each other on the main body. The main body is mounted on the support platform away from the cylinder body. The clamping detector is positioned adjacent to the two claws. The controller is electrically connected to the driver, the driving detector sensor, the clamping detector and the clamping member.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chao Shen
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Patent number: 8915768Abstract: Provided is a method of phasing a threaded grinding stone, as well as a device therefor, the aforementioned method and device being such that contact or non-contact of a threaded grinding stone with a disk dresser can be detected with high accuracy, with the result that the phasing of the threaded grinding stone can be accurately performed. For the purpose of achieving the above, a threaded grinding stone (14) is phased with respect to a disk dresser (32) prior to the engagement of the threaded grinding stone (14) with the disk dresser (32) during dressing. In performing this phasing, it is determined whether or not the threaded grinding stone (14) contacted the disk dresser (32), on the basis of a voltage (V) which is commensurate with the amplitude of the elastic wave generated in the threaded grinding stone (14) at the time when the threaded grinding stone (14) contacted the disk dresser (32).Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshikoto Yanase, Kazuyuki Ishizu, Tomohito Tani
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Patent number: 8915769Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tubular structure is implemented by housing a tubular base, which has a side circumference surface formed in a bellows-like shape, in a polishing container, causing magnetic particles to flow along a circumferential direction of the tubular base due to action of magnetic poles, and supplying abrasive particles to the polishing container so that the abrasive particles flow along an axial direction of the tubular base, thereby polishing a surface of the tubular base. The method includes: a first polishing step of polishing an exposed surface of the tubular base by causing the magnetic particles and the abrasive particles to flow while an inner surface of the tubular base remains covered; and a second polishing step of polishing an exposed surface of the tubular base by causing the magnetic particles and the abrasive particles to flow while an outer surface of the tubular base remains covered.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignees: Clino Corporation, Kyoei Denko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazutaka Kamikihara, Kiyoshi Yamauchi, Katsuhiko Komatsu, Shinyou Tanaka
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Patent number: 8915770Abstract: A wafer polishing apparatus is provided. The wafer polishing apparatus includes a first polishing roller disposed on a wafer, the first polishing roller extending in a direction in which the wafer extends and a second polishing roller disposed under the wafer, the second polishing roller extending in the direction in which the wafer extends. The wafer polishing apparatus uses the roller to polish the wafer. Thus, the wafer polishing apparatus may easily polish a wafer having a large area.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: LG Siltron, Inc.Inventor: Hyung-Rak Lee
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Patent number: 8915771Abstract: A vacuum assembly for removing debris formed on the surface of a work chuck after a wafer grinding process by positioning a vacuum source above the work chuck and then activating the vacuum source.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Strasbaugh, Inc.Inventor: Michael Vogtmann
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Patent number: 8915772Abstract: A crab shelling machine includes first and second transfer mechanisms for conveying crabs, a cutting mechanism for sectioning the crabs and a separating mechanism for separating crab meat and/or crab roe from crab shells. The cutting mechanism includes a frame body, a pair of transmitting apparatuses positioned above the frame body, and a cutter vertically extending into a slot formed by the pair of transmitting apparatuses. The slot is adapted for the crabs to be conveyed therethrough. Each transmitting apparatus includes two transport wheels and a transport belt associated to the transport wheels. The separating mechanism includes a storage box located above the second transfer mechanism, a suction tube fixed to the storage box for separating the crab meat and/or the crab roe, and a driving apparatus for driving the suction tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Suzhou Xi Fu Rui Agriculture Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventor: Pengfei Zhou
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Patent number: 8915773Abstract: A method and a system for separating the spinal column from a carcass middle part, comprising the steps of providing a digital representation of an outer surface of the carcass middle on the basis of, e.g., an optical scan, determining a cutting path (1c) for a cutting device for the separation of the spinal column from the carcass middle on the basis of digital processing of the scan, and subsequently separating the spinal column from the carcass middle by causing a relative movement between the middle and the cutting device and simultaneously causing the cutting device to engage the carcass middle, wherein the relative movement between the middle and the cutting device during the spinal column separation to achieve a cut along the predetermined cutting path (1c).Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Humboldt B.V.Inventor: Erik Vind Nielsen
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Patent number: 8915774Abstract: A portable portable game carcass hanger including two mounting strap with fastening devices to secure to a vertical support beam such as a tree trunk. A mounting bracket with a first leg, a second leg perpendicular to the first leg and support member are provided. A first hook is disposed on the second leg. There is a triangular hanger with an apex and a bottom end opposite the apex. The apex removably engages the second leg first hook. The bottom end of the triangular hanger has at least one second hook provided to hang at least one game carcass thereon.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Inventor: John L. Hunter
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Patent number: 8915775Abstract: An exhaust system includes: an exhaust pressure controller interposed in an exhaust passage and including: a pipe body including a side peripheral wall in which at least one port is formed; and a gas introduction wall for introducing an exhaust gas flowing from an upstream side of the pipe body so that the exhaust gas flows downstream without coming into direct contact with the port and vicinity thereof, one face of the gas introduction wall forming a pressure control path together with an inner face of the side peripheral wall while another face of the gas introduction wall forming an exhaust gas path along which the exhaust gas flows. The port communicates with the pressure control path, and the pressure control path communicates with the exhaust gas path at part downstream of the port.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignees: Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd., Spansion LLCInventors: Takeshi Ikeda, Kazuo Koizumi, Hiroyuki Takeda, Tetsuo Koyama, Keiichi Watanabe
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Patent number: 8915776Abstract: An air outlet valve for use in an aircraft is adapted during normal operation of the aircraft as a component of a cabin pressure control system for adjusting a desired pressure level in an aircraft cabin to remove air from an interior of the aircraft into the environment around the aircraft. The air outlet valve is further adapted during emergency ventilation operation of the aircraft as a component of a system for emergency ventilation of the aircraft cabin to introduce air from the environment around the aircraft into the interior of the aircraft. The air outlet valve comprises a nose-side valve flap, which is pivotable about an axis and is adapted to open or close a nose-side portion of an air outlet valve aperture, and a tail-side valve flap, which is pivotable about an axis and is adapted to open or close a tail-side portion of the air outlet valve aperture.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Thomas Heuer
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Patent number: 8915777Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning system includes a main air conditioning device which taps air off a turbine engine, and an auxiliary unit with a compressor that taps ambient air and conditions it to send to a distributing device in place of a main device, when the aircraft is in cruising flight or close to cruising flight.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2008Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Olivier Barbara, Nicolas Antoine
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Patent number: 8915778Abstract: A hybrid solar attic vent comprising a housing configured to be mounted on the roof or in the gable of a building in communication with the attic of the building. A photovoltaic solar panel is positioned to be exposed to sunlight and to power the attic fan when sufficient sunlight is present. An alternative source of energy, which may be the building's AC power, is connected to the fan through an electronic control module. The control module monitors the output of the solar panel and switches the fan's power source from solar power to the alternative source of energy when the solar panel produces insufficient electrical energy to power the fan. A thermostat allows operation of the fan by the alternative power source only when the temperature in the attic is above a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Building Materials Investment CorporationInventors: Steven V. Boehling, Brent A. Coats
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Patent number: 8915779Abstract: An apparatus for retrieval of vapors or gases produced during the hair styling process comprises: a vacuum nozzle housing, an attachment bracket, a styling iron, a vacuum and at least one filter.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Inventors: Joseph Jardino, James Duarte
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Patent number: 8915780Abstract: A lottery data transfer method for processing lottery ticket data piggybacks on a merchant's existing debit or credit card interchange system. A BIN is assigned to lottery tickets that is unique in the merchant's credit or debit card interchange, the BIN associated with a lottery data blob also provided on the lottery ticket. The lottery BIN and data blob are into the merchant's existing credit or debit card activation barcode protocol to initiate transfer of the lottery data to a central lottery site via the interchange. At a processor within the interchange, the unique lottery BIN is flagged to initiate special routing to and further processing of the lottery data blob at the lottery central site, wherein the lottery data blob is processed outside of the interchange's debit or credit card data transfer and processing procedures.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Earl Irwin, Jr., Edward J. Stanek, William J. Huntley
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Patent number: 8915781Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may provide mirage reveals that give an appearance to the user that an objective may be achieved to obtain a reward. However, the objective may not be achievable, thereby guaranteeing a loss. The mirage reveals may be used to reveal a loss resulting from a real-world wager in a manner that the loss appears to result from the failure to achieve the objective.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Game Play Network, Inc.Inventors: Russell M. Fine, Jamison Selby
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Patent number: 8915782Abstract: A game management system includes: a resonant tag which records card identification information and is provided with each of a plurality of cards; a wireless ID tag which records chip identification information and is provided with each of a plurality of chips; a first identification information detector which is provided with a game table and detects the card identification information concerning each of the plurality of cards; a second identification information detector which is provided with the game table and detects the chip identification information concerning each of the plurality of chips; a readout unit which is provided with the game table and acquires personal information for identifying a participant in a game; and a PTS server and a accumulation/analysis server which manage tracks and results of the game played on the game table in association with the personal information based on the card and chip identification information.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Universal Entertainment CorporationInventor: Jun Fujimoto
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Patent number: 8915783Abstract: A player reservation feature is provided for a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller of the casino gaming machine. The player reservation feature may be accessed at the gaming machine or remotely at another gaming machine or other device, e.g., a smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like. The gaming machine is locked and unavailable for play except by the player that made the reservation. Reserving a gaming machine may be free, or a fee may be accessed for a reservation. Where a fee is assessed, the fee may be waived for a reserving player. Where the reservation feature is being accessed remotely, a casino floor map may be displayed at the device that is being used, such as another casino machine, smart phone, tablet, personal computer, and the like, along with information about each gaming machine on the casino floor.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Tipping Point Group, LLCInventor: Sam Johnson
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Patent number: 8915784Abstract: A program for playing a game based on an input from an operation section including a first controller and a second controller, the program causing a computer to function as: a movement operation input detection section which determines whether or not an output value from a movement sensor provided in at least one of the first controller and the second controller satisfies a detection condition for a movement operation input; a game calculation section which performs a game calculation process based on the movement operation input; an operation input display control section which performs a display control process of a movement operation input display object for displaying a detection result of the movement operation input; and an image generation section which generates a game image including the movement operation input display object.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignees: Bandai Namco Games Inc., Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Aisaku Yamanaka, Tatsuro Okamoto
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Patent number: 8915785Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique play experience carried out utilizing an interactive “wand” and/or other seemingly magical actuation/tracking device. The wand or other actuation device allows play participants to electronically and “magically” interact with their surrounding play environment(s), thereby giving play participants the realistic illusion of practicing, performing and mastering “real” magic. Optionally, multiple play participants, each provided with a suitable “wand” and/or other actuation/tracking device, may play and interact together, either within or outside one or more compatible play environments, to achieve desired goals, master certain magical spells and/or produce desired seemingly magical effects within the play environment.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2014Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Creative Kingdoms, LLCInventors: Jonathan A Barney, Denise Chapman Weston
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Patent number: 8915786Abstract: The gaming device disclosed herein includes a plurality of simultaneously, substantially simultaneously or sequentially played primary games, wherein a designated triggering event in at least one of the games causes the gaming device to change, modify, supplement, add to, activate or otherwise influence the paytable of at least another game.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: IGTInventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Peter Gerrard
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Patent number: 8915787Abstract: In a sliding type constant velocity universal joint which includes a coil spring (14) employed to urge an intermediate shaft (13), a cylindrical portion (34) of a spring receptacle which supports an end of the coil spring (14) rises by a height h3, so that an edge (37) of the cylindrical portion (34) makes contact with a lower end surface of an outer ring (26) of a roller assembly (28) of an inner joint member (12) when the constant velocity universal joint takes a maximum operating angle.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: NTN CorporationInventor: Tatsuro Sugiyama
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Patent number: 8915788Abstract: A universal joint carried by an elongate body having an axis. The universal joint has an inner race that pivots omni-directionally within an outer race and a series of first and second opposed cavities formed in the inner race and the outer race. There are a plurality of torque transfer elements, each torque transfer element having a first portion that engages a first cavity and a second portion that engages a corresponding second cavity. The first cavity is a socket that permits rotation of the first portion within the first cavity as the inner race pivots omni-directionally within the outer race and the second cavity is a track oriented in the direction of the axis of the elongate body. The second portion moves along the track as the inner race pivots omni-directionally within the outer race of the second portion along the track. The second portion has at least one drive surface that engages an inner surface of the track at more than one point along the direction of the track.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Cathedral Energy Services Ltd.Inventors: Dean Norman Foote, Jason Williams
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Patent number: 8915789Abstract: A shaft shielding assembly (26) comprising first and second telescopic sleeve members (31, 32) is provided. The sleeve members are each disposed around, and shield a portion of a rotatable shaft (22). Mutually cooperating guide means, such as an array of grooves and ridges (33, 34), are provided on the sleeve members and which forcibly reduce longitudinal overlap therebetween when rotated with respect to one another so as to extend the shielded region of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: AGCO SAInventor: Philippe Boittin
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Patent number: 8915790Abstract: A system for electrostatically levitating an object with a body adapted for receiving a static charge. The system includes an array of at least three electrostatic generators, with each of the electrostatic generators including an exposed element that becomes statically charged during operation of the array. The system also includes a controller operating to generate control signals to the array to independently operate each of the electrostatic generators to provide the static charge at first, second, and third voltages. When positioned in a flight space above the array, the object is levitated above the array of the electrostatic generators by an electrostatic lifting force(s). Each of the electrostatic generators is a high voltage Van de Graaff generator. The first, second, and third voltages are in the range of 0 to 300,000 volts and are varied over time to direct the levitated object along a flight path by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Lanny S. Smoot
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Patent number: 8915791Abstract: A convertible toy includes a body portion and a base selectively coupled to the body portion. The body portion includes a seat portion, a first pair of leg portions extending from the seat portion, and a first axle extending between the first pair of leg portions. The body portion also includes a second pair of leg portions extending from the seat portion and a second axle extending between the second pair of leg portions. The base includes a curved support portion, a first coupling member coupled to the curved support portion, and a second coupling member coupled to the curved support portion. The first axle of the body portion is selectively coupled to the first coupling member in at least one degree of freedom and the second axle of the body portion is selectively coupled to the second coupling member in at least two degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Tek Nek Toys International, Inc.Inventors: Jerry Gibson, Nick Tung
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Patent number: 8915792Abstract: A golf swing training club includes a golf club, with a shaft, a grip and a club head, and a golf swing training aid, with a light beam generator along the shaft placeable in an on state to generate inside and outside light beams directed towards inside and outside positions corresponding to the head and toe of the club head. A golfing stroke can be executed over a surface so that the paths of the inside and outside light beams along the surface can be observed during the golfing stroke. A second light beam can be generated generally parallel to the shaft and away from the club head; the path of the second light beam along the surface can also be observed during a backswing portion of the golfing stroke.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: GSI Universal, LLCInventors: Robert J. Coucher, Gigi D. M. Senecal
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Patent number: 8915793Abstract: A golf club swing training apparatus designed to help golfers learn to selectively control a golf ball trajectory shape so that the ball is made to “bend” from right to left, or left to right. The apparatus is configured as an otherwise conventional golf club such as a driver, but wherein the shaft is spliced at a location along its length between the butt end and the head end. After removing a short piece of shaft to retain the overall length of the club, a slide mechanism is inserted to mate with the shaft's upper and lower portions. The slide mechanism permits limited transverse movement of the lower portion that is connected to the golf club head relative to the upper portion that includes the butt end or grip of the club.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Inventor: Wen-Sun Hou
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Patent number: 8915794Abstract: Golf club heads which include an iron type golf club head body include a ball striking face, a rear surface opposite the ball striking face (e.g., including a perimeter weighting member) and a multi-legged bridge member which indicates the location of the center of gravity of the golf club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf club and golf club heads also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2009Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: John T. Stites
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Patent number: 8915795Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club in which a shaft arranged beneath a grip portion of the golf club is processed to be used as means for grip swing performed by rotating the golf grip locally between both hands of a golfer. The aim of the present invention is to enable forces of both hands and both arms of the golfer and the weight of the golf club to be dynamically balanced at one or more center of gravity portions (S) designed at a specific position on the shaft beneath the grip during a typical gripping and swinging action of the golfer, that is, said center of gravity portions (S) may serve as a hinge or weight of minimum swing performed between both hands of the golfer, thereby enabling fine swing control.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Inventor: Keun Shik Chang
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Patent number: 8915796Abstract: A golf club shaft has a tip end to which a golf club head is attached and a butt end to which a grip is attached, wherein the shaft is composed of a fiber reinforced resin having a fiber layer, the fiber layer contains a bias layer having bias fibers oriented at an angle with respect to an axial direction of the shaft, the bias layer includes a tip-side bias layer extending from the tip end toward the butt end and having a butt-side end terminating without reaching the butt end and a butt-side bias layer extending from the butt end toward the tip end and having a tip-side end terminating without reaching the tip end, and bias fibers in the tip-side bias layer has a tensile elastic modulus smaller than that of bias fibers of the butt-side bias layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co. LtdInventor: Tatsuya Yashiki
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Patent number: 8915797Abstract: The present invention discloses an iron-type golf club head having a body and at least one weight disc having a first diameter, the body having a sole with a first recess, which comprises a first bore having a second diameter, a second bore having a third diameter, and a shelf located between the first bore and the second bore, the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter and greater than the third diameter, the first bore is sized to receive the at least one weight disc, the at least one weight disc rests against the shelf, and the at least one weight disc is secured within the first bore. The sole may further comprise second, third, and fourth recesses, each of which may have a first bore, a second bore, and a shelf.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Justin Kuhar, Joseph Mehren, Irina Ivanova, Bradley C. Rice, Scott R. Manwaring, Brandon D. DeMille, Patrick Dawson
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Patent number: 8915798Abstract: A putter-type golf club head having a face insert comprising a metal sheet and a urethane backing is disclosed herein. The metal sheet, which makes contact with a golf ball during use, includes a plurality of oval-shaped holes extending through the entire thickness of the sheet and having a specific size and spacing, and the urethane backing has a hardness that optimizes performance of the face insert, and thus the putter.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Alan Hocknell, Craig E. Abbott, Augustin W. Rollinson
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Patent number: 8915799Abstract: A golf ball having a core that includes an aqueous solution contained by a boundary layer with a solid center suspended in the solution to modify the moment of inertia of the golf ball. The aqueous solution can be thixotropic, or rheopectic, or dilatant, or pseudoplastic in nature and the center formulated to simulate the specific gravity of the solution.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Jeffrey L. Dalton
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Patent number: 8915800Abstract: A golf ball comprising: an inner core having a compression of less than about 60; at least one intermediate layer surrounding the inner core, having a hardness of at least about 55 Shore D, a specific gravity and a flexural modulus such that each of the hardness, specific gravity and flexural modulus of the intermediate layer is greater than a hardness, a specific gravity, and a flexural modulus of the inner core; and a cover surrounding the at least one intermediate layer, having a flexural modulus and a Shore D hardness that are greater than a flexural modulus and a hardness of the inner core. In one embodiment, a ratio of the flexural modulus of the cover in ksi to the Shore D hardness of the cover is less than 1 and/or least one of the inner core, intermediate layer and cover comprises a partially or fully neutralized ionomer.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert
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Patent number: 8915801Abstract: A golf ball includes an inner core layer formed from a thermoplastic material comprising a highly-neutralized ionomer comprising a copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, an organic acid or salt thereof, and sufficient cation source to fully-neutralize the acid groups of the copolymer by 80% or greater. The inner core has a geometric center hardness less than its surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is formed over the inner core and is formed from a substantially homogenous thermoset composition. The outer core layer has an interior hardness substantially less than an outer surface hardness to define a steep positive hardness gradient. An inner cover layer and an outer cover layer are formed over the outer core layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, William B. Lacy
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Patent number: 8915802Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball possessing an overall unique and perceptively pleasing multi-color appearance and being constructed of at least two layers wherein each layer has at least two discrete color regions which contribute substantially to the golf ball's overall color appearance, the inner and outer layers being strategically positioned and aligned in relation to each other to create the overall golf ball color appearance. A resulting unique overall golf ball multiple color appearance is achieved by the positioning and aligning one layer about another.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: William E. Morgan
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Patent number: 8915803Abstract: A golf ball comprising: a core comprising at least one layer A, a cover comprising at least one layer B, an intermediate layer C disposed between the core and the cover, and a coating D applied on an outermost surface of the golf ball. At least two of layer A, layer B, layer C and coating D comprise a golf ball color contributing component comprising a color and contributing to an overall golf ball color, wherein at least two golf ball color contributing components have different saturations. The overall golf ball hue is substantially similar to the hue of each color contributing component; the overall golf ball saturation is different than the saturation of at least one color contributing component and the overall golf ball chroma is different than the chroma of at least one color contributing component.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Matthew F. Hogge, Jason Williams
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Patent number: 8915804Abstract: Golf ball comprising: core comprising at least one layer A, cover comprising at least one layer B, intermediate layer C disposed between core and cover, and coating D applied on outermost surface of the golf ball. At least two of layer A, layer B, layer C and coating D comprise a golf ball color contributing component comprising a color and contributing to an overall golf ball color, at least two color contributing components have different saturations or different chromas, or both. Overall golf ball hue is different than that of each color contributing component and overall saturation and chroma are different than that of at least one color contributing component.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Matthew F. Hogge, Manjari Kuntimaddi, Glenn D Oliveira
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Patent number: 8915805Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an extended playing surface for paddle/racquet-based games, in particular table tennis. A playing surface is provided comprising four curved rebounding surfaces each with a vertical rebounding side wall configured so that two curved surfaces attach or extend on each side of a substantially horizontal playing surface thereby forming a continuous rebounding playing surface. A net is positioned perpendicular to the length of the horizontal playing surface at its mid point, allowing two or more opposing players to use the curved, vertical sidewall and horizontal surfaces as rebounding surfaces to serve, return and rally a spherical target object over the net.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Mind Slam LLCInventors: Marco Santini, Daniel Kearney
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Patent number: 8915806Abstract: An arrow includes an elongate shaft, a plurality of vanes located proximate a proximal end of the shaft, and a point located proximate a distal end of the shaft. The shaft may have a dimpled outer surface. The shaft may also or alternatively have an internal supporting structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Inventor: Richard Asherman
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Patent number: 8915807Abstract: A slide hammer impact enhancement system adapted for incorporation into a hollow arrow shaft comprises a weight member movably positioned within the hollow arrow shaft with a magnet member rigidly secured to an end thereof. A nock member is rigidly mounted at one end of the hollow arrow shaft, and contains an attachment member accessible from within the hollow arrow shaft. The magnet member and attached weight member are maintained adjacent the nock member by the attachment member upon launching the arrow. Upon the arrow striking a target, the magnet member and connected weight member disengage from the attachment member, move down the hollow arrow shaft, and strike an arrow head at the opposite end thereof, thereby further driving the arrow into the target.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: New Age Archery Products LLCInventors: Brian K. Olson, Wade D. Gilbert