Patents Issued in April 14, 2015
  • Patent number: 9004383
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for producing chocolate by mixing and grinding ingredients, such as cacao mass, cacao butter, sugar and/or milk powder, comprising a mixer (3), a grinder (4), and means for passing the mixture from the mixer (3) to the grinder (4). The mixer (3) comprises a toroidal, preferably annular vessel (6) for receiving and mixing the ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Duyvis Weiner B.V.
    Inventor: Simon Jakob Van Leverink
  • Patent number: 9004384
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in one aspect, relates to a milling apparatus having a cutter housing and feed chute, a rotary cutter, at least partially housed within the cutter housing and in communication with the feed chute, and a feed ram removably positioned within the feed chute for maintaining a workpiece against the rotary cutter. The feed chute and feed ram may be selectively positionable at one of several angular positions with respect to the rotary cutter. In this manner, the force applied by the feed ram on the workpiece is a function of the weight of the feed ram and the angular position of the feed ram with respect to the rotary cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Schiff, Rudy Duke, David Kaes
  • Patent number: 9004385
    Abstract: A machine for shredding plastic container including a pressing device having a main housing having an interior space, a first opening for feeding container and a second opening for disposing the shredded pieces, a fixed plate position at one end within the housing and having slits arranged in matrix pattern, facing the interior of the housing, and having sharp edges, a movable plate having plurality of blades connected to at least one arm. The movable plate can move along a central axis within the housing and the blades have edges facing the sharp edges of the fixed plate. The containers are placed between the plates, such that when the movable plates moves along the central axis of the housing toward the fixed plate, the blades crash and cut the container into flakes. Pegs protrude from the blades, such that when the arm moves forward, the pegs punch the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Re-Pet Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoav Leshem, Rafi Ziv, Zohar Levy, Dov Barkay, Igor Shustorovitch
  • Patent number: 9004386
    Abstract: A spinning reel fishing line guide mechanism for guiding a fishing line onto a spool includes a support member and a fixation member. The spinning reel fishing line guide mechanism is attached to a tip of a rotor arm and is pivotable between a fishing-line guide position and a fishing-line release position. The support member is attached pivotably to the tip of the rotor arm. The support member includes an outer member made of metal and an inner member made of synthetic resin. The inner member is fixed to an inner surface of the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 9004387
    Abstract: A drag knob for regulating drag force of a drag mechanism configured to brake rotation of a spool rotatably mounted to a reel unit of a fishing reel includes an operating member, a coil spring, a receiver member, and a slide member. The operating member is rotatably mounted to the reel unit. The coil spring extends and contracts in a rotary axis direction of the operating member in conjunction with rotation of the operating member. The receiver member is configured to receive urging force of the coil spring and apply drag force to the spool. The slide member is disposed between the coil spring and the receiver member in the rotary axis direction. The slide member has a friction coefficient less than a friction coefficient of the receiver member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 9004388
    Abstract: A fishing reel with interchangeable line-guiding system includes a body, a fishing reel, and an automated winding component. A lateral cover is fixed to the body. The body has therein the fishing reel. The fishing reel has therein a spindle. A toothed axle is disposed on the outer wall of the spindle inside the lateral cover, flanked by two first intermediate gears, and adapted to mesh with a big gear meshing with the two first intermediate gears. The automated winding component has a second intermediate gear fixed to the body. The second intermediate gear meshes with a line-guiding shaft gear. The line-guiding shaft gear is fixed to the end of a line-guiding shaft. The line-guiding shaft is disposed inside a line-protecting axle. A slider movable laterally is disposed on the outward wall of the line-guiding shaft to enable upward and downward casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Yao-Chu Tsai
  • Patent number: 9004389
    Abstract: A bobbin is provided, which includes a main body, a first block board, a second block board, and at least one guiding member. The main body extends along an axis. The first block board and the second block board circumferentially surround ends of the main body and radially extend from the main body, respectively. The guiding member is formed on the first block board or the second block board and comprises a dummy pin, radially extending from the first block board or the second block board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Ching Yen, Shih-Yun Chen, Cai-Li Gu, Tsa-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 9004390
    Abstract: A roll medium holding unit is disclosed that includes a core part configured to be inserted in a core pipe of a roll medium; and plural diameter-increasing members configured to be variably arranged at corresponding first positions provided along a periphery of the core part and arranged at corresponding second positions provided away from the core part. The roll medium holding unit is capable of being set in a first holding state where the diameter-increasing members arranged at an outer peripheral surface of the core part support the roll medium with the diameter-increasing members arranged at the corresponding first positions and capable of being set in a second holding state where the core part of a holding member supports the roll medium with the diameter-increasing members arranged at the corresponding second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Morinaga, Kazuhiro Wakamatsu, Takayuki Niihara, Kikuya Nakada
  • Patent number: 9004391
    Abstract: An apparatus for winding a hose line having a threaded male end. The apparatus comprises a frame that has a first side plate, a second side plate and means for positioning the side plates apart from one another. The first side plate has a circular aperture and a center assembly having a handle crank, a revolving handle and means for rotating the center assembly within the first side plate aperture when the handle crank is rotated by hand. A coupling jaw assembly is also provided and has a fork that is removably insertable into the center assembly to capture the threaded male end of the hose line. Rotation of the handle crank then winds the hose line to form a coiled hose within the apparatus. The coiled hose can be transported within the apparatus or can be left standing upright when released from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Roll n Rack LLC
    Inventor: Javier Fernandez
  • Patent number: 9004392
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for spooling wire or cable from a reel assembly. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly. The inner flange assembly is capable of freely rotating relative to the outer flange assembly for spooling wire from any surface. In another embodiment, wire is spooled from a reel assembly comprising an inner flange assembly and an outer flange assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bigbee, Jr., John L. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 9004393
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an aircraft capable of sustained out-of-ground-effect hover flight and sustained supersonic flight. At least some embodiments includes two wings powered by an engine to counterrotate while hovering, and to not rotate and sweep while flying at transonic and supersonic speeds. Other embodiments include two rotating wings that generate a force per unit area of under 100 lb/ft2 within the rotating wing disk during hover. Still other embodiment include a vehicle with rotating wings that can increase pitch to accelerate the aircraft, align the chord line of the wings with the airstream, and sweep the wings. Still further embodiments include a power plant that powers unducted rotating wings during hover and disengages from the wings to propel the aircraft at supersonic speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: University of Kansas
    Inventor: Ronald M. Barrett-Gonzales
  • Patent number: 9004394
    Abstract: A rotorcraft may include an airframe and a rotor connected to the airframe. The rotor may include a plurality of blades defining ducts along the length thereof and vents in fluid communication with the ducts. Flow from through the vents may be controlled by valves with piezoelectric actuators. The valves may be adjusted to achieve a lift profile suited for an operational mode such as vertical, autorotative, or unloaded flight. The lift profile may vary along the length of the blade and may vary cyclically with rotation of the blade. The lift profile may be chosen to approximate a figure of merit for the rotor suitable for a given operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Johannes van der Westhuizen
  • Patent number: 9004395
    Abstract: The rotors of a helicopter are directly connected with electric high-torque motors, and are powered by the latter. Energy generation and rotor drive are separate from each other. The high-torque motor of the main rotor is pivoted to the cabin canopy, so that it can be tilted together with the main rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: EADS Deutschland GmbH, Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jean Botti, Johannes Stuhlberger, Peter Jänker, Georg Niesl, Valentin Klöppel
  • Patent number: 9004396
    Abstract: A method and device of a Skyteboard™ quadcopter are disclosed. In one aspect, a quadcopter includes a first pair of rotors including a first rotor and a second rotor physically enclosed in a peanut shaped airframe, an undercarriage mechanically coupled on a lower side of the peanut shaped airframe, and a second pair of rotors comprising of a third rotor and a fourth rotor mechanically coupled to the undercarriage. The second pair of rotors folds underneath the first pair of rotors such that the first pair of rotors and the second pair of rotors are substantially parallel to each other in a folded mode of the quadcopter. The first pair of rotors is substantially above the second pair of rotors in the folded mode, such that the first rotor is substantially above the third rotor and the second rotor is substantially above the fourth rotor when in the folded mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fatdoor, Inc.
    Inventors: Youenn Colin, Blaise Bertrand, Anthony Patron, Vinh Pho
  • Patent number: 9004397
    Abstract: An autonomous stratospheric unmanned airship with an operating altitude from 5-22 km and with a multi-month operational cycle. Spheroid rigid geodesic frame of constant volume formed by a multitude of struts, with an outer envelope enclosing the frame defining the eigenfrequency spectrum of the airship above 20 Hz, with vibrational amplitudes between 0.1 and 1 cm. Independently controllable electrical propulsion units, attached to the frame in the horizontal plane passing through the center of mass, can change the direction and value of the thrust vector. Buoyancy is controlled with a system integrated inside the geodesic frame including buoyant fluid pressurized tanks, valves for the release of the buoyant fluid through the buoyant fluid conduit into the buoyant gas cell which fills the geodesic frame. Valves at the subsystem support platform enable ambient atmosphere to fill the internal volume of the frame not occupied by the buoyant gas cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hipersfera D.O.O.
    Inventor: Bojan Pecnik
  • Patent number: 9004398
    Abstract: A hot air balloon with an adjustable deflation port at its upper end which can be selectively opened and closed on the ground and during flight. The positive control of the port by the operator of the balloon in the basket allows the deflation port to be adjusted at any position from full open to fully closed or held in intermediate positions as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Forrest L. Walter
  • Patent number: 9004399
    Abstract: A nacelle assembly for a turbine engine has a cowl for a turbine engine. The cowl has a first surface spaced from a second surface. The second surface defines defining a bypass flow passage. A flow volume is spaced between the first surface and the second surface. A plurality of holes are disposed on the cowl. Each of the plurality of holes are configured to alter local air pressure about one of the first surface and the second surface of the cowl. The plurality of holes are in communication with the flow volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Ashok K. Jain
  • Patent number: 9004400
    Abstract: A buoyancy system (2) includes at least one float (3), a deployment assembly (30) having at least one deployment member (34) for deploying the float (3), an engagement controller (5) which activates the deployment assembly (30), and at least two immersion sensors (20) for issuing an order for automatic deployment of the float (3) to the deployment assembly (30). The deployment assembly (30) is provided with a memory (31) containing a pre-established list of events. The deployment assembly (30) deploys each float (3) when a predetermined event occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Bernard Certain, Louis Delorme, Francois-Xavier Filias
  • Patent number: 9004401
    Abstract: An actuator which is operable in response to one of an electrical and an electro-mechanical input signal is provided. The actuator includes an outer casing defined about a central axis, an output shaft disposed within the casing, the output shaft being axially moveable over a stroke length. Further, the actuator also includes a drive mechanism co-operable with the output shaft to drive the output shaft along a part of the stroke length, wherein the actuator is configured such that the output shaft is drivable along all or part of the remainder of the stroke length by external loading while being unconstrained by the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Triumph Actuation Systems—UK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Royston Evans, Malcolm Tierney
  • Patent number: 9004402
    Abstract: An aircraft capable of thrust-borne flight can be automatically retrieved, serviced, and launched. In one embodiment, for retrieval, the aircraft drops a tether and pulls the tether at low relative speed into contact with a horizontal guide. The tether is pulled across the guide until the guide is captured b an end effector. The tether length is adjusted as necessary, and the aircraft swings on the guide to hang in an inverted position. Translation of the tether along the guide then brings the aircraft to a docking carriage, in which the aircraft parks for servicing. For launch, the carriage is swung upright, the end effector is released from the guide, and the aircraft thrusts into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle can thus be accomplished automatically with a simple, economical apparatus. It can be used with low risk of damage and requires moderate accuracy in manual or automatic flight control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aerovel Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Theodore McGeer, Robert Joseph Heavey, III, Damon Lucas McMillan, John William Stafford
  • Patent number: 9004403
    Abstract: The invention is related to a container for a supply unit, in particular an oxygen supply unit and/or a passenger supply unit (PSU), having a container well at least, wherein a container door can be pivotably joint at a container well's edge, in particular pivotable about a hinge at the container well's edge, wherein the container well at least consists of a sheet moulded compound material moulded from a composite of thermoset sheet material based on fiber-reinforced polymer matrices mainly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zodiac Aerotechnics
    Inventors: Gunter Boomgaarden, Mark Niedostatek, Wolfgang Rittner, Hasso Weinmann, Rudiger Meckes
  • Patent number: 9004404
    Abstract: A sealing member for forming a seal in an aircraft, the sealing member comprising: a sealing material; and a stiffening element which provides structural support to the sealing material and comprises a material with a glass transition temperature below +50° C. The stiffening element is relatively flexible when the aircraft is at low altitude (high temperature) but becomes relatively stiff (increasing resistance to seal flutter) when the aircraft is at cruise altitude (low temperature).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Colin John West
  • Patent number: 9004405
    Abstract: A load introducing element for a control surface of an aircraft or a spacecraft comprises at least one first component, one second component and one first flange. At least one surface area of the first component is adapted to conform to the inner contour of the control surface. The second component has at least one eye for receiving bearing means for mounting the control surface. A cross sectional profile of the first component has two or more essentially straight legs, which are connected together on their upper side by an upper edge which is adapted to an upper contour of the control surface. The load introducing element is formed by a fiber reinforced composite material having an integral type of construction in which all of the components are jointly infiltrated and cured. The invention also provides a method for producing such a load introducing element, a drive armature and an aircraft that includes such a load bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: EADS Deutschland GmbH, AIRBUS Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Goettinger, Tamas Havar, Xavier Hue, Franz Stadler
  • Patent number: 9004406
    Abstract: An aircraft wing box spanwise joint, comprising a rib having a web, and a pair of rib fittings joined together, each rib fitting forming a closed loop around the periphery of the rib, wherein the rib is integrally formed with one of the rib fittings. Also, an aircraft wing including two or more of the joints. Also, a method of forming an aircraft wing box spanwise joint, the method comprising forming a pair of rib fittings, wherein one of the rib fittings is integrally formed with a rib having a web, each rib fitting forming a closed loop around the periphery of the rib, bringing the rib fittings together, and joining the rib fittings together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Mochamad Agoes Soenarjo
  • Patent number: 9004407
    Abstract: An anti-icing system includes a component surface having a composite structure including a composite layer, and at least one heating element formed within the composite layer, wherein the heating element is configured to provide a transfer of heat to the component surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Middle River Aircraft Systems
    Inventors: David P. Calder, Graham Howarth
  • Patent number: 9004408
    Abstract: A satellite inclination control method is provided. The method includes tracking optimal inclination vector control cycles for a satellite in near geosynchronous orbit, using control rates disposed to counter inclination growth of the satellite, where the control rates include continuously or quasi-continuously firings of a thruster, and where the control rates are disposed to provide convergence to the optimal inclination vector control cycles in the presence of variances in orbit determination, maneuver implementation and orbit propagation modeling errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kratos Integral Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Vaclav Majer
  • Patent number: 9004409
    Abstract: A high capacity satellite having a launch configuration in which one or more antenna reflectors may be stored forward of a forward surface of the spacecraft and an on-orbit configuration in which a reflector boom may be extended forward and rotated to place the one or more antenna reflectors outboard of the spacecraft main body and further forward of the forward surface of the spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventor: Varouj G. Baghdasarian
  • Patent number: 9004410
    Abstract: A retractable and re-deployable boom assembly is provided for collecting electromagnetic energy, for instance in outer space. The assembly may include a boom having a deployable length and a first layer comprising a flexible substrate formed in a lenticular shape that elastically deforms, and a second layer thereon comprising an array of electromagnetic transducers, which may be positioned on adjacent flexible parabolic reflectors. The assembly may be placed into at least two different configurations: a stowed configuration where the majority of the length is elastically deformed; and a deployed configuration where the majority of the length is not deformed, and where the lenticular shape of the boom provides it with rigidity. The assembly may also have a rotational drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Alliance Spacesystems, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Loyd Steele, Theodore Garry Stern
  • Patent number: 9004411
    Abstract: A mechanical control mixer configured to couple to an aircraft is provided. An axle is mounted to a frame of the mechanical control mixer, and a barrel is configured to rotate about the axle. A central rod is disposed within the barrel. The central rod is configured to rotate with respect to the barrel. A roll control input is connected to the central rod. The roll control input is configured to cause the central rod to rotate within the barrel. Output control rods are connected to the central rod. The output control rods are connected to at least one control surface of the aircraft. An air brake input is connected to the barrel. The air brake input is configured to cause the barrel to rotate about the axle to move at least one of the output control rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Lam
  • Patent number: 9004412
    Abstract: A detection system may include a transmitter associated with a first train configured to emit an end-of-train signal. The detection system may include a receiver associated with the transmitter and configured to receive the end-of-train signal from the transmitter. The receiver may also be configured to receive at least one remote signal from a second train and determine whether the second train is a collision threat based on the remote signal from the second train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Alexander Brown
  • Patent number: 9004413
    Abstract: With respect to each of trains, a ground device 6 detects a train location in the control section on the basis of a propagation time of a radio wave between a vehicle radio set 4 and a wayside radio set 5, in the case in which the ground device 6 determines that the number of trains has reached the controllable number of trains or there is the possibility that the number of trains reaches the controllable number of trains in its own control section, a ground device 6 disposed in an adjacent control section to the control section in which the number of trains is reaching the controllable number of trains, when a train 2 scheduled to travel toward the control section stops in a station 8, prevents departure of the train 2 scheduled to pass through the border of the control section by making the train 2 wait at the station 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Kurita
  • Patent number: 9004414
    Abstract: Described herein generally are flexible securing devices. The devices are extremely easy to use to the point that adults of all ages can use the devices, even the most elderly who would otherwise be incapable. The devices comprise a body which is at least partially bendable or flexible. The body's core generally comprises a metal alloy and in the body's bendable or flexible sections a bendable or flexible metal alloy is used. The body is coated with a least one polymeric coating to protect items, objects or persons interacting with the securing devices from getting damaged or injured from the devices themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: David P. Durben, Dianne S. Durben
  • Patent number: 9004415
    Abstract: A clamp which is capable of being temporarily fastened relative to a cable is provided. The clamp is for fixing a cable to a vehicle body panel wherein a locking hole is formed. The clamp includes a base member including a groove portion having a bottom portion which can abut against at least one portion of an outer circumferential portion of the cable, and a leg portion which can engage with the locking hole; and a clamping member supported in the base member to be capable of being displaced between a temporarily fastened position and a completely fastened position, and demarcating a housing space, which can house the cable, between the bottom portion. An outer shape of the clamping member is structured such that the clamping member is displaced from the temporarily fastened position to the completely fastened position so as to reduce the housing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 9004416
    Abstract: A clamp includes a clamp main body, a flexible member, a pipe holding portion, a pipe insertion path, and a pair of opposite pieces. At least one opposite piece of the pair of opposite pieces, is pressed by an outer circumference of a pipe inserted into the pipe insertion path, and is bendable in a direction in which the pipe insertion path is expandable. One opposite piece extends up to a position adjacent to the pipe holding portion. An extending end portion of one opposite piece protrudes toward an inside of the pipe insertion path from one portion of the flexible member adjacent to the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Takaya Ogawa, Tomoaki Aoshima
  • Patent number: 9004417
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening device (10) for at least one cable (44), having an edge clip part (12) for fitting the fastening device (10) to an edge (28) of a base part (26). A holding device (30) for at least one cable strap (40) surrounds at least one cable (44). The holding device (30) includes fastening sections (38) that constitute a mount for the cable strap (40) in three directions of cable strap orientation orthogonal to each other, so that a cable strap (40) can be fastened to the base part (26) selectively oriented in one of the three directions of cable strap orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Elsner, Juergen Hofmann, Vitali Leidner
  • Patent number: 9004418
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an adjustable elevating supporter for TV which comprises: a combination seat combined to and supporting a liquid crystal television; a supporter comprising: an upper support shaft having an upper end combined to the combination seat and a lower end provided with at least one pair of fixing insertion holes; and a lower support shaft having an axial hole in which the lower end of the upper support shaft is inserted and at least two pairs of insertion holes; an elastic limit piece received in the upper support shaft, and having two ends elastically abutting against the fixing insertion hole and one pair of the insertion holes; an adjusting spring received in the axial hole of the lower support shaft to elastically support the lower end of the upper support shaft upward; and a base connected to a bottom of the lower support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiahe Cheng, Dehua Li
  • Patent number: 9004419
    Abstract: A support device for a tripod includes a base body. On the base body, a pan turning body is provided turnably in the horizontal direction. On the pan turning body, a tilt turning body is provided turnably in the up-down direction. The support device also includes a pan fixing operation body fixing the pan turning body with respect to the base body, and a tilt fixing operation body fixing the tilt turning body with respect to the pan turning body. The support device further includes a tilt turning operation body turning the tilt turning body with respect to the pan turning body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Velbon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 9004420
    Abstract: An interlocking support foot and a container assembly including the support foot permits the support foot to be threaded onto a container but resists loosening of the foot by reverse rotation of the support foot once installed onto the container. The support foot is preferably molded of synthetic resin as a unitary member including a body, a threaded connector and at least one, and preferably a circular array of teeth radially spaced from the connector. The container is complementally configured to include a plurality of support areas for threadably receiving the support foot and provided with a threaded receiver and a radially spaced notch. When the support foot is installed on the support area of the container, the tooth engages the notch and resists reverse rotation of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Snyder Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell A. Oltman
  • Patent number: 9004421
    Abstract: A support system for a fire protection sprinkler includes a support bar having a pair of end brackets disposed at the ends of the support bar. A center bracket assembly is mounted on the support bar and includes a support bracket and a hinge bracket pivotally connected to the support bracket by a hinge pin. The pair of end bracket assemblies each include an outside bracket and an inside bracket secured to the outside bracket wherein at least one of the outside and the inside bracket has an upper end connected to the support bar and includes an angled body extending laterally outward from the upper end away from the center bracket wherein the outside and inside brackets define a channel therebetween for receiving an upper rail of a T-shaped rail of a drop ceiling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 9004422
    Abstract: A support system for a fire protection sprinkler includes a support bar having a pair of end brackets disposed at the ends of the support bar. A center bracket assembly is mounted on the support bar and includes a support bracket and a hinge bracket pivotally connected to the support bracket by a hinge pin. The pair of end bracket assemblies each include an outside bracket and an inside bracket secured to the outside bracket wherein at least one of the outside and the inside bracket has an upper end connected to the support bar and includes an angled body extending laterally outward from the upper end away from the center bracket wherein the outside and inside brackets define a channel therebetween for receiving an upper rail of a T-shaped rail of a drop ceiling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 9004423
    Abstract: A fence post platform attachment device fits on top of a T-post has a top platform portion that allows objects such as birdhouses, signs, sprinklers, lockboxes, etc. to be secured to the T-post. A cross-shaped body portion is formed by bending a sheet of steel into a hollow cross shape and welding it to the top platform portion. A series of holes are disposed along the corners of the top platform portion to allow a user to attach the desired object. Fasteners such as bolts securely hold the selected objet to the top platform portion thereby securing it to the T-post fence post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Charles Aldrich
  • Patent number: 9004424
    Abstract: A pair of linearly spaced thumb screws engage a bracket that slides and locks over the thumb screws to reversibly attach an item connected to the bracket to a surface supporting the thumb screws. The bracket has a body with a length longer than the spaced thumb screws. Apertures on opposing edges of the body engage the thumb screws when the bracket is placed over the thumb screws and twisted. Tapered channels in the body of the bracket capture and hold the thumb screws as the bracket is slid along the thumb screws to secure the bracket and connected item to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Scott Feddes
  • Patent number: 9004425
    Abstract: A damping device includes a cylinder which is under pressure and which has a connection opening for a mount-on part which is fastened to an outer surface of the cylinder by means of an annular tensioning band element. The tensioning band element encircles the cylinder and the mount-on part on a circumferential region and, by its pretensioning, exerts a holding force on the mount-on part. The tensioning band element is underdimensioned in relation to the cross section of the cylinder and mount-on part and the distance between the two structural component parts and is expanded in a final mounting position in relation to a pre-mounting state in order to apply the pretensioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AC
    Inventor: Norbert Ackermann
  • Patent number: 9004426
    Abstract: A concealable hanging device for hanging seasonal decorations, pictures, coats or purses. The hanging device includes a sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, an inside diameter and an outside diameter, and a pin having a proximal end with a head and a distal end with a tip. The pin is movably engaged in the sleeve and oriented such that the proximal end of the pin engages the proximal end of the sleeve and the distal end of the pin engages the distal end of the sleeve so that the moveably-engaged pin can be moved to an extended position and a retracted position within the sleeve but the tip configured such that the tip engages the sleeve to prevent the pin from being removable from the sleeve when the pin is moved to an extended position and the head engages the sleeve to allow the head to be grasped in order to allow the pin to be moved into the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Luis Manuel Taveras
  • Patent number: 9004427
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for connecting a light shelf to a structure in cantilever fashion. A pair of receiver units attach to the structure and each has a pair of brackets with a slot there between. A recess is formed on an upper interior surface of the upper bracket. The lower bracket has an abutment support surface distal to the structure. A pair of inserter units attach to opposite sides of the shelf, each having an insertion leg and an abutment support. The insertion leg inserts into the recess of a corresponding receiver when the abutment support rests on the abutment surface. The weight of the shelf pulls the abutment support into engagement with the abutment surface and pushes the insertion leg into engagement with the recess, holding the shelf horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Prashanth Philip Irudayaraj, Jeffrey Scott Dolby, Jotpreet Singh Chahal, Gregory B. Mckenna, Robert Holcombe
  • Patent number: 9004428
    Abstract: A serving tray stand includes a top portion including a tray rack, and a base portion. The base portion includes at least one leg defining a vertical segment engaged to the tray rack, a horizontal segment extending from the vertical segment, an angled segment extending from the horizontal segment, and an attachment segment extending from the angled segment. The attachment segment of each the at least one legs is disposed in parallel orientation relative to the tray rack and spaced-apart from the tray rack to define a gap therebetween. The gap defined between each attachment segment and the tray rack is configured to receive the tabletop to mount the serving tray stand to the tabletop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Ross McCalla, Paul Nicotra, Joseph J. Nina
  • Patent number: 9004429
    Abstract: A mounting device for installing a track for a curtain or blind has an engagement portion for cooperation with the track by a snap-type engagement. A resiliently deformable release means has a tongue portion (29) that has a free end that is positioned in a cavity of the track when the engagement portions are fully mutually engaged and a connected end that is connected to the mounting portion and spaced from the free end and that is positioned externally of the cavity of the track when the engagement portions are fully mutually engaged. The tongue portion (29) has an abutment face (33) disposed for assisting with prising apart the mounting device and the track by turning a tool, simultaneous with the operation of the tool against the tongue portion. The abutment face is opposed to and spaced from the track in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: MCP New Zealand Limited
    Inventor: Roger F. Dennison
  • Patent number: 9004430
    Abstract: An articulating mount for a television or other device with a display screen, permits in/out translation, left/right translation, and left/right roll or tilting movement of the display of the television or device. The left/right roll or tilting movement is about a generally horizontal axis that remains substantially perpendicular to the display screen of the device that is mounted to the bracket. The articulating mount further provides added retention and support of the television or device when a bracket of the mount is fully retracted, such as when the mount is used in a vehicle that is underway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Imperial Stamping Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick A. Conner
  • Patent number: 9004431
    Abstract: A supporting apparatus is adapted for supporting an electronic device, and includes an upper link, a fixed member, a connecting member, and a force-creating mechanism. The connecting member is disposed in front of and connected pivotally to the upper link, and is connected to the electronic device. The force-creating mechanism includes a swing rod connected pivotally to the fixed member, a movable unit connected movably to a front end of the swing rod, and a biasing spring. Upon movement of the electronic device, the movable unit is moved relative to the swing rod to thereby change the deformation degree of the biasing spring, so as to create a compensating torque that compensates for a torque caused by the gravitational force of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Ming-Hsien Huang
  • Patent number: 9004432
    Abstract: A rotatable housing assembly for use in mounting slides to equipment racks has components for different mounting options on different sides of the housing, and a retractable pin for use in positioning the housing. In some embodiments the housing is rotatably mounted to a bracket attached to a slide member, for example approximate a front of the side, and the retractable pin extends into a semicircular slot of the bracket for use in indexing position of the housing. The housing may include a button for use in retracting the retractable pin, and the assembly may provide for toolless mounting of the slide, and do so in a variety of rack configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Accuride International Inc.
    Inventor: David Laniado Lacarra