Patents Issued in April 14, 2015
  • Patent number: 9004584
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening comprises at least a closure member supported by the stationary part and configured to open and close the roof opening. A wind deflector is positioned near the front of the roof opening and is movable between an ineffective position below the fixed roof and an effective position projecting above the fixed roof. The wind deflector includes flexible wind deflecting material attached to an upper elongate element. The wind deflecting material is also connected at its lower end to a stationary part. An intermediate element is attached to the material between its upper and lower ends and extends along substantially the width of the wind deflecting material. At least a part of the intermediate element is biased toward a first position is displaced in a direction toward an edge of the roof opening when the wind deflector to the effective position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Gaston Edgar Valencia Cadena
  • Patent number: 9004585
    Abstract: Multiple convertible furniture configurations adapted to provide multiple seating surfaces by interchangeable and removable support cushion units inclusive in a single furniture element. Removably self-supporting cushion seat assemblies are selectively secured to a primary furniture element as auxiliary arms and back surfaces, each of which has internally deployable support legs allowing cushion seat assemblies to be used independently wherein combination with the original chair sofa support unit increasing the number of seating surfaces and arrangement possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Volodymyr Pidgornyy
  • Patent number: 9004586
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat, a pedestal, a swivel mechanism connected to the pedestal for permitting the seat to rotate about a vertical axis and a latch located external to the swivel mechanism for preventing rotation of the seat. The seat assembly may further include a bracket for mounting the seat to the swivel mechanism in any one of a plurality of positions. Another vehicle seat assembly includes a track, a seat having a seating portion and a seat back, a base connected to the seat and engaging the track so as to permit longitudinal movement of the seat along the track and a locking mechanism for retaining the seat in a desired position along the track. The locking mechanism includes a vertically extending pin located beneath the center of the seating portion of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: E.V.S. Ltd.
    Inventors: James E. DeCraene, Jeffry H. Wells
  • Patent number: 9004587
    Abstract: A canopy assembly can include a support bow having a side end portion, and a mount fixture including two coupling parts pivotally connected together, one of the two coupling parts being adapted to securely affix with the side end portion, and the other one of the two coupling parts being configured to affix with a support frame of a child carrier apparatus. Each of the two coupling parts can include a retaining structure integrally formed therewith, the retaining structures being engaged with each other to hold the two coupling parts together while allowing relative rotation between the two coupling parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Andrew J. Winterhalter, Robert E. Haut, Curtis M. Hartenstine
  • Patent number: 9004588
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a mobile entertainment system includes a screen assembly with a display and a signal generating device. A housing pivotally coupled to the screen assembly can have a lower portion, an upper portion, and a housing cavity sized and shaped to receive the screen assembly. The upper portion can receive at least a portion of the signal generating device. At least a portion of the screen assembly can rotate through an opening in the lower portion. A shell can receive the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Safety, Inc
    Inventor: Chung Lung Chang
  • Patent number: 9004589
    Abstract: A seat cushion of a vehicle seat includes a cushion made of foam and at least one motor assembly located on or near an upper surface of the cushion. The at least one motor assembly includes a plurality of transducer cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Mark Rockwell, Douglas J. Krueger, Jr., Anup Viswanathan, Daniel Jerome Wiegand
  • Patent number: 9004590
    Abstract: Described are display assemblies having a display coupled to a passenger seat back, a video shroud coupled to the passenger seat back and with an inner opening positioned adjacent the display, wherein a gap is positioned between an outer edge of the display and an edge of the inner opening, and a light apparatus having at least one lighting element coupled to the passenger seat back, wherein the at least one lighting element is positioned to emit light through the gap. The display assembly may also include a diffuser coupled to the video shroud and positioned adjacent the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Rik Westerink, Timothy W. Terleski, Per Magnus Skold, Alexander Gerard Saucier, Armando Valdes
  • Patent number: 9004591
    Abstract: A fixing unit includes: an attachment member attached to a seat body; an engaging member engaged with an opening provided to the seat body; and a string member connecting the attachment member and the engaging member, the string member being engaged with a cover. The engaging member includes: a body to which the string member is attached; a first contact portion provided to the body to be in contact with a first periphery of the opening; and an insert portion provided on the body at a position spaced apart from the first contact portion, the insert portion being inserted into the opening. The insert portion includes a first restricting portion to be in contact with a second periphery of the opening opposite the first periphery to restrict the insert portion from being detached from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murasaki, Yuichi Masuda, Eiichi Sasada
  • Patent number: 9004592
    Abstract: A wheelchair slipcover is provided that includes a first covering member and a second covering member that is adjustable for different wheelchair sizes and configurations. The first covering member has a back covering portion covering a back of the wheelchair, armrest covering portions extending around from both sides of the back covering portion and attaching vertically along the seat portion of the wheelchair. A second covering member covers the seat and the backrest, positioned on the first covering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Barbara Boston
  • Patent number: 9004593
    Abstract: A child carrier having a carrier pass through which defines a restraint path between opposed carrier sides and having a carrier restraint tensioner coupled at a fixed location on the child carrier which operates to adjust length of a carrier restraint disposed in the restraint path to secure the child carrier in relation to a vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seatcure, LLC
    Inventors: Karin J. Banghart, Tye L. Banghart
  • Patent number: 9004594
    Abstract: An actuator system for controlling a lumbar support includes a wire fixed and coupled with a lumbar support at one end; a driving motor rotatable in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction; a worm coupled with the driving shaft of a driving motor; a deceleration part having a worm gear and a screw which decelerates the power of the driving motor; a slider connected to the other end of the wire, and having a protrusion portion and a spiral groove so as to carry out rectilinear reciprocating motion according to the rotation direction of the driving motor; and a housing inserted by the slider and having a wire-passing hole, a connection hole, a mounting hole and a guide hole, wherein the bending degree of a lumbar support may be automatically controlled by rotation driving force applied in a set range, thereby providing riding comfort to passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Cheong Myung Hong
  • Patent number: 9004595
    Abstract: The present disclosure will provide a simple spinal support device that can be used while sitting to force the user to develop proper posture and reduce back strain. This is accomplished by creating a ‘T’ shaped device that can be ergonomically designed for the back. The user will place the device against the back rest of a chair prior to sitting. Alternatively, the device will be integrated within the chair. When in use, the spinal support member will force the user's shoulders to go backwards, improving his or her posture instantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Larrieu
  • Patent number: 9004596
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stackable chair containing a flexible back support frame mechanism that includes an improved spring system designed to allow reclining movement of a back support frame relative to a seat assembly. The back support frame and seat assembly are connected using right and left spring members disposed in a substantial surface-to-surface contact relationship with the seat assembly and back support frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Daniel Paul Chairs, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Barile, Jr., Michael E. Saylor
  • Patent number: 9004597
    Abstract: A chair assembly including a first chair structure, a second chair structure, an actuator assembly coupled to the second chair structure to move the second chair structure between the first and second positions, a control input assembly coupled to the first chair structure, and a control link assembly coupling the control input assembly with the actuator assembly to move the second chair structure between first and second positions, and including a first shaft operably coupled to the control link, and rotatable about a second axis that is substantially orthogonal to the first axis and to the first direction, and first and second universal joint assemblies coupling the first shaft member to the second shaft, wherein actuation of the control input moves the second chair structure between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Russell T. Holdredge, Todd T. Andres
  • Patent number: 9004598
    Abstract: An adjustable seating apparatus for a recumbent stepper includes a seat base mounted to a carriage, which is mounted for longitudinal translation along a guide track. The seat base can be rotatable relative to the carriage. The seat base includes a first handle for releasing the carriage from an elongate positioning member to adjust the longitudinal position, and a second handle for releasing the seat base from a positioning plate to adjust the rotary position of the seat base relative to the carriage. When the seat base has been rotated from its nominal position, the carriage will generally be prevented from being released from the elongate positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: NuStep, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Paul Weber, Douglas Robert Hennigar, Roger Adrian Fettes, Karl G. Sponsler
  • Patent number: 9004599
    Abstract: A seat module for an aircraft passenger includes a seat including a horizontal squab and a backrest, and a separation panel extending along at least one side of the seat. The seat is configured to move between a straight position, in which the backrest of the seat extends approximately vertically, and a reclined position, in which the backrest extends in a plane approximately perpendicular to the separation panel. The separation panel is lined, on a surface portion facing the seat, with a trim configured to form a surface on which the passenger may sit or lie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus
    Inventors: Alexandra Collins, Mark Collins
  • Patent number: 9004600
    Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle includes an inner gear plate, an outer gear plate, a first wedge member and a second wedge member positioned within a clearance formed between a peripheral of a center opening of the outer gear plate and a center cylindrical portion of the inner gear plate while outer teeth and inner teeth are meshed with one another, a third wedge member and a fourth wedge member positioned within respective spaces formed between the first wedge member and the center cylindrical portion of the inner gear plate, and the second wedge member and the center cylindrical portion of the inner gear plate, respectively, a first biasing member locking a relative rotation of the inner gear plate and the outer gear plate, and an operating portion allowing the relative rotation of the outer gear plate and the inner gear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sadao Ito
  • Patent number: 9004601
    Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus includes a base plate, a ratchet plate, lock members supported by the base plate to be movable between engaged and disengaged positions, an operating mechanism for moving the lock members between the engaged and disengaged positions, and an unlocked-state forcibly holding mechanism, for forcibly holding each of the lock members, including a forced lock release projection on one lock member and a forced lock release surface on the ratchet plate and which engages with the forced lock release projection to hold the lock members in the disengaged position. The lock members, on which the forced lock release projection is not formed, are subjected to a force so as to be urged downward due to gravity when the seatback is in between the forwardly-tilted position and the first-stage locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Shiroki Corporation
    Inventors: Nobumasa Higashi, Noriaki Maeda, Kazutaka Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9004602
    Abstract: In a latching device for a head restraint, a locking element is movably mounted in a carrier device. The locking element can be moved from a locked position into an unlocked position by actuation of an actuating device. The latching device is movably mounted with respect to a retaining rod. In the unlocked position, the locking element allows the latching device to be moved with respect to the retaining rod, while in the locked position the locking element engages in at least one cut-out of the retaining rod for latching the latching device with respect to the retaining rod. According to the invention, in the locked position the carrier device, together with the locking element arranged therein, is mirror-symmetrical to an xz plane extending substantially perpendicularly to the carrier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Martin Gottwald, Jan Stransky, Mikulas Ptasinsky, Michael Martinka, Daniel Schmitt, Ralph Michalka
  • Patent number: 9004603
    Abstract: An armrest assembly includes an adjusting seat received in a base slideable in a length direction. The adjusting seat is slideable in a width direction relative to a seat fixed to the base. A first control button initially engaged with the adjusting seat can be operated to disengage from the adjusting seat and to disengage a transverse positioning block from the seat, allowing adjustment in the length and width directions. A lower rod is fixed to a chair body and is received in an upper rod movable in a height direction. A second control button is mounted in a window in the upper rod and includes engagement teeth engaged with a gear on a screw rod in threading connection with a screw rod coupling seat on the lower rod. The second control button can be operated to disengage the engagement teeth from the gear, allowing adjustment in the height direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9004604
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and seating product that include a seat deck assembly with a tensioned fabric decking are described. The seat deck assembly includes one or a pair of frame rails attached along opposite edges of the decking. The decking includes an elastomeric textile. The decking or a first of the frame rails is attached to a first side of the frame. The second of the frame rails is placed in a rigid fixture. A force is applied by an actuator to the frame to move the second side of the frame toward the second frame rail and to stretch the elastomeric fabric. The second frame rail is couple to the second side of the frame and the assembled frame is removed from the fixture. Cushions, padding or an upholstered covering can complete embodiments of the seating product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Bogard, Mark Mazza, Bernard R. Simon, Larry I. Bullard
  • Patent number: 9004605
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is such that a seating surface is formed by a plurality of pad block portions, each of which has a convex shape due to a pleat structure, that are fit together, with a sectional shape in a width direction of the seating surface being a concave shape. Even at a location of the seating surface formed in the concave shape that is affected by a difference in body shape of a seated person, a shape of the location is formed in a shape following the body shape of the seated person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunio Nishiyama, Yui Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9004606
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for vertically adjusting a bezel and a bezel support defining a webbing guide for a seat belt webbing integrated into a vehicle seat. The adjustment arrangement includes a bearing block arrangement and a slotted latch plate mounted in a frame channel of the seat. A spring biased height adjustment frame extends from the bezel support and a spring biased release member is pivotally mounted within the bezel support and provided with a latching tooth engageable and disengageable with the latch plate for establishing various vertical positions of the bezel and the bezel support relative to an upper end of the frame channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: H.O. Bostrom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul C. Bostrom, Matthew C. Horn, Wayne R. Block
  • Patent number: 9004607
    Abstract: A towable cart including an axle, at least one bearing rotatably coupled to the axle, a frame configured for selectable attachment to the bearing, and a container attached to the frame. A tow bar has a first and a second end, and is coupled to the axle at the first end of the tow bar. A first end of a tip structure is pivotally coupled to the container and a second end of the tip structure is fixedly attached to the bearing. An arm is attached to the container and is selectably coupled to the tow bar. The container is in a loading condition when the arm is coupled to the tow bar and is in an unloading condition when the arm is not coupled to the tow bar. The container is movable between the loading condition and the unloading condition over a pivoting range greater than ninety degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ohio Steel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Martini, Andrew Pickhard, Michael Newman
  • Patent number: 9004608
    Abstract: An ice pulverizing knife comprises a frame and a plurality of blades. The frame has a substantially circular base and comprises a top, a base and at least one opening. The top has a socket adapted for mechanically coupling the frame with a vertical drive shaft. Rotation of the vertical drive shaft results in rotation of the frame. The base engages with ice on a ground surface. The at least one opening is positioned between the top and the base. The plurality of blades is secured to the frame. Each blade radially projects from the frame and engages with the ice on the ground surface for cutting the ice. Ice cut by the blade and accumulated inside the frame is expelled from the frame through the at least one opening. An ice pulverizing device is equipped with the ice pulverizing knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Guy Charbonneau
  • Patent number: 9004609
    Abstract: A method for driving tunnels, galleries, shafts or the like with a driving device (1; 2; 15), including: that a cutting head (4) rotating around a general axis of rotation (R) and having cutting elements directed essentially radially outwardly is applied against a rock surface to be worked. The rock cutting elements (13), are formed on cutting rolls (7) are brought to roll against the rock side during pressing against the rock and rotation of the cutting head (4), and the rock cutting elements during rolling are brought to cut sidewardly arranged grooves in the rock surface at a distance from each other. The invention also concerns a rotatable cutting head and a device and a rig for driving tunnels, galleries, shafts or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Craelius AB
    Inventors: Sverker Hartwig, Gunnar Nord, Federico Scolari, Jan Folke Wallenius, Morgan Norling, Kaj Emanuelsson
  • Patent number: 9004610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick-change tool holder system, comprising a base part with a quick-change tool holder receptacle and a quick-change tool holder having a cutting tool receptacle configured for insertion into the quick-change tool holder receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: BOMAG GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Erdmann, Steffen Wachsmann, Niels Laugwitz, Karl-Hermann Moetz
  • Patent number: 9004611
    Abstract: A wheel-balancing weight mounts to a wheel with a flange. The weight includes a body and a clip. The body is stamped by a punch to define a pocket within which an attaching portion of the clip resides. The defined pocket has a planar base and opposing side walls generally perpendicular to the base. The body as stamped by the punch includes a pre-stake for each side wall external to the pocket and adjacent the side wall, and an undercut for each side wall within the pocket and generally located at a juncture of the side wall and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Wegmann Automotive USA Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Robert McMahon
  • Patent number: 9004612
    Abstract: A connecting element serves to connect a flanged ring of a hub-bearing unit to a wheel or a suspension standard of a motor vehicle. The connecting element has an overall crown-like shape and forms, in a single piece, an annular portion and a plurality of parallel, equally angularly spaced pin portions which extend protruding axially from a same side of the annular portion and each have a threaded section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Andreas Knopf, Paolo Re
  • Patent number: 9004613
    Abstract: Two pressure chambers of the master cylinder and brake cylinders provided respectively for front left and right wheels are respectively connected directly to each other by master passages. Provided respectively in the master passages are master cut-off valves each as a normally-closed electromagnetic open/close valve. As a result, when the brake pedal is not operated and when no current is supplied to solenoids of the respective master cut-off valves, the pressure chambers and the brake cylinders are respectively disconnected to each other, preventing an outflow of the working fluid from the pressure chambers, i.e., fluid chambers of a master reservoir to the brake cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miyazaki, Takayuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9004614
    Abstract: In some aspects, a master cylinder assembly for vertical lift aircraft is configured to move pressurized fluid through a conduit in response to applied movement of an input lever. A low pressure relief valve can be connected to a first conduit to limit pressure to a low level. An isolation valve can be connected to the first conduit and configured to isolate the low pressure relief valve from the conduit when engaged. A high pressure relief valve can be connected to a second fluid conduit to limit pressure to a high level. In some aspects, a rotor brake actuator is fluidly connected to the first conduit and the second conduit and configured to engage a rotor brake in response to hydraulic fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Carl T. Elving, James E. Sobel, Michael Pujol
  • Patent number: 9004615
    Abstract: A method for operating a hydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle, comprising a pressure generating device used to build up additional brake pressure in a master brake cylinder or in addition to a master brake cylinder and in opposition to further pedal actuation wherein the additional pressure is a function of the pedal actuation travel distance. A method that reduces the limitations of a braking system's physical parameters on the build-up of additional braking pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Svensson, Ian Moore, Rudolf Daniels
  • Patent number: 9004616
    Abstract: A brake control system for motor vehicles includes a stability system for stabilizing the vehicle from the standpoint of driving dynamics during braking, a triggering unit for the automatic output of a braking demand as a function of the traffic situation, a braking unit which converts the braking demand into a braking action, and a control unit for modifying the braking demand prior to its implementation as a function of the state of the stability system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Heinebrodt, Martin Randler
  • Patent number: 9004617
    Abstract: A brake device can prevent deterioration of braking force by applying a predetermined pressure in the drive hydraulic pressure chamber even when an electric system failure occurs. The brake device includes a stroke simulator portion, regulator, a first passage connecting the accumulator and the high pressure port of the regulator, a second passage connecting the reservoir tank and the low pressure port of the regulator, a third passage connecting the stroke simulator portion and the pilot pressure input port of the regulator, a fourth passage connecting the drive hydraulic pressure chamber and the output port of the regulator and a fifth passage connecting the accumulator and the drive hydraulic pressure chamber bypassing the high pressure port. The normally open type pressure decrease control valve is provided in the second passage or in the fourth passage whereas the normally closed pressure increase control valve is provided in the fifth passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Satoshi Ishida
  • Patent number: 9004618
    Abstract: An endless track for a track assembly providing traction to a work vehicle (e.g., an agricultural vehicle, a construction vehicle, etc.). The endless track comprises an elastomeric carcass having an inner side for facing wheels of the work vehicle and a ground-engaging outer side for engaging the ground. The endless track has a lug replacement capability to facilitate replacement of one or more drive/guide lugs on the inner side and/or one or more traction lugs on the ground-engaging outer side or portions of these lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Camoplast Solideal, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Delisle, François Leblanc, Patrice Boily, Martin Lunkenbein, Greg Thody, Dewaine Kautsch, Jeff Staab, Martin Denis, Jake Dalphond
  • Patent number: 9004619
    Abstract: A mobile machine track shoe includes a ground engaging surface including a first grouser bar and a second grouser bar substantially parallel to the first grouser bar. The track shoe further includes a base opposite the ground engaging surface. The base includes a first relief disposed opposite the first grouser bar, and a second relief disposed opposite the second grouser bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Meyer, Mark Steven Diekevers, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, William Jay Ulrich, IV
  • Patent number: 9004620
    Abstract: A storage assembly has a container, a plurality of drawers arranged to be located in the container, and a gang lock arrangement. The gang lock includes a locking member located in the container and a locking unit locatable in the container. The locking unit has a support, and also a shifting part and a retaining part carried by the support. The shifting part is arranged to move the locking member with respect to the container such that the locking member releasably engages with, and thus releasably retains, the plurality of drawers in the container. The retaining part includes a resiliently biased latch member arranged to releasably retain the locking unit in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Stanley Works Israel Ltd.
    Inventors: Danny Baruch, Elad Hay Shitrit
  • Patent number: 9004621
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a case; an object member held by the case; an operating portion provided in the case side; a biasing member; a pushing member moved by operating the operating portion; a locking member movable between an engagement position where the locking member engages with the object member held by the case and a disengagement position where the locking member disengages from the object member, biased toward the engagement position by the biasing member, and pushed toward the disengagement position by moving the pushing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masao Honda, Ikki Tatsukami
  • Patent number: 9004622
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the height of at least one counter, the at least one counter being guided in a household device by at least one pull-out guide. The apparatus includes at least one sliding rail on which the at least one counter is guidable and configured to be pulled out in a pull-out direction. Also included is a height adjustment mechanism configured to be fixed to opposing side walls of the household device. The height adjustment mechanism includes two arms which are rotatably fixed to each of the side walls. Further included are two guide rails fixable to respective second ends of the arms in a rotatable manner parallel to the plane of the side walls and an energy storage device is fixed to at least one of the opposing side walls of the household device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Paul Hettich GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oscar Garcia, Eqaut Arriaga, Ilker Lopetegi, Mikel Azkue
  • Patent number: 9004623
    Abstract: A door for a domestic appliance, in particular for a cooking oven. The door comprises two door columns on the left hand side and on the right hand side of the door, an outer door panel at the outer sides of the door columns, an inner door panel at the inner sides of the door columns, and a cover frame for covering the top sides of the door columns and the inner door panel. In a mounted state the cover frame is fastened on the door columns, and the inner door panel is clamped by the cover frame. In an intermediate state the cover frame is fastened at the door columns in another position as in the mounted state, so that the inner door panel is removable from the inner sides of the door columns. Further, a corresponding domestic appliance with at least one door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Erhardt Koitzsch, Gerhard Schaff, Dietmar Hildner, Branko Ivanovic
  • Patent number: 9004624
    Abstract: In some examples, a printing system including a rotating platen having an axis of rotation and configured to support a substrate, and a printhead configured to eject drops in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation onto the substrate supported by the rotating platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Baker, Edward T. Chrusciel
  • Patent number: 9004625
    Abstract: A nail print apparatus, including: a print head which performs printing on a nail region on the basis of image data including a first design and a second design that is a background of the first design; and an image data processing unit which has a second image data processing unit that processes the image data so that the second design covers an entire nail region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuichi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 9004626
    Abstract: A recording device has a cartridge that holds a first ink tank filled with ink, and a second ink tank that is filled with ink of the same color; an inkjet head that prints using a first nozzle row that ejects ink supplied from the first ink tank, and a second nozzle row that ejects ink supplied from the second ink tank; and recording control unit that prints on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the first nozzle row or the second nozzle row. The recording control unit determines which ink tank contains more ink, and ejects ink to print from the nozzle row connected to the ink tank containing the most ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Tsuchiya, Akihiko Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 9004627
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus which can make a distribution tank compact and has excellent pressure-control precision is provided with an inkjet portion A having a recording head 11 for applying ink to a recording medium 1 and a distribution tank 12 for supplying ink to the recording head 11, an ink supply means B having a main tank 21 for supplying ink to the distribution tank 12, and an air supply means C having an air chamber 31 communicating with a space 12ain the distribution tank 12 and a pressure adjustment mechanism provided on the air chamber 31 via a solenoid valve, where the pressure of the space 12a and the internal pressure of the air chamber 31 are equal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Miyakoshi Printing Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Izawa, Takao Namiki, Akira Ishikawa, Wataru Itabashi
  • Patent number: 9004628
    Abstract: An image recording device includes a support member, a print head, a tension adjustment unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured: to move the print head to the retracted position; to control the tension adjustment unit to adjust the tension of the print medium to a print tension while the print head is positioned at the retracted position; to move the print head to the print position; to control the print head to execute printing; to move the print head to the retracted position, and to control the tension adjustment unit to release the tension of the print medium while the print head is positioned at the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Oba, Yujiro Nomura, Kaneo Yoda
  • Patent number: 9004629
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a reflex printing system with improved image quality. A media transport moves a media substrate or an intermediate belt along a media path in a process direction past the two or more print heads, which deposit inks onto the media substrate or the intermediate belt. A velocity measuring device directly measures and transmits the speed of the surface of belt or media that is to receive the image to a controller, which sends print commands to the two or more print heads to control the frequency of the printing. The inks deposited on the media substrate or intermediate belt have a color registration of from 10 to 20 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. de Jong, Barry P. Mandel
  • Patent number: 9004630
    Abstract: There is provided an inkjet printing apparatus which can perform stable ejection also in successive printing at high speed even in a case of performing printing in use of a print head provided with an ejection opening surface having hydrophilic properties. The inkjet printing apparatus comprises an inkjet print head wherein the control unit controls the print head such that, in a case where the ejection number of the ink ejected from the print head after removing the ink on the ejection opening surface by the ink removal unit is equal to or more than a threshold, a drive energy amount that is supplied for the preliminary ejection operation is larger than a drive energy amount that is supplied for the preliminary ejection operation in a case where the ejection number is less than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshikazu Nagatsuka, Shuichi Murakami, Keiji Tomizawa, Atsushi Omura, Etsuko Sawada, Hiroaki Mihara, Yohei Hamade
  • Patent number: 9004631
    Abstract: A mechanism enables inkjets in a printhead to be operated to eject ink in an effort to replace ink exposed to ambient conditions with ink from within the printhead. The mechanism includes a controller configured to operate an intermediate imaging member to rotate to align a plurality of apertures with inkjets on a printhead. The inkjets are operated to eject ink through the plurality of apertures and ink from within the printhead replaces the ejected ink without impacting the formation of subsequent ink images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Folkins, David Mantell
  • Patent number: 9004632
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head and a driving unit. The recording head includes a plurality of element columns. Each element column includes a plurality of recording elements arrayed in a first direction to discharge ink, and is divided into a plurality of groups including a plurality of continuous recording elements. The driving unit drives the recording head and execute control so that the plurality of recording elements in each group is driven in order at a specific time interval. A number of the element columns is equal to or larger than a number of recoding elements in a group. The driving unit controls driving of the plurality of element columns so that recorded data of one column is recorded within a conveyance width of a recording medium to be conveyed within the specific time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eisuke Nishitani, Koichiro Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 9004633
    Abstract: To provide an ink jet recording apparatus in which the residual vibration of any ink can be prevented to avoid the spread of the ink at an opening portion and to perform the continuous discharge of the ink stably. An ink-jet recording apparatus includes a recording head including a pressure chamber and a nozzle, the pressure chamber containing ink, the nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber and having an opening portion formed therein to discharge the ink, a piezoelectric element forming part of the pressure chamber, and a driving signal producing section producing a driving signal to be input to the piezoelectric element to change the volume of the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shota Yanagisawa