Patents Issued in December 15, 2015
  • Patent number: 9211925
    Abstract: A loading jig apparatus may include a jig frame, first moving units installed on the jig frame and moved in up and down directions, left and right directions, and front and rear directions by driving a drive motor, first support units installed at the first moving units respectively, and supporting both sides of the vehicle body panel, second support units installed on the jig frame to correspond to a front side of the vehicle body panel, and supporting the front side of the vehicle body panel, at least one second moving unit installed on the jig frame to correspond to a rear side of the vehicle body panel and moved in the up and down directions and the front and rear directions by driving a drive motor, and a third support unit installed on the second moving unit, and supporting the rear side of the vehicle body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yoon Jang
  • Patent number: 9211926
    Abstract: A motorcycle fender cosmetic enhancement/kickstand support for easily enhancing the appearance of motorcycles and to stabilize parked motorcycles. The motorcycle fender cosmetic enhancement/kickstand support includes a planar support member having a top, a bottom, opposed ends and sides, and a thickness and adapted to being magnetically attached to a fender of a motorcycle; and a pad member removably supported by the planar support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: David M. Blaeser
  • Patent number: 9211927
    Abstract: A cycling seat assembly provides a more comfortable riding experience for a person on a bicycle, tricycle or the like. The assembly includes a seat having a pair of seat sections each including a rod and a cushion positioned around the associated rod. At least one arm is attached to and extends between the rods. A mount is attached to the seat wherein the mount is configured for coupling the seat to a seat tube of a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Dick
  • Patent number: 9211928
    Abstract: A motorcycle saddlebag includes an outer panel having a forward portion that defines a forward edge, a rearward portion that defines a rearward edge, and a side portion that defines a lower edge. The outer panel includes an inner surface. The inner panel is received by the outer panel and includes a back wall and a bottom wall. The back and bottom walls define an engagement surface that engages the inner surface of the outer panel and extends along and engages the forward portion, the side portion, and the rearward portion. When the saddlebag is attached to the motorcycle, the forward and rearward edges are positioned nearer a rear fender portion than the back wall and the engagement surface, and the lower edge is positioned below the bottom wall and the engagement surface. The lid is pivotally coupled to either of the outer panel and the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Dowco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kaczowski, Timothy J. LaFleur, Troy M. Zaskowski
  • Patent number: 9211929
    Abstract: A motorcycle fairing cover is made of a stretch-recovery fabric having a front face and an opposite face and defining an opening. The stretch-recovery fabric is stretched to place it into position over the motorcycle fairing. One or more non-slip patches or tapes are appended to or formed on the opposite face adapted to contact the motorcycle fairing when the cover is installed. A motorcycle headlight is exposed through the opening. Optional fasteners may be included for joining or tying the motorcycle fairing mask to a motorcycle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Novigo Designs, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew S. Holeman, Harold D. Holeman
  • Patent number: 9211930
    Abstract: The motorcycle includes a power unit having a crankcase of an internal combustion engine, the fuel injection system mounted to the power unit, a fuel tank, a fuel pump unit by which fuel in the fuel tank is supplied to the fuel injection system, and the fuel filter device. The fuel supply system for the motorcycle includes the fuel filter device that is cylindrical in shape, the pressure regulator cylindrical in shape is mounted to an outside portion of the fuel filter device, with its cylinder axis inclined against the cylinder axis of the fuel filter device. A fuel pipe extends from an outlet pipe of the pressure regulator to the fuel injection system in a connecting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsubasa Ishii
  • Patent number: 9211931
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided with a vehicle body frame including a pair of left and right main frames and a pair of left and right seat rails disposed on the rear sides of the pair of left and right main frames, and the motorcycle is also provided with a canister for collecting evaporated fuel in a fuel tank supported by the main frames, the canister being arranged in an intermediate area in a width direction of the pair of left and right seat rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaki Nishiguchi
  • Patent number: 9211932
    Abstract: A self-propelled unicycle is selectively engaged with a vehicle for use with the vehicle and is selectively disengaged with the vehicle for independent use. The self-propelled unicycle includes a hub and a wheel rotatably coupled to the hub. A motor is supported on the hub and is coupled to the wheel for rotating the wheel relative to the hub. The hub including an engagement feature for selectively engaging and disengaging the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Huennekens, Samuel Ellis, Greg Foletta, Lauri Mikael Ohra-aho
  • Patent number: 9211933
    Abstract: There is provided a steering shaft modifier, capable of fundamentally preventing distortion generated in a new steering shaft, being easing aligned, and being simply assembled, including: a frame having a steering shaft penetrating portion formed in a front surface thereof and having a contact surface covering a portion of the steering head and disposed to be in contact with an upper bearing installation portion of a steering shaft installation portion; a shaft including a head portion caught by a lower bearing installation portion of the steering shaft installation portion of the steering head, a body portion passing through the steering shaft installation portion, and a connection portion connected to the frame; and a frame block including a lower contact surface tightly attached to a lower surface of the steering head in the rear of the lower bearing installation portion and coupled to the frame when installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Hyun-Eui Lee
  • Patent number: 9211934
    Abstract: An electric vehicle, such as an electric motorcycle, which includes a vehicle body; a vehicle body frame having a head pipe that holds a front wheel in a steerable manner; a swing arm holding a rear wheel in a swingable manner in a vertical direction of the vehicle body; an electric motor arranged to a substantially central portion between the front wheel and the rear wheel; a battery arranged in a space between the head pipe and the electric motor and inside the vehicle body frame in a manner deviated to either one of sides in a width direction of the vehicle body; and a rear suspension tilted forward and arranged inside the vehicle body frame and above the electric motor in a manner deviated to another one of the sides in the width direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teppei Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9211935
    Abstract: A bicycle brake assembly comprises brake arms, axles, a force application linkage structure, and a movement control linkage member. The brake arms are each pivotably mounted at the central portion thereof on a respective one of the axles. The force application linkage structure has a first force transmitting member connected to the first brake arm and a second force transmitting member thereof connected to the second brake arm. The movement control linkage member is coupled between the first one of the force transmitting members of the force application linkage structure and the second one of the axles for controlling movement the brake arms relative to each other for a given displacement of the force application linkage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Craig Hawley Edwards
  • Patent number: 9211936
    Abstract: A control device is configured to be installed on a handlebar of a bicycle and configured to operate a brake device on the bicycle. The control device basically includes a bicycle attachment member, a brake operating member and at least one of a wireless communication unit and a notification unit. The brake operating member is pivotally coupled to the attachment member to pivot about a first axis. The least one of the wireless communication unit and the notification unit is disposed on the brake operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Gao
  • Patent number: 9211937
    Abstract: A leg scooter device having a platform to receive the foot of a user that is positioned between forward and aft wheels. An ascending member extends above the platform and contacts the lower leg of a user during use. It is through the lower leg's contact with the ascending member and the placement of one or both of the user's feet on the platform that the user “senses” the devices and controls it. The ascending member may be movable and/or configured to be biased toward contact with the user. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Shane Chen
  • Patent number: 9211938
    Abstract: A dual rod apparatus for coupling and decoupling of attachment hooks to facilitate the mooring of a boat. The apparatus comprises an attachment front end which includes a hook, a hook attachment base connected onto the hook by a wedge. The hook attachment base having a pair of pull line apertures and a pair of rod channels. The apparatus includes a pair of rods, a pair of pull lines. A fixed guide provides stability for the rods and pull lines. A handle controls the apparatus. A slide is positioned between the guide and handle and opens the hook when the slide is pulled with sufficient force to overcome locking tensions placed by the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventors: Venanzio Cardarelli, Ronald A Wolf
  • Patent number: 9211939
    Abstract: An elongate anchor arm is rotatably secured to the side of a boat so that the arm may be rotated down from the floating boat and locked into engagement with the water bottom. An anchoring and/or orienting effect is achieved by rotating and locking the arm such that a portion of the side of the arm is forced into and held against the water bottom. For anchoring in water deeper than the length of the anchor arm, one end of a flexible anchor line is secured to a conventional line-deployed anchor and the other line end is attached to the far end of the anchor arm. The arm is rotated to achieve the anchoring and/or orienting effect of attaching the anchor line at different points on the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventors: Carlos A. Torres, Rainer Kuenzel
  • Patent number: 9211940
    Abstract: Deflectors configured to be attached to cables towed behind a vessel for performing a marine survey and associated methods are provided. A deflector has a body including a wing portion and a knuckle portion. The wing portion has substantially flat wings extending away from a position where the body is attached to the cable. The knuckle portion is configured to attach the wing portion to the cable so that the wing portion remains able to rotate about three rectangular axes while being towed underwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SA
    Inventor: Hervé Richer De Forges
  • Patent number: 9211941
    Abstract: A device for connection to at least one swim noodle having an alcove defined by side walls. The device includes a body member having an elongated base portion and a generally conical shaped engagement portion connected to and extending generally perpendicularly outwardly from the base portion. A barb extends generally helically about the engagement portion for substantially the length of the engagement portion, and the base defining at least one coupling profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas H. Bartow, Davis K. Bartow
  • Patent number: 9211942
    Abstract: A balloon is provided having a balloon envelope, one or more straws, where each of the one or more straws includes a first end connected to the balloon envelope and a second end within the balloon envelop, one or more mechanisms, where each mechanism is operable to close and open the first end of one of the straws, and a control system configured to cause at least one of the mechanisms to close the first end of the corresponding straw such that gas is retained in the balloon envelope and to cause at least one of the mechanisms to open the first end of the corresponding straw such that gas below the second end of the corresponding straw is released from the balloon envelope through the corresponding straw, causing the balloon to descend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Roach
  • Patent number: 9211943
    Abstract: An interior equipment element 2 for vehicle cabins, in particular of aircraft. The interior equipment element 2 consists of at least one first portion 7, on the surface of which there is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: DIEHL AIRCABIN GMBH
    Inventor: Jörg Mäder
  • Patent number: 9211944
    Abstract: Actuator for gas-operated emergency opening of an openable element of an aircraft, having the ability to vent the gas. The actuator for emergency opening of an openable element of an aircraft includes a thrustor, a pressurised-gas reservoir where the gas reservoir having a membrane capable of being perforated in order to actuate said thrustor, a movable perforator arranged to perforate said membrane of said reservoir in order to release the gas into the thrustor via a first fluid circuit, and a venting circuit that vents, away from the thrustor, the gas contained in the reservoir, in the event of accidental rupture of said membrane, via a second fluid circuit which does not actuate said thrustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: RATIER FIGEAC
    Inventor: Eric Delbos
  • Patent number: 9211945
    Abstract: An insulation arrangement with two or more insulation packages that overlap such that at least one overlapping region is formed and are arrangeable on a fuselage wall is provided. The insulation packages comprise an insulating material and welded cover films. The cover films are realized in an airtight and waterproof fashion and comprise ventilation openings on a side that is directed toward the fuselage wall in an overlapping region. In this way, pressure variations in the insulation packages can be compensated with relatively dry air that originates from a gap between the insulation packages and the fuselage wall in order to thusly reduce the accumulation of condensation water in the insulation packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Redecker, Rainer Mueller
  • Patent number: 9211946
    Abstract: A wing fold system of a wing of an aircraft. The system may include a first lock of a latch to prevent movement of a latch pin of the latch to prevent movement of an unfixed portion of the wing with respect to a fixed portion of the wing, the first lock may include a first cam configured to prevent the second lock from transitioning to a second engaged position until the first lock may be in a first engaged position via contact with a second cam of the second lock. A second lock of the latch, the second lock may include the second cam configured to prevent the first lock from transitioning away from the first engaged position until the second lock transitions away from the second engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Steven Good, Jan A. Kordel, Quentin Theodor Pietersen, Steven Paul Walker, Kelly Thomas Jones, Matthew August Lassen, Rickie Hansken
  • Patent number: 9211947
    Abstract: A system comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having wing elements and tail elements configured to roll to angularly orient the UAV by rolling so as to align a longitudinal plane of the UAV, in its late terminal phase, with a target. A method of UAV body re-orientation comprising: (a) determining by a processor a boresight angle error correction value bases on distance between a target point and a boresight point of a body-fixed frame; and (b) effecting a UAV maneuver comprising an angular role rate component translating the target point to a re-oriented target point in the body-fixed frame, to maintain the offset angle via the offset angle correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Carlos Miralles
  • Patent number: 9211948
    Abstract: A motor-driven landing gear apparatus for taxiing an aircraft includes a motor attached to a bogie. A wheel-driving device is attached to an axle of the landing gear apparatus. A telescoping shaft provides a torque-transmitting interconnection between the motor and the wheel-driving device during taxiing of the aircraft. The telescoping shaft includes an internally-splined shaft rotatably supported within a housing attached to the bogie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Med Osman, Louie Timothy Gaines
  • Patent number: 9211949
    Abstract: An aircraft wheel comprising a rim adapted to receive a tire, and a hub connected to the rim (2) in order to receive bearings for guiding the wheel in rotation about an axis of rotation (X) on an axle of the aircraft. The wheel includes at least one dog (10) that projects laterally from the rim in order to present two parallel faces (11). The dog is pierced by an orifice (12) extending from one face to the other along a generally orthoradial direction (Y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: MESSIER-BUGATTI-DOWTY
    Inventors: Mirca Barbu, Sébastien Remond
  • Patent number: 9211950
    Abstract: A main rotor assembly for a rotary wing aircraft includes a blade assembly secured to a rotor hub. The blade assembly includes a rotor blade and a slat positioned to define a slat gap between the rotor blade and the slat. One or more struts extend from the rotor blade to the slat to position the slat and control motion of the slat. The rotor blade and the slat are secured to a common rotor cuff such that the rotor cuff acts as a centrifugal force support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Benjamin Reed Hein
  • Patent number: 9211951
    Abstract: Wind energy systems, such as an Airborne Wind Turbine (“AWT”), may be used to facilitate conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy. An AWT may include an aerial vehicle that flies in a path to convert kinetic wind energy to electrical energy. The aerial vehicle may be tethered to a ground station with a tether that terminates at a tether termination mount. In one aspect, the tether may be a conductive tether that can transmit electricity and/or electrical signals back and forth between the aerial vehicle and the ground station. The tether termination mount may include one or more gimbals that allow for the tether termination mount to rotate about one or more axis. In a further aspect, the tether termination mount may include a slip ring that allows for rotation of the tether without twisting the tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Hachtmann, Corwin Hardham, Damon Vander Lind, Rob Nelson
  • Patent number: 9211952
    Abstract: A folding table system includes a table and a removable extension, together with a rigidification element slidably mounted within a cavity made in the table such that a portion of the rigidification element can be inserted in a housing made in the removable extension so as to rigidify the assembly formed by the table and the removable extension. The removable character of the removable extension in particular allows the system to be deployed by passing around possible obstacles by an appropriate conformation of at least one edge of the abovementioned assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus SAS
    Inventor: Bernard Rumeau
  • Patent number: 9211953
    Abstract: An equipment module for a vehicle comprises a floor element, at least one first inductive coupling element and at least one electronics unit. The floor element comprises at least one attachment means, which can be reached from the top, for attaching items of equipment, and on the underside at least one retaining means for attaching the floor element at a positioning space in a vehicle. The first inductive coupling element is arranged on the floor element and is connected to at least one electronics unit. The electronics unit is adapted for providing an identification signal by way of the first inductive coupling element, which identification signal makes it possible to identify the equipment module. The invention makes it possible to quickly reconfigure a cabin of a vehicle, and makes it possible for the vehicle to quickly identify all the reconfigurable installations for adapting items of equipment on the vehicle side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Carsten Paul
  • Patent number: 9211954
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air supply system of an aircraft, in particular of a passenger aircraft, which comprises a fresh air system, through which fresh air can be supplied to an aircraft cabin, a circulating air system, which is coupled to the fresh air system and through which used cabin air can be supplied to the fresh air system, a cooling air system for cooling an air conditioning system of the aircraft disposed in the fresh air system, and a ventilation system coupled to the cooling air system for ventilating an installation space of the air conditioning system. The air supply system includes a device for fluidically coupling the cooling air system and the ventilation system. The device is disposed and configured inside the fuselage of the aircraft such that the air in one system can be driven through the air flow in the other system. The invention also relates to a method for mixing two air streams in an air supply system of this kind of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Barkowsky
  • Patent number: 9211955
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting engines and nacelles relative to aircraft wings are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first support structure to be coupled to a wing, a second support structure to be coupled to the wing and a nacelle. The support structures are coupled to opposite sides of the nacelle. The support structures are to be coupled to opposite sides of an engine to enable thrust loads to be reacted through the support structures to the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jack W. Mauldin, David W. Kwok, John A. Weidler, Antonio B. Gonzales, Edward L. Lawson, Andrew C. Kulak
  • Patent number: 9211956
    Abstract: Turbojet engine nacelle (1) comprising an air intake structure (4) able to channel a flow of air towards a fan of the turbojet engine, and a central structure (5) intended to surround said fan and to which the air intake structure is attached in such a way as to ensure aerodynamic continuity, the central structure comprising, on the one hand, a casing intended to surround the fan and, on the other hand, an outer structure, characterized in that the air intake structure comprises a longitudinal outer panel (40) incorporating an air intake lip (4a) and which may extend so far as to incorporate at least part of the outer structure of the central section and beyond, said longitudinal outer panel being translationally mobile between an operating position in which the outer panel ensures the aerodynamic continuity of the outside of the nacelle (1), and a maintenance position in which the outer panel (40) is set away from the outer structure of the central section and the air intake lip (4a) is set away from the inn
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Joret, Guy Bernard Vauchel, Denis Guillois, Stephane Beilliard
  • Patent number: 9211957
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank ventilation system, comprising a refrigerative dehumidifying device having a refrigerating element in contact with air flowing between a vent open to the atmosphere and a fuel tank. Also, a method of dehumidifying air introduced into an aircraft fuel tank via the ventilation system, the method comprising directing atmospheric air from the vent into contact with the refrigerating element, and cooling the refrigerating element so as to remove water vapor from the air flowing from the vent towards the fuel tank by condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph K-W Lam, Franklin Tichborne, Simon Masters, David Parmenter
  • Patent number: 9211958
    Abstract: An example ram air turbine biasing assembly includes a support member that holds a biasing member. The biasing member biases a component of a ram air turbine. The support member includes a step that limits movement of the component toward the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: David Everett Russ
  • Patent number: 9211959
    Abstract: A system for launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a moving platform, the system including: a platform configured to carry the UAV; one or more sensors configured to measure forces acting between the platform and the UAV in one or more directions; a mooring mechanism configured to moor the UAV to the platform; and a controller configured to: transmit at least one trimming command to the UAV based on measurements of the one or more sensors, and cause the mooring mechanism to release the UAV from the platform following the transmitting of the at least one trimming command, when the measurements of the one or more sensors indicate that a lift force is sufficiently close to a weight of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventors: Igor Teller, Pavel Soifer
  • Patent number: 9211960
    Abstract: A floating stud assembly system of particular use in attaching insulating material to aircraft structures is described employing a stud extended through a hole in a plate. The plate comprises a pocket or cavity and an end of the stud is configured to reside in the pocket or cavity such that the stud is retained by the plate while still being allowed movement in a plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Embler, Jeff Eichinger, Edward Zadorozny, Billy Liu
  • Patent number: 9211961
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and isolating faults in pressure ports (2) and pressure transducers (3) of a pressure sensing system are disclosed. The system comprises a set of pressure ports (2) flushed to a nose cap (1) of a space vehicle in crucifix form. Three pressure transducers (3) are connected to each pressure port (2) through pneumatic tubes (4) for measuring surface pressure from the pressure ports (2). Separate power supplying units (7, 8, 9) are connected to the three pressure transducers (3) for powering the pressure transducers (3) at each pressure port (2). A processing unit (10) is configured to acquire voltage inputs corresponding to the measured surface pressure from the pressure transducers (3). The processing unit (10) executes one or more levels of fault checking to detect and isolate pressure transducer failures and blockage of the pressure ports (2) based on the voltage inputs. Hence, it is possible to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the pressure estimation of the FADS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Indian Space Research Organisation
    Inventors: Jayakumar Madhavanpillai, Remesh Narayanan, Harish Chandran Soudamini, Swaminathan Subramaniaiyer, Sivan Kailasavadivoo, Sharma Surendra Vir
  • Patent number: 9211962
    Abstract: An apparatus for orienting articles includes a bowl having a sidewall and angled relative to horizontal, a disc disposed in the bowl and rotatable relative to the bowl, the disc having a radius proximate its outer periphery defining a groove sized to receive one of the articles in a predetermined orientation, and a diverter for diverting canisters contained in the groove through an outlet in the sidewall of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Kerkeslager, Mark Brug, Brian D. Kamas
  • Patent number: 9211964
    Abstract: An unloading system for a stuffing box includes a plate-like footing element within which a stuffing box may be locked. An unloading tool includes concentric inner and outer shafts. A grip element formed at the end of the outer shaft includes a segmented wing section arrayed radially about the tool axis. An enlarged core element is formed at the end of the inner shaft. Relative longitudinal movement of the inner and outer shafts allows the core element to expand or contract the wing section's cross-sectional profile. The unloading tool is actuated within the stuffing box to enlarge the cross-sectional profile of the wing section, which tightly grips the internal walls of the base packing element. Axial force applied to the outer shaft from an elevated platform withdraws the outer shaft from the stuffing box. The gripped base packing element, and the packing elements above it, are concurrently unloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Iron Horse Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin K. Villines
  • Patent number: 9211965
    Abstract: An improved hand tool for dispensing plastic fasteners having a novel anvil design. The hand tool has a gun shaped casing with a barrel portion and a handle portion. The casing has a needle assembly opening at the front of the barrel portion and a trigger slot at the front of the handle portion. The hand tool further has a hollow needle disposed on one end of a needle assembly, and a trigger that is pivotally mounted within the casing that extends out from the trigger slot. The trigger is capable of moving the needle assembly between the retracted and extended positions. The hand tool further has an anvil. The anvil has a needle guard, a main portion, and a fabric slot. The fabric slot separates the needle guard from the main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Gilbertson, David E Herring, Jeffrey A Raymond
  • Patent number: 9211966
    Abstract: An improved pressure label applicator provides increased speed, quality, and/or reliability in the labeling of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gavin John Broad
  • Patent number: 9211967
    Abstract: A plastic container has a main body portion, a neck portion and a molded feature such as an anti-rotation lug adjacent to the neck portion. The molded feature has a volume that is less than a volume that would be defined by the maximum external dimensions of the feature. This reduces the shrinkage differential between the molded feature and the neck portion, which could otherwise cause sealing problems with a closure as a result of deformation of the neck portion. A method of correcting a sealing problem in a plastic container by reducing the volume of the molded feature is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric B. Ungrady, Matthew A. Russell, Hope Lee Townsend, Michael L. James
  • Patent number: 9211968
    Abstract: A hot-fill PET container or bottle (10) filling with a liquid at an elevated temperature has a side wall (9) extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (11) and a base (21) in its unfolded or pre-fill position. The panel (11) is transversely oriented and has a decoupling or hinge structure (13), an initiator portion (1) and control portion (5) of a steeply angled inverting conical section between 30 and 45 degrees. The control portion enables the inversion of the panel (11) into the container (10) to compensate for vacuum or reduced pressure induced within the container as the liquid cools down. The base (2) can also have a plurality of reinforcing ribs (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: CO2 PAC LIMITED
    Inventor: David Murray Melrose
  • Patent number: 9211969
    Abstract: A specimen container system (800) includes a lid (100) and a container (400). The lid (100) has an annular wall (201) and a central surface (104). The central surface (104) is configured to be conically shaped by tapering from the annular wall (201) to a point (208) disposed at an inner portion of the central surface (104). The container (400) and lid (100) can also include an audible locking system where a cantilevered audible lock projection (602) extending from the container (400) engages an audible lock actuation protrusion (217) extending from the lid (100) to make a click sound when the lid (100) is seated on the container (400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Jack Edward Maze, Kenneth Su Chua
  • Patent number: 9211970
    Abstract: A food tray formed of a unitary sheet of material includes a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, first sidewall, and a second sidewall that define an opening through which an item is placed in the food tray. First and second flaps extend from respective top edges of the first and second sidewalls and are configured to be folded toward an interior of the food tray. The first and second flaps each define slots. First and second lid members extend from respective top edges of the front wall and the rear wall and are configured to be folded toward the interior of the food tray. The first and second lid members define a pair of tabs on respective side edges that are configured to engage the slots defined by the first and second flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: LBP Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: James A. Hubbard, Jr., Matthew R. Cook, Thomas Fu, Kurt Wolf
  • Patent number: 9211971
    Abstract: A carton for carrying a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels for forming an interior of the carton. At least one of the plurality of panels has an inspection feature for inspecting at least one article of the plurality of articles. A carton for containing at least one article, the carton comprising a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around the interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. A plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. The plurality of end flaps being configured to at least partially close an end of the carton. At least one panel of the plurality of panels comprising at least one inspection feature for inspecting the at least one article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Fogle, Li Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 9211972
    Abstract: Shipping containers for porous masses may include a bottom lid having a rectangular lid bottom and four bottom rims that are each continuous with the lid bottom; a tray comprising a tray bottom and four tray sidewalls that are each continuous with the tray bottom defining an interior with an open top; and a top lid having a rectangular lid top and four top rims that are each continuous with the lid top, wherein the tray is configured to be placed on a bottom lid with the bottom rims surrounding a portion of the tray with a top lid placed over the top of the tray with the top rims surrounding a portion of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Celanese Acetate LLC
    Inventors: Lawton E. Kizer, Raymond M. Robertson
  • Patent number: 9211973
    Abstract: An informative packaging and wrapping product is described. The informative packaging and wrapping product includes a presentation surface and an informational surface coupled to the presentation surface that together form a packaging insert. The packaging insert is configured to reside within a shipping container. The packaging insert is configured to cover at least a portion of goods within the shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Wine.com, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Osborn
  • Patent number: 9211974
    Abstract: A container assembly is provided which includes a container selectively moveable between an erect condition and a collapsed or substantially flattened condition. A packaging material for support objects is disposed within an object receiving space of the container and secured thereto so that the packaging material remains in the object receiving space of the container when the container is in either the erect condition or the collapsed or substantially flattened condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Wanda M. Weder & William F. Straeter
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Andrew Weder
  • Patent number: 9211975
    Abstract: A jug has an essentially square base, four sidewall portions rising from the base formed together with corner portions, and a shoulder portion extending upward to a finish portion defining an opening into the jug interior. Creases intersect a midline crease on two opposite sidewalls of the jug. A base crease line folds upward and the two opposite creased sidewall portions folds inward along vertical midline creases above diagonal crease lines from lower corners of the jug as the jug is moved from a full-sized use conformation toward a compact conformation. A sidewall, other than the two opposite creased sidewalls, can include an integrally formed handle, or can include a horizontal groove adapted to engage a lower end of a separately molded handle engaging the neck of the jug. A cap including a movable ring can engage a tab protruding from a groove in the sidewall to ensure a rolled compact arrangement of the empty jug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Edward S. Robbins, III