Patents Issued in January 21, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160016400
    Abstract: A method is provided to determine a droplet ejection state of a pressure chamber of a piezo-actuated inkjet print head, the method comprising a step of analyzing that includes filtering a residual pressure wave signal using a predetermined filter. The filter is designed to remove a low-frequency signal contribution generated by piezo material of the piezo actuator. Such a low-frequency signal contribution results from a piezo material property that varies over all piezo actuators without affecting the functional properties of the piezo actuator. Hence, for controlling the operation of the inkjet print head, in particular for controlling a droplet size and a droplet speed, such a signal contribution may be removed enabling a simple and nozzle-independent analysis of the residual pressure wave signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: OCÉ-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Amol A. KHALATE, Johannes M.M. SIMONS, Dominicus P.C. JANSSEN, Albert G.M. VAN WELIE
  • Publication number: 20160016401
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes: a pressure chamber which is filled with an ink; a plate having nozzles communicating with the pressure chamber; an actuator that causes ink drops to be discharged from the nozzles communicating with the pressure chamber by changing a volume in the pressure chamber; and a drive circuit that outputs a drive pulse signal including an expansion pulse which expands the volume of the pressure chamber and a shrinking pulse which shrinks the volume of the pressure chamber to the actuator such that the drive pulse signal is output, in which an electric field applied to the actuator during the time for not discharging the ink drops is lower than an electric field applied to the actuator during the time for discharging the ink drops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Teruyuki Hiyoshi, Noboru Nitta, Shunichi Ono
  • Publication number: 20160016402
    Abstract: An ink jet recording system includes an ink jet recording device; and a control portion that controls the ink jet recording device, in which when a first mode is selected from a plurality of recording modes, the control portion performs control of recording a security image corresponding to an input image on a recording medium by performing control of forming a glitter image by a glitter ink composition in a first image area on the recording medium, forming a color image by a color ink composition in the glitter image, and forming the color image by the color ink composition on a second image area that is in contact with the first image area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Atsushi DENDA, Shoki KASAHARA
  • Publication number: 20160016403
    Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an electrically conductive element made using a conductive ink layer underlying a hydrophobic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.
    Inventor: Theodore Winger
  • Publication number: 20160016404
    Abstract: In an example, a fluid ejection apparatus includes a printhead die embedded in a printed circuit board. Fluid may flow to the printhead die through a plunge-cut fluid feed slot in the printed circuit board and into the printhead die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Michael W. Cumbie
  • Publication number: 20160016405
    Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes first and second nozzles arranged at a pitch. The pitch for example is based on a substrate advance distance associated with a complete turn of a rotating body for advancing a substrate or a substrate advance distance associated with a period of a periodic error function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Alberto BORREGO LEBRATO, David CHANCLÓN FERNÁNDEZ, Martin URRUTIA NEBREDA
  • Publication number: 20160016406
    Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head has an ejection chip to expel fluid. It connects to a laminate construct. The construct has vertically configured wiring layers interspersed with non-conductive layers, such as carbon fiber layers. An upper of the wiring layers electrically connects to the ejection chip. The upper layer may also support a planar undersurface of the chip directly on a surface or in a recessed pocket. The two can connect with a die bond, such as one having silica or boron nitride. Fluid connections exist between ink feed slots of the chip and the laminate construct. A silicon tile or other material may also fluidly interconnect with the two. A plastic manifold optionally supports the laminate construct and may fluidly connect to it. The wiring layers of the laminate contemplate ground, power, and various bond pads. Other construct layers contemplate prepreg or core FR4 layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Frank Edward ANDERSON, Richard Earl CORLEY, Michael John DIXON, Jiandong FANG, Jeanne Marie Saldanha SINGH
  • Publication number: 20160016407
    Abstract: A sub-tank is pressurized by a pump, with head valves closed. Then, one of the head valves is opened to perform a first purge on a first head. After the one head valve is closed, a different one of the head valves is opened to perform a second purge on a second head different from the first head. After these purges, an open-to-atmosphere valve is opened, with the head valves closed, to decrease the pressures inside the heads which are increased by the purges. This allows a selective purge on only a head which requires a purge. As a result, the amount of ink forced out is suppressed during the pressurized purges. After the sub-tank is made open to the atmosphere, a depressurizing pump depressurizes the sub-tank to form ink menisci in the heads. This prevents air bubbles from being drawn into nozzles during the formation of the ink menisci in the nozzles after the purges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Yuichi NAGASE, Tamio Fukui, Muneaki Kitaoji
  • Publication number: 20160016408
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid fill container that is used to fill a liquid reservoir supplying a liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus, with the liquid. The container includes a containing unit that contains the fill liquid; a filling port that is inserted into an inlet of the liquid reservoir, and that allows the liquid contained in the containing unit to flow therethrough to fill the liquid reservoir; and a positioning member that maintains the position of the filling port and the position of the liquid reservoir with respect to each other in the direction in which the filling port is inserted into the liquid reservoir during liquid filling of the liquid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Hitoshi MATSUMOTO, Taku ISHIZAWA, Mitsuto YANAGISAWA, Yaeko ONISHI
  • Publication number: 20160016409
    Abstract: A liquid container is mountable on a mount portion in a state of being engaged into a first engaging portion with respect to a supporting portion. The liquid container includes a first wall including a first section mountable on the mount portion; a second wall facing the first wall; a third wall intersecting with the first wall and the second wall; a fourth wall which faces the third wall, and intersects with the first wall and the second wall; and a first engaged portion capable of being engaged into the first engaging portion, in which when a direction from the first wall to the second wall is defined as a Z-axis direction, the first engaged portion is projected to the side opposite to the second wall side from the first wall, and is capable of coming in contact with the first engaging portion in the Z-axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Naomi KIMURA, Shoma KUDO, Hidenao SUZUKI, Koji NISHIMAKI
  • Publication number: 20160016410
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a printing head; and a liquid supply unit. The printing head has a reservoir, a plurality of liquid supply ports connected to the reservoir, and a liquid introduction inlet. A first liquid supply port and a second liquid supply port are positioned at ends of the plurality of liquid supply ports in a first direction. Outer periphery of the liquid introduction inlet includes one end section and another end section in the first direction. The one end section is closer to the first liquid supply port than the second liquid supply port. The liquid includes a first liquid with a high content of pigment, and a second liquid with a lower content of pigment. The liquid supply unit supplies the second liquid to the one end section of the liquid introduction inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Keigo Yamasaki, Manabu Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20160016411
    Abstract: In order to set preferred dimensions of a liquid container, the invention provides an ink container including: an ink bag that includes at least two flexible film sheets bonded in a mutually facing relationship and can contain ink between the at least two film sheets; and a handle portion that is positioned at an end portion of the ink bag and protrudes outward from the ink bag, wherein the handle portion includes an opening formed so as to pass through in a first direction that is a direction in which the at least two film sheets face each other, the opening has an opening dimension W1 in a third direction K3 within a range from 80 mm to 120 mm, and the ink bag has a width dimension W2 in the third direction K3 within a range from 50 mm to 300 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawate, Taku Ishizawa
  • Publication number: 20160016412
    Abstract: A technique that can restrict an arrangement angle of a liquid cartridge before use in a packaged state is provided. A packaging body 10 of a cartridge 100 includes a bag-shaped member 20 and a box-shaped member 30. The bag-shaped member 20 houses the cartridge 100. The box-shaped member 30 houses the cartridge 100 housed in the bag-shaped member 20. The cartridge 100 has an atmosphere introduction hole 125b capable of introducing the atmosphere to the inside, and the box-shaped member 30 has a first side wall portion 36 located at a position opposed to the atmosphere introduction hole 125b. The first side wall portion 36 has a first and second outer wall surfaces 36a and 36b that intersect each other to constitute a projecting portion that projects outward. A third end side portion 23 of the bag-shaped member 20 is housed at a corner portion between the first and second outer wall surfaces 36a and 36b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiro MIZUTANI, Noriaki Okazawa, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20160016413
    Abstract: To correct a color shift caused by printing data, a printing apparatus includes an image formation section that prints on a transfer film using color inks according to printing data, and a control section which stores or generates pattern data of a pattern having respective colors of the inks, and combines the printing data and the pattern data so that a printing image of the pattern data overlaps a part of a printing image of the printing data. The control section corrects a printing start position on the transfer film with the image formation section of at least one color ink among printing images to print respectively with the color inks, according to input first information concerning a shift in respective colors of the inks constituting the pattern occurring in forming an image on the transfer film in the image formation section according to combined printing data subjected to combining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: NISCA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi MOCHIZUKI
  • Publication number: 20160016414
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a stationary inkjet printhead positioned relative to a media feed direction. The printhead includes a plurality of color planes for ejecting a plurality of different inks, each color plane having a row of nozzles and each nozzle in a respective color plane being supplied with a same ink. A first ink tank containing yellow ink is in fluid communication with a first color plane of the printhead and a second ink tank containing black ink is in fluid communication with a second color plane of the printhead. The first color plane is positioned furthest upstream in the printhead with respect to the media feed direction, and the second color plane neighbors the first color plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Jognandan Kumar Prashar, Adrian Peter Bisson, Brian Robert Brown, Mile Jurcevic, Galo David Jaramillo
  • Publication number: 20160016415
    Abstract: The present invention is and includes a conversion circuit for allowing a printer controller to send a different set of control signals for dot history control to an integrated circuit driver other than those which the integrated circuit driver is designed to receive. The conversion circuit includes a plurality of driver circuits coupled to a plurality of strobe signals from at least one strobe signal generator, wherein each of the plurality of driver circuits comprises a plurality of gating groups respectively coupled to the plurality of strobe signals, wherein each of the plurality of gating groups includes a plurality of gate units respectively coupled to a plurality of heating elements wherein at least one gate unit controls at least one coupled heating element according to a corresponding strobe signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: James Caporossi, Scott A. Margo
  • Publication number: 20160016416
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods of directly determining the type of receiver media loaded in a thermal printer by measurements taken from the receiver media itself. In one embodiment, a tri-color emitter and detector combination work in conjunction to determine the intensity of light transmitted through the receiver media. The type of receiver media may be determined by the voltage response or transmission profile generated by the receiver in response to being illuminated by the tri-color emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: KODAK ALARIS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Fredric Mindler, Young No, Gregory James Garbacz, Dennis W. Heizyk
  • Publication number: 20160016417
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus includes a belt conveying unit, a recording unit, an end-portion position detection sensor, a background member, and a rotary driving unit. The end-portion position detection sensor is arranged in an upstream of the belt conveying unit in a recording medium conveyance direction, and uses a reflected light to detect a position of an end portion of the recording medium in a recording medium width direction intersecting with the recording medium conveyance direction. The background member is arranged facing a detection surface of the end-portion position detection sensor. The background member is rotatable around a shaft extending along the recording medium width direction. The background member has an outer peripheral surface at least in a region facing the detection surface of the end-portion position detection sensor. The outer peripheral surface has two or more regions having mutually different colors circumferentially dividing the outer peripheral surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro HORIUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160016418
    Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a tray storing a sheet and detachably mounted on an apparatus body; a rotatable arm; a roller, provided on the arm, configured to pick up the sheet on the tray; a sensor, provided on the arm, configured to detect a physical property; and a determination unit configured to determine, based on detection by the sensor, at least any of a mounting state of the tray on the apparatus body and at least one of states of the sheet on the tray selected from the group consisting of the presence or absence of the sheet, a remaining amount of the sheet, a type of the sheet, front and back sides of the sheet, and a size of the sheet stored on the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Atsushi Kohnotoh, Haruo Uchida
  • Publication number: 20160016419
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus executes: rotating a motor to cause a supply roller to supply a sheet; a conveyance processing for rotating the motor to cause a conveying roller and/or an output roller to convey the sheet; a recording processing for controlling a recording head to perform image recording while the conveyance processing is not executed; controlling the recording head and the motor to perform an image recording operation by executing the conveyance processing and the recording processing alternately; and a pre-discharge supply processing in the image recording operation at a time after a timing when a trailing edge position of a first sheet passes through the conveying roller and before all the recording processings on the first sheet are completed. The supply roller supplies a second sheet in the pre-discharge supply processing to the conveyance path, following the first sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru MIZUNO
  • Publication number: 20160016420
    Abstract: A tape cassette includes a generally rectangular housing, a tape, an opening, and a roller. The housing has a top wall and a bottom wall. The top wall includes a top surface, a lower surface and a connection portion connecting. The housing defines first, second, third, and fourth corner portions. The lower surface includes a first portion between the connection portion and a side of the second corner portion and a second portion between the connection portion and a rear of the second corner portion with a space between the first portion and the second portion. An intersection of the connection portion and the lower surface includes a third portion that is a part of an edge forming the space between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Koshiro Yamaguchi, Akira Sago
  • Publication number: 20160016421
    Abstract: An aim is to provide a technique for obtaining a higher quality print image by reducing a banding caused upon printing using a printing head having nozzle rows. As a solution, an activated nozzle row is reselected each time when the activated nozzle row has discharged ink for a preset number of times, and in each scan, an interval by which the activated nozzle row discharges ink in a main scanning direction is set to be an integer multiple of a resolution of an image to be printed on a print medium in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Masaru OHNISHI, Kousuke MURAI
  • Publication number: 20160016422
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head including a head which discharges ink from a nozzle surface on which a nozzle is included based on data, a signal line which sends data to the head via a connector, a carriage on which the head is mounted, and a first concave section and second concave section which accommodate the signal line and are included toward the outside of the carriage, in which the signal line is connected to the connector lined up with a terminal in the Y direction, and a position of a folded portion of the signal line which is accommodated in the first concave section and the second concave section overlaps with a fourth portion to a fifth portion which are a section of the carriage, and overlaps with a first portion to a second portion which are a section of the head in the X direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Haruki KOBAYASHI, Yoshiyuki OKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20160016423
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to various embodiments of a gas enclosure system that can have a particle control system that can include a multi-zone gas circulation and filtration system, a low-particle-generating X-axis linear bearing system for moving a printhead assembly relative to a substrate, a service bundle housing exhaust system, and a printhead assembly exhaust system. Various components of a particle control system can include a tunnel circulation and filtration system that can be in flow communication with bridge circulation and filtration system. Various embodiments of a tunnel circulation and filtration system can provide cross-flow circulation and filtration of gas about a floatation table of a printing system. Various embodiments of a gas enclosure system can have a bridge circulation and filtration system that can provide circulation and filtration of gas about a printing system bridge and related apparatuses and devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Justin Mauck, Alexander Sou-Kang Ko, Eliyahu Vronsky, Prahallad Iyengar, Digby Pun
  • Publication number: 20160016424
    Abstract: Film with a metallic matte finish, suitable for being laminated on graphic media, printed materials or without printing, based on paper/cardboard with conventional wet (with glues) and/or dry (with low temperature sealing resin) lamination, based on a biaxial polypropylene substrate, and that displays a high capacity for being printed with conventional inks for non-porous substrates, resulting in a film with excellent colors and metallic inks. The resulting printing is sufficiently anchored on the medium and provides a very flashy and realistic metallic finish, highlighting and providing various glosses and hue changes depending on the viewing angle and the light falling on the support. The metallic effect strengthens the clearer and less opaque hues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: TAGHLEEF INDUSTRIES, S.L.U.
    Inventors: Antonio MOLINA, Javier DEL BARRIO PÉREZ, Manuel LÓPEZ QUESADA
  • Publication number: 20160016425
    Abstract: An autograph ball with built in writing utensil may include a ball having an outer skin, an inner core, and a hole through the outer skin into the inner core. A writing utensil may be removably placed within the hole of the ball. A spring and cap mechanism may be placed within the hole before placing the writing utensil within the hole. The autograph ball may further include a hatch that may cover the hole and a latch that may removably secure the hatch in place. The autograph ball may be for various sports, be of various sizes, and be made from various materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Andrew Lee HUFFMAN
  • Publication number: 20160016426
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided. More particularly, a non-pneumatic wheel assembly is provided having a removable hub i.e., a hub that may be separated from the remainder of the wheel assembly. The hub may be reused and other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel assembly replaced as needed. In addition, the hub may be constructed from a different material than used for other portions of the non-pneumatic wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: James Milo ENDICOTT
  • Publication number: 20160016427
    Abstract: A wheel for a motor vehicle, has a rim intended to receive a tire and a wheel disc made of fiber composite material joined to the rim, as well as an arrangement including screws or nuts for fastening the wheel disc to a wheel hub, for which purpose the wheel disc has axially directed openings for the passage of the screws or threaded bolts for screwing onto the nuts. The arrangement includes, for each opening of the wheel disc, an insulating body, a bush and a washer, each having a central opening, which surround the opening of the wheel disc in a U-shape, wherein the bush rests as a frame at an inner circumference of the opening, and the insulating body and the washer, resting against the frame and against the wheel disc in each case on one side of the wheel, at least partially cover the wheel disc in the radial direction. The insulating body is directed towards the wheel inside and the washer is directed towards the wheel outside. The insulating body can consist at least partially of ceramic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: David KELLER, Peter JAEGERMEYR
  • Publication number: 20160016428
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an improved system and method for adaptively coupling a wheel cover to a wheel comprising one or more mounting fixtures affixed to the rim of the wheel such that the wheel cover may be attached to the mounting fixtures. The system and method relate to a wheel cover assembly that can used to prevent dirt, mud or any type of debris from entering the wheel or may be merely decorative in nature. The present disclosure also describes various novel mechanisms to secure the wheel cover to the rim of the wheel. Additionally, the present disclosure provides for a wheel cover which extends over the outer periphery of a wheel rim for improved protection against debris intrusion and build-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Taylor J. Weld, Fred Vahlsing
  • Publication number: 20160016429
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel cover for use to cover the wheel of a tractor or trailer. The wheel cover includes an inner support section and an outer main section. The outer main section includes a wheel cover surface and an outer edge. Further, the wheel cover includes a ratchet assembly comprising a spring, a support block, an operating holder and an extension. When installed on a truck wheel, the ratchet extension engages an outer radial edge of the inner support section that is installed on a wheel hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Graham Wildey, Michael Miga
  • Publication number: 20160016430
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel of the present invention, includes: a sub air chamber member which serves as a Helmholtz resonator and is fixed to an outer circumferential surface of a well portion in a tire air chamber; a first standing wall surface formed such as to stand from the outer circumferential surface of the well portion outward in radial direction and extend in circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface; and a second standing wall surface formed on the well portion such as to face the first standing wall surface in width direction of the outer circumferential surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Youichi KAMIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160016431
    Abstract: A bearing device for a wheel has a wheel bearing including inner and outer rings, a hub wheel, and balls between outer raceway surfaces of the outer ring and inner raceway surfaces of the hub wheel and the inner ring. A stem section is fitted into an inner diameter of the hub wheel to couple a constant velocity universal joint to the wheel bearing through a screw fastening structure so that a shoulder portion of an outer joint member abuts against a crimped portion of the hub wheel. Projecting portions formed on the stem section are press-fitted into the hub wheel having depressed portions formed to interfere with the projecting portions, and a shape of the projecting portions is transferred to the hub wheel providing a projection and depression fitting structure in which the projecting and depressed portions are in close contact at an entire fitting contact portion therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki NORIMATSU, Tsutomu NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20160016432
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire having an air impermeable layer. A film formed of a thermoplastic resin or thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a blend of a thermoplastic resin and an elastomer is used for the air impermeable layer. Separation of the film is prevented and an inner appearance of the tire is improved. The air impermeable layer 10, which is disposed on the inner side of the tire, is formed from a laminated body 14 comprising a ribbon-shaped film 11 and ribbon-shaped elastomer plies 12 and 13 laminated on opposite sides thereof. The laminated body 14 is wound in the circumferential direction of the tire in such a partially overlapping manner that it is displaced at prescribed intervals. Each pair of adjacent wound portions 14A and 14B of the laminated body 14 are spliced to each other in a partially overlapping manner in a state where the ribbon-shaped film 11 is disengaged from itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hashimura, Takahiko Sawada, Tomohiko Kogure
  • Publication number: 20160016433
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire may include a hub configured to be coupled to a machine, with the hub having a rotational axis about which the tire is configured to roll. The tire may also include a support structure including an inner circumferential portion associated with the hub and an outer circumferential portion radially spaced from the inner circumferential portion. The support structure may extend between opposed, axially-spaced side edges of the tire, and the support structure may include a plurality of cavities. The tire may also include a tread portion associated with the outer circumferential portion. The support structure may also include a plurality of layers of elastomeric material each having opposing faces lying in opposing planes substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis. At least some of the layers may include apertures corresponding to the cavities, and the layers may be chemically bonded to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Aaron K. AMSTUTZ, Stephen J. PIERZ, Thierry A. MARCHIONE, Kevin L. MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20160016434
    Abstract: A motorcycle pneumatic tire includes a belt, in a tire tread, including a circumferential belt layer formed by cords extending in the tread circumferential direction and covered by rubber and a width direction belt layer, provided outward in the tire radial direction from the circumferential belt layer, formed by cords extending in the tire width direction and covered by rubber; sections of cushion rubber, provided outward in the tire radial direction from the belt, separated in the tire width direction with the tire equatorial plane therebetween; and base rubber, provided in the area of separation between the sections of cushion rubber or outward in the tire radial direction from the area of separation, having a higher elastic modulus than the cushion rubber. Wn>Wb, where Wn is the length of the area of separation and Wb is the length of the base rubber in a tire width direction cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukihiko KUBO
  • Publication number: 20160016435
    Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle tire for passenger cars, vans or the like has a radial carcass, a multi-ply belt, and a profiled tread that, as viewed in the axial direction, has a central portion and two shoulder portions. The shoulder portions include a rubber mixture that has a lower dynamic modulus of elasticity E? (at 55° C. and 8% elongation according to DIN 53513) than the central portion. The central portion has extensions at the base thereof, running laterally substantially parallel to the tread substructure and radially inside and across the width of the shoulder portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Heiner Volk, Christian Struebel, Norbert Mueller
  • Publication number: 20160016436
    Abstract: A tire has an axis of rotation and a tread pattern that includes a plurality of tread blocks having differing circumferential shear stiffness values. The tread pattern also includes a plurality of sub-surface features that are operatively associated with at least some of the tread blocks. The combination of a tread block and a sub-surface feature can alter the circumferential shear stiffness value of tread block to thereby tune the tread pattern. A method of manufacture is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Francis J. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20160016437
    Abstract: This tire improves high traction performance over an extended period of time and/or improves control performance while maintaining traction performance. This tire includes a tread with blocks formed thereon, protrusions (11, 21, 31) extending outward in the tire radial direction and formed on more than one of the blocks, and stepped portions (12, 22) and/or a second concavity (24) formed on a side of the protrusions (11, 21, 31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masafumi ITO
  • Publication number: 20160016438
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire being improved in heat dissipation effect in the tread portion while being ensured in rigidity of the land portion. A narrow groove (10) is formed on a tread surface (1), the narrow groove extending in a direction inclined with respect to the tire circumferential direction and having a groove width (W1) and a groove depth (D1), the groove width (W1) being smaller than the groove depth (D1). The narrow groove (10) terminates at least one end thereof within the land portion. An air inflow part (11) is formed on at least one of the groove walls (10c) of the narrow groove (10), the groove walls facing each other in the tire circumferential direction, where the narrow groove (10) has a maximum depth (D1) and the air inflow part (11) has a maximum depth (D2), the D1 and the D2 satisfying 1?D1/D2?15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki KAWAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20160016439
    Abstract: a tire (pneumatic tire 1) provided with regularly arranged concave portions (concave portions 80) dented toward a tire inner side direction from a tire surface (tire surface 50) in at least some areas on the tire surface wherein in a direction along with the tire surface, a maximum width L of the concave portion is in a range of 0.1 micrometer or more to less than 50 micrometers, a depth D reaching to a point of the innermost part of the concave portion toward the tire inner side direction from the tire surface is within a range of 0.1 micrometer or more to less than 10 micrometers, in the direction along with the tire surface, an arrangement interval P of the concave portions is within a range more largely than 0.1 micrometer to less than 100 micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiya MIYAZONO
  • Publication number: 20160016440
    Abstract: The carcass of this tire (1) has a carcass body and folded sections each folded around a bead core. A circumferential recessed section, which is recessed inward in the tire width direction and extends in the tire circumferential direction, is formed on the outer surface of the tire side section, and turbulence-generating protrusions are provided on the circumferential recessed section. In a cross-section of the tire, wherein the distance between the inner surface of the carcass body section and a rim-separation point where the inner surface comes into contact with a normal rim is defined as a tire reference thickness, and the distance between the inner surface of the folded section and the tire outer surface at the circumferential recessed section is defined as a tire thickness, the multiple turbulence-generating protrusions are provided in an area where the tire thickness is between 20% and 60% of the tire reference thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki MATSUMURA
  • Publication number: 20160016441
    Abstract: A tire mold is provided with a groove-like saw cut in an area of a tire molding surface which comes into contact with a side surface of a tire. The saw cut comprises a pair of circumferential saw cuts arranged to be spaced in a tire diametrical direction, a grid-like saw cut which is expanded between the pair of circumferential saw cuts, and a plurality of frame-like saw cuts which are dotted between the pair of circumferential saw cuts. The frame-like saw cuts fringe a closed area which is wider than a smooth area defined by the grid-like saw cut. The grid-like saw cut surrounds the frame-like saw cuts to prevent the frame-like saw cuts from coming into contact with each other. The frame-like saw cuts are coupled to each other via the grid-like saw cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuji Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20160016442
    Abstract: A run-flat tire includes a tread, and a sidewall extending from a side of the tread and including a side-reinforcing rubber layer having substantially a crescent-shaped cross section. The sidewall has protruding portions formed on an external surface of the sidewall such that the protruding portions are protruding in a tire axially outward direction and positioned in a tire circumferential direction, each of the protruding portions is extending such that each of the protruding portions is inclining relative to a tire radial direction in a front view of the sidewall, and the protruding portions are formed such that protruding portions adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction are positioned to overlap each other in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Souichirou MORI
  • Publication number: 20160016443
    Abstract: A tire inflation system for a vehicle. The tire inflation system may include at least one pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve may be normally closed and may be configured to vent pressurized gas from a tire when a pressure of the pressurized gas in the tire exceeds a threshold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: John D. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20160016444
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for configuring a tire sensor system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method begins with rotating a plurality of tires on a vehicle. The tire sensor associated with a first wheel location generates a data transmission in response to the rotation of the plurality of tires, the data transmission comprising at least a unique sensor identification and a motion value. The controller transmits a brake control device control signal in a first predetermined event sequence to a first brake control device associated with the first wheel location. The controller receives the tire characteristic signal and assigns the unique sensor identification with the first wheel location in response to determining the motion value of the tire characteristic signal corresponds with the first predetermined event sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Shawn Lammers, Sharon A. Seitz, Joseph M. Macnamara, Daniel P. Zula
  • Publication number: 20160016445
    Abstract: A first tire pressure sensor module is configured to provide information related to a pressure of a tire of a vehicle and comprises a pressure sensor configured to determine the information related to the pressure of the tire. The pressure module further includes a controller configured to selectively operate the tire pressure sensor module in an active state and in an inactive state, wherein an energy consumption of the tire pressure sensor module is lower in the inactive state than in the active state. The controller is further configured to control an output of the information related to the pressure of the tire in the active state, and operate the tire pressure sensor module in the inactive state based on determining that information related to a velocity of the tire indicates a velocity above a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Andre Peine, Thomas Lange
  • Publication number: 20160016446
    Abstract: A real time tire pressure gauge has a first connector for connecting to a compressed air source, a second connector for connecting to a tire valve, an internal passage between the first and second connectors, a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the internal passage and generate a pressure signal indicating air pressure, a controller connected to the pressure sensor to receive the pressure signal, and a display connected to the controller. The controller is configured to store a static pressure in memory based on an initial pressure sensor and display the static pressure, detect a sudden change in pressure and store a changed pressure in memory in response to detecting the sudden change, periodically sample the pressure signal and store a periodic pressure in memory, calculate an estimated tire pressure based on the static pressure, the changed pressure the periodic pressure, and display the estimated tire pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Alex Yung Kan WONG
  • Publication number: 20160016447
    Abstract: A dual function tow hook includes a body forming a tow hook and an integral step formed in the body. The integral step is recessed in an upper surface of the body and includes a first end wall and a second end wall. Further the integral step includes a grooved tread face between the first and second end walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Richard Howard
  • Publication number: 20160016448
    Abstract: A vehicle and a suspension system for the vehicle are disclosed. The suspension system includes a wheel knuckle and a control arm coupled to the wheel knuckle. The control arm includes a proximal end having a first arm segment and a second arm segment each extending outwardly from the proximal end away from each other to respective first and second distal ends to define a space between the first and second arm segments. The suspension system also includes a biasing device at least partially disposed in the space between the first and second arm segments. The biasing device is coupled to at least one of the first and second distal ends of the first and second arm segments respectively such that actuation of the biasing device provides a first reaction force that counteracts a downward load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: James L. Luttinen, Jeffry Pniewski
  • Publication number: 20160016449
    Abstract: A frame hanger having a frame attachment portion having a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface, a first control arm mounting portion positioned beneath the frame attachment portion, wherein a first plurality of elongated longitudinally extending slots extend through the first mounting surface of the frame attachment portion, and wherein a second plurality of elongated longitudinally extending slots extend through the second mounting surface of the frame attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Matthew J. Van Meter, Joseph Martin