Patents Issued in January 26, 2016
  • Patent number: 9243696
    Abstract: A distal side link hub is connected with a proximal end side link hub through three sets of link mechanisms for alteration in posture. At least two sets of the link mechanisms include an actuator for arbitrarily changing the posture of the distal end side link hub relative to the proximal end side link hub by rotating a proximal side end link member and a reduction gear unit for reducing the speed of and transmitting the operation amount of the actuator to the proximal side end link member. The reduction gear unit includes a geared speed reducing section having a small gear rotated by the actuator and a large gear provided in the proximal side end link member. The radius of pitch circle of the large gear is chosen to be equal to or greater than the arm length of the proximal side end link member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Isobe, Hiroyuki Yamada, Yukihiro Nishio
  • Patent number: 9243697
    Abstract: A nut and lead screw assembly is disclosed. The nut includes a plurality of flexible fingers for adjusting the engagement of a threaded or unthreaded portion of the nut with corresponding threads of a lead screw. The engagement between the nut and the lead screw is adjusted by installing at least one radial compression member into a circumferential groove formed in the outer surface of the flexible fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Pacific Bearing Company
    Inventors: Robert Schroeder, Jonathan R. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9243698
    Abstract: A gear drive system includes a securing panel, a first slave gear, a drive gear, and an adjusting structure. The securing panel includes a panel body, a rack, and a rotating shaft. An upper part of the first slave gear is adjacent to the rack and aligned with the rack. The drive gear engages the first slave gear. The adjusting structure includes an elastic element, a slave element pivotally mounted to the panel body, and a third slave gear. The third slave gear defines a rotating hole. The rotating shaft is received in the rotating hole. The second slave gear is movable related to the panel body to enable the rotating shaft to be located in different positions of the rotating hole. The third slave gear is driven to move and rotate. The slave element is driven to rotate to press the elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Zhongshan Innocloud Intellectual Property Services Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Yi Chen, Yao-Sheng Wu
  • Patent number: 9243699
    Abstract: A wheel system with bidirectional input and one-way output includes a unidirectional transmission device respectively installed between a first driving rotating directional input wheel set and a bidirectional input shaft, between a first driving rotating directional output wheel set and a constant rotating directional output rotation part, and between the constant rotating directional output rotation part and the bidirectional input shaft, thereby preventing the first rotating direction transmission wheel set from being coupled to and generating a power transmission dampening effect while being driven in the second driving rotating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 9243700
    Abstract: A continuously variable ratio transmission includes a planetary gear assembly with a sun gear fixed to a driving input shaft, and a driven output shaft connected to a planet carrier. A worm gear assembly includes a worm which is driven by a control motor and worm wheel which drives a ring gear of the planetary gear assembly at a continuously variable speed. The output shaft transmits power to a load while rotating in the same direction as the input shaft. In an embodiment, two worms are driven by the control motor. In another embodiment, the transmission is operable in reverse by only the control motor. In another embodiment, a control gear assembly drives the ring gear and includes parallel axis helical gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Harold DeBoth
  • Patent number: 9243701
    Abstract: A power-split transmission for a traction drive includes a hydraulic power branch and a further power branch. In order to control a velocity, a displacement volume of a hydraulic pump of the hydraulic power branch is configured to be adjusted by a hydraulic actuating device. For the purpose of adjustment, a control pressure medium can be applied to the actuating device by a control valve. An additional pressure-control device is configured to be used to set a control pressure of the control pressure medium to a setpoint value which is dependent on a drive range of the transmission or of the traction drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Dana Rexroth Transmission Systems
    Inventors: Matthias Mueller, Walter Scandella, Steffen Mutschler
  • Patent number: 9243702
    Abstract: A blade for a torque converter, including: a body with first and second blade side surfaces and a blade edge surface connecting the first and second blade side surfaces; and a tab extending from the blade edge surface and arranged for insertion through an opening in a core ring for the torque converter. The tab includes: a distal end furthest from the blade edge surface; first and second tab edge surfaces in communication with the distal end; and first and second indentations in the first and second tab edge surfaces, respectively, between the distal end and the blade edge surface. The core ring forms at least respective portions of respective inner circumferences for a turbine and pump for the torque converter. After insertion through the opening, the tab is arranged to be bent along a line connecting the indentations so that a portion of the tab engages the core ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael L. Resh, Randy L. Keller
  • Patent number: 9243703
    Abstract: A lubricating oil supply device that supplies hydraulic oil used to actuate a vehicle's transmission. The supply device configured with a pump that generates a hydraulic pressure, and a line pressure generation valve that discharges a part of the hydraulic pressure from the pump as a discharge pressure to generate a line pressure for actuating the transmission. A signal pressure output valve that outputs a signal pressure for actuating the line pressure generation valve in accordance with at least a throttle operation amount or torque input to the transmission. Furthermore, a switching valve that is actuated by the signal pressure from the signal pressure output valve and that supplies lubricating oil input to an input port to the object to be lubricated from an output port with a flow rate of the lubricating oil changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kutsubo, Kazuki Kojima, Tetsuya Shimizu, Kenichi Tsuchida, Kazunori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9243704
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly having a collar actuator mechanism that may include an electromagnetic coil. The electromagnetic coil may be disposed in a stationary position with respect to a housing and may be configured to actuate the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Harry Trost
  • Patent number: 9243705
    Abstract: A gear housing for a bevel gear having a surface which is made up of sections and attachment faces. The sections are convexly curved along at least one surface curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Hubert Leibold, Roland Denefleh, Joachim Sander, Andreas Sigmund, Martin Gantner
  • Patent number: 9243706
    Abstract: A method for controlling a manual transmission includes using a controller to determine a desired torque transmitted through an input clutch and a desired clutch slip for the desired gear after a shift lever is moved to a desired gear position and while a clutch pedal is being released for engaging the clutch; measuring torque in the vehicle drive assembly; using measured torque to determine actual clutch torque transmitted through the clutch; and reducing torque error using the controller to adjust a clutch actuator such that a difference between the desired torque and the actual torque is reduced. Slip error may also be reduced by adjusting the clutch actuator to reduce the difference between the desired slip and measured slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Gregory M. Pietron, Nimrod Kapas, Joseph F. Kucharski
  • Patent number: 9243707
    Abstract: An automatic transmission shifter includes: a shifter body; a shift lever; a control switch unit for controlling the shift lever; and a switch-unit holding member holding the control switch unit. The switch-unit holding member is attached to the shifter body. The control switch unit has a shifter body-based positioning portion configured to be positioned with respect to the shifter body during an operation of attaching the switch-unit holding member to the shifter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Yamamoto, Yuji Shiwa, Keita Nishimo
  • Patent number: 9243708
    Abstract: A system for control of a gearbox: At least one control unit controls the gearbox in a motor vehicle which comprises an engine connected to drive the gearbox. The system responds to receiving an indication by choosing for the gearbox a gear among various possible gears which causes the engine to reach a desired speed ?KD in a shorter time than with any other gear from among the various possible gears. Also, a method, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product thereof for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Swartling, Mikael Öun
  • Patent number: 9243709
    Abstract: A pre-finished piston part is disclosed that may be used to form a piston assembly. A pre-finished piston may include a lower part defining a piston axis, the lower part having a skirt and forming a lower surface of a cooling gallery. The lower part may include a radially inner bowl surface defining a lower part radially inner mating surface. The pre-finished piston assembly may further include an upper part having a radially outer bowl surface meeting the radially inner bowl surface at a radially inner joint. The upper part may include a radially inner wall defining a radially inner upper part mating surface. The radially inner wall may define a radially inwardly facing surface that defines a non-parallel angle with the radially inner bowl surface where the radially inner bowl surface meets the radially innermost edge of the radially inner mating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael T. Lapp, Alex Antoc, Luiz Perrone, Dietmar Spindler
  • Patent number: 9243710
    Abstract: A flexible connecting rod arrangement for engines, hermetic compressors, and any application that requires a connection between a piston and a crankcase or any application that requires a connection between a linear slider and a crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Barnes Group Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Henriques, Jr., Ricardo Paschoaneli, Jose Ubaldino Rosa
  • Patent number: 9243711
    Abstract: A tubular connection has first and second tubular members having aligned bores with a common axis and having first and second seal surfaces, respectively. A metal seal has a first end portion that sealingly engages the first seal surface and a second end portion that sealingly engages the second seal surface. The metal seal has a sidewall with at least two folds. One of the folds defines an axial interior gap. The other of the folds defines an axial exterior gap. An exterior spacer member is positioned in the exterior gap to limit closer of the exterior gap in response to a greater pressure on the interior of the seal than on the exterior. An interior spacer member is positioned in the interior gap to limit closure of the interior gap in response to a greater pressure on the exterior of the seal than on the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Helvecio C. K. Silveira, Ivan Candiani, Leonardo Cardoso, Rodrigo Ferreira Dias
  • Patent number: 9243712
    Abstract: A seal for a fluid-fillable vessel of a gearing or motor is provided. The seal includes a first sealing body with a first inside sealing lip, with a first leg protruding from the sealing body, at the distal end of which there is arranged a second outer sealing lip which protrudes from the first leg. Reliable sealing can thus be achieved and apparent leakiness of a fluid vessel can be prevented at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: IBS FILTRAN KUNSTSOFF-/METALLERZUEGNISSE GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar Sahm, Eberhard Biermann, Josef Haupt
  • Patent number: 9243713
    Abstract: A sealing structure permits easy fitting of the insertion member into the reception member and that prevents damage to the insertion member and the reception member. The insertion member includes a first larger-diameter columnar portion, a first smaller-diameter columnar portion, and a first step portion. The reception member includes a second larger-diameter cylindrical portion, a second smaller-diameter cylindrical portion, and a second step portion. An accommodation region for accommodating an O-ring is defined by an outer circumferential surface of the first smaller-diameter columnar portion, an outer surface of the first step portion, an inner circumferential surface of the second larger-diameter cylindrical portion, and an inner surface of the second step portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taneaki Miura, Hiroyasu Ozaki, Koichi Takaku, Koichi Kato, Saneto Asano
  • Patent number: 9243714
    Abstract: A retractable assembly and a sealing system, the sealing system comprising: an essentially hollow, cylindrical housing with an inner space and a peripheral groove open to the inner space in the housing. The peripheral groove defines a plane in the housing and the normal of the plane is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The groove includes at least one, preferably two, extension spaces expanding the groove. The extension space is arranged on the side of the groove facing away from the inner space. An annular seal corresponding to the groove is arranged in the groove. The annular seal is formed of at least a first section facing the inner space and a second section facing away from the inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Ingrid Wunderlich, Thomas Pfauch
  • Patent number: 9243715
    Abstract: A fluid seal assembly consists of a seal element of compliant material that is retainingly carried by a seal carrier. The seal carrier includes one or more elements of relatively rigid material defining a sealing face with a seal-receiving groove interrupting the sealing face. The seal-receiving groove has groove-defining walls each of which has a proximal end at the sealing face and a distal end. The groove-defining walls serve as seal contact surfaces. The seal contact surfaces are configured such that the seal-receiving groove narrows toward its distal end. The seal-receiving groove has a depth and a breadth suitable for accepting the seal element, with the seal element projecting past the sealing face when compressed to be in contact with the seal contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: NOETIC TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Maurice William Slack, Matthew Hollis Allen
  • Patent number: 9243717
    Abstract: A gate valve is provided for returned drilling mud pressure control and/or well killing. The gate valve includes a flow passage; and a gate member movable for intersecting the flow passage. The gate member includes a gate port which extends from one face to an opposite face of the gate member and is alignable with the flow passage for allowing material in the flow passage to pass through the gate member, and a groove or recess is provided in an inner wall of the gate port, the groove or recess extending from the one face to the opposite face of the gate member. A method is provided for returned drilling mud pressure control and/or well killing, and uses of a gate valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLUEM AS
    Inventor: Nils Lennart Rolland
  • Patent number: 9243718
    Abstract: A weir-type diaphragm valve includes a valve body having a spherically-shaped valve body sealing surface with a weir having a spherically-shaped weir sealing surface; and a diaphragm having a diaphragm sealing surface with a diaphragm weir sealing surface, the diaphragm responding to an applied force and providing sealing contact between the diaphragm weir sealing surface and the spherically-shaped weir sealing surface so as to stop the flow of fluid through a fluid flow channel of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC.
    Inventors: Louis E. Matalon, Paul S. Gifford
  • Patent number: 9243719
    Abstract: An adjustable safety relief valve is provided for use on a pressure vessel or a flow line with a pressurized fluid therein. In the preferred embodiment, the safety relief valve comprises a body with a closed bonnet and a chamber therein and an inlet and an outlet; the inlet including a valve seat; a disk member with an attached stem member closable on the valve seat; a mechanism in the body biasing the disk member to rest on the valve seat; a guide member supported in the bonnet to guide and limit disk member movement; and a skirt member affixed to the body, which surrounds the disk member and defines a uniform flow area with the inlet. The presented safety relief valve has improvements, which remove detriments to disk member movement and function, resulting in a safety relief valve with predictable performance and improved reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Jeremy Ryan Choate
  • Patent number: 9243720
    Abstract: A chemical liquid circuit apparatus includes a main circuit member, a sub-circuit member, and a frame member. The main circuit member has a chemical liquid channel for flowing a chemical fluid, and a main opening formed on an end of the chemical liquid channel. The sub-circuit member is mounted on and in contact with the main circuit member and applies a first load to the main circuit member. The sub-circuit member has a sealing surface for sealing the main opening from outside of the apparatus. The frame member has a storing portion for storing the main circuit member, and a connecting opening disposed in a position in communication with the main opening of the main circuit member stored in the storing portion. The shape of the frame member allows a reaction force of the first load to be transferred from the storing portion to the main circuit member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Itafuji, Masayuki Kouketsu
  • Patent number: 9243721
    Abstract: A method of securing a pipeline to the bed of a body of water includes moving an underwater vehicle selectively, on the bed of the body of water, along the pipeline; transporting a plurality of fastening devices on the underwater vehicle; and driving each fastening device partly into the bed of the body of water, close to the pipeline, by a handling device mounted on the underwater vehicle, to confine the pipeline between the bed of the body of water and the fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Diego Lazzarin, Paolo Dallona, Diego Magri
  • Patent number: 9243722
    Abstract: An offshore S-lay pipelaying vessel for laying a pipeline on the seabed, the vessel includes a hull and an elongated stinger having a hull end and a free end, the stinger being adapted to support the pipeline to be laid from the vessel. The stinger includes a stinger frame, possibly composed of one or more rigid stinger frame sections, possibly articulated sections. And, distributed over the length of the stinger, multiple pipeline support assemblies are mounted to the stinger frame that provide support for the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Arnoud Laurens Feijen, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 9243723
    Abstract: A mounting clamp for securing a conduit to a surface is disclosed. The clamp has a strap and a clampback. The clampback has a conduit support on one end portion and a curved section on another end portion. The strap has a first strap portion facing the conduit support and a second strap portion connected to the curved section to allow the first strap portion to bend toward or away from the conduit support. The first strap portion has at least one curved portion with a first radius of curvature to secure a conduit of a first range of sizes, and another curved portion with a second radius of curvature to secure a conduit of a second range of sizes that is partially different from the first range of sizes. The conduit support portion has two sidewalls spaced from each other, each with a curved segment to receive the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGEPORT FITTINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher W. DeCesare, Erik G. Senseney
  • Patent number: 9243724
    Abstract: A support for a suction or ventilation hose extending upwardly through an open manhole and in a horizontal disposition from the manhole to a water pump intake or air pump including a lower horizontal support surface, a pair of laterally spaced side walls extending upwardly from the lower horizontal support surface and a generally U-shaped hose support surface extending along a curvilinear path between the side walls from a lower rear portion of the support to an elevated forward portion thereof. A depending stop is disposed rearwardly adjacent to the lower support surface. The stop defines a curvilinear abutment surface adapted to extend into an open manhole and abut a perimeter portion thereof upon the lower support surface being positioned adjacent to the manhole. A strap securement is provided for securing a portion of a hose against the hose support surface on said hose support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Western Oilfields Supply Company
    Inventors: John W. Lake, Bradley C. Streeper
  • Patent number: 9243725
    Abstract: A glass-fiber reinforced plastic pipe comprises a pipe body and an inner core fixedly provided on an inner wall of the pipe body, wherein an upper end of the inner core is lower than an upper end of the pipe body, so that a first heat-insulating space is formed between the upper ends of the inner core and the pipe body, and a lower end of the inner core is higher than a lower end of the pipe body, so that a second heat-insulating space is formed between the lower ends of the inner core and the pipe body. Due to the inner core as a reinforce structure, the shear resistance strength of the glass-fiber reinforced plastic pipe is improved without increasing the thickness of the pipe wall, and furthermore the mechanical performance of a supporting device of the cryogenic pressure vessel is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignees: ZHANGJIAGANG CIMC SANCTUM CRYOGENIX EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., CHINA INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONTAINERS (GROUP) LTD., CIMC ENRIC INVESTMENT HOLDINGS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia Lu, Gencang Liu, Haoming Wang, Jie Gao, Dongjin Liu, Xiaofang Wu
  • Patent number: 9243726
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure including a tube having an outer wall, a jacket surrounding the tube to enclose an annular insulating space, the jacket having an end that terminates at the outer wall of the tube, a seal formed between the end of the jacket and the tube to preserve a vacuum within the insulating space, and a fitting affixed to one of the tube and the jacket for coupling the vacuum insulated structure to an external device. A method of making a vacuum insulated structure including forming a tube and a jacket, positioning the jacket over the tube to form an annular insulating space, with an end of the jacket being positioned adjacent to an outer wall of the tube to form a vent, causing air to escape through the vent, sealing the vent, and affixing a fitting to one of the tube and the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Aarne H. Reid
  • Patent number: 9243727
    Abstract: A high temperature flexible pipe and method of making a high temperature flexible pipe is provided. The pipe can have an inner tubular layer formed of a high temperature thermoplastic, a first reinforcing layer, a second reinforcing layer and an outer sheath. In one aspect, an insulating layer may be provided between the second reinforcing layer and the outer sheath. A method of making a flexible pipe is also provided. The first reinforcing layer is wound around the inner tubular layer and the second reinforcing layer is wound around the first reinforcing layer. An outer sheaf can be formed over the second reinforcing layer. In another aspect, an insulating layer can be formed over the second reinforcing layer before an outer jacket is formed over the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: FLEXPIPE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Conley, Peter Jackson, Blaine Weller
  • Patent number: 9243728
    Abstract: A single piece of pipe connectable to a similar adjacent pipe and including a female end that is reinforced with a band. The pipe includes in one embodiment a male end having external threads, a female end having an enlarged exterior diameter, a first section at the female end having an interior diameter to receive a male end of the similar adjacent pipe, a second section at the female end having internal threads to mate with the external threads of the male end of the similar adjacent pipe. The first section is positioned to funnel the male end of the similar adjacent pipe to the second section, and the second section is positioned between an intermediate section and the first section. At least one reinforcement band is positioned circumferentially around at least a portion of the female end. The pipe is disconnectable from the similar adjacent pipe and reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bilfinger Water Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Hennemann
  • Patent number: 9243729
    Abstract: A method is shown by which threaded pipe sections are connected to form a tubular joint having proper sealing positioning at proper make-up torque. A make-up stencil plate is manufactured for each specific size of pipe to be coupled at the specific taper and make-up loss of a given connection with very tight tolerance. The plate is placed on the pin pipe end of the connection. A dial indicator is placed on the outer surface of the pipe pin end with the indicator flush with the end of the stencil plate. Once the indicator is set to zero, the stencil plate is removed. Then a bucking unit or power tong is applied to the coupling. When the face of the coupling hits the tip of the indicator and the indicator is within the given tolerance, the operator stops the make-up process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hunting Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: German Jose Rivero, Thomas E. Dunn, Jr., Claudie Wayne Parker
  • Patent number: 9243730
    Abstract: The adapter assembly extends outward from an inner structure such as an outer barrel or nipple base to attach the inner structure to a housing such as a bowl. Each sized inner structure fits a specified bowl for attachment of the inner structure to the bowl. The adapter assembly extends outward from the inner structure to fit one of the available sizes needed for attachment to the bowl. The adapter assembly is characterized by a first attachment body and a second attachment body. The adapter assembly attaches to the exterior of the inner structure to increase the surface exterior of the outer surface for attachment of the inner structure to the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 9243731
    Abstract: Pipe clamp and method for retaining a tensioning element in a tensioning head of the pipe clamp. The pipe clamp includes a clamp band having a first end with a first tensioning head and a second end with a second tensioning head, a tensioning element guidable guided through the first tensioning head and engageable with the second tensioning head, and a securing element structured and arranged in the first tensioning head to secure the tensioning element against loss and including a spring element structured and arranged to act between the tensioning element and the first tensioning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: NORMA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Gerrit V. Breitenbach, Achim Kamp, Gerhard Wachter, Jonathan Heywood
  • Patent number: 9243732
    Abstract: A manual spray head can be connected with a flexible hose line by means of a coupling that has a ball-and-socket joint inserted between the manual spray head and the hose line. This arrangement not only increases the mobility and flexibility between the manual spray head and the flexible hose line, but also permits twisting of the manual spray head relative to the hose line without fear of unscrewing the screw-type connection or similar coupling provided between the manual spray head and the hose line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Grether, Christoph Weis
  • Patent number: 9243733
    Abstract: Embodiments of a valve device that reduces noise and vibration that may occur during low flow conditions in fluid couplings (e.g., valves and flow regulators). These embodiments utilize a plug and seat arrangement with geometry to prevent pressure differentials that cause the plug element to open and close in a cyclic pattern. In one embodiment, the valve device includes a seat element with an aperture and a plug element with a boss that extends into the aperture when the plug element contacts the seat element. The boss has an outer surface that forms a gap, which defines an annular area proximate the point of contact between the seat element and the plug element that is sized to reduce Venturi flow effects that cause the cyclic pattern to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Charles Lively, Lamar Edward May, Kenneth Marcell Graff
  • Patent number: 9243734
    Abstract: A connector system for connecting an exhaust extraction system to the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine. The connector system comprises a first flange, which can be connected to the exhaust pipe of the engine. A second flange is connected to a conduit through which exhaust fumes are evacuated. The first and second flanges can have mating tapered surfaces, to facilitate alignment of the second flange relative to the first flange. The second flange preferably comprises magnets for providing a secure connection between the first flange and the second flange, while enabling quick release of the connection. The magnets are preferably arranged in an asymmetric configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: PLYMOVENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Geoffrey Johannes Sylvain Aubert, Vincent Nicolaas Johannes Van Baar, Shawn Thomas Smith
  • Patent number: 9243735
    Abstract: A flow limiter comprises a line segment with an air inlet and an air outlet and at least one resistance element. The resistance element is positioned within the line segment and impresses a predetermined flow resistance on an air flow that extends from the air inlet to the air outlet. Preferably, the resistance element extends at least in part in an axial direction of the line segment. Such a flow limiter is used to adjust an air volume flow and comprises particularly low generation of intrinsic noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Joakim Holmgren
  • Patent number: 9243736
    Abstract: Provided is an inner structure of a vacuum insulator with an assembly reciprocating support to increase an insulation performance, the structure of the vacuum insulator including a top board, a bottom board, and an assembly reciprocating support installed perpendicularly between the top board and the bottom board, the assembly reciprocating support including a solid shaft, a hollow shaft, and a connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tae-Ho Song, Seong Wook Cho, Hae-yong Jung, Jongmin Kim, In-Seok Yeo, Bongsu Choi, Jae Hyug Lee, SeungWook Kim, Wookjin Lee, Shin-Woo Jang
  • Patent number: 9243737
    Abstract: An attachment portion of a tripod is formed with an opening that penetrates in a longitudinal direction of the tripod, the rail member of the shooting sliding device is provided with an adapter for attachment to the tripod, a first contact surface between the adapter and the rail member is a flat surface, a second contact surface between the adapter and the tripod has a curved surface, an attaching female screw is embedded at the center of the attachment side of the tripod in the second contact surface, the tightening handle has a grip, and a male screw projecting from one end of the grip, the adapter is placed on the attachment portion of the tripod, the male screw of the tightening handle is screwed into the female screw embedded in the adapter through the opening of the attachment portion of the tripod, the curved surface of the second contact surface of the adapter and the curved surface on the inner side of the attachment portion of the tripod come into surface-contact with each other and come into conta
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HEIWA SEIKI KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Hida
  • Patent number: 9243738
    Abstract: A machine to overturn workpieces can include a mechanical arm, a holding member coupled to the mechanical arm, and a workbench positioned adjacent to the mechanical arm. The workbench can include a base plate and a first positioning assembly. The base plate can define a slot. The slot can extend towards and through a sidewall of the base plate, and define an outlet at a portion running through the sidewall. The first positioning assembly can be positioned on the base plate adjacent to the slot. The first positioning assembly can be configured to manipulate and position the workpiece. The mechanical arm can be configured to drive the holding member through the slot to attach to and hold onto a surface of the workpiece facing the base plate, and move the workpiece away from the base plate via the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shi-You Li, Yi-Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 9243739
    Abstract: A system for mounting an electronic handheld device includes a case having a mounting structure and a locking structure attached to the case by aligning a portion of the locking structure with a portion of the mounting structure and rotating the locking structure or the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ANNEX PRODUCTS PTY. LTD.
    Inventor: Christopher Peters
  • Patent number: 9243740
    Abstract: A bracket assembly configured to mount an engine component to the vehicle body is provided. The bracket assembly includes a first body bracket, a second body bracket, a rod and a third body bracket. The first body bracket is configured to hold the component. The second and third body brackets are both configured to attach to the structure within the engine compartment. The rod may be dimensioned so as to place the third body bracket in a desired spatial orientation with respect to the first and second body brackets. Accordingly, the bracket assembly is operable to accommodate two of the same components within the engine compartment by allowing the components to be in different spatial relationships relative to the engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan K. Williams, Chad A. Barnes, Eric F. Bursch
  • Patent number: 9243741
    Abstract: A telescoping monopod apparatus that is configured to hold a photographic instrument. The telescoping monopod apparatus includes a body that houses a control component and an electronic component. The body has a rotatable bottom end. The telescoping monopod apparatus includes a plurality of shafts disposed in an interior of the body. The upper end is opposite of the rotatable bottom end. The telescoping monopod apparatus includes a ball disposed on an uppermost shaft of the plurality of shafts. The telescoping monopod apparatus includes a spheroidal joint that is configured to receive the ball on a first end. The spheroidal joint is attached to a holder on a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Intellectual Fortress, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Hwading Chu
  • Patent number: 9243742
    Abstract: A suspension connector system configured for use with suspended scaffold systems and related methods of installation, assembly and use are disclosed herein. In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, methods of using a suspension connector system, for example, in relation to a structure, is disclosed. Suspension connector systems, as disclosed herein, can be affixed or otherwise connected to a structure so as to permit hanging of a suspended scaffold system, which can include work platform assemblies and access systems. Further in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of suspension connector systems can be connected to a structure, for example, in a predetermined pattern or an array, to support, or be combined with, a suspended scaffold system of the kinds disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Safway Services, LLC
    Inventors: Mathieu Grumberg, Roy Scrafford
  • Patent number: 9243743
    Abstract: A support arm includes a generally elongated support arm housing having first and second ends; an arm mounting member pivotally carried by the first end of the support arm housing, the arm mounting member pivotal throughout a first range of rotation; a device mounting member pivotally carried by the second end of the support arm housing, the device mounting member pivotal throughout a second range of rotation; a position equalizing assembly engaging the arm mounting member and the device mounting member, the position equalizing assembly pivoting the arm mounting member and the device mounting member in opposite directions throughout the first range of rotation and the second range of rotation; anda counterbalance adjusting assembly carried by the arm mounting member and engaging the device mounting member, the counterbalance adjusting assembly applying counterbalance force to the device mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: ICWUSA.COM, INC.
    Inventors: Duncan James Hunter, Mark Erskine
  • Patent number: 9243744
    Abstract: A container support for holding a container has a lower base and upper holding member. The base receives the container which bears on the base in a bearing direction. The holding member has an opening for receiving the container. The holding member is connected to the base by a connecting mechanism configured such that the holding member is movable relative to the base in translation along the bearing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Christophe Brunard, Joep Bijlholt
  • Patent number: 9243745
    Abstract: A magnetic slat device is disclosed herein. The magnetic slat device includes an elongate slat body, the elongate slat body having a generally curved cross-section with a first generally concave surface and a second generally convex surface, the elongate slat body further including a first longitudinal edge portion and a second longitudinal edge portion disposed opposite to the first longitudinal edge portion; and a plurality of magnets coupled to the elongate slat body, each of the plurality of magnets being spaced apart from one another along a length of the elongate slat body, and each of the plurality of magnets being disposed between the first and second longitudinal edge portions of the elongate slat body. Each of the plurality of magnets is configured to exert a magnetic force on a magnetic object. A slat kit comprising a plurality of magnetic slat devices is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: John Wesley Hughes
  • Patent number: 9243746
    Abstract: A hook for hanging an object using cantilever force is disclosed, and the hook includes a main body and a hook body. The hook body extends from the main body and includes a hook portion and a free end portion. The hook portion has an inner curved surface facing and close to the main body, and the free end portion is connected to the hook portion and has a blocking segment. A largest distance between the inner curved surface and the main body is configured to accommodate an object to be hung on the hook body, and the hook body is horizontally configured with respect to the ground when the main body is attached to a fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Ching-I Chen