Patents Issued in March 22, 2016
  • Patent number: 9290953
    Abstract: A compound container includes a container body having a side wall and a bottom wall; an interior space defined by the side wall and the end wall; an opening defined by an upper edge of the side wall; and an elongated hand support member having a first attachment section and a second attachment section for attaching the hand support member to a bottom surface of the bottom wall. The hand support member is positioned generally parallel to the opening defined by the upper edge of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Warner Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Grimm, David Henke
  • Patent number: 9290954
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of producing an adjustable scaffold shelf. The adjustable scaffold shelf is produced from a platform support of an existing scaffold by specific cuts. A middle support and a pair of mount supports are created from the existing platform support. The pair of mount supports is fastened to the middle support to create the frame for the adjustable scaffold shelf. A shelf platform is a board fitted onto the middle support and the pair of mount supports to complete the adjustable scaffold shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Anthony Shane Taylor
  • Patent number: 9290955
    Abstract: A working device has a base designed as a stationary support column, a motor-driven rotary head and a stack of arms made up of several mast arms which can be moved with respect to each other in pairs, using articulated or sliding joints, supporting a concrete transport line. The stack of arms is articulated on the rotary head about a horizontal rotational axis by a first mast arm. The working device also includes a control mechanism which can be actuated by a control element or a radio path and which is arranged in a control box, and a hydraulic assembly including an oil tank and a motor-driven hydraulic pump for controlling working groups for moving the rotary head and mast arm. A working platform fixed with respect to the frame is arranged in the region of the bearing block for emergency operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Putzmeister Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Braun
  • Patent number: 9290956
    Abstract: A reinforcement system includes a structural member such as a concrete wall including a pair of holes formed therein. A fiber reinforcement strip is adhered to the structural member between the pair of holes. A U-shaped bracket includes a pair of legs being adhered in the pair of holes and a bridge portion that overlaps the fiber reinforcement strip, wherein the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip is wrapped around the bridge portion and adhered to an intermediate portion of the fiber reinforcement strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Fortress Stabilization Systems
    Inventors: Donald E. Wheatley, Richard E. Prince
  • Patent number: 9290957
    Abstract: A reinforcement system includes a structural member such as a concrete wall including a pair of holes formed therein. A fiber reinforcement strip is adhered to the structural member between the pair of holes. A U-shaped bracket includes a pair of legs being secured in the pair of holes and a bridge portion that overlaps the fiber reinforcement strip, wherein the first end of the fiber reinforcement strip is wrapped around the bridge portion and adhered to an intermediate portion of the fiber reinforcement strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Fortress Stabilization Systems
    Inventor: Donald E. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 9290958
    Abstract: A pool cleaner for cleaning a pool surface includes a chassis, arms mounted to the chassis for oscillatory movement in response to water being drawn through the pool cleaner and rotating a drive assembly operatively coupled to the arms, a wing mounted to each of the arms for flapping movement in response to the oscillatory movement of the arms, and projections carried on an underside of the wings for disturbing material from the pool surface to be cleaned by the pool cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas V. Lopez
  • Patent number: 9290959
    Abstract: Methods and systems for constructing wind towers are disclosed. A wind tower may be constructed by vertically stacking and securing a plurality of modular units. Each modular unit of the plurality of modular units may include three generally hexagonal columns and three concrete panels coupled to the three generally hexagonal columns. The three concrete panels and the three generally hexagonal columns may jointly form a generally equilateral triangular prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: e.Construct.USA, LLC
    Inventors: Maher K. Tadros, Chuanbing Sun
  • Patent number: 9290960
    Abstract: A combination cremation/burial system that is specially designed to allow multiple burials on small, single plots of land. Design intent is to provide a unique means in which families can be interned together while saving both space and money.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Richard McHale
  • Patent number: 9290961
    Abstract: A collapsible portable shelter including at least a first strut and a second strut, each strut being resiliently flexible, a panel formed of a flexible material coupled with the first strut and the second strut, and an anchoring member for anchoring the panel relative to a surface. The first strut is received along a first side of the panel and the second strut is received along a second side of the panel, the second side opposing the first side. The first strut and the second strut each has a portion extending beyond a third side of the panel. In use, a part of said portion of each of the first strut and second strut is to be received in the surface to resist lateral movement of said part received in the ground. Furthermore, in use, orientation with respect to the surface can be varied by adjusting the anchoring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: John Alexander Nichols
  • Patent number: 9290962
    Abstract: The quickly erectable dome shelter includes an extendible perimeter truss assembly with link members connected between adjacent legs, a central truss assembly of link members, and a roof framework, including pairs of curved upper and lower peak truss members, that is movable between a lowered, collapsed configuration and a raised, upwardly arching position. The shelter also includes telescoping peak pole members coupled to the central truss assembly of link members and the roof framework, and may also include telescoping peak truss brace members connected between a peak truss member and a link member of the perimeter assembly of link members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Mark C. Carter
  • Patent number: 9290963
    Abstract: A door lever and mounting plate assembly attachable to a door and coupleable to a latch and spindle assembly in the door, including a. a mounting plate including an aperture therein mountable on the door with the aperture axially aligned with the spindle, b. a door lever assembly comprising a handle part with a bottom surface, and a pivot plate, the handle part being coupleable to the spindle, and the pivot plate being fixed to the bottom surface of the handle and having an area greater than the area of the aperture and being situated closely adjacent and underlying the aperture, such that when the handle is pivoted the aperture is at all times fully underlied by at least parts of the pivot plate, and d. a keylock cylinder mounted in the handle part with a linkage to engage and control rotation of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SECURITECH GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Berger, Jeffrey Regen
  • Patent number: 9290964
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes an exterior operator assembly, an interior operator assembly, and a latch assembly. An outer spindle is operatively coupled to a latch assembly, is drivably coupled to the interior operator assembly, and has a longitudinal bore. A coupling mechanism is coupled to the outer spindle. A locking spindle assembly is rotatably received in the longitudinal bore, and is configured to selectively operate the coupling mechanism to couple the exterior operator assembly to the outer spindle upon actuation of a drive assembly. The locking spindle assembly has a fire compliant component made of a first material that melts during a fire to prevent operation of the latch assembly with the exterior operator assembly, and has a fire resistant component made of a second material and configured to block the longitudinal bore of the outer spindle to aid in preventing the spread of the fire through the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Stanley Security Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Trent, Chad A. Hickman, Simon Marin, Bret Holbrook
  • Patent number: 9290965
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes a mounting fire plate configured for attachment to the door. A first lockset includes a lockset fire plate and a first operator assembly having a first operator handle. The first operator assembly is mounted to the lockset fire plate. At least one fusible link is configured to releasably couple the lockset fire plate of the first lockset to the mounting fire plate. The at least one fusible link is configured to melt during a fire condition to release the lockset fire plate from the mounting fire plate to facilitate a separation of the first lockset including the lockset fire plate from the mounting fire plate and the door by force of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Stanley Security Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad A. Hickman
  • Patent number: 9290966
    Abstract: A system for providing wire-free and contact free electric power and communication connection in a security installation between a door and a frame. The cores, windings, and control circuits of first and second transformers portions are disposed in the frame and the door, respectively. Power applied to the first transformer portion induces a voltage and current in the second transformer portion when the door is in a closed position. Fiber optic cables housed within the transformer portions transmit and receive data between the door and the frame. Power transfer occurs at 100+ KHz and data transfer is in the range of 100 K baud. The transformers portions are compactly constructed and, in one aspect of the invention, may reside in an opening normally occupied by a dead bolt. In another aspect of the invention, the transformer portions are fixed and resonating circuitry is off-tuned to optimize output levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Leland J. Hanchett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9290967
    Abstract: A combination lock is provided, the combination lock having a rotary latch configured for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, the rotary latch rotating in a first plane; and a bolt configured for movement between a first position and a second position along a second plane the second plane being oriented at a different location than the first plane, the bolt engaging the rotary latch in the first position such that rotation of the rotary latch from the locked position to the unlocked position is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ZEPHYR LOCK LLC
    Inventors: Patrick E. Wind, Kevin Houlihan, Douglas Greene
  • Patent number: 9290968
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a cover having at least a portion able to undergo elastic deformation and including at least one opening disposed at least partially in the at least portion of the cover able to undergo elastic deformation is provided. The locking mechanism includes at least one blocker movable between an open position where the at least one blocker is disengaged from the at least one opening, and a locked position where the at least one blocker is engaged in the at least one opening. In the locked position, the at least one blocker prevents at least partially elastic deformation of the at least portion of the cover. A cover and locking mechanism assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CANADA PIPE COMPANY ULC
    Inventor: Pierre-Laurent Beaudoin
  • Patent number: 9290969
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch device comprises a base member having a striker-engagement groove which a striker of a vehicle body enters; a latch pivotally mounted to the base member and engagable with the striker; a ratchet pivotally mounted to the base member to engage with the latch to prevent the latch from turning; a latch-detecting switch detecting a turning position of the latch; and a synthetic resin terminal block in which a latch conductive plate is insert-molded. The terminal block has a holding portion that can hold the latch-detecting switch with an elastic claw. The latch conductive plate has a connecting terminal exposed in the holding portion and electrically connected to the latch detecting switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yokota, Minetaka Katagawa
  • Patent number: 9290970
    Abstract: A door handle system for a door of a vehicle includes a door handle assembly, a locking mechanism, a control and a near field communication device. The door handle assembly is configured to mount at a handle region of a vehicle door of the vehicle. The near field communication device is operable to receive signals from a smartphone that is within a threshold distance from the near field communication device. The control, responsive to the near field communication device, is operable to determine whether or not a smartphone that is within the threshold distance and that is communicating with the near field communication device is an authorized device. The control is operable to actuate the locking mechanism to unlock the vehicle door responsive to a determination that the smartphone within the threshold distance and communicating with the near field communication device is an authorized device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Justin E. Sobecki, Eric S. Deuel
  • Patent number: 9290971
    Abstract: A door device for a vehicle includes a cable for connecting a handle device and a lock unit. A cable holding member mounted to the handle device is displaced between an engagement position in which the cable holding member engages with the cable and a non-engagement position in which the cable holding member does not engage with the cable. A contact portion of a door panel is configured such that when the handle device is being mounted to the door panel, the contact portion contacts the cable holding member in the non-engagement position and interferes with the assembly of the handle device to the door panel and the contact portion does not contact the cable holding member in the engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toyohisa Amagai, Kinji Hoshikawa, Hiromu Inoue
  • Patent number: 9290972
    Abstract: A latch assembly is provided. The latch assembly includes a stator and a mover. Magnets are mounted to the stator and/or the mover. The magnets assist with holding the latch mechanism is in a closed position. A position and orientation of the magnets also assists with shaping the force required to open the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Tarr, Srinivas Mallampalli
  • Patent number: 9290973
    Abstract: A system (20; 302) comprising the unitarily molded single-piece combination of: a first portion (24; 324); a living hinge (22; 322); and a second portion (26; 326) coupled by the living hinge to the first portion and shiftable between a first condition and second condition via rotation about the living hinge. The living hinge comprises: a first end (80) at the first portion; and a second end (82) at the second portion, in the as-molded condition the second end is spaced upward from the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Plastek Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: H Stephen Quinn
  • Patent number: 9290974
    Abstract: A hinge device for a door is provided. The hinge device has two hinge members which engage with each other and a hinge cap. A bearing with one or more tapered ends engages with the hinge members to allow easy opening and closing of a door attached to the hinge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SPECIAL-LITE INC.
    Inventor: Mark Alexander
  • Patent number: 9290975
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device for fixing a furniture hinge, comprising a base plate, which is to be fixed to a furniture part, in particular a lateral wall of a furniture body, and comprising a fixing device for fixing the hinge to the mounting device, preferably in a removable manner. The fixing device is movably mounted on the base plate, said mounting device having a connecting element which is mounted on the base plate in a movable manner via at least one toggle lever and which can be fixed to a hinge part that can be moved during the opening and closing movement of the hinge, wherein the fixing device can be moved relative to the base plate via the toggle lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Fredi Dubach
  • Patent number: 9290976
    Abstract: A position-limit hinge includes an axle housing, a first hinge shaft, a second hinge shaft, a first position-limit device set and a second position-limit device set. By means of enabling the first position-limit device set and the second position-limit device set to be alternatively changed between a position-limit status and a freely rotatable status, the first hinge shaft is driven to rotate or the axle housing is driven to turn about the second hinge shaft, enabling a cover member of an electronic device carrying the position-limit hinge to be smoothly opened relative to a base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Chin-Hsing Horng
  • Patent number: 9290977
    Abstract: The guiding device, which serves for guiding a sliding element, such as a sliding door provided with a door leaf, with which a room opening of a building part can be closed at least approximately tightly, comprises a running rail having a longitudinal axis and at least one carriage that is guided along the running rail and that comprises a carriage body that is connected to a coupling device that is coupled or can be coupled with the sliding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HAWA AG
    Inventors: Gregor Haab, Peter Ettmuller, Myrta Kappeler
  • Patent number: 9290978
    Abstract: A dual actuator pneumatic gate closer coupled to a gate including a pair of pneumatic actuators each including a tube having a first and a second end together with a piston/rod combination movable between an extended and retracted position, a first and second coupling block affixed to the first end of each tube and each rod respectively, a spring movable between an expanded and compressed configuration disposed within each tube and a first and second actuator rod coupled between the gate and the first coupling block and a gate post and the second coupling block respectively such that when the gate is moved to an open position each actuator rod extends the corresponding rod compressing the corresponding spring and when the gate is released each spring expands retracting the corresponding rod extending the corresponding actuator rod closing the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONWIDE INDUSTRIES, INC
    Inventor: Aaron M. Mizner
  • Patent number: 9290979
    Abstract: An adjustable bumper, adapted for supporting closure panels on a vehicle, is described. The bumper incorporates a shape memory polymer portion, which may be readily permanently reshaped by the steps of: heating above its transition temperature, deforming by application of a load, and cooling, while still under load, below its transition temperature. This behavior is exploited to enable adjustment of the adjustable bumper so that it may provide the desired closure panel support while accommodating vehicle to vehicle variations in the fit of the closure panel and the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Jonathan E. Luntz, Alan W. Moyer, Diann Brei, Suhant Ranga, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9290980
    Abstract: A slam latch mechanism employs an actuation lever rotatable from a first position to a second position and having a prong extending therefrom. A bolt, resiliently retractable from an extended position with the actuation lever in the first position, has a land with a slip surface engaging the prong in the second position to retract the bolt. A dampener extends from the slip surface by a margin to engage the prong in the first position to prevent metal to metal contact by the prong and slip surface with the actuation lever in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Scott A. Kramer, Daniel Rivera
  • Patent number: 9290981
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive arrangement for the motorized adjustment of a closure element of a motor vehicle, wherein the drive arrangement, in the installed state, is coupled in drive terms to the closure element. It is proposed for the drive arrangement to have at least one drive, which is intended for generating drive movements and in or on which is arranged an acoustic indicator for supplying acoustic feedback to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Thomas Weingaertner, Carsten Abert, Marcus Klopp, Robert Neundorf, Holger Wuerstlein, Christian Herrmann, Thorsten Kuhnen
  • Patent number: 9290982
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for actuating a closure element arrangement of a motor vehicle, wherein the closure element arrangement comprises a control arrangement and an operator-control-event sensor arrangement with at least one operator-control-event sensor element which is configured, in particular, as a proximity sensor, wherein within the scope of operator-control-event monitoring by means of the control arrangement the sensor measured values of the operator-control-event sensor arrangement are monitored to determine whether a predetermined operator control event is occurring, and the closure element arrangement is actuated as a function of the result of the operator-control-event monitoring. It is proposed that externally activated lifting of the motor vehicle is detected by means of the control arrangement, and the actuability of the closure element arrangement which is due to an operator control event is deactivated when a special condition due to the lifting of the motor vehicle occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Axel Schuetz, Christian Weidenbacher, Rainer Wunsch
  • Patent number: 9290983
    Abstract: A system for storing items of value includes a lockable cassette, a door, a container, and a locking mechanism. The lockable cassette includes an opening for receiving items of value. The door is operably coupled to the cassette and is movable between an open position providing access to the contents of the cassette and a closed position preventing access to the contents of the cassette. The container is removably coupled to the cassette for securely storing items of value and includes a closure mechanism configured to restrict access to the stored items of value in the container. The locking mechanism is coupled to the door and is configured to selectively lock the door in the closed position and to selectively operate the closure mechanism. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Crane Payment Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bane, Robin Varley, David Blasko
  • Patent number: 9290984
    Abstract: Methods of making vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window units are provided, including activating getters in a process of making VIG window units. In certain example embodiments, at least one getter is activated during and/or at the end of a pump-out/evacuation process in which the cavity between the substrates is evacuated. In certain example embodiments, the getter(s) may be activated (e.g., by at least a laser beam that is directed through a pump-out tube) during and/or at the end of the evacuation process in which the cavity between the substrates is evacuated to a low pressure that is below atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: John P. Hogan, Andrew W. Pantke, Rudolph H. Petrmichl
  • Patent number: 9290985
    Abstract: A method for assembling a window sash having an integrated insulating glass pane. The window sash has a frame formed from plastic hollow profile sections. The frame has an inner face, an outer face facing away from the inner face, and two flanks that connect the inner face and the outer face to each other. On the inner face thereof, the frame has two webs parallel to each other, which constitute an all-round delimitation of the window opening of the window sash and are adhesively secured to two glass panes which are held spaced apart by the two webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Bystronic Lenhardt GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schuler, Stephan Kammerer, Uwe Bogner
  • Patent number: 9290986
    Abstract: An insulating glazing is described, including a first pane, a second pane, and a circumferential spacer between the first and second panes. The spacer includes a hollow main body, two parallel pane contact walls, an outer wall, a glazing interior wall and a bore opening through the outer wall. The glazing further includes a hollow pressure-equalizing body, having a surrounding outer wall and a gas-permeable and vapor-diffusion-tight membrane fastened inside the outer wall. The pressure-equalizing body and a sealing compound are arranged in an outer pane intermediate space between the first pane and the second pane. The pressure-equalizing body is connected to the spacer through the bore opening, wherein a sealing material is arranged between the bore opening and the outer wall of the pressure-equalizing body. The hollow main body of the spacer contains a desiccant and at least one partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Guenther Kotowski, Katrin Frank, Walter Schreiber
  • Patent number: 9290987
    Abstract: A window assembly is described for installation in window openings having different thicknesses. A window frame having parallel side jambs, a header and a sill having inner and outer edges, and forming a rectangular opening is provided. C-shaped clamps are attached to the inner faces of the jambs, header and sill. The clamps include inwardly extending inner and outer side arms spaced at a given width, and an inner side. A rectangular extender frame is formed of four rectangular boards having lengths corresponding to the lengths of the frame jambs, header and sill. The extender frame is inserted into the clamps and moved relative to the window frame until the combined thickness of the extender frame and window frame corresponds to the thickness of the opening into which the window frame is to be mounted. Extender trim can be added to hide the clamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jason Gray Yeomans, Robert Wayne Davis
  • Patent number: 9290988
    Abstract: A door facing is provided. The door facing includes a body portion, and male and female alignment members protruding from a main surface area of the body portion. Also provided are door assemblies including the door facing and methods of making the door facing and the door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Thompson, Jason Walsh
  • Patent number: 9290989
    Abstract: A door comprising first and second door skins secured to each other to form a cavity therebetween filled with expended foam. Each of the door skins has an opening therethrough for receiving a glass insert and a flange portion. Distal ends of the flange portions of the first and second door skins engage each other in an overlapping relationship by the expansion pressure of the expanded foam. The door further comprises a glazing rim member having a leg portion snap-locked between the flange portions of the first and second door skins. The method for assembling the door comprises the steps of filling the cavity between the door skins with foam material, then inserting the glass insert through the openings in the door skins and mounting the glazing rim member to the first door skin by snap-locking between the flange portions of the first and second door skins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Lynch, Jason Caulk, Jason M. Walsh, Mark A. Ruggie, Timothy D. Gouge, Gary Thomas Fagan, Eric Duane Bennett, Haritha Wunnava, Danny Lee Fitts
  • Patent number: 9290990
    Abstract: A flexible screen material can be cut out of square, or part of the screen frame can be formed out of square such that when the screen is fitted to the screen frame, there is less sagging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CENTOR DESIGN PTY LTD
    Inventors: Craig Frederick Hicks, Charles Bilek, Martin Haberland, Nigel Spork, Glen Pacholke, Robin Simeon
  • Patent number: 9290991
    Abstract: A built in hideaway stool that provides hidden installation, such as under a cabinet or appliance, and when extended on its track and arms, rests a top step against an exterior wall of a stationary furniture item, such as a cabinet front side, to provide stable in-use step positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Dustin McDill
  • Patent number: 9290992
    Abstract: A plug connection for connecting two pipe sections of a drill pipe has a connecting plug on one end of a first of the pipe sections and a connecting bushing on one end of the second pipe section. The connecting plug and the connecting bushing have helical meshing guide projections and/or guide grooves. A pipe section for a drill pipe has on one of its ends a corresponding connecting plug and on the other end a corresponding connecting bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TRACTO-TECHNIK GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Sebastian Fischer, Raimund Grobbel
  • Patent number: 9290993
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for trenchless installation of a conduit. According to the examples herein, a conduit may be installed underground using the conduit itself for the drilling of the bore hole needed to accommodate the conduit. The conduit may be installed after a drill string has been positioned in the ground to define a pilot hole. After the pilot hole is defined and while the drill string used to define the pilot hole remains underground, the conduit may be driven underground following the path defined by the drill string. A driving force may be applied to the conduit and cutting member attached to a leading end of the conduit to cause the conduit to advance underground while the drill string, a portion of which may be interior to the conduit, remains underground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventors: Robert E Harr, J. Dana Pruhs
  • Patent number: 9290994
    Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling sonde housing has a cavity for receiving a sonde. Signal channels extend from the cavity to an exterior of the housing. A polymer lines at least part of the cavity and fills the signal channels. The drilling tool has a bit body and a drilling body. The two bodies have respective lateral surfaces which engage each other to prevent the transverse movement of the drilling body relative to the bit body during operations. The drill bit has a forward extending drill tooth, which drill tooth is removable from a bore. A spacer is located in the bore between the bottom end of the bore and the tooth. The drilling bit has buttons located on the side in a spiral configuration about a longitudinal axis of the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Charles T. Webb
  • Patent number: 9290995
    Abstract: A method includes oscillating, with a first acceleration profile, at least a portion of a drill string using a top drive at least indirectly coupled to the drill string and includes oscillating, with a second acceleration profile different from the first acceleration profile, at least a portion of the drill string using the top drive. The method also includes oscillating, with a third acceleration profile, at least a portion of the drill string using the top drive, wherein the third acceleration profile is optimized based on feedback associated with the oscillation with the first acceleration profile and feedback associated with the oscillation with the second acceleration profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott G. Boone, Colin Gillan
  • Patent number: 9290996
    Abstract: A downhole assembly able to generate a vibrational output reliant upon a fluid feed drive to cause relative rotation extending magnetic arrays and thereby a relative longitudinal vibration causing reciprocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Evan Powell, Roland Greenwood, Danny Sisson
  • Patent number: 9290997
    Abstract: Bearings for downhole tools including a first bearing member and a second bearing member, at least one of the first and second bearing members having a channel formed therein. Methods of cooling bearings of downhole tools comprise flowing a fluid within a channel formed in at least one bearing member. Heat is transferred from at least the at least one bearing member to the fluid. The fluid is flowed away from the at least one bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated, Element Six Limited
    Inventors: Alejandro Flores, Aaron J. Dick, Chih C. Lin, John F. Bradford, Louise F. van Staden, Gregory B. Swanepoel, Clement D. van der Riet, Siu-Wah Wai, Dragan Vukovic, Klaus Tank
  • Patent number: 9290998
    Abstract: Actuation mechanisms for downhole assemblies in earth-boring applications may comprise a housing comprising an internal bore defining a flow path through the housing. An actuation member may be supported within the housing. A movable sleeve may be located within the internal bore and may be movable between a first position and a second position responsive to changes in flow rate of fluid flowing through the flow path. The movable sleeve may be biased toward the first position. The actuation member may be in an initial, pre-actuation position when the movable sleeve is initially located in the first position. The actuation member may be movable to a subsequent, pre-actuation position when the movable sleeve is located in the second position. The actuation member may be released from the actuation mechanism when the movable sleeve is returned to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven R. Radford
  • Patent number: 9290999
    Abstract: A hard metal insert for a drill bit for percussion drilling. A wear part includes a cap including a wear surface. A mount includes a cylindrical part having a cross-sectional area and a diameter. The cap includes a front part with an extension along an axis of symmetry of the insert from a first point on the wear surface to a second point in the cap. The front part includes a volume between a first plane intersecting the axis at the first point and a second plane intersecting the axis at the second point. The volume is ?0.6 times a cross-sectional area of the front part in the second plane times a distance along the axis between the first and second points. A diameter of the front part in the second plane is ?0.5 times the mount diameter and ?0.6 times the mount diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO SECOROC AB
    Inventors: Göran Stenberg, Johan Wessberg
  • Patent number: 9291000
    Abstract: A cutting structure may include an outer support element; and an inner rotatable cutting element comprising a cutting surface at its upper end; wherein the inner rotatable cutting element comprises at least one line contact along a circumferential side surface thereof and/or at least one point contact at a bottom face thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen, Yuri Burhan, Kjell Haugvaldstad
  • Patent number: 9291001
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes one or more machined high-angle sockets and method for fabricating such sockets. The apparatus includes a body, one or more blades extending outwardly from the body, and one or more high-angle nozzles machined into a portion of the blade. The body includes a bit face at one end and a plenum formed therein communicably coupled to an opening formed at an opposing end. Each blade includes a leading section, a trailing section, a face section extending from one end of the leading section to an end of the trailing section, and an inner section extending from an opposing end of the leading section to an opposing end of the trailing section. Each nozzle includes a nozzle socket cavity and a second hole intersecting with the nozzle socket cavity and extending to the plenum, which collectively form a passage extending from the plenum to the bit face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: VAREL INTERNATIONAL IND., L.P.
    Inventor: Varel International Ind., L.P.
  • Patent number: 9291002
    Abstract: Methods of repairing earth-boring tools may involve providing wear-resistant material over a temporary displacement member to repair a cutting element pocket in a body and a depth-of-cut control feature using the wear-resistant material. In some embodiments, the wear-resistant material may comprise a particle-matrix composite material. For example, a hardfacing material may be built up over a temporary displacement member to form or repair a cutting element pocket and provide a depth-of-cut control feature. Earth-boring tools may include a depth-of-cut control feature comprising a wear-resistant material. The depth-of-cut control feature may be configured to limit a depth-of-cut of a cutting element secured within a cutting element pocket partially defined by at least one surface of the depth-of-cut control feature. Intermediate structures formed during fabrication of earth-boring tools may include a depth-of-cut control feature extending over a temporary displacement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James L. Overstreet, Kenneth E. Gilmore, Travis E. Puzz