Patents Issued in May 3, 2016
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Patent number: 9327529Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit, a discharge unit, and a medium receiving unit. The medium receiving unit has a sheet section which is flexible and of which a front-end portion is disposed to be closer to a discharge side of a recording medium than a terminal-end portion. When the medium receiving unit is transited from a serviceable state to an accommodated state, the front-end portion of the sheet section becomes closer to the terminal-end portion of the sheet section and a connection portion between the front-end portion and the terminal-end portion of the sheet section moves to a side opposite to the discharge side.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Junya Kato, Seijun Horie
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Patent number: 9327530Abstract: A controller is configured in duplex printing to: determine a reverse conveying speed corresponding to a printing schedule based on a printing condition; determine a switching timing corresponding to the printing schedule; and switch an operation of a common conveyer at the determined switching timing between a paper feeding conveying operation and a paper refeeding conveying operation. The paper feeding conveying operation is for receiving an unprinted sheet at a paper feeding conveying speed and conveying the unprinted sheet to a printing unit. The paper refeeding conveying operation is for receiving a sheet with a front side printed at the determined reverse conveying speed and conveying the sheet with the front side printed to the printing unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Riso Kagaku CorporationInventors: Masashi Hara, Hideaki Inoue
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Patent number: 9327531Abstract: A tape cartridge 2 includes a tape core 21b rotatably supported in a cartridge case 25 and houses a print tape 21a wound around the tape core 21b such that the print tape 21a can be unwound. The tape core 21b includes a core body 26 with the print tape 21a wound around an outer peripheral surface of the core body 26, a disk-like rib 27 provided at a middle portion in an axial direction of an inner peripheral surface of the core body 26, and a shaft hole 28 formed at an axis center of the rib 27. The cartridge case 25 includes a shaft support 41 that is inserted into the shaft hole 28 and rotatably supports the tape core 21b, and a rotation guide 42 that slides on the inner peripheral surface of the core body 26.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Shinsaku Kosuge
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Patent number: 9327532Abstract: A tape cartridge 11 includes a platen roller 15, when the tape cartridge 11 is mounted on a tape printer 1, a print head 22 of the tape printer 1 contacting the platen roller 15 with a print tape T and an ink ribbon R arranged therebetween such that the print head 22 can be separated from the platen roller 15; a cartridge case 16 that houses the print tape T, the ink ribbon R, and the platen roller 15; and an insertion opening 17 formed in the cartridge case 16, the print head 22 being inserted into the insertion opening 17. A contact portion 10 of the platen roller 15 that is brought into contact with the print head 22 protrudes relative to a head receiver 72 of the insertion opening 17 to which the print head 22 is exposed.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hideo Sodeyama
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Patent number: 9327533Abstract: An image recording apparatus, including: a carriage configured to reciprocate in main scanning directions composed of a first direction and a second direction; and a lever member having a lever arm; and a first guide member for guiding the lever arm that protrudes into a movement region of the carriage, wherein the first guide member has an elongate hole through which the lever arm passes and which is defined by first and second edge portions extending in the main scanning directions, the second edge portion located more distant from the carriage than the first edge portion extending outward, in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning directions, from a carriage region over which the carriage passes, the second edge portion having a guide portion inclined such that its downstream end in the second direction is closer to the carriage region than its upstream end in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keisuke Wakakusa, Yoichiro Nishimura
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Patent number: 9327534Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a return-sheet conveyer unit to convey a recording sheet carried from the image forming unit along a return-sheet path to return to the image forming unit, an upper frame unit including a pair of side frames to support the image forming unit in a position there-between, and a pair of lower frames arranged to have a predetermined amount of clearance there-between to have the return-sheet conveyer unit in the clearance, and configured to be less rigid than the upper frame unit and to support lower sections of the pair of side frames. A vertical position of the return-sheet conveyer unit with respect to the image forming unit is defined with reference to the upper frame unit by having a part of the return-sheet conveyer unit aligned to be in contact with the upper frame unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Souda
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Patent number: 9327535Abstract: Print masks for multiple pass print modes are described herein. In at least some examples herein, the print mask includes mask matrices. The mask matrices define a single nozzle actuation pattern. The nozzle actuation pattern is irregular. In at least some examples herein, techniques for printing of an image on a substrate are described. During printing the image on the substrate a print mask is applied such that, for each pass, the inkjet nozzles in the print head are actuated according to the single nozzle actuation pattern.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Jaime Fernandez, Yngvar Rossow, Utpal Sarkar
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Patent number: 9327536Abstract: A liquid ejection device comprising a plurality of ejection parts for ejecting liquid in cavities, an inspection part for inspecting the ejection parts. The ejection parts are classified into a plurality of ranks according to a characteristic of each of the ejection parts.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshiyuki Suzuki, Osamu Shinkawa
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Patent number: 9327537Abstract: A printer compensates for printing errors occurring during production of the layers for the formation of an object in a three-dimensional printer. The printer includes an optical sensor that generates data corresponding to edges of each layer of the object after each layer is printed. Differences between the raster data used to eject the material to form a layer and the data received from the optical sensor are used to modify the raster data that operates a printhead to form a next layer in the object.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Brian R. Conrow, Howard A. Mizes, Paul A. Hosier, Jeffrey J. Folkins, Robert J. Kleckner
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Patent number: 9327538Abstract: A method of marking an article with a watermark that diffracts radiation according to Bragg's law is disclosed. The watermark includes a periodic array of particles fixed in a matrix. The watermark may change colors with viewing angle, disappear and reappear with viewing angle or may diffract non-visible radiation that is detectable at certain angles of detection.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.Inventors: Calum H. Munro, Mark D. Merritt, Sean Purdy
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Patent number: 9327539Abstract: A dye sublimation printing method for a light transmissive medium includes the following steps. First, a ribbon is provided above the light transmissive medium. Then, the light transmissive medium is moved. During the period that the light transmissive medium is moved, at least one first dye zone of the ribbon is heated, so that the dye in the first dye zone is transferred onto the light transmissive medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: HiTi Digital, Inc.Inventor: Shiu-Sheng Hsu
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Patent number: 9327540Abstract: By appropriate selection of an overprint varnish, so that it dries to no adhesion within 120 seconds, it is possible to coat one side only of newsprint or other similar substrates or to coat both sides of the substrate (without having regard to the relative times at which the sides are coated), without, in almost all cases, causing any fluting or curling of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: SUN CHEMICAL, B.V.Inventors: Colin Craswell, Stephen Wells
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Patent number: 9327541Abstract: The image forming system contains an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus. The post-processing apparatus includes a flattening unit that flattens a back portion of a booklet, an elevating mechanism that moves the flattening unit operating together with a conveyance of the booklet and a post-processing control portion that controls the flattening unit to perform flattening processing which flattens the back portion of the booklet during the conveyance of the booklet by the elevating mechanism. The elevating mechanism elevates a booklet-holding mechanism including the flattening unit operating together with a conveyance of the booklet. The booklet-holding mechanism and the flattening unit moves up and down between cut-off processing portion and discharging portion operating together with the conveyance of the booklet. A square back roller reciprocatively moves along the back portion of the booklet together with the movement of roller moving mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Hirofumi Nakajima, Eiji Sugimoto, Takumi Shirakuma, Shohei Otsu
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Patent number: 9327542Abstract: The invention relates to a value document having luminescent, particulate agglomerates which respectively include at least two different, luminescent, solid homogeneous phases emitting at a first and a second emission wavelength, respectively, wherein upon an evaluation of measurement values that are obtainable by a measurement of the first luminescence intensity at the first emission wavelength and of the second luminescence intensity at the second emission wavelength, said measurement being location-specific and carried out at different locations, a statistical correlation is present between the first luminescence intensities and the second luminescence intensities.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: GIESECKE & DEVRIENT GMBHInventors: Johann Kecht, Wolfgang Rauscher, Stephan Steinlein
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Patent number: 9327543Abstract: A binder including a front cover including a front cover exterior layer, a front cover interior layer, a front cover base plate between the front cover exterior layer and the front cover interior layer, an exterior pocket formed between the front cover exterior layer and the front cover base plate, and an interior opening formed through the front cover interior layer and the front cover base plate to the exterior pocket. Methods of manufacturing the binder are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: CCL LABEL, INC.Inventors: Dale Loree, Jim Warner
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Patent number: 9327544Abstract: A stick-on stylus holder for receiving a stylus associated with an electronic device according to the present invention includes a stylus mounting member having opposed first and second ends and an elongate stylus mounting member extending therebetween. A pair of retaining members are mounted to a front side of said stylus mounting member proximate said first and second ends, respectively, each retaining member having a generally circular configuration that defines an open interior area. Each retaining member has a closed side coupled to said front side of said stylus mounting member and an open side facing away from said front side that is in communication with said open interior area and configured to selectively receive the stylus. A back side of said stylus mounting member includes an adhesive layer configured to adhere to an electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Inventor: Alexander Ceruzzi
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Patent number: 9327545Abstract: A handheld precise liquid marker. The handheld precise liquid marker preferably creates a substantially perfect dot when marking one or more surfaces and is preferably used for multiple applications such as marking a dimple of a golf ball surface and/or providing a proper amount of dosage for medicinal applications. The handheld precise liquid marker may also comprise a liquid delivery system for dispensing a precise amount of ink or liquid onto various surfaces, a projecting/retracting mechanism, and an audible and/or tactile physical feedback mechanism. The projecting/retracting mechanism may controllably retract or protrude a nib into and out of the housing, and the audible/physical feedback mechanism may provide either a physical and/or audible click once a desired amount of ink or liquid transfers onto the surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Golf Rite Products, LLCInventors: Kenneth M Tarlow, Frank Francavilla
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Patent number: 9327546Abstract: There is provided a matting activator for water pressure transfer film adapted to impart the maximum matting effect to a decoration obtained by water pressure transfer with a matting agent added to the activator. To an ultraviolet ray hardening resin composite, the main component of the activator are added a matting agent and a resin bead gathering agent. The ultraviolet ray hardening resin composite includes a photo-polymerization monomer including a photo-polymerization component having at least photo-polymerization monomer and a photo-polymerization initiator, the matting agent comprises resin beads, the resin bead gathering agent comprises particulate silica, the weight ratio of the blend of the resin beads relative to the ultraviolet ray hardening resin composite is 0.01-0.3 and the weight ratio of blend of the resin bead gathering agent relative to the resin beads is adjusted in 0.05-1.5 according to the weight ratio of blend of the resin bead.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2011Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: TAICA CORPORATIONInventors: Wataru Ikeda, Akiko Tomiki
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Patent number: 9327547Abstract: A spoke 15 has a spoke crest 15a, a spoke radially outer wall 15b and a pair of spoke circumferential side walls 15c. In a cross section of the spoke 15 along a radial direction of a disk, a crest outer curved portion 15a2 of the spoke crest 15a is curved at a larger curvature than curvatures of a crest inner curved portion 15a1 of the spoke crest 15, a crest main portion 15a4 of the crest and the spoke radially outer wall 15b. Thus, compared with a conventional one, a configuration of the spoke 15 becomes like a box. As a result, a bending strength and a bending rigidity of the spoke 15 in the radial direction of the disk can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Morishita, Masafumi Bojo
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Patent number: 9327548Abstract: A wheel for a motorcycle integrally includes a hub, a rim, and a plurality of spokes. The plurality of spokes includes a main spoke and a sub spoke extending from the hub to the main spoke. The main spoke is inclined toward a first wheel circumferential direction with respect to a straight line connecting a first coupling portion between the main spoke and the hub to a wheel rotational center, and the sub spoke is inclined toward a second wheel circumferential direction with respect to a straight line connecting a second coupling portion between the sub spoke and the hub and the wheel rotational center.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuhiro Ichikawa, Masato Kogirima
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Patent number: 9327549Abstract: A vehicle wheel rim (1) having a wheel rim well (2) and having a wheel disk (16, 25, 37), wherein the wheel rim well (2) has a substantially axially extending region (3) and the wheel disk (16, 25, 37) has a substantially axially extending region (8, 9), wherein the wheel disk (16, 25, 37) and the wheel rim well (2) are connected to one another in the axially extending regions (3, 8, 9).Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventor: Georg von Tardy-Tuch
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Patent number: 9327550Abstract: Aerodynamic wheel covers may include a hub assembly coupled with a hub of a large vehicle, such as a truck. A base assembly may be coupled to the hub assembly, and a disk assembly may be coupled with the base assembly such that removal and installation of the disk assembly may be accomplished without tools.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: FlowBelow Aero, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Butler, Kyle Walker
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Patent number: 9327551Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle wheel for commercial vehicles, comprising a 15° tapered rim for tubeless tires and a wheel disk connected to the tapered rim, wherein the tapered rim has a rim drop center, an outer rim shoulder, and a cylindrical transition part (ledge) which is arranged between the rim drop center and the outer rim shoulder, and wherein, between the cylindrical transition portion and the outer rim shoulder, a rim section having a transition bevel (transition segment) is located, in which a valve port for receiving the valve is provided. According to the invention, the transition bevel which is formed between the cylindrical transition portion and the outer rim shoulder is subdivided into more than one section, wherein the transition bevel or the transition segment transitions directly, without hump, into the outer rim shoulder, and the valve port is arranged in one of the sections of the transition bevel or of the transition segment.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: KRONPRINZ GMBHInventors: Hans-Heiner Büchel, Jörg Schumacher
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Patent number: 9327552Abstract: A deflector is arranged to prevent differential oil, as lubrication oil, leaking from a gap between a rod of an axle and a shaft portion of a drive shaft and passing through a unit bearing, from attaching to an inner periphery of a brake drum. A guide groove unit is formed on an inward surface of a hub in a vehicle-width direction so as to guide the differential oil leaking into an internal space defined inside of the deflector to outside of the brake drum.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: HINO MOTORS, LTD.Inventor: Nobuharu Ono
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Patent number: 9327553Abstract: A lawn maintenance vehicle caster wheel assembly includes a suspension and a fork. The fork is rotatably connected to a structural member of the lawn maintenance vehicle. The caster wheel assembly also includes an arm connected to the fork, and the arm is rotatable about an arm axis. The caster wheel assembly further includes a caster wheel mounted to the arm and is rotatable about a wheel axis. A damping member is attached to the fork and the arm such that the caster wheel and the arm can rotate about the arm axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: MTD PRODUCTS INCInventor: Adam Woodrum
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Patent number: 9327554Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process to produce a laminate comprises coating at least an outer surface of a dynamically vulcanized alloy film with an adhesive composition to produce the laminate, wherein the adhesive layer has a thickness of less than or equal to about 5 microns, wherein the dynamically vulcanized alloy film comprises a thermoplastic elastomer composition containing a thermoplastic resin as a continuous phase, and a rubber composition dispersed therein, as a dispersed phase. A laminate and a pneumatic tire comprising the laminate are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Porter C. Shannon, Jay K. Keung, Peter William Manders, Dennis E. McGee
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Patent number: 9327555Abstract: Provided is a steel cord for reinforcing a rubber article, which has an improved durability against so-called cuts, such as notches and perforations, which are generated in the case of treading on an obtusely or sharply pointed projection, without decreasing the strength in the axial direction of the cord, and without increasing the thickness in the radial direction, namely without increasing the weight of a tire, as well as a tire using the steel cord for reinforcing a rubber article as a reinforcing material, especially a construction vehicle tire. Also provided is a steel cord for reinforcing rubber articles with a multi-twisted structure formed by twisting a plurality of sheath strands formed by twisting a plurality of wires around a core strand formed by twisting a plurality of wires, and the core strand being constituted of an at least three-layer-twisted structure formed by twisting core filaments and sheath filaments.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATIONInventors: Hideki Masubuchi, Keisuke Nakamura
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Patent number: 9327556Abstract: In a pneumatic tire provided on a groove surface with at least one main groove continuously extending in the circumferential direction of the tire, the air column resonance noise is effectively reduced without reducing the volume of the main groove, and the design flexibility is enhanced in consideration of the entire property of the tire. A pneumatic tire of the present invention is provided on a tread surface 1 with a main groove 2 continuously extending in the circumferential direction of the tire and a sub groove 4 having two ends open to the common main groove 2 and a portion between the ends deviously extending in a common land portion, and characterized in that the sub groove 4 is configured to extend to be entirely included in a ground contact area of the tread when the tire mounted to an applicable rim is inflated with the maximum air pressure and is postured to be applied by a load corresponding to 80% of a defined mass.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATIONInventors: Fumio Takahashi, Seiji Ishikawa
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Patent number: 9327557Abstract: A tyre for off-road motorcycles has a tread band provided with blocks, a carcass structure with crossed plies and at least one zero degree belt layer with limited angular extension, i.e., a zero degree belt layer which does not extend up to the axially outer edges of the tread band.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.Inventors: Giovanni Gatti, Steffen Baum, Paolo Brivio
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Patent number: 9327558Abstract: A tire includes a tire carcass and a tread extending circumferentially about the tire carcass The tread includes a plurality of tread elements disposed in a tread pattern. The plurality of tread elements have one of two different pitch lengths and are disposed in a noise-reducing pitch sequence.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLCInventors: Jon I. Stuckey, Justin E. Hayes, Chris Swartzwelder
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Patent number: 9327559Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread rubber made of a nonconductive rubber. The tread rubber is provided with a first and second conductive portions made of a conductive rubber. The first conductive portion extends radially inwardly from a ground-contacting surface, extends to one side in tire width direction, and reaches a carcass layer or a side wall rubber. An exposed position of the first conductive portion is separated from a tire equator at a distance is equal to or more than 10% of a ground-contacting width. The second conductive portion extends radially inwardly from the ground-contacting surface, extends to another side in tire width direction, and reaches the carcass layer or the side wall rubber. An exposed position of the second conductive portion is separated from the tire equator at a distance is equal to or more than 10% of the ground-contacting width.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.Inventor: Akihiko Shinkai
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Patent number: 9327560Abstract: A tire having a tire cavity is disclosed, wherein the tire has a bi-directional pump assembly including a pump passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, and being operative to allow a portion of the pump passageway near a tire footprint to substantially close and open the pump passageway. The tire includes a valve assembly having a valve housing, wherein a diaphragm is mounted in the valve housing forming an interior chamber, and wherein the diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of the tire cavity. The interior chamber has a first hole in fluid communication with the inlet end of the pump passageway, a second hole in fluid communication with the outlet end of the pump passageway, and a third hole in fluid communication with the outside air. The valve housing has a passageway in fluid communication with the tire cavity and the outlet end of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventor: Daniel Paul Luc Marie Hinque
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Patent number: 9327561Abstract: A tire having a tire cavity is disclosed, wherein the tire has a bi-directional pump assembly including a pump passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, and being operative to allow a portion of the pump passageway near a tire footprint to substantially close and open the pump passageway. The tire includes a valve assembly having a valve housing, wherein a diaphragm is mounted in the valve housing forming an interior chamber, and wherein the diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of the tire cavity. The interior chamber has an inlet in fluid communication with outside air, and an outlet in fluid communication with inlet and outlet of the pump passageway. The diaphragm is positioned over the outlet and operative to open and close the outlet. A resilient member biases the diaphragm into the open position.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventor: Daniel Paul Luc Marie Hinque
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Patent number: 9327562Abstract: A pumping mechanism is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping mechanism includes a plurality of pumps forming a linear belt and subsequently being attached circumferentially to the wheel rim, a plurality of pump holders interconnecting the plurality of pumps in a linear configuration, and a control valve for controlling inlet air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventor: Cheng-Hsiung Lin
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Patent number: 9327563Abstract: This invention describes a system to maintain equal pressure in a pair of dual tires, and also incorporates a valve mechanism that will prevent one dual wheel tire from going flat in the event the other dual wheel tire experiences a rapid air loss. Dual wheels are typically mounted on the vehicle hub with both wheel disc faces in direct contact with each other. To ensure equal pressure in both tires, this invention has air passageways machined into the wheels such that the air passageways meet at the interface between the wheels where the wheel disc faces are in direct contact. These junctions are sealed by a rubber seal or gasket. Both tires can then be inflated or deflated simultaneously through a standard air valve located on either wheel. Where a dual wheel arrangement requires the use of an intermediate piece between the dual wheels, air passageways can connect the two-piece wheels via intermediate air passageways going through the common intermediate piece.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Hutchinson, SAInventors: Olivier L. Noblanc, Christopher R. Renson, Peter K. Hobe, Larry K. Rogers, Olivier Marsaly
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Patent number: 9327564Abstract: A hitch device for a trailer mount is provided. The hitch device includes a mounting portion, a receiver sleeve receiving the mounting portion, wherein the receiver sleeve includes a cross-section having a quadrilateral shape. In one aspect, the mounting portion includes a plurality of walls, wherein each of the walls projects towards internal corners of the receiver sleeve. In another aspect, the walls includes a concave portion and a convex portion. In yet another aspect, a center distance between each of first center portions of a first pair of opposing walls is less than an edge distance between each of two first edge portions, and a second center distance between each of second center portions of a second pair of opposing walls is less than a second edge distance between each of two second edge portions.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2011Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Winston Products LLCInventors: Winston Breeden, Thaddeus T. Brej
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Patent number: 9327565Abstract: A single-axle tractor for moving trailers and wheeled cargo. The single-axle tractor of the present disclosure provides a compact, efficient, reliable, cost-effective means of moving cargo from one place to another using torque generated by an on-board motor. The tractor includes a structure to provide rigidity to a tractor-trailer combination while providing reasonable roll compliance.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Inventor: Mark Lyon
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Patent number: 9327566Abstract: A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can comprise a ball portion for interfacing with a ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle, and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion. The hitch portion can be configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, with the hitch receiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum thereby inducing a load on the hitch portion. The load measurement device can be configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Landecor LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Patent number: 9327567Abstract: A trailer hitch receiver locking apparatus includes a main frame, a first pin assembly, a second pin assembly, a locking mechanism, and an automatically engaging safety mechanism. The first pin assembly and the second pin assembly are engaged in between the main frame and the locking mechanism in such way that the first pin assembly and the second pin assembly are operated in between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration by the locking mechanism. The main frame is connected with the hitch receiver so that the trailer hitch receiver locking apparatus is able to secure different hitch devices with the hitch receiver through operation of the automatically engaging safety mechanism, the locking mechanism, the first pin assembly, and the second pin assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Inventor: Gary D. Edwards
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Patent number: 9327568Abstract: A wheelhouse structure, including: an arm section of a suspension arm that is supported by a suspension member so as to be capable of oscillating in a vehicle vertical direction about a support axis disposed inside an engine room, and that extends from the support axis toward a side of a wheelhouse; a wheelhouse side cover that partitions the engine room from the wheelhouse, and that has a lower portion at which is formed an opening portion having a size that allows oscillation of the arm section of the suspension arm; and an arm side cover that is integrally provided at the support axis side of the arm section, and that blocks a gap between a peripheral edge of the opening portion and the arm section as viewed along an axial direction of the support axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takayuki Mashimo
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Patent number: 9327569Abstract: A mobile vehicle 1 has two wheels 5, 5 on the rear side of a vehicle body 3, and is capable of causing a roll driving moment to act on the vehicle body 3 by an actuator 33 in a roll driving mechanism 23. A control device 70 controls the actuator 33 such that the function characteristics of the roll driving moment implemented by the control of the actuator 33 with respect to a vehicle body roll angle (inclination angle in the roll direction of the vehicle body 3) become as shown in FIG. 6A or 6B.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuichi Uebayashi, Taihei Setoguchi, Yasuhiko Jinbu, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9327570Abstract: The ball joint assembly includes a housing and a bearing which has an inner surface that extends between open ends and which presents a bearing surface that surrounds a generally spherically-shaped cavity. A stud is provided which has an outer surface with a generally ball-shaped portion that has at least two curved surfaces and at least two recessed surfaces. The bearing has a passage with a slots that extend from one of the ends to the cavity. The ball-shaped portion of the stud is insertable into the cavity of the bearing by aligning the curved surfaces of the stud with the slots of the passage. The stud is rotatable while the ball-shaped portion of the stud is positioned within the cavity to establish slidable contact between the curved surfaces of the stud and the bearing surface of the bearing to allow pivoting of the stud relative to the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts CorporationInventors: Alexander Karpman, Thomas Byrnes
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Patent number: 9327571Abstract: The invention relates to a spring seat for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system that includes continuous window welds and facilitates the use of a thin-wall axle, thereby saving weight and cost. The seat secures at least one mechanical spring of the axle/suspension system to an axle of the axle/suspension system. The spring seat comprises at least one body configured to seat on the axle, and the body forms at least one window when disposed on the axle. The body is rigidly attached to the axle by a continuous weld formed in the window. The spring seat is free of a line weld between the body and the axle.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Hendrickson USA, LLCInventors: Phillippi R. Pierce, Michael D. Oyster, Dane Gregg
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Patent number: 9327572Abstract: An air spring (100) for a vehicle is provided. The air spring comprises a first mounting element (110) for being fixed to a vehicle's chassis (210), a second mounting element (120) for being fixed to a movable part (220) of a vehicle being movable with respect to the chassis, a bellow (130) extending from the first mounting element to the second mounting element and including an air volume (140), and a sensor arrangement (150) being arranged within the air volume. The sensor arrangement is adapted for sensing at least one of a road condition, a vehicle condition and a pay load condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: STEMCO Kaiser IncorporatedInventor: Lutz May
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Patent number: 9327573Abstract: An air spring attachment system for motor vehicles. The air spring attachment system includes at least one air spring and at least one link for the suspension of a wheel on a chassis. The air spring attachment system also includes a plug-in connection connecting the air spring to the link.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: VIBRACOUSTIC CV AIR SPRINGS GMBHInventors: Michael Weber, Stephan Dehlwes
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Patent number: 9327574Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a variable-damping-force shock absorber, a sprung vibration damping control device, an unsprung vibration damping control device, a driving state-determining device, a damping force distribution factor-calculating device, and a damping force control device that, when the driving state-determining device determines that the vehicle is traveling in a straight line, controls the damping force of the variable-damping-force shock absorber on the basis of a greater of an unsprung vibration damping control amount and a sprung vibration damping control amount, and that, when the driving state-determining device determines that the vehicle is turning, calculates the damping force control amount on the basis of an unsprung vibration damping control amount so as to maintain the damping force distribution factor, and controls the damping force of the variable-damping-force shock absorber on the basis of a greater of a calculated damping force control amount and the sprung vibration dampiType: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hironobu Kikuchi, Katsuhiko Hirayama
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Patent number: 9327575Abstract: An air spring for a vehicle may include a piston chamber with a bottom connected with an axle assembly to be able to move up/down, an air chamber with a top fixed to a car body and a bottom seated over a top of the piston chamber to be extendable and contractible by inflow/outflow of air, a piston positioned in the piston chamber, vertically dividing an internal space of the piston chamber into upper and lower internal spaces, and airtightly separating the upper internal space from the lower internal space, and an air control mechanism allowing air to flow into/out of the upper and lower internal spaces of the piston chamber and the internal space of the air chamber so that the piston chamber and the axle assembly are moved up/down with extension/contraction of the air chamber by the inflow/outflow of the air.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Byung Bae Kim
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Patent number: 9327576Abstract: A valve assembly for a suspension system includes a housing including a first port, a second port, and a third port, the housing defining a first flow path extending between the third port and the first port and a second flow path extending between the third port and the second port. The valve assembly further includes a first check valve having a first crack pressure positioned within the housing along the first flow path and a second check valve having a second crack pressure positioned within the housing along the second flow path. A difference between the first crack pressure and the second crack pressure provides a corresponding difference in pressures at the first port and the second port.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLCInventor: Erik S. Ellifson
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Patent number: 9327577Abstract: A heat pump system, including a thermal storage medium, for use in a vehicle having a passenger compartment, and a corresponding method for providing heat to a vehicle passenger compartment. The vehicle may have an electric only vehicle mode wherein the vehicle may occupy one of an active electric drive state and an inactive state. The heat pump system may include a thermal storage medium configured to store heat produced during the inactive state. The thermal storage medium may be a device which has a thermal capacity exchangeable with a fluid medium such as an Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) or a phase change material. The heat stored by the thermal storage medium during the vehicle charge event may be transmitted from the thermal storage medium to the passenger compartment via the heat pump system during the active electric drive state.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul S. Lombardo, Lawrence P. Ziehr, Brian P. Lemon, Mark D. Nemesh, Bryan M. Styles
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Patent number: 9327578Abstract: An air-conditioner that conditions air inside a passenger compartment of a vehicle using a heat pump refrigerating cycle includes: a case having at least a first air passage and a second air passage independent from each other; an indoor heat exchanger cooling air; and a heating heat exchanger heating air. Inside of the heating heat exchanger is divided into a first section corresponding to the first air passage and a second section corresponding to the second air passage. The first section and the second section are located adjacent with each other through a border portion. The heating heat exchanger has a refrigerant passage through which refrigerant flows in parallel with the border portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Satoshi Itoh