Patents Issued in May 17, 2016
  • Patent number: 9340908
    Abstract: An aqueous composition includes polyvinyl alcohol, an acid having a pKa of at most 4.0, and a dispersion of a polymer in which vinyl acetate units constitute at least 60 wt % of the polymer. The polymer does not contain units of any N-methylol-containing monomer, and at least a portion of the polyvinyl alcohol is present in the form of an emulsion stabilizer for the polymer. The wet strength of a fibrous nonwoven substrate can be increased by applying one or more aqueous compositions that together include polyvinyl alcohol, an acid having a pKa of at most 4.0, and a dispersion of a polymer as described above, followed by a final drying step. A fibrous nonwoven article can be prepared in this way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: WACKER CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Richard Boylan, Conrad William Perry
  • Patent number: 9340909
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric that is easily deformed but resistant to collapse, and that has excellent air permeability in the planar direction. The nonwoven fabric comprises continuous fibers and bonded sections formed by bonding multiple fibers including the continuous fibers, wherein the nonwoven fabric comprises a first side and a second side on the side opposite the first side, the first side comprises a plurality of projections, each projection including at least one bonded section, a plurality of projections including no bonded section, and at least one recess, the second side comprises a plurality of recesses, each recess overlapping with at least a part of the projection of the first side, and the coefficient of variation of the diameters of the continuous fibers is at least 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Mitsuno
  • Patent number: 9340910
    Abstract: An overlock sewing machine includes a main shaft fixing operating arm provided with a shaft pin engaging portion that engages with a fixing inner shaft pin and an arm provided to be operable by a user which are integrally rockable within a specified range, and further includes a main shaft fixing operating spring which urging direction is switched in both directions of an rocking direction by exceeding a neutral point by the rocking movements of the main shaft operating arm and the arm. Further, a switching cam ring is fixed to the main shaft fixing operating shaft that obtains driving force upon abutment of a slide plate pin of the slide plate to rotate the main shaft fixing operating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiichi Shomura
  • Patent number: 9340911
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a needle bar base, a support shaft, an adjustment member, and an urging portion. The needle bar base has a through hole on an upper end portion. The support shaft is inserted through the through hole and pivotably supports the needle bar base. The support shaft includes a leading end portion. The leading end portion includes a first screw portion. The adjustment member is provided on the support shaft and is configured to move along an axial direction of the support shaft. The adjustment member includes a second screw portion and a first contact portion. The second screw portion is screwed into the first screw portion. The first contact portion is in contact with the needle bar base. The urging portion urges the needle bar base toward the first contact portion of the adjustment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Hasegawa, Shin Ota, Kenichi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 9340912
    Abstract: A method of applying stitching to an interior component is provided herein. The interior component having only a single layer of a substrate layer. The method including the steps of: a) penetrating substrate layer with an awl to form a piercing therethrough; b) retracting the awl from the substrate layer; c) inserting a needle of a robotic sewing head through the piercing through the substrate layer to grasp a thread positioned on a show surface of the outer skin layer; d) pulling the thread through the substrate layer; e) looping the thread with a previous stitch passed through the substrate layer; f) advancing the robotic sewing head to another position with respect to the interior component, wherein a backside of the substrate layer is free of obstructions; and g) repeating steps a-f until a predetermined amount of stitches are applied to the interior component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Wenzel, Ramez Habhab, Patrick Eckhout
  • Patent number: 9340913
    Abstract: Embroidering apparatus comprises an inner hoop and a circumscribing outer hoop which captures and holds fabric firmly in place. An outer hoop has a closure at the gap/split location. Closures variously comprise springs that urge the split-ends of the hoop toward one another. Sleeves around gap-adjusting rods and gauge bars provide visual indicators display the amount of gap or spring compression, to enable quick adjustment and pre-setting of the outer hoop dimension. A fixture for holding an element that is small than the bore of the hoop is mounted on an inner hoop by means of magnetic or spring-tabs. One fixture comprises two spaced apart rail assemblies, each having a hinged and slotted cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventors: Mansukhlal K. Gala, Amar M. Gala
  • Patent number: 9340914
    Abstract: Fibrous structures and more particularly to fibrous structures that have a surface containing a surface pattern having a plurality of parallel line elements, such as sinusoidal parallel line elements, and methods for making same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Allen Manifold, Douglas Jay Barkey, Angela Marie Leimbach
  • Patent number: 9340915
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine capable of improving the efficiency of washing and product quality by improving a pivoting structure of a door assembly having a door and an auxiliary washing unit forming an auxiliary washing space. Also, the door and the auxiliary washing unit may be coupled by a locking part so that a user can open and close the door assembly conveniently when manual washing is not needed. When manual washing is needed, the user may release a locked state of the locking part to move the door and the auxiliary washing unit separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Hyung Kim, Yong Kwon Won, Jun Ho Kim, Hyeon Cheol Kim, Sung Yong Eun, Goan Su Jung, Young Sun Shin, Mitsuhiro Shigeri, Hyun Mook Kim
  • Patent number: 9340916
    Abstract: A suspension system for a laundry treating appliance having a cabinet and a tub comprises a rod coupled to the cabinet and a shock absorber coupled between the rod and the tub. A socket interface on the rod reduces side loading forces on the shock absorber. The socket interface may be separate from the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christoph J. Miller, John L. Patera
  • Patent number: 9340917
    Abstract: A seal assembly and method for sealing a door and a tub in a laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Raul Hernandez Carrillo
  • Patent number: 9340918
    Abstract: A washing machine for automatically adding the detergent by negative pressure comprises a water inlet, a detergent container and a tub. A main inflow waterway and a rinse waterway are provided between the water inlet and the tub. A dosing container which communicates with the detergent container is provided between the rinse waterway and the tub. A venturi tube is provided in the main inflow waterway. Due to venturi effect, the main inflow water stream becomes narrower and the water inflowing velocity is accelerated, so that a relative vacuum area which communicates with the dosing container is formed at the rear side of the venturi tube outlet, negative pressure is generated in the dosing container, and the detergent in the detergent container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: HAIER GROUP CORPORATION, QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peishi Lv, Sheng Xu, Lin Yang, Wenwei Li, Xuguang Yang, Qiuying Gao
  • Patent number: 9340919
    Abstract: A detergent supply apparatus includes a detergent box; and at least one liquid detergent containing unit provided in the detergent box to move a liquid detergent using a siphon phenomenon. The liquid detergent containing unit includes a siphon pipe to induce a siphon action, a siphon cap coupled to the siphon pipe, and at least one residual water hole formed through a bottom of the liquid detergent containing unit. The siphon cap includes at least one cap protrusion configured to be fitted into the residual water hole, and at least one gap is defined between the residual water hole and the cap protrusion such that residual water is discharged from the liquid detergent containing unit through the gap. The liquid detergent containing unit includes at least one integral liquid detergent containing unit integrally provided in the detergent box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin Doo Kim
  • Patent number: 9340920
    Abstract: A handicraft tool includes a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion. The first end and the second end are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the handicraft tool. The intermediate portion is positioned between the first end and the second end. The intermediate portion is in the form of a bar having a cross section that is uniform along the longitudinal direction. At least the surface of the intermediate portion is made of a thermosetting elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: CLOVER MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joan Hawley, Chihiro Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 9340921
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing robust, flexible sheet-like material, includes the steps of a) applying a waxy composition to the web to form a waxed web; b) leading the waxed web via at least one roller to a chiller; c) cooling the waxed web; and d) leading the waxed web to a collection station for collecting the waxed web for further processing. The waxy composition comprises about 10-60 wt-% of a waxy compound and about 90-40 wt-% of a diluent. The waxy compound is selected from the group consisting of A) monoesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a fatty acid; B) diesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a fatty acid; and C) mixtures of said monoesters and diesters. The coating forms a stable liquid mixture at a temperature between about 35° C. and about 100° C., has a liquefaction temperature of at least about 30° C., and has a contact angle with a flat surface of the substrate of less than about 35° when measured at a temperature of 60° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Y. Fung, David Gubernick, Stephan M. Linkel, Ching-Yun M. Yang
  • Patent number: 9340922
    Abstract: A method of preparing a material having a superhydrophobic region and a hydrophobic region is described, involving preparing a superhydrophobic surface body and hydrolyzing one surface of the prepared superhydrophobic surface body using a strong base. Such preparation method is simpler than conventional preparation methods and is capable of preparing a material having opposite surface characteristics at low costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sung Gap Im, Jae Bem You, Youngmin Yoo, Myung Seok Oh
  • Patent number: 9340923
    Abstract: An ink composition for ink jet textile printing contains a reactive dye and water-soluble organic solvents including solvent A and at least one solvent B. Solvent A has a solubility of 10 g or more in 100 g of water at 20° C. and has no hydroxy group. Solvent B has a hydroxy group in the molecule thereof and has an IOB value of 2.9 or more and a Z1 value expressed by the following equation (1) of 18 or less. The total content Z2 of solvent A and solvents B in the ink composition is 3.8% by mass or more. Z 1 = ? i = 1 n ? ( 100 * Ii * Xi ) ( 1 ) wherein n represents the total number of solvents B in the ink composition, Ii represents the IOB value of solvent Bi that is any one of the solvents B, and Xi represents the ratio of the mass of solvent Bi to the total mass of the ink composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Murai
  • Patent number: 9340924
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a braided chemical fibre cable in which at least one electric conductor is contained, in which the cable is thermally stretched together with the conductor contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Helukabel GmbH
    Inventor: Hansjorg Struwe
  • Patent number: 9340925
    Abstract: A rope structure or method of forming a rope structure comprises a rope comprising a plurality of strands. The rope comprises first and second splice locations, an eye region between the first and second splice locations, and a main region. The main region of the rope is located adjacent to the first splice location and in an opposite direction along the rope from the eye region. At least one of the strands is a selected strand. An extracted portion of the at least one selected strand is extracted from the rope and inserted into the rope such that a bridge portion of the at least one selected strand extends between the first and second splice locations and a diameter of the rope is substantially consistent in the main region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Samson Rope Technologies
    Inventors: Greg Z. Mozsgai, Dustin S. Heins, Chia-te Chou
  • Patent number: 9340926
    Abstract: A wire, strand, or cable guide element (EG) for a flyer bow for assembling/twisting/braiding the wire, strand, or cable has an inner surface (SI) which defines the travel path of the wire, strand, or cable (PF) and which consists of alternating adjacent micro-bumps (MB) and micro-recesses (MC). The flyer bow at least partially or entirely surrounds the wire, strand, or cable by means of a member (C) and has a longitudinal orifice or inner tube (O) in the mass of said member (C), said orifice or inner tube (O) extending along the entire length of the bow. The wire, strand, or cable guide element (EG) is accommodated within said orifice (O) so as to guide the longitudinal travel of the wire, strand, or cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SETIC SAS
    Inventors: Mostafa Boujaada, Denis Gianoncelli, Sophie Rondepierre
  • Patent number: 9340927
    Abstract: Polymer-coated, heat-sealable liquid packaging board that resists solvents (e.g. strong alcoholic drinks), method of manufacturing board, and drinking cup made of board. Resistance to solvents is achieved by lowering raw edge penetration into the board. The fiber base of the board contains at least 1.3 kg of hydrophobic size containing alkyl ketene dimer and at least 1.0 kg of wet-strength size per 1 ton of dry matter. Fiber base density is 630-800 kg/m3. The amount of heat-sealable polymer in the top layer is higher than the Bristow wheel roughness volume of the uncoated fiber base and/or at least 14 g/m2. When manufacturing the board, the alkyl ketene dimer size and a wet-strength size are added into the stock. The pH of the tail water is adjusted so as to be alkaline (about 7 or more).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: STORA ENSO OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Janne Myllykangas, Timo Räisänen
  • Patent number: 9340928
    Abstract: A tearing tape which is composed of paper for severing a paper web which moves from a system for producing paper and is wound up on drums, in order as a result to make it possible for it to be wound onto an empty drum. Here, the tearing tape, in cross-section, has a central tape part and two lateral tape parts. The central tape part has a thickness that is at least 1.5 times greater than a thickness of the lateral tape parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Klaus Bartelmuss
  • Patent number: 9340929
    Abstract: An anchoring device for use in a railway rail fastening assembly which employs a resilient railway rail fastening clip to fasten a railway rail, comprises a body having a front portion which is configured to provide a first load bearing surface extending alongside the rail foot when the device is in use, and first and second side faces respectively located on opposite sides of the body and configured to extend transversely away from the first portion. The device comprises first and second projecting portions, the first projecting portion extending outwardly from the first side face of the body and providing a first additional load bearing surface which is set back from the first load bearing surface, and the second projecting portion extending outwardly from the second side face of the body and providing a second additional load bearing surface which is set back from the first load bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: PANDROL LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen John Cox, David Christopher Herron
  • Patent number: 9340930
    Abstract: A removable and serviceable paving apparatus including an access port for providing access to the interior of the slab. The access port is operable to improve access to components of the paving system prior to, during, and/or after installation. The paving apparatus further includes a removable fastener for improving removability and serviceability. The removable fastener attaches the paving apparatus to its neighboring structures to form a paving surface, may be disengaged from the neighboring structures for removal, repair and/or service of the paving apparatus, and may be re-engaged upon re-installation of the paving apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Integrated Roadways, LLC
    Inventor: Tim Sylvester
  • Patent number: 9340931
    Abstract: A method and system for treating and strengthening material filling a pothole. One or more electron accelerators can be integrated with a mobile unit. The electron accelerators are positioned on the mobile unit to heat, irradiate and treat in-situ, both the base material and a material filling a pothole located proximate to the mobile unit, wherein irradiation of the material by the electron accelerators results in in-situ cross-linking or polymerization of the material and therefore a strengthening and increased durability of the material filling the pothole. Deep heating of the substrate allows pothole repair even under extreme low temperature winter conditions. The in-situ treatment of the material filling the pothole in a road surface to toughens and strengthens the road surface and the filled pothole which results in improved material properties of the surface, enhanced durability, and improved lifetime of the pothole fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Fermi Research Alliance, LLC
    Inventor: Robert D. Kephart
  • Patent number: 9340932
    Abstract: A soil compactor, comprising a compaction roller (16) supported on a compaction frame (14) and rotatable around a rotational axis (D), wherein the compaction frame (14) comprises longitudinal frame areas on both sides of the compaction roller (16) in direction of the rotational axis (D) and a first cross frame area (34) connecting the longitudinal frame areas (30, 32) to each other and extending essentially in the direction of the rotational axis (D) is characterized in that at least one storage space (38) is provided in the first cross frame area (34), which is closed by means of a locking element (50) movable between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: HAMM AG
    Inventor: Matthias Meier
  • Patent number: 9340933
    Abstract: A telescoping concrete form assembly is provided. The concrete form assembly includes a hollow, first member assembly with an elongated hollow body and a generally planar vertical first sidewall, as well as a second member assembly including an elongated body with a medial portion having an outer cross-sectional shape corresponding to the first body inner cross-sectional shape. The second member assembly is slidably disposed within the first member assembly and is structured to move between a retracted first position, wherein the second member assembly is substantially disposed within the first member assembly, and a second position, wherein the second member assembly extends from the first member assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin Parr, Howard Shackelford, Lawrence Charles Kelly, James Anthony Schau
  • Patent number: 9340934
    Abstract: The thermoplastic pavements markers and pavement marking compositions of the present application include a miscible blend of ethylene acrylic acid polymers and have a crystallization onset temperature observed upon cooling of greater than 65.6° C. (150° F.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Eugen H. Carlson, Alexander J. Kugel, Matthew D. Wilding, Pamela A. Percha
  • Patent number: 9340935
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for disabling a ground engaging traction device of a land vehicle includes at least one penetrator configured to breach the traction device, an articulated strap configured to move the apparatus between a retracted arrangement and an extended arrangement, a mass configured to deploy the apparatus to the extended arrangement, and a retractor configured to retract the apparatus to the retracted arrangement. The penetrators can be arranged in sections and the penetrators can be arranged so as to be multi-directional within each section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (Arizona) LLC
    Inventors: Mynor J. Castro, Robert Arthur McCoy, Brian D. Rosner, Patrick J. Barnhill, Gregg D. Spendlove, Edwin Allen Spomer, Martin A. Martinez
  • Patent number: 9340936
    Abstract: A utility type surface cleaning vehicle comprises a unitary frame utility type tractor defining a longitudinal axis and having front and back ends, left and right driven rear wheels, at least one steerable front wheel and a trailing unit connecting mechanism. A debris hopper is removably connectable in trailing relation to the utility type tractor via the trailing unit connecting mechanism. A pick-up head is operatively mountable on the unitary frame utility type tractor on the unitary frame utility type tractor forwardly of the rear wheels, and has a debris outlet. An air and debris transfer duct has an inlet connected in debris receiving relation to the debris outlet of the pick-up head and an outlet connected in debris depositing relation to the debris hopper. The air and debris transfer duct extends rearwardly from the pick-up head beneath the rear axle of the unitary frame utility type tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Roger P. Vanderlinden
  • Patent number: 9340937
    Abstract: A wheelbarrow conversion kit is used to convert a wheelbarrow structure to accommodate a push blade. The handles of the wheelbarrow provide, in combination with the wheels of the wheelbarrow, considerable mechanical advantage for pushing and lifting snow. The push blade assembly is removably attached to the frame of the wheelbarrow at a front edge thereof and can be removed if not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Giuliano Celli
  • Patent number: 9340938
    Abstract: A snow thrower comprising a frame, a handle coupled to the frame, a chute coupled to the frame and rotatable between a plurality of positions about a chute axis, and a chute control assembly. The chute control assembly comprises an actuator assembly including an actuator movable between a plurality of positions, a rotatable flexible cable having first and second ends, and a gear assembly comprising at least one gear. The first end is coupled to the actuator assembly in a manner that causes the cable to rotate when the actuator is moved between the plurality of positions. The gear is coupled to the second end in a manner that causes the gear to rotate when the cable rotates. The chute is coupled to the gear in a manner that causes the chute to rotate about the chute axis when the gear rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: TECHTRONIC OUTDOOR PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: James C. Ferrell, William E. Colber, Jr., Benjamin E. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 9340939
    Abstract: A valve that switches between open and closed states includes a pivoting body having a reservoir, at least one filling port for filling the reservoir and at least one port for draining the reservoir, and a counterweight. The valve further includes a first conduit separate from the body, connected to the filling port, and having a water intake located at a higher position than the filling port, whether the valve is open or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: HYDROPLUS
    Inventors: Stanislav Vasilyevich Kovalev, Gertrud Fedorovich Onipchenko, Andrei Gennadievich Zyuzin, Nicolas Francois Daniel Mathis
  • Patent number: 9340940
    Abstract: The floating breakwater includes various different embodiments, as can have an anchored or moored float. The float is desirably in the geometric form of a generally rectangular solid configuration, but can include other forms. One or more baffles or skirt walls extend from the bottom surface of the float, thereby attenuating subsurface wave action to a greater depth than the bottom of the float. Each of the baffles or skirt walls desirably includes a thin, flat, monolithic plate member for enhancing hydrodynamic resistance. The one or more baffles or skirt walls can be continuous and unbroken, or can have a plurality of apertures therethrough. When three or more baffles or skirt walls are provided they can be evenly spaced, or the spacing therebetween can vary. When two or more baffles or skirt walls are provided they can have equal depths, or their depths can differ from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KUWAIT INSTITUTE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
    Inventors: Subramaniam Neelamani, Khaled Al-Banaa
  • Patent number: 9340941
    Abstract: A collection basin for use adjacent a vessel or structure in open water for collecting material from the vessel or structure to prevent its dissemination in the water. The collection basin includes a floating boom spaced from the vessel, and a tension cable to deploy the basin. At respective ends, flaps are formed to prevent escape of the captured material out of the ends of the basin. The flaps are formed with connection means such as flexible magnets that attach to the ferrous material of the vessel or structure to provide a fluid seal and maintain the basin in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Meyers
  • Patent number: 9340942
    Abstract: A method for installing an assembly (10) for recovering hydrocarbons escaping from an underwater facility (21), including a first bottom assembly (25) including a rigid canopy having a large surface area, and a second top assembly (26) for raising fluids up to a surface facility (13). The steps of towing the fluid-raising top assembly are carried out concurrently during the installation of the fluid-raising top assembly (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: TECHNIP FRANCE
    Inventor: Ange Luppi
  • Patent number: 9340943
    Abstract: A method and a tool (10) for forming a seal in a lock chamber (3) of a sheet pile are proposed. The method comprises the steps of: introducing a seal forming tool (10) into the lock chamber (3); injecting a sealing material into a distribution chamber (50) of the tool (10) from where it axially fills longitudinally extending recesses (38?, 38?, 38??) in a seal-shaping module (12); and moving the tool (10) longitudinally through the lock chamber (3), whereby the sealing material is shaped by the seal-shaping module (12). The distribution chamber (50) is a closed chamber inside the tool (10) and spaced from the longitudinally extending recesses (38?, 38?, 38??); and the tool (10) comprises moreover at least two distribution channels (52?, 52?, 52??) connecting in parallel the distribution chamber (50) to the recesses (38?, 38?, 38??), the parallel distribution channels (52?, 52?, 52??) being fine-tuned for apportioning the flow of sealing material between the recesses (38?, 38?, 38??).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Arcelormittal Investigación Y Desarrollo S.L.
    Inventors: Luis Da Silva Arêde, Anne Fagot, Thierry Mauer, Pol Reichert
  • Patent number: 9340944
    Abstract: A device for a pile anchorable in the bottom of a lake or sea and/or in the ground and of the screw- and/or push-type. The device includes a force-transmitting part arranged at an upper portion of a front tubular part of the pile. The force-transmitting part includes either a disk-shaped part with a substantially vertically extending flange directed toward the front tubular part, or a threaded portion along the pile that includes at least approximately one turn around and a cylinder-shaped part extending in a longitudinal direction of the threaded portion and completely around the threaded portion. The front tubular part includes apertures for debouching water and air from the upper portion. The force-transmitting part enables transmitting downwardly directed axial forces and laterally directed horizontal forces to the bottom or ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Sture Kahlman
  • Patent number: 9340945
    Abstract: One embodiment of an anchor device for ground application and of the type having a main shaft (28) which connects at its top with a ground plate (20) with oblong holes for additional shafts (22) so as to increase holding ability. In addition a coupler (24) connects to the top side of the anchor. Other possible embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT FRANKLIN BYE
    Inventor: Robert Franklin Bye
  • Patent number: 9340946
    Abstract: A pile casing comprising a hollow that extends through an entire length of the pile casing, wherein the pile casing is manufactured of a first material selected from the group consisting of a polymer material and a composite material comprising a polymer material and at least one of glass fibers, carbon fibers, steel fibers and wood. A pile comprising such a pile casing and a filling that fills the hollow, wherein the filling comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of sand, gravel, concrete, wood, glass, glass fibers, metal, carbon fibers, steel fibers, basalt fibers, asphalt, asphalt concrete, and a composite comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of sand, gravel, concrete, wood, glass, glass fibers, metal, carbon fibers, steel fibers, basalt fibers, asphalt and asphalt concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Grigorij Wagner
  • Patent number: 9340947
    Abstract: A perimeter pile anchor foundation is built by forming a plurality of individual perimeter pile anchors in a large generally circular pattern to form a perimeter wall. The individual pile anchors are contiguous, each pile overlapping the adjacent piles on either side. The overlapping pile anchors form an arch such that compression and friction between the pile anchors resist soil caving and sloughing pressure when soil inside the perimeter wall is excavated, enabling the perimeter pile foundation to be effectively constructed in weak saturated soils and/or cohesionless sands that will not allow conventional concrete foundation excavations. A concrete foundation ring is formed inside the pile perimeter wall to support a tall and/or heavy tower or other structure subject to high upset forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Allan P. Henderson
  • Patent number: 9340948
    Abstract: A controlled pressure release vault panel assembly is capable of functioning as a second, or auxiliary, relief port to allow the escape of fluid from the vault in the event of pressure build-up inside the vault or in an explosion event. The vault panel assembly may define an opening that includes a manhole cover assembly. The manhole cover assembly may also be vented, and may function as a primary vent. The vault panel assembly may include a retention assembly extending from the vault panel underneath a portion of the vault, enabling a limited range of motion of the vault panel for the escape of fluid and allowing the reseating of the vault pane on the vault once the pressure inside the vault approaches ambient pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: EJ USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Allen, Jeremy I. Johnson, Kevin J. Wright, Dean W. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9340949
    Abstract: A mining shovel adapted to dig a bank of material includes a boom having an end, a hoist rope extending over the end of the boom, an elongated member movably coupled to the boom, a dipper for engaging the bank of material, a bail assembly, and a pitch brace. The member includes a first end and a second end. The dipper is coupled to the second end of the member and includes a digging edge. The bail assembly includes a first end pivotably coupled to the dipper and a second end coupled to the hoist rope passing over the boom. The pitch brace includes a first end pivotably coupled to the bail assembly and a second end pivotably coupled to the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Knuth
  • Patent number: 9340950
    Abstract: A work vehicle including a hydraulic circuit having a cooled return line with a cooler, a bypass return line that bypasses the cooler on the cooled return line, and a controller that electronically controls the flow of hydraulic fluid between the cooled return line and the bypass return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Erik W. McWethy
  • Patent number: 9340951
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting surface seabed sediment. A cylindrical cover part is connected to a trigger, has an open bottom end, and has a position maintaining part disposed therein. A holder part is coupled with the position maintaining part, and has a longitudinal hollow space defined therein. A pipe-shaped sediment collecting part is detachably coupled at one end with a bottom end of the cover part, and has a receiving space defined therein, such that seabed sediment is accommodated within the receiving space. A head part is disposed at one end thereof on the other end of the sediment collecting part, has a hollow space defined therein, and has an insert blade on a periphery. A catcher part is disposed on an inner circumference of the head part, and allows seabed sediment to enter the receiving space of the sediment collecting part while preventing the collected sediment from being lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCE & MINERAL RESOURCES
    Inventor: In Kwon Um
  • Patent number: 9340952
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine including an upper slewing body slewably mounted on a lower travelling body and an electric component attached to the upper slewing body. The upper slewing body includes an operator seat, a seat stand including a top plate portion having an upper surface on which the operator seat is placed, an engine disposed below the top plate portion, a heat exchanger disposed, with a space between the heat exchanger and the seat stand, on one outer side of the seat stand in a width direction; and a partition member disposed in the space to vertically partition the space so as to block upward transmission of heat of the engine. The electric component is disposed above the partition member and on the one outer side of the seat stand inside the upper slewing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9340953
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine which is capable of suppressing useless power consumption. This construction machine is provided with an excavator body, a working device which is attached to the excavator body, an engine which is mounted in the excavator body, a generator motor which is attached to the engine and which can be driven as an electric generator or an electric motor, a hydraulic pump which is driven by the engine and the generator motor, a hydraulic actuator which drives the working device with motive power generated by the hydraulic pump, and a control portion which lowers the drive output of the generator motor in accordance with the drive state of the working device and limits the drive output of the hydraulic pump in order to keep the rotation frequency of the engine within a range of predetermined values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Masatoshi Hoshino, Shinji Ishihara
  • Patent number: 9340954
    Abstract: An articulated work vehicle with a regenerative hydraulic circuit may comprise a front chassis, a rear chassis, first and second hydraulic cylinders each with head and rod chambers and each pivotally connected to the front chassis and the rear chassis, and an articulation joint. The rod chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder may be hydraulically connected to the head chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder via a flow restrictor. The rod chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder may also be hydraulically connected to a hydraulic source via a check valve which is configured to allow hydraulic flow into the rod chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder. The articulation joint may pivotally connect the front chassis to the rear chassis. The articulation joint may be laterally positioned between the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 9340955
    Abstract: A hydraulic control device for a work vehicle includes: a hydraulic pump that supplies pressure oil; an arm drive actuator that drives, with pressure oil supplied from the hydraulic pump, an arm attached to the work vehicle so as to swing the arm; a bucket drive actuator that drives, with pressure oil supplied from the hydraulic pump, a bucket attached to a front end of the arm, so as to swing the bucket; an arm drive pressure oil control valve that controls drive of the arm drive actuator by controlling pressure oil supplied from the hydraulic pump to the arm drive actuator; a bucket drive pressure oil control valve that controls drive of the bucket drive actuator by controlling pressure oil supplied from the hydraulic pump to the bucket drive actuator; an arm operation unit that controls the arm drive pressure oil control valve; a bucket operation unit that controls the bucket drive pressure oil control valve; an operating state detection unit that detects operating states of the arm drive actuator and the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Shimazu, Hiroyuki Azuma, Kazuo Chounan, Yasunori Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9340956
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame including generally upwardly extending laterally spaced side members. A boom structure includes a pair of arms pivotably connecting the boom structure to the frame. A pressurized fluid system is operably associated with the boom structure for raising and lowering jointly each of the arms along a path of travel adjacent a corresponding side member. A stop member selectably extends outwardly from at least one of the side members between a locking position and a retracted position, the locking position extending at least a portion of the stop member into the path of travel of a corresponding arm of the boom structure to prevent a lowering movement of the boom structure beyond a predetermined height. A boom lock system prevents the fluid system from applying a fluid force to lower the boom structure when the stop member is in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brad M. Dilts, Emory L. Frey, Curtiss M. Lee, John M. Moffitt, Lance A. Taylor, Scott M. Timken
  • Patent number: 9340957
    Abstract: A shovel includes a cabin in which a display monitor is provided, an upper-part turnable body that includes the cabin, an electric turning mechanism that causes the upper-part turnable body to turn, a turning electric motor that drives the electric turning mechanism, a detector that detects the state of driving of the electric turning mechanism, and a display control part configured to generate information to be displayed on the display monitor and cause the display monitor to display the generated information. The display control part is configured to calculate a physical quantity pertaining to an operation of the turning electric motor based on a detection value of the detector, generate turning operation display data for graphically representing the calculated physical quantity, and cause the display monitor to graphically display the generated turning operation display data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO(S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideto Magaki, Kiminori Sano, Ryota Kurosawa