Patents Issued in October 25, 2016
  • Patent number: 9476227
    Abstract: An actuator-controlled strike comprising a housing disposable within a doorframe and including a cavity for a spring latch and a dead latch of a mortise-type lockset. A keeper is pivotably mounted within the chamber to engage the spring latch. A pivotably mounted kicker cooperates with the keeper. A pivotably mounted dead latch release is supported by the keeper when the spring latch is within the strike. The keeper is released by the actuator and rotates into a position to ramp the spring latch out of the strike, also allowing the dead latch release to release the dead latch into the cavity, allowing the spring latch to be ramped out of the strike. Pivoting the keeper causes the kicker to urge the spring latch onto an exit ramp on a face of the keeper. The dead latch release can be installed in a plurality of different locations in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominik Scheffler, Scott Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9476228
    Abstract: A latch has a displaceable latching element in a housing for engagement with a separate striker arm to be latched behind an engagement shoulder of the latching element. The housing mounts a cylinder lock to receive a key from the front. A rotor is mounted on the rear of cylinder lock and rotation of the key rotation the rotor to drive a locking element to engage and lock the latching element. The rotor may also be axial displaceable against spring biasing responsive to a rear unit pushing element whereby unlocking from a rear cylinder lock may rotate the rotor to unlock and pushing causes the latching element to be displaced against its biasing to release the striker arm. Embodiments include a gravity biased and manually opened latch and a spring biased self-locking embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: D & D Group Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Irek Karcz, Anthony John Clark, Margaret Antkowiak
  • Patent number: 9476229
    Abstract: A security strip or stick-on tab is attachable to the underneath of a very thin tablet or notebook device, with very little thickness added at the bottom of the device and not interfering with its resting on a flat surface. The strip or stick-on tab has a section protruding from underneath which becomes thickened and defines a standard security slot into which a lock with a cable are attachable to enable the cable to be irremovably attached to an immobile object, such as a chair or a desk, preventing theft of the secured device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Meir Avganim
  • Patent number: 9476230
    Abstract: A vehicle latch (1) comprising a ratchet (15); a primary pawl (25) movable between a ratchet checking position and a ratchet release position; an auxiliary ratchet (26) movable between an enabling position and a disabling position; a secondary pawl (27) movable between an auxiliary ratchet holding position, in which the secondary pawl (27) is positioned to hold the auxiliary ratchet (26) in its enabling position, and an auxiliary ratchet release position; electrically-operated actuator means (6) for moving the secondary pawl (27) to the auxiliary ratchet release position and the auxiliary ratchet (26) to the enabling position; a back-up mechanism (7) for moving the secondary pawl (27) to the auxiliary ratchet release position or the auxiliary ratchet (26) to the enabling position; and an inhibiting lever (81) for selectively preventing interaction of the back-up mechanism (7) with the auxiliary ratchet (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Magna Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Enrico Margheritti
  • Patent number: 9476231
    Abstract: A pop up device of an outside door handle includes a motor part interlocking with a smart key and receiving a signal from the smart key to thereby be operated; a cam part connected to the motor part to be rotatable in a horizontal direction; and a grip handle body having one end provided at an outer side of a door of a vehicle and another end provided at a cam part side to thereby be mounted at a grip handle base on a door side so as to be popped up. Therefore, the grip handle body is popped up to improve convenience in operating the outside door handle when a passenger gets in the vehicle and to prevent damage to the vehicle and injury to a hand of the passenger, thereby making it possible to improve salability and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: In Seong Park, Ho Taek Lee, Tae Yub Kim, Jong Yong Nam, Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 9476232
    Abstract: A wireless remote control system and method for activating a switch including a transmitter assembly and a receiver assembly. The receiver assembly attaches to and is stabilized by connecting a flex rod to an object near the switch. The receiver assembly includes a servo that connects to an object, such as a key or switch. The transmitter assembly can send differing signals to cause the servo to take alternate actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Roberto Verdecia, Allexy Verdecia
  • Patent number: 9476233
    Abstract: A hood latch assembly is provided comprising a first member arranged to be mounted to a body member within an engine compartment of a vehicle. The first member comprises a lock mechanism. The hood latch assembly further comprises a second member arranged to be mounted to the hood of the vehicle and comprising a striker arranged to engage with the lock mechanism to retain the hood of the vehicle in the closed position. The second member further comprises a hood bracket arranged to be mounted to the hood of the vehicle, a striker bracket comprising the striker, and a mechanical lock arranged to lock the striker bracket to the hood bracket, the mechanical lock being arranged to allow unlocking by movement of an actuator. The present disclosure also relates to active hood latch system and a vehicle comprising a hood latch assembly and/or an active hood latch system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gabriel Uyanik, Goran Junback, Jan Palovaara
  • Patent number: 9476234
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved pet doors, systems and related methods that may be used or installed on the fixed panel of a new or existing sliding door, such as a patio door, without interfering with the sliding movement of the companion door by providing a low profile closing panel and latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Anlin Industries
    Inventors: Jerry Lew Louie, Eric L. Vidmar
  • Patent number: 9476235
    Abstract: A hinge fixing structure used to hold a hidden hinge on a container, and a hidden hinge and a container. The hidden hinge comprises an upper hinge base, a hinge body and a lower hinge base. The container comprises a side plate and a door, which are respectively provided with grooves formed by the internal and external sidewalls thereof and used to accommodate hinge bases. The hinge fixing structure comprises position limiting structures located in grooves and used to prevent the hinge bases from releasing from the mouth portions of grooves and positioning structures provided on the upper hinge base and the lower hinge base and engaged with the limiting structures respectively. The position limiting structures are engaged with the positioning structures respectively so that the hidden hinge is held on the container, and the hidden hinge is completely invisible from the appearance of container when the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Shanghai Hongyan Returnable Transit Packagings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuanli Jian, Lunliang Mou
  • Patent number: 9476236
    Abstract: A method for adjusting front and rear vehicle doors rotatably connected to a vehicle body by upper and lower hinges with hinge holes. The upper and lower hinges are positioned to the vehicle body and the vehicle doors by aligning the hinge holes to corresponding receiving holes. The vehicle doors are temporarily mounted to the vehicle body by inserting cam bolts into aligned pairs of the hinge holes and the receiving holes. The vehicle doors are adjusted to desired positions relative to the vehicle body by rotating the cam bolts. The desired positions are secured with fasteners and the cam bolts are replaced with additional fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David Mazzei
  • Patent number: 9476237
    Abstract: An opening-closing device for an opening in a vehicle includes an opening-closing body for opening and closing an opening formed in a vehicle body, a hinge arm for supporting the opening-closing body in a swingable manner on the vehicle body, and a torsion bar for pressing the hinge arm in the direction in which the opening-closing body is opened. The device includes a slide rail section provided on the surface of the hinge arm, and a slider capable of sliding in the longitudinal direction of the hinge arm by being guided by the slide rail section. The slider is held in a state in which the slider is always in contact with the slide rail section in the direction in which the torsion bar presses. The torsion bar is connected to the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironobu Sato, Kenichi Hori, Shinsuke Kandaka
  • Patent number: 9476238
    Abstract: A hinge with first and second leaves. Bearing sleeves are attached along an edge of the first leaf and a bearing sleeve is attached along an edge of the second leaf. A hinge pintle is sized to extend into each of the apertures for mating engagement with the bearing sleeves and connect the hinge leaves for rotation. With an elastomeric member fastened between the first hinge leaf and a cover plate, and between the second hinge leaf and another cover plate, as one leaf is rotated, the member stretches and provides a force to urge the leaf to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: William Scott Mooers
  • Patent number: 9476239
    Abstract: A gate comprises a spring-loaded hinge arrangement defining a rotational axis. A gate structure having a first support arm connected to a first end of the hinge arrangement is also provided. The gate structure is rotatable about the rotational axis. A spring-loaded hinge arrangement includes an outer hinge tube fixedly connectable to an adjacent structure and an inner hinge tube received in the outer hinge tube. The inner hinge tube has a first portion and a second portion movable with respect to each other, the second portion of the inner hinge tube being fixed with respect to the outer hinge tube and the first portion of the inner hinge tube being fixed with respect to the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Safe Rack LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Honeycutt, Carson Allan Jones
  • Patent number: 9476240
    Abstract: A double door coordinator includes a release mechanism mounted in a body fixed in a door frame. A restraining mechanism is operably connected to the release mechanism. An actuation mechanism is pivotably connected to the body, is restrained by the restraining mechanism, and includes a buffering spring. When the inactive door is in a non-closed position, the restraining mechanism restrains the actuation mechanism to prevent the active door from pivoting to the closed position. When the inactive door is in the closed position, the release mechanism actuates the restraining mechanism to a position not hindering movement of the actuation mechanism, permitting the active door to pivot to the closed position. When the active door pivots towards the closed position under action of a large force, the buffering spring absorbs a portion of the large force to reduce damage to the double door coordinator and the active door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: I-Tek Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Wei-Chung Hsu
  • Patent number: 9476241
    Abstract: A key lockable window operator, including a crank handle that is shiftable between a folded storage position and an unfolded operating position and a lock cylinder operably engaged to a rack and a sliding pin. The rack and the sliding pin are shiftable between an unlocked position and a locked position. When in the locked position, at least a portion of the sliding pin is engaged into a cavity in the crank handle whereby the crank handle is secured in the folded storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Truth Hardware Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Collins Meves, Sherry Lynn Jones, Michael L. Scott, Gregory J. Vetter
  • Patent number: 9476242
    Abstract: A window balance assembly may include a carrier, a spring element, and a mounting bracket. The spring element may include first and second portions. The first portion may be coupled to the carrier. The mounting bracket may engage the second portion of the spring element and may selectively engage the carrier. The mounting bracket may include a first mounting surface disposed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an exterior surface of carrier when the window balance assembly is in an uninstalled configuration. The first mounting surface may be substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the carrier when the window balance assembly is in an installed configuration and the mounting bracket is disengaged from the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Caldwell Manufacturing Company North America, LLC
    Inventors: Mark R. Baker, Wilbur James Kellum, III
  • Patent number: 9476243
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an adjusting movement of a vehicle closing element of a vehicle to be closed in a manner actuated by an external force, such as a tailgate lid, wherein an obstacle in the path of adjustment of the vehicle closing element can be detected by means of a capacitive anti-trap system in order to prevent this obstacle from being trapped, and the vehicle closing element has a locking part, via which the vehicle closing element can be locked in a closed position. An obstacle in a monitoring region around the locking part provided on the vehicle closing element can also be detected via the capacitive anti-trap system in order to prevent a collision of this locking part with an obstacle at least as the vehicle closing element closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Holger Wuerstlein, Christian Herrmann, Florian Pohl
  • Patent number: 9476244
    Abstract: A belt tensioning motor mount comprises a support plate; a motor mount holding a motor, the motor mount slidably attached to the support plate; and a tension adjustor disposed on the support plate, the tension adjustor for adjusting the position of the motor mount along the support plate. In an embodiment, the motor mount includes an opening that accommodates a shaft of the motor, a driver pulley attached to the shaft. A belt is attached to the driver pulley on one side and a return pulley on an opposite side. The support plate is disposed adjacent a wall and above the belt which operates a plurality of sliding doors. In an embodiment, the tension adjustor includes a threaded bolt which, depending on which way turned, either causes the motor mount to slide in a first direction to increase belt tension or slide in a second direction to decrease belt tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher B. Miller
  • Patent number: 9476245
    Abstract: A door cable pulley system for use with a motor vehicle having a closure movable between an open and closed position. The door cable pulley system includes a first tension pulley, a second tension pulley, a cable drum driven by a motor, and a pair of drive cables. The first drive cable includes a first end coupled to the cable drum and a second end coupled to the closure, where the first drive cable extends from the cable drum, passes over the first tension pulley, and exits the body through the second exit opening. The second drive cable includes a first end coupled to the cable drum and a second end coupled to the closure, where the second drive cable extends from the cable drum, passes over the second tension pulley, and exits the body through the first exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC
    Inventor: Eric R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 9476246
    Abstract: A door apparatus includes a door, actuating mechanism, and tie rod mechanism, the actuating mechanism actuating the tie rod mechanism to impart a substantially translating motion to the door. The actuating mechanism can include a drive yoke coupled to the tie rod mechanism with a one-way coupling. The tie rod mechanism can include a primary tie rod coupled to a secondary tie rod coupled to a latch. In another aspect a door apparatus includes an actuator, a first door, a second door, a first linkage assembly coupling the actuator to the first door, and a second linkage assembly coupling the first door to the second door, the actuator configured to activate the first linkage assembly to move the first door, the first door imparting motion to the second linkage assembly to move the second door in a synchronous and opposite motion with respect to the motion of the first door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Greenpoint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean J. Fairchild
  • Patent number: 9476247
    Abstract: A shower threshold and a method of implementing a shower threshold are disclosed. The shower threshold includes an elongated base component having one or more sidewalls extending from a base region of the elongated base component to an apex of the elongated base portion. The shower threshold also includes a flexible cap coupled to and extending from the elongated base component along the apex of the elongated base component. The flexible cap may be composed of a plurality of layers. The plurality of layers includes a core layer and a shell layer. The core layer is composed of a material that is softer than the shell layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Ball, Weerasak Taingtae
  • Patent number: 9476248
    Abstract: Header assemblies for movable partitions comprise an overhead track. A header pan is configured to abut against and be secured to the overhead track and comprises at least two header pan members defining opposing lateral portions of the header pan. The header pan is configured to form at least a portion of a fire-resistant barrier. Methods of forming fire-resistant header assemblies comprise forming a first header pan member to define a first lateral portion of a header pan. A second header pan member is formed to define a second, opposing lateral portion of the header pan. The header pan is configured to extend laterally across a header space between a wall of an adjoining structure and an opposing wall of the adjoining structure and to at least substantially longitudinally occlude the header space when the first and second header pan members jointly form the header pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventors: R. Scott Smart, Ivan W. Stewart
  • Patent number: 9476249
    Abstract: Disclosed therein is a window having a ventilation structure which can ventilate the indoor air smoothly without regard to weather conditions, such as, yellow dust, rainy season, or localized heavy rain. The window includes: a window frame having upper and lower openings which are divided by a horizontal member; and upper and lower window panes respectively mounted in the upper and lower openings for selectively opening and closing the upper and lower openings, wherein at least a pair of the horizontal members are spaced apart from each other in the window frame, and a ventilation hole is disposed between the horizontal members. The window can ventilate the indoor air smoothly without regard to weather conditions, such as, yellow dust, rainy season, or localized heavy rain, and prevent rain from coming into the room through the open window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: LG Hausys, Ltd.
    Inventor: Se Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 9476250
    Abstract: A sash window includes a fixed frame in which at least one inner sliding frame can slide between an open position and a closed position of the window, and at least one sliding or fixed outer frame, seals being interposed between the fixed frame and the inner sliding frame, a sealing system including, for the inner sliding frame, two lateral seals, a top cross-member seal, for the outer frame, and a bottom cross-member seal. Additionally, the invention the sealing system includes intermediate seals that join on each side of the sliding frame the cross-member seals and the lateral seals, so as to form a continuity of sealing between these seals in the closed position of said inner sliding frame. The lateral junction region between the inner sliding frame and the outer frame is thus connected by a sealing system that makes them sealed vis-à-vis each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ATELIERS PERRAULT FRERES
    Inventors: Pascal Danaud, Joël Bigeard, Antoine Lory
  • Patent number: 9476251
    Abstract: A water-tight or air-tight accessible compartment has a removable hatch sealed at the edge with elastically conformable opposing seals, with elongate communication elements extending into the compartment between the opposing seals, seals conforming to the topology formed between the compartment edge and the elongate communication elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Olch, Pavel Belik
  • Patent number: 9476252
    Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Marjorie G. Harper, Daniel M. Fogarty, David P. Hartman, Ralph G. Jelic, Kristi K. Kopecky
  • Patent number: 9476253
    Abstract: An automatic cord collector of a window blind has a housing, a holding assembly mounted inside the housing with one end of each pull cord fastened therein, an adjusting assembly mounted inside the housing and extending into the holding assembly, and a spiral spring mounted inside the holding assembly. The adjusting assembly can be turned for the holding assembly to be unlocked or rotatable such that the spiral spring automatically drives the holding assembly to rotate for winding and collecting the pull cords. Users can pull the pull cords to rotate the holding assembly. When the pull cords need to be positioned, the adjusting assembly can be turned to abut against the holding assembly so that the holding assembly is unable to be rotated and the pull cords can be positioned. Accordingly, the automatic cord collector ensures operational convenience, cord safety and accident prevention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Yung-Ching Lai
  • Patent number: 9476254
    Abstract: A slatted horizontal blinds system has separate positional controls for distinct subsets of slats. Odd and even slats can be moved relative to each other both horizontally and vertically. With a scalloped upper and lower edge, overlapping slats can produce a variety of light allowing and esthetic modes. Some versions only support up and down movement and some slats are rectangular. This is caused by hiding and exposing of slat portions and voids between slats by the relative movement of odd and even slats. Slats may have translucent colored portions, apertures or printed designs. The absolute movement may only be of one subset of slats while other slats stay in position. In other cases all slats can move simultaneously in relation to each other. Mechanisms include screw drive with “lost motion” operation and movement latches. Also slidable carriages, end-cams, and linear motors can be used. In some cases the bottom rail has mechanisms as well as the head rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Diamond View Technology, LLC
    Inventors: James Safarik, George P White, Victor Rossi
  • Patent number: 9476255
    Abstract: A window shade system and housing-guide assembly for shading a window systemically includes a shade assembly, a bracket element and a guide-cover element. The shade element is furlable and unfurlable about an axis for rotation for selectively shading an outfitted window site. The bracket element includes a bracket-to-support interface portion and a guide-cover attachment portion. The guide-cover element includes a bracket-attachment portion, a shade-cover portion, and a shade-guide portion. The guide-cover element is attachable to the bracket element via mated engagement of the guide-cover attachment portion and the bracket-attachment portion. The shade-cover portion is formed so as to subtend an arc length radially anterior relative to the interface portion. The furled shade element is receivable in a space defined by the shade-cover portion and unfurlable via a shade-letting gap defined intermediate the shade-guide portion and the interface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: PARATA SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nurre, William B. Nurre
  • Patent number: 9476256
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mining vehicle and a method of moving a boom of a mining vehicle. The boom is provided with several boom joints and there is a mining work device at a distal end of the boom. One or more boom joint positions are determined and stored in a memory medium. A control unit of the mining vehicle may automatically move the boom to a predetermined transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION OY
    Inventors: Juha Pursimo, Sami Hanski, Juha Lassila, Tuomo Pirinen
  • Patent number: 9476257
    Abstract: A formation-engaging assembly includes a formation-engaging structure holder with a side surface between a proximal end and a distal end, a receptacle in the distal end, and a lateral protrusion extending from a portion of the side surface of the formation-engaging structure holder adjacent the distal end. A formation-engaging structure may include a formation-engaging surface at a distal end, a proximal end and a sidewall therebetween. The proximal end and at least a portion of the sidewall of the formation-engaging structure may be received within the receptacle of the formation-engaging structure holder. Earth-boring tools may include such formation-engaging assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Juan Miguel Bilen, Steven C. Russell
  • Patent number: 9476258
    Abstract: A superabrasive cutter and a method of making the superabrasive cutter are disclosed. The superabrasive cutter may comprise a plurality of polycrystalline superabrasive particles and about 0.01% to about 4% by weight of the superabrasive particles of a metal or metal alloy. The metal or the metal alloy may be immiscible with a catalyst for forming the polycrystalline superabrasive particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Diamond Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Gledhill, Christopher Long
  • Patent number: 9476259
    Abstract: An earth boring drill bit comprising: one or more legs; a bit body having a blade and a slot for receiving the leg; and one or more wedge between the leg and the slot fixing the leg within the slot. The slot may have two parallel sidewalls with one of the sidewalls forming an acute angle and the other forming an obtuse angle. The wedge may be secured immediately next to the obtuse angled sidewall. The wedge may have two obtuse angled sides. One or more bolts through each wedge may secure both the wedge and the leg to the bit body. One of the obtuse angled sidewalls of the wedge may be secured immediately next to an acute angled side of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gregory L. Ricks, Floyd C. Felderhoff, Rudolf C. Pessier
  • Patent number: 9476260
    Abstract: A casing window assembly and methods for installing the casing window assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David Joe Steele
  • Patent number: 9476261
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing vibration includes a damping assembly configured to be fixedly attached to a downhole component. The downhole component is configured to rotate within a borehole in an earth formation, and the damping assembly has a damping frequency that is tuned relative to a selected natural vibration frequency of the rotating downhole component to reduce vibration due to component rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Suresh Venugopal, Jayesh R. Jain, Hanno Reckmann, Bernhard Meyer-Heye
  • Patent number: 9476262
    Abstract: A wear bushing assembly protects and locks down a hanger in a wellhead housing; and which includes a wear bushing body that inserts into a wear bushing sleeve. A lock ring extends into registered recesses on the body and sleeve to couple together the body and sleeve. The wellhead housing has a profiled recess circumscribing its inner surface. A lockdown ring selectively mates with the profiled recess; and when mated is in interfering contact with an upper surface of the wear bushing sleeve, thereby coupling the sleeve to the wellhead housing. The sleeve outer surface is profiled to interfere with upward movement of the hanger, so that force is transferred from the hanger to the housing through the sleeve which locks down the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Caleb Benson, David Lawrence Ford, Stephen David Peters
  • Patent number: 9476263
    Abstract: A steerable drilling apparatus includes a control system inside a cylindrical housing connected to a drill bit having radially-extendable pistons. A fluid-metering assembly directs a piston-actuating fluid into fluid channels leading to respective pistons. The control system controls the fluid-metering assembly to allow fluid flow to selected pistons, causing the actuated pistons to temporarily extend in the opposite direction to a desired wellbore deviation, thereby deflecting the drill bit away from the borehole centerline. An upper member in the fluid-metering assembly can be moved to stabilize, steer, and change TFA within the drill bit. The control system and drill bit are connected so as to facilitate removal to change the drill bit's steering section and cutting structure configuration or gauge simultaneously. The apparatus may incorporate a fluid filter module mounted to the control system. The pistons may incorporate auxiliary cutting elements to provide near-bit reaming capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffery Ronald Clausen, Jonathan Ryan Prill
  • Patent number: 9476264
    Abstract: A coiled tubing lift frame assembly for use as a back-up heave compensator on a floating vessel is described. The assembly includes a frame having an upper frame section adapted for attachment to a top drive system and a lower frame section adapted to interface with a flowhead assembly. The assembly also includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders spaced apart from one another, the hydraulic cylinders having a respective cylinder barrel and a piston rod translatable therein with free end of the piston rods being fixed to the upper frame section. The assembly also includes a piston accumulator disposed adjacent to a first of the hydraulic cylinders and in fluid communication therewith via a hydraulic fluid line and an air accumulator disposed adjacent to a second of the hydraulic cylinders and in fluid communication with the piston accumulator via a pneumatic fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ICON ENGINEERING PTY LTD
    Inventor: Steven Plain
  • Patent number: 9476265
    Abstract: A cartridge of tubulars may be removably positioned with a carriage, and the carriage may move the cartridge transversely, vertically, and/or rotationally to roll tubulars on an adjacent tubular receiving member using only gravity from a selected tier of tubulars without human contact. A single trolley disposed with the tubular receiving member both pushes and pulls tubulars toward or away from the drilling deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Friede Goldman United, Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Stephen Tetley, Daniel B. Holsberg, Calvin Vinal Norton
  • Patent number: 9476266
    Abstract: A drive system for a catwalk skate that uses a hydraulic skate-cable drive system. The system includes two counteracting hydraulic cylinders, each with a sheave connected to the cylinder rods, and a cable that winds around each of the sheaves and connects to both ends of the skate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Forum US, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory David Swanson, Joe Rodney Berry
  • Patent number: 9476267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new apparatus and method for use in subterranean exploration. The present invention provides a rapid rig-up and rig-down of a drill floor mounted device such as a pipe racking system. In particular, the present invention discloses a system and method for rapid deployment of a drill floor mounted pipe racking system that is capable of being retrofit to an existing drilling rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: T&T Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Orgeron, Mark W. Trevithick
  • Patent number: 9476268
    Abstract: A pipe handler for assembling and deploying a string of threaded tubulars into a wellbore includes a pair of compensating bails and an elevator pivotally connected to the compensating bails. Each compensating bail includes: a first bail segment; a second bail segment; and a compensator connecting the respective first and second bail segments. Each compensator includes a load cylinder connected to the respective first bail segment and a linear actuator disposed in the respective load cylinder and operable to retract the respective second bail segment from a hoisting position to a ready position. Each second bail segment is engaged with the respective load cylinder in the hoisting position. The compensating bails are capable of supporting string weight in the hoisting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Brittan S. Pratt, Karsten Heidecke
  • Patent number: 9476269
    Abstract: An apparatus for pulling irrigation poly provides a transportable poly reel rig with a reel spool pivotally mounted to the reel rig. A manual primary brake is in hydraulic braking communication with the reel spool to manually control free spooling. A secondary brake, hydraulically integrated in a planetary gear drive connected to the spool, is activated automatically when hydraulic pressure falls below a safe level. A top alignment reel positioned under the reel spool, and a bottom alignment reel positioned under the top alignment reel, facilitate alignment of the reel spool with a well bore. A wire roller operating in concert with the reel spool facilitates attachment to and take-up of wire attached to the poly. Two or more hydraulic stabilizers stabilize the rig, as does a boom assembly mounted to the reel rig. Methods of using the apparatus utilize a smaller crew of operators than with prior apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Peter E Dyck
  • Patent number: 9476270
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for shearing well drilling fluid mixtures containing an emulsifier, and utilizing pumping the fluids through a plurality of nozzles, reducing the size of the fluid droplets as they pass through the nozzles, discharging the fluid droplets into a output chamber where the emulsifier surrounds the smaller droplets with the nozzle discharges aligned to intersect in the stabilization chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph Paul Istre, Kazi M. Rashid, Timothy N. Harvey, Harry Todd Lynch, Michael Alan Moore
  • Patent number: 9476271
    Abstract: A flow control system for drilling a well comprises a conduit defining a channel configured to accommodate a drill pipe and a flow of a returning drilling fluid, and an acoustic sensor array configured to detect a flow rate of the returning drilling fluid. The flow control system further comprises a flow control device configured to control the flow rate of the returning drilling fluid and to be actuated in response to an event detected by the sensor array, the flow control device being proximate to the sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Arnold Judge, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Fengsu Liu, Li Liu, Farshad Ghasripoor
  • Patent number: 9476272
    Abstract: A non-explosive, down hole, setting tool, system method includes a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a first compressible fluid for applying a first force against hydraulic fluid in contact with one side of a setting piston that is movable in the tool, and a second compressible fluid for applying a second force greater than the first force against the other side of the setting piston. Hydraulic fluid is pumped against one end of the setting piston to overcome the second force and move the setting piston. A reset valve is located in a hydraulic fluid return passageway that is connected between other end of the setting piston and the source of hydraulic fluid. The reset valve can move to selectively block the flow of the hydraulic fluid or allow hydraulic fluid to flow through the fluid return passageway, so that the setting piston can move the setting piston back to its start position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Neo Products, LLC.
    Inventors: James V. Carisella, Kevin M. Morrill, Jay M. Lefort
  • Patent number: 9476273
    Abstract: Systems and methods for activating a down hole tool in a wellbore. A trigger is moveably positioned in the interior of a base pipe and includes a first end and a second, smaller end. The trigger is moveable between an unactivated position where a port in the base pipe is blocked and an activated position where the port is open. At least one latch member prevents movement of the trigger from the unactivated position to the activated position until a predetermined force is applied to the trigger. Increasing pressure in the interior increases a force differential between the first end and the second end. When the force differential is substantially equal to the predetermined force, the latch releases and allows the trigger to move from the unactivated position to the activated position, thereby opening the port to permit activation of the down hole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Acosta, Lonnie Carl Helms, John Key, Nicholas Budler
  • Patent number: 9476274
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for measuring data in a well extending below surface, said system comprising a body having a longitudinal axis and a front end and a rear end; locomotion means; control means adapted to control direction and/or speed of the locomotion means; said control means being controllable from the surface. Thereby is achieved that a body may be remotely controlled from the surface e.g. the entrance of an oil well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MAERSK OLIE OG GAS A/S
    Inventors: Graham Edmonstone, Pieter Karel Anton Kapteijn
  • Patent number: 9476275
    Abstract: A cable head with cable shear mechanism for attaching to a wireline to support oilfield equipment in a wellbore formed from a housing with a cable bore. The housing comprises a tapered sleeve with a tapered sleeve cable bore, a sliding bell with a sliding bell cable bore, a drive pinch cylinder, a linear biasing mechanism positioned between the tapered sleeve and the drive pinch cylinder, a plurality of shear pins disposed partially into the housing and though the drive pinch cylinder, wherein each shear pin is adapted to withstand from 100 pounds to 2000 pounds of shear load, a pair of slidable cutting segments and a pair of slidable cutting segment guides. When cable load exceeds a preset limit, the shear pins shear allowing the slidable cutting segments to be moved up the slidable cutting segment guides to impact and shear the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: G&H DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING, LP
    Inventors: Joe Noel Wells, Edward Cannoy Kash
  • Patent number: 9476276
    Abstract: A method for installing and operating a cable head with cable shear mechanism for wireline cable supporting oilfield equipment in a wellbore. The cable head has a housing, a cable bore, a tapered sleeve, a sliding bell, a drive pinch cylinder, a linear biasing mechanism positioned between the tapered sleeve and the drive pinch cylinder, a plurality of shear pins disposed partially into the housing and though the drive pinch cylinder, wherein each shear pin is adapted to withstand from 100 pounds to 2000 pounds of shear load, a pair of slidable cutting segments, and a pair of slidable cutting segment guides. When cable load exceeds a preset limit, the shear pins shear allowing the slidable cutting segments to be moved up the slidable cutting segment guides to impact and shear the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: G&H DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING, LP
    Inventors: Joe Noel Wells, Edward Cannoy Kash