Patents Issued in November 24, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160339705
    Abstract: An inkjet printer has a printing head, a sheet conveying mechanism, a carriage mounting a printing head and configured to be reciprocally movable in a printing area and non-printing area. A cap is provided to be movable between a capping position an uncap position. A controller of the inkjet printer is configured to execute a printing process, a standby process, and a capping process in which the controller causes the carriage to move to the non-printing area and moves the cap from the uncap position to the capping position. The controller causes the carriage to move into the printing area when the next printing command is received after the standby process is finished and before the carriage moving process has been completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Shunsuke MIZUTANI
  • Publication number: 20160339706
    Abstract: There is provided an inkjet printing apparatus capable of performing a printing operation to eject ink from an ejection port provided for a print head to a print medium while covering the ejection port with a capping portion in a standby state in which the printing operation is not performed, the apparatus including: a humidifying unit configured to perform a humidification operation to humidify a space formed between the capping portion and the print head in the standby state; and a control unit configured to cause the humidifying unit to perform the humidification operation on the space in the standby state, wherein the control unit suspends the humidification operation at a predetermined timing after performing the humidification operation multiple times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Hideyuki Ito
  • Publication number: 20160339707
    Abstract: A waste liquid absorber is adapted to absorb waste liquid discharged from an outlet configured to eject ink in an accommodated state when the waste liquid absorber is accommodated in an accommodation portion. The waste liquid absorber includes a first portion and a second portion having different densities in a thickness direction of a single piece of the waste liquid absorber, and the first portion has higher density than the second portion. Each of the first portion and the second portion includes a fiber and solid flame retardant powders. The fiber of the first portion is formed of material that is the same as material of which the fiber of the second portion is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Hidehiro TAKANO, Shunichi SEKI, Yoshiyuki NAGAI
  • Publication number: 20160339708
    Abstract: A recording device including a recording head, a tank, a valve capable of being switched between an open state where ink is supplied from the tank to the recording head and a closed state where the ink is not supplied, a cap covering a discharge port surface, a pump configured to make a pressure of an inside of the cap negative, an acquiring unit configured to acquire information on an atmospheric pressure of an environment where the recording device is placed, and a control unit configured to perform a suction operation of sucking the ink from the discharge port surface by driving the pump when the valve is in the closed state, making the pressure of the inside of the cap negative, and then switching the valve to the open state and to control the suction operation based on the acquired information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Shin Genta, Masaya Uetsuki, Toshimitsu Danzuka, Kazuo Suzuki, Yoshinori Nakagawa, Masataka Kato, Tsuyoshi Ibe, Tomoki Yamamuro
  • Publication number: 20160339709
    Abstract: In an inkjet printer having a small print head assembly and a large print head assembly, a wiper includes a first wiper section having a width approximately equal to a width of an orifice area of the small print head assembly, a decoupler adjacent to the first wiper section, a second wiper section adjacent to the decoupler, where the first and the second wiper sections and the decoupler combined have a width approximately equal to a width of an orifice area of the large print head assembly, and a squared tip at an extremity of the single, segmented wiper to impede wicking action. A tab holds the wiper oriented so as to wipe the print head assemblies in a direction of a printing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Jafar N. Jefferson, Teressa L. Roth, Jennifer Peterson
  • Publication number: 20160339710
    Abstract: A maintenance device includes a wiper that wipes a liquid ejecting unit; a double rack member which includes a rack sections made up of a first rack section and a second rack section and is configured to reciprocate the wiper; and an intermittent gear which includes a teeth portion which meshes with one of the two rack sections and a toothless portion which is arranged in line with the teeth portion in a rotation direction, wherein the double rack member allows the wiper to perform a forward motion when the first rack section meshes with the intermittent gear, and allows the wiper to perform a backward motion when the second rack section meshes with the intermittent gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Seiya SATO, Ryoji FUJIMORI, Shion KUBOMURA
  • Publication number: 20160339711
    Abstract: Provided is a configuration of a liquid ejecting head enabling a stable, continuous ink supply with the off-carriage method, even if force operates in the direction of joint needle insertion and removal. To this end, a joint opening that accepts insertion of a joint needle on a printing apparatus side is placed at a position closer to a joint face between an ejecting head and a sub tank unit than a positioning opening that engages with a positioning member on the printing apparatus side. Consequently, even if external force is produced due to coupling, the force exerted on the joint face that is a weak portion of an inkjet (IJ) head may be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Chiaki Muraoka, Yukuo Yamaguchi, Hiromasa Amma, Takuya Iwano, Takeshi Sekino
  • Publication number: 20160339712
    Abstract: Devices and methods for refurbishing a used print cartridge for further use in a printing device are provided. An electronic patch is attached to a circuit on the used print cartridge. The electronic patch includes contact pads that are positioned to correspond to the location of contact pads on the circuit of the used print cartridge. The electronic patch also includes a control chip and an embedded memory array that replaces one or more functions of the memory on the used print cartridge, allowing the used print cartridge to be refilled with printing ink and reused in a printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew J. QUINN, Steven D. IOCCO
  • Publication number: 20160339713
    Abstract: An inkjet printer inkjet printer includes an inkjet head having a nozzle surface, a first tank for storing ink to be supplied to the inkjet head, a second tank for receiving ink that is not consumed by the inkjet head, an ink circulation path, a third tank directly or indirectly connected with a path from the second tank to the first tank on the ink circulation path, and a hermetic sealer for making the first and second tanks in a hermetically-sealed state. In a waiting mode in which ink is not circulated, the first and second tank is made in the hermetically-sealed state by the hermetic sealer and the third tank is made in an atmospherically-released state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Akira NISHIYAMA, Naoto TSUJINO
  • Publication number: 20160339714
    Abstract: A decolorizing apparatus of an exemplary embodiment includes a feeding section, a decolorizing section, and a control section. The feeding section can supply a magnetic medium having a ferromagnet in at least a part thereof. The decolorizing section decolorizes a decolorable image formed on the magnetic medium by heating the magnetic medium. The control section controls the decolorizing section to be set to a temperature which is equal to or higher than a temperature at which the image can be decolorized and is lower than a Curie temperature of the ferromagnet of the magnetic medium during decolorizing of the magnetic medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Kazufumi Ishida, Toshifumi Mimura
  • Publication number: 20160339715
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Frances H. Benton
  • Publication number: 20160339716
    Abstract: A thermal head includes: a substrate; a heat generating portion disposed on the substrate; a first electrode electrically connected to the heat generating portion; a driving IC which controls actuation of the heat generating portion; a first cover member which covers the driving IC; a connection member which is disposed on the substrate and has a connecting section electrically connected to a second electrode; and a second cover member which covers the connecting section and extends toward the first cover member. The second cover member includes a first portion and a second portion which is thinner than the first portion. The first portion is disposed next to the connection member. The second portion lies farther away from the connection member than the first portion, and includes an overlying part which overlies the first cover member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi YONETA
  • Publication number: 20160339717
    Abstract: A method of single pass inkjet method of applying an adhesive to a substrate to bond a foil material to the substrate is disclosed. The inkjet printer includes a printer head to pattern an adhesive material directly onto a printable substrate and a foil material. An ultraviolet curing lamp is included to cure the adhesive material using a dry lamination process and/or a wet lamination process. A nip roller is included to affix the foil material with the adhesive material onto to the printable substrate. A rollback mechanism is assembled to lift away excess foil material from the printable substrate and the excess foil material is adjacent to fully cured areas of the adhesive material having the affixed thereupon the foil material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: William H. Strater, JR., Markus Portmann
  • Publication number: 20160339718
    Abstract: A sheet transport system comprising an endless carrier belt that has a predetermined stiffness and is arranged to carry the sheets towards an end of a conveyer path where the sheet is separated from the carrier belt by passing this belt around a separating member that has a predetermined curvature, wherein the carrier belt runs in parallel with an endless conveyer that has a larger stiffness than the carrier belt and, at the end of the conveyer path, has a smaller curvature than the separating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventor: Roy H.R. JACOBS
  • Publication number: 20160339719
    Abstract: Provided is an ink jet recording method including: applying a reaction liquid to a recording medium by sending the reaction liquid from a reaction liquid container to a nozzle orifice in an ink jet head through a reaction liquid passage and discharging the reaction liquid from the nozzle orifice, the reaction liquid passage connecting the reaction liquid container to the nozzle orifice; and applying an ink composition to the recording medium by discharging the ink composition from a nozzle orifice in the ink jet head, the ink composition at least containing a color material. The reaction liquid contains a (meth)acrylic resin and a polyvalent metal salt, the polyvalent metal salt serving as a coagulating agent that is reactive with a component of the ink composition. At least one of materials that constitute the reaction liquid container and the reaction liquid passage and that make contact with the reaction liquid contains a C6 or higher aliphatic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Takeshi YANO
  • Publication number: 20160339720
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a displacement detecting unit that detects a displacement of the image forming apparatus with respect to a first direction and a second direction that are parallel to a surface of a print medium when the image forming apparatus moves away from a first position, a skew information acquiring unit that acquires skew information of the image forming apparatus at the first position based on the displacement of the image forming apparatus, and a skew controlling unit that controls skewing of an image to be formed on the print medium based on the skew information of the image forming apparatus, the skewing of the image occurring when the image forming apparatus is skewed with respect to the print medium at the first position. The image forming apparatus further includes an image forming unit that forms the image skew-controlled by the skewing controlling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20160339721
    Abstract: A carriage apparatus comprising: a carriage; a first and a second wiring bundle both connected to the carriage and follow the carriage; and a bendable sheet member sandwiched at least between the first and the second wiring bundle and follow the carriage, wherein the sheet member includes a first region and a second region positioned on a side of the carriage with respect to the first region, the rigidity of the second region is lower than that of the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Ryoma Arai, Takeshi Sekino, Daigo Kuronuma
  • Publication number: 20160339722
    Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head, a head holder, a carriage, a supply tube, a reference member, a first guide, and a second guide. The supply tube is led out from the carriage and extended to a first side of the head holder opposite a second side of the head holder at which the head holder is hooked on the reference member. The supply tube is disposed in a state in which, in plan view, the supply tube projects from an entry portion of the second guide beyond an end of the head holder in a main scanning direction. At least a portion of the first guide to guide the supply tube is disposed closer to the head holder, in plan view, than a position at which the supply tube projects farthest beyond the end of the head holder in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20160339723
    Abstract: A fluid application system and method having a support structure for guiding a plurality of pallets along a path of travel through the system. The plurality of pallets for arranging a medium that receives fluid during operation. The system further includes an application assembly for applying fluid and energy to a medium arranged on the plurality of pallets and a conveyance arrangement comprising first and second conveyors for transferring the one or more pallets through the fluid application system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew B. Persons, Michael Novik, Timothy B. McGlinchy
  • Publication number: 20160339724
    Abstract: The three-dimensional fabrication apparatus is provided with: a first discharge section and a second discharge section, which have multiple discharge nozzles disposed in rows and which discharge molding material from the discharge nozzles toward a fabrication stage; a guide member of a head unit-moving unit, which is equipped with the guide member to guide the movement of the first discharge section and the second discharge section in the main scanning direction (X-direction) that is orthogonal to the direction in which the discharge nozzles are disposed and which moves the first discharge section and the second discharge section relative to the fabrication stage along said guide member; and a stage rotating unit for changing the rotational position of the main scanning direction of the first discharge section and the second discharge section relative to the fabrication stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Taiya MUNENAKA, Kuniaki KASHIWAKURA, Yoshiyuki HASHIMOTO, Teruaki YAGURA
  • Publication number: 20160339725
    Abstract: A printer includes: a liquid ejecting head which performs recording on a paper sheet by ejecting liquid; a housing in which the liquid ejecting head is stored; an operating panel which is provide in the housing; a liquid storing body which stores the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head; and a case which accommodates the liquid storing body. When a direction in which a sign on the operating panel faces is considered as a front surface of the printer and the housing, the case is mounted on a right side surface of the housing, and the case is mounted on the housing in a state of being inclined with respect to a depth direction of the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Satoshi IWAYA
  • Publication number: 20160339726
    Abstract: A dynamic and adaptive control system for printing cases for and individual packages of consumer products. The system prints one or more checkmarks at a predetermined frequency. As the quality parameters of the checkmark[s] drift from the target criteria towards unacceptable range[s] sampling frequency is autonomously increased proportionately. This system enables one to monitor and act upon a greater range of process parameters than conventional systems, as different checkmarks may be printed in limited space therefor on different packages. This arrangement also reduces unacceptable production, by sampling each case/package if necessary, notifying the operator when corrective action is needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Johann DUGGE, Geoffrey John KERR
  • Publication number: 20160339727
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head ejecting ink; a buffer tank temporarily storing the ink; a mounting unit to which a main tank that stores the ink is capable of being mounted, the main tank having a first supply port from which the ink is supplied to the recording head and a second supply port from which the ink is supplied to the buffer tank; a first detecting unit detecting an ink volume in the main tank; and a control unit performing a discharge operation to discharge the ink in the buffer tank from the recording head via the main tank in a pre-transportation process in the ink jet recording apparatus. The control unit prompts a user to replace the main tank without performing the discharge operation if the ink volume detected by the first detecting unit is smaller than a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Danzuka, Masaya Uetsuki, Kazuo Suzuki, Yoshinori Nakagawa, Masataka Kato, Tsuyoshi Ibe, Shin Genta, Tomoki Yamamuro
  • Publication number: 20160339728
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for thermal sublimation imaging and more generally thermal pressing through a continuous or intermittent feed-through thermal pressing system. Cutting assemblies may be configured to cut, connect, advance, and/or align transfer media. The transfer media may have images created using inks, dyes, or the like that are configured to be sublimated into a substrate material within a sublimation assembly. The substrate may be interposed between upper and lower transfer media to allow for dual-side imaging via thermal sublimation. A thermal sublimation chamber may include a pre-confinement zone to reduce ghosting, a preheat zone, a thermal saturation zone to effectuate sublimation and image transfer, and/or a post-sublimation cooling zone to reduce ghosting. A post-sublimation collection system may separate transfer media from substrate(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Sterling McMurrin, Lorin Zitting
  • Publication number: 20160339729
    Abstract: A printable recording media containing a base substrate and a coating layer having a total solid content ranging from about 3 to about 65 weight percent by total weight of the coating composition and that includes from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of starch nanoparticles having a particle size ranging from about 40 to about 500 nm and from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of a water soluble divalent or multi-valent metal salt. Also described herein are a method for making the printable recording media and a method for producing printed images using the recording media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP
    Inventors: Lokendra Pal, Xulong Fu
  • Publication number: 20160339730
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method for a lithographic printing plate precursor which can simplify a manufacturing step while maintaining the performance of preventing edge stains and in which there are neither setter contaminations nor vendor contaminations; the lithographic printing plate precursor; a plate manufacturing method for a lithographic printing plate; and a printing method using the above-described lithographic printing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Koji WARIISHI, Shunsuke HAYASHI, Fumiya SHIRAKI, Atsushi OOSHIMA
  • Publication number: 20160339731
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a sheet binding apparatus comprises a pasting section and a control section. The pasting section is capable of selectively carrying out pasting processing on at least one of a plurality of different given pasting target areas on sheets to be pasted. The control section controls the execution of the pasting processing based on the pasting section so that pasting target areas of a first sheet and a second sheet other than the first sheet within a plurality of sheets to be subjected to binding processing are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Taguchi, Shoichi Dobashi, Yasunobu Terao, Mikio Yamamoto, Jun Ishii
  • Publication number: 20160339732
    Abstract: A calendar holder and methods of use, with the calendar holder having a pair of horizontally oriented jaws of substantially the same width as the width of a calendar page, with the jaws suitable adapted to retain the top edge of the calendar therebetween, and with an attachment component located on the rear of the device suitable for securing the device and a retained calendar to a wall, and with a frontal design element which provides an aesthetically pleasing look to the device while obscuring substantially all portions of the jaws of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Betsy A. McALPINE
  • Publication number: 20160339733
    Abstract: A security element including substrate on which is disposed: in first area, a first optically variable device including a diffractive or reflective relief structure and reflection enhancing material following contours of relief structure; and, in second area, a second optically variable device including an iridescent amplitude interference material. First optically variable device is constituted by a plurality of sub-areas arranged in cyclically repeating sequence along predetermined direction of the security element, the plurality of sub-areas collectively forming first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: De La Rue International Limited
    Inventor: Brian William HOLMES
  • Publication number: 20160339734
    Abstract: A lottery ticket is printed on a substrate sheet material having a front surface with lottery game indicia printed thereon and a removable covering material, typically scratch-off material, covering the lottery game indicia which is removable by a player to expose the game indicia for playing the game and other game information printed on the substrate sheet material where at least part of the substrate sheet material is formed of a translucent synthetic material to enable viewing through the part by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Pierre Joseph Lavoie, Sindy Renee Catigay, Kristine Susan Wattis, Michael John Brickwood, Lyle Scrymgeour, Julia Elizabeth Cloutier, Timothy George Edginton, Peter Nguyen, Brett Charles Taylor, Nancy Bettcher
  • Publication number: 20160339735
    Abstract: A pocket device including a major panel and a pocket panel coupled to the major panel and defining a pocket with the major panel. The pocket panel has a lateral dimension greater than a lateral dimension of the major panel at at least one position to thereby define a laterally-extending gap therebetween, which enables expansion of the pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Edward P. Busam
  • Publication number: 20160339736
    Abstract: The part for mounting on the finger is provided so as to be integral with a linking member; by means of building-in, folding, inserting and removing, and winding, the holder is made deformable to a carried condition when not in use; a necessary shortest dimension of the writing tool in the written condition is divided into at least two sections, i.e., an axis body 1 and a cap 2; and then, the axis body 1 and the cap 2 are overlapped with each other by means of folding or storing to thereby shorten the writing tool in a retained condition, and the writing tool in the written condition is reversibly movable in a predetermined range to thereby make an angle of the writing tool adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: GOUDOUGAISYA TOYAKOHATSUMEI
    Inventors: Tetsuei LI, Seigen LI
  • Publication number: 20160339737
    Abstract: Disclosed is a telescoping writing implement that retracts the writing point when in the collapsed position. Importantly, it is simple in design, uses a minimized number of parts, and, uses no metal coil spring. In its most general form, an external pen body is mechanically connected to a writing cartridge such as ballpoint pen refill or touch screen stylus through at least one aperture in a guide tube. Movement of the external pen body downward draws the writing cartridge down inside the guide tube until the writing end of the writing cartridge is exposed and the connecting means such as a clip, screw or pin contacts the lower edge of the aperture or apertures. When the outer pen body is moved upward, it draws the writing cartridge with it inside the guide tube until the writing end is protected inside the guide tube. The limits of travel are governed by the dimensions of the aperture or apertures when the connecting means contacts the edge of the aperture or apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Cary Fisher
  • Publication number: 20160339738
    Abstract: A stand for holding a cylindrical receptacle at an angle including a first support, a second support positioned at an angle X in relation to first support and associated with first support at a vertex and a base, the base uniting the first support and the second support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Emmet Kauffman, Caleb Kauffman
  • Publication number: 20160339739
    Abstract: The invention comprises a decorative wheel tip to a fix to the outside surface of a wheel spoke to create the appearance of a longer spoke for custom wheels that use a decorative lip insert. Current wheel designs utilize a decorative lip insert that requires spokes to be cut short to accommodate the decorative lip insert because the insert must pass between the spoke and the inner surface of the wheel tof create multi-piece appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Frank Hodges
  • Publication number: 20160339740
    Abstract: A quick release skewer assembly for use in mounting a wheel to wheel supporting fork comprises a camming lever that is pivotally coupled to the skewer for pivoting relative to the skewer between lever closed and lever open positions. With the skewer properly tightened on the fork, pivoting the lever to the lever closed position clamps the wheel to the fork with a clamping force. A biasing member coupled to the skewer and to the fork applies a biasing force that biases the lever toward the lever open position. When the skewer is insufficiently tightened, the biasing force moves the lever to a bias rest position between the lever closed and open positions. The positioning of the lever in the bias rest position provides a visual alert to an individual using a vehicle, such as a bicycle, that the wheel is insufficiently tightened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Burley Design LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Logan
  • Publication number: 20160339741
    Abstract: An abrasion controlled caster wheel is described. When a sideways force is applied to a rear of a grocery shopping or material cart either during normal operation or when gathered in the parking lot, the caster wheel, at the rear position of the cart, will redirect its direction of travel or change its mount rigidity rather than scraping sideways across the wheel circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas A. Redington
  • Publication number: 20160339742
    Abstract: A rolling device for a device that is to be moved along a surface is described. The rolling device comprises a cylinder with an opening at one end and a piston that is arranged reciprocally movably in the cylinder such that the piston can be moved between an upper position in the cylinder and a lower position in the cylinder. The piston comprises a rolling element that is arranged in a first end portion of the piston that faces the cylinder opening and that rolls on the surface when the device is to be moved. The rolling device further comprises an actuator system for movement of the piston between the upper position and the lower position in the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Rolf LIBAKKEN
  • Publication number: 20160339743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire comprising a tread, a crown with a crown reinforcement, two sidewalls, two beads, a carcass reinforcement anchored to the two beads and extending from one sidewall to the other, in which the tread comprises at least one thermoplastic elastomer, said thermoplastic elastomer being a block copolymer comprising at least one elastomer block of optionally hydrogenated butadiene/styrene random copolymer type and at least one thermoplastic block of styrene type, and the total content of thermoplastic elastomer being within a range varying from 65 to 100 phr (parts by weight per hundred parts of elastomer).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: VINCENT ABAD, EMMANUEL CUSTODERO, CHRISTOPHE CHOUVEL, MARC GREIVELDINGER
  • Publication number: 20160339744
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are rubber compositions comprising at least one elastomer; reinforcing filler comprising carbon black, silica, or a combination thereof; at least one hydrocarbon resin; and at least one plant oil and optionally at least one additional oil, wherein the total amount of reinforcing filler is at least 25% by weight of the rubber composition and the total amount of oil is at least 60 phr and comprises about 15 to about 35% by weight of the rubber composition. The rubber compositions are useful in tire treads, particularly tire treads for race tires. In certain embodiments the at least one plant oil comprises coconut oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Dennis C. Boley, Brett W. Schilling
  • Publication number: 20160339745
    Abstract: A tire includes a wheel portion having an axis of rotation and an annular outer surface. The tire further includes a webbing extending from an annular inner surface of the wheel portion towards the axis of rotation. A stiffness of the webbing varies along the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Robert ASPER
  • Publication number: 20160339746
    Abstract: Provided are: a polyamide multifilament fiber comprising a polycondensate of a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid including an alicyclic dicarboxylic acid, and fulfilling conditions (a), (b), and (c); a cord including the fiber; a fabric comprising said cord; and a tire applying said fabric to the cap ply thereof, (a): the ratio of alicyclic dicarboxylic acid to dicarboxylic acid being at least 50 mol %. (b): the total fineness of the polyamide multifilament fiber being at least 100 dtex. (c): the cross ratio (maximum diameter/minimum diameter) of the polyamide multifilament fiber being no more than 1.7). This polyamide multifilament fiber is high-Tg and high strength and has excellent spinning strength and fiber uniformity. The tire cord using same has excellent rubber adhesion properties and is capable of applying good dimensional stability to the tire at high temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke SATO, Ryo NAYUKI
  • Publication number: 20160339747
    Abstract: In a motorcycle tire, since a reinforcement cord that constitutes a belt layer (24) is constituted by a cord having a low modulus of elasticity (a tensile force upon 1% elongation is 15 N or less), a shearing force in a circumferential direction of a tread (26) is decreased. As a result, a value of frictional energy is decreased, and abrasion resistance of the tread (26) (a center section (27)) is improved. Moreover, since tan ? of shoulder sections (28) is larger than tan ? of the center section (27), a grip limit in the shoulder sections (28) that are grounded upon turning is increased, and turning performance is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Takahashi, Takeshi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20160339748
    Abstract: A smart tag assembly is designed for mounting on an object to be tracked. The smart tag assembly comprises a multiple layer RFID laminate adapted for electronically storing and processing data, and wireless communicating data when interrogated by an RFID reader. The laminate comprises an RFID inlay including a microchip and antenna formed with a substrate, and laminated between an outside label cover and backing. A low-profile tag carrier defines a recessed pocket designed for receiving and holding the RFID laminate, and has a generally concave outside surface adapted for residing against a generally convex surface of the object to be tracked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Alan C. Lesesky, Samuel Duke Drinkard
  • Publication number: 20160339749
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to inhibit deterioration in the external appearance of a sound suppressor, even when used in cold areas. This sound-suppressor-equipped pneumatic tire includes: a pneumatic tire provided with a tread section; and a sponge-like sound suppressor which is affixed to a tire inner cavity-side surface of the tread section, and which extends in the peripheral direction of the tire. In the sound suppressor, a plurality of slits are formed in an exposed surface which faces the tire inner cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki YUKAWA
  • Publication number: 20160339750
    Abstract: An example of a vehicle tire gauge system includes a tire pressure monitoring system in a vehicle. A transceiver in the vehicle is for transmitting a tire pressure sensed by the tire pressure monitoring system to a paired wearable device. A tire pressure table is stored in a model of an application having a view on the wearable device. A haptic feedback generator in the wearable device is responsive to the tire pressure reaching a first value, wherein the first value is contained in the tire pressure table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Hassan Elnajjar
  • Publication number: 20160339751
    Abstract: A hinged lock for trailer couplers utilizing a hasp that mates with “puck” style locks. The hinged lock enclosure fully encases the trailer coupler and may have apertures of differing shapes and sizes allowing the lock to mate with various trailer couplers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: JAMES MILTON ODOM
  • Publication number: 20160339752
    Abstract: An energy management system for a vehicle limits movement of a tire and wheel assembly in a wheel cavity. The vehicle has a wheel well structure that defines the wheel cavity. The energy management system includes a tether attached to the tire and wheel assembly. The tether is configured to limit movement of the tire and wheel assembly within the wheel cavity under a predetermined load that is applied to the vehicle forward of the tire and wheel assembly and offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Jensen, Robert N. Saje, Jonathan E. Rich, Michael E. Quigley
  • Publication number: 20160339753
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle, including a wheel carrier (2) for holding a wheel (3), a wheel-guiding control arm (4) for articulating the wheel carrier (2) to a structure, and steering member (23) for steering the wheel (3). For steering the wheel (3), the wheel carrier (2) and the wheel-guiding control arm (4) are articulated to one another in such manner that the wheel carrier (2) can pivot relative to the wheel-guiding control arm (4) about a steering axis. The wheel carrier (2) is connected indirectly to the control arm (4) in a first connection zone (20) by an integral link (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Klaus WALLGREN
  • Publication number: 20160339754
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame, a front ground-engaging member, a rear ground-engaging member, and a rear suspension assembly operably coupled to the rear ground-engaging member. The rear suspension assembly includes a first swing arm, a second swing arm, and a pivot axle extending between the first and second swing arms. And, rotation of the pivot axle is configured to adjust the position of a portion of the frame relative to the first and second swing arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Skyler J. Teachout, David L. Bagnariol, Timothy L. Nennich, James A.J. Holroyd, Richard J. Christoph