Patents Issued in January 3, 2017
  • Patent number: 9534410
    Abstract: A vehicle shuttle car operable to travel in linear and lateral directions includes a low profile cart including a steerable front section and a rear section, the front section operable to turn left and right relative to the rear section. The rear section is operable to raise and support at least one tire of a vehicle off the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: UNITRONICS AUTOMATED SOLUTIONS LTD
    Inventors: Haim Shani, Zvi Raz
  • Patent number: 9534411
    Abstract: In an earthquake resisting design method of a PC construction, a column and a beam, which are high-strength precast prestress concrete members, are joined by binding juncture with a prestressing tendon. A grout is filled and bonded. A first stage linear resilient design is employed, where all construction members are not damaged, for earthquakes up to a predetermined earthquake load design value. A second stage linear resilient design is employed, where earthquake energy is absorbed by breakage of the bond of the grout, and principal construction members are not damaged, for earthquakes exceeding the predetermined earthquake load design value. By employing a non-linear resilient design in which the first stage linear resilient design and the second stage linear resilient design are combined, an earthquake-resisting design level is significantly increased, and the construction can resist earthquakes exceeding a seismic intensity 6 upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KUROSAWA CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryohei Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 9534412
    Abstract: A waterproof removable panelized wall system permanently resistant to water damage. The present system may be included as part of a complete basement fit out, or may be utilized in a restoration of an area that has incurred water damage and may be used to repair of a wall structure that has been compromised or damaged by a wet condition. A plurality of waterproof, non-absorbent panels are arranged in a wall structure and are removable from and reinstallable on the wall structure. An attachment mechanism in the form of a magnetic component, such as, a magnetic strip or a plurality of magnets is provided to releasably secure the panels and moldings to the wall frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Michael DeRita
  • Patent number: 9534413
    Abstract: A weight plate for securing portable structures employing a low-profile, planar plate having an aperture formed therethrough. The aperture is configured so as to allow the base of the leg of a structure to pass through. The plate is subsequently transposed so as to lock the base of the leg underneath the plate while the leg of the shelter passes through the plate and an opposite side of the plate extends away form the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Oliver Ma
  • Patent number: 9534414
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an adapter for increasing exterior dimensions of a post mount support block includes a base having two sides that meet to form an angle of approximately ninety degrees, two legs, wherein each of the two legs extends from an outside edge of a different one of the two sides of the base, and two flanges, wherein each of the two flanges extends from an inside edge of a different one of the two sides of the base, such that each of the two flanges is positioned in a substantially parallel orientation relative to one of the two legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: VINYLAST, INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Leary, Benjamin Yin, Zhang Qi
  • Patent number: 9534415
    Abstract: The disclosed concerns a method of transporting a tower of a wind turbine in an upright position to an assembly site of the wind turbine, whereby the tower is equipped with a strake set comprising a number of strakes positioned to lead from a top of the tower in the upright position down towards a bottom of the tower, at least one of the strakes being realized as a detachable strake. The invention also concerns a strake set and transport assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jesper Moeller, Kenneth Helligsoe Svinth
  • Patent number: 9534416
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a lifting apparatus, in particular a cross lifting beam, for lifting a first pylon segment of a concrete pylon of a wind power installation by means of a crane, including at least one fixing means for fixing the pylon segment to the lifting apparatus, and at least one release apparatus for releasing a connection between the lifting apparatus and the pylon segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann van Ohlen, Norbert Holscher, Michael Honczek, Jan Kapitza, Ralf Buck
  • Patent number: 9534417
    Abstract: A safety barrier is formed of framing, including a guard rail that defines the infill below the rail without the use of pickets. The infill is covered with mesh screen, which may be made of nylon which has greater tensile strength than conventional fiberglass. The mesh screen is held to the framing by an extruded base. The base has a central channel between two flat spline grooves. Flat splines hold mesh screen in their respective grooves more securely than conventional friction-based channel splines. A metal plate is positioned in the central channel to enables screws that secure the base to be tightened to hold it to the framing better. The elimination of pickets in the infill leaves the view unobstructed and allows other treatments of that portion of a deck or porch that are more aesthetically pleasing without compromising safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Marhaygue, LLC
    Inventor: Guerry E. Green
  • Patent number: 9534418
    Abstract: Concrete mounting apparatuses, concrete connector installation assemblies, and methods of installing a concrete mounting apparatus are disclosed. In some embodiments, the concrete mounting apparatus may include a mounting base that is planar and is configured to be supported on concrete. The mounting base may include a plurality of apertures sized to receive one or more fasteners. The apparatus may additionally include an attachment member attached to, or formed with, the mounting base. The apparatus may further include a support member configured to be supported on the mounting base. The support member may include a hole configured to receive at least a portion of the attachment member, a plurality of holes that is adjacent to the attachment member when the attachment member is received in the hole, and one or more spaced fins configured to receive one or more rails of the fence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Stanley George Wallulis
  • Patent number: 9534419
    Abstract: A decorative door handle comprising a flexible material configured in the shape of a door handle and a malleable stiffener material to maintain the handle in a desired useful looking configuration. In one aspect the flexible material is a magnetic vinyl. In another aspect, a decorative door handle comprising molded resin having at least one magnetic insert in the back surface. In another aspect, a decorative hinge element comprising molded resin having at least one magnetic insert in the back surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Robert J. Schrader
  • Patent number: 9534420
    Abstract: An intelligent door lock system is retrofitted to an existing door lock system that includes a door lock system with a lock and a drive shaft; and an intelligent door lock system. The intelligent door lock system includes, a position sensing device configured to be coupled to a drive shaft of a lock device, where the position sensing device senses position of the drive shaft to assist in locking and unlocking a lock of a lock device, an engine with a memory, with the engine coupled to the positioning sensing device, a circuit coupled to the engine, an energy source coupled to the circuit, and a device that converts energy into mechanical energy coupled to the circuit, positioning sensing device and the drive shaft, the device that converts energy being coupled to the energy source to receive energy from the energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: August Home, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih Yu Thomas Cheng, Jason Johnson, Christopher Kim, Joseph Aranda
  • Patent number: 9534421
    Abstract: An engaging mechanism includes an engaging member and an engaged member freely detachably engageable with the engaging member. The engaging member includes an engaging main part and an engaging claw part formed on the engaging main part, both resiliently deformable. The engaging claw part has an inwardly curved engaging surface defined by a first curvature continuous curve. The engaged member includes an engaged part engageable with the engaging claw part and having an outwardly curved engaged surface defined by a second curvature continuous curve. The engaging surface and the engaged surface contact each other at a linear contact area at a time from when the engaging claw part and the engaged part are in engagement with each other through to when the engaging claw part is disengaged from the engaged part. A curvature of the engaging surface at the linear contact area is smaller than a curvature of the engaged surface at the linear contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AKUSESU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuzo Kamada
  • Patent number: 9534422
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a child safety lock mechanism for a cupboard, the cupboard includes at least one movable door and fixed frame, the locking mechanical system includes an external section arranged on the outside of the cupboard door, an internal section secured to a part of the frame, a latching means and a releasing means, wherein the external section is removably lockable to the internal section by the latching means and releasable by the releasing means. The latching means and releasing means are mutually engageable to release the latch, and extend from a first surface of the door to a second surface of the door to effect the engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Safe and Care LTD.
    Inventor: Jesper Birk Andersen
  • Patent number: 9534423
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate to a locking mechanism for securing a housing of a computing device. More specifically, the disclosed embodiments are configured to both secure the housing of the computing device closed and to provide a means for securing the desktop computing device to a stationary object such as a desk. The locking mechanism can be two separable locking bodies configured to be received by separate openings in a housing of the computing device. Once the separate openings receive both locking bodies, a locking device can engage both pieces of the locking mechanism to lock both pieces to each other and to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander C. Calkins
  • Patent number: 9534424
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuation device for a motor vehicle door lock (1), comprising a handle (7), and a locking lever (10) which renders the handle (7) inactive when accelerating forces (a) of a predetermined magnitude occur, for example, in the event of an accident. In the normal operation, the locking lever (10) is displaced when impinged upon by the handle (7) and the handle (7) is simply rendered inactive in the locked operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Claus Toepfer
  • Patent number: 9534425
    Abstract: A lock for a motor vehicle includes a locking mechanism with a rotatably mounted rotary catch for receiving a locking bolt, and a pawl with which the rotary catch can be engaged for retaining the locking bolt. The lock further includes a blocking lever that blocks the pawl when the pawl is located in a catching position, and a releasing lever for disengaging the locking mechanism. A first spring interconnects the blocking lever and the releasing lever, wherein the blocking lever and the releasing lever move either together or independently relative to the first spring based on a magnitude of acceleration of the releasing lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Keith Julien
  • Patent number: 9534426
    Abstract: A child protector mechanism includes a base member, a first lever, a second lever, a bush arranged between the first lever and the second lever, a child protector lever for moving the bush to an unset position or a set position, and a position retaining mechanism provided between the first lever and the bush. The bush is retained at each of the unset position and the set position by the position retaining mechanism provided between the first lever and the bush. Therefore, when assembling the bush and the first lever to the base member, the bush is retained at a predetermined position (for example, unset position) with respect to the first lever so that the bush does not move. Thus, the easiness of assembly of the bush and the first lever and the easiness of assembly of the child protector lever are excellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryujiro Akizuki, Takashi Nishio, Nobuko Watanabe, Masayuki Tomochika, Masanari Iwata, Yasuhiko Sono
  • Patent number: 9534427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door closure, comprising a locking mechanism, an electric drive (3, 4) for the locking mechanism, and a child-restraint element (14) with a corresponding sensor (15). The electric drive (3, 4) can be activated or deactivated in order to open the locking mechanism dependant on the position of the child-restraint element (14), said position being requested using the sensor (15). The activated child-restraint element (14) can be deactivated in an emergency operation by a switch (17), and the locking mechanism can be opened by the electric drive (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Johannes Theodor Menke
  • Patent number: 9534428
    Abstract: A hood latch includes a base coupled to a frame or a panel of a vehicle, a fork having a first fork protrusion, a second fork protrusion and a third fork protrusion and is coupled to the base to fix a striker positioned on a vehicle hood, a trigger which has a first trigger protrusion, a second trigger protrusion, and a third trigger protrusion, the first trigger protrusion is configured to contact the second fork protrusion or the third fork protrusion, thus controlling a rotation of the fork, a trigger connecting link configured to contact the trigger to rotate the trigger, and a trigger varying link coupled to a first side of the trigger connecting link. A rotating angle of the trigger is based on a contact between the trigger connecting link and a third trigger protrusion or a contact between the trigger varying link and the second trigger protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PYEONGHWA AUTOMOTIVE
    Inventors: Sung Han Kim, Hyeon Tae Park
  • Patent number: 9534429
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a latch apparatus. The latch apparatus includes: a base formed with an opening; a latch gear formed with a mounting groove to lock a striker entering the mounting groove through the opening; a pawl rotatably disposed on the base and engaging with the latch gear to prevent rotation of the latch gear; a release lever disposed to adjoin the pawl, transmitting constraint force of pressing the pawl, and rotating the pawl to release the latch gear; a support shaft secured to the base, supporting a lateral surface of the pawl and transmitting the constraint force of pressing the pawl; and a guide portion rotatably provided to the support shaft, pressed to rotate by the release lever, and guiding movement of a projection pin provided to the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PYEONGHWA AUTOMOTIVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nigel Spurr, Gurbinder Singh Kalsi, Sang Beom Hur, Ki Ryun Ahn, Jong Chul Oh
  • Patent number: 9534430
    Abstract: A device for restricting movement of a door includes a door member, a floor member, and a connecting member. The door member is fixedly mounted to a door and includes a first opening having a first predetermined shape. The floor member is fixedly mounted to a floor and includes a second opening having a second predetermined shape. The connecting member includes a first leg and a second leg. The first leg extends in a first direction and has a first end removeably engaging the first opening. The second leg extends in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and has a second end removeably engaging the second opening simultaneously when the first end removeably engages the first opening thereby preventing rotation of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Curtis Taylor, Jack Roy Taylor
  • Patent number: 9534431
    Abstract: A method of installing a door is provided. According to an embodiment, an outgoing hinge is detached and removed from an attachment location on a side of an outgoing door. A replacement hinge is positioned at the attachment location on the first door where the outgoing hinge was attached. While the replacement hinge is positioned at the attachment location, an alignment position removably coupled to the replacement hinge is folded at an edge of the side of the outgoing door to form a crease in the alignment protrusion. The replacement hinge is positioned on a side of a replacement door with the alignment protrusion aligned with and folded over an edge of the side of the replacement door, and the replacement hinge is attached to the side of the replacement door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy D. Gouge, Jan Ettrich
  • Patent number: 9534432
    Abstract: A hinge structure including a first shaft, a second shaft and a moving component is provided. The first shaft and the second shaft respectively have a guiding portion and a first screw thread and a second screw thread located at the guiding portion. Each of the first screw threads is connected to the corresponding second screw thread. The moving component is respectively coupled to the two guiding portions. When the first shaft and the second shaft rotate with each other through the moving component to switch between a first state and a second state, the moving component is guided by the first screw threads and the second screw threads to move along a direction parallel to the first shaft back and forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Po-Yi Lee, Yi-Chang Yeh, Huei-Ting Chuang
  • Patent number: 9534433
    Abstract: A hinge system for mounting a door to an appliance has an upper hinge bracket having an upper hinge swing element configured to engage a door upper swing element fixed to the door, the engagement of the upper hinge swing element and the door upper swing element allowing the door to swing about a vertical axis between an open position and a closed position, and an upper hinge pivot limiting element configured to engage a frame pivot limiting element fixed to the appliance; a lower hinge bracket having a lower hinge swing element configured to engage a door lower swing element, and a system pivot element configured to engage a frame pivot element such that the upper hinge bracket, the lower hinge bracket, and the door are pivotable about a horizontal axis as a unit relative to the appliance while still being attached to the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Suad Elkasevic, Joseph Geiger, Charles Weimer, Philipp Wieser
  • Patent number: 9534434
    Abstract: A spring winding device, a counterbalancing force adjustment device for a counterbalancing mechanism, and a method of adjusting an amount of force stored in a spring of a counterbalancing mechanism are provided. The spring winding device includes a support bracket, a worm gear, and a drive gear. The worm gear is rotatably coupled to the support bracket and includes a mount portion for coupling a first end cone thereto. The drive gear is rotatably disposed adjacent the support bracket and is drivingly engaged with the worm gear. A rotation of the drive gear causes the worm gear to rotate within the support bracket. The spring winding device does not require pretensioning using winding rods, maintains rigidity and alignment when a counterbalancing force is applied, and decreases a cost and a complexity of the counterbalancing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Arrow Tru-Line, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Schutt
  • Patent number: 9534435
    Abstract: Damper (1) comprising a cylinder (2) containing a damping fluid, at least one piston (3) translatable within said cylinder and defining two damping chambers (4, 5), and a rod (6) for controlling the movement of said at least one piston (3) within said cylinder (2), said damper further comprising at least one first and at least one second narrow passages (7, 8) through which said damping fluid is forced to pass from one to the other of said two damping chambers (4, 5) when said control rod is controllably moved within said cylinder (2), characterized in that said at least one piston (3) is translatable with respect to said control rod (6) on the basis of the speed of said control rod (6), between a first position (P1), in which said at least one piston (3) prevents said damping fluid from passing through said at least one first narrow passage (7) and a second position (P2) in which said at least one piston (3) allows said damping fluid to pass through said at least one first narrow passage (7), and in that it
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: FARINGOSI HINGES S.R.L.
    Inventor: Massimo Dora
  • Patent number: 9534436
    Abstract: A driving device for opening and closing an opening/closing body of a vehicle. The driving device comprises a nut member that moves linearly by way of rotation of a rod member and is threadably engaged with the rod member, and an engaging member that can be engaged with an engagement-receiving member provided on the rod member that is moved by way of a link arm linked to actuation of a solenoid such that rotation of the rod member can be stopped. The link arm has a mechanical structure that limits vibrations that change the vibration status of the engaging member. By using this driving device, impact noise during actuation of the driving device can be mitigated, or the pitch of the noise can be altered, so as not to discomfort passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HI-LEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Osafune
  • Patent number: 9534437
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a window or door insulation system including an attachable trim strip, and a securable transparent sheet, to create a removable and auxiliary insulation sheet. The trim strip includes a base attachable to a surface, a cover pivotably connected to the base, and an interior strip pivotably connected to the cover and base. The cover includes a first wall, an intermediate wall transitioning from the first wall, and a second wall transitioning from the intermediate wall. The first wall is pivotably connected to a first side of the base so that the cover is configured to be an open position or a closed position. A gap is defined between the second wall of the cover and the second side of the base when in the closed position. The interior strip is configured to keep the cover opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: RED DEVIL INC.
    Inventor: Albert Santelli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9534438
    Abstract: A roto-translating system for opening and closing a wing which is configured to be mounted on a frame of the wing is provided with a first guide and a second guide arranged so as to define an angle greater than or equal to 90°; a first carriage and a second carriage which are configured to be coupled to an upper edge of the wing and to engage in a sliding manner the first guide and the second guide respectively; a spacer arm provided with a first end, which is configured to be fixed to a first structural element of the frame in a rotating manner about a first vertical axis, and a second end which is configured to be coupled to a lower edge of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BELO & SCOTCH LTD.
    Inventor: Simon Roger Loda
  • Patent number: 9534439
    Abstract: An insulating glass unit (IGU) assembly line apparatus capable of interleaving double and triple pane IGUs in accordance with an IGU production schedule. Visual indicators or prompts instruct operators at the assembly line in configuring a sequence of IGUs. Triple pane IGUs are assembled with minimal contamination of a center glass lite. A non-contact Bernoulli pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to an assembly station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GED Integrated Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Briese, John Grismer, Timothy B. McGlinchy
  • Patent number: 9534440
    Abstract: Molded articles are provided. An exemplary molded article includes an inner panel portion, a main body portion, and a contoured portion extending between and interconnecting the inner panel portion and the main body portion so as to surround the inner panel portion and be surrounded by the main body portion. The contoured portion includes contoured corner segments and contoured elongated segments extending between respective pairs of the contoured corner segments. The contoured corner segments have a first maximum thickness. The contoured elongated segments have a second maximum thickness that is greater than the first maximum thickness. Related methods, assemblies, and apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy D. Gouge, Robert C. Allen, Allen R. Hill
  • Patent number: 9534441
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is provided an interlocking rolling sheet door and a method for assembling the interlocking rolling sheet door. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the interlocking rolling sheet door includes at least one curtain panel. Each curtain panel includes a first curl on a lateral end and a second curl on an opposing lateral end. One of the first curl and the second curl is an interior curl portion, and the other of the first curl and the second curl is an exterior curl portion. The first curl of one curtain panel is configured to rotationally engage an inner portion of the second curl of an adjacent curtain panel, whereby the first curl rotationally engaging the second curl until a distal end of the first curl fouls out against an inner surface of the second curl. The first curl and the second curl are configured to rotationally engage one another to form an interlocking mechanism between adjacent curtain panels to form the interlocking rolling sheet door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: DBCI
    Inventor: LaBraylon Allen
  • Patent number: 9534442
    Abstract: A method that detects obstacles on a roller shade's travel that create excess torque by sensing the current draw from a motor and method by which the motor can calibrate itself to detect excess torque. During the roller shade's travel, it will record the instantaneous torque being generated at various points. For example, it will store the greatest value in the shade motor's non-volatile memory as the normal operating torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Derk, Jr., Ben Slivka, Luis Rivera
  • Patent number: 9534443
    Abstract: A ladder. A step is coupled to a primary leg, an adjustable base is coupled to the primary leg, the adjustable base includes a first base section rotatably coupled to a second base section and the second base section is coupled to the primary leg. An adjuster retains the first base section at one of a plurality of rotations with respect to the second base section. In implementations a secondary leg is coupled to the primary leg proximate a top of the ladder and a movable section is coupled to the primary leg with an arm and further coupled to the secondary leg with an arm, the movable section having a substantially planar upper surface configured to generally face the top of the ladder when the ladder is in an open configuration and configured to generally face the top of the ladder when the ladder is in a closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventors: Robert C. Bogart, Kelli S. Bogart, Miles Frank Swain, Debra Ann Swain, James Joseph McKeon, Kimberly Louise McKeon
  • Patent number: 9534444
    Abstract: A down-the-hole hammer drill bit assembly includes a foot valve and a drill component having respective abutment regions in the form of cooperating lugs and shoulders that may be engaged by rotation of the valve relative to the drill bit component to allow the lugs and shoulders to overlap radially to lock the valve at the drill component. The assembly is advantageous to allow coupling and decoupling on-site without the need for specific swaging or hydraulic/pneumatic assembly tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Conny Kraft, Anna Nordstrand
  • Patent number: 9534445
    Abstract: A rotary steerable tool has an inner mandrel having a longitudinal axis and an outer housing positioned along the inner mandrel. The outer housing rotates independently of the inner mandrel. The outer housing has an engagement member that moves axially relative to the outer housing and the inner mandrel between an extended position and a retracted position, and a transition surface having a slope relative to an outer surface of the outer housing. The engagement member moves along the transition surface between the extended position and the retracted position. In the engaged position, the engagement member extends outward from the outer housing to engage an inner surface of a well being drilled. An actuator selectively moves the engagement member along the transition surface from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Alexandre Korchounov
  • Patent number: 9534446
    Abstract: A method of drilling a subterranean well from a surface location. The method comprises estimating a target formation depth, estimating a target formation dip angle and calculating a target line that creates a top and bottom of the target formation that forms a first projection window. The method further includes drilling within the first projection window, transmitting information from the subterranean well and projecting a target deviation window. The method can further comprise ceasing the drilling of the well and performing a well survey so that well survey information is generated. The method can then include estimating a formation dip angle with the well survey information and rig surface equipment monitoring data, calculating a target line that creates a revised top and bottom of the target formation that forms a second projection window, and drilling within the second projection window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Danny T. Williams
  • Patent number: 9534447
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and methods for delivering high power laser energy to perform laser operations in oil fields and to form a borehole deep into the earth using laser energy. A laser downhole assembly for the delivery of high power laser energy to surfaces and areas in a borehole, which assembly may have laser optics and a fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Foro Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Zediker, Mark S. Land, Charles C. Rinzler, Brian O. Faircloth, Yeshaya Koblick, Joel F. Moxley
  • Patent number: 9534448
    Abstract: A described bottom hole assembly includes a drill bit arranged at a distal end of a drill string and rotatable about a first central axis, the drill bit exhibiting a first unbalance force acting laterally on the drill bit at a first angular orientation, a first unbalance force marking physically applied to the drill bit and corresponding to the first unbalance force, a tool arranged axially from the drill bit, the tool exhibiting a second unbalance force acting laterally on the tool at a second angular orientation, and a second unbalance force marking physically applied to the tool and corresponding to the second unbalance force, wherein an angular offset between the first and second unbalance forces markings is able to be manipulated in order to obtain a minimized or desired tandem resulting unbalance force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nuno Da Silva, Olivier Dupont, Olivier Mageren
  • Patent number: 9534449
    Abstract: A drill string tool has a control mechanism to switch the tool between an inactive condition and an active condition in response to operator-performance of a predefined trigger sequence comprising variations in a drilling fluid pressure differential. The trigger sequence comprises multiple cycles of (a) raising the predefined trigger sequence into, but not above, a predefined pressure range, and (b) lowering the predefined trigger sequence below a lower threshold of the pressure range. Raising of the pressure difference above an upper pressure range threshold results in automatic interruption and resetting of the predefined trigger sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Ringgenberg
  • Patent number: 9534450
    Abstract: Polycrystalline compacts include an interface between first and second volumes of a body of inter-bonded grains of hard material. The first volume is at least substantially free of interstitial material, and the second volume includes interstitial material in interstitial spaces between surfaces of the inter-bonded grains of hard material. The interface between the first and second volumes is configured, located and oriented such that cracks originating in the compact during use of the compacts and propagating along the interface generally toward a central axis of the compacts will propagate generally toward a back surface and away from a front cutting face of the compacts at an acute angle or angles. Methods of forming polycrystalline compacts involve the formation of such an interface within the compacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Xiaomin Chris Cheng
  • Patent number: 9534451
    Abstract: A system comprising a piece of oilfield equipment, an identifier assembly and a reader. The piece of oilfield equipment has an exterior surface. The identifier assembly comprises an identification tag storing a unique identifier. The identification tag is capable of outputting a signal indicative of the unique identifier. The identification tag is mounted to the exterior surface of the piece of oilfield equipment beyond an external surface perimeter of the piece of oilfield equipment such that the identification tag is isolated from the exterior surface of the piece of oilfield equipment. The reader has an antenna receiving the signal indicative of the unique identifier from the identification tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Den-Con Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Denny, Edward Patterson
  • Patent number: 9534452
    Abstract: A subsea conduit system comprises a conduit extending between a surface vessel and a subsea support, and a load arrangement connected between a subsea anchor and the conduit at a region of connection which is intermediate the vessel and the subsea support to apply a force on the conduit. The conduit is configured such that the applied force generates axial tension in the conduit between the region of connection and the vessel, and between the region of connection and the subsea support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Magma Global Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Hatton
  • Patent number: 9534453
    Abstract: An intervention system and method for control of seabed equipment, including a control umbilical connected to a support vessel or rig via a surface winch; a tether connected to underwater seabed equipment; and an umbilical management system unit coupled between the tether and the control umbilical to couple the support vessel or rig to the seabed equipment. The control umbilical and the tether via the umbilical management system unit provide a communications channel for communicating media, including data, electrical power, hydraulic power and/or chemical treatment fluid, from the support vessel or rig to the seabed equipment. The umbilical management system unit allows for easy deployment and management of the control umbilical and tether and can reel in or pay out the tether and/or the control umbilical under remote control or autonomously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Machin, Jean-Bernard Blamengin, Peter Nellessen
  • Patent number: 9534454
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing cable along a tubular in a wellbore using a first retainer for attachment to the tubular at a first location and a second retainer for attachment to the tubular at a second location. Each retainer is constructed and arranged to reverse the direction of the cable and to at least partially retain the cable due to elastic forces therein. In one embodiment, the cable is formed into a plurality of loops, each having an upper end retained by the first retainer and a lower end retained by the second retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Sensor Developments AS
    Inventors: Øivind Godager, Lee Adams, Bruce H. Storm, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9534455
    Abstract: A tubular section and a system including the tubular section include a first tubular member including a threaded pin section and a second tubular member, the second tubular member including a threaded box section configured to mate with the threaded pin section. The tubular section also includes a shoulder ring disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member, wherein a wall thickness of at least a portion of the shoulder ring is greater than a smallest wall thickness of the threaded pin section of the first tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Volker Peters, Detlev Benedict, Robert Buda, Stephan Mueller, Henning Rahn, Rene Schulz
  • Patent number: 9534456
    Abstract: A centralizer includes a centralizer body to be situated at the outer surface of a pipe string in the form of casing, liner, or the like used while drilling, the centralizer body being formed with a plurality of outer centralizer blades arranged in an inclined manner to the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the centralizer body has an separate split inner tube secured to the pipe string by means of a press fit, and low friction inner surface of the centralizer body and separate center tube facing each other are made from low friction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Morten Eidem, Tore Weltzin, Gaute Grindhaug, Jafar Abdollahi
  • Patent number: 9534457
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in connection using a drill having a drilling element for forming a borehole in a face of a mine passage includes a drill guide for engaging the drilling element while permitting the drilling element to move toward the face for forming the borehole. The drill guide includes a keeper for keeping the drilling element in a desired position, which keeper is biased for pivoting movement upon the application of a manual force between an active position for capturing the drilling element and a retracted position for releasing the drilling element. A low profile drill guide is also disclosed, as is a guard for a drill guide, and also related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: J.H. FLETCHER & CO
    Inventors: Henry E. Wilson, Sean Casey Farrell, Robert Sherwood Anderson, Sean Joseph McQuerrey
  • Patent number: 9534458
    Abstract: Drilling mud is lifted subsea to a drilling vessel with a mud pump having an internal bladder. Applying pressurized water to one side of the bladder urges it against a quantity of the mud to impart a lifting force onto the mud. Mud flow to and from the pump is controlled by valves driven by actuators. The actuators include a piston in a cylinder, a stem that connects the piston to a valve member, and ports for supplying fluid to opposing ends of the piston for selectively reciprocating the piston. Cavities are strategically location in the cylinder for absorbing vibrational forces generated when the piston reaches an end of its stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hydril USA Distribution LLC
    Inventors: Ahmet Duman, Michael Denk, Devon Daniel
  • Patent number: 9534459
    Abstract: A system includes a valve assembly configured to be disposed within a downhole tool module, a valve of the valve assembly configured to regulate flow of a fluid within the downhole tool module, a pump configured to supply a hydraulic fluid to actuate the valve, and an actuator configured to drive the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kent Harms, Albert Hoefel, Stephen Parks