Patents Issued in June 13, 2017
  • Patent number: 9677293
    Abstract: A pool cover system that may include a pool cover; a debris collection unit that is coupled to a front end of the pool cover; and a debris manipulator that is coupled to the debris collection unit and is arranged to move the debris collection unit between a debris collection position and a debris dumping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MAYTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Shahar Stien, Igor Grubman, Shay Witelson
  • Patent number: 9677294
    Abstract: A drive system for a pool cleaner is disclosed, the drive system including a motor operatively connected relative to an axle for driving rotation of the axle. The axel in turn is connected to and drives the rotation of (i) a roller assembly including a roller for cleaning a target surface and (ii) a wheel drive assembly engaged with an idler gear for driving a wheel. Notably the axis of rotation of the roller assembly is different than the axis of rotation of the wheel. Thus, the wheel drive assembly may drive the wheel by interacting with a surface of a cylindrical flange of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Benoit Joseph Renaud, Seth Darrell Renigar, Graham M. Hayes, Omar E. Osuna
  • Patent number: 9677295
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a scrubber assembly for a pool cleaner comprising a center shaft and a rotary cylinder positioned around the center shaft and including an internal spur gear profile. The scrubber assembly further includes a first pinion gear engagable with the internal spur gear profile of the rotary cylinder and aligned off-center from the center shaft and a first end bracket coupled to a first end of the center shaft and rotatable about the first pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh C. Gopalan, Nitin Agarwal, Jayamurali Kaladharan
  • Patent number: 9677296
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods, devices and systems comprising an anchor post that has a shaft, at least one stabilizing element attached to the anchor post configured to resist movement of the anchor post, and at least one alignment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ANCHOR SYSTEMS (INTERNATIONAL) LIMITED
    Inventor: Ewan R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9677297
    Abstract: A method of installing a support member includes disposing a ground plate of a support member on a ground surface. The support member includes a lift assist component that engages with a bar connected to the ground plate. The method further includes adjusting a height of upper ends of the support member by actuating the lift assist component such that the upper ends of the support member are elevated or lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Solid Structures
    Inventors: James Lee Warner, Jensen James Lewis
  • Patent number: 9677298
    Abstract: A drilling rig may include a pair of main beams supportable by a pair of rails, a substructure, an A-frame secured to the main beams, and a mast pivotably secured to the main beams and configured to lay down in a pre-erected stage. The substructure may include a plurality of pivoting legs, a drill floor having a plurality of spreaders pivotably supported by the plurality of pivoting legs, and a plurality of drill floor subassemblies supported by the plurality of spreaders. The plurality of pivoting legs supporting the spreaders may be configured to lay down in a pre-erected stage as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Dreco Energy Services ULC
    Inventors: Kameron Wayne Konduc, Randy Steven Stoik
  • Patent number: 9677299
    Abstract: A ballast weight is provided for a base for supporting tubular fencing poles on spigots. The ballast weight is in the form of a removable slab of molded plastics which in its underside has groove portions to receive frame members of the base. The end of the slab lies over a central transverse member of the frame and has a recess to accommodate the spigots. A pair of identical slabs can be used, one each side of the central transverse member of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Oxford Plastic Systems Limited
    Inventor: Christopher James Whiteley
  • Patent number: 9677300
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a tamper-evident cargo container seal bolt lock are disclosed herein. The device can include a bolt member having a conductive medium running the axial length of the bolt, and a receiving member for locking the bolt into place. A battery-driven sensory circuit including a memory means, a processor, and a timing circuit can be disposed within the receiving member such that a continuous circuit is formed from one circuit pin over the conductive medium through the length of the bolt and back to a second pin. The sensory circuit is configured to sense whether the circuit has been interrupted (e.g., if the bolt has been cut). In the event of an interruption, the circuit can record the time and/or date in memory. This information can then be transmitted to an RFID reader/interrogator if a dispute arises as to when the lock had been broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joe Mullis, James Robert Kruest
  • Patent number: 9677301
    Abstract: A locking cover for existing subgrade vault openings. The cover is installed with mounting brackets on side walls of construction vaults and secured with locking latch components secured against flange portions of the mounting brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventors: Haskel Zeloof, Thomas Vanderpool
  • Patent number: 9677302
    Abstract: A latch and a method for preventing a latch from failing to open while a connected handle is lifted are provided. The latch includes a primary pawl pivotally mounted to the latch. An end piece having a protrusion extending from it is fixed to the primary pawl. An inner lever is rotatably coupled to the end piece. The inner lever includes a tail adjacent the protrusion of the end piece. The inner lever is movable between a first position and a second position. A secondary pawl is pivotally mounted to the latch and is movable between a first position and a second position. A blocking lever is also coupled to the latch and movable between a first position and a second position. When the inner lever is in a second position, the tail abuts the protrusion and the blocking lever limits movement of the inner lever and the primary pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Coleman
  • Patent number: 9677303
    Abstract: An attachment structure for a door lock device includes (1) a rod provided at an outer side section, that is disposed such that a length direction of the rod is in the vehicle vertical direction, and that is coupled to a door outer handle to move vertically upon operation of the door outer handle; (2) a releasing section provided at an inner side section, that includes a joining section to which the rod is joined from the vehicle width direction outside, and that releases a locked state of the door lock device upon vertical movement of the rod; (3) a restricting section provided at the outer side section, and that restricts movement of the rod toward the vehicle width direction outside and in the vehicle front-rear direction; and (4) a guiding section provided at the releasing section, and that guides the rod into the joining section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunori Hirosawa
  • Patent number: 9677304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lock having a lock housing (3, 4) together with a lock cover (2), a lock case (9), a locking mechanism which is mounted on the base surface of the lock case (9), and an activation device for opening the locking mechanism. An activation lever of the activation device is at least partially covered by a pivotable flap (5) of a lock covering means (2, 3). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the flap together with a lock cover (2) by injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Thomas Kippes, Dorothea Muller, Klaus Gotzen
  • Patent number: 9677305
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock comprising a locking mechanism (1, 2) and a mechanical lever gear (4, 5) as well as a motor-driven opening unit (7 to 9), which are respectively individually arranged for opening of a locking mechanism (1, 2), wherein in the normal mode, the motorized opening unit (7 to 9) provides a free movement of the lever gear (4, 5) in relation to the locking mechanism (1, 2) and the engagement of the lever gear with the locking mechanism (1, 2) in the opening mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorsten Bendel
  • Patent number: 9677306
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a lock (10) for locking a mobile structure to and unlocking it from a fixed structure (11) on a vehicle, one of the two structures containing a first keeper (14), the other structure containing a second pin (16) around which the lock can pivot, the lock comprising: A lock strut (19) containing a hook (33) able to latch onto the keeper; A handle (17) with a third pin (28) around which the lock strut can be guided in its rotation, the second pin (16) being located toward the handle (17) in relation to a plane (29) formed between the first keeper (14) and the third pin; and a fourth pin (46), located between the handle and a first side (35) of the lock strut; A first connecting rod (45) linking the third pin (28) to the fourth pin (46); A second connecting rod (48) linking the fourth pin (46) to the second pin (16), and a fifth pin (49) located against a second side (50) of the lock strut opposite the first side (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: LISI Aerospace
    Inventor: Vincent DeFrance
  • Patent number: 9677307
    Abstract: A vertically floating hinge includes a pin having a linear configuration, a first leaf, and a second leaf. The first leaf includes a pair of spaced apart first-leaf knuckles rotatably coupled to the pin. The second leaf includes at least one second-leaf knuckle rotatably coupled to the pin, the second-leaf knuckle situated between the pair of spaced apart first-leaf knuckles and configured to slide along the pin between the pair of first-leaf knuckles. The first-leaf knuckles are spaced apart from one another and define a first-leaf space therebetween, each first-leaf knuckle defining a first-leaf knuckle channel configured to receive the pin therethrough. The at least one second-leaf knuckle is smaller than the first-leaf space so as to selectively slide vertically along the pin between the pair of first-leaf knuckles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Michael T. McCuistion
  • Patent number: 9677308
    Abstract: A hinge includes at least one shaft set including a first shaft and a second shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft extend through a first guiding member and a second guiding member. A guiding base is disposed between the first shaft and the second shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft connect to an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper plate and the lower plate are connected to two rotatable parts of an electronic device. The first shaft and the second shaft moves relatively along with the rotation of the two rotatable parts of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: LIANHONG ART CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Hui Chen, Tzu-Yu Lin, Chiao-Fang Chang
  • Patent number: 9677309
    Abstract: A supporting mechanism and a sorting machine having the same are provided. The supporting mechanism includes a supporting body. An annular sliding slot is formed on a section of surface of the supporting body. A U-shaped clamping slot is provided in a ring of the annular sliding slot. A one-way deflecting locating valve plate is provided at the position of an opening of the U-shaped clamping slot and configured to close the annular sliding slot, and the locating valve plate is provided with a reset force configured to ensure a tendency of the locating valve plate to close the annular sliding slot. A deflecting angle of the locating valve plate ensures that a free end of the locating valve plate deflects from one side to another side of the opening of the U-shaped clamping slot. The supporting mechanism has a simple operation and a high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GRG Banking Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guihong Zhou, Wenjun Liao, Zhan Liu, Hexiang Huang
  • Patent number: 9677310
    Abstract: A self closing and adjustable closing force cam hinge includes a compression spring located on the hinge so that a hinge pin passes through the compression spring and the head of the hinge pin is retracted in a direction away from the compression spring to compress the compression spring. Compression of the spring applies a closing force to the hinge when the hinge is in the open position. The hinge also includes a spring adjuster having an adjustably positionable body that is adjustably positionable relative to the head of the hinge pin. Adjustment of the position of the adjustably positionable body raises or lowers the head of the hinge pin such that raising of the hinge pin increases compression of the compression spring to increase the closing force applied by the compression spring and lowering of the hinge decreases compression of the compression spring to decrease the closing force applied by the compression spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: BARRETTE OUTDOOR LIVING, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Russo, Antonello Nizzia
  • Patent number: 9677311
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a hinge assembly for mounting a closure member or tailgate to a vehicle. It includes a hinge bracket and connector body for connection to one side of the tailgate. The connector body provides a fixed connection to the vehicle and enables the hinge bracket to rotate about a pivot axis, so that the tailgate rotates. Also included are a first torque rod having one end fixed to the connector body and an opposite, free end, and a second torque rod spaced from the first torque rod and pivot axis. The second torque rod has one end fixed to the hinge bracket and an opposite, free end. A connector device anchors the free ends of the torque rods together within the tailgate, so that the rods deflect when the tailgate is pivoted between its opened and closed positions to produce a biasing torque towards an opposite position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: VENTRA GROUP, CO.
    Inventors: David W. Shaw, Joaquin Hung
  • Patent number: 9677312
    Abstract: A window regulator guide rail is provided, including an elongated body having a snap anchor; and a ring rotatably coupled to the rail via engagement with the snap anchor, the ring for guiding a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventors: Chris Marsh, Kristian Cauyan, Timothy Pang
  • Patent number: 9677313
    Abstract: A vehicle-door opening/closing control device includes a controller, which controls the operation of a drive device. The controller is configured to supply drive power based on a voltage of an in-vehicle power supply to an electromagnetic clutch. The controller is also configured such that, when stopping an opening/closing body at an intermediate position, the controller supplies the drive power based on the voltage of the in-vehicle power supply to the electromagnetic clutch to put the clutch in the engaged state, and then stops the supply of drive power to the electromagnetic clutch so that the clutch is in the disengaged state after a predetermined holding time has elapsed since the controller has stopped the opening/closing body at the intermediate position. The predetermined holding time differs between a case where the trapping of the foreign object is detected and a case where the opening/closing manipulation is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishikibe, Kohei Kobayashi, Yoshinori Hitomi, Takeshi Katsuda, Shunsuke Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 9677314
    Abstract: A lift gate system includes a gate, a first pole, a second pole, a header and an internal operator. The first pole is configured to attach to the ground on one side of the gate and includes a first track attached approximate to a first top. The second pole is configured to attach to the ground on the opposite side of the gate from the first pole and includes a second track attached approximate to a second top. The header interconnects the first top with the second top. The internal operator is configured for lifting the gate, where the internal operator is inside the first pole, the second pole, and/or the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: William Clifford Houser
  • Patent number: 9677315
    Abstract: A door opening/closing control device includes: a driving part driving an actuator opening or closing a door; an operation switch operated for instructing opening/closing or stopping of the door; a first controller controlling driving of the actuator via the driving part in accordance with the operation; a manual opening/closing detector detecting that the door is manually opened or closed; and a second controller controlling the driving of the actuator via the driving part to assist a manual operation of opening or closing the door when the manual opening/closing detector detects the manual opening/closing operation. Then, when the second controller controls the driving of the actuator to assist the manual operation of opening or closing the door, even when the operation switch is operated, the first controller does not control the driving of the actuator in accordance with the operation, and the second controller continues to control the driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keigo Fujimoto, Sambon Lee, Masaaki Murata
  • Patent number: 9677316
    Abstract: A device for opening or closing an aircraft door includes an electric motor; a connector to connect the motor, and a driver. The driver includes a screw and nut system having a screw rotationally driven by the motor. The driver is configured to drive continuously and in sequence the connector with the door in a translational movement along one preset direction and then in rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: RATIER FIGEAC
    Inventor: Eric Delbos
  • Patent number: 9677317
    Abstract: A movable barrier system allows for varying the linear actuator speed to account for speed variances caused by the physical configuration of the system. An example system includes a processor configured to variably control operation speed of the linear actuator when it moves a movable barrier between a first position of the movable barrier and a second position of the movable barrier as a function of location of the movable barrier pivot connection relative to the linear actuator pivot connection. The function may be a function of a ratio of a distance from the linear actuator pivot connection to a fixed point and a distance from the movable barrier pivot connection to the fixed point. The function may be calculated by the processor or accessed by the processor according to information about the physical configuration of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Daniel-Wayman, Brian F. Butler, Patrick B. Evans
  • Patent number: 9677318
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a hatch arrangement for a motor vehicle, the hatch arrangement having a hatch leaf movable between an open hatch position and a closed hatch position, and a cinching catch for engaging a cinching striker of the motor vehicle, which cinching catch is movably coupled to the hatch leaf, and a hatch drive arrangement for moving the hatch leaf. The hatch drive arrangement is coupled with the cinching catch for moving the cinching catch. The invention is also directed to a hatch drive arrangement for such a hatch arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: David Rosales, Michael Wittelsbuerger, Stepan Hanke, Linda Loeffler, Mark Swanson
  • Patent number: 9677319
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assembling insulating glass panes filled with a gas other than air. According to said method, two glass sheets provided with a spacer are arranged in a vertical or inclined position and facing each other, gas that is different from air is introduced into a chamber from below and the insulating glass pane is formed by moving the glass sheets closer to each other after reaching a desired gas filling level. According to the invention, the gas is homogenized before said gas is introduced through said gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: BYSTRONIC LENHARDT GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Schuler
  • Patent number: 9677320
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to evacuation and sealing techniques for VIG units, and/or multi-chamber vacuum ovens for accomplishing the same. In certain example embodiments, a VIG assembly is inserted into a multi-chamber apparatus to successively reduce the chamber pressure and thus the pressure between substrates comprising the VIG assembly until a final evacuation pressure is reached. Once the final evacuation pressure is reached, a pump-out port or tube of the VIG assembly is sealed forming a VIG unit while the VIG assembly is still in the vacuum chamber. After sealing, chamber pressures are gradually increased to atmospheric while the gap between the substrates of the VIG unit remains at a pressure less than atmospheric which is close to the final evacuation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: David J. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9677321
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a window spacer has an outer elongate strip with a first surface and a second surface. The window spacer also has first and second inner elongate strips that each has a first surface and a second surface. The inner elongate strips are arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips is spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip. The inner elongate strips are also spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap. Support legs extend between the outer elongate strip and the two inner elongate strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GUARDIAN IG, LLC
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Richard Ahnen, Paul Terpstra, David Rapp, Eric B. Rapp
  • Patent number: 9677322
    Abstract: A glass panel (1), comprising: a first glass substrate (101), a second glass substrate (102), a spacer profile (103) at the periphery of the glass panel (1) between the first and the second glass substrate, the spacer being used to maintain an intermediate space (104) between the first and second glass substrates, the panel comprising an intermediate substrate (105) in the intermediate space (104) between the first (101) and the second (102) glass substrates, According to the invention, the panel comprises means to suspend (10711, 10721, 053, 110) the intermediate substrate (105) within the intermediate space (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: AGC GLASS EUROPE
    Inventor: Patrick Ayoub
  • Patent number: 9677323
    Abstract: A thermally insulating panel (e.g., vacuum IG window unit) includes first and second opposing substrates spaced apart from one another by a plurality of spacers. A low pressure space is defined between the substrates, and is hermetically sealed off by at least one edge seal. During evacuation of the space, a plasma is ignited within the space via a static grid assembly in order to reduce the time needed to evacuate the space down and/or to help remove debris from within the space to the desired low pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Robert A. Miller, Ryan L. Dear, Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Patent number: 9677324
    Abstract: Seal a fenestration opening that contains a gap having a width of greater than 1.6 millimeters by providing a dispersion having the following components dispersed in an aqueous phase: (i) a film-forming polymer binder having a glass transition temperature in a range of ?100 degrees Celsius to ?20 degrees Celsius; (ii) a shear thinning rheology modifier at a concentration sufficient to cause the dispersion to have a Brookfield viscosity greater than 300,000 centiPoise as measured using spindle #3 at 0.3 revolutions per minute; and (iii) optionally, a filler; and then spraying the dispersion directly onto the building elements within the fenestration opening so as to form a continuous coating over the building elements and gap within the fenestration opening; wherein there is an absence of reinforcement or sealing material filling or spanning the gap prior to spraying the dispersion over the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Gary D. Parsons, Michael D. Bowe, Janah C. Szewczyk
  • Patent number: 9677325
    Abstract: The presently-disclosed subject matter includes a bracket that can be mounted to a surface, and that can protect openings and other water sensitive areas on the surface from water damage. Embodied brackets can comprise a mount that can be mounted to a surface, an extension that protrudes outwardly from the mount, and an attachment portion to which a water resistant material can be attached. In some embodiments the bracket is mounted to a wall above and/or near an opening or other water sensitive area, and the bracket and/or water sensitive material protect the opening or water sensitive area from water damage. In some implementations two or more brackets are attached to form a continuous bracket structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventors: Henry Buermann, Wade Holt, Tony Ziter
  • Patent number: 9677326
    Abstract: A system for controlling escape of pets during emergency, such as a fire, smoke, gas or odor emission, includes a passageway from the inside of the enclosure to the outside thereof. The passageway is normally closed by a door and an apparatus is provided for enabling opening of such door during emergency. A pre-recorded message urges the pet or pets to the open passageway only when the alarm device annunciating such emergency is intermittently disabled. A control apparatus is also provided for enabling passage of the pet or pets through the passageway and annunciates location of the pet or pets with respect to interior or exterior of the enclosure. A method is disclosed for remote operation of the controlled pet door to enhance safety of the pet owner attempting to enter residential dwelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Tom Kodat
  • Patent number: 9677327
    Abstract: A smart window-based security system is provided. The system includes a plurality of smart windows, each smart window of the plurality of smart windows having at least one electrochromic window and at least one sensor integrated into the smart window. The plurality of smart windows are coupled together in a system having at least one processor configured to detect a personal or property security threat, such as an intruder or fire based, on information from sensors of the plurality of smart windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kinestral Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Nagel, Wally Barnum, Stephen Coffin, Brandon Nichols, Antoine Dubois
  • Patent number: 9677328
    Abstract: A cordless curtain assembly includes a fabric connected to a top rail. The fabric has multiple transverse folding sections and each folding section has a passage defined therein. Multiple magnetic units are respectively received in the passages of the folding sections and each have a carrier, multiple clamping members and multiple magnetic parts. The carrier of each magnetic unit has two reception areas defined in the top thereof. Each clamping member has a press bar and two legs which respectively extend from the underside of the press bar. Each leg has a resilient arm extending outward therefrom. Each clamping member has one of the magnetic parts clamped between the two legs. The combination of the clamping member and the magnetic part are securely inserted into the reception area corresponding thereto. The press bar seals the top opening of the reception area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CHING FENG HOME FASHIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng-Ying Hsu, Chun Jan Hsu
  • Patent number: 9677329
    Abstract: A manually operated override release mechanism for use with a motorized window shade assembly having a shade fabric with a leading edge, the shade fabric being disposed behind a pane and movable between an opened position and a closed position upon operation of a motor. The override release mechanism has an actuator movable between a first position and a second position and biased in the first position. The actuator has a first side secured to one end of a cable, and a second side. The other end of the cable is connected to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Aerospace Technologies Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Byron R. Knowles
  • Patent number: 9677330
    Abstract: The base and cover of a component housing are releasably assembled to each other with yokes on one of said base and cover, with at least one of said yokes flexing to slide over and snap around a respective boss on the other of said yoke and cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N Anderson, Eugene W Thompson, Robert E Fisher, II
  • Patent number: 9677331
    Abstract: In one aspect, a roller shade assembly for an architectural opening may generally include a first roller, a second roller and a looped shade extending around the first and second rollers. The looped shade may include at least one outer shade web forming a continuous loop around the rollers. In addition, the roller shade assembly may include an inner shade web configured to be wrapped around the first roller or the second roller such that the inner shade web is positioned within the continuous loop. The inner shade web may be coupled to the outer shade web(s) at a location along an inner perimeter of the continuous loop. Additionally, rotation of the first roller and/or the second roller in an unwinding direction may result in the inner shade web being unwound from the first roller or the second roller along the inner perimeter of the continuous loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Rupel, Toralf H. Strand
  • Patent number: 9677332
    Abstract: An actuator drive, for blinds, roller shutters and the like, has a drive motor and a centrifugal brake. A rotational disk is coupled to a drive shaft of the drive motor via a shaft flange. Two centrifugal shoes are smoothly guided in the rotational disk. In the unpowered state, brake shoes of the centrifugal shoes engage, frictionally or in a positive-locking way on an outer surface of a friction ring fixed to the motor housing. Upon starting of the drive motor, the brake shoes release the friction ring. The radial displacement of the brake shoes is maintained until the drive motor comes to a stop, wherein the brake shoes 8 are drawn radially inward by spring elements and function again as a locking mechanism. The spring elements are pretensioned such that the brake shoes effect a sufficient retaining torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.
    Inventors: Sten Waehrisch, Matthias Kulke, Wolfgang Winkler
  • Patent number: 9677333
    Abstract: An unfurlable rescue ladder. The ladder includes a progress capture element allowing someone who deploys the ladder for rescuing a person who has fallen to also assist the person to climb the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Climb Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Karl Guthrie, Ivan A. J. Kekahuna
  • Patent number: 9677334
    Abstract: An aerial ladder assembly for a fire apparatus includes a base rail extending along a longitudinal direction, a hand rail elevated from the base rail and extending along the longitudinal direction, a first lacing member and a second lacing member coupling the hand rail to the base rail, the first lacing member and the second lacing member each including an end that engages the base rail at an interface, and a gusset positioned to reinforce the interface. The first lacing member and the second lacing member each define a slot that receives the gusset, and the gusset extends through the first lacing member and the second lacing member to the base rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Aiken, Eric D. Betz, Jennifer L. Bloemer
  • Patent number: 9677335
    Abstract: A firefighting or rescue apparatus includes an aerial ladder and at least one of a rung alignment status indicator and a load status indicator. The rung alignment status indicator can include a lighting strip having multiple lighting elements on the ladder that are selectively illuminated depending on whether first rungs of one section of the ladder and second rungs of another section of the ladder are aligned or misaligned. The load status indicator can include a lighting strip including multiple lighting elements on the ladder and/or at a control console that are selectively illuminated depending on whether the ladder is overloaded beyond an aerial ladder capacity rating or other value. A user on the aerial ladder and/or at a control console can view the indicators to evaluate rung alignment and load status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: HME, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Lenz, Jr., Richard R. Lagerquist
  • Patent number: 9677336
    Abstract: A removable ladder step for providing a load support mountable to rung-ladders that have various rung cross-sections and/or various side rail depths. The removable ladder step has a load-supporting structure and a pair of adjustable holding devices connected thereto. The load-supporting structure has an upper wall connected to a front wall and to a rung-engaging wall. The upper wall configured to support a load thereon. A base member in a form of an elongated body is connected to the front wall and to the rung-engaging wall. An engaging space is formed in the rung-engaging wall for receiving and engaging a rung. Each of the adjustable holding devices has a holding member and a rail spacer connected thereto. The rail spacer is used to control a distance between a side rail and the holding member to accommodate ladders having various side rail depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Abid Ali Najey
  • Patent number: 9677337
    Abstract: A drilling procedure is operated such that a formation around the wellbore being drilled is fractured and then reservoir fluids from a hydrocarbon reservoir contained in the formation are flowed into the wellbore where the flow of the reservoir fluids is tested. Production predictions for the wellbore are processed from the measurements made on the flow of reservoir fluids and decisions regarding further drilling operations are made based upon the reservoir fluid measurements. By testing reservoir fluids prior to completing the wellbore, drilling operations such as, for example, continuing to drill the wellbore may be made without tripping the drillstring from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Simon Bittleston, Ashley Bernard Johnson
  • Patent number: 9677338
    Abstract: A device for laser drilling, having: (a) a laser module (310), having a plurality of laser subsystems (200), each one of the laser subsystems (200) having an active optical fiber (240), wound in a shape of hollow coil and packaged inside a hollow cylindrical box (210), and at least one diode laser (220) mechanically connected perpendicularly to the hollow cylindrical box (210) and optically coupled to the core of the active optical fiber (240) wound and packaged inside the hollow cylindrical box (210), the laser module (310) having a tubular shape allowing cooling and drilling fluids to flow through the concentric hollow cores of the tubular laser module (310) and of the cylindrical box (210); and (b) an optical drill head (100), the optical drill head having an end (130) with orifices (110 and 120), and a body (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: FACULDADES CATÓLICAS, ASSOCIACÃO SEM FINS LUCRATIVOS, MANTENEDORA DA PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO-PUC-RIO
    Inventors: Arthur Martins Barbosa Braga, Cicero Martelli
  • Patent number: 9677339
    Abstract: A method of developing oil and gas fields includes creating a well by mechanically displacing rock material via a drilling device, increasing a well diameter by impacting the rock material via laser beams emitted from a central emitter, and reinforcing inner walls of the well by impacting wall material via laser beams emitted from a lateral emitter. A system includes a drilling device with a hollow lumen and a central drilling head, at least one fiber optic cable positioned within the lumen, a laser source coupled to a proximal end of the cable, a central emitter positioned inside the central drilling head and coupled to a distal end of the cable, at least one lateral emitter positioned on a side wall of the drilling device and coupled to the cable, and a controller coupled to the central and lateral emitters for controlling at least one laser beam characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Alexander Petrovich Linetskiy
  • Patent number: 9677340
    Abstract: A guide device and associated methods for forming a hole in the ground using compression or other means. In one example, the guide device includes a compression hammer having a hammer tip; a guide frame member for guiding the compression hammer into one or more positions along the guide frame member; and a movement control assembly securing the compression hammer to the guide frame, the movement control assembly selectively moving said compression hammer along said guide frame, so that said compression hammer forms the hole in the ground. By compressing soil materials, which has the effect of increasing soil density around the hole, a more rigid and accurate hole (i.e., within higher dimensional tolerances) is created when compared with holes created by drilling/boring/excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Bernard J. Gochis
  • Patent number: 9677341
    Abstract: An extended life seal is incorporated into a drill bit used for drilling a wellbore. The drill bit can include a seal surface, a seal which engages the seal surface, and a groove which compresses the seal greater on opposite axial sides than at a central portion of the seal. The drill bit may include the seal having a cylindrical surface which engages the seal surface, and another cylindrical surface opposite the first surface, and the groove having a third cylindrical surface which engages the second surface, and wherein the groove simultaneously biases the seal toward the seal surface on opposite axial sides of the third surface. The drill bit may include the seal having right cylindrical shaped inner and outer surfaces, and a contact pressure between the seal surface and the seal being greater at each opposite side of the seal than at a central portion of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth G. Anderle, Ping C. Sui, Mark E. Williams, Guy Lefort
  • Patent number: 9677342
    Abstract: The Smart Reamer® Tool, Apparatus or Method is used to underream an oil or natural gas well while interlinked calipers and calibration sensors simultaneously record data relating to the geometry of the drilling operation (well diameter, diameter of the underreamed zone) and drilling fluid properties (density). Further sensors provide data on the relative position of the cutting and stabilizing blocks. Other sensors measure vibration data. All the sensors are interlinked by means of microprocessors which compare and correlate said data to automatically verify and deliver a desired wellbore diameter without the need to unnecessarily stop drilling or trip out of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Wajid Rasheed