Patents Issued in June 27, 2017
  • Patent number: 9688481
    Abstract: A positioning device (1) for positioning products (2) simultaneously with their conveyance one after the other in a plane of conveyance (3) and along a direction of conveyance (4). The device has at least one orientation mechanism (5), itself having at least one pusher (6) movable along an action movement between an inactive position and an active position. The effect of the action movement is to act on a product (2) by pushing it to make it pivot by a predetermined angle around an axis perpendicular to the plane of conveyance (3), the at least one pusher (6) being movable also in the direction of conveyance (4). Also disclosed is a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: C.E.R.M.E.X. CONSTRUCTIONS ETUDES ET RECHERCHES DE MATERIELS POUR L'EMBALLAGE D'EXPEDITION
    Inventors: Michel Begin, Thierry Garnier, Benoit Poutot, Guillaume Duchemin
  • Patent number: 9688482
    Abstract: Devices and methods for buffering articles may include use of an infeed conveyor, an outfeed conveyor, and at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. Each accumulation conveyor includes an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, Jason Bedenbaugh
  • Patent number: 9688483
    Abstract: An installation for transporting containers having necks, the installation comprising an intermediate rotary platform provided in its periphery with slots each having a jaw mounted in the vicinity thereof in order to pivot between a closed position and an open position. Each jaw is provided with blocking means for blocking it in each of its positions, and includes a first contact surface projecting into the slot when the jaw is in the open position in such a manner that when the neck is inserted into the slot it pushes against the first contact surface and brings the jaw into the closed position, and a second contact surface facing the slot when the jaw is in the closed position in such a manner that when the neck is discharged from the slot it pushes against the second contact surface and brings the jaw into the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SERAC GROUP
    Inventor: Andre Jean Jacques Graffin
  • Patent number: 9688484
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a conveying system having carriages guided on a guide of a first conveying segment, each of which has a wheel catcher that includes a conveying wheel having carriage catching areas, each of which is associated with one of several entrainers disposed along a periphery of the conveying wheel. Each entrainer has a carriage-catching surface that faces the rotation direction and that cooperates with a wheel catcher on a carriage. The entrainers are all independently controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Kamps, Thomas Nitsch, Stefan Van Heukelum
  • Patent number: 9688485
    Abstract: The method of conveying samples using a continuous flow of pressurized air for conveying elongated items holding samples along a path in a tube system from at least one dispatch station, at which the elongated items are dispatched into the path, to at least one receiver station in the direction of the flow of pressurized air along the path. Individual items are sent in succession by means of pressurized air supplied to the tube system via the dispatch station and via a by-pass duct that extends around the at least one dispatch station from an upstream to a downstream side thereof. A constant flow of pressurized air is conducted via the by-pass around the at least one dispatch station into said path by which items already underway along the path in the tube system remain moving during dispatching of an item into the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Blak & Sørensen ApS
    Inventors: Peter Møller Sørensen, Daniel Blak
  • Patent number: 9688486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for conveying an operating material, comprising a filling chamber (3) with an inlet (4) for filling the filling chamber (3) with the operating material, a conveying section (6) for conveying the operating material to an outlet (5), a transition element (7) between the filling chamber (3) and the conveying section (6) which can be switched between an open position and a closed position. The operating material which is introduced via the inlet (4) in the filling chamber (3), in the open position of the transition element (7), can be transferred in the conveying section (6) by means of a gaseous transport medium, and the operating material can be discharged from the outlet (5) from the conveying section (6) by means of a gaseous transport medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Andreas Henke
  • Patent number: 9688487
    Abstract: An adhesive bin (10) for storing and moving adhesive particulate (14) to an adhesive melter (12) includes a supply hopper (16), a transfer pump (62) operable to generate a vacuum, and a shroud (94). The supply hopper (16) has a sidewall (20, 22, 24, 26) and defines an interior space (36). The transfer pump (62) extends through the sidewall (22) and into the interior space (36). In addition, the shroud (94) is connected to the sidewall (22) and extends into the interior space (36) and at least partially surrounds an inlet (82) of the transfer pump (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Chastain, Justin A. Clark, Barrington Richards, Robert J. Woodlief
  • Patent number: 9688488
    Abstract: A metering feeder is provided with the following: an annular transport space formed by an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, and a bottom plate; a central rotating blade provided on a rotating shaft in the center of the bottom plate; an outer rotating ring connected to the tip of the central rotating blade; a plurality of outer rotating blades provided on the outer rotating ring so as to point inwards; and a rotating disc in which a powder/granular-material discharge groove is formed, the top surface of said rotating disc lying in the same plane as the top surface of the bottom plate. The outer rotating blades scrape the powder/granular material in the annular-transport space into the powder/granular-material discharge groove, which transports said powder/granular material outside the outer cylinder. This metering feeder is further provided with a vertically-movable scraper for supplying large amounts of the powder/granular material and a fixed small scraper for supplying small amounts thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Yoshikawa Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshikawa, Izumi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 9688489
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes an enclosed rectangular container, including an openable first end and an openable second end. The apparatus further includes at least one first supporting base positioned proximate to the first end of the container that has an adjustable height in order to align a floor of the container with a trailer. The apparatus also includes at least one second supporting base positioned proximate to the second end of the container that has an adjustable height in order to align the floor of the container with a loading dock. The apparatus additionally includes a robotic manipulator connected to the floor of the container that is configured to move one or more objects between the trailer and the loading dock by moving the one or more objects through the container when the first end and the second end of the container are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: John Zevenbergen, Stefan Nusser, Troy Straszheim
  • Patent number: 9688490
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for transferring a load between a target position on board a vessel (40) and an outboard position outboard said vessel. The invention further concerns a motion compensation device (1) applying the method. In the method the load is being transferred by a crane (30) carried by a motion compensation device arranged on board the vessel. The motion compensation device comprises a carrier frame (2), a base (3) and an actuator system (8, 9) for moving the carrier frame with respect to the base; the base being fixed to the vessel and the crane being carried by the carrier frame. During picking up a load from the vessel or placing a load on the vessel, the actuator system is being driven in an on board mode such that the carrier frame is being compensated for x-axis rotational movement and y-axis rotational movement of the vessel, and follows, viewed in the vertical direction, the vertical movement of the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Barge Master IP B.V.
    Inventors: Eelko Maij, Jim Koppenol
  • Patent number: 9688491
    Abstract: An overhead material handling system and methods for its use are provided, where the system includes: (a) a compactor and (b) a leveler in communication with the compactor, where the leveler comprises (i) a cover, (ii) a trough, and (iii) a trigger, where the trough has a first end and a second end and the trough is rotatably-mounted between a first end of the cover and a second end of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: JDV Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Abbott, Don Kramer
  • Patent number: 9688492
    Abstract: A method of reducing silicosis caused by inhalation of silica-containing proppant, such as silica sand and resin-coated silica sand, and apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KSW ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC
    Inventors: Scott S. Stutzman, Robert Sean Reininger, David S. Balthaser
  • Patent number: 9688493
    Abstract: A mobile loading ramp including a main member having a substantially flat upper ramp surface extending from an upper end for abutting the bed of a truck to a lower ground-adjacent end and including opposed lateral edges. The main member having a pair of removable side extension-barrier members each including a bracket removably secured with respect to one of the opposed lateral edges and having an upper flat surface substantially coplanar with and widening the flat upper ramp surface and an upwardly-extending barrier portion offset from the upper ramp surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Grant Leum
  • Patent number: 9688494
    Abstract: A vacuum table (18) includes an introduction section (102) in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber (120) and a compartment (139) dividable by an adjustment partition (156) into primary and secondary vacuum chambers (139a, 139b). Adjustment plates (130) having adjustment apertures (138) are positionable over apertures (128) of the conveying surface (100) of the vacuum table (18) generally perpendicular to the conveying direction. Film (20) extends from between the nip of pinch rollers (12, 13) to the conveying surface (100) and is tensioned therebetween to be cut in excess of 105 cuts per minute by a servo motor controlled rotary cutter (30) which stops after each cut. The shaft (32) of the rotary cutter (30) includes a bore (310) extending from the idle end to provide servo-control loop stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Douglas Machine Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Leonard Floding, Irvan Leo Pazdernik, Kyle Nelson, Richard Willard Lukanen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9688495
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveying guide and a sheet member. The conveying guide is provided in a joining section and guides a sheet to a conveying roller pair along a main conveying path. The sheet member is provided in the joining section and configured to form a lower conveying path with the conveying guide and to guide the sheet from an upper conveying path toward the main conveying path. The conveying guide has a convex guide part and planer guide parts. The convex guide is provided at a center portion and projects toward the sheet member. The planer guide parts are provided on both sides of the convex guide part. A first gap formed between the convex guide part and the sheet member is narrower than a second gap formed between the planer guide part and the sheet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Hirahara
  • Patent number: 9688496
    Abstract: A mat rolling apparatus including a portable and tubular body defining a distal end and a proximal end, opposing the distal end, the body defining an open-faced channel, defined by a lower wall flanked by two side walls of the tubular body, spanning continuously and longitudinally from the distal end of the tubular body to the proximal end of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Davin Godfrey
  • Patent number: 9688497
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus forms an image on a roll sheet. A printer receives the roll sheet, forms the image thereon and ejects the image-formed roll sheet to a reel. A sheet position sensor, which is positioned near the printer, measures a position of the roll sheet along a width direction thereof. A control portion receives positional measurement data about the position of the roll sheet along the width direction thereof from the sheet position sensor and controls at least one of start time of image-forming operation in the printer and an image-writing position of the printer by settling at least one of the start time of image-forming operation and the image-writing position based on the positional measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro Matsuo, Makoto Ui
  • Patent number: 9688498
    Abstract: There is provided a sheet tray including: first, second and third trays. The second tray moves between a first position and a second position in which an overlapping area is smaller than that obtained in the first position. The third tray includes a third support surface and a fourth support surface. The third support surface includes a protrusion which protrudes upward to be positioned above the first support surface in a state that the third tray is in the first pivoting position. The third tray overlaps with the first support surface in a state that the second tray is in the first position and that at least a part, of the third tray, except for the protrusion is positioned below the first support surface, and the third tray does not overlap with the first support surface in a state that the second tray is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Wataru Sugiyama, Yoshiyuki Washino
  • Patent number: 9688499
    Abstract: A post-handling apparatus having an aligning tray configured to receive a sheet from an image forming apparatus; an ejected sheet tray located adjacent to the aligning tray; a conveyer configured to convey the sheet on the aligning tray to the ejected sheet tray; and a sheet presser configured to press a sheet previously ejected onto the ejected sheet tray against the ejected sheet tray. The sheet presser presses the sheet previously ejected to the ejected sheet tray when a leading edge of a sheet currently conveyed to the ejected sheet tray falls down on the ejected sheet tray, and is in a receding position receding from the ejected sheet tray when a trailing edge of the sheet currently conveyed to the ejected sheet tray falls down on the ejected sheet tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Wakide
  • Patent number: 9688500
    Abstract: A document bundler for a bill validator includes a document path, a transportation unit, and a clamp mechanism. The transportation unit is adapted to move a plurality of documents in series through the document path. The clamp mechanism includes a pushing member. The clamp mechanism is adapted to clamp a first document of the plurality of documents with the pushing member to inhibit movement of the first document by the transportation unit while a second document of the plurality of documents is transported substantially alongside the first document in the document path. The second document residing substantially alongside the first document forms a document bundle. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Crane Payment Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Nunn
  • Patent number: 9688501
    Abstract: A device and a method for separating sheet material is provided. The separation of sheet material is not effected statically, but a suitable pick-up position and/or a suitable pick-up mechanism is selected for each sheet material piece, for example in dependence on the quality of a surface of the sheet material piece to be picked up, in order to pick up the sheet material piece from the sheet material stack and remove it from the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: WINCOR NIXDORF INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Lochbichler, Christopher Lankeit, Martin Landwehr, Ludger Hoischen
  • Patent number: 9688502
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus that forms a folding line on a sheet includes first and second folding rollers that form a folding line on the sheet by rotating a bent sheet while pinching from sheet surfaces and a first pressing unit that presses the second folding roller against the first folding roller in an arbitrary portion in a rotating shaft direction of the second folding roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Ken Sawada, Shigeru Mizuno, Hiroyuki Kuno, Takuya Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 9688503
    Abstract: Provided is a sheet processing device capable of preventing a folded sheet bundle from being opened after pressing to improve accumulating property and aligning property of the sheet bundle. A sheet processing device B that presses a folded sheet bundle includes a pair of pressing rollers 70 that press a fold of the folded sheet bundle in a thickness direction of the fold, a pressing roller unit 56 that moves the pressing roller pair 70 along the fold of the folded sheet bundle, and a cam member 80 that regulates an interval between the pressing roller pair 70. When the pressing roller unit 56 is moved along the fold of the folded sheet bundle to press the fold in the fold thickness direction, the cam member 80 reduces stepwise the interval between the pressing roller pair 70 in accordance with a moving direction of the pressing roller unit 56.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NISCA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukasawa, Hisashi Osada, Akira Takei
  • Patent number: 9688504
    Abstract: A yarn feed assembly for directing yarn from a wound yarn source to a yarn feed tube having a frame member positioned adjacent to the wound yarn source and defining at least one elongate interior chamber. The yarn feed assembly has a weighted member slideably received in the elongate interior chamber such that, upon pulling one yarn off of the wound yarn source, through a bore of the weighted member and into the yarn feed tube, the weighted member is axially movable along a longitudinal axis of the frame member such that the bore of the weighted member is axially movable about and between a bottom end and a top end of the elongate slot in response to tension applied to the yarn as a result of yarn hang ups on the wound yarn source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: COLUMBIA INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Lewis Albert Shirley, IV
  • Patent number: 9688505
    Abstract: Provided are a filament winding method and a filament winding apparatus, in which, when a new bobbin is mounted on a bobbin rotation driving device, the control device is programmed to rotate the bobbin and oscillate a dancer while maintaining a state where a distal end of filament unwound through the dancer is fixed further beyond the dancer and the filament is stretched. The control device is programmed to obtain a bobbin diameter of the bobbin mounted on the bobbin rotation driving device based on a length of the dancer, an oscillation angle of the dancer, and a rotation angle of the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: JTEKT Corporation, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Yamaguchi, Hisaki Kojima, Tadashi Ohtani, Takeshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 9688506
    Abstract: A coil component has a core including a winding core extending in a predetermined direction, and a winding wrapped around the winding core in two or more layers. A first winding portion at one end in the predetermined direction in an (n+1)'th layer of the winding, where n is a natural number, is positioned over a space between second and third winding portions in an n'th layer, the second and third winding portions being adjacently spaced in the predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Inubushi, Kousuke Tachibana
  • Patent number: 9688507
    Abstract: A film dispenser apparatus for dispensing film from a film roll including a holding member. The holding member can define a longitudinal axis that extends from a first end to a second end. The holding can include a brake portion defined on the second end of the holding member, and a connecting portion extending radially inward from the brake portion. The second end of the holding member can define a slot including a first portion extending across the width of the brake portion and a second portion and a third portion extending across the length of the brake portion. The film dispenser can further include a rotating member defining an axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of the holding member can be aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Pratt Corrugated Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher M. Stanton
  • Patent number: 9688508
    Abstract: In a filament winding method, while a rotating tank relatively reciprocates in a tank axial direction to a helical winding head, fibers are fed from yarn-feeding sections to the tank. After the tank turns back in the tank axial direction, a large number of fibers are wound around one domed portion and a trunk portion of the tank, and trailing ends of the large number of fibers are located at one end portion of the trunk portion. Then a piece or a small number of fibers are fed from a rotating hoop winding head to the trunk portion, and hoop winding is performed on helical winding layers formed around the trunk portion. Then, at the one end portion of the trunk portion, the large number of fibers pulled from the yarn-feeding sections of the helical winding head are cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventors: Motohiro Tanigawa, Tadashi Uozumi, Takenori Aiyama
  • Patent number: 9688510
    Abstract: A braking system for an elevator includes a brake disc and one or more sets of brake calipers interactive with the brake disc. A hydraulic brake unit is operably connected to the one or more brake calipers. The hydraulic brake unit includes one or more valves to control hydraulic fluid flow during engagement of the brake calipers to the brake disc. An elevator includes a car, one or more sheaves, and a suspension member connected to the car and routed over the sheaves. A machine drives motion of the elevator car. A braking system located at the machine includes a brake disc and one or more brake calipers. A hydraulic brake unit is operably connected to the brake calipers and includes one or more valves to control hydraulic fluid flow during engagement of the brake calipers to the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Zlatko Strbuncelj
  • Patent number: 9688511
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake and to a method for controlling the brake. The brake comprises a base part, a braking piece movably supported on the base part, which braking piece is configured to be moved between a braking position and a releasing position, a spring, with the spring force of which the braking piece can be dropped into a braking position, a support member for limiting the initial position of the drop-out movement of the braking piece and also a controllable actuator, which is mechanically connected to the aforementioned support member and configured to displace the initial position of the drop-out movement of the braking piece with respect to the braking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mika Olkkonen, Petri Alkula, Raimo Pelto-Huikko
  • Patent number: 9688512
    Abstract: A brake (26) for an elevator system (10) and method of using the brake (26) is disclosed. The brake (26) may comprise first and second brake linings (38) configured to be frictionally engageable with a rail (14) of the elevator system (10), a first biasing member (34) configured to urge the first brake lining (38) to engage the rail (14), and a first actuator (30) configured to move the first brake lining (38) to disengage the rail (14) when the first actuator (30) is energized. The brake (26) may be configured to be mounted on an elevator car (16) of the elevator system (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Adrian D. West, Justin Billard, Harold Terry, Zbigniew Piech, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 9688513
    Abstract: An elevator anti-fall buffer based on flexible guidance. The anti-fall buffer is used for connecting and fixing an end part of a braking steel rope of an elevator. The anti-fall buffer has an upper support plate and a lower support plate, wherein a pulley set is provided on the upper support plate and the lower support plate, and a hydraulic damping buffer is provided at two sides of the pulley set. The anti-fall buffer uses the energy consumption principle of a hydraulic damping hole, and while protecting the braking steel rope from the force of impact created thereon by the elevator, prevents the force of impact from a spring on the elevator post-braking, improving the safety and reliability of elevator braking, thereby improving safety of an elevator, while also using a pulley set can increase the braking distance of the braking steel rope, thereby lengthening life of the steel rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: DONGNAN ELEVATOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhencai Zhu, Jiancong Qin, Guohua Cao, Guangfeng Mao, Wei Li, Gongbo Zhou, Beibei Fu, Hongbin Fei, Yiping Ma, Jianrong Yang
  • Patent number: 9688514
    Abstract: A section of stairlift guide rail having two holes for attaching to another section of stairlift guide rail is described. The two holes are positioned symmetrically about a point along one edge of the section, wherein at least one of the two holes is further configured to have a bracket for mounting the section attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ISLAND MOBILITY LTD
    Inventor: Robert George Horton
  • Patent number: 9688515
    Abstract: An elevator car door interlock including a locking assembly, cable assembly, switch assembly, and top mounting assembly. The elevator car door interlock works in combination with flags installed in an elevator's hoistway. A flag is installed in the areas where it is permitted to open the elevator doors. The locking assembly includes an arm that engages the flag. The flag then prevents the arm from reaching its maximum tilt and keeps it in the substantially vertical position. This causes the hook in the locking assembly to remain in the lowered position. The hook in this position allows the cable to freely travel when the elevator doors are attempted to be open. If the elevator is in a locking zone, then there is no flag present and as the door is attempted to be open, a weighted member attached to the bottom of the cable will begin to rise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventors: Ricardo Macareño, Nelson Alonso
  • Patent number: 9688516
    Abstract: For load compensation, different kinds of elastomeric load compensators are placed at various locations on the crane for increased flexibility and for shock and vibration absorption. The elastomeric load compensators employ elastomeric tension elements, elastomeric torsion elements, or elastomeric shear elements. Elastomeric tension elements can be simply inserted in series with the main hoist rope. An elastomeric load compensator employing elastomeric torsion elements is mounted to the underside of the boom for receiving the live end of the main hoist rope. A single stack of elastomeric shear elements is suitable for mounting a hoist or winch or an idler sheave to the crane structure. For additional load compensation, the hoist, winch, and idler sheaves are mounted on rails for increased displacements under heave loads, and the increased displacements are compensated by elongated elastomeric tension elements or multiple elastomeric tension, torsion or shear elements in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Oil States Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Billiot, Joseph Angeron, Danton Gutierrez-Lemini, Chris Chiasson, Eric Luke
  • Patent number: 9688517
    Abstract: A crane including support means arranged to support a load and to move the load along a path, and a scanner including a radiation source and radiation detection means arranged to scan a scanning volume. The path is arranged to pass through the scanning volume so that the scanner can scan the load as it moves along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Morton
  • Patent number: 9688518
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for rendering a job site in a three dimensional simulation. A stream of input data is received at a processor about a job site wherein the data pertains to movements and lifts of at least one lifting device associated with the job site and at least one partially constructed building associated with the job site. A three dimensional (3D) simulation is generated, at the processor, of the at least one lifting device and the at least one partially constructed building. The 3D simulation is updated in real time, at the processor, to simulate movements of the at least one lifting and the at least one partially constructed building. The 3D simulation is sent from the processor to a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Charles Delplace
  • Patent number: 9688519
    Abstract: A telescopic boom extension device includes a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism that drives B pins and a C pin includes a hydraulic supply part and a drive source generation part. The drive source generation part generates a predetermined hydraulic pressure at the hydraulic supply part based on a pneumatic pressure. The hydraulic supply part has an accumulator and AOHs and supplies a hydraulic pressure to a cylinder-boom coupling mechanism and an inter-boom fixing mechanism. The drive source generation part uses a pneumatic supply part to send compressed air to the hydraulic supply part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventors: Naoto Kawabuchi, Takashi Kawano
  • Patent number: 9688520
    Abstract: A winch assembly is disclosed. The winch assembly may have a support with parallel plates spaced apart from each other. The winch assembly may also have a drum with a hollow spool between the parallel plates, and a shaft passing axially through and being connected to the hollow spool. The winch assembly may further have a motor directly connected to an end of the shaft, and a fail-safe-brake directly connected to an end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ELLICOTT DREDGES, LLC
    Inventor: Rabie E. Khalil
  • Patent number: 9688521
    Abstract: An industrial truck has a lift mast, which has a height-adjustable load support and an overhead guard that is disposed on a side of the lift mast facing away from the load support. The guard protects the operator against falling loads and objects. The lift mast on the side thereof facing away from the load support has an adapter for the overhead guard that has two adapter limbs disposed in parallel to each other and connected to the lift mast. The overhead guard has two projecting connection limbs each of which lies flat on one of the adapter limbs and is connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: John Recchia, Kelvin Chan
  • Patent number: 9688522
    Abstract: A multifunctional electric wine opener having an opener holder in an upper part of an opener cover, an upper lid of the opener embedded in an opening position of the opener holder, a guide spring and a guide frame assembled in a holder containing cavity, at least two guide paths provided on the guide frame, blade units assembled in the guide paths, a blade holder and an opening blade provided in each blade unit, a horizontal installation unit and a vertical installation unit provided in each blade holder; the opening blade being set in the upper part of the vertical installation unit and the horizontal installation unit being inserted into a corresponding guide path, travel springs assembled in the guide paths, holder guide slopes set on inner surfaces of holder containing cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Xiaoxian Song
  • Patent number: 9688523
    Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a cap opening tool set that enables the user of a container to reduce surely an inner pressure of the container and loosen smoothly a screw cap even if the user has only a weak arm power. A cap opening tool set according to the present invention includes a ring and a cap opener. The ring includes a guide section for facing a circumferential surface section of a screw cap. The cap opener includes a head to be placed over the screw cap and arms extending from the head. The head includes a contact section, a top-surface facing section, and a needle. The contact section enters a space formed between the screw cap and the guide section and presses the circumferential surface section of the screw cap. The needle penetrates the top surface section of the screw cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Kamakura, Shinichi Nomura, Osamu Nakagiri, Hiromitsu Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9688524
    Abstract: An injection device having an inlet, an outlet and a chamber extending between the inlet and the outlet. A piston divides the chamber into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The piston is movable within the chamber and includes a body. The piston includes a shutter movable with respect to the body between a closed position, wherein the body and the shutter isolate the upper chamber from the lower chamber when the piston is moved in an injecting direction, and an open position, wherein the body and the shutter place the upper chamber in fluidic communication with the lower chamber when the piston is moved in a filling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: DISCMA AG
    Inventors: Luc Desoutter, Daniel Diesnis
  • Patent number: 9688525
    Abstract: A tank system which prevents problems caused by electrostatic charging during a fueling sequence. The tank system includes a filling pipe, a filling hose which leads to a fuel tank, and a support sleeve, composed of an electrically conductive plastic material, in abutment with the filling pipe and the filling hose to thereby connect the filling pipe to the filling hose in an electrically conductive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fuel Systems GesmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Steinmann, Patrick Zierler
  • Patent number: 9688526
    Abstract: A tailset crupper for an animal, such as a horse, may be made from a solid casting without lightening features, such as to produce a heavier, less easily dislodged object, such as may have a lower center of gravity, and a center of gravity located closer to the surface of the animal. The trough of the crupper may be predominantly open from below. The distal end of the crupper may have a large curl the bends on a large angle partially back toward the horse. The crupper may be substantially spoonless. That is, the protrusion at the front end of the crupper may be small, and may by shy of the cushioning on either side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Donna St. Louis
  • Patent number: 9688527
    Abstract: A micromechanical component is provided having a substrate having a main plane of extension, a first electrode extending mainly along a first plane in planar fashion, a second electrode extending mainly along a second plane in planar fashion, and a third electrode extending mainly along a third plane in planar fashion, the first, second, and third plane being oriented essentially parallel to the main plane of extension and being situated one over the other at a distance from one another along a normal direction that is essentially perpendicular to the main plane of extension, the micromechanical component having a deflectable mass element, the mass element being capable of being deflected both essentially parallel and also essentially perpendicular to the main plane of extension, the second electrode being connected immovably to the mass element, the second electrode having, in a rest position, a first region of overlap with the first electrode along a projection direction essentially parallel to the normal d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Frey, Jochen Reinmuth
  • Patent number: 9688528
    Abstract: A producing method for a diaphragm-type resonant MEMS device includes forming a first silicon oxide film, forming a second silicon oxide film, forming a lower electrode, forming a piezoelectric film, forming an upper electrode, laminating the first silicon oxide film, the second silicon oxide film, the lower electrode, the piezoelectric film, and the upper electrode in this order on a first surface of a silicon substrate, and etching the opposite side surface of the first surface of the silicon substrate by deep reactive ion etching to form a diaphragm structure, in which the proportion R2 of the film thickness t2 of the second silicon oxide film with respect to the sum of the film thickness t1 of the first silicon oxide film and the film thickness t2 of the second silicon oxide film satisfies the following condition: 0.10 ?m?t1?2.00 ?m; and R2?0.70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Sano, Takayuki Naono
  • Patent number: 9688529
    Abstract: A glass wafer assembly is disclosed. In one aspect, the glass wafer assembly comprises a first glass wafer and a second glass wafer that are bonded by a conductive sealing ring. The conductive sealing ring defines a substantially hermetically sealed cavity between the first glass wafer and the second glass wafer. In another aspect, the first glass wafer and the second glass wafer each comprise a plurality of conductive through glass vias (TGVs). At least one active device is disposed in the substantially hermetically sealed cavity and can be electrically coupled to a conductive TGV in the first glass wafer and a conductive TGV in the second glass wafer to enable flexible electrical routing through the glass wafer assembly without wire bonding and over molding. As a result, it is possible to reduce footprint and height while improving radio frequency (RF) performance of the glass wafer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Edward Vandemeer, Jonathan Hale Hammond
  • Patent number: 9688530
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (“IC”) package comprising an IC die having a top surface and a bottom surface, an elongate member having opposite first and second end portions and a mid portion. The mid portion is positioned proximate the top surface of the IC die. The IC package also includes an encapsulant block having a top surface, a bottom surface and opposite first and second lateral side surfaces. The encapsulant block encapsulates the IC die and the elongate member. Either or both of the first and second end portions of the elongate member are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Makoto Shibuya, Luu Nguyen, Noboru Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 9688531
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device formed in a monolithic body of semiconductor material accommodating a first buried cavity; a sensitive region above the first buried cavity; and a second buried cavity extending in the sensitive region. A decoupling trench extends from a first face of the monolithic body as far as the first buried cavity and laterally surrounds the second buried cavity. The decoupling trench separates the sensitive region from a peripheral portion of the monolithic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Enri Duqi, Flavio Francesco Villa