Patents Issued in November 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9816215
    Abstract: A film for conveying in an industrial process, industrial fabrics made from the film, and methods of manufacture. The film has a plurality of protrusions separated by land areas. Each protrusion comprises a top member having opposing lateral edges and is supported by opposed compression resistant first and second end walls, which with at least one of the lateral edges define an aperture extending through the film to provide a flow path. The base edge of each end wall has a configuration selected from at least one of the base edge being convexly curved away from the protrusion body; and each end wall extending below at least a part of each of the first and second lateral edges and being connected to each of the first and second lateral edges. The film structure provides physical properties equivalent to a woven fabric, with improved strength, stability and compression resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ASTENJOHNSON, INC.
    Inventor: Allan R. Manninen
  • Patent number: 9816216
    Abstract: A nozzle foil (12), for a nozzle bar (10) of a textile processing machine, having a plurality of nozzle openings (16) arranged in one or more rows (40) in a longitudinal direction L. The nozzle foil (12) consists of at least two adjacent foil segments (25) that can be mechanically connected with each other in a form-fitting manner. With the connection established, the upper sides (15) and the undersides (17) of the foil segments (25) are in a common plane. To accomplish a form-fitting connection, connecting means (27) provided on one foil segment (25) interact with opposing connecting means (28) of the other foil segment (25). The connecting means (27) and the opposing connecting means (28) are integral components of the respective foil segment (25) and preferably are manufactured at the same time as the respective foil segment (25) and consist of the same material as the respective foil segment (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventor: Reinhold Eydner
  • Patent number: 9816217
    Abstract: A displacement sensor module 1 for mounting on a telescopic-type damper 30, a damper/detector assembly including such a displacement sensor module and a telescopic-type damper, and a household appliance including such a damper/detector assembly is provided. The displacement sensor module 1 includes at least one coil element 4, an electronic detection unit 8 connected to the at least one coil element 4 and adapted to detect an impedance change of the at least one coil element, and a coil housing 2 for receiving and additionally or alternatively a coil support 6 for supporting the at least one coil element 4 and for supporting the electronic detection unit 8. The displacement sensor module 1 is adapted to be mounted on a telescopic-type damper 30, wherein in particular the housing 2 or support 6 is adapted to fit over a portion of a pre-assembled damper 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Nicola Ius, Stefano De Paoli, Thomas Peuker, Andreas Pelczer
  • Patent number: 9816218
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub provided within the cabinet, a drum rotatably provided within the tub, an air supply device provided on the upper surface of the tub and circulating air to the center of the front portion of the tub, a detergent dispenser located above the front portion of the tub and separating a detergent part to input detergents and a subsidiary detergent part to input subsidiary detergents, and a dispenser cover opening and closing the upper surface of the detergent dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mingyu Jo, Dongwon Kim
  • Patent number: 9816219
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a cabinet including an upper cover forming the rear portion of the upper surface of the cabinet, a tub provided within the cabinet, a drum rotatably provided within the tub, a detergent dispenser located above the front portion of the tub and exposed by the upper cover, and a dispenser cover opening and closing the upper surface of the detergent dispenser exposed by the upper cover and formed in front of the upper cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mingyu Jo, Dongwon Kim
  • Patent number: 9816220
    Abstract: A fabric treatment apparatus including a fabric receiving unit having a fabric receiving space formed therein, a steam spray device for supplying evaporation heat to water introduced thereinto to generate steam to be sprayed to the fabric receiving unit, and an additive supply device for receiving an additive to be dissolved in water flowing to the steam spray device, the additive supply device having a hole, through which water to be mixed with the additive is introduced, the hole being opened by fluid pressure of water flowing to the steam spray device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyukjin Ahn, Sungho Song, Sungmin Ye
  • Patent number: 9816221
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine (7) and pump (8) for a washing machine (7). The pump is driven by a brushless DC motor (38). The pump can be controlled to improve the operation of the washing machine. In one aspect the invention comprises a washing machine (7) with a variable speed pump (8) for pumping out wastewater, a controller (50) for controlling the speed of the pump and a sensor (10) for determining the flow-rate of water being pumped from the washing machine, wherein the controller (50) controls the speed of the pump to maintain the flow-rate at a desirable level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan David Harwood, Hugh Griffith Johnson, Geoffrey Alan Lee, Gregory Paul Hill, Anna Kathryn Duncan, Adrian Anthony Sargeant
  • Patent number: 9816222
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a method for detecting underfilling of a washing machine appliance. The method includes rotating an impeller of the washing machine appliance with a motor operating at a reduced power relative to a full power of the motor. The method also includes determining a maximum angular velocity of the impeller when the impeller is rotated at the reduced power and adding liquid to a tub of the washing machine appliance if the maximum angular velocity of the impeller when the impeller is rotated at the reduced power is less than a threshold angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Roberto Obregon
  • Patent number: 9816223
    Abstract: A clothing dryer includes a drying tub configured to hold laundry and having an opening to load laundry; a filter housing disposed at a front of the opening and configured to accommodate a filter; and a first sensor and a second sensor disposed at the filter housing such that the first sensor is electrically connected to the second sensor through wet laundry contacting the first sensor and the second sensor simultaneously. Each of the first sensor and the second sensor includes a sensing part exposed to an inside of the drying tub and a bent part inserted to the filter housing. The filter housing includes a partition wall to separate at least a portion of the first sensor and the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byeong Won Bae, Chang Bae Yeom, Sam Young Jang
  • Patent number: 9816224
    Abstract: A garment steamer with an inclinable ironing board (100) comprises a base (10) and a support structure (50) that includes an upper part (51), a lower part (52) and an ironing board (60) attached to the upper part. The garment steamer further comprises an inclining structure (70) including an inclining linkage (80) that connects the upper and lower parts, wherein the upper part (51) is inclinable relative to the lower part (52) at an angle between horizontal and vertical. The inclining linkage (80) comprises first and second link arms (83,84) extending between and pivotably connecting with the upper and lower parts. The first link arm (83) is longer than the second link arm (84) such that upper part (51) assumes an inclined position relative to the lower part (52) when the upper and lower ends of the link arms (83,84) are pivoted about the upper and lower parts (51,52), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hee Keng Chua, Yong Jiang, Zhen Ming Jimmy Xing
  • Patent number: 9816225
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition having a plurality of particles of a filler material and crosslinking units having the formula —(SiR—CH2—CH2—CH2)—. The silicon atom in the crosslinking unit is directly or indirectly bound to the filler material. Each R is alkyl, alkenyl, phenyl, methyl, ethyl, allyl, halogen, chloro, or bromo. Also disclosed herein is a filler material having the silicon atom of a silacyclobutane group is directly or indirectly bound thereto. Also disclosed herein is a method of crosslinking silacyclobutane groups bound to a plurality of particles of a filler material. The silicon atom of the silacyclobutane group is directly or indirectly bound to the filler material. Also disclosed herein is a composition including a plurality of fibers of a polymer having reactive oxygen atoms and siloxane groups. Coordination bonds are formed between the oxygen atoms and the silicon atoms of the siloxane groups of separate fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Duane L. Simonson, R. Andrew McGill, Bernadette A. Higgins, Michael Papantonakis
  • Patent number: 9816226
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of coating a fabric, e.g. a textile material, with a polymer coating, which method comprises contacting a fabric with a monomer and subjecting the monomer to low power plasma polymerization, wherein the monomer comprises the general formula (I): CnF2n+1CmX2mCR1Y—OCO—C(R2)?CH2, wherein n is 2 to 6, m is 0 to 9, X and Y are H, F, Cl, Br or I, R1 is H or alkyl, e.g. —CH3, or a substituted alkyl, e.g. an at least partially halo-substituted alkyl, and R2 is H or alkyl, e.g. —CH3 or a substituted alkyl, e.g. an at least partially halo-substituted alkyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Europlasma NV
    Inventors: Filip Legein, Eva Rogge
  • Patent number: 9816227
    Abstract: The present invention provides a herbal composition for treating a fabric to make the fabric insect repellent. The present invention further provides a composition for treating a fabric and a method of treating the fabric to make the fabric insect repellent. The invention also provides the various methods of treating different kinds of fabrics along with their dyeing and finishing processes to render the fabric insect repellant. The fabric becomes insect repellant up to 40 washes. The fabric becomes repellent against bed bugs of Cimex species, house dust mites of Dermatophagoides species, ticks of Ixodes species, houseflies or Musca Domestica, mosquitoes or Aedes Aegypti and harvest bugs of Trombidium species. The fabric is selected from the group consisting of a cotton fabric, a regenerated viscose cellulose fabric, a wool fabric, a silk fabric, a polyester fabric and blends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventors: Kamal Nayan Singh, Mukund Rangrao Galgali
  • Patent number: 9816228
    Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic cables comprising core and splicing threads with high modulus threads, wherein the ends of the cable comprise looped or eyelet splice-type termination ends (1), and wherein each leg of the parallel splicing threads (13, 13?) is connected to parallel core threads (21) at an interpenetration region (12). The method comprises individually connecting each leg of the splicing threads (13) with a positive splice to a core thread(s) (21) of the beginning end of the cable (2); looping; straining all the threads and applying a normal compression force at the interpenetration region (12); applying a protective element(s) (32) along the cable and further individually connecting each leg of the splicing threads (21) to form a negative splice to a core thread(s) (21) of the final end of the cable core (2); and looping, straining and applying a normal compression force (12) on the negative splice at the interpenetration region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Braskem S.A.
    Inventors: Marcos Roberto Paulino Bueno, André Penaquioni
  • Patent number: 9816229
    Abstract: The bin arrangement is for collecting and discharging smaller ligno-cellulosic material. The bin has a transition part from a circular section of the bin and downwardly to a rectangular section with a long and short side of the rectangular section. The transition part could be built with few wall segments, thus needing less welding. Two rotary pocket feeders, each with at least one shaft extending parallel to the long side, are arranged directly under the rectangular section, enabling a uniform feed from the bin. The use of two rotary pocket feeders with this design directly under the bin does not destroy the even feed of material through the bin part, which otherwise is experienced from using conventional feed screws that feed material in a transverse direction from the bin outlet. The bin does not need to have a complex bin design which converges to a small circular inlet to a conventional rotary pocket feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Patrik Bjornvall, Henrik Ransjo, Magnus Wilhelmsson, Jonas Saetherasen
  • Patent number: 9816230
    Abstract: The present invention is a hydrated, nanocellulose nonwoven sheet and method for manufacturing the nanocellulose sheet having dermatologically active ingredients. The sheet is formed through a high pressure or vacuum filtration process from a dilute suspension. This suspension, which contains the nanocellulose, may also contain dermatologically active ingredients. The dermatologically active ingredients are incorporated into the unwoven sheet. The dilute suspension may contain binding agents that improve the strength of the nonwoven nanocellulose sheet. These binding agents can also be cross-linked after the formation of the sheet by applying other chemical agents or treating the sheet after formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Innovatech Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: David Haldane, Joshua Kearney, Jesyca Turner, Raghuram Dhumpa
  • Patent number: 9816231
    Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, novel systems, methods and equipment for conveying and/or cooling treated biomass are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: XYLECO, INC.
    Inventors: Marshall Medoff, Thomas Craig Masterman, Robert Paradis
  • Patent number: 9816232
    Abstract: Collecting data includes generating a sensor signal from each of a plurality of sensors located on a sensing roll, wherein each signal is generated when each sensor enters a region of a nip between the sensing roll and mating roll during each rotation of the sensing roll; wherein a web of material travels through the nip and a continuous band contacts a region of the web of material upstream from or at the nip. A periodically occurring starting reference is generated associated with each rotation of the continuous band and the signal generated by each sensor is received so that the one of the plurality of sensors which generated this signal is determined and one of a plurality of tracking segments associated with the continuous band is identified. The signal is stored to associate the respective sensor signal with the identified one tracking segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventor: Kerry D. Figiel
  • Patent number: 9816233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a containerboard packaging material comprising at least one non-wood alternative pulp material wherein said non-wood alternative pulp material is present in an amount of from about 5% to about 100% and wherein said material replaces at least a portion of conventional fiber materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Shi, Mark M. Mleziva, Brent M. Thompson, Robert J. Zelenak
  • Patent number: 9816234
    Abstract: An enhanced paper for printing, including an ablation resistant coating or ablation resistant fibers, wherein the paper is ablation resistant so that it is not damaged by a light beam that illuminates paper with a fluence that ablates ink or toner but would damage paper that is non-ablation resistant; and wherein the enhanced paper has physical properties of standard paper for printing with laser printers and ink printers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: REEP TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventors: Barak M. Yekutiely, Elliott R. Silcoff
  • Patent number: 9816235
    Abstract: A thermoset composite material and composite railroad crosstie fabricated from the thermoset composite material that comprises a substantially homogeneous blend of an amount of vulcanized rubber particles, polyurea binding agent and urea melamine. The thermoset composite material may also contain a granulated silica material. The thermoset composite material may comprise about 30 % to about 50 % by weight of the vulcanized rubber particles, and it is subjected to compression molding at a predetermined temperature and pressure for a resident time period forming the composite railroad crosstie. The thermoset composite material and railroad crosstie may further comprise a fibrous glass material in the form of unbundled fibers and/or one more glass mats encapsulated within the thermoset composite material. In addition or alternatively, an elongated core insert may be encapsulated in the thermoset composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ENCELL COMPOSITES, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony M. Cialone, Michael Grubb
  • Patent number: 9816236
    Abstract: A device for reinstatement of a micro-trench that includes a hopper. The hopper includes a top opening and a bottom opening, the top opening being larger than the bottom opening. The device also includes a valve portion connected to the bottom opening of the hopper and a tube connected to the valve portion. The device also includes a dynamic plate portion including a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings. The top opening of the plate portion is connected to the tube, and the bottom opening includes a length and a width. The dynamic plate portion allows the device to maintain positive contact with the pavement even when the surface of the pavement is angled or uneven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Williamette Valley Company
    Inventors: Robert Loomis, Jacob Goodwin
  • Patent number: 9816237
    Abstract: A device for reinstatement of a micro-trench that includes a hopper. The hopper includes a top opening and a bottom opening, the top opening being larger than the bottom opening. The device also includes a valve portion connected to the bottom opening of the hopper and a tube connected to the valve portion. The device also includes a dynamic plate portion including a top opening, a bottom opening, and a conduit between the top and bottom openings. The top opening of the plate portion is connected to the tube, and the bottom opening includes a length and a width. The dynamic plate portion allows the device to maintain positive contact with the pavement even when the surface of the pavement is angled or uneven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Willamette Valley Company
    Inventors: Robert Loomis, Jacob Goodwin
  • Patent number: 9816238
    Abstract: A roadside barrier which has underlying concrete support blocks, a mesh fence, optionally including overlying transparent sheet material, which is erected on the blocks, and a deterrent, sloping mesh-material, surface, which hinders human access, at a base of the fence on the support blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: COCHRANE STEEL PRODUCTS (PTY) LTD
    Inventor: Alexander Richard Cochrane
  • Patent number: 9816239
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods for securing an elongate apertured fence to the ground. The fence includes an upper section which is apertured and which extends upwards from the ground, and a lower section which may or may not be apertured and which is not buried in the ground. The lower section is contacted by a footing member which is secured to the ground and which stabilizes the fence along a desired line along the ground. In some embodiments, the lower fence section is parallel to the ground, and at least part of the footing member lies between the lower fence section and the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ERTEC ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Vincent P. Morris
  • Patent number: 9816240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses, methods, and systems for removing sediment from waterway bottoms and pumping the sediment through pipelines. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatuses, methods, and systems for sediment control and altering the average effective depth in a section of rivers, streams and channels for maintaining the navigability of waterways and coastal restoration. The apparatus preferably comprises a sediment harvesting platform preferably positioned above a water surface; a sediment suction inlet or sediment sink preferably positioned below the top level of source sediment or within a sand bar including a grating, a sediment pump, a venturi including an auger/propeller, and a water jet; a flow control valve; and a pipeline for pumping sediment. The apparatus may further comprise a sediment conveyor including sediment inlets and a remote controlled pulsing valve. The apparatus may further comprise sensor(s) and a programmable logic controller (PLC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: John A. Tesvich
  • Patent number: 9816241
    Abstract: A pneumatic fender and a mouth piece metal for a pneumatic fender with an open/close valve fixed at a position in which a through hole formed in a dividing wall constituting a receiving chamber, where the valve is closed by closed position fixing members. A safety valve is isolated from a cavity of a fender bladder by a receiving chamber, the safety valve being able to be detached and attached while the pneumatic fender is in use. A confirmation test of a valve opening pressure of the safety valve is performed by opening a receiving chamber open/close valve and raising an internal pressure of a cavity of the receiving chamber to a pressure threshold via a receiving chamber communication passage. The open/close valve is fixed at a position in which the through hole is open by open position fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Shu Yamada
  • Patent number: 9816242
    Abstract: The cleaner according to the invention includes a body part, which includes curved wiping tongues. The lower part of the body is the cleaner's curved lower plate and in its upper part are upper plates and an attachment plate, which is attached to the body of the collector by an attachment beam. The construction of the collector is based on discs surrounding a drum and permitting water to flow through them, to which are attached plastic rings and, attached to them, a brush ring formed of brushes extending over the curved rear wall. The invention also discloses a cleaner, by means of which the brushes are cleaned, which, for example, are attached to a V-shaped brush structure, in which there is a plastic bodied brush ring, and in the cleaner there is a point-shaped plate and its bent point shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: M & L Patent Oy Ab
    Inventor: Lars Lundin
  • Patent number: 9816243
    Abstract: An arctic jackup truss leg comprises a plurality of chords, an outer bracing network with a plurality of bracing elements connecting the plurality of chords, an internal bracing network with a plurality of bracing elements, and a bridge plate network with a plurality of bridge plates, wherein each bridge plate has two ends that are coupled with the bracing elements of the outer bracing network and the internal bracing network respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Michael John Perry, Kok Seng Foo, Matthew Chin Kau Quah
  • Patent number: 9816244
    Abstract: A pile-forming method for a compound extruded and expanded pile, comprising using a compound extrusion and expansion drilling tool of pile-forming equipment for a compound extruded and expanded pile to drill, extrude, and expand to form a bore, wherein when upwardly rotating and lifting, expansion bodies of the compound extrusion and expansion drilling tool enlarge, and at the same time, a concrete pump is started up to pour a pile material under pressure into the pore for the pile, to reach a pile top mark height, obtaining a compound extruded and expanded pile. Pile-forming equipment for a compound extruded and expanded pile is also disclosed, comprising a compound extrusion and expansion drilling tool and a control system thereof. The compound extrusion and expansion drilling tool comprises a drill stem. A plurality of expansion bodies are provided on a threaded section of a drill bit of the drill stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Guijiao Peng
  • Patent number: 9816245
    Abstract: A filling tube for producing a column of filling material in the ground with a tube body. A closing device has at least one support element, which is arranged in a central region at a lower end of the tube body, and, in a closed position, closing flaps rest against the at least one support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 9816246
    Abstract: A noise-attenuating pile comprising a pile driving shoe, an outer tube that engages the pile driving shoe, and an inner member that extends through the outer tube and engages the pile driving shoe, wherein the pile is configured to be installed in the ground with either an impact driver or a vibratory driver that engages only the inner member. The inner member is rigidly connected to the driving shoe, and the outer tube is elastically connected to the driving shoe, such that vibrations from the outer tube is substantially isolated from vibrations in the driving shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: University of Washington Through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Per G. Reinhall, John Timothy Dardis, II
  • Patent number: 9816247
    Abstract: An inner peripheral portion of a receiving frame and an outer peripheral portion of a lid body each include first and second surface parts. In the closed-lid state, the first surface part of the lid body is supported by the first surface part of the frame, each of which include a gentle gradient. The second surface parts of the lid body and the receiving frame are pressed against each other by a force caused by elastic deformation of at least one of the outer peripheral portion of the lid body and the inner peripheral portion of the receiving frame. The second surface part of the receiving frame includes a steeper gradient than the first surface part of the receiving frame by reducing its diameter toward a downward direction of the receiving frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HINODE, LTD.
    Inventors: Eiichiro Saeki, Norio Shinohara, Takefumi Andou
  • Patent number: 9816248
    Abstract: A rollback control system and method are disclosed for a loader having a bucket movable between first and second positions by one or more hydraulic cylinders of a hydraulic circuit. The rollback control system includes a source of vehicle conditions data that indicates one or more observable conditions associated with the work vehicle. The rollback control system includes at least one controller that receives and processes the vehicle conditions data to determine a position of the bucket relative to a material. The at least one controller outputs one or more control signals to direct flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders to move the bucket to the second position based on the determined position of the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Ignacio Alonso Martinez
  • Patent number: 9816249
    Abstract: An excavator comprises a chassis, an implement, and an assembly comprising a boom, a stick, and a coupling. The assembly is configured to define a heading {circumflex over (N)} and to swing with, or relative to, the chassis about a swing axis S. The stick is configured to curl relative to the boom about a curl axis C. The implement is coupled to a stick terminal point G via the coupling and is configured to rotate about a rotary axis R such that a leading edge of the implement defines a heading Î. An excavator control architecture comprises sensors and machine readable instructions to generate signals representative of {circumflex over (N)}, an assembly swing rate ?S about S, and a stick curl rate ?C about C, generate a signal representing a terminal point heading ? based on {circumflex over (N)}, ?S, and ?C, and rotate the implement about R such that Î approximates ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Christopher A. Padilla
  • Patent number: 9816250
    Abstract: A mobile digging and backfill system for removing and collecting material above a buried utility. The system comprises a mobile chassis, a collection tank mounted to the chassis, a water pump mounted to the chassis for delivering a pressurized liquid flow against the material for loosening the material at a location, a vacuum pump connected to the collection tank so that an air stream created by the vacuum pump draws the material and the fluid from the location into the collection tank, and at least one backfill reservoir mounted to the chassis for carrying backfill for placement at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: McLaughlin Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Robert Maybury, John William Gilman
  • Patent number: 9816251
    Abstract: Provided is a cab which can improve the workability of ripping. The cab includes an operator's seat placed in the cab and a right armrest placed rightward of the operator's seat in the cab. A front end portion of the operator's seat is tilted rightward with respect to a front-rear direction (the direction of X) of the cab as seen in a plan view. The right armrest includes a front region including a front end of the right armrest and a rear region including a rear end of the right armrest. The rear region includes a portion placed at a shorter distance from a midline bisecting the operator's seat as seen in a plan view, than a distance between the front region and the midline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Sasakawa
  • Patent number: 9816252
    Abstract: This invention is a hydraulic work machine having an electric assist motor coupled to an engine and a hydraulic pump, in the hydraulic work machine of which, a rotational speed and torque of the engine are controlled so that an operating point of the engine moves along a predetermined route for yielding a combustion state of the engine under a transient state that the engine changes in speed and torque. A target speed and torque of the engine 7 are set so that the rotational speed and torque of the engine 7 will change along a predetermined route F in a running region of the engine, respective rates of change of the target rotational speed and torque of the engine 7 are limited, and the engine 7 is controlled to yield the target engine speed. In addition, torque of the assist motor 10 is controlled to yield the target torque of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Hoshino, Shinji Ishihara, Kazuo Fujishima
  • Patent number: 9816253
    Abstract: A display system of a work machine having a working unit with a bucket attached thereto, includes a generation unit generating drawing information to draw an image of the bucket viewed from a side using information of shape and size of the bucket, and a display unit displaying the image of the bucket viewed from the side and an image indicating a cross-section of landform based on the drawing information. The information of the shape and size includes, in the side view of the bucket, a distance between a blade edge of the bucket and a bucket pin attaching the bucket to the working unit, a distance between the bucket pin and a predetermined position at an outer side of the bucket, and an angle formed by a straight line connecting the bucket pin and the blade edge and a straight line connecting the bucket pin and the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yasuda, Daiki Arimatsu
  • Patent number: 9816254
    Abstract: A wear assembly for excavating equipment which includes a wear member and a base each with upper and lower stabilizing surfaces that are offset and at overlapping depths to reduce the overall depth of the assembly while maintaining high strength and a stable coupling. The nose and socket each includes a generally triangular-shaped front stabilizing end to provide a highly stable front connection between the nose and wear member for both vertical and side loading. The lock is movable between hold and release positions to accommodate replacing of the wear member when needed, and secured to the wear member for shipping and storage purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ESCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Carpenter, Donald M. Conklin, James E. Bearden, Severn D. Durand, Dziugas Radzius
  • Patent number: 9816255
    Abstract: A sanitary fixture having a connector assembly which includes an adapter piece is provided for connection to a single-lever mixing cartridge. A pivotable connector piece having a hose connector is pivotably mounted between the base plate and the adapter piece. The base plate includes receptacles for a cold-water hose end piece and a warm-water end piece. The connector piece has an inner duct which, at a first end, opens out to the connector assembly and, at a second end, opens out to the hose connector. The connector piece is connected via a plug-in connection to a connector-piece receptacle of the adapter piece. The connector-piece receptacle opens out into a connection duct of a first type, which extends in the adapter piece crosswise to a connection duct of a second type in the adapter piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Schurle
  • Patent number: 9816256
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an openable drain strainer with a central longitudinal axis. An openable basket includes a frame having a sidewall extending circumferentially around the axis, and a bottom movable with respect to the frame from a closed position to an open position to open the basket and facilitate removal of debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Brasscraft Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Evan A. Carpenter-Crawford, Joseph Schutte
  • Patent number: 9816257
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for controlling a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve controlling the flow of water through a faucet, is described. The sensor assembly includes a head including a bottom portion configured to be supported by a wall and a top portion. The sensor assembly also includes a proximity sensor including a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter projects a beam into a detection zone. The sensor assembly also includes processing electronics configured to cause the solenoid valve to open in response to a receiver detecting a reflection from an object in the detection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Joseph Blake, Perry Erickson, John Esche, Steve Radder, Ross Ristow, Joseph Stauber
  • Patent number: 9816258
    Abstract: A drain control assembly for moving a drain valve assembly between an open position and a closed position through movement of a cable. The drain control assembly includes a driven member having a pivot end and a distal end that is configured to receive an end of the cable; a driving member defining a longitudinal axis; and a housing having a first cavity for receiving the driving member and a second cavity for receiving the driven member; wherein the driving member is configured to move in one of a linear manner or a rotational manner; and wherein the driven member is configured to rotate about the pivot end if the driving member moves in a linear manner and the driven member is configured to rotate about the pivot end if the driving member moves in a rotational manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Benjamin Marotz, Murali Natarajan, Andrew Stokes, Lisa Burns
  • Patent number: 9816259
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present application relates to a water tank for a toilet. The water tank includes a first chamber comprising an orifice for connecting to a toilet bowl. The water tank further includes a free-floating member within the first chamber that is not coupled to any other component and that is configured to selectively engage with and disengage from the orifice to selectively block or allow a flow of water through the orifice. The free-floating member can be selectively disengaged from the orifice via an actuator or a differential pressure within the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence Westphal, Peter W. Swart, Mark E. Baumgartner, Lawrence Duwell, Don Bogenshuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, John F. Emmerling
  • Patent number: 9816260
    Abstract: A toilet flushing device including a pivot support member attached to an exterior surface of a bowl of a toilet. A lever arm has a pivot member hingedly attached to the pivot support member. A substantially triangulated handle has a back edge medially attached to a front end of the lever arm. A rubberized stopper member is attached to the exterior surface of the bowl of the toilet. A bottom end of a rod is pivotably attached to a back end of the lever arm, and a top end of the rod is extended upwards along a side of a tank of the toilet. A flush valve actuator has a rack gear disposed on the rod and a pinion gear disposed adjacent to the side of the tank. The pinion gear is connected to a flushing mechanism disposed within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Terry Kindinger
  • Patent number: 9816261
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an apparatus includes a toilet horn receptacle having an upper end and a lower end. A sealing rim is positioned at an upper end of the toilet horn receptacle, and at least a portion of the sealing rim extends inwardly from the upper end of the toilet horn receptacle towards a center axis of the sealing rim. A funnel extends from the lower end of the toilet horn receptacle, and a channel wall circumscribes the toilet horn receptacle. The channel wall and at least the toilet horn receptacle form a continuous annular receptacle. A foam sealing component is disposed in the continuous annular receptacle such that an inner wall of the foam sealing component circumscribes the toilet horn receptacle and such that the channel wall circumscribes at least a portion of an outer wall of the foam sealing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: DANCO, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 9816262
    Abstract: The present invention provided a precast modular concrete wall panel having a rectangular wall body with an upper slot and two side slots, and the wall body can further include an insulating layer and a decorative layer, and can contain a sandwich layer embedded in the concrete structure. The wall panels may be used with wall columns, wall corners and other components to form a wall panel system and further to form a building of frame structure or frame-share wall structure. Such wall panels have advantageous structural features and thus can be cost effectively prefabricated, and the construction process using such panel system can be performed with high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jianqun Hou, Yazhi Wu
  • Patent number: 9816263
    Abstract: A pre-fabricated dome and a spherical structure include strut assembly sets, into which glass panels or synthetic resin transparent plates are to be inserted, are assembled into 5 sets of hexagonal modular assemblies around a pentagonal assembly to build a primary pentagonal modular assembly, and further 5 sets of primary pentagonal modular assemblies, into which upper and lower, (outer and inner) struts are assembled in 2 layers (of outer and inner walls), are interconnected to build a semi-spherical dome, and if 12 sets of primary pentagonal modular assemblies are assembled, a solid cylindrical structure can be built to provide a perfect block between the outdoor and the indoor so that the room temperature will not be affected at all by the outdoor temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Yeon Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 9816264
    Abstract: A water vapour-permeable building sheet material, that may be adhered in overlapping relationship against a building structure, includes a water vapour permeable membrane having first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the surface energy of the second opposing surface is less than 35 mN/m; an adhesive layer that is vapour permeable, applied to the first face of the membrane; and an adhesive region applied to the second opposing surface. Two segments of the sheet material may be placed in overlapping relationship so that adhesive in the adhesive layer applied to the first face of the membrane of one of two segments adheres to the adhesive region applied to the second opposing face of the other of the two segments to form a substantially air impermeable boundary between the two segments, when overlapping, preventing lateral migration of air between the two segments. A building envelope may be so formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ewald Doerken AG
    Inventor: Marcus Jablonka