Patents Issued in February 1, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180029372
    Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises: a maintenance unit that performs a maintenance operation for a printhead that includes a plurality of operation patterns; a storage unit that stores information indicating which of the operation patterns was performed when the maintenance operation was performed; a timer that measures an elapsed time from a previous printing operation; a determination unit that determines whether or not to execute the maintenance operation; and a control unit that controls the operation patterns of the maintenance operation to be performed in accordance with the elapsed time and the information, wherein in a case where a scanning instruction is received and the determination unit determines to execute the maintenance operation, the control unit performs control for executing the maintenance operation not in accordance with the elapsed time but in accordance with the information before the operation of scanning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Sahara, Toshiyuki Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20180029373
    Abstract: In an embodiment of this invention, a carriage includes the first lever that is operated by an operator to attach or detach a printhead and rotates about the first rotating shaft. The carriage also includes the second lever that rotates about the second rotating shaft parallel to the first rotating shaft and, if the printhead is attached, contacts part of the printhead and presses the printhead in accordance with the rotation. The carriage further includes a spring having one end hung on an end portion of the second lever and the other end hung on part of the carriage. If the printhead is attached, the press force of the spring acts to press the printhead against the carriage in accordance with the rotation of the first lever. If the printhead is detached, no press force acts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Masaaki Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20180029374
    Abstract: A replaceable integrated printhead cartridge is provided that comprises a liquid reservoir and a linear nozzle array being disposed in a bottom and extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Arun K. AGARWAL
  • Publication number: 20180029375
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for cleaning an ink circuit of an ink-jet printer, comprising at least one tank (10), referred to as the main tank, at least one ink cartridge (30), a pump (31) for pumping the ink from the cartridge, ducts and valves (32-35, 320, 340, 341, 343, 344) for fluid connection between the ink cartridge and the tank, and control panel (3) for controlling the printer, the method comprising at least: a step of sending solvent, at a pressure P1, to the cartridge (30), by at least a part of the ducts and valves for fluid connection between the ink cartridge (30) and the tank (10), a step of pumping at least a portion of the solvent, sent in step a), towards the main tank (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Francis POURTIER, Jean-Pierre ARPIN
  • Publication number: 20180029376
    Abstract: For various embodiments of a printhead assembly or ink stick assembly of the present teachings, each an ink stick assembly can be a self-contained assembly, of which a plurality of self-contained ink stick assemblies can be readily interchanged into a printing system during a printing process. Various embodiments of a self-contained ink stick assembly can have a fluidic system that can include a local ink reservoir, which can be in fluid communication with a bulk ink reservoir. Filling of a bulk ink reservoir can be done in a manual or automated mode. According to the present teachings, a bulk ink reservoir can have a volume sufficient to provide a continuous supply of ink to a local ink reservoir over the course of a printing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher E. Todd, Stephen Mark Smith, Alexander Sou-Kang Ko, Robert B. Lowrance, Eliyahu Vronsky
  • Publication number: 20180029377
    Abstract: A discharge port array unit including discharge ports having a small discharge port diameter is not arranged in a position adjacent to a discharge port array unit generating a strong airflow, and a discharge port array unit including discharge port array having not a small discharge port diameter is arranged in the position adjacent to the discharge port array unit generating a strong airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Hirokazu Tanaka, Fumiko Suzuki, Tsukasa Doi
  • Publication number: 20180029378
    Abstract: A process for printing the surface of objects such as trophies and plaques including the steps of a) providing a sheet(s) or block(s) of desired shape having surface(s) and edges; b) laminating at least one surface of the objects with heat transfer foil to provide a clear, white or shade of white polymer coating; and optionally, c) printing a design onto the shade of white coating on the surface of the object by UV printing or sublimation printing. Trophies and plaques made by the process. It is also the objects so laminated and/or printed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Jerry Surber
  • Publication number: 20180029379
    Abstract: A printer includes: a first fixed printhead having a respective first print zone; a second fixed printhead positioned downstream of the first printhead relative to a media feed direction, the second printhead having a respective second print zone; an input roller assembly positioned upstream of the first platen, the input roller assembly being configured for feeding media sheets along a downward trajectory towards the first print zone; and an intermediary roller assembly positioned between the first and second print zones, the intermediary roller assembly being configured for receiving the media sheets from the first print zone and feeding the media sheets along a downward trajectory. The second print zone is positioned relatively lower than the first print zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kianoush Mir Sanaei, Makomo Tsubono, Reza Moghaddasian
  • Publication number: 20180029380
    Abstract: According to an example, an apparatus may include a controller and a non-transitory computer readable medium on which is stored instructions. The instructions may cause the controller to predict that a user is to instruct a printing device to perform a printing operation, in which the printing device includes a dryer, identify the user in response to the prediction, to access a user profile corresponding to the identified user, in which the accessed profile identifies a type of document that the identified user typically prints, and to adjust a setting of the dryer according to the identified type of document in the accessed profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert YRACEBURU, Duane A. KOEHLER, Brooke HOYER
  • Publication number: 20180029381
    Abstract: A system for printing at least one stretchable ink on a thermoformable substrate including an unwinder arranged to feed the thermoformable substrate from a first roll into a web drive subsystem, a surface energy modification device arranged to alter a substrate surface energy to enhance wetting and adhesion of the at least one stretchable ink to the thermoformable substrate, at least one printhead array arranged to deposit the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, at least one radiation curing device arranged to cure the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, a sensor array arranged to monitor the at least one stretchable ink on the thermoformable substrate, and a rewinder arranged to receive the thermoformable substrate and to form the thermoformable substrate into a second roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Steven R. Moore, Xin Yang, Alexander J. Fiorvanti, Paul J. McConville, Vincent M. Williams, David P. Lomenzo, Michael F. Leo, Jason O'Neil, Wayne A. Buchar
  • Publication number: 20180029382
    Abstract: Curing apparatus, image forming apparatus and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example curing apparatus includes a curing unit to heat an area adjacent a substrate travel path, the curing unit having a width less than a width of the substrate travel path, and a controller to reciprocate the curing unit within the substrate width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Perez Gellida, Luis Fernando Martinez Nieto, Francisco Javier Rodriguez Escanuela
  • Publication number: 20180029383
    Abstract: Enhanced printing solutions are enabled by providing ultraviolet curing conditions without requiring complete evacuation of atmospheric oxygen. Increased ink coverage and adjusted surface appearance are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jonathan BARRY, John DUFFIELD, Lianhui CONG, Arthur L. CLEARY
  • Publication number: 20180029384
    Abstract: An image processing device generates data for forming an image by layering, on a printing medium, a first layer and a second layer. The image processing device includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire first dot arrangement in the first layer formed by a gloss printing material, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire a printing amount of a color printing material for forming the second layer, and a halftone unit configured to perform halftone processing of converting the printing amount into second dot arrangement of the color printing material on the printing medium based on the first dot arrangement, wherein the halftone unit separately performs the halftone processing in a third area of the second layer and the halftone processing in a fourth area of the second layer based on the first dot arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Atsushi Totsuka
  • Publication number: 20180029385
    Abstract: A printing apparatus and a printing method that can reduce a difference in glossiness in an in-plane direction of a printed matter to which aqueous varnish has been applied. The apparatus and method satisfy a relationship of “Tp?(40/6)×tw?a” when the temperature of a recording surface at the time of application of aqueous varnish containing water is denoted by Tp, coating formation time of the aqueous varnish is denoted by tw, and a constant determined according to an allowable value of a gloss difference, which is a difference between glossiness of the recording surface of a printed matter of which applied aqueous varnish has been dried in a first direction and glossiness of the recording surface in a direction orthogonal to the first direction, is denoted by a. Here, the unit of the temperature Tp is ° C. and the unit of the coating formation time tw is minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi MATAKI
  • Publication number: 20180029386
    Abstract: A tray guide for guiding a medium tray holding a disk medium and being inserted includes arm portions, and as the tray guide is moved, the arm portions enter between a shaft of a sheet discharge roller and a spur stay while coming into contact with the shaft and the spur stay to push the spur stay upward with respect to the shaft so that spurs are separated from a roller portion to form a space through which the medium tray is to be conveyed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Toshiya Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20180029387
    Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises: a printing unit configured to print on a printing medium; a discharge tray to which the printing medium printed by the printing unit is discharged; a control unit that controls the discharge tray to be accommodated in the apparatus and to be extended from the apparatus; and a storage unit that sets and stores a first information for controlling the discharge tray in accordance with an operation performed by the apparatus, wherein, if the first information indicates an effect that accommodation of the discharge tray is inhibited, the control unit does not accommodate the discharge tray in the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Fujino
  • Publication number: 20180029388
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus is configured such that, in response to receipt a first command designating recordation of an image on a first type sheet, a motor is driven in accordance with a first feeding condition, and in response to the first sensor not detecting the sheet until the motor rotates by a particular rotation amount, the motor is driven in accordance with a second feeding condition. Further, the controller causes the recorder to record an image, based on the first command, on the sheet which is fed as the motor is driven in accordance with the second feed condition, while, in response to the first sensor detecting the sheet before the motor rotates by the particular rotation amount, the controller does not record the image, based on the first command, on the sheet which is fed as the motor is driven in accordance with the first feeding condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Yuki MATSUI
  • Publication number: 20180029389
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a head block having a head support plate and a thermal head fixed to the head support plate, a platen roller brought into abutment against the thermal head through intermediation of recording paper, a wiring board drawn from the thermal head, a frame supporting the platen roller and the head support plate, and a recording paper sensor mounted to the wiring board and detecting the recording paper. The frame includes a guide wall arranged on upstream of the thermal head in a conveyance direction of the recording paper, the guide wall guiding the recording paper to the thermal head. The head block including a sensor holder mounted thereto, the sensor holder holding the recording paper sensor at a portion which is located between the thermal head and the guide wall in the conveyance direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Norihisa ANDO
  • Publication number: 20180029390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal transfer printing spool (201) comprising a tape (203) wound on a core (205) of the spool, said tape having a proximal end (207) connected to the core, a free distal end (209) and a central portion (211) in between the proximal end and the distal end, characterized in that the tape comprises an ink ribbon (213) and a non-self-adhesive substrate ribbon (215), wherein the ink ribbon and the substrate ribbon are arranged on top of each other without being attached to each other in at least the central portion, such that an ink layer of the ink ribbon is in contact with a to be printed top surface of the substrate ribbon. The invention further relates to a method for printing, a production method for the spool, and the use of a thermal transfer printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Everardus Johannes Maria Schaeffer
  • Publication number: 20180029391
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printhead on a movable carriage; an operating unit operating by a driving force of a driving source; a transmitting unit being displaced by the driving force between a position where the transmitting unit transmits the driving force to the operating unit and a non-transmitting position; a movable member arranged on a moving path of the carriage; a restricting member being displaced, in coordination with a displacement of the movable member, between a position where the displacement of the transmitting unit is restricted and a non-restricting position; and a selecting member provided between the movable member and the restricting member. The selecting member is displaced between a position where the movable member and the restricting member are coordinated with each other by the selecting member and a non-coordinating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Ryuji Nogami, Yasuhiro Ota, Kenji Soya
  • Publication number: 20180029392
    Abstract: A recording apparatus has a carriage in which a head unit including a recording head is disposed. By turning the head unit within the carriage about a pivot that extends in a direction intersecting a head surface, the angle of the recording head is adjusted while maintaining good contact between a data storage unit included in an ink cartridge and a contact terminal included in the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kazutoshi MATSUZAKI, Tetsuya MIYAGAWA, Shota MIZUNO
  • Publication number: 20180029393
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing head that prints on a printing medium, a moving member that moves reciprocally with the printing head, and a conveying member that conveys the printing medium in a direction which intersects a printing head moving direction. Also included are a module contained in a contained position in a non-printing period, and developed in a developed position in a printing period, and a drive connection member that moves the module between the contained and developed positions with conveying member drive. The drive connection member includes a trigger arm that enters a printing head moving area when the moving member is driven in a direction opposite to which the printing medium is conveyed. When the moving member presses and moves the trigger arm, the conveying member is connected to the module such that a connected state in which the driving force transmission is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Toshiya Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20180029394
    Abstract: An interval switching member that relatively displaces a carriage with respect to a printing medium in a direction orthogonal to a printing surface of the printing medium is provided between the carriage and a first guide member, and between the carriage and a second guide member. Subsequently, an inclination control member that changes a distance between the carriage and the first guide member is provided between the carriage and the first guide member. By changing the distance between the carriage and the first guide member with the inclination control member, the carriage rotates about a second guide rail serving as a central axis, such that an angle of the printing head against the printing medium is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Masateru Komori, Haruo Uchida
  • Publication number: 20180029395
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes: a first head unit; a second head unit disposed adjacent to the first head unit in a first direction and located on a first side of the first head unit in a second direction; and a heat uniforming unit shared by the first head unit and the second head unit. Each of the first head unit and the second head unit includes: a unit body including an actuator; and a first driver integrated circuit disposed on the first side of the unit body in the second direction. The heat uniforming unit includes a first heat uniforming member disposed on the first side of the first head unit and the second head unit in the second direction. The first heat uniforming member includes a first protrusion located next to the second head unit in the first direction and protruding toward the first head unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita SUGIURA, Masayuki TAKATA, Hideki HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20180029396
    Abstract: A processing system having at least one digital printing docking point for connecting at least one digital printing unit and at least one post-processing station, which are connected by a coupling station so that at least one input of the at least one post-processing station is connected to at least one digital printing docking point, and having a first control unit for controlling the coupling station and a second control unit for controlling the at least one post-processing station. The first control unit is supplied with information concerning the product output of the at least one digital printing unit and at least one processing attribute of the product output, and directly or indirectly transfers same to the second control unit with a dynamic data feed, and the at least one post-processing station is controlled by the second control unit with this information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: FERAG AG
    Inventor: Jürg MÖCKLI
  • Publication number: 20180029397
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus comprises a carriage, on which a printhead is mounted, configured to move, a lever member configured to be rotatable about a rotating shaft and be engageable with an engaging portion of the carriage and a cam mechanism configured to have first and second locked states in which the lever member engages with the engaging portion of the carriage, wherein the first locked state restricts a rotation of the lever member so as not to release an engagement with the engaging portion, the second locked state allows the rotation of the lever member so as to release the engagement with the engaging portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Kosuke Umehara
  • Publication number: 20180029398
    Abstract: A method of marking a package of articles, especially consumer articles, such as cigarettes or the like, includes providing a package of one or more article and a first wrapping material. The package is wrapped with the first wrapping material. A marking is provided on a region of the enclosure. The step of providing a marking on the region of the enclosure includes irradiating the wrapped package with a laser beam, and the first wrapping material is substantially transparent to the laser beam, at least in the region to be marked. An apparatus for marking a package of articles, such as a pack of cigarettes, is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: JT International S.A.
    Inventor: Jens FRANZEN
  • Publication number: 20180029399
    Abstract: The invention relates to a printer device for thermal printing or embossing of a carrier film coated with a coloring matter on a substrate, wherein the printer device has a roller arrangement for accommodating the carrier film and for moving the carrier film along a conveyor path, stepper motors for driving the roller arrangement, a thermal print head for printing or embossing the coloring matter from the carrier film onto the substrate, and a swivel arrangement, which can be deflected over a swivel range, for engaging with a swivel roller of the roller arrangement and for exerting a tensile force on the carrier film. The printer device is characterized in that, with regard to an engagement with the carrier film, the swivel roller is arranged along the conveyor path directly adjacent to the thermal print head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Franzke, Lars Schoberl, Stefan Balling
  • Publication number: 20180029400
    Abstract: A method of making a relief image printing element from a photosensitive printing blank is provided. A photosensitive printing blank with a laser ablatable layer disposed on at least one photocurable layer is ablated with a laser to create an in situ mask. The printing blank is then exposed to at least one source of actinic radiation through the in situ mask to selectively cross link and cure portions of the photocurable layer. Diffusion of air into the at least one photocurable layer is limited during the exposing step and preferably at least one of the type, power and incident angle of illumination of the at least one source of actinic radiation is altered during the exposure step. The resulting relief image comprises a plurality of dots and a dot shape of the plurality of dots that provide optimal print performance on various substrates, including corrugated board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Ryan W. Vest, David A. Recchia, Timothy Gotsick
  • Publication number: 20180029401
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet holding unit, a sheet conveying unit configured to convey a plurality of sheets one by one onto the sheet holding unit during sheet processing, wherein the plurality of sheets includes a first sheet and a second sheet that is conveyed immediately after the first sheet, an adhesive applying unit configured to apply an adhesive material on the first sheet held on the sheet holding unit before the second sheet is conveyed onto the first sheet, and a pressing unit configured to press the second sheet against the first sheet after the second sheet is conveyed onto the first sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Hiroyuki TAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180029402
    Abstract: An ID document comprises a receiving substrate in or on which an ink that is fluorescent under UV-A lighting is locally deposited, and a multilayer optical security component attached to a substrate. The optical component comprises a structurable layer and a reflective dielectric layer discontinuously deposited on the structurable layer in the plane of the component so as to produce patterns. The reflective dielectric layer has a relative transmission of at most 40% in the UV-B or UV-C range. The optical component also include an assembly of at least one layer including pigments that are fluorescent when energized by UV-B or UV-C. These are deposited on the reflective dielectric layer in a uniform or discontinuous manner in the plane of the optical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Antoine Dhôme
  • Publication number: 20180029403
    Abstract: Clips and clip devices are described that can allow a user to at least temporarily attach a loose article to a binding mechanism, for example, a substantially cylindrical binding mechanism. Methods of using these devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Erin Condren
  • Publication number: 20180029404
    Abstract: A magnetic pen can be used with a magnetic panel. The magnetic pen includes a body with an end portion. A holder made of a magnetic material is attached to the end portion and an internal space is formed in the holder. A magnet having an S pole and an N pole is arranged in the internal space of the holder so that the S pole and the N pole are opposite the magnetic panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Ritsuo Koga
  • Publication number: 20180029405
    Abstract: A writing implement with a high voltage circuit and an evacuated noble glass globe attached that responds to human touch is disclosed. The apparatus utilizes a mini high voltage circuit and mini globe to produce the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen Thomas Feys
  • Publication number: 20180029406
    Abstract: Process for the realization of manufactured articles in stone material, characterized by comprising the following steps of: providing a block or flat sheet of said stone material, and gluing a support in a flexible material on a surface of said sheet, carrying out the cutting or sectioning of said sheet to obtain a laminated panel with a determined minimum thickness, carrying out the winding of the mentioned laminated panel on a roll or similar curved surface to obtain the crushing of said panel into irregular chunks or parts; carrying out the impregnation or spreading on said crushed panel with polymeric materials or thermosetting resins; recomposing the planarity of said impregnated panel thus obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Stefano FIORATTI
  • Publication number: 20180029407
    Abstract: A herringbone surface decorative material includes two different types of rectangular shaped surface decorative sections, i.e. type-B1 and type-B2 decorative sections. Each of the decorative sections includes a plurality of parallel oblique pattern stripes and boundary lines are formed between adjacent pattern stripes. The boundary lines of the type-B1 and the type-B2 decorative sections are mirrored each other. The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: HSIUNG-TIEH YU, STEPHEN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20180029408
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved tool box useful for painters featuring a first receiving space or compartment, a second receiving space or compartment, a handle or means for carrying or transporting the tool box, and a means for receiving or holding in a substantially vertical position a paint brush or paint roller or tool useful for a painter. The tool box may be formed of any suitable material or combination or materials such as wood, fiber board, pressboard, rubber, plastic, metal or cardboard. The tool box may be designed for extended life or it may be formed of one or more materials adapted to be disposed of after one or a few or several uses. The tool box may be of any suitable shape such as substantially rectangular, square, oblong, elliptical, round, etc. Similarly, it may be of any suitable size such as, for instance, about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 or more feet long, about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 or more feet wide, and about 6?, 12?, 18?, 24?, 30?, or 36? or more, tall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Juan CUBILLO
  • Publication number: 20180029409
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel hub that includes a hub shell having a first end and a second end. The bicycle wheel hub also includes a first flange adjacent the first end and configured for the attachment of a first plurality of spokes, and a second flange adjacent the second end configured for the attachment of a second plurality of spokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: XTREME CARBON PTY LTD
    Inventor: Brian Francis CORRIGAN
  • Publication number: 20180029410
    Abstract: A cast metal railroad car wheel includes a hub section, a tread section, and an uninterrupted annular web extending between and supporting the tread section on the hub section. The web includes a disk-shaped surface that is continuously concave and that does not include a reversely curved portion. A V-process casting process casts railroad wheels using a vacuum-process casting mold with opposing halves each partially filled with unbonded sand and sand-retaining-plastic film and a vacuum application port and that, when positioned together with the unbonded sand held to shape by vacuum and the film, define a cavity shaped to form a railroad car wheel. The V-process includes feeding molten metal into the cavity, cooling the molten metal, and releasing a vacuum to cause the sand to fall away from the railroad car wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Vaughn W. Makary
  • Publication number: 20180029411
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing device comprises a shaft, an axial abutment structure, a bicycle-body engaging structure, a manual actuator, and a shaft-end retaining structure. The shaft has a first shaft end, a second shaft end, and a longitudinal center axis. The manual actuator is operatively connected to the axial abutment structure to bias the axial abutment structure against a first wheel attachment part of a bicycle body in response to operation of the manual actuator in a securing state where the bicycle-body engaging structure is engaged with a second wheel attachment part of the bicycle body. The shaft-end retaining structure is at least partly disposed at the second shaft end to retain the second shaft end in the first wheel attachment part in a maintenance state where the second shaft end is positioned in the first wheel attachment part of the bicycle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kenji KAMADA
  • Publication number: 20180029412
    Abstract: A hub for bicycles includes a hub shell which is rotatably supported relative to a hub axle by two roller bearings disposed on opposite ends of the hub shell, a rotor rotatably supported relative to the hub axle by two rotor bearings, and a freewheel device having an interacting hub-side freewheel component and a rotor-side freewheel component. The two freewheel components each have axial engagement elements and are axially movable relative to one another between a freewheel position and an intermeshing engaging position. The rotor is disposed in the same axial position both in the freewheel position and in the engaging position. A driving torque is transmitted in the engaging position. The hub-side freewheel component has an inner central receiving space with a bearing seat and a roller bearing received to rotatably support the hub shell. The hub-side freewheel component includes an appendix protruding outwardly from the axial body section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Martin WALTHERT, Stefan SPAHR
  • Publication number: 20180029413
    Abstract: A hub for bicycles with a hub shell rotatably supported relative to a hub axle by roller bearings and a rotor rotatably supported relative to the hub axle by at least two rotor bearings and with a freewheel device with two interacting freewheel components namely, a hub-side freewheel component and a rotor-side freewheel component. The two freewheel components are movable relative to one another in the axial direction between a freewheel position and an intermeshing engaging position in which a driving torque can be transmitted. The hub-side freewheel component is compact in configuration and a hub bearing to rotatably support the hub shell is integrated and configured therein. An outer ring of the hub bearing is configured in an axial body section of the hub-side freewheel component. A sealing unit protects the interior of the hub bearing from the entry of dirt and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Martin WALTHERT, Stefan SPAHR
  • Publication number: 20180029414
    Abstract: An axle beam comprises a hollow middle portion and a pair of hollow end portions. The hollow middle portion has a first corner-curved tapered arch cross-sectional shape. The pair of hollow end portions each have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, and each extend from an opposite end of the middle portion. The hollow middle portion has a first wall thickness. The hollow end portions each have a second wall thickness that is larger than the first wall thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Adel Mohd Khanfar, Earl Paul Barker, II, Dennis Bucholtz
  • Publication number: 20180029415
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a wheel mount that is disposed on a planet carrier of a planetary gear set. The wheel mount may be fixedly positioned with respect to the planet carrier with one or more fasteners and one or more dowels so that the wheel mount and planet carrier may rotate together about an axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Tomaz Dopico Varela
  • Publication number: 20180029416
    Abstract: A vehicle recovery ladder includes a body and traction members fastened to the body. Advantageously, in one embodiment any damaged traction members may be readily released and replaced to maintain the performance of the ladder. The traction members may be fastened to the body during forming of the body, Advantageously, the traction members are releaseably fastened to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: MAXTRAX AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: Bradley John McCarthy, Neil Davidson
  • Publication number: 20180029417
    Abstract: A tire has a cap rubber formed of nonconductive rubber and forms a ground surface, and a conductive portion provided in at least one side end portion of a pair of side end portions in both ends in a tire width direction. The conductive portion is formed of a conductive rubber, and reaches a side surface of the cap rubber from the ground surface through an inner portion of the cap rubber. The conductive portion is relatively small in a thickness in the ground surface and a side surface of the cap rubber, is relatively large in the maximum thickness of an intermediate portion between the ground surface and the side surface of the cap rubber, and is formed into a crescent shape which is curved into an outer side in a tire width direction and an outer side in a radial direction, in a tire meridian cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Nagai
  • Publication number: 20180029418
    Abstract: A tire has a cap rubber formed of a nonconductive rubber and forms a ground surface, and a conductive portion provided in at least one side end portion of a pair of side end portions in both ends in a tire width direction. The conductive portion is formed of a conductive rubber, and reaches a side surface of the cap rubber from the ground surface through an inner portion of the cap rubber. The conductive portion is the smallest in thickness in the ground surface, is relatively large in thickness in the side surface of the cap rubber, is gradually increased in thickness from the ground surface to the side surface of the cap rubber, and is formed into a trumpet shape which is curved into an inner side in a tire width direction and an inner side in a radial direction, in a tire meridian cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Nagai
  • Publication number: 20180029419
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a band part, including an inner band and an outer band that is separated from the inner band and surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the inner band; and a spoke part, extending in a circumferential direction between the inner band and the outer band, having a circumferential cross section having one or more holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kee-Woon KIM, Chul-Woo KWARK, Chang-Jung PARK, Gwi-Sung SHIN, Soon-Wook HWANG, Michio SHIMIZU, Jun MATSUDA
  • Publication number: 20180029420
    Abstract: In view of the above, the disclosure provides a non-pneumatic tire capable of enhancing a load supporting performance and a shock absorbing effect and improving a braking and traction performance. The present disclosure provides a non-pneumatic tire comprising a band part and a spoke part; where, a band part includes an inner band and an outer band that is separated from the inner band and surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the inner band; and where, a spoke part includes a plurality of first spokes that is arranged in a circumferential direction between the inner band and the outer band and connects the inner band and the outer band. Furthermore, according to another embodiment, a spoke part may include second spokes that connected to first spokes adjacent to each other at wherein first embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kee-Woon Kim, Chang-Jung Park, Chul-Woo Kwark, Gwi-Sung Shin, Soon-Wook Hwang, Michio Shimizu, Jun Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20180029421
    Abstract: A cord-rubber composite 11 comprises a cord array 12 of parallel steel cords 14, and an unvulcanized topping rubber 13 coating the cord array 12 and having a complex elastic modulus E* of not less than 5 MPa after vulcanization. The code array has a surface area parameter S (mm) of not less than 60 mm. The surface area parameter s (mm) is defined by the following expression: S=D×Pi×E, wherein E is a cord count of the steel cords 14 per 5 cm width of the cord-rubber composite 11 in a direction orthogonal to longitudinal directions of the steel cords, and D is an average outer diameter (mm) of the steel cords per the 5 cm width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji FUJISAWA