Patents Issued in April 24, 2018
  • Patent number: 9950407
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a very practical nozzle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MACOHO CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Sachito Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9950408
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary abrasive pad having a plurality of first elongated members and a plurality of second elongated members arranged crosswise relative to the first elongated members to form a mat having a first side and an opposite second side. The second elongated members alternately pass over and under the first members in a serpentine manner, and include a longitudinal concave region and a longitudinal convex region. The abrasive pad includes an abrasive material affixed to the convex region of at least one of the plurality of second elongated members, wherein the concave region of the second elongated members are devoid of abrasive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Diamabrush LLC
    Inventors: Simon Palushaj, Jerry Duda
  • Patent number: 9950409
    Abstract: A clamping device has a clamp and a removable handle. A pair of clamping arms is on the clamp. A pivoting device includes a clamp bushing linked with each of the clamping arms of the pair of clamping arms to move the pair of arms between an opened and closed position. The removable handle couples with the clamp bushing. The removable handle includes a release mechanism to actuate the pivot mechanism to move the clamping arms between the open and clamped positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Grobbel, Ken Hagan
  • Patent number: 9950410
    Abstract: A puller for gripping a mat, or pad, and the like for aiding in the movement and placement thereof, the puller including a plurality of pivoted lever members and gripper members mounted thereon for securely gripping the mat or pad, and including at least one handle member for moving the lever members toward and away from each other for moving the gripper members into and out of contact with the mat or pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Peter A. Dvorscak
  • Patent number: 9950411
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for threading a nut along a stud or similar elongate member, including use of a contact member within a first orifice that engages the nut, and a torque transfer member within a second orifice that engages both the contact member and a power source, such as an air ratchet. Torque from the power source causes movement of the torque transfer member, which, in turn, causes movement of the contact member, thereby threading or unthreading the nut along the stud or other elongate member. The first orifice includes a through bore for accommodating passage of the elongate member, while the body of the apparatus can include ferromagnetic members for preventing loss of the nut and additional structures for limiting undesired movement of the power source or apparatus through contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Don K. Clover
  • Patent number: 9950412
    Abstract: A torque wrench includes a driving shank having two pivot bases, an anchor pivotally attached to one of the pivot bases and having channel formed in the anchor, a connection rod pivotally attached to the other pivot base, a housing engaged onto the connection rod, a casing disposed on the housing, a peg secured to the casing and slidably engaged in the channel of the anchor, a retainer member engaged into the casing and having a protrusion engaged into the housing, and a positioning element is engaged into the housing and engaged with the protrusion of the retainer member and for positioning the positioning element to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Tien Yu Fang, Hsin Pu Fang, Yu Chen Chu
  • Patent number: 9950413
    Abstract: A multifunctional tool includes first and second handle members, first and second jaw members operatively connected to the first and second handle members and movable between a first open position and a second closed position, and first and second removable collar attachment members configured to be removably installed in the first and second jaw members, respectively, to provide different sizes of compressing and/or cutting diameters when the first and second jaw members are in the second closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MIL3 INC.
    Inventor: John G. Cleland
  • Patent number: 9950414
    Abstract: A combustion driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having an extruded front body component including two to three parallel bores. A first bore forms a cylinder for the piston which drives the fastener. A second bore forms a primary combustion chamber in which a fuel and air mixture is ignited and directed into the adjacent piston cylinder. A third bore (or alternately an attached component) forms a pathway for the fuel and air mixture to be directed into the primary combustion chamber. The combustion driven fastener hand tool includes numerous other features affording improvements over the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Power Tech Staple and Nail, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Wong, Shih-Yi Chen, Chin-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 9950415
    Abstract: The representative impact tool has a motor, a driving mechanism, a body housing and a handle, and part of the motor and part of the handle are disposed on an axis of a tool accessory. The impact tool has an outer housing that is disposed to cover the outside of the body housing and connected to the body housing via an elastic element so as to be allowed to move with respect to the body housing in an axial direction of the tool accessory, and the handle is integrally connected to the outer housing. The body housing has an exposed region in which at least part of a region of the body housing corresponding to at least one of the motor and the driving mechanism, is not covered by the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime Takeuchi, Kei Watanabe, Masanori Furusawa
  • Patent number: 9950416
    Abstract: To provide a handle that is effective at achieving both vibration resistance and usability. A handle attached to a tool body of a power tool has: a grip portion; a connecting portion that connects to the tool body; elastic element interposing regions that are formed between the grip portion and the connecting portion; elastic elements disposed in the elastic element interposing regions; a powder filling region formed between the grip portion and connecting portion; and a plurality of powder bodies that fill the powder filling region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kutsuna, Ryo Sunazuka, Yoshitaka Machida, Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 9950417
    Abstract: An electronic pulse driver includes a motor, a hammer, an anvil, an end tool mounting unit, a power supply unit, and a control unit. The hammer is rotatable together with the anvil. The end tool mounting unit transmits the rotation of the anvil to an end tool. The power supply unit supplies a drive electric power to the motor. The control unit controls the power supply unit to halt a supply of the drive electric power to the motor when an electric current flowing to the motor increases to a prescribed value. The control unit controls the power supply unit to supply to the motor a prestart electric power lower than the drive electric power before supplying the drive electric power in order to permit the power supply unit to supply the drive electric power after the hammer is in contact with the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ito, Katsuhiro Oomori, Mizuho Nakamura, Tomomasa Nishikawa, Hironori Mashiko
  • Patent number: 9950418
    Abstract: An impact tool is provided which has a driving mechanism 120, 140 that drives a tool bit 119, a motor 110 that drives the driving mechanism 120, 140, an inner housing 103 that houses the driving mechanism 120, 140, an outer housing 101 that has an internal space for housing the inner housing 103 and the motor 110, an opening 193 that leads from the outside to the internal space of the outer housing 101, and a covering member 195 that covers the opening 193.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kakiuchi, Hajime Takeuchi, Masanori Furusawa, Yoshiro Tada
  • Patent number: 9950419
    Abstract: A hammer drill comprising: a body; a motor mounted within the body; a transmission housing mounted within the body, a transmission mechanism mounted within the transmission housing which is capable of rotatably driving and/or repetitively striking a cutting tool held by the hammer drill in response to rotation of an output shaft of the motor; wherein the transmission housing comprises a pair of housing portions adapted to engage each other to support the component parts of the transmission mechanism within the transmission housing; wherein the first housing portion is made from metal and the second housing portion is made from a plastic material, each of the components of the transmission mechanism being supported jointly be the first and second housing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Rompel, Michael Kunz
  • Patent number: 9950420
    Abstract: Protective cap to be placed over a political tool shank that consists of an at least partly ring-shaped casing, on which, in the vicinity of a base part, a terminating ring with a ring-shaped insertion-guide profile is shaped, wherein the casing and the terminating ring together form a receptacle space for the tool shank, wherein in the direction in which the protective cap is pushed onto the tool shank, the base-side annular area transitions into a cover-side trochoidal area which is adapted to the polygonal shape of the tool shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Rose Plastic AG
    Inventor: Thiemo Roesler
  • Patent number: 9950421
    Abstract: The invention relates to a player humanoid robot, a method and computer programs associated therewith. The prior art does not disclose any humanoid robot able to move on its lower limbs, to perform gestures, to communicate visual and/or audible signs, to receive same and interpret them so as to deduce therefrom appropriate behaviors for participating in a game in time as compere, questioner, questioned, investigator or mobile stake for the game. The hardware architectures, internal software and software for programming the robot of the invention make it possible to carry out these functions and to create new game experiences in which the boundaries between virtual world and real world are shifted once again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE
    Inventors: Jerome Monceaux, Celine Boudier
  • Patent number: 9950422
    Abstract: A flexible exosuit includes rigid and flexible elements configured to couple forces to a body of a wearer. Further, the flexible exosuit includes flexible linear actuators and clutched compliance elements to apply and/or modulate forces and/or compliances between segments of the body of the wearer. The flexible exosuit further includes electronic controllers, power sources and sensors. The flexible exosuit can be configured to apply forces to the body of the wearer to enable a variety of applications. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to augment the physical strength or endurance of the wearer. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to train the wearer to perform certain physical tasks. In some examples, the flexible exosuit can be configured to record physical activities of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Roy David Kornbluh, Alexander Steele Kernbaum, Thomas Low, Katherine Goss Witherspoon, Brian Keith McCoy, Adam Arnold Edward Ziemba, Paul Michael Birkmeyer, Richard M. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 9950423
    Abstract: An industrial robot includes a robot arm with multiple elements connected via joints, one element of which is designed as a linkage and another designed as an arm extension. The arm extension is mounted on one side of the linkage in a pivotal manner about a rotational axis by one of the joints and supports at least two other elements which form hand elements of the robot arm. An arm extension drive on the arm extension pivots the arm extension relative to the linkage, and a first hand element drive on the arm extension moves one of the hand elements relative to the arm extension. A motor shaft of the arm extension drive on the arm extension is offset from and runs parallel to the rotational axis, and a motor shaft of the first hand element drive on the arm extension is perpendicular to and spaced from the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Krumbacher, Andre Reekers
  • Patent number: 9950424
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a multifunctional tool with replaceable tool tips. The disclosed multifunctional tool may be used as an end-effector on a robotic arm in space. Each tool tip, when in the tool holder, is driven by a common motor. The same motor can also be used to control the orientation of the tool tip about an axis. The tool tips are replaceable in the tool holder by simple and robust means, resulting in a lighter and cheaper multifunctional tool. The tool tips can be variously adapted to perform a variety of functions, including cutting, grasping, drilling, driving, etc. Since the tool may be driven by only one actuator, and the single actuator may be used to drive both the tool and rotation of the tool, mass can be saved. Use of such a multifunctional tool also reduces overall system power requirements, and system complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Roberts, Stephen Bratsberg, Giuseppe Rago
  • Patent number: 9950425
    Abstract: A robot control apparatus, which controls motions of an industrial robot based on processing results of an image processing apparatus which images the robot or objects around the robot, includes: a first communication unit which communicates with a computer for development as an external computer; a second communication unit which is connected to the image processing apparatus via a network; and a command processing unit which opens a communication port of the second communication unit and causes the second communication unit to start communication with the image processing apparatus via a server on the network in response to an open command received by the first communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Setsuda
  • Patent number: 9950426
    Abstract: Robotic devices may be trained by a user guiding the robot along target action trajectory using an input signal. A robotic device may comprise an adaptive controller configured to generate control signal based on one or more of the user guidance, sensory input, performance measure, and/or other information. Training may comprise a plurality of trials, wherein for a given context the user and the robot's controller may collaborate to develop an association between the context and the target action. Upon developing the association, the adaptive controller may be capable of generating the control signal and/or an action indication prior and/or in lieu of user input. The predictive control functionality attained by the controller may enable autonomous operation of robotic devices obviating a need for continuing user guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Brain Corporation
    Inventors: Patryk Laurent, Jean-Baptiste Passot, Oleg Sinyavskiy, Filip Ponulak, Borja Ibarz Gabardos, Eugene Izhikevich
  • Patent number: 9950427
    Abstract: A robot includes a robot arm and an inertial sensor provided in the robot arm. The robot arm is controlled using a weighting value for weighting output from the inertial sensor. In at least apart of a range in which the robot arm is movable, the weighting value is a first value when acceleration of the robot arm is first acceleration, and changes from the first value to a second value higher than the first value when the acceleration of the robot arm changes from the first acceleration to second acceleration lower than the first acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Gomi, Shunsuke Toshimitsu
  • Patent number: 9950428
    Abstract: A method for controlling a wearable robot includes deducing a knee joint angle value of a robot using a joint angle sensor in a control unit, comparing the deduced knee joint angle value with a reference knee joint angle value previously stored in the control unit, deducing a thigh angle value using a thigh angle sensor in the control unit when the deduced knee joint angle value exceeds the reference knee joint angle value, comparing the deduced thigh angle value with a reference thigh angle value previously stored in the control unit, and setting an operation mode of the robot to a lift-up mode in the control unit when the thigh angle value exceeds the reference thigh angle value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Dong Jin Hyun, Kyung Mo Jung, Hyun Seop Lim
  • Patent number: 9950429
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a robot cleaner. The control method includes acquiring an image of the robot cleaner and a surrounding area of the robot cleaner at a reference position, the robot cleaner having two markers spaced apart from each other by a given distance, extracting the two markers from the acquired image, defining a horizontal plane of an actual space in which the two markers are located, based on positions of the two markers displayed on the acquired image and an actual distance between the two markers, acquiring position information of the robot cleaner relative to the reference position, based on position information of the two markers in the horizontal plane, and controlling travel of the robot cleaner based on the position information of the robot cleaner relative to the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Younggie Kim, Sangyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9950430
    Abstract: A robotic system may include an incremental encoder coupled to a joint of the system. The robotic system may include a memory configured to store representations of angular positions of the joint. The robotic system may include a motor coupled to the joint, where rotation of the joint while the motor is powered off (i) causes rotation of the motor such that electric power is generated, and (ii) updates the angular position of the joint. The robotic system may use the electric power to power on the incremental encoder and the memory while the robotic system is powered off. One or more processors may obtain, when the robotic system powers on after being powered off, the updated angular position of the joint from the memory, where the incremental encoder provides the updated angular position to the memory while the robotic system is powered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Schaft Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ito, Junichi Urata, Koichi Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 9950431
    Abstract: Initial interaction between a mobile robot and at least one user is described herein. The mobile robot captures several images of its surroundings, and identifies existence of a user in at least one of the several images. The robot then orients itself to face the user, and outputs an instruction to the user with regard to the orientation of the user with respect to the mobile robot. The mobile robot captures images of the face of the user responsive to detecting that the user has followed the instruction. Information captured by the robot is uploaded to a cloud-storage system, where information is included in a profile of the user and is shareable with others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Jean Sebastien Fouillade, Russel Sanchez, Efstathios Papaefstathiou, Malek M. Chalabi
  • Patent number: 9950432
    Abstract: The present application discloses a vacuum sucker with one-cavity and multi-holes, which comprises a housing, a sucker member, a suction chamber and a piston member. The housing is connected to the sucker member. The sucker member is provided with at least two recess type chambers on bottom surface. The suction chamber is provided with air holes which are communicated with the recess type chambers. The piston member is movably mounted in the suction chamber and is provided with a component for one-way communication by sucking the air from the suction chamber to the outside through a reciprocating motion of the piston member. Each of the recess type chambers is provided with an air hole communicated with the suction chamber. The present application provides a vacuum sucker with one-cavity and multi-holes, achieving a better use effect through a plurality of the recess type chambers being sucked on the sucking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Xiamen Niujianni Smart Home Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haisheng Huang, Changhong Wen
  • Patent number: 9950433
    Abstract: A folding knife having an improved locking engagement mechanism that will maintain and hold the knife in an open locked use position or in a locked folded position. The improved locking engagement provides a spring urged dual locking bar engaged directly on the knife blade for an improved imparted force transfer. A positional locking activation safety button is resiliently registerably against an apertured pivot arm extension of the locking bar for locking and unlocking engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Andrew Demko
  • Patent number: 9950434
    Abstract: System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehuda Binder
  • Patent number: 9950435
    Abstract: System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehuda Binder
  • Patent number: 9950436
    Abstract: A method of assembling an electronic subassembly for a personal care product by providing an adapter having a body with a tapered guide surface. A first circuit board is positioned within the adapter. A flexible portion of the first circuit board extends from one end of the adapter and a rigid end of the first circuit board extends from the other end of the adapter. A housing is provided with a first opening and a second opening and a chamber (between the first and second openings. A second circuit board having an electrical connector into the chamber thru the first opening. The tapered surface of the adapter engages a corresponding tapered guide surface of the housing. The rigid end of the first circuit board is connected to the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventors: Norbert Broemse, Klaus Heubach, Juergen Behrendt
  • Patent number: 9950437
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for preparing sandwiches (subs, wraps) and meal, such as Shawarma, Gyros and Doner Kebab sandwiches and meals. The apparatus includes a grilling mechanism, a smoking mechanism, a slicing mechanism, sandwich and meal assembly mechanism, sandwich wrapping and packing mechanism and accepting money and credit card mechanism. The slicing mechanism is configured to slice a cylinder or cone of meat in an automated, substantially helical slicing pattern. The sandwich assembly includes various components to automatically dispense selected bread, condiments, and other sandwich and meal ingredients and wrapping and packing the sandwich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Anas Al Afandi, Ahmad Rashed Edlbi
  • Patent number: 9950438
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes, a punch unit configured to perform punching processing on a sheet conveyed from one of a plurality of sheet storing units capable of storing a sheet or a pre-punched sheet, an input unit configured to input a number of holes punched in the pre-punched sheet stored in one of the sheet storing units, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a number of holes that can be punched by the punch unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether the input number of holes coincides with the acquired number of holes that can be punched, and a control unit configured to display a predetermined warning in a case where the determination unit determines that the input number of holes does not coincide with the acquired number of holes that can be punched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kuroda, Tsuyoshi Muto
  • Patent number: 9950439
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval. The web material can be cut to different insert lengths and the placement location varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. McCabe, Christopher J. Nelson, Robert E. Andrews
  • Patent number: 9950440
    Abstract: A paper punch includes a plurality of punch seats movably disposed along a slide board mounted on a base, a press board pivotably connected to the base to press punch heads of the punch seats, and a plurality of control members respectively disposed on the punch seats and operable to releasably lock the punch seats on the base. Each punch seat has a force transmitting member movably disposed on a die holder to transmit a pressing force of the press board so as to press the punch head downwardly to perform a firm and stable punching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: PAO SHEN ENTERPRISES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsung-Wen Huang
  • Patent number: 9950441
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a moisture concentration of veneer are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method for adjusting a moisture concentration of a veneer can include estimating a moisture concentration of a veneer surface at one or more locations thereon. The method can also include comparing the one or more estimated locations to a minimum moisture concentration level. The method can also include moisturizing at least a portion of the one or more estimated locations that are below the minimum moisture concentration level to increase the moisture concentration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Jewell, Hudson A. Pope
  • Patent number: 9950442
    Abstract: A method feeds raw material into a metal die and extrudes the raw material to produce a honeycomb molded body. The method fires the honeycomb molded body to make a honeycomb structural body. The metal die has a first metal die and a second metal die arranged at an upstream side of an extrusion direction of the raw material and a second metal die arranged at a downstream side of the extrusion direction of the raw material. The first metal die has a projection section and the second metal die has a penetration hole. The projection section is fitted to the penetration hole to assemble the first metal die and the second metal die. Communication holes formed in the second metal die communicate with raw material second feeding holes formed in the first metal die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naohiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9950443
    Abstract: A pressure die casting mold for producing a casting which is part of an integral toilet having a body, a water ring, and a tank, wherein the casting, as an integral component, includes the water ring and the tank which is open on the upper side. The pressure die casting mold is composed of at least five molded parts which are interconnectable in a releasable manner, namely of a base part, two side parts having in each case one half of a front wall, a rear wall, and a cover part. The molded parts delimit a cavity which corresponds to the outer shape of the casting. A wedge element, which at least in portions delimits the inner shape of the water tank, is provided on the base part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: DURAVIT AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Juan Angel de la Corte, Christian Ledermann
  • Patent number: 9950444
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for a lorry-based concrete mixer (12) is described. The apparatus (10) comprises a vessel (14) adapted to be positioned beneath a concrete mixer discharge chute portion (16), the vessel (14) comprising a vessel body (18), the vessel body (18) defining a vessel inlet (20) and a vessel outlet (22), the vessel inlet (20) being adapted to receive debris and fluid exiting the chute discharge portion (16), and the vessel outlet (22) being adapted to permit debris and fluid stored in the vessel body (18) to be discharged from the vessel body (18). There is a direct line of sight (24) for a user (26) through the vessel inlet (20) to the vessel outlet (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Brinsley McFarlane
  • Patent number: 9950445
    Abstract: A device for drilling a hole with an expanded diameter includes: a body, a shank; a sleeve; a compression spring; a drill bit body; an expanded diameter hole portion forming member attached to a side surface of the drill bit body and configured such that a cutting bit protrudes laterally from the drill bit body when the expanded diameter hole portion forming member moves forward on the side surface; a compression spring, which urges the expanded diameter hole portion forming member rearward relative to the drill bit body; and a cam. The expanded diameter hole portion forming member is configured to move forward on the side surface of the drill bit body owing to rotation of the cam when the body moves forward relative to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA MIYANAGA
    Inventor: Masaaki Miyanaga
  • Patent number: 9950446
    Abstract: A device for producing pellets from a melt material. The device can have a perforated plate with nozzles from which a melt material emerges. Located opposite the perforated plate is a cutting chamber with a motor-driven cutter arrangement having a cutter head with at least one blade, and a cutter shaft. A coolant is introduced into the cutting chamber from an inlet apparatus. The inlet apparatus has a separate inlet chamber that circumferentially encloses the cutting chamber in the area of rotation of the at least one blade, and has an adjustable annular inlet nozzle arrangement. Coolant is introduced into the cutting chamber circumferentially and substantially radially inward from the outside. A substantially centripetal flow of the coolant is produced in the area of rotation, and the coolant and the pellets are conveyed to an outlet of the cutting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Automatik Plastics Machinery GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhardt-Karsten Mürb
  • Patent number: 9950447
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thienchai Chaisumrej, Tee L. Wan, Gjermund Haugbro, Chia-Yi Wu
  • Patent number: 9950448
    Abstract: Molds, methods and systems are provided for adjusting one or more plysteer parameters in a tire having a tread formed from a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Joseph Nicholas Brown, James Edward Stone, Richard T Janczak
  • Patent number: 9950449
    Abstract: A tool and a process for forming a vehicle component is provided. An insert has a lost core generally encapsulated by a cast metal shell. The insert has an anchor surface and a first locating member spaced apart therefrom, and is shaped to form a fluid passage in the vehicle component. A first die is configured to mate with the anchor surface and constrain the insert. A second die defines a first locator recess sized to receive the first locating member and constrain the insert. The first and second dies mate with one another to form the tool. The first and second dies constrain the insert in multiple degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford E. Maki, Antony George Schepak
  • Patent number: 9950450
    Abstract: An embodiment is a molding chamber. The molding chamber comprises a mold-conforming chase, a substrate-base chase, a first radiation permissive component, and a microwave generator coupled to a first waveguide. The mold-conforming chase is over the substrate-base chase, and the mold-conforming chase is moveable in relation to the substrate-base chase. The first radiation permissive component is in one of the mold-conforming chase or the substrate-base chase. The microwave generator and the first waveguide are together operable to direct microwave radiation through the first radiation permissive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jing-Cheng Lin, Chen-Hua Yu, Shin-Puu Jeng, Jui-Pin Hung, Hsien-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 9950451
    Abstract: A method of manufacture of products from geopolymer composite shaped in a mold which is filled by casting of geopolymer composite in form of a precursor and after its hardening the casting is taken out from the mold and the casting surface is provided with a metallic layer. Before metal-plating casting surface with absorption capacity greater than 5% is treated to make it chemically stable so that pH of a leachate from 100 g of the bulk product in 1000 g distilled water after 24 hours does not exceed 9. In order to reduce the absorption capacity of the casting surface it is penetrated with polymer substances or particles of a non-porous filler are added into the geopolymer composite in the precursor state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: IQ STRUCTURES S.R.O.
    Inventors: Tomas Tethal, Michaela Steinerova, Jiri Houfek
  • Patent number: 9950452
    Abstract: A composite friction unit of a three dimensional composite body is formed in a system for continuous process manufacturing of composite friction units. The system uses a plurality of rolls of reinforcing fiber fabrics, a resin dispensing system that receives a panel of reinforcing fiber fabric from each one of the rolls and separately dispenses resin through a plurality of dispensing tubes, each associated with a different panel, onto a surface of each panel. A forming die is positioned to receive the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabric after resin is dispensed onto the panels and is configured to form a composite panel from the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabrics. A cutting mechanism cuts a desired shape part from the composite panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Benjamin V. Booher
  • Patent number: 9950453
    Abstract: Thin silicon films of high thickness uniformity and thicknesses of from 0.1 ?m to 200 ?m are prepared by applying a crosslinkable silicone composition to a moving carrier by means of a slot die, removing solvent, if present, and subsequently crosslinking the silicone layer formed on the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: WACKER CHEMIE AG
    Inventors: Andreas Koellnberger, Alfred Schwinghammer
  • Patent number: 9950454
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a PUR/PIR foam body, comprising the steps of providing a mold adapted for applying an underpressure to the interior of the mold; introducing a reaction mixture comprising an isocyanate-reactive component A and an isocyanate B into the mold, and applying an underpressure to the interior of the mold, so the underpressure acts on the introduced reaction mixture. The underpressure is applied to the interior of the mold no later than the reaction mixture has started to set in the mold, and the isocyanate index of the reaction mixture is ?300.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Albers, Patrick Klasen, Stephanie Vogel
  • Patent number: 9950455
    Abstract: A dielectric waveguide comprising a dielectric probe at each end, wherein the dielectric probes are arranged to transfer energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Sai Tak Chu, Jacky Ping Yuen Tsui, Peng Zhou, Edwin Yue Bun Pun
  • Patent number: 9950456
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a housing includes a base plate and a frame formed on an outer edge of the base plate. The base plate includes a positioning hole for positioning in a mold. At least, the frame has a cross-section protruding outside the base plate. A positioning pin fit into the positioning hole is provided in the mold. An inlet through which molten resin is injected into a cavity of the mold is opened in the positioning pin. In the housing, the frame is formed on the outer edge of the base plate by injecting synthetic resin into the mold through the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hirao, Kazuo Ito