Patents Issued in May 1, 2018
  • Patent number: 9957661
    Abstract: Polymers are described having repeat units of Formula (I): wherein R3 is H or alkyl group; x and t are positive integers; Q is C(O)O, C(O)NH, or direct bond; D is alkylene, arylene, or (CH2CH2O)n(CH(CH3)CH2O)m; E is O, S, NR5, or direct bond; R5 is H or alkyl; G is the residue of a polyisocyanate; V is a urethane, urea, or thiourea that bonds to other parts of the polymer compound or to a monovalent blocking group; s is 1 to 5; Y is O or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group; A is an alkylene group; w, v, and y are 0 or 1; X is the residue of a cyclic or acyclic sugar alcohol which is substituted with —R1, —C(O)R1, —(CH2CH2O)n(CH(CH3)CH2O)mR2, —(CH2CH2O)n(CH(CH3)CH2O)mC(O)R1, or mixtures thereof; n and m are independently 0 to 20; R1 is independently an alkyl group; and R2 is independently —H or alkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC
    Inventors: John Christopher Sworen, Gerald Oronde Brown, Tatsiana Haidzinskaya, Ewa Kohler
  • Patent number: 9957662
    Abstract: Provided a stain-resistant synthetic leather, including: (a) a polyurethane synthetic leather; (b) a silane-based coating layer formed on the polyurethane synthetic leather; and (c) a silicone coating layer formed on the silane-based coating layer, wherein the silane-based layer strengthens the binding between the polyurethane synthetic leather and the silicone coating layer, so that the stain-resistant synthetic leather can exhibit texture and flexibility of natural leather per se, and can exhibit excellent water resistance, stain resistance, weather resistance, and wear resistance through the silane-based coating layer and silicone coating layer formed on the polyurethane synthetic leather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Soon Kie Jung
  • Patent number: 9957663
    Abstract: A method for transferring an image to a fabric, including providing a recording medium; coating the recording medium with a specialty coating including a silicone release agent, a silicone emulsion catalyst, and a binder; printing an image on the recording medium including the specialty coating, the image being printed using a sublimation ink; adhering a powder adhesive to the image printed on the recording medium while the image is in a wet state; transferring the recording medium including powder adhesive and image to the fabric; and hot-pressing the powder adhesive and image to the fabric to adhere the powder adhesive and image to the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GROUPESTAHL
    Inventors: Rodney Croes, Marko Jukic
  • Patent number: 9957664
    Abstract: A method for transferring an image to a fabric, including providing a recording medium; coating the recording medium with a specialty coating including a silicone release agent, a silicone emulsion catalyst, and a binder; printing an image on the recording medium including the specialty coating, the image being printed using a sublimation ink; adhering a powder adhesive to the image printed on the recording medium while the image is in a wet state; transferring the recording medium including powder adhesive and image to the fabric; and hot-pressing the powder adhesive and image to the fabric to adhere the powder adhesive and image to the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GROUPESTAHL
    Inventors: Marko Jukic, Rodney Croes
  • Patent number: 9957665
    Abstract: A multilayer belt structure that can be used for creping or structuring a cellulosic web in a tissue making process. The multilayer belt structure allows for the formation of various shaped and sized openings in the top surface of the belt, while still providing a structure having the strength, durability, and flexibility required for tissue making processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Dana Eagles, Robert Hansen, Jonas Karlsson, Manish Jain, Dhruv Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9957666
    Abstract: A clothing, in particular for use in a press section of a machine for manufacturing a fibrous web, such as a paper, cardboard, or tissue web, includes a base structure and at least one staple-fiber layer which is disposed on the base structure and is connected thereto. The clothing is assembled from a plurality of strips which are provided in the form of planar formations having a proportion of the base structure and a proportion of the at least one staple-fiber layer. Two mutually opposite edges of the strips have seam loops which are each connected to seam loops of the edges of adjacent strips. The edges having the seam loops are oriented in a cross-machine direction of the clothing. A method for manufacturing a clothing is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Koeckritz, Hubert Walkenhaus, Johan Einarsson, Johan Malmquist
  • Patent number: 9957667
    Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet made by a method that includes forming an aqueous cellulosic web on a structuring fabric in a papermaking machine, non-compactively dewatering the cellulosic web on the structuring fabric, and drying the cellulosic web to form the absorbent cellulosic sheet. A portion of the structuring fabric on which the cellulosic web is formed has an adjusted planar volumetric index of at least about 27.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Hung Liang Chou, Daniel H. Sze, Xiaolin Fan
  • Patent number: 9957668
    Abstract: A tamping assembly for a track tamping machine has a pair of tamping tools arranged on a carrier (2) so it is vertically adjustable in a tamping assembly frame and is designed as a rocker arm, the lower tamping pick ends (5) of which, which plunge into a ballast bed (4), are drivable in opposite directions using an oscillation drive (6) and can be fed hydraulically toward one another. To increase the stability of the tamping assembly, a hydraulic cylinder (11) and a distance sensor (12) for determining the hydraulic cylinder position are associated with each of the tamping tools (3) of a tamping tool pair, wherein the hydraulic cylinders (11) form the feed drive and also the oscillation drive (6) of the tamping tools (3) and the hydraulic cylinders (11) are activated in dependence on the distance sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: System 7-Railsupport GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Lichtberger
  • Patent number: 9957669
    Abstract: A fish plate clamp for unloading rails 1. The fish plate clamp includes a support element (11, 12) with a first piece (11) and a second piece (12) each one located on a face of the rail (1). Each piece of the support element (11, 12) includes an internal mortise (13) in the area of the web (3) of the rail (1). The fish plate clamp also includes a gripping element (14) located in an internal mortise (13) of the support element (11, 12). The internal mortises (13) have an inclined surface (15) in a manner that, when the gripping element (14) moves along the length of the inclined surface (15) of the internal mortise (13) in the direction of the pull of the rail (1), the gripping element (14) latches onto the web (3) of the rail (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ferrovial Agroman, S.A.
    Inventors: Jaime Ruíz Escalante, Sebastián Marín Castillo, Carlos Bartolomé Asensio
  • Patent number: 9957670
    Abstract: Provided herein are roadways containing polyurethane materials. A roadway includes a base layer of a compacted in situ material and/or a wear layer disposed on the base layer. One or both of these layers may include the polyurethane material to bind other components in the layers and to form more robust and durable roadway structures capable of withstanding operating loads of the roadway. In some embodiments, the polyurethane material is added to the wear layer by mixing in situ soil and/or foreign aggregate with polyurethane material or by dispensing the polyurethane material over the existing partially formed wear layer. The base layer may or may not include a polyurethane material. The type, concentration, distribution, and processing of the polyurethane material in the wear layer may be the same or different than that in the base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Technisoil Industrial LLC
    Inventor: Sean Somers Weaver
  • Patent number: 9957671
    Abstract: An anti-rutting pavement structure is arranged consecutively from bottom to top, a semi-rigid base layer, a SBS emulsified asphalt adhesive layer, a Type II latex cement mortar poured asphalt concrete lower layer, a Type I latex cement mortar poured asphalt concrete middle layer and a high viscosity modified asphalt SMA-13 concrete surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: RESEACH INSTITUTE OF HIGHWAY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, CHONGQING CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING GROUP CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Ke Zhong, Yifei Wu, Sang Luo, Bo Chen, Guoqiang Liu, Xiaochen Ma, Jing Ding, Chengyong Hu, Guanghua Yue, Ronghua Chang
  • Patent number: 9957672
    Abstract: A roadway track (10) for a vehicle (T) is provided, the roadway track having a roadway face and being suitable for being rolled up and designed to be placed on the ground and presenting a rolled-up position and a deployed position in which the roadway track extends substantially parallel to the ground. The roadway track includes at least a first track portion (14) and a second track portion (16), the first and second track portions being connected to each other by a pivot connection (18) having a pivot axis (A) that extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the roadway face, whereby the first track portion can pivot relative to the second track portion about the pivot axis so as to form a bend (V).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MUSTHANE
    Inventor: Reza Rosier
  • Patent number: 9957673
    Abstract: A running track includes a reinforced concrete slab base that is poured over and around post-tensioning cables suspended therein. The post-tensioning cables include transverse cables that extend transversely across the base, and lengthwise cable structures extending lengthwise through the base. Each lengthwise cable structure includes a series of individual segments that are joined end-to-end to form respective continuous loops and are individually tensioned. The lengthwise cable structures thus exert compressive forces on the base that are continuous and uninterrupted about the circumferential length of the track. The lengthwise cable segments are joined/tensioned from within voids initially formed within the concrete base and, after tensioning, these voids are filled with concrete to provide a concrete base having a uniform top surface that can also be covered in a running surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CLASSIC TURF COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: John Eren
  • Patent number: 9957674
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for manufacturing coated materials, the device comprising: a furnace comprising an enclosure (2) that is designed to be caused to rotate, that has an inside wall (2A) and that is provided with a main inlet (3) designed to receive non-coated new granular materials (25) or recycled granular materials (25) or a mixture of both of these types of granular materials, and an outlet for the bituminous coated materials that are manufactured inside the enclosure (2); heater means defining a combustion zone (4) inside the enclosure (2) and generating a drying flow suitable for drying the granular materials (25); and protective means for protecting the inside wall (2A), which means are situated in the combustion zone (4); said device being characterized in that the protective means are formed by a plurality of plates (13) that extend at some distance away from or else against the inside well (2A), and that are mutually overlapping in part so as to protect the inside wall (2A) thermall
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ARGUMAT
    Inventor: Antoine Carrasco
  • Patent number: 9957675
    Abstract: A control system for a cold planer having a conveyor configured to transfer material into a first receptacle is disclosed. The control system may include a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of an amount of material being transferred into the first receptacle, a communication device configured to transfer information between the cold planer and the first receptacle, and a controller electronically connected to the first sensor and the communication device. The controller may be configured to receive an input from the first receptacle via the communication device and determine a fill level of the first receptacle based on the first signal and the input from the first receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John Lee Marsolek, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 9957676
    Abstract: A roadway joint device for providing a drivable joint section between a road and an adjoining structure, particularly a bridge structure, includes at least one joint element placed on a sliding surface adjacent to the bridge structure. A longitudinal axis of the joint element is arranged substantially parallel to a plane of the roadway and a bridge end section of the bridge structure. Joint gaps with a specified gap width are arranged between the joint element and the adjoining bridge end section and/or an adjoining retaining device arranged at a distance to the bridge end section. The joint element is attached to at least one rod, the rod being arranged substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the bridge structure, anchored at one rod end in the bridge structure and another rod end thereof in the retaining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT WIEN
    Inventors: Johann Kollegger, Bernhard Eichwalder
  • Patent number: 9957677
    Abstract: Method and device for disposal of waste including, without limitation, human or animal waste. Disposal device includes a bag-like member coupled to an absorbent member. The bag-like member may be folded for compact storage prior to use and unfolded during use thereof. A method for collecting, removing, and/or disposing of waste utilizing the disposal device including the steps of: unfolding the bag-like member; inserting a hand therein; collecting waste with the absorbent member; inverting the bag-like member so as to effectively wrap the absorbent member and waste within the bag-like member; optionally sealing the bag-like member; and disposing of the disposal device, the waste contained within the disposal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Monique Hope Johnson
  • Patent number: 9957678
    Abstract: A catch vessel for animal excrement includes a catch vessel for animal excrement, the catch vessel including a collection vessel configured to receive and hold an animal excrement, a volumetric scale coupled to the collection vessel and configured to receive at least a portion of the animal excrement, the volumetric scale including a removable cover, an extension handle coupled to the collection vessel and the extension handle is configured to telescope between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The catch vessel for animal excrement is useful for collection of pet and animal excrement for testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Annette Rooney
  • Patent number: 9957679
    Abstract: A snow plow system for an automobile features a frame connectable to a hitch receiver, a blade movable by an electrically powered actuator between a lowered snow-clearing position a raised transport position, a power unit placed within a trunk space of the automobile, a power connection line between the power unit and the actuator, and a wireless remote operable from a passenger cabin of the automobile. The power connection line traverses through a gasket sealed space between the trunk lid and trunk walls, thereby powering the device without any modification to the automobile. A flexible member connected between the actuator and the blade is operable to raise and lower the blade in a controlled manner under operation of the actuator, while allowing the blade to momentarily trip over ground level obstructions during use. A biasing mechanism forces the blade back into the snow-clearing position once the obstruction is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventors: John Lovell, Richard Hewett
  • Patent number: 9957680
    Abstract: The handheld snow melter is a handheld propane or stabilized methylacetylene-propadiene fueled parabolic heated intended for use in removing snow and ice. The handheld propane or stabilized methylacetylene-propadiene torch is used to heat a ceramic cone. The ceramic cone is mounted in a parabolic reflector that is used to direct the heat towards the snow or ice targeted by the user. The handheld snow meiter comprises a reflector, a torch attachment, and a grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Kyle Bargoot
  • Patent number: 9957681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to inflatable bladder actuated water control gates for control of open channels such as rivers and canals and for control of dam spillways without the need for intermediate piers. The air bladder and hinge flap wedge clamping system includes hinged engagement of the upstream edge of the clamps to the foundation so as to prevent the application of bending and shear loads to the anchor bolts. The resulting configuration facilitates the use of high strength alloy steel anchor bolts in a corrosion protected environment and also prevents tensile loading of the concrete foundation and associated cracking of the concrete foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Henry K. Obermeyer
  • Patent number: 9957682
    Abstract: Provided is a method and a system for removal of oil under ice through an opening made into ice. The system includes oil booms extending under ice in two different directions from the opening so as to constitute an angle of less than 180 degrees between each other; an oil collection device placed in the opening; and a propulsion device placed on the level of the lower surface of ice at a distance from the opening in the area of the angle so as to provide a flow directed towards the opening between the oil booms in the area of the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Lamor Corporation AB
    Inventor: Juha Muhonen
  • Patent number: 9957683
    Abstract: A method of forming a sheet pile wall comprising cold reforming a Z-shape pile or a U-shape pile and connecting a plurality of reformed steel piles so as to form a sheet pile wall having at least one engagement section, the engagement section when viewed in a cross section being a recess that has a narrowed neck portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: DAWSON CONSTRUCTION PLANT LIMITED
    Inventor: Robin Dawson
  • Patent number: 9957684
    Abstract: A pile system for permafrost comprising a pilot hole, at least one pile, and frozen slurry. The pilot hole is formed to a pilot hole depth. The at least one pile is arranged at least partly within the pilot hole and extends to a pile string depth. The frozen slurry is within the pilot hole and is at least partly around the at least one pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: American Piledriving Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Suver, Matthew E. Fenwick
  • Patent number: 9957685
    Abstract: A stake assembly provides an earth anchor and includes a stake having a longitudinal axis and an upper portion and a lower portion. The stake is attached to a cup having a sidewall defining a closed perimeter and a top wall substantially closing the sidewall, the sidewall having an open bottom end. The stake passes through the top wall with the upper portion above the top wall and the lower portion below the top wall. When the stake is pounded or screwed into the ground the cup captures soil which adds resistance to the stake being removed from the ground. One embodiment has the cup at an oblique angle to the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Robert T. Yackley
  • Patent number: 9957686
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a customizable, modular foundation system using blocks and post-tensioning for improved structural integrity of the foundation. In some embodiments, the improved foundation system is provided by post-tensioning a plurality of blocks together such that cables or bars used for tensioning run in different directions than any of the joint lines between adjacent blocks. In this way, there are no bendable joints between adjacent blocks. Moreover, in some embodiments the blocks are hexagonal, such that each block has six sides and post-tensioning cables can run in at least three different directions. Structures or apparatuses may be secured to the foundation comprised of multiple blocks, with the foundation being rigid, customizable, and both assembled and usable in any desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: PRE-CON PRODUCTS, LTD.
    Inventor: David Zarraonandia
  • Patent number: 9957687
    Abstract: A wall block, wall block system and method of making a wall block. The wall block including at least one core extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the at least one core having opposed front and rear surfaces and first and second side surfaces the wall block also including at least one pin hole opening onto the top surface of the block and extending at least a portion of the distance from the top surface to the bottom surface. The at least one pin hole may open onto at least a portion of at least one surface of the at least one core. The block may be provided with channels; the pin hole, channels and core may all be formed in a mold box by a single forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9957688
    Abstract: A bucket for an excavator or loader including a base wall having a side with a substantial or partly concave shape, the side with the substantial or partly concave shape has a front section that is raised, flat or concave and a rear section that has a concave arc. The base wall side has a discontinuous curve from the front section to the rear section. The bucket has two side walls spaced apart by the base wall. The bucket has mounting mechanism for mounting the bucket to the excavator or loader. The raised, flat or concave front section assists in retaining excavated material within the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SPADEBLADE PTY LTD
    Inventor: David Hall
  • Patent number: 9957689
    Abstract: A tilt bucket may include a front structure having an outer surface, the front structure including a base plate with a bottom surface. The tilt bucket may include a bottom edge and a curved wrapper extending between the base plate and the bottom edge. A ratio of a maximum distance between the curved wrapper and a first line extending from the bottom edge to the tangent point on the outer surface of the front structure, taken substantially perpendicularly from the first line, relative to a length of the first line, may be about 0.64 to 0.70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Andrew Rochel, Julia Kay Nitti, David Michael Worth, Davida Ray Reang, Giedre Simanskaite
  • Patent number: 9957690
    Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable media for controlling the operation of an industrial machine including one or more components. A method of controlling the industrial machine includes determining a position of at least one of the one or more components of the industrial machine during a digging operation, determining a hoist bail pull setting based on the position of the at least one of the one or more components and a relationship between component position and hoist bail pull, and setting a level of hoist bail pull to the hoist bail pull setting. The level of hoist bail pull early in the digging operation is greater than the level of hoist bail pull later in the digging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Colwell, William Powers, John Burant
  • Patent number: 9957691
    Abstract: A wear component for a ground engaging tool includes a mounting portion having a first surface, a second surface, and a thickness between the first surface and the second surface. The mounting portion is connectable to a mounting assembly of the ground engaging tool. The wear component also includes at least one wear portion connected to the mounting portion and forming at least one ground engaging edge. The at least one wear portion has at least one first surface including at least one groove extending from the at least one ground engaging edge toward the mounting portion, at least one second surface, and at least one thickness between the at least one first surface and the at least one second surface. A maximum of the at least one thickness of the at least one wear portion is larger than a maximum of the thickness of the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Marshall Congdon, Madhukar Maguluru, Nick William Biggs
  • Patent number: 9957692
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling working edges on a heavy equipment vehicle is provided. A GNSS/INS system determines a location of the vehicle. A vision system calculates a location of the working edge in a vision system coordinate system by obtaining images of a target connected to the working edge using a camera with a fixed field view that obtains distance information for each pixel in the fixed field of view. The location is then transformed to the navigation system coordinate system. The transformed location information is used by a working edge control system to control the placement of the working edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Hexagon Technology Center GmbH
    Inventor: Kristian Morin
  • Patent number: 9957693
    Abstract: A suctioning device for suctioning impurities from the bottom of large artificial water bodies is provided. The suctioning device includes a flexible sheet configured to provide a structural frame; a plurality of first brushes depending from the sheet; a plurality of middle brushes; a plurality of lateral brushes; a plurality of suction points; a plurality of wheels configured to provide secondary support when the brushes are worn out; a plurality of collectors configured to gather the suctioned water into external suction lines; a plurality of internal suction lines configured to conduit the suctioned bottom water flow from the plurality of suction points to the plurality of collecting means; and a coupling device connecting the internal suction lines and the collectors, wherein a rate of the bottom water flow entering the suctioning device is the same or higher than a rate of water flow suctioned by an external pumping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Crystal Lagoons (Curacao) B.V.
    Inventors: Fernando Benjamin Fischmann Torres, Jorge Eduardo Prieto Dominguez
  • Patent number: 9957694
    Abstract: A system and method for stockpiling material on the seafloor, the system and method using seafloor collection machines, such auxiliary or bulk cutters or collection machines, to capture seafloor material to be stockpiled. The captured seafloor material is carried in slurry form over a flexible transfer pipe to an outlet at a desired seafloor site. In a preferred form the outlet is mounted in a seafloor stockpiling hood that sits on the seafloor at the desired seafloor site and captures and contains slurry from the outlet while allowing egress of water. The captured seafloor material can then be extracted to a surface vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Eda Kopa (Solwara) Limited
    Inventors: Glen Robert Jones, Daal Hallam Jaffers, Roland Gunter Berndt
  • Patent number: 9957695
    Abstract: An exhaust system of a work machine is equipped with a first exhaust system, a second exhaust system, and a third exhaust system. The first exhaust system and the third exhaust system are arranged to be in parallel with respective one ends directed in the same direction. In a plan view, the second exhaust system is arranged with the other end side directed in the same direction as the one end sides of the first exhaust system and the third exhaust system to be in parallel with the first exhaust system and the third exhaust system between the first exhaust system and the third exhaust system and, in a side view, is arranged above the first exhaust system and the third exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KCM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Takeyama, Keigo Kikuchi, Katsutaka Hara, Masashi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9957696
    Abstract: A cap for removably attaching to a head of a fastener includes a main body having an open end and defining a hollow interior. The cap also includes an end section forming a closed end of the main body. The cap further includes a hollow inner portion connecting to an inner surface of the end section and extending through the hollow interior toward the open end of the main body. The inner portion is spaced from the main body, and the inner portion has a distal end configured to be inserted into an opening in the head of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip John Kunz, Patrick Simon Campomanes
  • Patent number: 9957697
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to maintaining water quality in a water distribution by controlling a flushing apparatus. In one example implementation, a flushing apparatus performs steps comprising flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a residual flush program, flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a turbidity flush program, flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a pH flush program, and flushing the water distribution system in accordance with a time-based flushing program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Moriz Taylor, Harold Thomas Mosley
  • Patent number: 9957698
    Abstract: A faucet assembly is disclosed which is of a modular type for use in varying faucet designs and incorporating polymeric or partially polymeric parts in the internal water way assembly therein. The faucet assembly includes a cover plate and an internal water way assembly as well as at least one faucet handle. The internal water way assembly includes a valve assembly having a shank and a valve water way portion positioned on an upper portion of the shank. The valve water way portion defines a valve seat therein, and has a transversely extending outlet passageway. A valve cartridge for controlling flow through the assembly is seated in the valve seat, and, a bridge, which may be a single component or multi-part bridge has a passageway therethrough to receive water from the valve water way portion and a spout receiving portion. A spout tube is configured to be positioned in or on the spout receiving portion of the bridge. The internal water way assembly is attached to the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: AS IP Holdco, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Pitsch, Marin Marinov, Xiao Jing Ye
  • Patent number: 9957699
    Abstract: A shower head that includes a stem, a spray head coupled to the stem and including a plurality of outlets for discharging water into at least one spray pattern, and a valve provided within one of the stem and the spray head. The valve has a body including a waterway located therein for water to flow through, and a flow control valve located within the body and configured to control the flow of water to the plurality of outlets. The shower head also includes an electric heater extending through at least a portion of the body of the valve and configured to heat at least a portion of the body to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms within the waterway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventor: Kevin T. Peel
  • Patent number: 9957700
    Abstract: A faucet that includes a base, a spout, a valve body, a first flow control valve, a second flow control valve, and an electric heater. The valve body includes a first end section, a second end section having an outlet, and a center section provided between the end sections and including first and second inlets configured to receive cold and hot water, respectively. The first flow control valve is located within a first waterway of the valve body to control the flow of cold water, and the second flow control valve is located within a second waterway of the valve body to control the flow of hot water. The electric heater extends through the valve body and is configured to heat a surface defining at least a part of one of the first and second waterways of the valve body to an elevated temperature sufficient to kill organisms therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventor: Kevin T. Peel
  • Patent number: 9957701
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a portable restroom includes a curved roof having a plurality of raised ribs extending parallel to each other, the curved roof including an opening between two of the raised ribs; a fan housing disposed in the opening of the roof, the fan housing having four sidewalls and top and bottom openings, the fan housing including extension portions extending outwardly from the sidewalls; a fan disposed in the fan housing; and a vent cap with sidewalls and a top wall overlying the top opening of the fan housing, the sidewalls of the vent cap are configured to include the extension portions within the vent cap such that a first gap is provided between the sidewalls of the fan housing and the sidewalls of the vent cap, the top wall is disposed spaced apart from the sidewalls of the fan housing to provide a second gap communicating with the first gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Bertram Y. Ito
  • Patent number: 9957702
    Abstract: An odor elimination device for a toilet is provided. The device includes a “U”-shaped piece, a “Z”-shaped piece, and a plurality of sealing gaskets. The “U”-shaped piece is configured to be connected with a water inlet of the toilet, and the “Z”-shaped piece is configured to be connected with an exhaust tube. The “U”-shaped piece has a central orifice configured to be connected to the toilet and has two rectangular, parallel outlets separated by a recess in communication with the central orifice. The “Z”-shaped piece has two rectangular, parallel inlets configured to fit into the corresponding outlets of the “U”-shaped piece and are sealed by gaskets at a hollow vertical structure of the “Z”-shaped piece. A back face of the hollow vertical structure is configured to be connected to the exhaust tube via an outlet tube. The sealing gaskets sealing the “U”-shaped piece between the toilet and the flush tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Maurício Santos Da Silva
  • Patent number: 9957703
    Abstract: An extraction system for removing unpleasant odor includes a housing having front and rear walls and side walls interconnecting the front and rear walls. The depth of the housing from the front to the rear wall is substantially less than distances across the front and rear walls from one side to the other thereof. A centrifugal fan is mounted to the housing with an axis of the fan being perpendicular to the rear wall. The fan has an axial air inlet located centrally of the front wall for receiving odor-laden air and an air outlet from the fan is tangential to the fan and coupled to discharge air to atmosphere from the extraction system. An absorbent filter unit is located within the housing downstream of the fan and includes an absorbent mass and a perfume source. Air discharged to atmosphere is both substantially free of the odor and scented via the absorbent filter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Washroom Wizard Ltd.
    Inventor: Patrick Porter
  • Patent number: 9957704
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a bidet nozzle assembly, which includes a nozzle housing; a nozzle, the nozzle having a distal end and a proximal end, the nozzle including a channel through to the distal end and to the proximal end, the channel having a first channel opening at the distal end and a second channel opening at the proximal end; a nozzle insert, the nozzle insert located at the first channel opening of the distal end of the nozzle, the nozzle insert having at least one nozzle hole; and a nozzle cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: 2Go Products LLC
    Inventors: Anjum K Gupta, Emmanuel Pun
  • Patent number: 9957705
    Abstract: A helical drain for a toilet is disclosed. The present invention relates to a novel toilet drain configuration. Specifically, the novel toilet drain configuration comprises a helical loop trapway. The drain of the present invention exits the toilet bowl and forms a substantially vertical tubular loop running generally parallel to the width of the bowl or stool, or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bowl or stool, before being connected to a sewer. The drain of the present invention functions like a P-trap syphon in removing the contents of the bowl. The diameter of the looped tubular portion of the drain may vary by approximately 20 percent or less in the direction of the sewer connection. Sensors may be placed on the drain to monitor drain contents, fluid levels, and drain performance. The drain may be fitted with valves to control the flow of fluids and gases through the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 9957706
    Abstract: A stormwater runoff treatment system that offers an economical means of achieving highly efficient, effective, and compact means of treating runoff through a unique method of flow restrictions, diversions, elevation differences and strategically located components to achieve a combination of treatment advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BAYSAVER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Pank
  • Patent number: 9957707
    Abstract: A balloon and floral arch adapted for receiving balloons and floral arrangements thereon. The arch is made up of a plurality of light weight, clear plastic, outer tubes, typically in 5 feet sections. The outer tubes are joined together end to end and formed into an arch. The arch can be 25 feet, 35 feet and greater. The outer tubes are used to receive a light weight, clear plastic inner tube with a string of LED lights. Opposite ends of the arch are attached to a pair of heavy, metal base plates for holding the arch upright on a floor surface. The string of lights can be powered by a 12 volt DC battery or a 110 AC electrical outlet. The arch can also include a remote control switch box for turning the lights on and off and starting blinking lights, fast or slow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Leroy Cooper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9957708
    Abstract: “CONSTRUCTION DEVICE INTRODUCED INTO AN ELECTRICAL POWER PLANT MODULE”, more specifically relating to an electrical power plant module (1) of the type used for accessibility to electrical energy, primarily in remote areas such as isolated rural communities, mining camps, oil platforms, areas recently affected by storms, areas affected by earthquakes, offshore platforms, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ARUANÃ ENERGIA S/A
    Inventors: Brian Ray Brewer, Robert James McKinnon
  • Patent number: 9957709
    Abstract: A truss hinge that includes a number of different labeled parts, where connections between the two different parts can constrain the truss to different angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: James Kempf, Scott Gross
  • Patent number: 9957710
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing homes is provided. An embodiment includes a final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of the custom homes is to be situated. The final assembly facility is for receiving the planar sections from the sub-assembly plant and for constructing the homes from planar portions according to the production schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: The Mattamy Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Gilgan, Jurgen Dirks, William Meevis, Walter Mitchell, Peter Vohsemer