Patents Issued in May 12, 2020
  • Patent number: 10647121
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus to which a cartridge is attachable includes: a tank including a storage chamber and an outlet port; a recording portion including a damper chamber and a recording head; an ink passage; a pump configured to suck fluid in the damper chamber; a first switch; and a controller. After attachment of the cartridge, the controller is configured to perform an initial ink introduction process to supply the ink from the cartridge to the storage chamber. The initial ink introduction process includes: a first suction process to drive the pump for a first period of time in a state where the first switch is in a first state to allow ink in the storage chamber to be sucked toward the damper chamber; and after performing the first suction process, an open process to switch the first switch to a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 10647122
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an inkjet printer, which comprises a fluid circuit (4), a print head (1) connected to the fluid circuit through an umbilical (19), this method comprising at least the following functions: calculate a difference between the viscosity of the ink used in the circuit, and a theoretical viscosity of this ink; as a function of this difference, correct data representative of a characteristic function that relates the pressure at a point referred to as the reference point in the fluid circuit or the print head, the ink density, the ink viscosity, the operating temperature and a velocity referred to as the nominal velocity of the ink jet generated by the print head, to form corrected data for said characteristic function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: DOVER EUROPE SÀRL
    Inventors: Joao Paulo Ribeiro, Jean-Pierre Arpin, Francis Pourtier
  • Patent number: 10647123
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a refilled cartridge for performing refilling of printing material after use of a cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a first case including a recess having a bottom surface and an opening, a flexible portion attached to the opening, a second case covering the open surface of the first case, a pressure receiving portion contacting the flexible portion, a chamber of variable capacity and a biasing member that generates negative pressure inside the chamber The printing material is refilled into the chamber so that two or more points across the biasing member on the pressure receiving portion do not contact the second case after refilling of the printing material is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Mizutani, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Atsushi Kobayashi, Izumi Nozawa, Hidetoshi Kodama
  • Patent number: 10647124
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a tank having ink chamber; a recording head; a memory storing a count value updated toward a first threshold value in accordance with ejection of ink; a display; an operation interface; a power switching section switched between a first state and a second state; and a controller executes a first inquiry process to: display a first inquiry screen inquiring whether the ink chamber has been refilled with ink; and receive one of a first operation and a second operation. After receiving the first operation, the controller determines when ink has been supplied. In response to determining that ink has been supplied just before the first inquiry process, the controller sets the count value to a first initial value. In response to determining that ink has been supplied during the second state, the controller sets the count value to a second initial value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenta Horade
  • Patent number: 10647125
    Abstract: Fluid tanks for providing a print fluid to a printhead. In one embodiment, the fluid tank includes a first reservoir configured to contain a print fluid, and a second reservoir configured to contain the print fluid. The fluid tank further includes a first Input/Output (I/O) port configured to fluidly couple with a printhead to allow the print fluid to flow into or out of the first reservoir, and a second I/O port configured to fluidly couple with the printhead to allow the print fluid to flow into or out of the second reservoir. The fluid tank further includes a flexible membrane between the first reservoir and the second reservoir configured to flex to create a pressure difference between the first reservoir and the second reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norimasa Sohgawa, Hiroshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10647126
    Abstract: A printing subassembly is disclosed. The printing subassembly includes a printbar. A frame is coupled to the printbar such that the printbar dos not move with respect to the frame. A fluid supply system is coupled to the printbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kenneth Williams, Matt G Driggers, Bruce A McFadden, William Osborne
  • Patent number: 10647127
    Abstract: Peripheral portion of filters includes short-side portions and long-side portions. A first component and a second component each include a first holding section and a second holding section, the long-side portion of the filter being compressively held between the first holding sections, and the short-side portion of the filter being compressively held between the second holding sections. At least one of the first component and the second component includes a wall portion configured to isolate the long-side portion and the resin from each other. The short-side portion and the resin are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Omura, Kazuhiko Okito, Yukuo Yamaguchi, Kyosuke Toda, Keiichiro Tsukuda
  • Patent number: 10647128
    Abstract: A method of forming a fluid level sensor includes coupling an array of heating elements and sensors to a first side of a substrate. A second side of the substrate is coupled to a carrier. The method also includes coupling an electrical interface to the carrier and electrically coupling the array to the electrical interface via a conductive wire. The method further includes overmolding the electrical interface, the first side of the substrate, and the conductive wire to form an overmolded fluid level sensor. The carrier may be coupled to the second side of the substrate and the electrical interface via a releasable adhesive and may be removed after overmolding the fluid level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Michael W. Cumbie, Anthony D. Studer
  • Patent number: 10647129
    Abstract: A printing method includes applying a processing fluid to a recording medium and applying an ink to the recording medium, wherein the processing fluid contains a first nonionic resin including the following structure unit a-1, the first nonionic resin having a glass transition temperature of 15 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsufumi Hanazawa, Hiroshi Gotou, Tsutomu Maekawa, Yukitaka Watarai, Koji Katsuragi, Tomohiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10647130
    Abstract: A new method of combining pad printing with digital printing is presented, where the pad printer lays down a layer of ink and adhesive primer to accept the digital image. The pad printed surface is baked and a high-definition digital image is printed on top of the primer coat. The result is clear-coated and the coating treated with UV curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Jim Cheng
  • Patent number: 10647131
    Abstract: A method for fluid-density modulated auto-duplexing is disclosed. This method determines when a final swath of a printing operation on a surface of a media occurs within a predefined distal end portion of the media. An estimated media dry time after the final swath in the predefined distal end portion is determined to be greater than a predetermined time. The estimated dry time is capped to a predetermined minimum media dry time and a course of action for a feed mechanism is selected to reduce curling and cockling of the media. Furthermore, a non-transitory computer readable medium and a printer having fluid-density modulated auto-duplexing are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wei Lit Teoh, Hua Zhou, Wee Hien Tok, Hwee Boon Tan, Kok Chai Chong
  • Patent number: 10647132
    Abstract: In one example, a device for partially dried inkjet media output management includes a starwheel positioned on a first side between a number of rollers positioned on a second side to corrugate partially dried inkjet media between the starwheel and the number of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P.
    Inventors: Jun Hong Goh, Fei Nie, Wee Hien Tok, Wei Lit Teoh
  • Patent number: 10647133
    Abstract: A medium transporting device provided in a printer includes a curved path in which a paper sheet after recording is curved and inverted, a plurality of first ribs that extend in a medium transportation direction in a facing area facing a recording head, that are provided at intervals in a width direction intersecting the medium transportation direction, and that form cockling on the paper sheet, a plurality of second ribs that are provided on an outer curved portion of the curved path, and a plurality of third ribs that are provided on an inner curved portion of the curved path. The plurality of second ribs and the plurality of third ribs are disposed at positions in the width direction that correspond to a mountain portion and a valley portion of the cockling of the paper sheet that is formed by the plurality of first ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takeda, Kazuo Otsuka
  • Patent number: 10647134
    Abstract: A system and method for printing includes a transfer belt configured to transfer toner from a photoconductive drum of a toner-based printer to a paper. A transfer platen positions at least a portion of the transfer belt to be in proximity to a photoconductive drum. For color printing, a transfer platen is associated with a corresponding photoconductive drum for each distinct color of toner. The transfer platen is shaped to improve the transfer of toner from the photoconductive drum to the transfer belt. The transfer platen is substantially fixed in a non-rotatable position. The transfer platen includes electrically conductive foam. The transfer platen includes a low friction conductive top layer over the electrically conductive foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Don W. Stafford, Donn D. Bryant
  • Patent number: 10647135
    Abstract: A tape cartridge which is mounted in a tape printing apparatus provided with a detection part, includes a tape-shaped member which has a detection protrusion of which a lateral side partially protrudes in a tape width direction and a cartridge case in which a tape roll formed by winding the tape-shaped member into a roll shape is contained. In the tape cartridge, an exposed area is provided outside the cartridge case, the exposed area being where the detection protrusion provided in the tape-shaped member delivered from the tape roll and fed in a length direction of the tape-shaped member is exposed, the cartridge case has a cover which covers the tape-shaped member delivered from the tape roll in a tape feeding upstream side from the exposed area, and the cover includes a first cover, a second cover and a position regulating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kubota, Taishi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10647136
    Abstract: A print bar for a for a multi-pass printer, the print bar comprising a static part configured to extend across a print area of a print target and a moveable part comprising a print bar beam and printer comprising such a print bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Hewett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joan Sanjuan, Fernando Juan, Eduardo Ruiz Martinez
  • Patent number: 10647137
    Abstract: An integrated inkjet module for a scalable inkjet printer includes: first and second opposite end brackets; a print module asymmetrically positioned between the end brackets; and a maintenance module for maintaining an inkjet printhead of the print module. The maintenance module includes a frame fixedly mounted between the end brackets having a longer leg extending along one side of the print module and a shorter leg positioned between a first end of the print module and the first end bracket. The print module is slidably liftable relative to the end brackets, the longer leg includes a laterally extendible capper for capping the printhead and the shorter leg includes a longitudinally movable wiper carriage for wiping the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Profaca
  • Patent number: 10647138
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in generating calibration parameters for a printing apparatus comprising a plurality of print modules are disclosed. The method comprises printing a first plurality of test patches for each print module of the plurality of print modules, analysing the first plurality of test patches to identify at least two clusters of print modules, wherein each cluster comprises a sub-group of print modules having substantially similar performance, printing a second plurality of test patches comprising an extended calibration test patch set for each cluster of print modules, the second plurality of test patches being distributed across the print modules of the cluster, and analysing extended calibration test patch set for each cluster to determine a calibration parameter for the printing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Peter Morovic, Jan Morovic, Jordi Arnabat Benedicto, Hector Gomez Minano
  • Patent number: 10647139
    Abstract: A printer contains a ribbon holding shaft; a ribbon winding shaft; a printing section to print using an ink ribbon and a print head; a winding motor to rotationally drive the ribbon winding shaft; a damper section, provided on a conveyance path of the ink ribbon; a controller to control an operation of the ribbon winding shaft at the start of driving by increasing an input voltage applied to the winding motor; a detection section configured to detect movement of the damper section; a calculation section to calculate a winding diameter of the ink ribbon on the ribbon winding shaft side using the input voltage when the movement of the damper section is detected and characteristics of the damper section; and a voltage determination section to determine an input voltage to be applied to the motor according to the calculated winding diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Kitahara
  • Patent number: 10647140
    Abstract: An inkjet ink set containing a pre-treatment fixing fluid including calcium-containing crashing agents; at least a co-solvent; one or more surfactants and a balance of water; and, at least, a liquid ink. The liquid ink includes a pigment dispersion, a surfactant, a polyurethane binder, a co-solvent and a balance of water. Also disclosed are and inkjet printing system containing such ink set and the method for printing in such inkjet printing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alireza Rahimi, George Sarkisian, Benjamin Abelovski, Gregg A. Lane, Tienteh Chen, Or Brandstein, Jun Yang, Olakemi Akinlabi
  • Patent number: 10647141
    Abstract: An aqueous ink for inkjet printing contains silver particles having a particle size of 60 nm or less at a cumulative volume of 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Ikegami, Yuhei Shimizu, Akira Kuriyama, Yoko Taira
  • Patent number: 10647142
    Abstract: In a thermal transfer recording sheet including a base material and a colorant layer, the colorant layer includes a yellow dye layer containing a yellow dye, a magenta dye layer containing a magenta dye, and a cyan dye layer containing a cyan dye, and the cyan dye includes a compound represented by Formula (1a) or Formula (1b): where R1 to R7 are substituents, X? is an anion, and the compound of Formula (1b) has at least one anionic substituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taichi Shintou, Masahiro Suenaga, Koromo Shirota, Yuko Katsumoto, Tsuyoshi Santo, Hajime Muta, Tomoyuki Noda
  • Patent number: 10647143
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of rotogravure printing, and more specifically to a rotogravure printing medium, a coating composition for rotogravure printing media, a method for producing such a rotogravure printing medium and an use of the rotogravure printing medium in a printing application, preferably in rotogravure printing using electrostatic assist (ESA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Omya International AG
    Inventors: Jan Philipp Weihs, Patrick A. C. Gane, Johannes Kritzinger, Tazio Fornera, Ola Lindstrøm, Alain Cremaschi, Wolfgang Höpfl, Rolf Endre Orten
  • Patent number: 10647144
    Abstract: The ink jet recording method according to the invention is characterized by that at least one of an ink and a surface treatment agent contains a resin that melts or softens at a fixing temperature by heat treatment; the surface treatment agent contains at least two kinds of particles different in particle size that do not melt at the fixing temperature; the particles contain first particles and second particles having a particle size larger than that of the first particles; and the second particles have a particle size falling within a range of more than 50 nm to less than 110 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noribumi Koitabashi, Takao Ogata
  • Patent number: 10647145
    Abstract: A mechanism that makes it possible to output a saddle-stitched brochure in a correct page order when a post-processing apparatus that executes a saddle-stitching process by switching back a sheet is caused to execute the saddle-stitching process. Sheets discharged from a printing apparatus are switched back by reverse rotation of a conveying roller pair, and are conveyed into a conveying path for a saddle-stitch bookbinding process. The sheets are accumulated in an accumulation tray for the saddle-stitch bookbinding process. When the saddle-stitch bookbinding process is caused to be executed on the accumulated sheets by the post-processing apparatus, the order of image formation is decided such that the order of pages of images printed on the saddle-stitched sheets becomes correct. The images are printed on the sheets in the decided order of image formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiro Tachibana
  • Patent number: 10647146
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the manufacture of an article made up of a number of elements, including a resilient element, that are bonded together during the manufacturing process. The apparatus includes a guide track which defines a path along which the elements travel during the manufacturing process and a compression frame provided along at least part of the length of the track for compressing the resilient element as the resilient member travels along the path defined by the guide track. The process includes moving a combination of article precursor elements together along the guide track rails such that the compression frame acts to press the elements together during bonding. The method and apparatus minimize misalignment of the elements and thereby improve quality of the finished article as well increasing production rates compared to conventional methods and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: George Wallace McDonald
  • Patent number: 10647147
    Abstract: A anti-counterfeiting medium includes a support substrate, an OVD forming layer, and a latent image layer in this order. The latent image layer has plural regions with optical axes of a birefringent material aligned in directions different from each other. The OVD forming layer includes an uneven-structure-forming layer is made up of a first region and a second region, and a reflecting layer. The first region is a region made up of a flat part and plural convexities or concavities. The second region is configured by a flat part. Each of the plural convexities and concavities has a 0.3 to 5 ?m long side dimension and short side dimension and height or depth of 0.1 to 0.5 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kozue Umeda, Mihoko Okawa
  • Patent number: 10647148
    Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting medium includes a recording medium, a polarizer layer arranged on a part of the recording medium. The polarizer layer is formed thereon with a low extinction-ratio area that forms an image portion where a polarizer exhibits an extinction ratio lower than in a portion other than the low extinction-ratio area of the polarizer layer. The recording medium is formed thereon with an image portion that is a part of the recording medium and has a nature different from that of a portion other than the part of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mihoko Okawa, Hideki Ochiai, Koji Ichikawa, Yuki Kotegawa
  • Patent number: 10647149
    Abstract: A stationery securing apparatus and writing instrument holder is provided with a band, at least a portion of which is elastic. At least two writing instrument loops are attached to the elastic band, and a male snap portion and a female snap portion attached to the band, configured and arranged so that when the band is not in use securing stationery, it can be folded or rolled up and the male snap portion and the female snap portion can be snapped together to form a compact writing instrument holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Donald James Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10647150
    Abstract: A three-dimensional sticker has an adhering layer removably attaching the three-dimensional sticker to an object. A filler material is positioned on an interior surface of the adhering layer, the filler material forming a three-dimensional configuration. A recording device is positioned on the interior surface of the adhering layer allowing the three-dimensional sticker to play a pre-recorded message and record a new message. A cover layer is positioned over the interior surface of the adhering layer enclosing the filler material and the recording device between the interior surface of the adhering layer and the cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Deanna Zitzmann
  • Patent number: 10647151
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle rims, and more specifically relates to Logo-Rims. The present invention also relates to a vehicle Logo-Rim apparatus, and a method of making same. More particularly, the invention encompasses a customized tire rim for a vehicle. The invention also provides a user to replace their existing tire rims with the inventive customized vehicle rim having, and using a customized or a personalized logo. A line of specially designed tire rims that are adorned with a variety of striking designs, sporting logos germane to sports, businesses, and popular culture, is also disclosed. The invention also provides an inventive design which is intended to provide automobile enthusiasts with an attractive alternative to ordinary tire rims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Kimel Webber
  • Patent number: 10647152
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim includes a rim having a hollow inner part and an outer part which is integrally formed with the inner part. An opening is defined in radial direction of the outer part. A connection unit is formed in the outer part and includes two seats located at an inner bottom of the opening, and two sidewalls extending from the two seats. Two engaging portions are respectively formed on the two seats and located apart from each other. Each sidewall has an outside, an inside and a top face which is connected between the outside and the inside. The inside is a flat inside without any lip or flange. The sidewalls have better strength and protect the sidewalls of the tire from being deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Cheng Shin Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsai Jen Lo
  • Patent number: 10647153
    Abstract: A tire rim structure including an annular inner ring provided on the inner ring of a tire body and a circular outer ring provided on the outside of the tire body, fixedly connected to the annular inner ring, and formed by stamping. The annular inner ring includes an annular inner ring body formed by extrusion, an annular left ring provided at one side of the annular inner ring body and formed by extrusion, and an annular right ring provided at the other side of the annular inner ring body, connected to the circular outer ring, and formed by extrusion. A shaft hole is provided at the middle part of the circular outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CHENGDU YOUYANG ELECTROMECHANICAL PRODUCT DESIGN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shugang Gong
  • Patent number: 10647154
    Abstract: A wheel end temperature monitoring system, includes: a wheel end temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of a hub bearing of a wheel of a trailer; and a main unit configured to receive a signal of the wheel end temperature sensor and transmit the received signal to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ICSN, Inc.
    Inventor: James Sangyoung Oh
  • Patent number: 10647155
    Abstract: A device for removing obstructions impeding movement of a piece of equipment is disclosed. The device includes a sweep housing securely holding at least part of a rectangular sweep. A bristle portion of the sweep extends downward and away from the sweep housing, and includes a plurality of bristles. The sweep housing is made up of an inside bracket, which mounts to the surgical table by an adhesive strip or other means, and an outside bracket which comprises a thumbscrew or other locking mechanisms for securing the sweep housing and sweep in a fixed position with respect to each other. When an operator mounts the device, obstructions are pushed away from castors on the base of the surgical table by the one or more bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Peter Hession
  • Patent number: 10647156
    Abstract: A device for reducing axle failures on motorized vehicles that includes a sleeve that wraps around the axle and a separate single pieces or two-piece axle guard that wraps around said sleeve. The present invention allows the torsional flex that the axle manufacturer intended to occur but prohibits the axle from bending and possibly breaking. The present invention also acts as a shock-absorber for the axle by absorbing energy that is being transferred through the axle during normal use. Absorbing this energy increases the life of the axle and drive-train and reduces the risk of failure during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: KNINE Racing Ltd.
    Inventors: Benjamin Grant Shakal, Wayne Adam Shakal, Jordan Sedivy
  • Patent number: 10647158
    Abstract: The pneumatic tire of this disclosure includes on a tread surface four or five circumferential grooves, and includes a pair of shoulder land portions, a pair of intermediate land portions, and one or a pair of central land portions partitioned thereon, wherein: in a tread widthwise cross sectional view at an unloaded condition when the tire is mounted to an applicable rim and applied with a prescribed internal pressure, when drawing a virtual arc R1 protruding to a tire radial outer side, of which a center of curvature is located on a tire equatorial plain, across four tread widthwise edges adjacent to the circumferential grooves of outlines of the pair of intermediate land portions, a correlation among each protrusion amount t1, t2 and t3 of outlines of the central land portions, the intermediate land portions and the shoulder land portions from the virtual arc R1 satisfies: t1<t2, and t3<t2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Honda
  • Patent number: 10647159
    Abstract: A tyre for vehicle wheels having a tread pattern includes: a) two circumferential grooves, which define a first and a second shoulder region, and one central region; b) a plurality of asymmetric transverse grooves having a substantially “V” shape, which extend for the whole width of the tread, including an alternate sequence of a first and a second asymmetric transverse groove defining an alternate sequence of a first and a second asymmetric module; and c) a plurality of lateral transverse grooves, which includes one first lateral transverse groove extending for the whole width of the first shoulder region and for a portion of the central region of the first asymmetric modules, and one second lateral transverse groove extending for the whole width of the second shoulder region and for a portion of the central region of the second asymmetric modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Colombo, Stefano Montesello, Roberto Sangalli
  • Patent number: 10647160
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire can improve the heat dissipation effect in the tread portion while guaranteeing land portion rigidity and can also suppress degradation of the heat dissipation effect. The pneumatic tire includes a narrow groove (10) on a tread surface (1), extending at an inclination to the tire circumferential direction, the groove width (W1) being smaller than the groove depth (D1), an air inflow part (11) opening to the tread surface (1) and formed on at least one of the groove walls (10c) of the narrow groove (10) that face each other in the tire circumferential direction, and a wear prevention portion (12) formed by a protrusion or concavity on a groove wall (10c) that faces the other groove wall (10c) on which the air inflow part (11) is formed or on the tread surface (1) connecting to the groove wall (10c) that faces the other groove wall (10c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shun Ogane
  • Patent number: 10647161
    Abstract: Provided is a pneumatic tire including a tread portion, sidewall portions, and bead portions. The tread portion comprises a center main groove extending in the tire circumferential direction and a shoulder main groove located outward of the center main groove and extending in the tire circumferential direction. A land portion is defined between the center main groove and the shoulder main groove. The center main groove has a zigzag shape in the tire circumferential direction. Lug grooves extending inward from the shoulder main groove in the tire lateral direction and terminating without communicating with the center main groove are provided in the land portion. A bent portion bent toward a first side in the tire circumferential direction is formed at a terminating end of each of the lug grooves. Narrow grooves extending discontinuously in the tire circumferential direction without communicating with the bent portions are formed in the land portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Shibai
  • Patent number: 10647162
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread having main grooves extending in circumferential direction, and land portions partitioned by the main grooves. The main grooves include a pair of shoulder main grooves on tread edge sides, the land portions include a pair of shoulder ribs between the shoulder grooves and tread edges, rib has shoulder lug grooves extending from tread edge to axial direction inner side and having inner end terminated without reaching shoulder groove, and shoulder sipes extending from shoulder groove to axial direction outer side between adjacent lug grooves in the circumferential direction and having outer end terminated without reaching tread edge, and the ribs are forming such that circumferential direction length of first region between inner ends of sipe and adjacent lug groove is in range of 2 to 4 times circumferential direction length of second region between inner ends of sipe and the other adjacent lug groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Takuya Osawa
  • Patent number: 10647163
    Abstract: A stud pin and a pneumatic tire are provided. A tip portion of the stud pin includes an end surface with a concave polygonal profile shape including one recessed portion and one protrusion portion on a side opposite the recessed portion. The stud pin is mounted in a stud pin installation hole with the protrusion portion facing a leading side in a tire circumferential direction and the recessed portion face a trailing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10647164
    Abstract: A radar-based-sensing system for a tire includes a plurality of sensors disposed circumferentially around a tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is permanently disposed within the tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is further disposed radially above any metal structures within the tire annulus. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors emits waves and senses reflected waves when rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Terence E. Wei, Paul B. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10647165
    Abstract: Provided is a pressure sensitive adhesive sheet for tires that enables continuous and efficient labeling on tires using a labeling apparatus. The pressure sensitive adhesive sheet includes a release material (C), a first pressure sensitive adhesive layer (B1), a first substrate (A1), a second pressure sensitive adhesive layer (B2), and a second substrate (A2), in this order, and satisfies Requirement (1): in a planar view of the pressure sensitive adhesive sheet for tires, the outline of the first pressure sensitive adhesive layer (B1) exists inside the outline of the second substrate (A2), and Requirement (2): the shortest distance (X) between the outline of the second substrate (A2) and the outline of the second pressure sensitive adhesive layer (B2) is 0.35 mm or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: LINTEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10647166
    Abstract: A tire includes a pair of beads having a bead filler which extends to an outer side in the tire-radial direction of a bead core, and a carcass ply which extends from one bead to another bead and is folded back around the bead core, in which an electronic component is embedded in an area range of 10 mm to an inner side in the tire-radial direction from a tire-radial direction outside end of the bead filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Toyo Tire Corporation
    Inventor: Hiraku Nagayoshi
  • Patent number: 10647167
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a fastener disposed on a tire inner surface, the fastener being a first fastener of a separatable pair of mechanical fasteners and being composed of at least two fastener members. The at least two fastener members sandwich a rubber-coated fiber reinforced member and fix together. The fastener is disposed at a position such that a distance (D) in a tire width direction from a center position (C) of the fastener to a tire equator line (L) and a maximum width (W) of the tire satisfy a following relationship: 0?D/W?0.40. The fiber reinforced member includes a plurality of fiber bundles disposed in alignment in at least one direction, a number of fiber bundles Y (bundles/50 mm width) per unit width of the fiber reinforced member being such that: 20?Y (bundles/50 mm width)?90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Hayato Sakamoto, Atsushi Tanno
  • Patent number: 10647168
    Abstract: To be capable of preventing deterioration of uniformity after puncture repair while suppressing running noise. [Solution] A pneumatic tire 1 comprises a noise damper 20 fixed to a tire inner cavity surface of a tread portion 2 and formed of a porous material. The noise damper 20 includes a first part 23 arranged on an outer side in a tire radial direction and fixed to the tire inner cavity surface 16, and a second part 24 arranged on an inner side in the tire radial direction of the first part 23 and exposed in a tire inner cavity 17. A water absorption rate of the first part 23 calculated by a following formula (1) is in a range of from 5% to 25%. Air permeability of the second part 24 measured in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standard JIS-L1096 is in a range of from 1 to 7 cm3/cm2/s. The formula (1) is: water absorption rate (%)=weight change before and after immersion (g)/volume at 50% compression (cm3)×100 ??(1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masako Nakatani, Takahiro Kawachi, Nanaho Kami, Ayuko Yamada, Takuya Horiguchi, Tatsuhiro Tanaka, Keiji Takagi, Subaru Toya
  • Patent number: 10647169
    Abstract: A tire pressure management system includes at least an axle, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, a rotary union mounted to the hubcap. The rotary union includes at least rotary union housing providing a central bore, a fluid conduit having upstream and downstream ends, a first bearing and a second bearing. Each of the bearings are in contact engagement with the fluid conduit via an inner race, and in sliding engagement with a bearing sleeve via an outer race. The bearing sleeve in pressing contact with the central bore; and a first and second seal, the first seal is disposed between the first bearing and the downstream end of the fluid conduit, the second seal adjacent the interior of the hubcap and disposed between the external surface of the fluid conduit and the internal surface of the central bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Airgo IP, LLC
    Inventors: Sascha Castriotta, Joseph S. Cappello
  • Patent number: 10647170
    Abstract: Provided is a tire pressure detection system that can be operated stably for a long period of time by using, as a power source, a secondary battery having little characteristic deterioration under a high temperature environment, e.g. in a situation in which the battery is maintained for a long period of time in a fully charged state under a high temperature environment, while having excellent low temperature characteristics. A tire pressure detection system 1 includes: an air pressure detection device 10 that detects an air pressure inside a tire; and a secondary battery 20 that supplies power to the air pressure detection device 10. The secondary battery 20 is a lithium secondary battery that includes a negative electrode containing a lithium alloy as an active material and a positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: MAXELL HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Sugioka, Megumu Takai, Noriyuki Yabushita
  • Patent number: 10647171
    Abstract: An apparatus for tire pressure monitoring comprises a case, a gas nozzle unit movably connected to the outside of the case, and a structure for tire pressure monitoring which is received in a receiving space in the case. The structure for tire pressure monitoring comprises a main body, a signal processing unit, a sensing unit connected to the signal processing unit, and a power unit to provide power. The main body has a first part and a second part. The first part is disposed on a top side of the second part; the first and the second parts are not on the same plane. The signal processing unit and the sensing unit are disposed on one side of the first part and on the top side of the second part, respectively. The power unit is disposed on a bottom side of the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Keycore Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Wei Chiu, Wei-Cheng Lin, Shih-Hsiu Tseng, Chien-Jen Hsiao