Patents Issued in April 6, 2021
  • Patent number: 10968551
    Abstract: A plant and a method for connecting a web of fibrous material to a nonwoven or consolidating it therewith includes a first circulating belt on which the web of fibrous material is laid, a device for introducing a nonwoven into the plant, and a further successive circulating belt on which the nonwoven is to be connected to or consolidated with the web of fibrous material. The web of fibrous material from the first circulating belt is first laid on the nonwoven and subsequently the fibrous material is transferred onto the successive belt together with the nonwoven for connection or consolidation by use of water jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: Truetzschler GmbH & Co. KG, Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Weigert, Steffen Peters, Dominic Prömpler
  • Patent number: 10968552
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein in at least one of the microzones, the first region is hydrophobic and the second region is hydrophilic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Arman Ashraf, Paul Thomas Weisman, Adrien Grenier, Martin Ian James, Stefano Michele Sinigaglia
  • Patent number: 10968553
    Abstract: The invention discloses a waterless fiber dyeing machine suitable for mixed fluid medium, including a dyeing tank, a carbon dioxide pressurizing system and a polar medium pressurizing system, a fiber loading system, a circulating dyeing system, a carbon dioxide recycling system, a polar medium separating and recycling system and an automatic unloading system. Since there are pressurizing systems and separating and recycling systems for carbon dioxide medium and polar medium, dyeing with the mixed fluid medium is realized in the waterless dyeing tank and the circulating dyeing system thereof; the hydrophobic carbon dioxide fluid medium is effectively modified, so that the dyeing performance and effect of the dye molecules on the hydrophilic natural fiber are improved. The fiber loading system and the unloading system can significantly improve the fiber loading efficiency, the discharging efficiency of the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Jiajie Long
  • Patent number: 10968554
    Abstract: A fabric made of yarns interlooping with each other or passing through an inner layer at looping intervals. The fabric is embossed with a micro-pattern extending into the yarns or into a layer underneath the fabric. The micro-pattern contains a pre-defined pattern of a plurality of binding points attaching the yarns to the inner layer or to the added underlayer. This micro-pattern has an inter-point spacing between adjacent binding points that is less than the interlooping intervals. The fabric can also be embossed with a macro-pattern separate from and coarser than the micro-pattern. The macro-pattern establishes a desired aesthetic in the fabric, and the micro-pattern does not interfere with the desired aesthetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ENGINEERED FLOORS LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Tsiarkezos, Dimitri Zafiroglu, John Joseph Matthews Rees
  • Patent number: 10968555
    Abstract: A method for detecting an unbalance error of a machine-learning-based washing machine and the washing machine are provided. The method identifies whether laundry is within an inner drum of the washing machine using a laundry movement identifying model provided in an AI device of a server or the washing machine, measures an unbalance value on the basis of data of unbalance when the laundry is not moving, and then detects an unbalance error. The unbalance error can be more precisely detected without using additional components. The AI device for detecting the unbalance error of the present disclosure can be associated with drones (unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)), robots, augmented reality (AR) devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, devices related to 5G service, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sanghyun Lee, Bonkwon Koo, Hyunji Park, Seungchul Cha
  • Patent number: 10968556
    Abstract: The invention relates to malodor controlling bacteria and related methods and compositions for the control and prevention of malodor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: Novozymes Biologicals, Inc., Henkel. AG & Co. KGAA
    Inventors: Sarah C. Mchatton, I. Michelle Williams, Alejandro Penaloza-Vazquez, Jonathan Leder
  • Patent number: 10968557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus. The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention includes: a cabinet which forms an exterior of the laundry treating apparatus, and has one open surface; a drawer which is configured to be withdrawable from the one open surface of the cabinet and has an open top portion; a tub which is disposed inside the drawer and provides a space for storing wash water; a drum which is rotatably provided inside the tub; a door which opens and closes an open top surface of the tub; a top cover which covers the open top portion of the drawer, and is spaced apart from the door by a predetermined distance along an outer circumference of the door; and a buffer which is disposed at the tub or a part facing the tub, so as to prevent contact between the top cover and the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihong Lee, Minkyu Sang, Byungsun Kim
  • Patent number: 10968558
    Abstract: A drive system (21), for use in a washing machine (10), that includes a motor (23) and a planetary gearbox (26) having an outer casing (29) rotatably mounted by bearings (31A and 31B) between a tub (13) of the washing machine and the motor. A clutch (38) is selectively operable to engage the gears in a first mode to connect an input shaft (25) to drive at least a first output shaft (15) without speed reduction and, in a second mode, to drive the first output shaft at a controlled and reduced speed in one direction while simultaneously driving a second output shaft (18) at a second controlled and reduced speed the opposite rotational direction. The first gearbox output shaft (15) and the outer casing (29) are permanently rotationally fixed together in both first and second modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Russell Joseph Jackson
  • Patent number: 10968559
    Abstract: A support for household appliance comprises a hydraulic plate internally provided with a liquid flow passage, a sheath fixedly connected with the hydraulic plate, a regulating support arranged in the sheath and axially movable relative to the sheath, an accommodation chamber is formed by the hydraulic plate, the sheath and the regulating support. A flexible accommodation body that accommodates a liquid medium in the accommodation chamber extends and retracts to drive the regulating support to move in the sheath for leveling under the action of pressure. The flexible accommodation body is provided with an mounted on the hydraulic plate through the sheath in a sealed manner and communicates with the a liquid flow passage. The hydraulic medium in the flexible accommodation body can circulate into the liquid flow passage and flow to the liquid outlet nozzle through the a liquid flow passage, and thus, among household-appliance-used bottom feet for automatic leveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10968560
    Abstract: A dryer according to the present disclosure may be a dryer to which a heat pump system is applied, and may provide a structure in which constant temperature external air is suctioned and supplied to a drum to maintain constant performance of the dryer. An air supply unit configured to supply hot dry air to the drum is isolated from an inside of the main body such that internal air including a foreign material is not introduced into the air supply unit, and a suction port cover is separably coupled to the dryer such that a foreign material introduced with the external air is easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki Sun Park, Jin Woo So, Myung Hee Ryu, Jin Woo Hong
  • Patent number: 10968561
    Abstract: A system iron according to the present invention includes a body including a steam generator for generating steam; an ironing plate rotatably disposed on the body and spraying the steam, which is generated by the steam generator, to an outside thereof, a top being hung on an outer side of the ironing plate; a spreading unit for tensioning the top hung on the outer side of the ironing plate; a front press for holding a front surface of the top, which is hung on the outer side of the ironing plate; and a pair of arm tensioners for tensioning sleeves of the top hung on the outer side of the ironing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sungmin Ye, Sungho Song
  • Patent number: 10968562
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning a substrate, such as a fabric material, involving the application of optical energy to the substrate, typically in the form of a beam of light, where the energy of the beam causes removal of the contaminant from substrate, such as from the fibres of a fabric material. The cleaning may occur via any mechanism, including one or more of, alone or in any combination, ablation, melting, heating or reaction with the substrate or contaminant or agent introduced to aid in the cleaning. The optical energy is typically applied to a selected area of the substrate (e.g., as a beam), and the substrate and beam or optical energy source moved relative to one another so as to clean a larger area of the substrate, either by moving the substrate or the beam, or both. Movement of the beam with respect to the substrate can be attained through a beam scanning mechanism or through movement of the optical source itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: John Redvers Clowes
  • Patent number: 10968564
    Abstract: The present disclosure is relates to an artificial leather and a method of manufacturing the same. The manufacturing method of the artificial leather includes steps in which TPU particles are provided. The method continues with step in which the TPU particles are heated to be melted. The method continues with step in which a first TPU mesh layer is formed by meltblowing the melted TPU. The method continues with step in which a second TPU mesh layer is meltblown on the first TPU mesh layer so as to form a multi-layer TPU mesh layer structure. The method continues with step in which the multilayer TPU mesh layer structure is heat pressed to form the artificial leather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAN FANG CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Yi Lin, Kuo-Kuang Cheng, Kao-Lung Yang, Yung-Yu Fu, Wei-Jie Liao
  • Patent number: 10968565
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing artificial turf includes the steps of: creating a polymer mixture including at least one polymer and a nucleating agent for crystallizing the at least one polymer, extruding the polymer mixture into a monofilament; quenching the monofilament; reheating the monofilament; stretching the reheated monofilament to form the monofilament into an artificial turf fiber, wherein during the stretching the nucleating agent boosts the creation of crystalline portions of the polymer within the monofilament; incorporating the artificial turf fiber into an artificial turf backing, thereby mechanically fixing the monofilaments of the arranged artificial turf fibers in the artificial turf backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: POLYTEX SPORTBELÄGE PRODUKTIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Sick, Dirk Sander, Bernd Jansen, James Tritt, Dirk Schmitz
  • Patent number: 10968566
    Abstract: A hybrid cable having a core and a wrap; the core made from a carbon fiber yarn or bundle of carbon fiber strands or yarns; and the wrap made of a plurality of metal wires helically wrapped around the core, the plurality of metal wires laid side by side without crossing each other. The fibers, yarns, or core may be treated with polymeric sizing, adhesive, or binder. The wire may be steel and may have a coating such as brass or zinc plating, or a polymeric coating or treatment. The hybrid cable is useful for reinforcing composite articles such as belts, track, or hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Beal, Yelena Gray
  • Patent number: 10968567
    Abstract: A method for preparing ?-cellulose, a spinning composition, and a fiber material are provided. The method for preparing ?-cellulose includes providing a coffee residue; subjecting the coffee residue to a decolorization treatment, obtaining a white powder; reacting the white powder with an alkaline solution, obtaining a mixture; filtering the mixture to produce a filter cake; and baking the filter cake to obtain ?-cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Shi-Kuang Hwang, Tien-Ching Lu, Kai-Jen Hsiao, Jing-Wen Tang
  • Patent number: 10968568
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of paper, carton, or cardboard using baobab tree bast fibers, baobab fruit fibers, and/or Natal fig fibers as paper raw material, comprising the steps of: obtaining baobab fruit fiber and/or baobab tree bast fiber as baobab raw material and/or Natal fig bast fiber as Natal fig raw material; fraying the baobab raw material and/or Natal fig raw material while adding water; heating and preferably bleaching the obtained fiber pulp; applying the fiber pulp to a sieving means comprising removing a portion of the added water in order to produce a paper fiber fleece; pressing the obtained paper fiber fleece; and drying the obtained paper fiber fleece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HOPE TREE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventor: Lambert Dustin Dinzinger
  • Patent number: 10968569
    Abstract: A crepe process includes applying an adhesive composition to a nonwoven web, drying, and creping the nonwoven web on a creping drum. The improvement includes using an adhesive composition that includes an aqueous copolymer dispersion obtained by emulsion polymerization of a monomer mixture including 65 to 94.5% by weight of vinyl acetate, 5 to 30% by weight of ethylene, (meth)acrylamide, and 0.1 to 4% by weight of an N-methylol functional monomer. The N-methylol functional monomer constitutes from 25 to 85% by weight of the combined amounts of acrylamide and N-methylol functional monomer, which combined amounts constitute from 0.5 to 5% by weight of the monomer mixture. The emulsion polymerization is performed in the presence of 1 to 10% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol, based on the total weight of all monomers used for the polymerization. The adhesive composition does not include alkylphenol ethoxylates, phosphate ester surfactants, or sodium laureth sulfate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: WACKER CHEMIE AG
    Inventors: John Richard Boylan, Dennis Sagl
  • Patent number: 10968570
    Abstract: Embossed fibrous structures that exhibit a Dry Burst of greater than 270 g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method and more particularly to embossed fibrous structures that exhibit a Dry Burst of greater than 270 g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method and a Total Dry Tensile of less than 2375 g/76.2 mm and/or a Geometric Mean Total Dry Tensile of less than 1130 g/76.2 mm as measured according to the Tensile Strength Test Method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Allen Manifold, Charles Chidozie Ekenga, Douglas Jay Barkey, Kathleen Diane Sands, Thorsten Knobloch
  • Patent number: 10968571
    Abstract: Articles, for example multi-ply fibrous structure-containing articles such as multi-ply sanitary tissue products, containing two or more fibrous structure plies, and more particularly to multi-ply articles containing two or more fibrous structure plies having a plurality of fibrous elements wherein the articles exhibit improved bulk and absorbent properties compared to known articles and methods for making same, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Barnholtz, Christopher Michael Young, Timothy James Klawitter, James Roy Denbow, Michael Gomer Stelljes, Michael Donald Suer, Jeffrey Glen Sheehan, Paul Dennis Trokhan, Kathryn Christian Kien
  • Patent number: 10968572
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for making a pedestrian, vehicular, or other surface resistant to frost, snow and ice by use of heat are disclosed. A composite base or deck element includes a recess to accommodate heating element. A thermal insulator has an upward facing layer of heat-conductive aluminum foil, above which sits the heating element. On top is a pedestrian, vehicular, or other exposed surface, for example a tactile warning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Szekely
  • Patent number: 10968573
    Abstract: Fall protecting flooring element that comprises a flat rectangular body of a resilient Material having a lower face, an upper face, four sides, patterns at its four sides that enable interlocking several similar flooring elements by form-fitting connections. Respective short straight corner sections are provided that constitute a part of the side of the concerned side. The patterns comprise alternating sequence of connection tabs and connection recesses. The connection tabs have identical profiles but inverse of the profiles of the connection recesses. A plurality of fall protecting floor elements can be connected together to form a flooring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Nándor Szönyi
  • Patent number: 10968574
    Abstract: An automatic vibrator assembly includes a single vibrator mechanism or first and second vibrator mechanisms connected to first and second switch assemblies that are all housed with a case that attaches between a concrete finishing tool float and adaptor using industry standard bolt layouts. The vibrator mechanisms propel the float when the switch assemblies recognize a predetermined amount of forward and backward float tilt. Where the assembly uses two vibrator mechanisms or a single bidirectional vibrator assembly, the vibrator mechanisms can propel the float in different directions depending on the direction of tilt. Additional features include a variable speed controller, master switch for operating in automatic or manual mode, and docks that accommodate one or two removable batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Frank Mikowychok
  • Patent number: 10968575
    Abstract: An earth working machine (10), for example a road milling machine (10), recycler, stabilizer, or surface miner, having a propelling unit (22) and a machine frame (12) carried by the propelling unit (22), comprises a working apparatus (32) for earth working; an operator's platform (24), having an operating console (26) for controlling at least one functional device (32, 39) of the earth working machine (10), being provided on the machine frame (12). Provision is made according to the present invention that the earth working machine (10) comprises, in the region of the operator's platform (24), a seat mount arrangement (66) that is embodied to be brought into releasable mounting engagement with a counterpart mount arrangement (76) of an operating seat (62, 64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Cyrus Barimani, Stephan Drumm, Alexander Körtgen
  • Patent number: 10968576
    Abstract: In a self-propelled construction machine (1), in particular road milling machine, recycler, stabilizer or surface miner, comprising a machine frame (4), at least two travelling devices (2), at least one hydraulic drive system (50) for driving at least two travelling devices (2), at least one working device, in particular a milling drum (6), for working the ground pavement (3), it is provided for the following features to be achieved: a detection device (44, 60, 62) is provided which detects fluctuations in the longitudinal speed (vact) of the construction machine (1) during movement of the construction machine (1), wherein a control unit (38) controls the hydraulic drive system (50) as a function of the detected fluctuations in such a fashion that the drive speed (vdrive) for driving the travelling devices (2) specified by means of the hydraulic drive system (50) is continuously adjusted so that the detected fluctuations are reduced or compensated for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan Wagner, Markus Bach, Christian Berning, Axel Mahlberg
  • Patent number: 10968577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool combination consisting of a chisel holder, which can be fastened to a milling drum of a soil tillage machine, and at least one leading and one trailing chisel, which are retained on the chisel holder, wherein the trailing chisel is arranged after the leading chisel, based on a working movement of the tool combination in use in the soil tillage machine, and wherein each chisel has a chisel tip having a cutter. According to the invention the trailing chisel tip of the trailing chisel has, at least in some areas, a greater hardness than the leading chisel tip of the leading chisel. Thus stoppage times of the soil tillage machine for maintenance can be reduced and the loss of chisels can at least be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Karsten Buhr, Andreas Jost, Thomas Lehnert, Sebastian Hofrath, Martin Lenz
  • Patent number: 10968578
    Abstract: An expansion joint connects structural elements of a building structure to fill a space between the structural elements themselves. The expansion joint has a plate body and a deformable body flanked or adjacent to the plate body along the longitudinal direction. The deformable body includes two superimposed and structurally independent portions connected to each other in a removable way, or configured for a removable connection with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERGOM S.R.L.
    Inventor: Gianantonio Veneri
  • Patent number: 10968579
    Abstract: An avalanche control device includes a detonation initiator unit and a bio-degradable linear bag. The initiator unit is elongated and includes an ignition end, an inflation end, and a stepped transition zone in between that gets progressively greater in diameter as it extends from the ignition end towards the inflation end. The inflatable bag is adapted for connection to the inflation end of the initiator unit. The design of initiator unit is fixed and reusable, while the bag dimensions can be tailored to the desired blast strength for the end user, in terms of length, diameter, and mixture ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Avy Blasters, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Brophy, Evan Neumann
  • Patent number: 10968580
    Abstract: A protective structure is provided that is configured to crush descending items into particles. The protective structure comprises an upper mesh layer made of hard material capable of crushing the descending items and a bottom layer made of combined hard material and relatively soft material, wherein the bottom layer is capable of absorbing the particles. The protective structure is further provided with a plurality of supporting poles that are positioned between the upper mesh layer and the bottom layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Amos Klein
  • Patent number: 10968581
    Abstract: Provided are a magnetic marker and a magnetic marker detection system with a reduced magnetic force. The magnetic marker detection system (1S) in which magnetism generated from the magnetic marker (1) laid on a road surface (53) is detected by a magnetic sensor (2) attached to a vehicle's body floor (50) of a vehicle (5) is a system with the magnetic marker (1) and the magnetic sensor (2) in combination, the magnetic marker having a surface with a magnetic flux density equal to or smaller than 40 mT and the magnetic sensor using a magneto-impedance element including an amorphous wire as a magneto-sensitive body with impedance in a high-frequency region changing in accordance with an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: AICHI STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michiharu Yamamoto, Tomohiko Nagao, Hitoshi Aoyama
  • Patent number: 10968582
    Abstract: Road markings made of special materials with reflective additives (micro-glass beads) that increase the retroreflection factor of the road marking independent of the color (whiteness, brightness) of the road marking material (thermoplastic, cold plastic, paint). Light sources, such as car headlights, emit radiation, including in the form of visible light. A major portion of the light beams directly incident onto a pavement (6) is absorbed. According to the first embodiment, a portion of all incident light beams is partially reflected directly from a road marking layer (4) and returned in the opposite direction. In both embodiments, a portion of the light beams is incident upon an extending portion (1). Since no additional layer (8) is present on the surface of the extending portion (1), the light beam is partially reflected and, upon refraction, passes inside a micro-glass bead (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Aleksandr Vyacheslavovich Filippov
  • Patent number: 10968583
    Abstract: A road marker includes a single piece of material having a width of approximately three inches or less. The piece includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a sloped face disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface. The bottom surface is configured to enable the bottom surface to be connected directly to a floor of a channel of a roadway. The road marker further includes a reflector disposed on the sloped face. Another road marker disclosed herein includes a reflecting member including a reflective surface. The road marker also includes a housing configured to support at least a portion of the reflecting member below a surface of a roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: David E. Lambert
  • Patent number: 10968584
    Abstract: A security gate actuator includes a main ball screw, a main ball nut, and a drive shaft stage. The main ball screw may further include a circular channel disposed on an outer surface of the main ball screw and at least one drive ball disposed in the circular channel. The main ball nut may be disposed on the main threads of the main ball screw and configured to translate rotational motion of the main ball screw to linear motion of the main ball nut. The drive shaft stage may include a drive shaft end and a drive shaft tube attached to the drive shaft end, the drive shaft end coupled to the main ball nut. The drive ball may push against the drive shaft tube to translate the rotational motion of the main ball screw to rotational motion of the drive shaft tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: K12 Defense Consultants, LLC
    Inventors: David Russell Gardner, Charles Lee Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10968585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum installation for industrial application, the installation comprising a first vessel having a first gas inlet for allowing a gaseous substance into the first vessel and a first outlet for depletion of a material, a second vessel having a second inlet for aspirating a quantity of material and a second gas outlet for depletion of the gaseous substance, wherein the gaseous substance comprises a vapour generated from the material, a storage chamber for storing the quantity of material, the storage chamber having a third inlet, wherein at least the first vessel communicates with an interior of the storage chamber via the first outlet and the third inlet; and a vacuum pump located in between the first vessel and the second vessel, and operated to lower the pressure in the second vessel, thereby allowing the material to be sucked into the second vessel via the second liquid inlet to an equilibrium level between the material and the gaseous substance, the vacuum pump being further ope
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Koks Group B.V.
    Inventor: Nic Spierdijk
  • Patent number: 10968586
    Abstract: Scoops for picking up pet waste including a first arm pivotally connected to a second arm at a pivot end, wherein the first arm and the second arm define a collection region distal the pivot end, the second arm being configured to pivot relative to the first arm between an open position and a closed position, the collection region being configured to encompass the pet waste in the collection region when the second arm is in the open position. In certain examples, the scoop includes a coupler configured to facilitate forming a knot in the pet waste bag. In some examples, the scoop includes a container configured to store pet waste bags. In some examples, the scoop includes a latch configured to selectively restrict the second arm pivoting relative to the first arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Bryan Weston
  • Patent number: 10968587
    Abstract: In a pneumatic fender, reinforcing layers of a body portion and reinforcing layers of a predetermined range in the longitudinal direction of a fender near a boundary between each hemispherical portion and the body portion are formed by aligning cords of reinforcing layers of the body portion and that of the predetermined range in parallel, and in a neutral state without expansion, the cords of the reinforcing layers of the body portion meet each other and the cords of the reinforcing layers of the predetermined range meet each other, and cord angles A and B are each set to from 15° to 45° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fender. When the interior of the fender is set to a specified internal pressure, the cord angles A and B increase to extent of a static angle, and the body portion and the predetermined range expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouko Tsuchiya, Minami Shibuya, Keiichi Hasegawa, Gang Hou, Satoshi Shibayama, Akihiro Iemoto, Shunichi Ono, Michito Kaneko
  • Patent number: 10968588
    Abstract: A mobile fabrication solution for onsite assemblage of earth drains for ground stabilization that includes a despooling carousel for uncoiling corrugated tubing from a stock supply, and for feeding the stock tubing into an extrusion head unit. The head unit contains counter-rotating wheels that grip and drive the tubing out through a collet into a filter sock and into a collection trough. One end of a stock supply of fabric filter sock is attached to the collet exteriorly of the head unit to the collet and is unrolled along the trough. When the corrugated tubing is ejected it fills the sock within the trough and may be cut to the desired length onsite, eliminating waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Keller North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Franklin Brewster, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10968589
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method usable for controlling multiple flows of water. The system may include a first sensor configured to sense a condition, a first drain tile, a first flow regulator configured to control a flow of water in the first drain tile, and a first transceiver configured to control the first flow regulator based on the sensed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Charlie J. Schafer, Dennis J. McGrath, David Clark White, Gordon Alexander Echols
  • Patent number: 10968590
    Abstract: A measurement system that comprises at least one horizontal load measuring unit, that is preferably arranged on the leg guide is provided. The horizontal load measuring device measures or determines horizontal load on the position of the leg where the device is placed, which gives a more accurate indication of the leg bending moment than the rack phase differential measurement. Advantageously, multiple load measuring units can be provided along the leg guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: GUSTOMSC B.V.
    Inventors: Jochem Rutgers, Andries Johannes Hofman
  • Patent number: 10968591
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pile guide comprising a base frame and a guide member for guiding a pile as it is driven into a substrate, the guide member comprising a plurality of guide parts that are movable between an operative position for supporting the pile and an inoperative position. The pile guide comprises a mechanism that couples the guide parts such that movement of a guide part towards the operative position results in movement of at least one other guide part towards the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: IHC IQIP UK LTD.
    Inventor: David Howel Gunter
  • Patent number: 10968592
    Abstract: A foundation for a wind mill includes a circular or polygonal pedestal for supporting a wind mill tower and a plurality of ribs radiating radially outwardly from the pedestal, wherein the pedestal is divided into a plurality of circumferential sections, wherein a circumferential section and a rib are each integrally formed with one another as a precast concrete element, wherein the precast concrete elements are made from reinforced concrete including a first reinforcement structure, in particular reinforcement bars, embedded into the precast concrete elements, a second reinforcement structure is provided, which holds the precast concrete elements together and which is coupled to the first reinforcement structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HOLCIM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Christian Schuldt, Arne Stecher
  • Patent number: 10968593
    Abstract: A precast reinforced concrete heavy duty retaining wall comprises a precast concrete square face panel with integral four fins connected to the rear of facing and the end of each fin with integral regular octagon. A fin comprises a reinforced concrete slab and having a substantially plurality of horizontal holes along each fin panel, used for inserted horizontal rebars into each hole, and bonded the vertical rebars to the horizontal rebars in each vertical channel. Designed the rebars by professional engineer. The upper surface of regular octagon of outer left and outer right having protude male interlocking and the lower surface of regular octagon, having female interlocking, the center are substantially opposite. The upper surface of face panel having a noch male interlocking, and the lower surface having a groove female interlocking, the center are substantially opposite. The side view at both left and right having grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Phiproei Thoopphonthap
  • Patent number: 10968594
    Abstract: A manhole rehabilitation system where in one example an existing cross-pipe is exposed and a manhole base and riser are cast around and above the existing cross pipe to form a manhole. In one example an FRP base liner and FRP riser liner are placed before casting in place. In one example casting is made of an aggregate. In one example, a collar and manhole cap rest upon the casting, and are supported thereby such that the liner need not be structural. In one example an existing pipe or manhole forms the outer surface of the casting. In one example shoring is placed and used as the outer surface of the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Predl Systems North America Inc.
    Inventor: Jed Christopher Friesen
  • Patent number: 10968595
    Abstract: An example manhole cover assembly includes a manhole cover and a latch assembly. The manhole cover is supportable by a seat of a manhole frame. The latch assembly includes a latch housing fixedly coupled to the manhole cover. A latch plunger is slidably coupled to the latch housing. The latch plunger includes a follower arm. A latch lever is rotatably coupled to the latch housing. The latch lever includes a stop. The latch lever is rotatable relative to the latch housing between a locked position and an unlocked position. The stop is structured to engage the manhole frame when the latch lever is rotated to unlocked position so as to force the manhole cover away from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Neenah Foundry Company
    Inventor: Hassan Shokouhi
  • Patent number: 10968596
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a below grade, blind side, dual waterproofing membrane assembly incorporating a sheet membrane with adhesive to fully bond to concrete/shotcrete, and a method of making and using same. More particularly, the invention encompasses a dual membrane system that acts as a barrier, and prevents, and blocks water and moisture, from passing from one side of the structure to the other side. The innovative barrier layer system can be used along a wall, a floor, a ceiling, or along any structure which requires water or moisture proofing. The invention can be most effectively used between a concrete or shotcrete layer and the surrounding earth, such as, along an area that has a high water table or ground moisture or hydrostatic pressure that may creep into a foundation or a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Amir Rudyan
  • Patent number: 10968597
    Abstract: A shovel may include a lower travelling body, an upper swinging body mounted on the lower travelling body, an excavation attachment attached to the upper swinging body, an orientation detecting device configured to detect an orientation of the excavation attachment, and a controller. The controller may have a ground surface shape information obtaining part that obtains information relating to a current shape of an excavation target ground surface based on a transition of the orientation of the excavation attachment detected by the orientation detecting device, and an excavation controlling part that controls the excavation attachment based on the information relating to the current shape of the excavation target ground surface obtained by the ground surface shape information obtaining part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Chunnan Wu
  • Patent number: 10968598
    Abstract: A controller is configured to acquire current terrain information indicating the current terrain in the travel direction of a work vehicle. The controller is configured to generate an inclined virtual surface extending from the current position of the work vehicle. The controller is configured to decide the soil volume of the current terrain located above the virtual surface. The controller is configured to set the virtual surface in which the soil volume of the current terrain becomes a predetermined target soil volume to be a virtual design surface. The controller is configured to generate a command signal to a work implement of the work vehicle to move the work implement along the virtual design surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hashimoto, Kenjiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 10968599
    Abstract: A work machine includes a cabin, a machine room, a hydraulic oil tank, a partition wall, and a cover member. The machine room accommodates a drive apparatus to move the work machine. The hydraulic oil tank is provided in the machine room and has an oil gauge. The partition wall separates the cabin from the machine room and has an opening through which the oil gauge is viewable from the cabin. The cover member seals a gap between the partition wall and the oil gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keigo Honda, Hiroshi Imamura, Yusuke Hada, Shunichiro Mori, Shinsuke Hisatake
  • Patent number: 10968600
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are directed to distributed hydraulic systems, and power machines such as excavators including distributed hydraulic systems. In the distributed hydraulic systems, electronically controlled distributor blocks are located throughout the machine, particularly along the lift arm, to locally distribute hydraulic power to actuators of the various machine and implement functions. Distributing control of hydraulics in multiple locations reduces the number of hoses that must be routed from a main control valve to the various actuators on the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Vaclav J. Jelinek, Michael L. Vought, Dobroslav Rak
  • Patent number: 10968601
    Abstract: A BEIM (Built Environment Information Model)-based control system (CS) for controlling an earthmoving machine (E) is disclosed. The control system includes at least one controller (CO) for controlling at least one movement of an earthmoving tool (3) attached to the earthmoving machine, at least one control unit (CU), and sensing means (11, 12) for providing the control unit with position data of the earthmoving tool and a carrier (1) of the earthmoving machine with respect to the BEIM. The control system also includes at least one displaying means for displaying at least one BEIM selectable by the at least one controller. An earthmoving machine and a method for controlling an earthmoving machine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Novatron Oy
    Inventors: Visa Hokkanen, Petri Moisio