Ball And Socket Type Patents (Class 248/181.1)
  • Patent number: 11926264
    Abstract: A system for mounting an object within a vehicle. The system has a housing, a pair of rotatable objects at least partially received within a respective opposed end of the housing, a pair of locking elements within the housing and movable between a locked position in which they exert a locking force against a respective rotatable object, and an unlocked position in which the locking element does not exert the locking force against the respective rotatable object. A handle extends from the housing and is coupled to the locking elements through a rigid linkage within the housing. The handle is pivotable between an extended position in which the handle moves the pair of locking elements via the rigid linkage to the unlocked position and a locked position in which the handle moves the pair of locking elements via the rigid linkage to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Havis, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Halonen, Stephen Telesco
  • Patent number: 11865976
    Abstract: A mount for mounting a case of a handheld electronic device to a vehicle includes an arm comprising a pair of arm members, first and second coupling member engaged with the arm for adjustably coupling the device to the vehicle, a spring and a fastener for adjustably securing the two arms together. The fastener is rotatable between a first position in which the arm members are rigidly secured together and the first and second coupling members are rigidly secured to the arm and a second position for adjusting the first coupling member and the second coupling member relative to the arm. The spring biases the arm members towards each other when the fastener is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ANNEX PRODUCTS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Nish Parab, Martin K. Loscher
  • Patent number: 11609485
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to camera mounts interoperable with cameras mountable in a wide variety of different environments. The camera mount may include a bracket, wherein the bracket may be configured to be secured to a mounting surface. The bracket may be comprised of an adapter plate interoperable with a wall switch plate, wherein the wall switch plate secures to the mounting surface. The adapter plate may include a first plurality of mounting holes configured to align with a second plurality of mounting holes positioned within the wall switch plate. The mount may further include an angled portion that includes a second cable route opening and a plurality of mounting provisions that may be configured to align with the mounting holes and a first cable route opening of the adapter plate. The angled portion may further include a camera mounting surface configured to interoperate with the adjusting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Derek Joseph Boyes, Frederick Michael McBride
  • Patent number: 11448246
    Abstract: A multi-axis mount including: a baseplate, the baseplate including an indent, the indent including multiple sloped sides; a pivot, the pivot including a magnetizable, partial ovoidal body, the pivot contacting the baseplate at no less than two sloped sides of the indent and at no more than three sloped sides of the indent; and a magnet located opposite the baseplate from the pivot, the magnet to attract the pivot against the baseplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Roya Susan Akhavain, Matthew G. Lopez, Chun-Ying Wu
  • Patent number: 11326737
    Abstract: A robot includes a multi-articular arm and a base including a body. The body has a first supported surface and a second supported surface opposite to the first supported surface. A first bracket and a second bracket are connectable to the first supported surface or to the second supported surface to connect the body to the floor surface or the wall surface. Each of the body, the first bracket, and the second bracket has a mounting member such that the base is mounted on the floor surface when the first bracket is connected to the first supported surface and the second bracket is connected to the second supported surface, and such that the base is mounted on the wall surface when the first bracket is connected to the second supported surface and the second bracket is connected to the first supported surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: KABISHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventor: Hisashi Fujioka
  • Patent number: 11292124
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a variable stiffness soft actuator inspired by an ossicle structure of echinoderm and a robot apparatus including the same. According to various embodiments, the soft actuate includes a plurality of ossicle elements arranged in a specific structure, wherein an interval between the plurality of ossicle elements is maintained or reduced depending on vacuum generation to change the stiffness of the soft actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jung Kim, Hwayeong Jeong
  • Patent number: 11268569
    Abstract: A free slant platform includes a ball structure with a rotator structure including a stopping hole formed on a side thereof, a loading plate located above the ball structure and fixedly connected with the ball structure, a supporting member connected with an outer wall of the ball structure and configured to support the ball structure, a stop member movably connected with the supporting member and linearly moved along an axis direction of the ball structure to clamp with the stopping hole for braking the ball structure. When the stop member presses on the ball structure, the stop member is clamped with the stopping hole to limit rotation of the ball structure; when the stop member is separated from the ball structure, the ball structure is restored to a free rotation state. The ball structure is taken as a supporting point to incline the loading plate along a plurality of directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Southwest Petroleum University
    Inventors: Shuyong Hu, Xueqiang Guo, Nana Song, Bingyang Zheng
  • Patent number: 11185376
    Abstract: A robot for spinal surgery may include an open rectangular base designed to slide on a rail of a fixed support to reach to different parts of the spine. The robot may include a moving top platform that can accommodate a surgical instrument, and three legs to support the top platform on the base and move the top platform in 6-degree-of-freedom relative to the base. In one embodiment, each of the three legs may include a lower part and an upper part joined by an electric linear actuator for sliding the upper part linearly relative to the lower part. In one embodiment, the lower part of each leg may be joined to a shaft of a rotary actuator that is mounted to the base, and the upper part of each log can be joined to the top platform at a fixed point via a passive spherical joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ROWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Mohammad Hossein Abedin-Nasab
  • Patent number: 11173594
    Abstract: A robot includes a base, a spin body rotatably connected to the base, a tilting base tiltably connected at a tilting shaft to the spin body, a first tilting housing to which the tilting base is fixed therein, a second tilting housing which is fastened to the first tilting housing and to which the tilting base is fixed therein, and a tilting supporter connecting an inner side of the first tilting housing and an inner side of the second tilting housing. The tilting supporter is disposed at a position through which a rotational axis of the spin body passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Moonchan Kim
  • Patent number: 11090189
    Abstract: An eye drop alignment assembly includes a ring that has a bottle of eye drops being extendable therethrough. The ring has a plurality of engagements thereon and the engagements are spaced apart from each other and are positioned at strategic points around the ring. A plurality of legs is each movably coupled to a respective one of the engagements. A plurality of extensions is each pivotally coupled to a respective one of the legs. Each of the extensions is positionable at a selected angle with respect to the respective leg for aligning with a respective top and bottom eyelid. Additionally, each of the extensions spaces the ring away from the eyeball associated with a top and bottom eyelids. In this way the ring aligns the bottle of eye drops with the eyeball for successfully dispensing eye drops onto the eyeball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Earl Kelly
  • Patent number: 11085576
    Abstract: An auxiliary device for photo-taking and video-taking and a multifunctional support bracket. A spherical base, arranged on an upper part of the main body, includes a spherical concave shape with an upward-facing opening and provides a cooperation member for being fixedly connected to a spherical-bottomed ball head. A flat-bottomed platform, with one side face detachably fixed to the opening of the spherical base through the cooperation member, has the other side face provided with a connection member for being fixedly connected to a flat-bottomed ball head. A flat-bottomed ball head, fixedly connectable to the connection member of the flat-bottomed platform. A spherical-bottomed ball head, for being fixed in the spherical base after the flat-bottomed platform is removed, and detachably fixedly connected to the cooperation member of the spherical base. The multifunctional support bracket and the assembly thereof may be applied to both flat-bottomed ball head and spherical-bottomed ball head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGDONG SIRUI OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jie Li, Xiaoyun Hu
  • Patent number: 11040782
    Abstract: A portable platform device is described comprising a central body and a plurality of legs located on the central body near a distal end of the central body and spaced radially around the central body wherein the legs are configured for placement on a surface. A ball joint is mounted at its distil end to a proximal end of the central body and a platform is configured to be fixed to a proximal end of the ball joint and configured to be adjustable to a horizontally level and vertically plumb position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: William Michael Johnson
  • Patent number: 10996017
    Abstract: A quickly deployable tripod is comprised of a helmet unit formed at the top thereof, a ball unit connected inside the helmet unit, a yoke unit connected at the bottom of the ball unit, and a plurality of the leg units connected to the yoke unit. The helmet unit is configured to fix an object thereon. The ball unit is configured to adjust orientation of the helmet unit. The yoke unit is configured to adjust position of the plurality of leg units. And the plurality of the leg units is configured to adjust orientation thereof respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Andrew Amaral
  • Patent number: 10901301
    Abstract: A tripod includes: a hub defining a set of leg mounts; a set of legs configured to telescopically extend from the hub and couple to the set of leg mounts; a center column including a spherical end; and a head pivotably coupled to the spherical end. The head further includes: a base section; a camera platform arranged over the base section; a set of flanges extending below the base section and extending around the spherical end; a hat arranged over the spherical end; a pivot control ring arranged about the base section, configured to drive the hat into the spherical end to fix the head on the spherical end responsive to rotation in a first direction about the base section, and configured to retract the hat from the spherical end to unlock the head from the spherical end responsive to rotation in a second direction about the base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Peak Design
    Inventors: Robb Jankura, Matthew Thomas James, Peter Dering, Peter Lockett, Arthur Viger, Andrew Wheeler Gans, Kiran Malladi
  • Patent number: 10844997
    Abstract: A device mounting assembly includes a baseplate and a support arm. The support arm may couple with a device. The support arm is pivotable with respect to the baseplate about the hinge to define a plurality of mounting assembly configurations. In at least one configuration, the support arm is located in at least one groove of a first surface on a first side of the baseplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Loew, Matthew J. England
  • Patent number: 10795244
    Abstract: A hinge for an electronic device includes a base including a stem, a ball rigidly fixed to the stem, a first friction surface that contacts and is configured to move with respect to a first outer surface of the ball, a second friction surface that contacts and is configured to move with respect to a second outer surface of the ball, the second outer surface of the ball being on a side of the ball that is opposite the first outer surface of the ball, and a biasing member configured to bias the first and/or second friction surface against the ball to generate a frictional force sufficient to hold the first and second friction surfaces in a set position relative to the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Wilson, Kevin Booth, Jeffrey Law, Mark Kraz, Oliver Mueller
  • Patent number: 10697581
    Abstract: An orientable support module (1) for optical or video/photographic equipment, comprising a first (2) and a second (3) joint element connected together so as to be able to oscillate and intended to be coupled respectively to a support element (5, 100) and to a piece of optical or video/photographic equipment so as to orient the equipment, the second joint element (3) comprising a head (6) and a shaft (7) extending from the head (6) along its own longitudinal axis (Z), the first joint element (2) comprising a body (12) defining a seating cavity (13) for the head (6), the module further comprising a locking device (20) that can be actuated so as to displace the second joint element (3) along a locking axis (Z) between a release configuration, in which the second joint element (3) is free to oscillate in the seating cavity (13), and a locked configuration (W), in which the second joint element (3) is clamped in the seating cavity (13) and is locked in a desired orientation position, the locking device (20) compri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: VITEC IMAGING SOLUTIONS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Grandesso
  • Patent number: 10458740
    Abstract: A modular armorer's stand has a block that, on one end, can engage the magazine well of a firearm frame. The other end of the block has a tongue that can be slid into a base. The base can be mounted to a surface such as a work bench. As such, the frame is held solidly in place for gunsmithing. The firearm's magazine release can engage a notch in the block. Each block can be sized specifically for a certain firearm or firearm family while every block has a tongue that can be held by the base. An armorer therefore needs a single solidly mounted base and that base can hold various blocks that, in turn, hold various firearms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Falcon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Charles Hines
  • Patent number: 10422469
    Abstract: An improved tripod head including a cylindrical body having a cavity and a ball joint rotationally positioned into the cavity. A stem is attached to the ball joint, the stem having an attached camera mount configured to accept and hold a camera steady during operation. A positional feature provided on a front portion of the cylindrical body, the positional feature providing to a larger range of motion when the stem is in a horizontal position compared to the prior art. The stem in a horizontal position corresponds to portrait mode photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: New Ideas Manufacturing LLC
    Inventor: Graham Clark
  • Patent number: 10419649
    Abstract: A directionally adjustable mounting device is disclosed for use with a small electronic device such as a wireless camera. Also disclosed is a method of using the mounting device. The mounting device has a housing for receiving the camera extending from and rotatable about bearing. A socket of the housing is biased into frictional contact with the bearing by a spring to inhibit movement of the camera relative to the bearing. The mount is configured to receive an opposing force on the housing to overcome the spring force and allow the camera to be repositioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Arlo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10386012
    Abstract: A tripod with flexible legs with a mounting interface for a camera, mounting clip, or electronic device that is movable into a variety of positions. The mounting interface may move around a spherical mating surface and may also be moved to a position perpendicular to the main axis of the tripod. The legs may have ball and socket connectors with external gripping rings adapted to wrap around an object such as a pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Vitec Holdings Italia SRL
    Inventor: Noah Balmer
  • Patent number: 10363885
    Abstract: An automobile rearview mirror is provided having a driving video recording function that includes a rearview mirror body. The body has a housing, a mirror, a first pivot holder and a second pivot holder mounted at the housing and respectively defined therein is a ball socket and a position-limiting passage. The passage is an open-ended passage disposed in communication with the ball socket and having an inner diameter gradually increased toward an open end thereof. A camera module is provided which includes a camera holder, an image capture device mounted in the camera holder for capturing images. A connection rod extends from the camera holder and is inserted through the position-limiting passage to suspend the camera holder outside the rearview mirror body and has a ball located at an inner end thereof that couples to the ball socket of the first pivot holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Jack Tang
  • Patent number: 10279092
    Abstract: A mounting ring for a ventricular assist device or other device used in the heart includes a plate adapted to be secured to the exterior of the heart by rigid anchors such as hook, pin, or screw. When hooks are used, they can be pivotally mounted to the plate so that the hooks can rotate from retracted positions to advanced positions. A tool can be included in a mounting ring kit to move the hooks from their retracted positions to their advanced positions so that the hooks secure the plate to the heart. Preferably, all of the hooks are advanced simultaneously. The VAD or other device is then secured to the plate. The plate can be mounted to the heart in less time than required to install a traditional mounting ring by suturing to the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: HeartWare, Inc.
    Inventor: Lance Lynn Andrus
  • Patent number: 10118286
    Abstract: A lifting device includes a framework (2) and a manipulator arm (8) pivotally connected to the framework. The manipulator arm includes a first end portion (19) and a second end portion (13) adapted to carry a tool (20). A balancing arrangement (7; 30, 39) includes a first part (7a; 30a; 39a) connected to the framework and a second part (7b; 30b; 39b) adapted to interact with the first end portion. At least one of the manipulator arm and the balancing arrangement includes a first balancing device (11; 31; 34), which is extendable to ensure that interaction between the second part and the first end portion is maintained. The first balancing device is adapted to generate a first balancing force which maintains a moment balance about the first joint. The manipulator arm has at least two rotational degrees of freedom in a first spherical coordinate system (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LOFS SPECIALMASKINER AB
    Inventor: Klas-Arne Lof
  • Patent number: 10066779
    Abstract: A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Vogel, Paul Turner
  • Patent number: 10025166
    Abstract: A camera mount for coupling a camera to a user's wrist is described. The camera mount includes a swivel component that rotates relative to a wrist component when an above-threshold amount of force is applied on the swivel component. A rippled spring component is coupled between the swivel component and the wrist component, and exerts an outward force upon the swivel component in response to a compressive force exerted on the rippled spring component by the swivel component. A strap couples to each of two sides of the wrist mount component, and is configured to secure the camera mount to the user's wrist. The camera mount can additionally include a base component and a padding component, and a screw to couple each camera mount component together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Aaron Clearman
  • Patent number: 10023002
    Abstract: An engraving tool for allowing a craftsperson to engrave an object, such a ring or other jewelry, while allowing a discrete number of degrees of freedom but restricting all others. In an embodiment, an engraving tool includes a base portion coupled to a manipulator housing portion that is rotatably attached to the base portion such that the manipulator housing portion may be rotated in a first degree of freedom (e.g., rotated in a horizontal plane with respect to a vertical axis of the base portion). The engraving tool further includes a manipulator secured to the manipulator housing portion in a U-shaped socket such that the manipulator is configured to be rotated in a second degree of freedom (e.g., rotated in one particular vertical plane with respect to the horizontal plane). A ring holder is attached to manipulator and configured to secure a ring for engraving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Yamsi Leather and Silver LLC
    Inventor: John Livingston Hyde
  • Patent number: 10006657
    Abstract: A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air outlet mounted on a stand. The stand includes a base and a body tiltable relative to the base. Each of the base and the body has an outer surface shaped so that adjoining portions of the outer surfaces are substantially flush when the body is in the untilted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Peter David Gammack, James Dyson, Alexander Stuart Knox
  • Patent number: 9976587
    Abstract: Coupling by means of which a first and a second component are connectable to each other, having the following features: a coupling bolt having a fastening end, a holding head and a supporting section arranged therebetween, in which the holding head and the supporting section are connected to each other by means of a web, which is tapered with respect to the holding head, and the fastening end is fastenable at the first component, a holder having a keyhole and an abutting portion, in which an edge of the keyhole encloses a non-planar surface, the coupling bolt is lockable in the keyhole in a form-fit manner by means of an inserting-pivoting-movement and the holder is fastenable at the second component by means of a fastening structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: BÖLLHOFF VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GmbH
    Inventors: Vanessa Heimann, Alexander Vorderwisch
  • Patent number: 9967439
    Abstract: A camera including at least one camera lens disposed on or in the outer surface of a front wall of housing and an inwardly projecting concave dome recessed within a rear wall of the outer surface of the housing. The housing lacks protrusions extending rearwardly of the rear wall. The dome may be semi-spherical in shape, symmetrically bifurcated by a longitudinal bisector of the housing, and asymmetrically bifurcated by a latitudinal bisector of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Netgear, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kui Yin Ramones, Jennifer Sarah Ouk, Beau Oyler, Yulian Bagirov, Jared Hull Aller, Charles Lyman Bates, III
  • Patent number: 9913388
    Abstract: A universal magnetic mounting assembly having a case assembly with a hole that has a first circumference, and a rear wall, first and second lateral walls, and top and bottom walls. The rear wall has interior and exterior faces. The case assembly cradles an electronic device. A magnet has an interior wall, a perimeter edge having a second circumference, an exterior wall, an angled wall, and an interior edge. The angled wall is concavely shaped and extends from the exterior wall to the interior edge. The magnet protrudes through the hole, whereby the first circumference is larger than the second circumference. A cover plate has a third circumference larger than the first circumference and is ferromagnetic and/or metallic. The cover plate is positioned between the electronic device and the interior face of the rear wall. Further having a mounting device with a base and a spherically shaped metallic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Hamid McHatet
  • Patent number: 9726961
    Abstract: A camera mounting system is provided. The camera mounting system includes a manifold member coupled to a camera mount device, such as a tripod. One or more rods may be coupled to the manifold member. The one or more rods provide a support structure to mount one or more of a camera, photography equipment, and audio equipment. The system may further include a ball joint and a clamp wherein the ball joint and the clamp operate to couple an additional rod to an end of a rod coupled to the manifold member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: Gary Andrew Myers
  • Patent number: 9664345
    Abstract: A task lamp with a housing having a lower end adapted to rest on a support surface, a distal end located above the surface, and a light source at or near the distal end of the housing. The lower end of the housing has at least two angled surfaces that are adapted to rest on the support surface, one at a time, so as to support the light source at a particular location relative to the angled surface, where the location is different for each angled surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Light Corporation
    Inventor: Stephan Copeland
  • Patent number: 9660334
    Abstract: A collapsible ground plane for a mobile UHF satcom antenna mounted on a riser comprises a hub and a plurality of conductive members, some of which extend radially from the hub with additional conductive members that extend peripherally between adjacent distal ends of the radially extending conductive members. Each conductive member is flexible so as to yield upon an impact, and return to its original shape when the impact is relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: R.A. Miller Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham G. Corliss, Roger A. Cox, Paul E. Miller
  • Patent number: 9613705
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: determining whether a used capacity of first physical units initially configured to be programmed based on a first programming mode reaches a preset capacity and whether specific data stored in the first physical units matches a preset condition; and if the used capacity of the first physical units reaches the preset capacity and the specific data stored in the first physical units matches the preset condition, selecting at least one physical unit from second physical units initially configured to be programmed based on a second programming mode, and programming the selected physical unit based on the first programming mode. Accordingly, the writing speed decreased by the fully written buffer area may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: PHISON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Chih-Kang Yeh
  • Patent number: 9505597
    Abstract: A load-bearing top plate which provides contact with a vehicle chassis by means of a bearing plate and is the part of a jack employed in cars and other vehicles for hoisting heavy loads to a certain small height or moving bodies at rest for a short distance exerting high pressure on them. It is characterized in that it has a lower piece, and a upper piece which is in contact with the vehicle and enables intended position of the aforementioned rotatable load-bearing top plate by first rotating over the aforesaid lower piece and then locking. One pin connects the aforementioned lower piece and upper piece. A pushing element is inserted around the aforesaid pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ARIKAN KRIKO VE MAKINA SANAYI TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventor: Cem Güney Ayana
  • Patent number: 9474392
    Abstract: A display system may include a retaining puck for retaining a product, the retaining puck including a main body having a side surface and a bracket recess, wherein at least a portion of the side surface is continuous except for the bracket recess, and a bracket having a mounting flange configured to mate with the bracket recess, wherein the mounting flange is received by the bracket recess, and an outer surface of the mounting flange is aligned with the continuous portion of the side surface of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Howarth, Wesley Bryan Hamm, Federico F. Tio, Frank Craig Thaler, Russell John Kaaihue Heirakuji
  • Patent number: 9377156
    Abstract: A magnetic ball joint, usable in connection with a convertible stand/table, as well as in other applications, utilizes an array of interleaved magnets and ferromagnetic bodies to both magnetically engage and retain a magnetically-attractive ball using concentrated magnetic force as well as to provide frictional resistance to movement of the ball in the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Helping Hands International Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Chi Shing Wong
  • Patent number: 9372385
    Abstract: A panoramic device includes a base member and a clamp member rotatably interconnected within a single plane of rotation with the base that includes a first rotatable knob to selectively inhibit the rotation of the clamp member with respect to the base. The upper surface includes a central region that is at a different elevation than another portion of the upper surface. The clamp includes a pair of opposed surfaces suitable to detachably secure a camera thereto. The one of the opposed surfaces is maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the clamp member. The other one of the opposed surfaces is in a movable relationship with respect to the clamp member using a second rotatable knob. The first knob and the second knob are rotatably connected with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Really Right Stuff, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph M. Johnson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9374921
    Abstract: A display apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a display body outputting an image signal; a stand supporting the display body and disposed on an installing surface; and a swivel member disposed in a bottom part of the stand and rotating the stand at a certain angle in a status where the stand is disposed on the installing surface, wherein the swivel member, includes a plurality of rotatable rolling members mounted in the bottom part of the stand, and the plurality of rolling members have the same revolution center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Chul Lee, Byungkil Lim, Myungwhoon Lee, Jonghyun Byeon, Jaeho Kim, Jeongrok Lee, Hyunbyung Cha, Yongho Lee
  • Patent number: 9255660
    Abstract: A camera fixing device includes a fixing assembly fixed to an external component, a mounting assembly for mounting the camera; and a connection assembly connected between the fixing assembly and the mounting assembly; the connection assembly comprises a first ball head, the mounting assembly comprises a second ball head, a first end of the connection assembly comprises a first receiving space which receives the first ball head and allows the first ball head to rotate therein, and a second end of the connection assembly comprises a second receiving space which receives the second ball head and allows the second ball head to rotate therein. Due to the fact that the ball head can rotate in the corresponding receiving space, the camera fixing device of the present invention can flexibly rotate and realize an omnidirectional shooting in a three-dimension space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN AEE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Xianzhi Zhang
  • Patent number: 9243737
    Abstract: An attachment portion of a tripod is formed with an opening that penetrates in a longitudinal direction of the tripod, the rail member of the shooting sliding device is provided with an adapter for attachment to the tripod, a first contact surface between the adapter and the rail member is a flat surface, a second contact surface between the adapter and the tripod has a curved surface, an attaching female screw is embedded at the center of the attachment side of the tripod in the second contact surface, the tightening handle has a grip, and a male screw projecting from one end of the grip, the adapter is placed on the attachment portion of the tripod, the male screw of the tightening handle is screwed into the female screw embedded in the adapter through the opening of the attachment portion of the tripod, the curved surface of the second contact surface of the adapter and the curved surface on the inner side of the attachment portion of the tripod come into surface-contact with each other and come into conta
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HEIWA SEIKI KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Hida
  • Patent number: 9182153
    Abstract: A low friction ball bearing tracker assembly for use in spatial object, particularly solar tracking, the assembly including a housing, having a base and top cover affixed to the housing, the housing further including a spherical chamber for receiving a rounded orb and ball bearings sufficient to surround at least fifty percent of the surface area of the orb, for allowing the orb to swivel, and translate, while tracking the spatial object, the orb being affixed to a solid shaft having an oval cross section, such as an ellipse, with major and minor axes, whereby the solid shaft holds a plate for retaining an array of panels, the top cover of the assembly further including a recessed channel along the inner circumference of the top cover to accommodate additional ball bearings to allow additional range of low friction motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: Luanne Moore
  • Patent number: 9161110
    Abstract: A loudspeaker mount includes a coupling member and a platform attached to the coupling member. The platform includes a wall defining a planar face configured for disposal of a loudspeaker. The coupling member may be clamped to a handle bar of a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Speaqua Corp.
    Inventor: Steven G. Patsis
  • Patent number: 9151459
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a headlamp assembly can comprise: a reflector, a mounting bracket, a housing, and a light source. The reflector can have a lip at a light source opening and a peripheral rim with a reflector portion extending from the lip to a peripheral rim. The mounting bracket can be configured to attach to the reflector. The mounting bracket can comprise attachment structures configured to mate with the lip, and adjustment features that enable horizontal, vertical, and pivotal adjustment. The light source can extend into the reflector through the light source opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: James Robert Wilson, Russell Damian Bloomfield, Arunachala Parameshwara, Poovanna Theethira Kushalappa, Triloka Chander Tankala, Ankit Kumar Garg, Subrata Nayak
  • Patent number: 9140405
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a pivot mechanism and/or system that includes a support member defining a cavity and an extension member at least partially located within the cavity. In some cases one or more inner surfaces of the cavity can provide one or more pivots defining multiple pivot axes about which the extension member is generally pivotable through corresponding pivot ranges. The extent of the pivot ranges can be defined by the cavity within the support member. In some cases cooperating clamp members engage the extension member and the support member to retain the extension member within the cavity. The clamp members may also include sliding surfaces that slidingly engage with the support member to provide frictional resistance to pivoting movement of the extension member. Electronic display pivoting and positioning systems are also provided as are methods for positioning and pivoting electronic displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ergotron, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Prince, Jeffrey Mensing, Joe Funk
  • Patent number: 8979041
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a tablet includes a case for receiving the tablet. A swivel includes a socket and a ball disposed and retained therein. The ball is selectively rotatable relative to the socket. The ball is coupled to the case and the socket is coupled to a mounting post. The mounting post is releasably fixed to a mounting bar. The mounting bar defines a mounting slot configured to fix the apparatus relative to a structure, such as a microphone stand or the like. The apparatus includes clamping mechanisms to enable a user to selectively fix and release the components of the apparatus such that a user can configure and fix the apparatus to a desired position for interfacing with the tablet, and then lock the apparatus in that desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Music People, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hennessey, James Robinson
  • Patent number: 8979050
    Abstract: A positioning device includes a base, a press board, an antislip piece, and a positioning unit. The base includes an opening, and a mounting space. The mounting space is mounted on a rod. The press board is slidably mounted in the opening. The antislip piece is mounted on the press board and is close to the mounting space. The antislip piece is made of elastic material and is softer than the press board. The positioning unit includes a shaft mounted on the base and a driving member rotatably and eccentrically connected with the shaft. The driving member is driven between a pressing position for locking the rod and a releasing position for unlocking the rod. Thus, the user only needs to drive the driving member to lock or unlock the rod so that the rod is locked or unlocked easily and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Tsung-Yao Yu
  • Patent number: 8979055
    Abstract: A tripod head includes a shell, an adjusting member, a supporting member, and a locking member. The shell defines a receiving space and an adjusting opening communicating with the receiving space. The adjusting member includes a spherical adjusting portion and a connecting portion connected to the adjusting portion. The adjusting portion is received in the receiving space, and the connecting portion passes out of the shell through the adjusting opening. The adjusting portion adjusts a position and angle of the connecting portion relative to the shell by rotating in the receiving space. The supporting member supports the adjusting portion in the receiving space. The locking member locks the adjusting portion between the supporting member and the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Hao Chu
  • Patent number: 8979058
    Abstract: A tripod head panel device of a tripod head comprises a tripod head panel and a removably mounted snap-fit plate. The tripod head panel comprises a fixed plate, a moveable plate mounted underneath the fixed plate, and a driving plate mounted underneath the moveable plate. The fixed plate comprises a supporting base plate and a first retaining wall protruding upward from the supporting base plate. The moveable plate comprises a supporting base plate and a second retaining wall protruding upward from the supporting base plate, with a driving hole provided in the center of the moveable plate. The driving plate comprises a base mounted underneath the moveable plate and a handle extending from an end of the base, with an offset cam inside the driving hole formed on the seat. The snap-fit plate is mounted on the supporting base plate between the first and the second retaining walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Lap Shun Manufacture Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuqiang Li