Tool Cord Or Tube Patents (Class 248/51)
  • Publication number: 20090277017
    Abstract: A hedge trimmer comprising: a chassis; a set of blades protruding from one end of the chassis; a cord extending from a second end of the chassis; and a rigid cord protector secured to a portion of the cord at end of the cord attached to the second end of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: ABRAHAM JOSHUA HESCHEL SCHOOL
    Inventors: Mickey Reiss, Isaac Secemski
  • Patent number: 7610744
    Abstract: A housing module (10) for a haulage chain capable of hauling cables and hoses. The housing module (10) comprises a pair of opposed housing members (12,14) side wall portions of which abut to define opposed side walls (16,18) extending between opposed first and second walls (20,22). The housing module (10) includes releasable retention members (24) to retain the side wall portions of the housing members (12,14) in abutment whilst allowing selective separation of the housing members (12,14) to permit the loading and removal of cables and hoses into and out of a hollow interior (26) bounded by the walls (16,18,20,22) of the housing module (10). The side wall portions on each side of the housing module (10) define pockets (28) openable on separation of the housing members (12,14) to receive mutually interengaged endless links (44) of a chain (42) and thereby permit use of a pair of such chains (42) to interconnect a succession of housing modules (10) to define a haulage chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mansign Mining Equipment Limited
    Inventor: Anthony John Hart
  • Patent number: 7607618
    Abstract: A system and apparatus are provided for managing cables, wires, and cords, and more particularly, to organize and route cables and wires in various directions. For example, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a cable clip with a rigid circular base and a flexible dome-shaped head, wherein the base includes a central aperture and an adhesive layer covered by a protective film on one side and is integrated with the dome-shaped head on the other side. The dome-shaped head has a plurality of slots that extend radially across the head and intersect with one another, forming an opening. In one embodiment, each slot has circular shaped arcuate openings on opposites sides creating first and second transit paths for a cable or wire. The resulting dome-shaped head has a plurality of retaining arms that receive cables, retains them, and can be attached to a surface by a variety of methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Mori, Dale Tadashi Honda
  • Patent number: 7600719
    Abstract: The supporting belt (1) according to this invention of a line guidance unit (2) for guiding lines, cables or the like is characterized in that the supporting belt (1) has alternating supporting sections (3) and articulated sections (8), and the supporting sections (3) and the articulated section (8) are made of materials having different properties by the multicomponent process. With the help of the supporting belt (1) according to this invention, the line guidance unit (2) according to this invention, comprising such a supporting belt (1), as well as the method according to this invention for producing the supporting belt (1) according to this invention, it is possible to achieve a guidance of lines, cables or the like in a simple, rugged, reliable and inexpensive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Wehler, Uwe Kemper
  • Publication number: 20090242707
    Abstract: In order to allow, in particular in the case of an industrial robot for a hose assembly to be used, a simply constructed guide element which is flexible is provided. The guide element has longitudinal compensation for the hose assembly and is formed by preferably four guide rods which are distributed uniformly on a circular line and are respectively fastened at their ends to a holding ring. The supply lines running in the hose assembly can be flexibly guided laterally out from the guide element, to any desired sides, between the guide rods. A helical spring which surrounds the hose assembly in the guide element, is provided for a restoring movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: LEONI PROTEC CABLE SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Claude Burlot
  • Patent number: 7591128
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device, wherein: the warp in front and rear side portions of link plates in the width direction is reliably limited so that an inadvertent disengagement between the link plates is completely blocked. The connection between the link plates is easy and manufacturing of the link plates is easy. Short arc-shaped warp limiting lock grooves are formed along a path coaxially spaced from a connecting pin or a connecting pin hole. Short arc-shaped warp limiting lock pieces are fitted to the short arc-shaped warp limiting lock grooves in a concave element/convex element engagement opposed surfaces of the link plates connected in the longitudinal direction so that warping in the front and rear side portions of the link plates in a width direction is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain CO.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Komiya
  • Publication number: 20090212169
    Abstract: A device having a tangible dual component reflecting control of an iron cord dilemma. An upper area reserves an opening accommodating said iron cord to facilitate a second addition integrating metal screws and wing nuts for substantial strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Betty Jane Craiglow
  • Publication number: 20090200432
    Abstract: A managing structure for an umbilical member includes a flexible conduit for leading an umbilical member inserted therein from a front arm of a robot to a working tool mounted on a wrist of the robot, a first conduit mounting portion provided adjacent to the front arm, and a second conduit mounting portion provided adjacent to a point where the umbilical member is connected to the working tool. One end of the conduit is attached to the first conduit mounting portion, while the other end of the conduit is attached to the second conduit mounting portion. The conduit is laid so that a section thereof between the first conduit mounting portion and the second conduit mounting portion does not contact the body of the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Toshihiko Inoue, Kazutaka Nakayama, Takatoshi Iwayama
  • Patent number: 7559340
    Abstract: A tube type cable protection and guide device in which the device can be easily manufactured by extrusion molding without changing the size of a mold so that devices of different lengths can be made. Smooth linear and flexional movements can be made while sufficiently ensuring dimensional stability and torsional rigidity of the device thus assuring stability of the cable accommodating space. A tube type cable protection and guide device includes integrally molded inner circumferential wall forming portions. The inner wall forming portions are interdigitatedly fitted in a male-female relationship in a longitudinal direction of the sheet forming a flush inner flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Katsuhide Yamashita, Takayuki Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20090166478
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for controlling cables of a robot. The cable control apparatus includes: a body disposed above the arm and having a male rail formed in a length direction; a stationary unit fixed at an upper one side of the body and having a through-hole; a moving unit disposed on the male rail slidably in right and left directions and including a through-hole formed thereon and a female rail corresponding to the male rail; a cable tube for integrally housing a plurality of the cables and including one end fixed to the moving unit and the other end connected to the head through the through-hole of the stationary unit; and an elastic member externally inserted to the cable tube and including one end connected to the stationary unit and the moving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Kwang Sul Choi
  • Patent number: 7552581
    Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated cable chain 102 that has a flat spring that initiates a first folding curve that holds the articulated cable chain 102 in a tight radius. Once the first folding curve 122 is properly initiated, the remaining folding curves in the articulated cable chain 102 are folded at the proper locations and have a small radii, even though the cable within the articulated cable chain tends to cause the cable chain to maintain a straighter configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Alan T. Pfeifer, Ryan Signer, John Dunham, Ben Karsak
  • Patent number: 7542650
    Abstract: A telecommunications infrastructure includes first and second trough members for routing signal-carrying fibers. A coupler is used to releasably couple the first and second trough members together. The coupler includes a first pair of rotatable latches for releasably securing the first trough member to the coupler, and a second pair of rotatable latches for releasably securing the second trough member to the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Telect Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Ellison, James Patrick Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20090121090
    Abstract: A carriage that can be attached to and move on a rail is provided. The carriage has a contact area that supports a cable connection, for example, for a power supply. An end section of the contact area is designed so as to fold down on removal of a pressure exerted by a section of the cable connection lying thereon, so that as a result the carriage is contracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Stefan Hesl, Thomas Will
  • Patent number: 7526910
    Abstract: A cable or the like protection and guide device is disclosed and claimed. The shape of a shoe, which is mounted on the cable or the like protection and guide device, and a structure of a mounting portion on a cable or the like protection and guide device side, are simplified, the collision sound generated when shoes slide on each other is suppressed and the endurance of the shoe is improved whereby a long life is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Komiya
  • Patent number: 7523896
    Abstract: A restraint device including a catch defining a space for receiving a wire and a movable member mounted for movement between a first position, in which the member is spaced from the catch, such that a wire is able to be inserted sideways into the space, and a second position, in which the movable member prevents the wire from being inserted sideways into the space. A biasing device resiliently urges the movable member toward the second position, such that the movable member clamps the wire against the catch. The restraint device is mounted on the casing of a computer or the like, or on a mounting member securable in or across an opening in the casing. One or more of the restraint devices can be mounted on a mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Miltope Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Zueger
  • Patent number: 7520122
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device in which maintenance of cables is easily performed without completely removing a cable accommodating space extension arm from a side plate is disclosed. Inadvertent disengagement of the cable accommodating space extension arm is prevented because the arm strongly engages the side plates of the device. The cable protection and guide device includes a number of pairs of right and left side plates connected to each other. Cable accommodating space extension arms are bridged over the flexional inner circumferential sides of at least one pair of side plates. D-shaped pin hinge shafts in the hinge ends of the arms are detachably interengaged with a groove in one of the side plates and thus permits the arm to pivot with respect to the side plate. Hinge end side locking pawl pieces of the arms are interlocked to the side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Seiji Kitagawa, Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Takayuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7513096
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device in which contact impact noise between adjacent side plates is dispersed. The noise is liable to occur at the time of linear position holding and at the time of flexional position restriction when cables accommodated therein are transmitted or moved from a mounting fixed end toward a mounting movable end. A number of pairs of right and left side plate units (110) are connected from a mounting fixed end to a mounting movable end and side plate unit comprises a side plate front portion (111) which is connected to a preceding side plate unit (110), a side plate rear portion (112) which is connected to a subsequent side plate unit (110), and a flexible coupling portion (113) integrally intervened between the side plate front portion (111) and the side plate rear portion (112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Akihiko Utaki, Masaaki Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20090077942
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device is disclosed in which connection strength of the side plate portions is improved. The strength of connecting portions is improved and large scale assembly of the device is possible. Side plate portions (110) each have a link module (120) with integrally molded side plates (122) of a predetermined number interconnected by coupling portions (124). Each coupling portion includes flexible coupling arms (126) extended from the coupling portions (124). Stopper links (130) each being engaged between the adjacent side plates from a cable accommodating space side and are assembled to the coupling portion by a snap-fit mechanism. The link module has a male connecting plate (127) and a female connecting plate (128), which are respectively connected to link modules, which are reside at respective ends of the male connecting plate and the female connecting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Akihiko Utaki
  • Publication number: 20090050754
    Abstract: The Cord Caddy is an invention that provides a safe convenient way to store an irons' cord when the iron is not in use. The Cord Caddy is also a revolutionary way to remove cord clutter of any kind because it can be made to accommodate almost any type or size cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: William D. Thomas, Helen Hays-Thomas, Carmel M. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7493750
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device wherein the wear of the cable is suppressed. The detachment of the partitioning wall plate is simplified. Pairs of right and left link plates, flexional inner circumferential side plates, flexional outer circumferential side plates and partitioning wall plates form a link body. The flexional inner circumferential side plate includes an abutting flap and an inner circumferential side flap integral therewith. Inner locking groove is formed in the inner circumferential connecting plate over the width direction in a stepped manner. A hook shaped locking proximal portion of the partitioning wall plate interengages an inner locking groove. Flexional outer circumferential side plate includes an outer locking groove extended in the width direction of the cable accommodating space and locks a locking front end portion of the partitioning wall plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Komiya
  • Patent number: 7451590
    Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables or the like between two connecting points moving relative to each other, with several chain links connected to each other in articulated fashion, each of which displays two side straps and cross-pieces connecting them, where the chain consists of a strand that can be connected to one of the connecting points, and a strand that can be connected to the other connecting point, these transitioning into each other via a deflection zone, and where at least some of the chain links display runners covering the upper side of the side straps, it is envisaged that the runners be mounted on the cross-pieces at a distance from the side straps in order to reduce the assembly effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Blase
  • Patent number: 7451589
    Abstract: A cable handler link (10) includes a body portion (12) having a first wall and two opposed side arms integral with and extending generally perpendicular to the first wall defining a first channel for receiving one or more service lines. The side arms define free ends, arc capable of being deflected and each defines a first engaging formation in the form of a rebate (60). A closure means (14) includes an end wall (14) from which extend two relatively shorter side arms (16, 17) defining complementary engaging formations including a tenon (62) for interlocking the closure means to the side arms of the body portion (12). The side arms deflect towards each other to disengage the closure means from the body portion (12). The rebate (60) and tenon (62) are preferably slightly inwardly tapered and prevent relative transverse movement of the components, which is also the direction in which the link is towed, in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: ACT (Europe) Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Howard
  • Patent number: 7444800
    Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like, with a number of chain links connected to each other in articulated fashion, which are formed by mutually parallel side straps (9) and cross-members connecting them, where the energy guiding chain can be traversed, forming a loop consisting of a lower strand, an upper strand, and a deflection zone connecting them, and pairs of adjacent side straps (9) can be pivoted relative to each other about a common pivoting axis (S), it is envisaged, in order to form the most continuous possible surface on the narrow face (10, 12) of the strap strands facing the respectively opposite strand, that the distance between the pivoting axis (S) and the narrow face (10) facing towards the inside of the loop is smaller than that between the pivoting axis (S) and the narrow face (12) facing towards the outside of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Hermey
  • Patent number: 7441397
    Abstract: A chain link for a haulage chain capable of hauling cables and hoses, wherein a housing body has opposed side walls extending between opposed top and bottom walls, first and second chain link transmission members respectively connected to the opposed side walls and each being configured for pivotal connection to respective first and second chain link transmission members of adjacent chain links to define a chain. The top wall and an upper portion of each of the opposed side walls defines a first housing shell and the bottom wall and a lower portion of each of the opposed side walls define a second housing shell, the first and second housing shells being separable from one another. The first and second housing shells are retained together to define the housing, but are separable to permit loading/removal of cables and hoses into/out of the chain link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Mansign Mining Equipment Limited
    Inventor: Anthony John Hart
  • Patent number: 7434382
    Abstract: A skate for a flexible cable guide comprises a series of interconnected skate units, each comprising a pair of parallel rails with rollers, the rails being connected by transverse connecting bars. A connecting block is provided with two holes. A connecting bar of one of skate units extends through one of the two holes. The other hole has a longitudinal entry slot for receiving a narrowed portion of a bar of the other skate unit. The narrowed portion is formed by providing one or more flat portions on the bar, disposed at a 45° angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the skate, in order to require manipulation of the connecting block for engagement and disengagement of the bar having a narrowed portion from the connecting block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Iwami, Toshimitsu Sakai
  • Patent number: 7426824
    Abstract: A skate for interposition between opposed parts of a folded protective cable guide is composed of skate units which are articulably connected to one another through connecting blocks, using pins or stepped bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignees: Tsubakimoto Chain Co., Nissan Tanaka Corpration
    Inventors: Tsutomu Iwami, Fujio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7426823
    Abstract: For the purpose of improving the discharge of electrical charges via the energy guiding chain, an energy guiding chain (1) with a plurality of links (2), which are connected to each other in articulated fashion and each display opposite side pieces (3) and at least one cross-member (4a) connecting them, where the links (2) consist at least partly of an electrically conductive material that permits the discharge of electrical charges over at least part of the chain length, is characterized in that the links (2) are designed such that they are in contact with each other over the full pivoting angle on contact areas that move relative to each other and are in permanent contact and/or in that at least one connecting element (8) connecting two or more links to each other in each case is provided, which provides contact areas remaining in unchanging position in relation to the links, and in that the contact areas, and the areas of the links or the connecting element connecting them, form a continuous conductivity p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Blase, Frank Blase
  • Patent number: 7421258
    Abstract: A compact industrial process transmitter is provided having an electronics module that includes a top surface with a plurality of lead attachment points thereon. At least one of the lead attachment points disposed on the top surface of the compact temperature transmitter electronics module includes a upwardly extending external lead attachment clip. In some aspects, a plurality of upwardly extending lead attachment clips as well as lead attachment points that have a lead wire engaging surface that is substantially flush with or raised above the top surface of the compact temperature transmitter electronics module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk W. Bauschke, Hiep Huu Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7418812
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cable or the like protection and guide device which accommodates a cable or the like while allowing for examination of the cable. Smooth linear and flexional movement is achieved while not compromising the form stability of the cable accommodation space. Partial or local wear is suppressed. The device is made of a synthetic resin and accommodates a cable in a rectangular cable accommodating space. The accommodating space is surrounded by the outer circumferential wall portion, which is openable, a pair of side wall portions, and an inner circumferential wall portion. Inserting protrusion mechanisms, engagement mechanisms, slits, opening windows and flexion restricting piece portions contribute to the stability and usefulness of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Takayuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7406819
    Abstract: A cable or the like protection and guide device can be applied to various conditions at a mounting fixed end and a mounting movable end. A cable or the like protection and guide device (100) in which mounting brackets (140, 140) are detachably connected to a pair of right and left side plate units (110, 110) adjacent to the mounting fixed end through fixed end side adaptors (130, 130) respectively, and mounting brackets are detachably connected to a pair of right and left side plate units (110, 110) adjacent to the mounting movable end through movable end side adaptors, (150, 150), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Akihiko Utaki, Shoichiro Komiya
  • Publication number: 20080148535
    Abstract: This invention provides a clip for joining tubular members that employs living hinges that are part of a unitary clip including jaws and a base spring. The jaws are joined by a center living hinge and each jaw is also joined along a surface opposite its gripping surface to a cantilevered end of the base spring by a side-mounted living hinge. When the clip jaws are in a fully open orientation, with the center hinge at a maximum distance away from the base spring, the user biases the central hinge toward the base spring. The base spring ends are thereby biased away from each other, and after the jaws rotate about their living hinges through a position of maximum spread in the base spring ends, the spring ends rebound, forcing the jaws downward toward the base spring, and into a fully closed orientation. The clip includes a base that can be an anchor that embeds in foam of an upholstery cushion, or can have an adhesive that allows it to be secured to a structure, in the case of a pipe or conduit clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: HOPE GLOBAL, DIVISION OF NFA CORP.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Santin, Pasquale Rossi
  • Patent number: 7373770
    Abstract: A skate disposed between facing portions of a folded, flexible, cable guide includes a first set of rollers which contact only one of the two facing portions, and a second set of rollers which contact only the other of the two facing portions. A turning member mounted at an end of the skate is in rolling contact with the bent portion of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Iwami, Masaaki Ikeda, Fujio Yamamoto, Tsuyoshi Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 7370465
    Abstract: The Invention relates to a cover (1) for an energy conveying chain. The cover (1) has a first end region (2) and a second end region (3) with at least one elastic section (4) positioned between the first (1) and second (2) end regions. The elastic section (4) is made in such a way that the ratio of a theoretical length modification of the cover (1) to an actual length modification of the cover is less than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Eckl, Heiner Samen, Herbert Wehler
  • Patent number: 7360929
    Abstract: A luminaire including a housing and a multi-purpose mounting feature formed at an interior of the housing, where the mounting feature is configured to receive and retain a mount for mounting of the luminaire on a vertical surface, and where the mounting feature is configured to receive and retain an electrical cord, to direct the electrical cord at least partially along a length of the luminaire, and to conceal the electrical cord from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sylvan R. Shemitz Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: David Pfund, James A. Melling
  • Patent number: 7343703
    Abstract: A pressing iron composed of a case provided with an opening and a power cord that extends from the opening, and a cord guide device mounted to the case and disposed in the opening for reinforcing the cord in a region adjacent to the case in order to limit flexural of the cord. The cord guide device includes a body enveloping a portion of the cord and a mobile guide member for permitting the extent of the cord that is reinforced by the cord guide device to be varied. The mobile guide member is supported by the body and is adapted to occupy a folded up position in which the mobile guide member is substantially integrated into the body and a deployed position in which the mobile guide member projects outside of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Giovalle, Sylvain Maudhuit, Amar Djeroro
  • Patent number: 7343731
    Abstract: A skate truck for interposition between two mutually facing parts of a flexible cable guide is composed of plural skate units interconnected to one another by interconnecting members that allow both vertical articulation and lateral movement of the skate units relative to the interconnecting members and relative to adjacent skate units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Iwami, Fujio Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20080054126
    Abstract: A tubular material fixation device includes a locating block, which has a clamping groove and two sidewalls disposed at two sides of the clamping groove and defining a respective guide surface portion, a clamping plate, which has a curved portion corresponding to the clamping groove, two side panels respectively extending from two sides of the curved portion, and two ribs respectively extending from the side panels corresponding to the guide surface portions of the locating block, and fastening units for fastening the side panels to the sidewalls to force the ribs along the guide surface portions and to further move the side panels of the clamping plate toward the locating block so as to lock a tubular material in between the clamping groove and the curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 7338314
    Abstract: A connector bracket for facilitating assembly of an electrical component to an automobile. The connector bracket may include a proximal support configured to attach to an attachment structure of an automobile, and a distal support including a flange for retaining an electrical connector in a storage position. The proximal and/or distal supports may include one or more hooks for retaining wiring extending from the electrical connector. Further, the distal support may be positioned relative to the proximal support such that when the proximal support is attached to the attachment structure and when the electrical connector is retained by the distal support, the electrical connector is accessible and removable from its storage positions on the distal support, through an opening in which the electrical component is to be installed, to enable attachment of the electrical component to the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Thai
  • Patent number: 7334925
    Abstract: A lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprises an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle. The exterior mirror assembly includes a reflective element having a heater and a breakaway joint assembly having stationary member and a pivoting member that comprises a bracket supporting an electrically-operable actuator for positioning the reflective element about at least one axis. The exterior mirror assembly comprises a ground illumination or a signal light. The breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes carrying vehicle control signals and electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Todd W Pastrick, Linda K Molenkamp, Roger L Koops
  • Patent number: 7334388
    Abstract: A link plate is proposed for forming at least one member of an energy guide chain, which has overlap regions with stops that limit the angular position of the energy guide chain. Each of the overlap regions has a central region which is surrounded by at least two regions in which some stop faces are formed. It is proposed that a first region has stop faces where these stop faces, in the case of an energy guide chain composed from link plates, determine a curvature region in a transition region between a lower trunk and upper trunk of the energy guide chain. The second region has stop faces which determine a prestressing in the energy guide chain. In addition to the two regions, the link plate may have a third region, which has at least one stop with at least one stop face, where the stop has a spring-elastic characteristic. Through the spring-elastic characteristic, damping of the movement during a pivoting process of the link plates is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Eckl, Heiner Samen, Herbert Wehler
  • Patent number: 7318567
    Abstract: A cable management device includes a clamping mechanism (110) suitable for attachment to a surface. The clamping mechanism comprises an annular portion (111) having an outside surface (114), an inside surface (115) that forms a perimeter of a cavity (118) interior to the annular portion, a first terminus (116), and a second terminus (117) disposed opposite the first terminus. The first terminus and the second terminus define a gap (151) between them. In one embodiment, the cable management device further comprises a membrane (120, 220) attached to the clamping mechanism at the inside surface, where the membrane contains a first opening (121). In the same or another embodiment, the cable management device further comprises a slot (140) in the annular portion of the clamping mechanism. Both the membrane and the slot enhance the cable management features of the cable management device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Mori, John Wadsworth
  • Patent number: 7310935
    Abstract: For reducing the friction of forces during the movement of an energy routing device (7), it is suggested that at least one movable central appliance (16) be arranged between the carrying side (15) and the returning side (9), and that the central appliance be in an effective connection with the carrying side, so that during the effective connection, the central appliance is moved solely by the carrying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbH
    Inventor: Jean Jack Worms
  • Patent number: 7305815
    Abstract: Breakage in a coupling portion of a side plate subjected to repeated flexure is prevented by using fatigue resistant resin materials in the side plate. The coupling portion of the side plate due is subjected to repeated flexure. Excellent fatigue resistance is realized. The fatigue resistant resin material is selected from the group of an elastomer—or rubber component—compounded polyamide resin and polybutylene terephthalate resin. The rubber component is selected from the group of ethylene-propylene rubber (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR) and butyl rubber (IIR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Akihiko Utaki, Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya
  • Publication number: 20070272804
    Abstract: In this high tech computer world the lowly foam rubber mouse pad has a heretofore untapped feature which can be employed to solve a common desktop problem for the personal computer user. By making a simple enhancement of the mouse pad, which takes about 30 seconds to install, the user can take control of mouse cord movement on the desktop. The computer mouse cord, always problematic on the desktop, is collared by a simple binder clip attached to the mouse pad itself wherein the cord is squeezed snuggly against the vertical foam rubber edge of the mouse pad to give frictional control of the mouse cord length for the user at the mouse pad thereby eliminating the cord drag problem and optimizing user control of the mouse apparatus on the mouse pad with all this being accomplished in a very unobtrusive manner on the user's desktop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventor: Wade Hampton Tisdale
  • Patent number: 7299713
    Abstract: A device used to lay line elements such as electric and/or fluid lines between a stationary housing and a moving housing. The device includes a double pipe structure having an inner pipe member and an outer pipe member. The outer pipe member is attached to the moving housing and rotatably supported by the stationary housing. The inner and outer pipe members are arranged in a generally coaxial relationship and coupled to each other by a coupling member. The line elements, which extend between a holding portion on the stationary housing and a holding portion on the moving housing, are divided into first and second groups, and the first group of line elements is laid to extend through an inner hole of the inner pipe member while the second group of line elements is laid to extend through an annular gap formed between the inner and outer pipe members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Masaaki Uematsu, Kuniyasu Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Masahiro Morioka
  • Patent number: 7290384
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a plastic chain link, which has interspaced plates (10, 11) as well as lower and upper cross-connecting elements (15) that connect said plates, whereby at least one cross-connecting element is connected to one of the plates (10) in an articulated manner. According to the invention, at least one of the plates is firstly produced followed by the production of at least one of the cross-connecting elements while simultaneously forming a joint connection between one of the plates and one of the cross-connecting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kabelschleep GmbH
    Inventors: Willibald Weber, Herbert Wehler
  • Patent number: 7278253
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention concerns a robot with at least one conductor guiding apparatus (1) running at least partially on the outside, in which guiding apparatus conductors, hoses or similar are guided. The conductor guiding apparatus (1) has at least one spatially deflectable section formed by members (4) each having a central body (5) through which a flexible linking element (6) extends. The members (4) form a channel (9) for accommodating supply conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kabelschlepp GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Wehler, Uwe Kemper
  • Patent number: 7255310
    Abstract: A holding device 20 includes a fixed portion 21 having a rectangular hole 21a and locking grooves 21b; a holding groove 22 having a notch portion 22a through which an intermediated portion of a probe 1 passes; and a holding hole 23 through which the distal portion of the probe 1 is inserted. The depth of the holding groove 22 is formed to a sufficient extent to allow the intermediate portion 1b to be pressed down into the holding groove at least twice in a superimposed state. The width of the notch portion 22a is formed so as to prevent the intermediated portion 1b from falling out. In order to locate the top portion 23a of the holding hole 23 on the lower side than the bottom portion 22c of the holding groove 22, a spacing B is provided therebetween. A rectangular projection 31a is engaged in a rectangular hole 21a in the fixed portion 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Niwa, Fumiyuki Onoda, Michio Sato, Akira Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7249452
    Abstract: The object of the instant invention is to provide a cable (or the like) protection and guide device in which inadvertent disengagement during operation can be avoided. Engagement between an opening/closing arm and link plates is accomplished by a dual mechanism locking structure. Easy engagement during use allows for excellent durability. The dual locking structure exhibits adequate strength even in smaller scale versions. The cable protection and guide device contains a plurality of link bodies with each link body comprises one link plate and another (110, 110). The link bodies are flexibly connected to each other. Each link body includes a connecting arm (120), an opening/closing arm (130), a hinge connection mechanism (100A), a main locking mechanism (100B), and an auxiliary locking mechanism (100C). A main locking mechanism (100B) secures the opening/closing arm (130) and the link plates (110, 110). An auxiliary locking mechanism (100C) locks the opening/closing arm (130) and the link plates (110, 110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Shoichiro Komiya
  • Patent number: 7243486
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device is disclosed which can reliably protect and guide cables without increasing and decreasing the width between link plates even if the height of the link plates of the cable protection and guide device is increased. The cable protection and guide device includes a number of link frame bodies each comprising a pair of right and left spaced link plates and upper and lower connecting rods respectively bridged on upper edge and lower edges of the link plates are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction of the device while restricting a flexion radius to a fixed value. A central connecting rod connects the pair of link plates at substantially the center portion along the height direction of the link plate. The central connecting rod is integrally molded with the pair of link plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ikeda, Shoichiro Komiya, Takayuki Matsuda