US07717143B2
A compressed gas storage tank that has particular application for storing hydrogen for a fuel cell system. The compressed gas tank includes a cylindrical adapter and valve through which the hydrogen is removed from the tank. A low cost generator is positioned in the tank and has a rotating element positioned in a channel extending through the adapter. As hydrogen is removed from the tank, the mass flow of the hydrogen causes the rotating element to rotate which causes the generator to generate electricity. One or more resistive heating element are positioned in the adapter, preferably proximate to tank seals, that receive an electrical current from the generator that heats the resistive heating element and the adapter to increase the temperature of the adapter and the hydrogen being removed from the tank.
US07717137B2
A device and method for internally repairing pipes. The device consists of a reusable, elastomeric shell configurable for two, three, and four-pipe junctions. The design of the device aids in positioning the expandable shell over and helps seal off the leak area inside a pipe. Once inflated into proper position, a sealant is injected into the leak area. Not only does the sealant eventually seal and fortify inside the pipe it also forms a seal around the outside of the pipe. Once the sealant has cured, the device is deflated and removed from the pipe. Minimal pipe preparations are necessary before implementing a repair. The device can also be temperature modulated to enhance sealant cure.
US07717135B2
An energy attenuation device for a system adapted to convey pressurized fluid through tubing of the system, comprising a multi-part conduit section for receiving fluid from, and returning fluid to, the tubing, the conduit section including a central portion, two intermediate portions respectively disposed at opposite ends of the central portion, and two end portions respectively disposed at an end of an intermediate portion remote from the central portion. The central portion has at least one aperture in a peripheral surface and a first diameter that is less than a second diameter of the intermediate portions. The end portions have a third diameter that is less than the second diameter. The end portions are received at least partially in the tubing sections. A hose section is disposed about the central portion and at least part of each intermediate portion.
US07717133B2
A water delivery system is disclosed including a first component coupled to a fluid transport member, the first component including an interface, and a second component coupled to an aerator. The second component positioning the first component relative to the aerator. The aerator and the interface of the first component cooperate to form a water tight seal there between.
US07717127B2
A diaphragm valve includes a valve body and a compressor which is actuatable by a valve stem for operating a diaphragm and has an outer circumference which is formed with at least one axial groove. The compressor is guided by an intermediate piece in axial direction and restrained by the intermediate piece against rotation. The intermediate piece has an inside wall which is formed with at least one axial guide nose for engagement in the groove of the compressor.
US07717121B2
The invention relates to a free arm parasol which comprises a pole (2) whereon an extension arm (10) is guided such that it can be extended and detracted in the direction of the axis thereof, and can pivoted about the axis thereof. The extension arm (10) supports a parasol (12) on the end thereof and is rotationally mounted on the other end in a bearing (14). A carrier element (16), which is connected in an articulated manner to the pole (2), is connected to bearing. Also, a stopping device (24), which is used to stop the pivotable positioning of the extension arm (10), is provided on the bearing (14). Said stopping device comprises a steering bar (26) which is arranged in the extension of the extension arm (10), can be placed counter to the carrier element (16), can be locked to the carrier element (16) and can be pivoted about the axis of the extension arm (10) when in the unlocked state in order to improve the handling of the free arm parasol. Said arm is coupled in a detachable manner to the extension arm by means of a coupling device, according to a selected rotational angle in relation to the extension arm (10).
US07717114B1
A face-seal interface for a respiratory mask utilizing an elastomer containing precipitated particles on its surface to provide a more comfortable long-term engagement with the skin of a wearer. A particle filled bladder forming the face-seal interface keeps a set shape and improves user comfort.
US07717111B2
The invention relates to a device for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient within the scope of the diagnosis and/or the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders. The invention especially relates to a CPAP appliance comprising self-optimising dual level pressure regulation. According to the invention, the device for supplying a respiratory gas comprises an electronic signal processing device for generating a pressure control signal (p) on the basis of indicative signals (5) relating to the breathing activity and/or the physiological state of a person. The signal processing device (1) comprises a signal inputting device and an extraction device (2) for generating data field entries (3) according to predefined signal analysis procedures. A pressure signal generator (4) is provided for generating the pressure control signal (p), taking into account determined data field entries (3) which are at least selected by the extraction device (2).
US07717106B2
A baking oven containing a lighting device for lighting the cooking area and a lighting control device for controlling the on/off states and time profiles of the lighting device. The lighting control device has at least two pre-determined time profiles for determining the lighting intensity of the lighting device according to the operation leading to the switching on of the lighting device.
US07717099B2
An exhaust gas recirculation device includes a turbocharger (5) having a turbine (5b) on an exhaust pipe (4) and a compressor (5a) on an intake pipe (3), a low-pressure EGR passage (31) connecting the exhaust pipe (4) downstream of the turbine (5b) and the intake pipe (3) upstream of the compressor (5a), and a filter (13) provided on the exhaust pipe (4) downstream of the turbine (5b). In the device, an exhaust throttle valve (19) is disposed on the exhaust pipe (4) that is downstream of the filter (13) and that is upstream of a site of connection with the low-pressure EGR passage (31).
US07717089B2
A pump includes a housing that has a compression chamber for pressurizing fluid and a fluid passage for guiding fluid into the compression chamber. A valve is located midway through the fluid passage for communicating and blocking the fluid passage. A solenoid actuator is located on a substantially opposite side of the compression chamber with respect to the valve for operating the valve. A regulating member is located between the valve and the solenoid actuator for regulating pressure of fluid in the compression chamber from being applied to the solenoid actuator.
US07717086B2
A boat propulsion unit controller includes a switch arranged to switch between a long intake duct and a short intake duct for drawing air into an engine of a boat propulsion unit, a motor-operated driver arranged to drive the switch, a duct length switching position sensor arranged to detect the position of the switch at the time of switching the duct length, a fuel supply arranged to supply fuel to the engine, a sensor failure detector arranged to detect failure of the duct length switching position sensor based on its output, and a controller arranged to compensate the fuel supply rate based on the position of the switch detected at the time of duct length switchover. A controller, when the duct length switching position sensor fails, takes the action of switching to the long intake duct and compensates the fuel supply rate using a sensor output quasi value corresponding to the time of switchover to the long intake duct. Engine performance may be maintained as much as possible even when duct length switchover fails due to frequent duct length switchover actions.
US07717071B2
A method for starting an internal combustion engine with electrically actuated valves, the method comprising during at least a run-up in engine speed of engine starting, adjusting intake valve timing of an electrically actuated valve of a cylinder to provide a desired air amount in said cylinder, based on at least an operating condition of said engine.
US07717068B2
A paw-supporting element, mountable to a hinged door at a suitable location, enables a dog easily to either pull or push the door open depending on which way the door is operable. A pivotable plate mounted above the paw-supporting element, linked to a liftable latch of the door if one is provided, enables the dog to also unlatch the door to open the same.
US07717051B1
A method of controlling the feeding of the backing material moving through a tufting machine in order to produce tufted articles such as carpets having a woven look or appearance. The backing material is indexed forwardly along its path of travel through the tufting machine by at least the stitch length for each stitch in a stitch cycle of the programmed pattern. At a desired point in the stitch cycle, the backing material can be indexed forwardly by a greater distance approximately equal to the program stitch length and a calculated jump distance to achieve a desired pattern effect.
US07717050B2
A presser foot drive structure of an embroidery machine, by which a vertically movable presser foot for preventing a sheet of cloth to be sewn from rising in a sewing operation is vertically moved inside a sewing head. The presser foot drive structure includes a presser foot drive holder, which is vertically slidable and is mounted on the outer circumference of a needle bar, which is vertically driven; a presser foot drive shaft, which is disposed parallel to the needle bar via the presser foot drive holder; and the presser foot, which is disposed at the lower end of the presser foot drive shaft and vertically reciprocates. It is possible to reduce the stroke of a presser foot so that it is smaller than that of a needle bar, enhance the supporting force for a needle bar, and reduce the shaking of a presser foot.
US07717045B2
A folding table is disclosed. The folding table includes two top panels hingedly connected together to form a table top having a top surface and a bottom surface. The table top has a folding action about the hinged connection of the two top panels. Four leg panels depend from the bottom surface of the table top. Each of the leg panels has a first section and a second section. The first section has a top edge hingedly connected to the bottom surface of the table top and a side edge hingedly connected to the second section. The leg panels are arranged in two pairs of leg panels wherein the second section of each thin leg panel in the respective pair is hingedly connected to the other resulting in a stiff leg member. The hinged action of the two interconnected second panels fall in a plane of symmetry with the folding action of the table top whereby the folding table may be collapsed from a deployed state forming a table to a folded state for storage and portability.
US07717040B2
A method for cutting flexographic plates (10) while plate imaging process is performed is described. The method includes mounting a flexographic plate (10) on an imaging drum (30); imaging at least one graphical element or piece (11) on the flexographic plate; cutting the graphical piece using the imaging device (31); and removing at least one graphical piece from the imaging device drum.
US07717034B2
A pallet nail press for embedding outwardly extended fasteners of a pallet, particularly a block-type pallet having a top surface formed by a plurality of top-deck panels. The press includes a main support frame and an anvil surface having a plurality of plates resiliently attached to the press frame. The hammer beam and the anvil plates are vertically aligned. A mechanism for compressing the pallet between the hammer beam and the plurality of anvil plates is used for pressing the outwardly extended fasteners against the resiliently mounted anvil plates for embedding the fasteners in the top surface of the top-deck panels of the pallet.
US07717033B1
A nut cracking mechanism for shelling variable-sized nuts having a brittle shell and fragile nut meat, the nut cracker mechanism having a housing with a horizontally positioned rotatable drum contained in the housing, and an adjustable, substantially vertical compression plate mounted in the housing with a cracking surface displaced from a cylindrical slip resistant cracking surface of the drum to form a narrowing gap between the drum and the compression plate, the gap having an upper portion sized to accommodate nuts of varying sizes and a lower portion sized to compress nuts between the cylindrical surface of the drum and the compression plate until the nut cracks and releases its meat, the mechanism having associated components to feed nuts to the top of the mechanism and receive shells and meat from the bottom of the mechanism.
US07717029B2
A grill assembly for cooking food items over a heat source includes a grill body capable of holding the food items and at least one grill body handle having a grip end and a grill body engagement end. The grill body is provided with a handle engagement structure which is adapted to rotatably hold the grill body engagement end of the grill body handle so as to allow the grill body to be turned over on the handle while holding the grip end of the handle. The handle engagement structure of the grill is preferably provided in the form of handle insertion structure such as one or more insertion sleeves on the periphery of the grill body. Suitably two spaced apart handles are provided which rotatably engage the grill body whereby the grill body can be turned over on the two handles without the user altering his or her grip on the handles. Preferably the handle or handles are removably engaged in the grill body such that they can be removed when they are not being used to maneuver the grill body over the heat source.
US07717024B2
A recoil-operated, impulse averaging, air-cooled, magazine-fed, automatic weapon. An operating group of the weapon includes a chamber, a bolt, a barrel extension and one or more toggles. The recoil action of the weapon from firing a first round drives the toggles in a motion constrained by a cam way. The toggles then drive the chamber in a linear reciprocating motion ejecting a first round and over-riding the next round. An impulse averaging system controls the speed of the recoil.
US07717021B2
In one embodiment, a punching machine having a tool bearing, a drive spindle coupled to the tool bearing, and a drive system configured to move the tool bearing axially along a lifting axis and to rotate the tool bearing about the lifting axis, the drive system having a motor system having a stator and a rotor internally coupled to the stator and a spindle nut coupled to the rotor and cooperating with the drive spindle, wherein the spindle nut is at least partially disposed within the stator.
US07717017B2
A hand tool generally includes a tool mount that removably receives thereon a tool. The tool mount and tool cooperate to provide the hand tool with a variable angle of attack with an enhanced power ratio for accommodating aged, arthritic and otherwise handicapped people.
US07717012B2
The present invention related to an electronic organ type accelerator pedal. The electronic organ type accelerator pedal according to the present invention is capable of enhancing stability by the compression spring having a double structure and the carrier restricting the reverse rotation of the foot plate, while maintaining the benefit of the electronic accelerator pedal which is capable of ensuring space, improving an operation feeling and reducing driver's fatigue since the electronic accelerator pedal is not influenced by tension changes of the cable, and improving fuel efficiency by improving fuel consumption rate.
US07717006B2
A shift range switching apparatus connects with a motor for switching a shift range of an automatic transmission. The shift range switching apparatus includes a switching unit that is operated by the motor for switching the shift range. The shift range switching apparatus further includes a control unit that outputs a driving current to the motor for switching the shift range to one of a P range, an R range, an N range, and a D range. The control unit controls the driving current at one of a plurality of set values in accordance with a switching pattern of the shift range. The switching pattern may be defined by a combination of two of the P range, the R range, the N range, and the D range.
US07717003B2
A measuring device for detecting the state of wear of the bore walls of two interpenetrating housing bores, having mutually parallel bore axes, of at least two-shaft screw extruders has a carriage provided with rear drive wheels, front guide wheels and contactlessly operating distance sensors which can each be pivotally driven about a bore axis and can be positioned at a distance from the respective bore wall.
US07716999B2
Test method for determining (e.g. prism) microstructure deformation of a microstructured (e.g. brightness enhancing) film are described.
US07716994B2
A first property of a process fluid is measured using a differential pressure flowmeter. A second property of the process fluid is measured using a Coriolis flowmeter. A third property of the process fluid is determined based on the measured first property and the measured second property.
US07716989B2
A system for scanning an aircraft structure includes a collapsible support frame including a mounting member configured to be releasably mountable to the aircraft structure and a moveable member configured to be moveably mounted to the mounting member and to receive a scanning device. The support frame is configured to be positionable in: a collapsed condition in which the mounting member and the moveable member are disposed substantially acutely with each other and an operational condition in which the mounting member and the moveable member are disposed substantially orthogonal with each other.
US07716988B2
Apparatus for use in controlling snoring, including: a sensor system for sensing snoring by a person while sleeping, and a stimulus device effective, when actuated by the sensor system, to apply a stimulus to the person for producing a response tending to interrupt the person's snoring. The stimulus device includes a vibrator and a band for enclosing a body part of the person and for applying a vibration to the body part. Also described is a force or displacement sensor, which includes a housing filled with a liquid having high transmissivity and low attenuation properties with respect to acoustical waves, and an acoustical transmitter and an acoustical receiver carried by opposed walls of the housing spaced from each other to define between them an acoustical transmission channel of the liquid. The housing is deformable by a force such as to change the length of the acoustical transmission channel in accordance with the applied force. A measuring system measures the transit time of an acoustical wave through the acoustical transmission channel to provide a measurement of the applied force.
US07716974B2
An apparatus or method for testing a brake rotor that is mounted on a hub for rotation with respect to a caliper housing. The apparatus includes a bracket having a first end and a second end. A first attachment member and a second attachment member are connected to the bracket and configured to engage the caliper housing. A first sensor is connected to the first end of the bracket for engagement with a first side of the brake rotor. A second sensor is connected to the second end of the bracket for engagement with a second side of the brake rotor.
US07716970B2
The present invention provides a method of using an accurate three-dimensional shape without damaging a sample by making a probe contact the sample only at a measuring point, lifting and retracting the probe when moving to the next measuring point and making the probe approach the sample after moving to the next measuring point, wherein high frequency/minute amplitude cantilever excitation and vibration detection are performed and further horizontal direction excitation or vertical/horizontal double direction excitation are performed to improve the sensitivity of contacting force detection on a slope of steep inclination. The method uses unit for inclining the probe in accordance with the inclination of a measurement target and a structure capable of absorbing or adjusting the orientation of the light detecting the condition of contact between the probe and sample after reflection on the cantilever, which varies a great deal depending on the inclination of the probe.
US07716969B2
A method and apparatus for continuously extracting liquid in at least two separate streams from a vessel, continuously diluting and/or conditioning a first stream in one or more stages, producing, as a result of the extraction, dilution and/or conditioning, the first stream consisting of a dispersion of particles to be characterized, and diluting and/or conditioning a second stream, the second stream consisting of soluble components; and subjecting the first and second streams to various characterizing measurements.
US07716968B2
An apparatus and method for testing fluids to be used when drilling in unconsolidated sand formations includes a container having a first port and a second port and a plurality of perforations through which fluid can be communicated, a bore holder slidingly retained through a portion of the container between the first port and the second port, wherein the bore holder has a feed end and a discharge end, a bed of unconsolidated sand contained in the container in a compacted state surrounding the bore holder, a fluid distribution nozzle at the discharge end of the bore holder, a fluid source in fluid communication with the discharge end of the bore holder, wherein the fluid source provides a test fluid to the fluid distribution nozzle through the bore holder, wherein the bore holder is withdrawn from the container at a predetermined speed as the test fluid is communicated through the fluid distribution nozzle, thereby leaving a simulated well bore in the unconsolidated sand.
US07716960B2
A lock device has: a cylindrical case member in which is formed a space extending in an axial direction; a cylindrical sleeve member is disposed at an interior of the case member, and is supported and configured to move along the axial direction between a predetermined standby position and an operating position; a plunger member which is disposed at an interior of the sleeve member and configured to move along the axial direction, and which is supported and configured to move between the standby position and the operating position, and in which a key insertion hole, which is for insertion of a key from an outer side at the standby position, is formed along the axial direction; a plurality of tumbler members disposed at the plunger member and configured to move along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction between proper positions, a side lock member disposed at the plunger member and configured to approach and move away from the tumbler members, and an interlocking mechanism which, at a time when the connection of the plunger member and the sleeve member is cancelled by the side lock member, when the plunger member becomes integral with a proper key and moves to the operating position, transfers pushing force from the plunger member to a mechanism to be operated.
US07716958B2
An insert type of cylinder cabinet cam lock permits use of Schlage-compatible deadbolt cylinders in a cabinet door and/or drawer cam lock. A bifurcated, housing is provided that journals a cam driver adapted for operational interconnection with the Schlage-compatible standard deadbolt.
US07716957B2
Disclosed herein is a drum type washing machine with a door ring. A front member is attached to the front surface of a door frame to increase the strength of a door. A decorative part is formed either at the door frame or at the front member of the door frame to improve the appearance of the door. The door ring is mounted at a cabinet around the door. Consequently, the strength of a structure around the door is increased while the appearance of the front surface of the washing machine is improved.
US07716953B2
Apparatus and methods for making a continuous fiber product by gathering a plurality of fibers into a strand in contact with a pad wheel that is driven with a low voltage, variable speed motor or drive, and controlling the RPM of the motor in response to a breakout detector. Other embodiments further include accelerating the RPM of the motor and pad wheel at a desired ramp-up rate following the resumption of desired fiberization.
US07716950B2
Disclosed is a method for producing single microlenses or an arrays of microlenses composed of a glass-type material, in which method a first substrate is provided with a surface containing impressions over which a second substrate composed of a glass-type material is placed at least partially overlapping it and is joined therewith under vacuum conditions. The substrate composite is tempered in such a manner that the second substrate softens and flows into the impressions of the first substrate, thereby structuring the side of the second substrate facing away from the first substrate in order to form at least one microlens surface.
US07716939B1
A method of cooling at least one electronic component that is configured to generate a predetermined waste heat includes providing a first fluid channeling sub-system that has a first fluid source and at least one controller. The method also includes channeling at least a portion of the first fluid towards the electronic component. The method further includes configuring the at least one controller to facilitate substantially maintaining at least a portion of the first fluid channeling sub-system at a predetermined pressure.
US07716930B2
An integrated power plant cooling system for an electrical generating power plant driven by a gas turbine to cool power plant components is provided. The integrated cooling system includes a heat source extracted from the power plant and an absorption chiller utilizing energy from the heat source to cool a chilling medium. An integrated cooling skid includes heat removal devices for a plurality of power plant components. The chilling medium output from the absorption chiller is circulated to the heat removal devices for the power plant components of the integrated cooling skid. Plant cooling water may remove heat from the absorption chiller.
US07716910B2
A method and apparatus for baling crop materials using a baler with a pickup thereon for picking up crop materials from the ground and moving such crop materials towards a baling chamber. The pickup has a pickup frame operatively attached to the baler, the frame having a plurality of laterally spaced apart tines of a type which is typical for balers. A powered rotor is rotationally attached to the baler a predetermined distance above and forwardly of the pickup frame, the rotor being powered to rotate in at least one direction. A plurality of blade assemblies are disposed on the rotor having blades extending radially outwardly from the axis of the rotor wherein at least at times one or more of the blade assemblies are disposed between one or more of the tines.
US07716897B2
A deployable rectangular truss with folding or removable chordal members and diagonals and orthogonal hinge joints for continuous and synchronous retraction and extension. The truss is rectangular in cross section, with four common chords on the corners. Two opposing sides of the truss have diagonals that meet at side joints. One or more end frames may be used to close off or mount one of more ends of the deployable truss. A plurality of telescoping transverse struts may extend between major joints on one side of the truss.
US07716892B2
A ceiling panel system is developed that comprises a ceiling panel having a face portion with four corner areas and a skirt portion extending rearward from the face portion. The face portion has a main decorative hole with a peripheral edge from which a main flange portion extends rearward. The corner areas of the face portion has first to fourth subordinate decorative holes with a peripheral edge from which first to fourth subordinate flange portion extends rearward. A main decorative object is fitted to the main decorative hole so as to protrude from the face portion of the ceiling panel. The clips are adapted to grip the main flange portion for the main decorative object and the subordinate flange portions for the subordinate decorative objects.
US07716885B2
A muntin clip supports a muntin grid inside an insulating glazing unit. The clip includes a positioning arm that allows the clip to be positioned with respect to the spacer. In one embodiment, the clip has a flat base adapted to be positioned on the inwardly facing surface of the spacer. The positioning arm extends from one side of the plate with the muntin-engaging body extending from the other side of the plate. The arm has an outer end that projects beyond the outer edge of the plate. A method for using the clip includes the step of using one of the glass sheets to engage and position the positioning arm of the muntin clip. Stops may be provided to limit the insertion of the clip into the spacer.
US07716884B2
A shutter assembly having at least one shutter and a security bar device for locking closed and providing additional rigidity to the shutter when covering an opening in a dwelling. The bar device has an elongated member preferably engaged releasably to the dwelling in the opening. The member traverses the opening and prevents the shutters from collapsing into the opening when closed. A retention bracket co-extends with and is spaced from the member with a portion of the shutter layered there-between when in the closed position. As such, the retention bracket prevents the shutter from opening when in the closed position. A locking portion of the retention bracket projects laterally to releasably engage the member.
US07716879B2
A modular window well arrangement includes one or more window well members. The window well members can be interconnected in a vertically stacked arrangement to provide the required overall height. Snap-connectors interconnect the vertically adjacent window well members, and a plurality of steps provide for escape. The window well members may have different sizes, and extension walls may be utilized to increase the size of the window well members to provide for a wide variety of configurations. The window well members may be made of a relatively lightweight structural foam material.
US07716878B1
A tombstone cover is described for the display of indicia. The cover has a member made from a flexible material adapted for disposal over the tombstone and a cinch. The member also has a front; a top; opposing sides; and a back. At least 50 percent of a height of the tombstone remains uncovered by the member.
US07716874B2
A variable width gate for adaptively mating with boundaries of an opening to provide a barrier therebetween, the variable width gate comprising: (a) an extendable gate including a first gate section mounted to a second gate section, wherein either the first gate section or the second gate section includes a rib; (b) a tracker adapted to engage the rib and operatively coupled to the other of the first gate section or the second gate section not having the rib; and (c) a handle operatively coupled to one of the tracker and the rib, such that displacement of the handle manipulates the position of the tracker in relation to the rib to horizontally reposition the first gate section with respect to the second gate section.
US07716870B2
A fishing lure having: (a) a shaft with rearward end and forward end; (b) a rear loop at rearward end of the shaft; (c) a hook affixed to rear loop; (d) a weighted body on shaft next to rear loop; (e) a bearing bead rotatably mounted on shaft next to weighted body; (f) a spinner rotatably mounted on shaft next to bearing bead, the spinner being a predetermined cut length of tubular material having a longitudinal center line axis, tubular material having angled cut ends with planar surfaces, tubular material having two apertures through which the shaft projects; the two apertures being through the surface of the tubular material between angled cut ends and aligned at an angle to the longitudinal center line axis, the shaft traversing the cross section of the tubular material; and (g) a front loop to attach a fishing line at forward end of the shaft.
US07716868B2
A fishing lure comprising a body having a hollow cavity and adapted to be connected to a fishing line, the body having a transparent portion at least partially exposing the cavity, the body having an opening into the cavity and an insert receivable through the opening and having at least a portion extending into the cavity, the insert comprising a spine and a flexible outer structure of a colored material attached to the spine.
US07716859B1
A golf club bag tag contains a tag body, a connection element, and at least a golf tool such as a divot repair tool or a golf ball marker. The tag body has a first major surface with an indentation for the embedment of the golf tool. The tag body could be hung on a golf club bag or a waist belt of a golfer by the connection element so that the golfer would not forget to bring the golf tool.
US07716857B2
A fluid shovel apparatus that pushes and lifts loose material such as snow, leaves, sand, dirt, grass clippings, mulch, or the like. The present invention includes at least one fluid exhaust port located in a blade. Pressurized fluid flows through the blade and ejects out through the at least one fluid exhaust port towards loose material. The loose material floats on a cushion of pressurized fluid that forms between the blade and the loose material. The loose material is pushed away from the blade and is lifted in an upward direction.
US07716856B2
The present disclosure relates to a shoe with a piece of removable chalk embedded into the front toe portion of a shoe's sole. The forefront sole of the shoe includes an opening sized for receiving a piece of chalk, intended for the wear to go from walking to drawing with a tilt of the foot. The wearer can cause the chalk to make contact with a surface by applying light pressure and tilting the toe of the shoe slightly toward the ground.
US07716842B2
Clip-on utensils and methods of use therefor, wherein the handle end of the utensil incorporates a clip for securing the utensil to the edge of a plate, bowl, glass or cup. The clip portion of the utensil is opened and subsequently positioned over the tableware edge, wherein the clip is subsequently released; thereby, gripping the edge of the tableware and securing the utensil thereon. When at rest, the clip portion forms a planar combination with the handle thereby imparting strength to the combination over that of the handle alone. Various alternative clipping means are described.
US07716839B2
A knife is provided including a first side and a second side where the first side may be removably coupled to the second side. The knife further includes a blade removably secured to the handle and rotatable about a pivot point between an open position and a closed position. A manually-releasable fastening device disposed on the handle is adapted to secure the first side to the second side and to secure the blade to the handle, while remaining attached to the handle.
US07716834B2
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a screen and welding apparatus thereof, putting a metal filter net around the outside of a support sheath and fixing the metal filter net to the outside of the support sheath by way of welding, such that the metal filter net completely covers all filter holes of the support sheath to form a filter sheath with; fixing the filter sheath to the outside of the base pipe and the filter sheath completely covering all penetrated holes on the base pipe; putting a jacket around the outside of the filter sheath and fixing it to the outside of the base pipe such that the jacket completely covers the outside surface of the filter area of the filter sheath. The present invention uses direct spot welding and seam welding technology to fix the metal net to the outside of the support sheath directly, eliminates leakage hole phenomena appearing on jointing parts of the metal net and forms the screen with multi-layer metal nets with improved sand control capability and life time. The present invention also discloses the apparatus for above-said screen to realize penetrated welding of the filter sheath so as to improve the welding quality of the metal net and lower the factory cost of the screen.
US07716832B2
A heating element of a printhead has a conductive layer deposited over a substrate, and a resistive layer deposited over and in electrical contact with the conductive layer.
US07716831B2
A method of installing a piston position sensor proximate to a closed end of a hydraulic cylinder is provided. The sensor is attached to the face of a piston and that piston/sensor combination is inserted into the cylinder tube to position the sensor in the desired location. When properly located within the cylinder tube, the sensor is affixed to the cylinder tube by means of beveled holes in the sensor that receive bolts threadedly inserted through the cylinder tube to further properly align the sensor within the cylinder tube. When so affixed, the sensor is then detached from the piston so that the piston can thereafter move independently of the sensor. A fixture is also used that allows the assembler to accurately align the angular orientation of the sensor prior to being inserted into the cylinder tube.
US07716824B2
An object of the present invention is to finely conduct an inspection of high integration devices by making it possible to form guide holes in a support plate of a probe card in a narrower pitch than in the conventional case of forming the guide holes in a support plate of the same area, and to broaden a range of options for an elastic member which works to urge a probe pin. The present invention has a circuit board and a support plate being placed under the circuit board and supporting the probe pin. In the guide hole formed in the support plate, the probe pin composed of an elastic portion and a pin portion is inserted, and a rip of the pin portion protrudes downward from the support plate. The guide hole has a quadrangular horizontal sectional shape.
US07716823B2
This disclosure relates to a system and method for bonding an interconnect to a dense circuit device with a mechanically clamping substrate.
US07716813B2
A method is disclosed for independently controlling track width and bevel angle of a write pole tip of a magnetic recording head. The method includes establishing the track width in the pole tip layer material utilizing E-beam lithography. A portion of this pole tip material having the established track width is protected by providing a temporary masking material to make a protected portion. At least one unprotected portion is left exposed to be shaped. This unprotected portion is then beveled to produce at least one beveled portion. The protected portion produces an upper pole tip portion which together with the beveled portion produce an improved pole tip. Also disclosed is a magnetic head having the improved pole tip, and a disk drive having a magnetic head having the improved pole tip.
US07716811B2
Head elements are formed on a wafer to suppress deterioration in pinning strength of a pinned layer, which is caused by ESD generated during air bearing surface polishing of a thin film magnetic head. The wafer is cut into rovers in each of which are connected head elements. Rover air bearing surfaces are polished until an MR elements attain a predetermined height. A final polishing step finishes air bearing surfaces by applying an electroconductive polishing liquid to achieve a predetermined shape and surface roughness with high accuracy. A pinning defect occurrence rate is reduced by suppressing deterioration in pinning strength of a pinned layer of a read element. To achieve this, a specific resistance of the electroconductive polishing liquid is controlled to 5 GΩ·cm or less. A shallow rail and a deep rail are formed on the air bearing surfaces, and the rover is cut into thin film magnetic heads.
US07716807B2
A manufacturing method produces an angular velocity sensor element easily with a high degree of accuracy. The manufacturing method includes forming a number of tuning fork shaped crystal elements on a single crystal wafer by a photo-etching technique, the crystal elements having protrusion ridge line sections in the lengthwise direction of +X faces of the crystal, caused by etching anisotropy. A step is included for forming a metallic film on each side face including both principal planes and said +X face of said tuning fork shaped crystal element of the single crystal wafer. The method also includes dividing the metallic film of the +X face along the protrusion ridge line section and forming first and second sensor electrodes.
US07716806B2
Provided is a tantalum sputtering target having a crystal structure in which the (222) orientation is preferential from a position 10% of the target thickness toward the center face of the target, and a manufacturing method of a tantalum sputtering target, including the steps of forging and recrystallization annealing, and thereafter rolling, a tantalum ingot or billet having been subject to melting and casting, and forming a crystal structure in which the (222) orientation is preferential from a position of 10% of the target thickness toward the center face of the target. As a result, evenness (uniformity) of the film is enhanced, and quality of the sputter deposition is improved.
US07716803B2
A method of fabricating a flexible pipe for conveyance of fluid, comprising: winding at least one metal element in a short pitch helix around an inner sealing sheath for withstanding radial forces in the inner sealing sheath; preshaping a metal strip to form at least one ply of tensile armor tendons; winding the ply of tensile armor tendons in a long pitch helix around the at least one metal element; and applying an external protective sealing sheath around the at least one ply of tensile armor tendons.
US07716800B1
The invention concerns a single-piece part for producing a cable anchoring jaw. The single-piece part includes several angular portions arranged about a generally cylindrical duct, assembled by clamps adjacent to the duct. Each clamp is located at the bottom of one particular radial slot extending between two portions from the part periphery. Each clamp has towards its own particular slot a surface whereof a part at least is inclined relative to the direction perpendicular to the slot radial plane, such that the clamp radial thickness has a minimum in a specific position along the direction, thereby ensuring the position where the clamp will be broken to obtain the jaw wedges from the part portions, which enables to better control for clamping the cable strand in the jaw.
US07716786B2
A slide hinge is connected a cover to a base of a portable electronic device and has a stationary bracket, two pivot members, a sliding bracket and two torsion springs. The pivot members are mounted rotatably on the sliding bracket and are mounted to the base. The sliding bracket is mounted slidably on the stationary bracket and is mounted to the cover. The torsion springs are connected between the stationary bracket and the sliding bracket and each torsion spring multiple looped segments. The torsion springs with the looped segments provide an excellent resilient force to position the stationary bracket in one edge of the sliding bracket and therefore stably hold the cover in opened or closed positions without inadvertently sliding relative to the base.
US07716783B2
A vacuum including a housing and a suction device disposed within the housing is provided with hose and power cord storage features. A pivotal inlet coupling facilitates storage of the hose. A separately formed inlet body facilitates easier formation of the inlet. A cord wrap feature allows easier storage and removal of the power cord.
US07716779B2
A wiper drive system and method for installation of a wiper pivot shaft through a structure whose opposite faces may not be parallel. A mounting body supports a bearing support tube and has a concave front side. A mounting ring surrounds the bearing support tube and has a convex rear side that rests adjustably against the concave front side of the mounting body.
US07716775B2
A brush includes a handle and a head having an array of bristles and a paddle with a plurality of apertures formed therein. The paddle and bristles may be formed of silicone.
US07716772B2
A cleaning apparatus comprises a housing, a driving mechanism and a plurality of cleaning elements. The driving mechanism is disposed in the housing. The cleaning elements are connected to the driving mechanism. The driving mechanism rotates the cleaning elements to clean the emitters.
US07716768B2
Pliers for removing paint from a jig-eye hole, including a first plier having a first handle and first jaw. The first jaw includes a tooth extending from the end. A second plier is connected to the first plier and has a second handle and a second jaw including an invagination at the end. When the jig-eye hole is registered with the invagination, and the first handle and second handle are rotated closer together, the tooth is inserted into the jig-eye hole for paint removal. Preferably, the first handle section has a hollow handle and a retractable threader in the handle. The pliers may include a tool module. The tool module forms structure for removable connection with the invagination on the handle end. The tool module includes a retractable tool, such as a fishing line threader or hone so that the tool may be extended and used by the fisherman.
US07716766B2
A therapeutic mattress is provided having a base layer, first and second longitudinally extending side walls, and a patient support layer positioned on the base layer and between the foam sidewalls. In one embodiment, the patient support layer has a plurality of separately zoned air cell sections, including a head zone adjacent a head end of the mattress, a foot zone adjacent a foot end of the mattress, and a seat zone between the head zone and the foot zone.
US07716764B2
A device for supporting and positioning an infant, particularly a premature infant, in a tucked prone position. An elongated base layer extends lengthwise from a head end to a feet end, and includes, in order, a head support portion having a width at least sufficient to fully support the head of the infant, a torso support portion having a width sized to correspond to the width of the torso of the infant, and a pelvis support portion terminating in an upwardly extending rear support for the buttocks of the infant. Arm recesses are formed in the torso support portion, and pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending lateral supports extend lengthwise from the arm recesses to the feet end of the device. Leg recesses are defined between, on the one hand, the upwardly extending lateral supports, and, on the other hand, the pelvis support portion and the upwardly extending rear support.
US07716761B1
An adaptive positioning system embodiment comprises a plurality of longitudinal elements. At least one frame member has an adjustably fixed spatial relationship with a plurality of longitudinal elements, thus forming a conforming assembly capable of supporting a person. The conforming assembly is supported by support means comprising at least one bearing and facilitating rotation (by rotation means) of the conforming assembly (and a supported person) about a longitudinal axis. Control means generate at least one control signal for controlling the rotation means to adapt the positioning system to an individual person, at least one control signal encoding at least one set point and a function of weight distribution on the conforming assembly. The function of weight distribution may be nonlinear. At least one optional multiuse port and/or one or two multiuse optional lateral reverse-foldable longitudinal assemblies may be added to the conforming assembly.
US07716756B2
The present invention provides a site assembled swimming pool comprising a plurality of upstanding staves arranged in side by side relation and held together by upper and lower L-shaped rails, a coping extending entirely around and in releasably secured relation to the rails that fasten the upper edges of the staves together, and a flexible liner and cover releasably secured to the coping. The wooden staves include opposing vertical edges one of which includes a modified tongue and the other of which includes a groove. When assembled, the tongue of one stave engages the groove of the adjacent stave, thereby interconnecting the two staves.