US08747488B2
A process for producing a solid electrolyte capacitor with an anode comprising a sintered fine NbOx powder, where 0.5
US08747474B2
Spinal plate positioning system including a spinal plate, centering member and implant, is used to position and center a spinal plate over an implant in an intervertebral space. Implant may include a centering feature which may engage a surface of centering member or spinal plate to aid in placement of spinal plate.
US08747467B2
The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. Also disclosed is a tissue graft or implant comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. The composition and/or tissue graft or implant of the invention is usable in combination with seeded cells, a tissue growth factor, and/or a chemotactic agent to attract a desired cell.
US08747461B2
The present invention concerns a cardiac valve prosthesis system (10; 40) for implantation into the body of a mammal. The prosthesis system (19; 40) comprises a valve (16) mounted on an stent element (18) to form a stented valve element (12), and an anchoring element (14) to be arranged within the aorta of the mammal to be treated with the prosthesis and spaced-apart form the stented valve element (12). Further, the anchoring element (14) comprises a cylindrical tube element composed of fabric (22) supported by a metal mesh, and the stented valve element (12) and the anchoring element (14) represent two constructional distinctive elements being associated by ligament-like connecting means (30; 50), such, that the connecting region (28) between the stented valve element (12) and the anchoring element (14) is generally free from foreign material.
US08747459B2
A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve supported on an expandable prosthesis frame. The valve may be delivered transluminally or transmyocardially using a thorascopic or other limited access approach using a delivery catheter. Preferably, the initial partial expansion of the valve is performed against the native valve annulus to provide adequate anchoring and positioning of the valve as the remaining portions of the valve expand. The valve may be delivered using a retrograde or antegrade approach. When delivered using a retrograde approach, a delivery catheter with a pull-back sheath may be used, while antegrade delivery is preferably performed with a delivery catheter with a push-forward sheath that releases the proximal end of the valve first.
US08747446B2
A hair restoration caring device includes a treatment hood, a suspension member and a hair caring device. The treatment hood is to be disposed over a user's head. The suspension member is fastened to the treatment hood. The hair caring device is attached to the suspension member and is movable with respect to the user scalp. The hair caring device includes an outer casing mounted slidably on the suspension member, and has several downward combing projections and several light emitters installed above the combing projections respectively for radiating light waves. Each combing projection is aligned with a respective light emitter and is formed with an axial passage to permit past through of light waves of the respective light emitter.
US08747436B2
Surgical sutures having a core extending along a length thereof between a first end and a second end, and a plurality of sets of first and second projections, wherein the first projections extend in a direction of a first end of the suture and the second projections extend in a direction of a second end of the suture. The first projections may be sized and shaped, and positioned relative to the second projections so as to be capable of substantially shielding the second projections when the surgical suture is drawn through tissue by the second end thereof. The first projections may additionally or alternatively be capable of overlapping and substantially covering a distal end of the respective second projections when the suture is drawn through tissue by the second end.
US08747427B2
The present application is directed to apparatus, systems and methods for automated delivery of fluids. According to one aspect, it is especially useful in providing a restricted flow of fluid to a tool, for example, a cannula or a needle used in hair transplantation. According to another aspect, the systems and methods provided herein enable the hair harvesting or a hair implantation tool to be cleaned, flushed or lubricated.
US08747426B2
Vitrectomy probes and systems related thereto are disclosed herein. There are various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, there are examples included herein for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.
US08747419B2
A trajectory guide for introducing an instrument into a human or animal subject is described. A guide stem can be removed in sections without disturbing the aligned instrument. An access port portion of the trajectory guide can be left in place, without disturbing trajectory alignment, and can allow overlying skin to be sutured closed. The access port can provide infusate delivery, such as using an injection port, catheter or the like. A fiducial marker arrangement can provide easy and accurate trajectory alignment, for use with the present trajectory guide, another trajectory guide, or without any trajectory guide.
US08747417B2
A lead implantation tool is disclosed herein. The tool may be configured to operably couple to a lead connector end of an implantable cardiac electrotherapy lead including an active fixation helix tip and wherein the lead connector end includes a contact pin proximally extending from the lead connector end. The tool may include a feature configured to couple to the contact pin and a first mechanism configured to convert linear movement into rotational movement of the contact pin relative to the lead connector end. The tool may further include a second mechanism that causes a stylet extending through the tool and into the contact pin to at least one of distally and proximally displace within the contact pin.
US08747414B2
A device for accessing a hollow organ comprises an elongated body sized for insertion into an entrance passage to the hollow organ, the elongated body including an outer sealing surface engaging an inner surface of the entrance passage and a working channel extending therethrough from a proximal port which, when the elongated body is in the operative position is proximal to a proximal opening of the entrance passage, to a distal port which, when the elongated body is in the operative position, extends distally past a distal opening of the entrance passage into the hollow organ and a plurality of suction holes formed through an outer wall of the elongated body, disposed around a circumference of a portion of the elongated body which, when the elongated body is in the operative position, is located within the entrance passage in combination with a vacuum channel formed in the elongated body for transferring a negative pressure to the suction holes to increase a sealing force applied by tissue of the entrance passage to the outer surface of the elongated body.
US08747411B2
A fluid delivery and bone screw driver apparatus attaches to a bone screw. An inner sleeve joins a material delivery source connected to one end of the inner sleeve to the bone screw connected to the other end. A removable liner communicates the material through the inner sleeve and into the bone screw. An outer sleeve seals the outer sleeve to the head of the bone screw. Rotating the outer sleeve tightens the seal and rotates the bone screw.
US08747407B2
A device, system and method for orthopedic spine surgery using a novel screw-based retractor, disclosed herein, that allows for access to the spine through a minimally or less invasive approach. The retractor device is designed as a co-molded part of the tulip of a pedicle screw assembly with opposed arms of the retractor spread apart to open the wound proximally. The arms are removed by separating the arms from the tulip and removing them from the incision. The retractor device is intended to be made of a relatively stiff material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed.
US08747406B2
A plug for plugging a hole of a bone or implant body during injection of an osteoregenerative material comprising, generally, a plug body, the plug body configured to plug a hole of the body to prevent osteoregenerative material from leaking through the hole, and a tail, the tail attached to the plug body for use in removing the plug body from the hole. In one embodiment, the plug body has an insertion cavity on a trailing end thereof for use in inserting the plug into a hole of the body. The plug body preferably has a frustoconical configuration. The plug body is preferably made of a resilient material, such as silicon.
US08747404B2
A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise an end effector comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is movable relative to the other of the first jaw member and the second jaw member to clamp tissue intermediate the first jaw member and the second jaw member. The instrument can further comprise an electrode configured to generate heat when electrical energy is supplied to the electrode, and, in addition, a tissue-grasping portion comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein the tissue-grasping portion is comprised of an electrically non-conductive material.
US08747401B2
The present disclosure includes an electrosurgical apparatus for treating tissue at a target site. The apparatus has a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end includes an active disposed laterally on the shaft distal end and return electrode. The return electrode may have a plurality of apertures through it, which are fluidly connected to a fluid delivery element, operable to deliver a conductive fluid to the shaft distal end. The return electrode may encircle at least a portion of the shaft and may extend distally and proximally from the active electrode.
US08747397B2
The resorbable cryoprobe device and process is a novel approach for treating localized disease allowing for the precise combined application of freezing temperatures and cytotoxic or cryosensitizing agents within a self-contained matrix/package for optimized tissue destruction. The cryopellet is comprised of a list of components including a source of cryogen to produce the sub-zero temperatures, a porous matrix to contain the cytotoxic agent, cytotoxic agent, and a delivery packet. Data presented herein demonstrates the efficacy of this approach in destroying cancerous tissue. For example, the application of freezing temperatures to −10° C. results in approximately 15% cell death, while exposure to cytotoxic agents such as TRAIL produces minimal cell death. The utilization of the cryopellet approach results in a synergistic effect yielding complete cell death at the same temperature. The innovation behind the resorbable probe application includes the strategic combination of agents to activate intrinsic or extrinsic cell death responses (including apoptosis and necrosis), unique packaging of the cryogen and cytotoxic agent, and a unique delivery system. The resorbable cryoprobe technology will assist directly in the treatment of cancer, as well as will likely lead to broader application for disease treatment.
US08747396B2
A cryosurgical probe assembly that includes a gas delivery assembly, including a stem and a fluid conduit subassembly bonded to the stem. The fluid conduit subassembly delivers and returns cooling fluid used for cryogenic cooling. The fluid conduit subassembly, comprises a shaft for providing a heat exchange surface for cryogenic ablation; a housing securely connected to said shaft; and, an insulation element slideably engaged with an inner surface of the shaft and slideably engaged with the stem. The cryosurgical probe assembly includes an adjustable sliding apparatus that includes a slider assembly securely attached to said insulation tube for slideably guiding the insulation tube along said shaft; and, a button assembly operatively connected to the slider assembly for allowing a user to actuate the slider assembly to provide a desired adjustment of the insulation tube relative to the shaft. A handle assembly is positioned about the housing.
US08747395B2
An ophthalmological device (1) includes an optical transmission system (5) for transmitting femtosecond laser pulses (L) onto a projection lens (3) for projection onto or into the eye tissue (21). The device (1) also includes a lens interchange device (4) designed for interchanging and connecting different projection lenses (3) to the optical transmission system (5). The lens interchange device (4) includes a number of different projection lenses (3) which are connected mechanically to one another and which can be fed to the optical transmission system (5) by a rotational or translational movement in order to connect the former to the optical transmission system (5). The lens interchange device (4) makes it possible for a user to flexibly and efficiently change the projection lens (3) so that the projection lens (3) can be changed or altered without great expenditure of time and without using a varifocal lens, even between different applications and treatment steps.
US08747393B2
A medical instrument with a shaft on whose distal end a tool is positioned and on whose proximal end a handle is positioned consisting of at least two gripping members, such that the tool can be actuated by a gripping member of the handle that is moveably configured and such that at least one gripping member of the handle consists of a rigid partial area and a pivotable partial area that can pivot around the rigid partial area. To create a medical instrument that is of simple structure and can be quickly and thoroughly cleaned, it is proposed with the invention that the pivotable partial area of the gripping member can be removably affixed to the rigid partial area of the gripping member by a catch mechanism.
US08747390B2
A drug delivery device which includes a fluid drug reservoir, a catheter, a controllable fluid transfer device, e.g., a pump mechanism or valve, and a drug delivery control means. The drug delivery control means comprises a controller, e.g., a microprocessor or microcontroller which is operable to automatically reduce the rate of drug delivery over a certain reduction interval (e.g., multiple days) from an initial dosage value to a final dosage value.
US08747385B2
Methods, devices, kits and compositions to treat a myocardial infarction. In one embodiment, the method includes the prevention of remodeling of the infarct zone of the ventricle. In other embodiments, the method includes the introduction of structurally reinforcing agents. In other embodiments, agents are introduced into a ventricle to increase compliance of the ventricle. In an alternative embodiment, the prevention of remodeling includes the prevention of thinning of the ventricular infarct zone. In another embodiment, the prevention of remodeling and thinning of the infarct zone involves the cross-linking of collagen and prevention of collagen slipping. In other embodiments, the structurally reinforcing agent may be accompanied by other therapeutic agents. These agents may include but are not limited to pro-fibroblastic and angiogenic agents.
US08747383B2
A method and system for wrinkle reduction. The method includes the steps of positioning and applying a patch to skin of a consumer and adhesively securing the patch to the skin. A chemical composition on the patch includes both active ingredients and adhesive. A pair of electrodes are connected to a battery-driven, microprocessor-based controller. A current is applied through the electrodes in the patch for a selected time. The chemical composition in the patch is propelled into the consumer through use of the current in order to relax the skin of the consumer. The patch is removed and any residue of the chemical composition is massaged into the skin.
US08747378B2
A tampon suitable for feminine hygiene and/or medical purposes is disclosed having a longitudinal body provided with a dome-shaped insertion end and a withdrawal end, from which withdrawal end a withdrawal cord extends. The tampon has compressed absorbent fibrous material and has an outer circumferential surface which is at least partially provided with longitudinal grooves that are separated from each other by longitudinal ribs. The path of the grooves and ribs of the tampon in the longitudinal direction are inclined and correspond to a continuous curved line that has only one point of inflection defining one convex part and one concave part that preferably does not show a maximum or a minimum.
US08747369B2
Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device having a flexible pushrod that can adjust from a curved configuration to a generally straight configuration. The flexible pushrod is part of a drive system of the pump device so that the flexible pushrod can be controllably and incrementally advanced toward a medicine reservoir to incrementally dispense the medicine therein. In particular embodiments, the flexible pushrod may comprise an anti-rotation mechanism, an anti-torsion mechanism, or a combination thereof.
US08747366B2
To develop a medical needle having a small protecting member that is not separate from a needle and a hub, is not obstructive to the performer during use, and is easy to switch from being in a usable state to being in a protective state.A pair of wings are pivotally connected to a hub provided at the tail end of a needle, the wings being provided on both sides of the axis of the needle; one or two or more link members are connected to the tip of each of the wings with joints interposed therebetween; the tips of the link members are pivotally connected to a cylindrical protecting member slidably fitted onto the needle; and, when the protecting member is moved toward the tip of the needle, the wings and the link members move in such directions as to become parallel to the needle while the protecting member comes to cover the tip of the needle, whereby the above object is solved.
US08747358B2
An injector system includes a powered injector, a pressurizing chamber in operative connection with the powered injection, a fluid path in fluid communication with the pressurizing chamber, and a manual control in fluid connection with the fluid path. The manual control includes at least one actuator for controlling the injector through application of force by an operator. The actuator provides tactile feedback of pressure in the fluid path to the operator via a fluid connection therewith. An injection system for use in angiography includes a source of saline, a pump in fluid connection with the source of saline to pressurized the saline, a source of contrast, a contrast valve in fluid connection with the source of contrast, a powered injector in fluid connection with the contrast valve, and a pressure isolation mechanism.
US08747353B2
A method for manufacturing a balloon catheter assembly includes forming a balloon from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyether block amide, and polyethylene terephthalate, forming a plurality of pores in the polymer, and mounting the balloon onto a catheter shaft. The shaft is configured to supply a fluid to the balloon to inflate the balloon, and the pores are configured to prevent the fluid from passing through the balloon.
US08747349B2
A breastshield is constructed of a low Durometer material. The breastshield includes a nipple tunnel that generally accommodates the shape of a nipple and an aperture that conveys fluids through the breastshield.
US08747343B2
A hemodialysis catheter is provided which includes a catheter body having a proximal and a distal end and defining at least one lumen. The at least one lumen includes a distal opening and a side opening formed through a sidewall of the catheter body. The side opening communicates with the at least one lumen, and includes guiding structure positioned adjacent a distal side of the side opening configured to smoothly redirect blood flow into the at least one lumen. The guiding structure may be defined by a raised wall, or in the alternative, an angled distal wall of the side opening.
US08747342B2
An air separator (1) comprises a first chamber (2) where blood or other fluid can be received, an inlet and an outlet port associated to the bottom wall (4) and in fluid communication with the first chamber. A first channel (14) extending along the lateral wall of the separator and has a first and a second portion (16 and 18). The channel second portion (18) terminally forms an orifice (15) facing the chamber and extending in an area closer to a top wall (5) of the chamber (2) than to the bottom wall of the same chamber. The orifice faces the top of the separator and has a flow passage cross section greater than that of a first portion (16) of the channel.
US08747340B2
Methods and systems relating to an ankle and foot support system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a covering having a cable tightening mechanism may be associated with a cable that is slidably engaged with the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may be slidably engaged with a tube guide that is attached to the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may form an exposed loop that associates with a loop receiving member. In some embodiments, the loop receiving member may be attached to the cover.
US08747339B2
The invention relates to a joint comprising a first joint arm (1) and a second joint arm (2), which is supported pivotally about a pivot axis (A) on the first joint arm (1) and with the first joint arm (1) encloses a spread angle (Φ), which is between a maximum spread angle (Φmax) and a minimum spread angle (Φmin), which is determined by the design of the joint. According to the invention, a locking device (15), which by moving a bar (8) can selectively be brought into a locking position, in which the first joint arm (1) and the second joint arm (2) are locked relative to each other, a release position, in which the first joint arm (1) and the second joint arm (2) can be pivoted freely relative to each other, and an angle limiting position, in which (i) the first joint arm (1) and the second joint arm (2) can be pivoted relative to each other up to a preset stop spread angle (ΦA) and (ii) a pivoting motion at larger spread angles (Φ) is blocked.
US08747332B2
Systems and methods for crossing stenosis, partial occlusions, or complete occlusions within a body lumen. The systems generally include an elongate member such as a hollow guidewire that houses a rotatable and translatable drive shaft. The drive shaft typically has a distal portion that is advanced to create a path in the occlusive material that is large enough to allow the hollow guidewire to cross the occlusive material.
US08747330B2
The invention provides a system for measuring respiratory rate (RR) from a patient. The system includes an impedance pneumography (IP) sensor, connected to at least two electrodes, and a processing system that receives and processes signals from the electrodes to measure an IP signal. A motion sensor (e.g. an accelerometer) measures at least one motion signal (e.g. an ACC waveform) describing movement of a portion of the patient's body to which it is attached. The processing system receives the IP and motion signals, and processes them to determine, respectfully, frequency-domain IP and motion spectra. Both spectra are then collectively processed to remove motion components from the IP spectrum and determine RR. For example, during the processing, an algorithm determines motion frequency components from the frequency-domain motion spectrum, and then using a digital filter removes these, or parameters calculated therefrom, from the IP spectrum.
US08747329B2
A system and method for managing respiratory insufficiency through remote patient care is described. A patient enrolled in remote patient care is identified with information including at least one of treatment profile and medical history. Collected device measures are received to record raw physiometry for a patient, wherein the patient is regularly monitored by a medical device. Derived device measures are generated to provide derivative physiometry based on the collected device measures. A patient status indicator is determined by analyzing the collected and derived device measures to diagnose a pathophysiology indicative of respiratory insufficiency.
US08747326B2
A manual pressurization electronic sphygmomanometer includes a specific component detection unit for detecting a synthetic wave of a manual fluctuation wave and a pressure pulse wave as a specific component from a cuff pressure signal obtained during pressurization; a derivation processing unit for deriving a pressurization target value based on the detection result of the specific component detection unit; and a display unit for notifying to urge pressurization up to the pressurization target value. The derivation processing unit calculates a pulse wave component based on the waveform before and after the specific component and the waveform of the specific component, and determines a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the systolic blood pressure value estimated based on the amplitude of the pulse wave component as the pressurization target value.
US08747325B2
The invention application presents a fast, efficient, reproductive alternative of a non-invasive method for diagnosing the severity of heart failure based on a specific biomarker. An additional object of the present invention is a collector device for the biomarker from exhaled breath that is portable, simple, low cost and does not need to run on electric power. This invention advantageously permits the replacement of invasive diagnosis methods, favoring the patient's comfort in addition to the agility and speed of medical attention at hospitals, and may become a standard method for all suspected cases of circulatory disease and heart failure and, more specifically, decompensated heart failure.
US08747320B2
The present invention is made to accurately detect an absolute pressure even when a contact property between an elastic coupler and a body surface of an object is poor. An elastic coupler 20 is formed by an elastic material with flexibility to have two layers at least with different ultrasonic wave reflectance properties and attached to an ultrasonic wave transmitter/receiver surface, and a pressure calculating unit 30 detects the position of a boundary surface 22 between those two layers based on RF signal frame data output from an RF signal frame data selection unit 10, obtains positional change of the boundary surface based on the detected position of the boundary surface and the initial position of the boundary surface, which was obtained in advance, and obtains the absolute pressure applied to the object based on the positional change and a pre-set elasticity property of the elastic coupler. At this time, for example, an ID code is given to the elastic coupler by making the initial position or the like of the boundary surface of the elastic coupler be different in accordance with the type of the elastic coupler, the pressure calculating unit 30 identifies the ID code, identifies the type of the elastic coupler with reference to a coupler database, and reads the elasticity property corresponding to the ID code.
US08747319B2
The image display method comprises a three-dimensional image creating step that creates a three-dimensional image based on volume data; a cutting plane setting step that sets a cutting plane that cuts the three-dimensional image at an arbitrary position; and a positional relationship display image creating step that creates a positional relationship display image representing the mutual positional relationship between the three-dimensional image and the cutting plane, in which the opacity of the cutting plane in the positional relationship display image is adjusted so that a portion of the three-dimensional image that is hidden by the cutting plane is visually recognizable through the cutting plane in the positional relationship display image.
US08747314B2
A system comprises an external medical device configured to communicate with a first implantable medical device (IMD). The external medical device includes a communication circuit and a display. The communication circuit is configured to receive information associated with cardiovascular pressure from the IMD. The external medical device is configured to annotate a waveform on the display to indicate one or more events associated with cardiovascular pressure.
US08747313B2
A heart monitoring system for a person includes one or more wireless nodes; and a wearable appliance in communication with the one or more wireless nodes, the appliance monitoring vital signs.
US08747311B2
A measuring device and method is for enabling a user to measure and record changes in emotion during the day and translate it into a relative stress value per day. It may be used to accumulate the positive and negative emotional reactions that a user experiences during a predetermined time period. This method and device will provide a record of the associated distress and eustress and the cumulative effect therefrom on the individual. The user has a visual display of whether or not the emotions felt during a given day are positive or negative. The recognition of the stress level may remind or enable the user to take some action that will counterbalance excessive negative emotions known to contribute to major diseases and engage in activities that reduce or relieve the stress influences on the user before the end of each day.
US08747308B2
An attachment which can be used with a vaginal speculum. The attachment can be used with a vaginal speculum. The attachment has a pair of arms on one end which will engage the fornix lateral to the cervix of a women's vagina, and a U-shaped curved portion on the other end which will allow a doctor to engage the attachment with a vaginal speculum in order to spread a patient's lateral, as well as vertical, walls at the same time.
US08747305B2
To provide an endoscope system that includes a light source, an insertion part to be inserted into a living organism for guiding a illumination light emitted from the light source and a light returned from the living organism, a deflection optical system for outwardly directing the illumination light in a radius direction of the insertion part and for introducing a light inwardly returned from the living organism in the radius direction into the insertion part, a part for capturing the returned light, a part for detecting an insertion speed of the insertion part, a part for adjusting a frame rate for the image capturing of the image capturing part based on the detected insertion speed, an image forming part for arranging acquired images at a pitch based on the insertion speed to form an image of the inside of the living organism, and a part for displaying the formed image.
US08747303B2
The protective sheath front end of the disclosed curved section protective sheath for covering the curved section of an endoscope covers the outer periphery of the front end of the endoscope. A filamentous member is wound around the outer periphery of the protective sheath front end, affixing the protective sheath front end to the front end of the endoscope. An adhesive agent is layered on the outer periphery of the protective sheath front end so as to cover the filamentous member. A ring member is fitted to the protective sheath front end so as to cover the adhesive agent. The inner surface of the ring member is bonded to the filamentous member with the adhesive agent therebetween.
US08747302B2
Laparoscopic instruments and cannulas are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the C-shaped trocar sleeves or through the cannula and instrument holder unit provide markedly improved degrees of instruments' freedom during trans-umbilical laparoscopic procedures.
US08747301B2
A self propelling catheter introducer system for exploring a body cavity is disclosed which includes a flexible tubular catheter, an everting tube and a steering section located near the distal end of the catheter that is introduced in a body cavity. The steering section is adapted for pointing the distal end in a desired direction using a plurality of rods adapted to be extended and retracted.
US08747298B2
A probe manipulator which has a grip device that can be held by a user in order to facilitate manipulation of a probe when the latter has been inserted into a channel of an endoscope. Connection devices are provided for releasably connecting the grip device to the probe in such a way that the probe may be rotated or displaced by rotation or displacement of the grip device. The connection device is connectable such that the probe need not be fed through the grip device, but that the grip device may be placed at any point along the length of the probe.
US08747296B2
The invention relates to devices and methods for reforming tissue surrounding the airway of a subject suffering from obstructive sleep apnea so as to open the airway and alleviate the occurrence of apneic events. Devices comprise a combination of resiliently deformable material and bioerodible material. The deformable portion of the device has a preferred shape that corresponds to the desired final shape of the device once placed in an airway. In making a transplant-ready device, however, the deformable portion is placed into a deformed shape and constrained in that shape by the bioerodible material. After implantation, the device gradually assumes the preferred shape as the constraining bioerodible material erodes. As the device gradually reforms toward the preferred shape, it reforms the tissue into the therapeutically desirable configuration. The gradual nature of the shape change generally stabilizes the device in the tissue, and supports tissue reforming into a stable configuration.
US08747291B2
Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma while retaining the platelets and other facts. Highs speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
US08747290B2
The invention relates to a centrifuge for separating a sample into at least two components, comprising a chamber for receiving a sample to be centrifuged. According to the invention, the centrifuge further comprises a means for controlling the progress of the sample separation is located at the chamber.
US08747287B2
A chair-like exercising apparatus comprises a back, a seat, front legs, rear legs, and resistance element(s) which provide a broad range of resistance force adjustable by the user for the back extension exercise. The chair back pivotally connects to the rear legs directly, and pivotally connects to the front legs or rear legs through the resistance element(s). The resistance element comprises a compress-coil-spring cylinders (or constant-force-spring devices) and the cylinder holders (or the device holders). The resistance level of the back extension exercise is adjusted by switching the interchangeable compress-coil-spring cylinders (or constant-force-spring devices) of appropriate loads inside the cylinder holders (or device holders). A user sits on the chair and sway backward to perform back extension exercise after selecting an appropriate resistance level based on his/her physical condition. The apparatus is simple, affordable and can be used as a regular chair in its locked position. A regular back extension exercise with proper resistance force strengthens the low back muscles (erector spinae), improves and prevents the low back pain symptoms.
US08747278B2
Planet carrier of an epicyclic gear system with planetary shafts which are connected fixedly to the planet carrier, onto which planet wheels are mounted rotatably using planetary bearings, the teeth of the planetary wheels being helical or chevron teeth, the planet carrier being of the cage type, and where at least two separate planetary wheels are mounted on each planetary shaft, each wheel of which being supported by at least one double-row tapered roller bearing, the outermost bearing ring of each double-row tapered roller bearing being integrated into the planetary wheel concerned.
US08747271B2
A wheel assembly, for use on an off-highway vehicle, includes a generally cylindrical wheel hub extending axially from a first end to a second end around an inner volume. A hub adapter is secured to the second end of the wheel hub, the hub adapter including a peripheral shoulder, which has a first shoulder surface axially facing in a direction extending from the second end towards the first end. A first wheel rim is mounted to the peripheral shoulder of the hub adapter at the first shoulder surface.
US08747263B2
A transmission guide comprises a synthetic resin shoe and a more rigid synthetic resin base, integrally molded by two-member molding. The base is formed with a pair of spaced, opposed, side walls extending in the direction of elongation of the base along opposite edges of a shoe-supporting surface of the base. These side walls engage respective side edges of the shoe, and extend past the front surface of the shoe so that they can restrict lateral movement of a transmission chain sliding along the front surface of the shoe. Indentations in the side walls receive protrusions formed on the edges of the shoe. Edges of the openings of the indentations are chamfered or convexly curved to avoid interference with the movement of the chain along the guide.
US08747262B1
A jointed bat includes a barrel, a handle, and a glue. The barrel is tubular and has one end fixedly connected to a top cap and the other end having a tapered first joint portion. An opening is formed at the end of the first joint portion. The handle is tubular and has one end fixedly connected to a knob and the other end having a tapered resilient second joint portion. At least a relief slit is formed at an end of the second joint portion. A dam protrudes from the second joint portion and abuts against an inner wall of the first joint portion. The second joint portion penetrates the opening to fit inside the first joint portion. The glue is filled between and fixedly connected between the first and second joint portions. Therefore, requirements for precision in production of the barrel and the handle are reduced.
US08747260B1
A baseball training apparatus occludes peripheral vision of each eye across the nose region of a baseball player by creating a visual divide that extends from and immediately adjacent to the nose along the central sagittal plane. In various embodiments, the visual divide is extendible, removable and replaceable, pivotal, and may incorporate scribes to vary shape or geometry. The visual divide may further be mounted from a pair of glasses without lenses, though other embodiments with and without lenses are contemplated. The eye divider is used to align or confirm alignment of a baseball player properly with the pitcher, to ensure that the batter has both eyes facing the pitcher.
US08747258B2
The batting tee has a durable base having a bushing installed therein and telescoping metal ball support pipes extending upwardly therefrom. A protective boot may be installed over the base of the support pipe assembly and bushing to provide a more pleasing appearance and to preclude entry of debris into the threaded connections. The height of the telescoping pipe segments may be locked by a threaded collar at the top of each pipe section. A flexible rod serves as the penultimate component. A replaceable plastic ball holder extends from the upper end of the rod. The ball holder receives the greatest number of inadvertent strikes during play, and accordingly it may be easily replaced if damaged. The flexible rod can flex and bend when the replaceable ball holder is struck, thereby greatly reducing impact force upon the ball holder to provide greater longevity for the holder.
US08747257B2
The analysis method includes steps of acquiring measurement data obtained from swings and values of hitting results (flight distance or the like) (STEP 3); calculating a characteristic value (face angle or the like) from the measurement data (STEP 4); and determining an indicator for selecting a shaft of a golf club from the characteristic value and the values of hitting results (STEP 5). In the step of determining an indicator, when a hitting result of a golf club is an objective variable, and the characteristic value is an explanatory variable together with a predetermined shaft physical property (flex point or the like), and has a statistically significant relation with the hitting result, the characteristic value is determined as the indicator. A relational expression of the indicator and the hitting result is calculated for each value of the physical properties.
US08747251B2
A golf club head is provided with a crown, a sole, and a continuously extending rib (X). The rib (X) is provided on an inner surface of the head. Preferably, the rib (X) is substantially parallel to a toe-heel direction. When a maximum amplitude of vibration in a first-order mode in a state where the rib (X) is removed is defined as Ma1 and an amplitude ratio with respect to the maximum amplitude Ma1 is defined as Rh (%), disposal of the rib (X) satisfies the following items (a), (b), and (c): (a) the rib (X) crosses at least one of high Rh regions having the amplitude ratio Rh of equal to or greater than 80%; (b) no region having the amplitude ratio Rh of equal to or greater than 60% exists on a toe side than the rib (X); and (c) no region having the amplitude ratio Rh of equal to or greater than 60% exists on a heel side than the rib (X).
US08747238B2
Drive shaft assemblies for a surgical instrument. Various forms include a plurality of movably interlocking joint segments that are interconnected to form a flexible hollow tube. A flexible secondary constraining member is configured in flexible constraining engagement with the plurality of movably interlocking joint segments to retain the interlocking joint segments in movable interlocking engagement while facilitating flexing of the drive shaft assembly.
US08747235B2
A damper device including an input element to which power from a motor is transmitted; a first elastic body to which power is transmitted from the input element; a first intermediate element to which power is transmitted from the first elastic body; a second elastic body to which power is transmitted from the first intermediate element; a second intermediate element to which power is transmitted from the second elastic body; a third elastic body to which power is transmitted from the second intermediate element; and an output element to which power is transmitted from the third elastic body. A stiffness of the third elastic body is higher than a stiffness of the second elastic body.
US08747230B2
Methods for handling communication between players of an online casino game are provided. One method includes initiating a group session for the online casino game and assigning a first user and a second user to the group session. The method further includes hosting a group session of the online casino game, the group session defined by linked gameplay of the casino game by each of the first user and the second user. Then, during the group session, activating an instant messaging protocol to define a chat session between the first user and the second user. The method facilitates game play in a social environment and enables coordination of social game activity during game play.
US08747224B2
Provided is an operation device which allows various kinds of operation information to be input to a main body thereof as needed without unnecessarily increasing the weight of the operation device. The operation device includes: the main body having a shape elongated from one end to another end; a light emitting member provided to the one end of the main body; and a connection portion provided to the other end of the main body, to which an arbitrary one of a plurality of other operation devices is to be connected.
US08747219B2
A method includes receiving wagers from a player to play respective plays of a plurality of plays of a wagering game having event eligibility that includes a time value and a multiplier value. The method includes increasing at least one of the time value and the multiplier value as a function of the plurality of plays of the wagering game and decrementing the time value as time elapses. In response to a triggering event while the event eligibility is above an eligibility threshold, the method includes allowing the player to participate in one or more special events. The method includes allowing the player to configure at least one of a desired value of the multiplier value and a maximum value of the time value.
US08747217B2
A system for enabling a player to use residual credits on a gaming machine to provide the player with a chance to win a prize. The system includes means for determining a range of values as a function of a jackpot pool to generate randomly an outcome in the range of values, random number generation means for generating the random outcome, means for determining a range of outcome values of the player that provides a chance of the player winning the jackpot pool, and means for determining whether the generated random outcome matches any outcome value of the player.
US08747208B2
A system for conducting a lottery draw, the system including: (a) a database of pre-recorded video files of one or more humans, (b) a lottery number drawing means for randomly selecting one or more lottery numbers to determine one or more winning numbers for a game draw, and (c) display means for displaying one or more of the video files from the database based upon either (1) a predetermined characteristic of the game draw or (2) a number which is selected by the drawing means.
US08747206B2
Methods for facilitating cooperative group play of an online casino game are provided. One method includes initiating a group session of the online casino game over the Internet, the group session defined to include a plurality of players, and defining at least one group objective for the group session. The method then combines outcomes from gameplay of the online casino game of each of the plurality of players during the group session and compares the combined outcomes against the group objective. If the combined outcomes meet the group objective, then the method administers a prize associated with the group objective. The methods further facilitate game play in a social online environment, where the social interactions assist in advancing game play.
US08747205B2
A gaming machine and a method of conducting a game of chance on the gaming machine are disclosed. The machine receives a wager from a player to purchase a series of plays of the game. In response to the wager, the machine provides the player with the series of plays and randomly generating at least one outcome for each play. The machine provides an accumulation feature that accumulates an element of the game over a plurality of the plays in the series and redeems the accumulated element for a bonus in response to a predetermined event in the game. The predetermined event may, for example, correspond to collection of a predetermined number of the element or a certain position of the element on a trail, feature ladder, or meter.
US08747191B2
In an endless belt type grinding tool, a tension bar includes a front portion and a rear portion which are divided from each other in a tubular holding portion. The front portion and the rear portion forcibly abut against each other when the endless grinding belt wound around the drive pulley and the idle pulley is applied with a tension by the spring. The endless belt type grinding tool includes a locking member which, when the tension bar is pushed into the tubular holding portion against the spring, engages with the rear portion of the tension bar to retain the rear portion at the pushed position against the urging force of the spring. Thus, in a state in which the grinding belt is removed, it is possible to reduce damage even if the tension bar, which is being pushed in, accidentally jumps out.
US08747187B2
A method of shaping an ophthalmic lens to have a desired outline with a machining device including a blocking support for the ophthalmic lens and at least one first machining tool, the method includes: obtaining an inner cutting limit for the first machining tool; defining an initial blocking position for the ophthalmic lens and its desired outline; calculating whether at least a portion of the desired outline presents a non-zero intersection with the inner cutting limit; defining as the final blocking position either the unchanged initial blocking position if the calculated intersection is zero, or else a blocking position that is modified relative to the initial blocking position so that the desired outline as repositioned using the modified blocking position does not present an intersection with the inner cutting limit associated with the first tool; and blocking and shaping the ophthalmic lens with the desired outline.
US08747185B1
A jewelry item includes an elongated, arcuate strand received within a passageway formed in the lower periphery of a brassiere cup. Any one of a plurality of interchangeable ornaments is attachable to the upper end of the strand. For example, the upper end may be inserted into a receptacle depending from a select ornament, such as a gemstone or another decorative design element. When the brassiere is worn, the ornament is suspended near one or both breasts. An alternate embodiment includes a pair of arcuate strands joined at or near their upper ends, each of which fits within a designated passageway formed around each of the brassiere cups to further anchor the ornament in a desired position.
US08747178B2
It is a problem to provide an electric apparatus less in consumption power and long in life by the manufacture using the display device. An insulating bank is provided in a form surrounding the pixel portions on first electrodes over a substrate. The entire surface is applied, by a wet scheme (method), with an organic conductive film which has a thickness form of T2>T1>T3 under the influence of the insulating bank. Accordingly, the portion T3 has an increased resistance in a lateral direction, making possible to prevent against crosstalk. Due to a conductive polymer as a buffer layer, a display device can be provided which is low in drive voltage. Furthermore, because the portion T2 is increased in thickness, the electric-field concentration is relaxed at and around the pixel portion. This makes it possible to prevent the organic light-emitting element from deteriorating at around the pixel.
US08747177B2
A light-emitting display capable of maintaining low power consumption and improving display quality irrespective of the configuration of an auxiliary wiring. A second electrode and an auxiliary wiring are electrically connected to each other through a conductive contact section. Moreover, only a part of the auxiliary wiring is connected to the contact section. Even if the surface of the auxiliary wiring is oxidized, an increase in connection resistance is prevented. Moreover, a restriction on layout is not imposed at the time of forming the contact section.
US08747170B2
A disconnectable joint system includes first and second connectors and a coupling fastener. The first connector defines a first conductor bore to receive a first cable conductor, and a first coupling portion including a first coupling bore and a first integral interlock feature. The second connector defines a second conductor bore to receive a second cable conductor, and a second coupling portion including a second coupling bore and a second integral interlock feature. The first and second coupling portions are mateable in an interlocked position wherein the first and second interlock features are interlocked with one another, the first and second coupling bores are substantially aligned, and the coupling fastener can be inserted through the first and second coupling bores and tightened to securely couple the first and second connectors to one another. The first and second connectors can be separated upon removal of the coupling fastener.
US08747166B2
A connector etc. that prevents wrong insertion and does not require large rotation of plug etc., when inserting a plug to a socket, is provided. Plug-in connector 1 comprises pin plug 10 and receptacle 20, and pin plug 10 and receptacle 20 are connected. On pin cover body 14 of pin plug 10, plural pin plug key protrusions 15 are constructed separately along the circumferential direction, and on socket cover 27 of receptacle 20, plural sets 28a-28e of plural key grooves 28 separated along the circumferential direction, that plural pin plug key protrusions 15 fit into each set, are arranged with shifting along the circumferential direction. Receptacle 20 can be substituted by a socket plug 30.
US08747165B2
A connection module for a portable device having a reduced thickness and a slimmer shape. The connection module includes a case, an upper plug connection terminal unit, and a lower plug connection terminal unit. The case includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper plug connection terminal unit includes a plurality of upper connection terminals disposed along the upper portion. The lower plug connection terminal unit includes a plurality of lower connection terminals disposed along the lower portion. The plurality of lower connection terminals are spaced apart from the plurality of upper connection terminals and alternately arranged at staggered positions such that the plurality of upper and lower connection terminals engage each other when positioned on a same plane.
US08747164B2
A card edge connector is provided for mating with a printed circuit board (PCB) having a card edge. The connector includes a housing having a card slot. The card slot is configured to receive the card edge of the PCB therein. The card slot includes opposing first and second sides. Signal contacts are held by the housing. The signal contacts include signal mating segments arranged in opposing first and second rows that extend along the opposing first and second sides, respectively, of the card slot. The signal mating segments are arranged in differential signal pairs, wherein the signal mating segments within a differential pair are arranged within the same row of the first and second rows. A ground contact is held by the housing. The ground contact includes a base and first and second ground mating segments that extend outwardly from the base. The first and second ground mating segments are arranged along the first and second sides, respectively, of the card slot such that the first and second ground mating segments are configured to engage the card edge therebetween. The first and second ground mating segments include springs that resiliently deflect when engaged by the card edge.
US08747159B2
A connector module includes a single port connector and a circuit board capable of assembling with a multi-ports connector. The single port connector includes a receiving room and a number of first fixing pins formed at opposite sides of the receiving room along a longitudinal direction of the receiving room. The first fixing pins at each side of the receiving are arranged in a same way. The multi-ports connector includes at least two of the receiving room and the first fixing pins formed at opposite sides of each receiving room. The circuit board defines a group of first fixing holes corresponding to the first fixing pins formed at each side of the receiving rooms of the multi-ports connector. The single port connector is mounted on the circuit board by selectively inserting the first fixing pins into every two adjacent groups of the first fixing holes.
US08747158B2
An electrical connector is provided having a housing. Contact modules are positioned within the housing. The contact modules each have a dielectric body holding at least one conductive lead. The at least one conductive lead extends between a mating end and a mounting end. The mating end is configured to be electrically connected to an electrical component. The mounting end is configured to be electrically connected to a circuit board. Ground plates are positioned within the housing between corresponding contact modules. The contact modules and the ground plates form a contact assembly held by the housing. A conductive elastomeric material extends through the contact modules and engages the ground plates to electrically interconnect the ground plates.
US08747155B2
Devices and methods for assembling a connector are provided herein. In one aspect, an example method of assembly includes positioning an insert frame having an applicator portion supporting electrode contacts within an enclosure; attaching the electrode contacts to a circuit board substrate within the enclosure; forming an underfill layer by injecting a hardenable fluid medium through the applicator portion to fill a semi-confined space between the insert frame and the circuit board substrate; and detaching the applicator portion and applying an overmold. The applicator portion includes one or more lumens extending from an inlet opening to one or more exit openings to facilitate flow of fluid medium to desired locations. The inlet opening may be disposed on a portion of the applicator extending above the insert frame and have a diameter substantially larger than the exit opening to allow for fluid injection using an oversized injection nozzle.
US08747149B2
An electrical connector plug includes a casing an output/input port mounted having multiple upper terminals and multiple lower terminals, a trough defined between the upper terminals and the lower terminals, a circuit board inserted in the trough of the casing and having, a metal plate electrically connected to the ground terminal and a metal housing to entirely enclose the casing and to electrically connect to the metal plate such that the metal plate is able to transmit electromagnetic interference out via the metal housing.
US08747133B2
A card edge connector 100 includes a longitudinal insulating housing 1, a set of terminals 2 set in the insulating housing 1 and a lock mechanism 5 for locking a daughter card 9. The insulating housing 1 has an elongated slot 112 and a pair of towers 12 positioned at two opposite ends thereof. The lock mechanism 5 includes a locking portion 51 locking the daughter card 9 and an operating portion 52 moving the locking mechanism 5. A depression 55 is formed at one end of the lock mechanism 5 close to the locking portion 51. The card edge connector 100 further includes a handle column 6 received in the depression 55 and extending out of the depression 55. Hence, we can operate the lock mechanism 5 easily, and at the same time, the room the card edge connector occupies can be reduced.
US08747128B2
A locking device is provided for an electrical socket. The locking device includes a device body having a projecting member projecting from the device body, wherein the projecting member is adapted for engagement with an aperture provided in an electrical socket. The projecting member has first and second positions. In a first position the projecting member is adapted for engagement with the aperture and the locking device can be connected and disconnected from the socket. In a second position, the projecting member cannot disengage from the aperture and the projecting member is lockable in the second position. The electrical socket may be a power cable receiver on an electrical appliance, or a power supply socket.
US08747124B2
An eye-of-the needle (EON) pin contact is provided for being received within an electrical via that includes conductive material. The EON pin contact includes a compliant segment having two opposing spring arms and an opening defined between the spring arms. The compliant segment is configured to be received within the electrical via such that the spring arms engage the conductive material of the electrical via. A tip segment extends from the compliant segment. The tip segment is configured to be received into the electrical via before the compliant segment is received into the electrical via. The tip segment includes a broach that is configured to displace the conductive material as the tip segment is received into the electrical via to plow a path through the conductive material for reception of a corresponding one of the spring arms.
US08747117B2
The present invention is a visual cuing device which allows users to rapidly and easily identify ECG/EKG cardiac arrhythmias and twelve lead ECG/EKG arrhythmias. A visual cuing device contains a plurality of panels with a plurality of graphically displayed ECG/EKG abnormalities alternated with visually high-contrast, solid colored text sections. A visual cuing device may also contain additional tools, such as a heart rate reference line, time reference line or baseline window to aid in analysis and interpreting ECG/EKG strips. A visual cuing device may also be adapted to display using a touch screen or other user interface.
US08747105B2
An insert tube is used for the repair or improvement of a pre-heating tube for air arranged in an exhaust gas pathway of a fuel burner. A pre-determined radial gap exists between the outer surface of the insert tube and the inner surface of the pre-heating tube for air such that the insert tube can be slid into the pre-heating tube for air. The insert tube is provided in the vicinity of each end with at least one groove that runs around its circumference. In the groove there is arranged at least one sealing ring of an elastic material. The sealing ring mounted in the groove has an external diameter that exceeds the internal diameter of the preheating tube for air. The sealing ring forms a seal against the inner surface of the pre-heating tube for air and prevents leakage through the sealing ring.
US08747104B2
Liquated gas lighter with non-adjustable flame height, comprising a gas reservoir, a burner and a gas flow limiting device consisting of a microporous membrane gripped between a first seating body and a second seating body. First seating body has a through hole that comes out on one side directly into microporous membrane and on the other side into reservoir. Second seating body has a seating surface in contact with membrane, a groove formed in seating surface, an outlet duct and a linking passage between groove and outlet duct. Through hole is facing, at least partially and through microporous membrane, groove.
US08747101B2
The present invention provides a burner design and method for a high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) liquid fuel gun that generates turbulent atomization and uses one or more jets as an injection method for liquid fuel and oxygen to improve the combustion inside the combustion chamber. The burner uses preheated oxygen and preheated fuel to improve vaporization prior to combustion of the fuel.
US08747099B2
A tooling for injection-molding a part, the tooling including two cavity blocks each including a cavity formed therein of a shape corresponding to a shape of a part that is to be molded once the cavity blocks have been superposed, at least one of the cavity blocks including an ejection mechanism ejecting the molded part and including at least one ejector movable between a molding position and an ejection position. The ejector is guided to move between its two positions along a curved path, or a circular arc, of shape that corresponds to a shape of a portion of the mold part to be extracted from the cavity.
US08747097B2
Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other.
US08747094B2
A multilayer molding apparatus, comprising: a fixed platen; a movable platen; an intermediate platen positioned between the fixed platen and the movable platen to be movable in the direction to come close or be opened, and having a surface facing the fixed platen, a surface facing the movable platen, and a housing space that goes therethrough from the surface facing the fixed platen to the surface facing the movable platen; and a rotary platen rotatably supported by the intermediate platen inside the housing space of the intermediate platen, and having at least one pair of parallel surfaces facing the fixed platen and the movable platen, wherein at least one of the surfaces of the intermediate platen facing the fixed platen and the movable platen is a mold mounting surface on which a mold can be mounted directly or indirectly.
US08747092B2
The invention disclosed apparatuses and methods to do nanoimprint lithography using a deformable mold. Generally, the apparatus has a chamber with a transparent section on its top wall, which is capable of vacuuming and pressurizing. The deformable mold fixed firmly onto a hollow mold holder around its full periphery is attached to top inner surface of the chamber and positioned underneath the transparent section. The central area of the mold is freely accessible from underneath through the opening of the mold holder. An enclosed volume referring to mold mini-chamber is formed between the mold/holder and top wall of the chamber. Inside chamber, a stage assembly is installed. A chuck to vacuumly hold a substrate is mounted on top of the stage assembly. At beginning of the imprinting, the substrate with a layer of resist is positioned underneath the mold at a predetermined gap between them. Then, the substrate is moved up to contact with the mold either under vacuum or under atmosphere. The substrate and mold may be pressed further by introducing higher pressure inside the chamber. After consolidating the resist, the substrate is separated from the mold by either direct pull-down enabled by stage movement or deforming the mold enabled by differential pressure between the mold mini-chamber and the bulk volume of the chamber, or mixing of both.
US08747080B2
A small-sized, low-profile fluid pump having high pumping capabilities includes an actuator and a planar section including a metal plate. The actuator includes a disk-shaped piezoelectric element attached to a disk-shaped diaphragm. As a result of application of a square-wave or sine-wave drive voltage, the actuator performs a bending vibration from the central portion to the peripheral portion. The peripheral portion of the actuator is not restrained. The actuator performs a bending vibration in the state in which it is in proximity to the planar section while facing the planar section. A center vent is provided at or in an area adjacent to the center of an actuator facing area of the planar section that faces the actuator.
US08747073B2
The present invention relates to an arrangement (1) for cable guiding, comprising a first guide member (40) adapted to enclose a first cable (10) along at least a part of the length of said first cable. The first guide member (40) has an outside surface adapted to form at least one first guide surface (41) supporting at least one second cable (20) along at least a part of the length of said first cable. The present invention further relates to a wind turbine comprising such an arrangement and to the use of such an arrangement.
US08747071B2
A drain pump that maintains pump performance and reduces noise and vibration accompanying water scooping of a rotary impeller includes a large-diameter blade divided into an inner blade and an outer blade. A radius of an impeller scooping up water is the sum of the lengths of the inner and outer blades in a radial direction. The large-diameter blade is divided at a position where the amount of generated air bubbles is large, and the inner and outer blades are alternately disposed. Accordingly, air bubbles are escaped to a downstream side in a rotational direction, so that the intensity of the collision between the blades and air bubbles is decreased reducing noise caused by the burst of air bubbles and vibration caused by a collision load of the flow of a gas-liquid mixture.
US08747068B2
Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, in one method of controlling an air moving device in an electronic system, the air moving device is operable to accelerate between rotational speeds at a maximum angular acceleration. The method includes limiting an angular acceleration of the air moving device to a first acceleration limit less than the maximum angular acceleration when changing the air moving device from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed.
US08747062B2
A pump casing for a centrifugal pump, which comprises an inlet opening, a discharge outlet, and a transition surface extending between an inner peripheral surface of the main pumping chamber and an inner peripheral surface of the discharge outlet, the transition surface arranged for separating an in use exit flow of material in the discharge outlet from an in use recirculation flow of material in the main pumping chamber. The transition surface has a cutwater having a profiled section which comprises a protrusion which extends irregularly from an otherwise generally rounded arched or U-shaped transition surface and is configured such that, in use, the velocity and/or turbulence resulting from the in use flow of the material being pumped in the main pumping chamber is reduced.
US08747055B2
A gas turbine engine includes a flex mount for a fan drive gear system. A very high speed fan drive turbine drives the fan drive gear system.
US08747052B2
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to automate transfer of parts for high throughput. A boat transfer unit (BTU) arm carrying a boat containing a plurality of parts is rotated from an initial position to a first position that is below a process chamber. The BTU arm engages a boat support that supports the boat. The BTU arm is moved upward to a second position such that the boat partially enters the process chamber at a distance D with respect to an entrance opening of the process chamber. An elevator arm carrying a pedestal is engaged to lower side of the boat support. The BTU arm is moved away from the second position. The elevator arm is moved upward to fully insert the boat inside the process chamber.
US08747050B2
A substrate transport apparatus including a first shaftless rotary motor including a first stator and a first rotor, the first stator being linearly distributed and the first rotor being coupled to a first arm, a second shaftless rotary motor including a second stator and second rotor, the second stator being linearly distributed and the second rotor being coupled to a second arm, the second arm being connected to the first arm and a first substrate support being coupled to at least one of the first and second arms, wherein the first stator and second stator are configured so that the first and second arms and the first substrate support are inside the stators and a motor output at a connection between the first and second shaftless rotary motors and a respective one of the first and second arms is a resultant force disposed peripheral to the first and second arms.
US08747047B2
A device for unloading compartment trays holding rod shaped elements, for use in the tobacco industry, is disclosed. The device includes an inlet conveyor for full trays, an unloading conveyor for unloading rod shaped elements into a throat, a conveyor for out-feeding stacks of rod shaped elements that have been unloaded into the throat, and an outlet conveyor for empty trays. A linear transporter for the trays has a gripping unit that grips the full trays and moves the full trays for unloading into the throat, and a second gripping unit that grips the empty trays and moves the empty trays for cleaning in a cleaning mechanism.
US08747017B2
A resilient inflatable delineator pole. The delineator pole can include an elongated body enclosing an interior chamber, a flap disposed at a bottom end of the body and having an aperture defined therein, a retention structure for retaining a lower portion of the body within a granular medium, at least one valve disposed on the elongated body and in communication with the interior chamber, and a protective sleeve enclosing a portion of the elongated body.
US08747015B1
An assembly includes a fiber-reinforced composite structure, a bushing, and a fastener. The composite structure includes a composite panel on a first side, where the composite panel defines a hemispherical well. The structure further includes a plurality of stiffening ribs on a second side, which are affixed to the composite panel. The composite panel defines a first bore at the center of the hemispherical well, which extends through the structure. The bushing has a hemispherical end and a flat end, and defines a second bore from the center of the hemispherical end to the center of the flat end. The hemispherical end of the bushing is configured to nest within the hemispherical well defined by the composite structure such that the flat end of the bushing is flush with the surrounding composite panel. The fastener is configured to extend within both of the first bore and the second bore.
US08747014B2
An assembly comprises a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, a first component supported on the shaft, a second component supported on the shaft, and an isolator positioned between the first component and the second component. The second component configured such that the second component induces a force having a component parallel to the axis of the shaft. The force component parallel to the axis of the shaft induced by the second component is transferred directly to the shaft by the isolator and is isolated from the first component.
US08747004B1
An improved device for use as a lid with integral handle for attachment to a can, the lid portion having two concentric sets of threads to engage a container having one of two spout diameters, an applicator or swab being adapted to extend from the handle in which it is situated, the extension distance of the swab being adjustable within the handle, the swab being useful as an applicator for applying liquid coatings, solvents, adhesives, or other materials. The invention also includes a variety of attachments for use with the lid and handle.
US08746998B2
A dot impact printer including a printhead unit having a wire dot head that strikes an ink ribbon against a recording medium to print, and a head support frame that supports the wire dot head; a path forming member that forms the recording medium conveyance path at the printing position of the wire dot head; and a first contact group having at least three contact points disposed to the head support frame that contact the path forming member proximally to the wire dot head for positioning to the path forming member in the head pin projection direction.
US08746992B2
A camera lens accessory holder includes an attachment ring configured to couple to a camera lens accessory such as a lens cap or filter, a base coupled to the attachment ring and a holder mount coupled to the base opposite the attachment ring for removably attaching the holder to an external support structure. The base optionally includes a logo surface facing the attachment ring and optionally includes one or more visual elements such as a logo, text, photograph, or symbol. Some embodiments of a camera lens accessory holder include more than one attachment ring. Other embodiments are provided with means for attaching two holders to each other, one each on opposite sides of a flexible strap or belt. Some embodiments include a clip for attachment of a camera lens accessory holder to a belt, strap, or thin sheet of material.
US08746991B2
A method of repairing an embedded optical fiber of a composite material structure including an embedded optical fiber embedded in a composite material, includes removing a portion of the composite material including a damaged portion of the embedded optical fiber to form an opening portion; polishing an end surface of the embedded optical fiber exposed in the opening portion and an end surface of the composite material exposed in the opening portion; and performing position adjustment such that a core of the polished embedded optical fiber and a core of a replacement optical fiber are aligned with each other, butting the end surface of the embedded optical fiber and an end surface of the replacement optical fiber with each other, and connecting the end surface of the embedded optical fiber and the end surface of the replacement optical fiber together.
US08746985B2
A rolling bearing device for a wheel includes a fixed bearing ring in a tubular shape which is fixed to a vehicle side, and a rotary bearing ring which is rotatably passed through the fixed bearing ring, and includes a plurality of flange portions for mounting the wheel formed on an outer periphery at one end side thereof in an axial direction, and a spigot joint portion in an annular shape protruding in the axial direction formed in a one end part thereof in the axial direction. A circular recess is formed in the one end part of the rotary bearing ring in the axial direction. Thick wall parts for reinforcement are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the spigot joint portion at positions corresponding to regions between a part between the respective flange portions.
US08746981B2
The present invention pertains to a bearing or tolerance ring having multiple functional layers including an annular metallic band and an elastomeric layer. The tolerance ring also includes a low friction layer that is bonded to the other layers. The elastomeric layer of the present invention provides soft performance to reduce noise and vibration without diminishing performance.
US08746980B2
The present invention provides a sliding bearing which is inexpensive, has a simple construction, and is capable of keeping a frictional torque low. A sliding bearing (1) supports a heat roller such as a fixing roller, a pressure roller, and the like of an image-forming apparatus is constructed of an outer ring (3) and an inner ring (2). The outer ring (3) is made of synthetic resin and the inner ring (2) is made of a sintered metal, or the outer ring (3) is made of a sintered metal and the inner ring is made of synthetic resin. The outer circumferential surface of the inner ring (2) is formed as a convexly curved surface, and the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring (3) is formed as a concavely curved surface corresponding to the convexly curved surface. The outer ring (3) is composed of two radially halved parts. The inner ring (2) is fitted on the outer ring (3) by sandwiching the inner ring (2) between the radially halved parts of the outer ring (3) in such a way that the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring (3) and the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring (2) slide relative to each other.
US08746975B2
Systems, assemblies and methods for thermally managing a grazing incidence collector (GIC) for EUV lithography applications are disclosed. The GIC thermal management assembly includes a GIC mirror shell interfaced with a jacket to form a sealed chamber. An open cell, heat transfer (OCHT) material is disposed within the metal chamber and is thermally and mechanically bonded with the GIC mirror shell and jacket. A coolant is flowed in an azimuthally symmetric fashion through the OCHT material between input and output plenums to effectuate cooling when the GIC thermal management assembly is used in a GIC mirror system configured to receive and form collected EUV radiation from an EUV radiation source.
US08746973B2
Systems and methods for obtaining two-dimensional images of an object, such as a patient, in multiple projection planes. In one aspect, the invention advantageously permits quasi-simultaneous image acquisition from multiple projection planes using a single radiation source.An imaging apparatus comprises a gantry having a central opening for positioning an object to be imaged, a source of radiation that is rotatable around the interior of the gantry ring and which is adapted to project radiation onto said object from a plurality of different projection angles; and a detector system adapted to detect the radiation at each projection angle to acquire object images from multiple projection planes in a quasi-simultaneous manner. The gantry can be a substantially “O-shaped” ring, with the source rotatable 360 degrees around the interior of the ring. The source can be an x-ray source, and the imaging apparatus can be used for medical x-ray imaging. The detector array can be a two-dimensional detector, preferably a digital detector.
US08746969B2
A system for and method of determining thermal history of components which are subjected to high-temperature environments, such as in boilers, fuel cells, furnaces, engines and gas turbines, and temperature-monitoring materials and coatings for use in such a system and method.
US08746958B2
A beverage container for mixing a beverage is disclosed. The beverage container includes a cup having a stirring flap integral to an internal side wall of the cup. The stifling flap has a sine wave shape and comprises a top fin protruding near the top of the internal wall and a bottom fin protruding near the bottom of the internal wall of the cup. The top fin and the bottom fin are separated by a central portion. The cup is swirled in a circular motion by a person's hand to mix the liquid contained within. The central portion allows liquid to pass freely through the middle of the cup to gain momentum when the cup is swirled. The bottom fin has the shape of a lower case letter ‘h’, to allow solid material gathered in the bottom of the cup to pass underneath the bottom fin and mix with liquid.
US08746956B2
A vibrator arrangement for producing material columns in the ground comprises an elongate vibrating body with an outer surface having a girth and at least one projection extending at least partially around the girth of the vibrating body. A method of producing a material column in the ground may use such a vibrator arrangement.
US08746938B2
A light combined with a cable illuminates a cable-stayed bridge in which a deck slab is fixed by a cable, or a structure in which wires or cables are combined, so as to achieve improved visual landscaping effects. The light of the present invention comprises a frame (110), a lamp (120), a housing (130), and a switch (150). The frame (110) comprises: a through-hole (111) for the a cable (13) to pass therethrough; a plurality of lamp mounting grooves (112) formed along the circumference of the through-hole (111); and fastening holes (114) which are formed along the circumferential surface of the frame and communicate with the through-hole (111) in the horizontal direction, and each of which has an inner surface provided with a female screw thread. The lamp mounting grooves (112) are formed into steps such that lamp mounting grooves closer to the through-hole (111) are deeper than those farther away from the through-hole. The frame (110) further comprises a bar-shaped first fastening bolt (116) which passes through one of the fastening holes (114), and which has a circumferential surface with a male screw thread so as to engage with the female screw thread. The lamp (120) has light sources (121) fixed in the respective lamp mounting grooves (112) to emit light. The housing (130) accommodates the frame (110). The switch (150) controls the flickering operation of the lamp (120), and is installed within the housing (130).
US08746930B2
In various embodiments, direct illumination is provided from a primary light emitter and decorative illumination is provided from a secondary light emitter illuminating a shade.
US08746929B2
A lighting device combined with an air purification feature is disclosed. At least one function of the device is to provide high quality directional light for general lighting purposes. An additional function is to decompose VOCs and/or destroy microbes in the ambient air. The heat generated by white LEDs is utilized to generate air flow through the device. The geometry is designed to utilize the chimney effect and maximize volumetric flow. The circulated air is purified by a photocatalytic layer applied to the interior surface of the device. The lighting device can be built into pendant luminaires or lamps, thus ensuring vertical orientation of the light module. The exemplary embodiments may be applied in public places, hospitals, ward rooms, and other locations where a cost effective disinfection method is needed.
US08746921B1
A multi-distributive lighting mount includes a first mounting surface rotatably coupled to a second mounting surface. Longitudinally extending LED light modules are coupled to each of the first and second mounting surfaces. The direction of light for each of the first LED light module and the second LED light module is affected by the rotational positioning of the first mounting surface with respect to the second mounting surface. The first mounting surface can also include a first barrel portion and a second barrel portion. The second mounting surface can also include a first barrel portion and a second barrel portion. A pin extends through the second barrel portion of the first mounting surface and the second barrel portion of the second mounting surface to rotatably couple the first mounting surface to the second mounting surface and to act as the axis of rotation of the first mounting surface with respect to the second mounting surface.
US08746917B2
A fan base and illuminated mirror apparatus for use in cooling a user's neck and torso while the user is positioned adjacent the apparatus includes a base member having upper and lower portions. A fan member is pivotally coupled to the base member and selectively movable between upward and downward directed configurations. A length adjustable rod is coupled to the upper portion of the base member and extending upwardly therefrom, the rod being selectively movable between expanded and retracted configurations. A mirror is operatively coupled to an upper end of the rod such that the mirror is vertically displaced from the fan member, the mirror being movable between straight and tilted configurations. The apparatus includes a light coupled to the mirror and electrically connected to a power source, the light configured to illuminate the mirror when energized.
US08746915B2
Light-emitting die (LED) Lamps, heat sinks, and related methods are provided. An LED lamp can include a mounting substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface and side edges. An LED package can be disposed on the top surface of the mounting substrate with the LED package comprising an LED chip. The LED lamp can include a heat sink that can include a heat sink base and a spacer extending upward from the base. The spacer can have a mounting area or pad distal from the heat sink base on which the bottom surface of the mounting substrate is disposed. The spacer can also have a width that is less than a width between the side edges of the mounting substrate. The LED lamp can further include a lens disposed over the LED package and the mounting substrate.
US08746906B2
A light source module for macro photography is disclosed. The light source module is for connecting to a lens of an image capturing apparatus and bearing against a plane surface to capture the image of the plane surface. The light source module includes a barrel, a contact unit and a lighting unit. The barrel has a rear portion for connecting to the lens and a front portion opposite to the rear portion. The contact unit is arranged on an end face of the front portion. The contact unit has a plurality of contact pads arranged at intervals on the end face for contacting with the plane surface. The lighting unit is arranged on the inner surface of the barrel.
US08746896B2
A light source unit includes an excitation light source and a luminescent wheel on which luminescent light emitting areas including, on a reflecting surface, red and green luminescent materials which respectively emit light of red and green wavelength band, when receiving excitation light, and a diffuse transmission area which diffuses and transmits excitation light, are aligned end to end in a circumferential direction. An excitation light incident surface of a luminescent material layer of the luminescent wheel has a surface with a plurality of projecting bodies. Regular quadrangular pyramids are arranged thereon in a matrix with outer boundaries of bottom portions of adjacent regular quadrangular pyramids contacting each other. The pyramids rise at a rising angle of at least 30°, and a length of one side of an outer boundary of the bottom portion of the pyramid is between 10 and 100 μm.
US08746893B2
An image projection system whereby a position of a pointer on a projected image can be easily controlled from a location separated from the main control means. The system comprises a projector, a computer for controlling the projector to display a pointer on a projected image in accordance with an operational signal from a terminal, and a remote controller for the projector. The remote controller comprises a pointing device and a transmitter for transmitting an operation signal as an infrared ray operational signal. The projector comprises a receiver which is an infrared (IR) optical receiver having directivity, and receives the infrared ray operational signal.
US08746890B2
The polarization beam splitting element includes a one-dimensional grating structure having a grating period smaller than a wavelength of an entering beam and including a metal grating portion, and two light-transmissive members each having a refractive index higher than that of air. The one-dimensional grating structure is disposed between the two light-transmissive members. The grating period of the one-dimensional grating structure is 120 nm or less, a thickness of the one-dimensional grating structure is 100 nm or less and an inter-grating portion of the one-dimensional grating structure is formed as a vacuum space or formed of air or a dielectric material. The grating period Λ [nm], a filling factor FF that is a ratio w/Λ of a width w [nm] of the grating portion to the grating period, a refractive index na of the inter-grating portion and a wavelength λg of 550 [nm] satisfy (1.4na−2.9)Λ/λg−0.57na+1.32≦FF≦(1.4na−2.9)Λ/λg−0.57na+1.39 and 0.152np−1.375(Λ/λg)+0.5≦FF≦0.152np−1.375(Λ/λg)+0.6.
US08746887B2
A stereoscopic image projection system including: a beam projector for projecting a left eye image and a right eye image in a side by side format; a stereoscopic image adaptor for alternately projecting the left eye image and the right eye image onto a screen in a time sequence; and a shutter controller for synchronizing a time sequential operation of the stereoscopic image adaptor and opening and closing of right and left shutters of a user shutter glasses.
US08746886B2
The present invention provides methods, systems and software for scaling optical aberration measurements of optical systems. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reconstructing optical tissues of an eye. The method comprises transmitting an image through the optical tissues of the eye. Aberration data from the transmitted image is measured across the optical tissues of the eye at a first plane. A conversion algorithm is applied to the data, converting it to corrective optical power data that can be used as a basis for constructing a treatment for the eye at a second plane.
US08746876B2
Disclosed embodiments relate to eyewear configured to reduce stray light. An exemplary embodiment of the eyewear accounts for various design factors, including the cross sectional profile of the rim, the micro topography of the rim surface, the reflectivity, the theatre or room geometry, proximity of the eye to the lens, lens size, and the screen gain. An exemplary eyewear includes lenses connected to the rim sections of a frame, and a path may be defined through a maximum height of the outer flange portion of a rim section and a maximum height of the inner flange portion of the rim section. The path may be inclined at an angle relative to an angle α relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the lenses.
US08746870B2
In a matting agent coating device, a matting agent within a supplying section is supplied to a metering section. A supplied amount of matting agent at a surface of a metering roller is metered by a metering blade, and an excess amount is filtered at a slit portion. Matting agent is supplied to an application roller that is provided directly beneath. For example, a closed-cell sponge rubber is used as a material of the metering roller, and a size of closed cells is around 5 to 100 times an average particle diameter of the matting agent. The matting agent that has been supplied to a surface of the application roller is transferred and applied onto a recording medium. The matting agent is transferred from the application roller onto image portions of the recording medium due to tackiness of an ink film forming an image.
US08746867B2
Provided is an ink jet recording method including primarily applying a resin ink containing resin components to a recording medium to form a first resin ink layer, and secondarily applying the resin ink to the first resin ink layer to form a second resin ink layer, to thereby form a resin ink layer, wherein each of the primary applying process and the secondary applying process includes drying the applied resin ink.
US08746845B2
A liquid ejection head includes a substrate, a pressure chamber, first and second common liquid chambers, a filter for inhibiting inflow of foreign matter in liquid supplied to the pressure chamber, first and second supply openings respectively communicating with the first and second common liquid chambers, and a liquid receiving portion formed on an opposite surface of the substrate. The second common liquid chamber, the pressure chamber, and the first common liquid chamber are arranged in the listed order in a direction from an end of the substrate to a center of the substrate. The first common liquid chamber communicates with the pressure chamber via the filter, and the second common liquid chamber communicates with the pressure chamber through no filter.
US08746830B2
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming member that jets liquid droplets onto a recording medium and forms an image on a front face of the recording medium, a tension imparting member that induces tension of 100 N/m to 1000 N/m in the recording medium image-formed on the recording medium front face by the image forming member, and a drying member that dries the image formed on the front face of the recording medium when tension induced in the recording medium by the tension imparting member to a residual moisture level of 3 g/m2 or less in the recording medium.
US08746826B2
A device and a method for managing a piezo inkjet head. The device includes: a piezo actuator connected to an inkjet head to generate pressure; a driver that controls driving of the piezo actuator; a sensing resistor connected between the driver and the piezo actuator, a signal amplifier connected across the sensing resistor to amplify the signal applied to the sensing resistor; a signal processor that removes noise of the signal output from the signal amplifier; a controller that determines a signal passing through the signal processor as a reference signal in a state in which bubbles are not introduced into the inkjet head; and a storage unit that stores the signal determined as the reference signal in the controller. The controller calculates a difference between the signal passing through the signal processor and the reference signal to generate a detection signal and determine a state of the inkjet head.
US08746817B2
A case structure of an electronic device includes a main case, a cover, and an elastic driving element. The main case includes a hollow portion, and a spring leaf structure protruding inwardly from a side of the hollow portion. The cover for covering the hollow portion includes a fastening portion, at least one fixing element, and a column portion. The elastic driving element is movably combined with the main case and includes a corresponding fastening portion and an operating portion. When the cover is combined with the main case, the spring leaf structure is pressed by the column portion to generate an elastic deformation; when the operating portion is moved to let the corresponding fastening portion detach from the fastening portion, the cover may detach from the main case with an elastic restoring force exerted by the spring leaf structure on the column portion.
US08746813B2
In a vehicle capable of performing regenerative braking and fluid pressure braking, in changing from the regenerative braking to the fluid pressure braking in response to a decrease of a vehicle speed due to braking, a fluid pressure braking force is increased from 0 at a first increasing rate when the vehicle speed falls to or below a first threshold value (V1), and the fluid pressure braking force is increased at a second increasing rate, which is higher than the first increasing rate, when the vehicle speed falls to or below a second threshold value (V2), which is smaller than the first threshold value (V1). With this configuration, while occurrence of a squeal noise of a wheel cylinder can be prevented by setting the first increasing rate of the fluid pressure braking force at a small value, a required braking force can be generated without any problem by setting the second increasing rate, to be used subsequently thereto, of the fluid pressure braking force at a large value.
US08746805B1
An apparatus for remotely locking a container includes a vehicle having a main frame and a tipper frame hingedly connected to the main frame, at least one of the main frame and tipper frame being configured to receive and support a container thereon; an actuator assembly for pivoting the tipper frame relative the main frame between a reclined, container loading and transport position and an inclined, dumping position; a container configured for receipt, transport and dumping of material, including a box defining a rear opening, and having a door hingedly connected with the container box to swing between an open, material dumping position and a closed position covering and sealing shut the rear opening; at least one lock mechanism connected to at least one of the box and the door; a locking assembly connected to the container; and, an actuator assembly connected to the tipper frame and physically separate from the locking assembly, and when the container is juxtaposed atop the tipper frame said tipper frame is in the transport position, the actuator assembly is operable upon actuation to engage with and cause the locking assembly to engage with the at least one lock mechanism to pull the door tightly against the box and seal closed the opening.
US08746802B1
A chair base having a retractable foot platform is preferably formed from steel and includes a movable carriage. The foot platform is affixed to linkages attached to a rotatable rod. By moving a handle attached to the rod, the retractable foot platform can be pivoted and extended or withdrawn as desired.
US08746800B2
A vehicle head restraint assembly includes a head restraint body for providing support to a vehicle occupant's head and a lower frame assembly for mounting the head restraint body to an associated vehicle structure. The head restraint body is longitudinally adjustable relative to the lower frame assembly. An upper frame assembly can be secured to the head restraint body and movably secured to the lower frame assembly for longitudinally adjusting the head restraint body relative to the lower frame assembly.
US08746799B2
A headrest support rod includes a shaft portion and a support portion. The shaft portion has a first end, a second end, and an annular wall. The annular wall defines a cavity that extends from the first end to the second end. The support portion is formed adjacent to the second end of the shaft portion. At least part of the support portion is a continuous extension of the annular wall of the shaft portion. The shaft portion and the support portion are unitarily formed.
US08746798B2
A vehicle seat assembly includes a support structure and a headrest supported by the support structure. The headrest includes a headrest body that is movable with respect to the support structure between a stowed position and a use position, and a locking mechanism for locking the headrest body in the use position. When the headrest body is in the use position, the locking mechanism is releasable to allow the headrest body to rotate rearwardly and slide downwardly to the stowed position.
US08746797B2
The invention relates to improvements in the object of patent P200603269 for “Automatic rotation system for tilting seats of chairs or armchairs”, comprising rotation supports formed by two parts (1 and 2) which are rotating in relation to one another, between which there is incorporated a rotating draw-spring (4), one of the parts (2) of each rotating support determining an annular channel (5), in which there is housed a ring (6) together with a high-viscosity silicone filler, such that said ring (6) is linked by pulling with the other part (1) of the rotating support, a braking action occurring on the rotation movement between the two parts (1 and 2) due to the friction of that ring (6) with the silicone in the channel (5).
US08746786B2
A sill arrangement of a motor vehicle body is provided that has a sill outer plate, a sill inner plate, and a side wall outer plate, the sill inner plate and the sill outer plate being connected to one another with at least one flange extending essentially in the sill longitudinal direction, and the side wall outer plate fastened at least regionally on a lower side of the sill outer plate at a distance from the connecting flange.
US08746781B2
A reinforcing unit for the vehicle body may include an insert member coupled to a front side member while being inserted in the front side member, and a fender apron lower reinforce member mounted in a fender apron to be coupled to the insert member, so that crash energy transmitted to the fender apron in a front offset crash of the vehicle may be transmitted to the front side member through the reinforcing unit of the vehicle body to be effectively distributed.
US08746778B2
A travel trailer is provided. The travel trailer may include a camping pod that contains tent fabric. The travel trailer may also have a telescoping member that is configured for raising and lowering the camping pod.
US08746771B1
A removable litter support assembly for installation on a interior wall of a transport vehicle. The removable litter support assembly includes a plurality of wall supports and a plurality of straps. Each of the plurality of wall supports are generally oriented vertical and parallel to each other and in a linear orientation and each of the plurality of straps are generally oriented vertical and parallel to each other and in a linear orientation. The linear orientation of the plurality of wall supports being parallel to the linear orientation of the plurality of straps.
US08746770B2
A tension bar for an edge lift anchor for a concrete panel, the tension bar being shaped to provide a central portion to lie adjacent a head portion of the anchor and legs extending from each end of the central portion, an inner side of each leg being profiled to lock into the surrounding concrete, the profiling being formed by a series of longitudinally spaced formations each of generally saw-toothed shape with a leading edge of each formation facing towards the head portion such that on application of tensile load to the tension bar, the leg will lock into the concrete with a generally compressive loading being applied to the concrete in the zone between the two legs.
US08746754B2
A locking device is provided for locking a container having sidewalls and at least one lid defining an open position and a closed position. The locking device may include an elongate lock member configured to engage the lid(s) and a lock housing that is associated with at least one of the sidewalls. The lock housing may be configured to at least partially receive the elongate lock member. The locking device may be designed to be installed on the container in the field, or the locking device may be integrally formed with the container. The lock housing may include a security element that is detectable by a security system to guard against theft of the container. In some cases, a security module is provided that releasably attaches to the lock housing to provide further alarm functionality.
US08746752B2
An inner tubular portion (15) and an outer tubular portion (16) form an insertion space (14) of a plastic pipe (11) and are integrally formed on a joint main body (13). A cap (29) is connected to the outer tubular portion (16) by projection-recess engagement. A retainer mechanism (27) of the plastic pipe (11) is provided between the outer tubular portion (16) and the cap (29). A cutout portion (20) is formed in the outer tubular portion (16), and a bulging engagement portion (24) is arranged on the cutout portion (20). The outer periphery of the bulging engagement portion (24) is connected to the cap (29) by the projection-recess engagement. A restricting portion is provided between the cutout portion (20) and the bulging engagement portion (24). The restricting portion is composed of a first tapered surface (21) and a second tapered surface (25). The first tapered surface (21) is provided on the cutout portion (20) and decreases in width toward the outer end. The second tapered surface (25) is provided on the bulging engagement portion (24) and engaged with the first tapered surface (21).
US08746748B2
A coupling system includes two base bodies, each having an aperture for a fluid, an interior predefined circumferential depression and a locking surface. An adapter piece including an aperture for the fluid has two ends and at least two predefined circumferential depressions, which run at least partially along a circumference of the respective ends, wherein the first base body is associated with the first end of the adapter piece and the second base body is associated with the second end of the adapter piece, wherein in a state in which they are pushed inside each other the circumferential depression associated with the respective end of the adapter piece and the interior circumferential depression of the respective base body are located opposite of each other and form a receiving space. In addition, latching elements are provided to prevent the respective latching element from accidentally sliding out of the associated receiving space.
US08746746B1
Example embodiments are directed to a fitting configured to transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration. In example embodiments, the fitting may include a first member, a second member, a first gusset base extending from the first member, a second gusset base extending from the second member, and a hinge connecting the first member to the second member. In example embodiments, the first gusset base may include at least one first gusset and the second gusset base may include at least one second gusset. In example embodiments a distance between outermost portions of the at least one first and second gussets may be substantially the same as a distance separating the first member from the second member.
US08746739B2
Disclosed is a restraint system for a vehicle, such as a wheeled vehicle, boat, or fixed or rotary winged aircraft. The system includes a control system integrated into the harness and strap of the restraint. This permits crewmembers to lock and unlock the restraint from a body worn control panel. Other auxiliary equipment also be operated from the control panel. In another embodiment, wiring for a communication system is integrated into the harness and strap.
US08746733B2
The pillar garnish has a main body, an extension part that is formed integrally with the main body, including a guide surface at an upper end of the extension part, the guide surface controlling a direction in which the air bag apparatus is unfolded so that the air bag apparatus is unfolded into the interior of the vehicle when the air bag apparatus is inflated, and a box portion that is formed integrally with the main body and the extension part, the box portion being positioned between the main body and the pillar. The box portion has a back wall portion and a pair of side wall portions that are adjacent to the back wall portion and the main body. The side wall portion has a thick portion and a thin portion, the thin portion being disposed closer to the main body than to the back wall portion.
US08746732B1
An airbag assembly can include an inflator that may exert forces on an airbag housing during deployment of an airbag from the housing. The airbag assembly can include a load distributing plate to distribute or delocalize the forces. In some arrangements, the load distributing plate can be attached to the inflator.
US08746729B2
A toe piece for a gliding apparatus, such as a touring ski, including two tightening elements relatively movable between a boot-tightened position, in which they engage respective lateral housings of the boot, and an open position to release the boot, the tightening elements forming a pivot axis for the boot and a stop movable between an active position in which the stop comes into contact with the front end of the boot so as to longitudinally position the lateral housings of the boot, and a retracted position in which the stop does not interfere with normal pivoting of the boot during an ascent phase, the stop being in an active position when the two tightening elements are in the open position and the movable stop is directly connected to the tightening elements, so that a relative displacement of the tightening elements causes the stop to switch between its active and retracted positions.
US08746722B2
A method of using a folding vehicle having a chassis that functions as a protective, carry-on casing is provided. The vehicle has a chassis with a center member, a rotatably-lockable front strut, a rotatably-lockable rear strut, and two pivot points for converting the vehicle from an operational state to a collapsed state; and, a drive member with a crankshaft. The crankshaft and the rotatably-lockable front strut pivot share a central axis of rotation; and, the releasably-lockable front strut and the releasably-lockable rear strut are configured to fold into a complementary relationship in the interior of the channel in the collapsed state. The channel functions as a protective, carry-on case for the folding vehicle in the collapsed state.
US08746712B2
In one aspect, a device for moving objects is provided that includes a carriage having a first planer bearing member coupled to a second planer bearing member therewith forming a recess, each of the bearing members having a plurality of holes therein opposite an intersection of the bearing members; at least one wheel coupled to the carriage member, the wheel having an axis parallel with the intersection of the bearing members; and a first and a second strap having ends removably attachable to each other, each of the straps passing through one of the bearing members.
US08746708B2
A creeper for car repair which belongs to the technical field of basic hand tools, includes a creeper body and an object scraper mechanism which is pivotally connected with one end of the creeper body. The technical solution provided by the present invention is equipped to an object scraper mechanism which is pivotally connected with one end of the creeper body for unfolding from the creeper body and being perpendicular to the service creeper body when the operator is standing upright and heavy objects are carried, as well as laying against the back of the service creeper body when the scraper mechanism is not being used and is folded, thus facilitating the object transportation and reducing the work intensity for the operators.
US08746707B2
Skate, either an in-line roller skate or an ice skate, comprising a frame carrying on or more sliding elements, and a skate boot provided with a sole, said boot being fastened to said frame through a fastening portion, wherein said fastening portion is located between said sole and said frame in a substantially central region in the longitudinal direction of said frame.
US08746705B1
An active roll control system that actively controls roll by changing roll strength of a stabilizer bar by varying a connection position of a stabilizer link, which connects both ends of the stabilizer bar on a subframe with a suspension arm, on the suspension arm. The suspension arm includes a rail unit that has a top opening and includes slide rails arranged in a vehicle width direction within the rail unit, and guides a connector connected with the lower end of the stabilizer link along the slide rails. In addition, an actuator unit of the suspension arm has a driving shaft connected with the connector and provides a forward and rearward driving force to the connector.
US08746697B2
A sheet transport mechanism includes a pair of transport rollers and a roller pressing mechanism. The roller pressing mechanism includes one pair of first levers, one pair of second levers, and an elastic member. The one pair of first levers are supported to swing around a first swing shaft. A rotary shaft of a second roller of the pair of transport rollers is rotatably supported by a bearing aperture formed at substantially a center of the first lever. In addition, the one pair of second levers are supported to swing around the second swing shaft. Both ends of the elastic member are connected to tip ends of the second levers. The end of each second lever rotates around the second swing shaft, and presses the first lever toward the first roller of the pair of transport rollers.
US08746695B2
The present invention relates to a paper money processing apparatus. In the paper money processing apparatus for sorting and counting paper money, the apparatus is divided into three parts in order for sections of a transfer path to open the whole transfer path. When jammed paper money is removed, portions separated from a fixed main body are linked with each other through links to remove the jammed paper money through only one operation.
US08746693B2
A reference member which regulates a position of one side end of a sheet along the sheet conveying direction is provided at one side of a sheet conveying path in the width direction so as to follow the sheet conveying direction and to be rotatable about its downstream end portion in the sheet conveying direction. Then, one side end of the sheet is skew-conveyed toward the reference member by a plurality of pair of skew-conveying rollers which is arranged in the sheet conveying path along the sheet conveying direction. Then, when forming an image on both faces of the sheet, a control portion rotates the reference member so that the sheet is displaced to the center side in the sheet conveying path compared to the case of forming an image on one face of the sheet.
US08746687B2
An image forming apparatus has a rockable member which is configured to rotate about an axis defined at a first end portion among: a first position at which a second end portion at a downstream side in the forward feed direction with respect to the first end portion is supported by the guide member having the first orientation; a second position at which the second end portion is located at a higher position that the second end portion when located at the first position; and a third position at which the second end portion is located at a lower position that the second end portion when located at the first position; and a signal generating unit configured to output a signal corresponding to the position of the rockable member. A photo sensor is provided to generate a signal in accordance with an orientation of the rockable member.
US08746675B2
A sheet feeder attracts an uppermost sheet of a sheet stack of a plurality of stacked sheets, and feeds the sheet in a sheet feeding direction. The sheet feeder includes an endless belt, a charging device, and a control device. The endless belt is made of a dielectric material, passes over upstream and downstream rollers, and is disposed above the sheet stack to face the sheet stack. The charging device applies an alternating voltage to an outer circumferential surface of the endless belt to form thereon alternating charge patterns. The control device separately controls the respective rotation states of the upstream and downstream rollers to make a sheet contact surface of the endless belt go slack in sheet attraction and make the sheet contact surface of the endless belt taut with tension into a substantially flat surface in sheet conveyance.
US08746674B2
A sheet transport apparatus in a sheet processing machine has at least one driven transport belt for the transport of sheet printing materials from a first location to a second location. It being possible for the transport belt to be driven at different transport speeds. The acceptance of the sheet printing materials at the first location is carried out at a relatively low transport speed, and the transfer of the sheet printing materials at the second location is carried out at a relatively high transport speed.
US08746673B1
A system includes a media path along which physical media travels. A media pick device picks and transports the media in the media path according to one or more pick parameters. A device monitor can monitor a media pick or jam event and provide a media pick event output. The media pick event output identifies a media fault relating to at least one of the pick or the transport of the media. A controller processes the media pick event output to control the media pick device.
US08746671B2
A sheet conveying system includes a sheet inserting apparatus that inserts a second recording medium between first recording media conveyed by a sheet conveying apparatus, and transmits a first time at which second recording media can be successively received hypothetically, and a second time indicating a difference between a conveying time from an accumulating unit of a second recording medium to a merging point at which a second recording medium is inserted and a conveying time from a sheet receiving surface of the sheet inserting apparatus to the merging point. The sheet conveying apparatus sets longer one of the received first time and second time as an insertion interval; and conveys first recording media such that an interval extended by an added value obtained by adding a conveying time corresponding to a length of second recording medium to the insertion interval is provided between the first recording media.
US08746670B2
A bundle of identical book blocks composed of a plurality of folded print sheets or signatures standing upright on lower edges of the printed sheets or book blocks. The book blocks are formed with first and last book block sections having different dimensions. A quadrangular bundle is formed from the book blocks by aligning first limit surfaces of the book block sections flush with each other along one of the two side surfaces or along the upper or lower surfaces of the bundle so that a second limit surface of the first book block section opposite the first limit surface of the first book block section projects with an offset with respect to a limit surface of the last book block section opposite the first limit surface of the last book block section. The bundle is compressed and then secured.
US08746669B2
To provide a chip supply pallet preventing destruction of a chip and preventing a reduction in a productivity from being brought about in exchanging a wafer sheet, the chip supply pallet includes a first member 33 having a tension ring 51 brought into contact with a wafer sheet from a lower side, and a fixing member 54 of fixing a ring frame holding the wafer sheet on an inner side on a lower side of the wafer sheet brought into contact with the tension ring 51, and a second member 34 having a fixed portion for fixing to a predetermined position of a chip supply apparatus and a held portion 36 of being held when the chip interchanging pallet 3 is transferred, and the first member 33 is configured to be able to rotationally displace relative to the second member 34 fixed to the predetermined position of the chip supply apparatus.
US08746667B2
A machine tool having a machine frame and a workpiece table. It is provided that the workpiece table (5), on one of its sides (14), is held on the machine frame (2) by a holding device (4), the holding device (4) having at least two holding elements (6, 7), which are spaced apart from one another on the said side (14) of the workpiece table (5) and which are disposed at differing height positions (9, 10), such that an upper and a lower holding element (6, 7) is realized, and at least one of the holding elements (6, 7) being equipped with at least one piezo actuator (24) for altering its length and, associated therewith, influencing the position of the workpiece table.
US08746666B2
A media carrier, adapted to hold a plurality of pieces of magnetic media, is disclosed. This media carrier can be placed on the workpiece support, or platen, allowing the magnetic media to be processed. In some embodiments, the media carrier is designed such that only one side of the magnetic media is exposed, requiring a robot or other equipment to invert each piece of media in the carrier to process the second side. In other embodiments, the media carrier is designed such that both sides of the magnetic media are exposed. In this scenario, the media carrier is inverted on the platen to allow processing of the second side.
US08746657B2
A multi-piece valve disk of a sliding and/or seat valve, a ring seal with an elastic sealing ring with an external sealing zone is placed in a ring groove of the valve disk onto a dimensionally stable backup ring, and where an elastic restoring region effectively positioned between the backup ring and the external sealing zone is arranged in the backup ring, the restoring region being embodied in one piece with the sealing ring of its material adjacent to the external sealing zone of the sealing ring.
US08746655B1
An actuator for a butterfly valve, having a gearbox, an actuator stem and a handle. The actuator stem is formed as a single piece, comprising a position indicator, seal disc, worm gear, and stem shaft with splines for fitting into the valve. The handle is also formed as a single piece, comprising the wheel or knob, shaft, and worm for operating the worm gear. By forming the gearbox as a single piece as well, the entire actuator can be made as three major pieces. Optionally, the gearbox can be formed with cylindrical fittings which press-fit over pins on the valve, replacing the conventional mounting bracket.
US08746645B2
A portable riser for supporting a laptop computer or other article at an angle to a supporting surface. The riser includes a base and lid attached to each other by a double hinge. Arc shaped legs deploy form the riser when the lid is moved from a closed position to an deployed position a position where the lid rests against the opposite side of the base. The legs are formed by deforming a sheet of flexible material that lies between the base and a cover plate. The lid and the sheet of flexible material are coupled to each other so that when the lid is moved from the closed to the deployed position, the sheet of material is deployed.
US08746644B2
An apparatus for hanging an article from a door. In one aspect, the inventive apparatus can comprise a mounting system that can be used to hang a mirror, piece of art, or other flat article that is positioned within a frame to a door without the need for a screw driver or any other tools.
US08746643B2
The inventive concept disclosed comprises a storage grate for grills of the type typically used in outdoor barbecue grills and particularly, kamado-style grills. The device is essentially a one-piece rod having been bent and formed into specific angles and segments, thereby allowing the device to be attached onto an outdoor cooking grill or kamado-style charcoal cooking grill as is marketed by many commercial brands. The device serves the purpose of short-term or long-term retention and storage of the grill used in the cooking process prior to, or after use of the grill for cooking.
US08746642B2
A mounting system for attaching an audio/visual device to a surface via a surface mounting member. The mounting system includes a support attachment bracket configured to operatively connect to the surface mounting member, a display mounting bracket configured to operatively connect to the audio/visual device, an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the display mounting bracket relative to the support attachment bracket between a collapsed position and a tilted position, and a locking feature configured to selectively engage a post for retaining the mounting system in the collapsed position. The locking feature is disposed on one of the support attachment bracket, the display mounting bracket, and the adjustment mechanism. The post is disposed on another of the support attachment bracket, the display mounting bracket, and the adjustment mechanism.
US08746639B2
A flat panel wall mount for mounting a flat panel to a wall has a wall bracket connecting with a mounting bracket. The wall bracket has a wall bracket left section and a wall bracket right section. The wall bracket left section connects to the wall bracket right section by connectors such as bolts and nuts. A wall bracket left section bottom joining tab is formed on the wall bracket and a wall bracket right section bottom joining tab is formed on the wall bracket. The wall bracket left section bottom joining tab connects to the wall bracket right section bottom joining tab. The wall bracket left section bottom joining tab is parallel to the wall bracket right section bottom joining tab.
US08746633B1
A cable positioning bracket is provided for mounting to a building component, e.g. a wall stud. The bracket has an anchor plate for being connected to the broad surface of the building component and a pair of side plates for being connected to the narrow surface of the building component. A pair of platforms are positioned adjacent to a slot for supporting one or more cables. A series of opposed tabs are provided in several embodiments, the tabs oriented to engage and support one or more cables. One side plate pivots away from the building component by means of a hinge plate to insert the cable or cables. The tabs may be formed with side strips surrounding a window, the strips allowing arcuate bending of the tabs to control tab flexure. A score line may be provided to enable bending to fit a building component of a different width.
US08746624B2
An airfoil boundary layer control system may be provided. The airfoil boundary layer control system may include at least one airfoil that may include a first surface and a second surface coupled together at a leading edge and a trailing edge; at least one hollow chamber defined within the at least one airfoil; and an aperture defined in the airfoil and positioned substantially near the trailing edge, the aperture coupled in flow communication with the at least one hollow chamber; a pressure source coupled in flow communication with the at least one hollow chamber.
US08746620B1
Methods and apparatus for an adaptable solar airframe are provided herein. In some embodiments, an adaptable solar airframe includes a solar PV system having at least one solar tracking system and being able to follow the sun position in order to increase sunlight collection and power output; and an expandable body having an aerodynamic cross-section that minimizes parasitic air drag at any given thickness of the body, further being at least partially transparent to sunlight, further enclosing the solar PV system, and further being able to change its shape in response to changes in the positions of the solar PV system.
US08746619B2
The present invention relates to a tail for improving anti-bird strike performance of an aircraft. A leading edge reinforcement having a shape of an isosceles triangle is located inside a tail leading edge. The leading edge reinforcement is spanwisely fixed in sections between respective spans formed by the wing rib inside the tail leading edge along the tail of the aircraft. An apex angle of the leading edge reinforcement is the same as an apex angle or arc transition of the tail leading edge skin. The leading edge reinforcement is fixedly connected with the small front beam by a leading edge reinforcement fixed surface. The present invention additionally installs a leading edge reinforcement in the original tail of the aircraft.
US08746605B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
US08746599B2
Systems and methods for processing and sorting a municipal solid waste stream are described herein. A system can include a processing sub-system configured to receive a municipal solid waste stream and to remove the non-processable waste, a processing apparatus configured and disposed to receive constituents of the municipal solid waste stream from the processing sub-system and reduce the size of the constituents of the waste stream to an average particle size of less than about ¾ inch, and separators configured to sort the waste stream into constituents based on density.
US08746592B2
An improved sprinkler has a flow altering device to change water direction and control the direction of a blade wheel. A gear set causes a sprinkler head's repetitive rotation. The sprinkler head includes a set of corresponding upper plate and lower plate to divide an interior chamber of the sprinkler head to two chambers: a control chamber and a gear chamber. A water inlet pipe connects only with the control chamber to provide water to enter the control chamber. The upper plate and the lower plate form a filtering channel interconnecting between the control chamber and the gear chamber. The water from the control chamber can flow into the gear chamber through the filtering channel. The filtering channel filters the large/coarser particle debris in the water and the water flowing into the gear chamber can lubricate and cool the gear set in the gear chamber.
US08746589B2
A boom structure for a mobile agricultural implement. The boom structure includes a first transversely extending beam member having a first protrusion. The boom structure includes a second transversely extending beam member having a second protrusion. The second transversely extending beam member is spatially offset from the first transversely extending beam member. A plurality of first coupling members are coupled to the first protrusion and a plurality of second coupling members coupled to the second protrusion. A plurality of connecting members are coupled to the first and second coupling members to connect the first and second transversely extending beam members.
US08746579B1
A card exhibiting enhanced detection is provided. A plurality of detector shapes that may be associated with a detection system increases detection effectiveness, while reducing adverse effects of detection systems that may be operating within a electromagnetic field environment.
US08746578B2
A storage device contains a smart-card device and a memory device, both connected to a controller. The storage device may be used in the same manner as a conventional smart-card device, or it may be used to store a relatively large amount of data in various partitions. One of these partitions may be a read-only partition that is normally accessible only for read accesses. However, it may sometimes be necessary to update or supplement the data stored in the read-only partition. This is accomplished by a host issuing an appropriate command to the storage device, which may be accompanied by an identifier for an appropriate level of authorization. The controller then changes the attribute of the read-only partition from “read-only” to “read/write” to allow data to be written to the partition. Upon completion, the controller changes the attribute of the partition back to read-only.
US08746576B2
Systems, devices, admixtures, and methods are described including transponder devices (e.g., a palatable transponder, an edible transponder, a palatable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an edible RFID tag, etc.) for admixing with a food product.
US08746575B2
The invention comprises an RFID card consisting of at least one upper layer, one lower layer, one functional layer comprising at least one electronic component, an antenna connected to the electronic component, wherein the card also comprises a compensator between the functional layer and the lower layer, the compensator being recessed at the location of the electronic component and of thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the electronic component on the functional layer and in that the layers are assembled together by adhesion. The invention also comprises the continuous manufacturing method of the RFID card and the machine according to the manufacturing method of the RFID card.
US08746571B2
An apparatus includes a battery in the housing, a first light indicator operative to emit light in a first color with the duration of a first time period after a predetermined triggering event, and a second light indicator operative to emit light in a second color with the duration of a second time period after the predetermined triggering event. The ratio between the first time period and the second time period monotonically depends upon a state of charge on the battery.
US08746568B2
Data transfer using barcodes is described. In one example data can be transferred between a first device and a second device in close proximity to each other using repeating barcode sequences. For example at the first device a data item can be encoded as a sequence of barcodes, each barcode includes an indicator of the number of barcodes in the sequence and the position of the barcode in the sequence. To receive the data at a second device the barcode sequence can be captured and stored, for example using a digital camera associated with the device, and the barcodes subsequently decoded using the captured sequence. The data contained in each of the barcodes in the sequence can be reassembled by the receiving device to obtain the transmitted data.
US08746565B2
Bar codes used for various applications. A bar code can be used for biometrics, or for computer data entry. A special bar code is described that has additional information, but can be read by other readers.
US08746564B2
Systems and methods for data reading, which in one example configuration is directed to an automated optical code data reader in the form of a tunnel or portal scanner having an open architecture configured with front and rear inverted U-shaped arches, a plurality of cameras (some or most of which have multiple fields of view) in each of the arches for reading the top five sides of an item being passed by a conveyor through a read region formed by the arches, and a bottom reader including one or more cameras under the conveyor for reading a bottom side of the item through a gap in the conveyors as the item is passed over the gap. Also disclosed are specific imaging schemes for providing effective views of the items with a minimum number of cameras.
US08746560B2
A system and method are provided for indicating an existence of a link to information pertaining to an article of commerce. The present disclosure provides for downloading a look-up table from a server database to a mobile device via a communication network. The look-up table is configured to store a plurality of UPC numbers associated with a plurality of articles of commerce and a plurality of information link indicators. Each information link indicator is associated with a respective UPC number and article of commerce and indicates the existence of a link via the communication network to information pertaining to the respective article of commerce. The mobile device allows a consumer to immediately determine if product information is available for a particular article of commerce, via a visual or audible indication on the mobile device, without access to the communication network.
US08746557B2
Under the present invention, item verification is automated and expedited. Specifically, items to be purchased can be scanned by the shopper using a barcode reader (e.g., a scanner) attached to or positioned near the shopping receptacle. As items are scanned, they are identified based on their barcode and added to an item list. Item verification can then performed at checkout using imaging technology. For example, the shopping cart or shopping basket can be brought into the field of view of a computer-connected camera. The camera and computer can, working from the customer's item list developed when the items are scanned, observe each product in the receptacle and “ring it up”. If all products can be accounted for, the customer is free to leave; otherwise the customer is denied egress, informed of the problem, etc. A store employee can also be signaled to investigate. The total time required to make the decision is the time to take a picture and process it, which by human standards is very fast; faster than existing verification methods.
US08746544B2
A collapsible cardboard box and lid. The box sides each comprise an outer face and an inner face flap connected by a fold-over region. Mitered edges of adjacent fold-over regions align to define mitered corners of the box opening periphery. Intermediate side flaps connected to the outer shell bottom are sandwiched between the side outer faces and inner face flaps, and a locking flap connected to one of the sides defines an interior bottom. The lid top face is connected to a first set of outer side faces connected by a fold-over region to inner side faces. One inner side face is connected to a top locking liner flap that extends to an abutment with the inner side face to define the lid interior. A second set of outer side faces connects to intermediate flaps sandwiched between the first set of outer side faces and inner side faces.
US08746542B2
A carton comprising an inner layer (100) and an outer layer (2), the inner layer comprises at least one side wall, which inner side wall comprises at least two layers (116, 118) of carton material in a face to face relationship with one another and the outer layer comprises a base portion (4) and at least one side wall (14, 22) about the inner layer side wall.
US08746538B2
A joining method that allows joining processing to be carried out simultaneously at a plurality of portions without being influenced by a supply time restriction on a joining material, and a semiconductor device manufacturing method using the joining method are provided. A chip and a lead frame are tentatively assembled having a solid solder block interposed therebetween. The solder block is provided with protruding parts that protrude in one direction. The protruding parts are inserted into solder supply ports of the lead frame, whereby the chip and the lead frame are tentatively assembled. Subsequently, the chip and the lead frame are fed into a reflow oven, and the solder block is melted and thereafter solidified. Thus, the chip and the lead frame are joined to each other.
US08746526B2
A fastener driver comprises a housing and a magazine configured to retain a plurality of fasteners. A driver assembly is positioned within the housing and is configured to provide an expulsion force that expels one of the plurality of fasteners from the magazine. The device further includes a lockout member configured to pivot about a pivot axis between an unlocked position and a lockout position. The pivot axis is configured to move relative to the housing when a work contact element is depressed. The driver assembly is prevented from providing the expulsion force when the lockout arm is in the lockout position. The pivot arm moves from the unlocked position to the lockout position when a low level of fasteners remains in the magazine.
US08746514B2
A dispensing device includes a housing having a material chamber in fluid communication with a material inlet port and a nozzle. The dispensing device also includes a valve in fluid communication with the material chamber and the nozzle. The valve includes a tip, a stem, and a seat. The stem is configured to move relative to the seat to control the flow of material exiting the housing through the nozzle. The tip is fixedly attached to the stem at a second distal. The tip includes a rounded head and a neck, the tip being fixedly attached to the stem by inserting the neck into a bore disposed within the stem.
US08746513B2
A shaker dispenser for containing and dispensing product includes a body, a handle, and a dispensing mechanism. The handle includes a base portion and a handle gripping portion that a user may grip to transport and use the dispenser. The handle is inserted within the body such that the entire handle, including the handle gripping portion, is within the body, thereby allowing the shaker dispenser to sit, if desired, on the end having the handle. The body includes indentations, or cut-aways, that allow the handle to be visible from at least one of: a front view, a side view, and a back view. A method of manufacture and use of a shaker dispenser is also described.
US08746512B2
A sealing structure which seals a container body and an aerosol valve without providing a seal member between them. An aerosol container employing the seal structure comprises a bottomed cylinder like container body and an aerosol valve firmly fixed to the opening of the container body. The seal structure between the container body of the aerosol container and the aerosol valve is formed of a valve support portion of the container body and a step portion of the aerosol valve. The aerosol container is manufactured by deforming a corner of the step portion into a curved surface shape from a square shape by applying an annular force to the step portion from a convex surface by plastically deforming a lower part of a cover cap and a part of the container body while pushing the cover cap downward.
US08746510B2
A device for dispensing a flowable material is disclosed. The device includes a container holding the flowable material therein and a pumping assembly attached to the container. The pumping assembly includes a pump and a placard portion configured for displaying viewable information thereon associated with the flowable material.
US08746506B2
A multi-tower modular dispensing system including at least a first dispensing head and a second dispensing head at a counter, a transfer unit located remotely from the counter, piping extending from the transfer unit to the counter, the transfer unit including a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources, the centralized ingredient system configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a first beverage at the counter, the piping including a main micro bundle, the main micro bundle including at least two separate beverage ingredient lines.
US08746505B2
A multi-sensory product able to disperse chemical actives using reeds or other wicks, as well as providing a light show is disclosed. The product includes a form-within-a-form design wherein the inner form or vase is able to store the chemical actives, as well as mount the reeds or other wicks. The outer vase complements the aesthetics of the inner vase while at the same time concealing the electronics of the device. The electronics of the device can include a power source, as well as a circuit board for driving LEDs mounted thereon. The LEDs can generate a light show which can be refracted and diffused through the glass or polymer material forming the inner and outer vases thereby creating an aesthetically pleasing and multi-sensory experience through the use of the product.
US08746499B2
In a container for solid, paste-like or flowable products, particularly food products, comprising a lower container part for containing the products and a container top part for closing the container, wherein the container bottom part has a rim which extends around the container bottom part opening, the container top part has a collar element which extends around the rim of the container bottom part and an essentially flat areal cover element connected to the collar element and releasably connected to the rim of the container bottom part when, after filling of the container bottom part with a product, the container is closed by the container top part.
US08746489B2
The present application provides a container, such as a metal or plastic can, that has a rim with an integral heat seal zone (26) and a heat sealable powder or hot melt coating (42) applied to the heat seal zone (26) of the upper rim. In another embodiment, the container includes: a sidewall having an upper rim, wherein the upper rim includes an upwardly inclined and integrally formed heat seal zone (26); a heat sealable coating (42) applied to the heat seal zone (26) of the upper rim; and a peelable foil lid (30) removably attached to the heat seal zone (26) of the upper rim.
US08746488B2
A can for packaging food, comprising a metal can body and a diaphragm lid (16) formed of lidding material which comprises a multilayer structure with at least an aluminum layer of from 6 to 90 microns thickness and a bond layer for fixing the lid (16) directly to the can body. One method for forming the can forms the lidding material by using an outwardly extending curl (20) at one end of the metal can body as the draw die. Lidding material which is carried by the body maker punch is drawn around the curl of the can body draw die so as to form the lidding material into a cup shape.
US08746487B1
A food container includes a glass container, a lid and a protective sleeve. The sleeve covers at least a portion of the side walls and bottom surface of the glass container. The lid has a perimeter that is absent of securing features for the container. The lid has a receiving feature which is engaged by a latch on the protective sleeve when the latch is moved from an open position to a locked position.
US08746481B2
A flexible plastic sheet cover for a produce container which is collapsible and has a plurality of ventilators wherein the improvement is having a seamed cover center and having seamless end bands that grip the end walls of the container and a method for making the cover from a tubular sheet.
US08746473B2
An improved coupler body having an area of increased material in the upper lock chamber.
US08746472B2
Wall mounting assemblies and methods are disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket that has two frame members coupled at a hinge. Each frame member has a hook for engaging a recess or slot on a panel. The assembly further includes a panel that has edges that are configured to engage the edges of adjacent panels, without the need for tilting the panel to engage. Each panel has two slots for receiving the bracket. Bending the two frame members on the bracket causes the bracket's hooks to lock into the slots on the panel.
US08746469B1
An improved fishing rod caddy that is removably mountable to the bed of a pickup truck is presented. The improved rod caddy securely holds fishing rods in a horizontal position in a pickup truck bed such that the rods are free from bending loads created by wind resistance and are protected from undue jostling, abrasion or marring during transport.
US08746466B2
A cable management frame assembly comprising a collapsible frame chassis and a plurality of positionally configurable cable management fixtures that can be affixed to the frame chassis without the use of tools or additional hardware such screws, nuts or bolts. A panel mount allows patch panels and equipment to be mounted to the frame chassis without the use of tools or additional hardware.
US08746460B2
The present invention describes an apparatus (1) for the sieving and fluid separation of a material containing fractions of a solid and fluid, the material being placed on an upper side of at least one sieving element (13), and the apparatus (1) being provided with at least one fluid-flow-generating device (5) for the production of a fluid flow through a portion of the material-carrying sieving element (13). The invention also describes a method of using the apparatus (1).
US08746458B2
The present invention discloses a method for axial separation by an eccentric inner surface of a permanent magnetic drum, comprising: adsorbing materials to be selected that flow through the inner surface field strength and the gradient area of a rotating eccentric drum (2) by using the energy on the inner surface of a rotating permanent magnetic drum (1), wherein materials with lower specific susceptibility pass through a selected material channel (14) consisted of the eccentric drum (2) and the outer surface of the arched drum of a field strength gradient regulating mechanism (5), and flow out of a low magnetic material outlet (9); materials with higher specific susceptibility are absorbed on the rotating eccentric drum (2), and in an area with higher eccentricity, materials with higher specific susceptibility are stripped off, fall into a high magnetic material groove (7), flow to a high magnetic material outlet (8), and then are collected. There also provides a device for axial separation by an eccentric inner surface of a permanent magnetic drum.
US08746457B2
The present invention discloses a method and a device for axial separation by the inner surface of a permanent magnetic arched groove, comprising: adsorbing materials to be selected that axially flow through the inner surface field strength and the gradient area of a rotating separation drum (2) by using the energy on the inner surface of a permanent magnetic arched groove (1); wherein materials with lower specific susceptibility pass through a selected material channel (13) and flow out of a low magnetic material outlet (9); materials with higher specific susceptibility are adsorbed on the rotating separation drum (2) and fall into a high magnetic material groove (7) under the action of its gravity; and materials with higher specific susceptibility flow through a high magnetic material outlet (8) and then are collected; thereby various materials with different specific susceptibilities can be separated.
US08746456B1
A food and/or beverage tray includes a tray body portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first portion of the lower surface of the tray body portion configured to rest on the forearm of the user, a second portion of the lower surface of the tray body portion configured to rest on the hand of the user; a notch provided in a first end of the tray body portion, the notch configured to receive a cross-sectional portion of an arm of the user near the elbow; and at least one finger aperture disposed through the tray body portion, the at least one finger aperture configured to accommodate a finger of the hand of the user, the at least one finger aperture being located proximate to a second end of the tray body portion that is disposed generally opposite to the first end of the tray body portion.
US08746455B2
A pill container includes: a container body defining a pill-storing space for storing pills therein and having a plurality of sides, top and bottom walls and a plurality of first side walls interconnecting the top and bottom walls, and disposed respectively at corresponding ones of the sides, each of the first side walls being formed with an access opening for access into the pill-storing space; a plurality of first doors connected to the first side walls for closing and opening the access openings in the first side walls, respectively; and a plurality of different first marks, each of which is provided on a respective one of the first side walls or a respective one of the first doors. The first marks respectively represent different times of a day for taking the pills.
US08746454B2
A secure package (1) for drugs, blocks access to the drugs such that, to gain access to the drugs, the user must execute two simultaneous actions. When one of the actions is interrupted, access is rendered impossible. The secure package includes a case (2), a blister (3), and an elastic biasing system (4). The blister (3) is a cellular card pack for dispensing pills. The blister (3) is mobile and can be moved in translation in the case (2) by being slid on its base wall (16). Thus, the blister can take up two positions, namely an initial rest position, wherein the position of the cells (10) does not correspond to holes (19) formed in the base wall (16) and a so-called active position, wherein the cells (10) are in a position corresponding to the holes (19) in the base wall (16).
US08746440B2
A continuous recovery system for an electrorefiner system may include a trough having a ridge portion and a furrow portion. The furrow portion may include a first section and a second section. An inlet and exit pipe may be connected to the trough. The inlet pipe may include an outlet opening that opens up to the first section of the furrow portion of the trough. The exit pipe may include an entrance opening that opens up to the second section of the furrow portion of the trough. A chain may extend through the inlet and exit pipes and along the furrow portion of the trough. The chain may be in a continuous loop form. A plurality of flights may be secured to the chain. Accordingly, the desired product may be continuously harvested from the electrorefiner system without having to halt the electrical power and/or remove the cathode and anode assemblies.
US08746429B1
The present device is an improved clutch system that conveys rotational energy from a power source to the gearbox input shaft of a motorcycle. A clutch basket is mechanically coupled to the power source and slidably engaged to pronged clutch drive plates, which are frictionally engaged to splined steel driven plates. A clutch hub engages the splined steel driven plates when pressurized air moves a piston against a pressure plate, causing the clutch hub and splined steel driven plates to engage. The rotating splined steel driven plates will then rotate the clutch hub to convey rotational energy to the gearbox input shaft of the motorcycle.
US08746428B2
A clutch device including at least one torque transmission device engageable and/or disengageable in an axial direction by a lever element and forming a friction-locking connection when engaged, at least one wear readjustment device that includes at least one rotatable ramp ring at least temporarily clampable by the lever element and at least one spindle drive rotatably supported to act on the ramp ring and including a spindle shaft, where the wear readjustment device includes at least one infinitely variable freewheel unit to rotate the spindle shaft in the case of a sensed wear condition of the torque transmission device, the infinitely variable freewheel unit including at least one wrap spring or at least one freewheel sleeve.
US08746424B2
A torque converter, including: a turbine with a turbine shell; and a damper assembly including: an output flange; a first cover plate; a first drive plate fixedly secured to the turbine shell; a first plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate; a second plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate and the output flange; a third plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate and the first drive plate; and a single torque path from the turbine shell to the damper assembly, the single torque path formed by the first drive plate.
US08746409B2
A linear transmission assembly having a lubricant recovery module is composed of a movable member having a chamber; a first oil wick inserted into the movable member and the chamber and having a first oil-absorbable portion and a first oil-dischargeable portion; an oil tank mounted to the movable member and having an oil room for storage of lubricating oil; a second oil wick mounted to the oil tank and having a second oil-absorbable portion and a second oil-dischargeable portion, the former of which extends into the oil room for contact with the lubricating oil and the latter of which reaches the chamber; and a third oil wick having a third oil-absorbable portion and a third oil-dischargeable portion, the former of which reaches the chamber and the latter of which does not contact the lubricating oil. Thus, the lubricating can be prevented from overspill and staining the linear transmission device.
US08746398B2
An acoustic material can be electromagnetically tuned to produce alterations in its acoustical properties without physical contact. The acoustic material should contain a periodic structure and a medium that has acousto-elastical properties that can be altered through the application of electromagnetic radiation. Changes in volumetric properties such as density result in changes to the velocity at which sound passes through the material. The acoustic material can be a phononic crystal that undergoes a change in its acoustic bandgap after being subjected to electromagnetic radiation. This electromagnetic tuning ability results in the ability to change the acoustic properties of various phononic devices without physical contact.
US08746391B2
An electric vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a seat, a driving wheel, a motor, a battery, an accessory, and an accessory box. The vehicle body frame includes a head pipe, a main frame connected to the head pipe, and a first seat frame attached to the main frame. The seat is fixed to an upper portion of the first seat frame. The driving wheel is rotatable relative to the vehicle body frame. The motor is connected to the driving wheel to rotate the driving wheel. The battery is configured to supply power to the motor. The accessory is configured to assist at least one of the motor and the battery. The accessory box stores the battery and the accessory. The accessory box is provided above a rear end of the main frame and under the seat.
US08746390B2
A body frame of a straddle-type vehicle is provided with a first cross tube 21 for interconnecting left and right main frames 13 in a right-left direction, and a second cross tube 22 disposed rearwards of the first cross tube 21 and for interconnecting the of left and right main frames 13. A shock absorber mounting portion 23 is mounted so as to interconnect the first cross tube 21 and the second cross tube 22. An extension/contraction axis L1 of a shock absorber 41 and a line L2 passing through an axis of the first cross tube 21 and an axis of the second cross tubes 22 are offset in a side view of a vehicle in a right-left direction.
US08746384B2
An electric vehicle capable of protecting a coupling portion between a wheel and an axle from disturbance. An electric vehicle includes an axle that is a hollow cylindrical shaft passing substantially coaxially through a wheel in a manner extending from both sides of the wheel. A motor shaft is inserted into a hollow portion of the axle substantially coaxially with the axle in a manner extending from both ends of the axle. In this case, a motor is connected to a base end of the motor shaft extending from one end of the axle. Between the wheel and the motor, there are provided a coupling portion for coupling between the one end of the axle and the wheel, and a labyrinth structure for sealing between the wheel and the motor in a manner surrounding the coupling portion.
US08746376B2
Embodiments relate to methods of fabricating PCD materials by subjecting a mixture that exhibits a broad diamond particle size distribution to an HPHT process, PCD materials so-formed, and PDCs including a polycrystalline diamond table comprising such PCD materials. In an embodiment, a PCD material includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains that exhibit a substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution characterized, at least in part, by a parameter θ that is less than about 1.0. θ = x 6 · σ , where x is the average grain size of the substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution, and σ is the standard deviation of the substantially unimodal diamond grain size distribution.
US08746368B2
A drill bit system for a drilling assembly is disclosed. The drill bit system may include a chassis, a head, and one or more compliantly coupled gauge pads. The head may include a first plurality of cutters coupled with an end of the head, and the head may be coupled with chassis. The one or more gauge pads may include a second plurality of cutters, and the one or more gauge pads may be movably coupled with the chassis.
US08746367B2
Methods and associated tools and components related to generating and obtaining performance data during drilling operations of a subterranean formation is disclosed. Performance data may include thermal and mechanical information related to earth-boring drilling tool during a drilling operation are disclosed. For example, a cutting element of an earth-boring drilling tool may include a substrate with a cutting surface thereon. The cutting element may further include at least one thermistor sensor coupled with the cutting surface, and a conductive pathway operably coupled with the at least one thermistor sensor. The at least one thermistor sensor may be configured to vary a resistance in response to a change in temperature. The conductive pathway may be configured to provide a current path through the at least one thermistor sensor in response to a voltage. Other methods, tools and components are provided.
US08746365B2
Shock waves produced during electro-hydraulic drilling can be reflected into a rock body where the reflected shock waves are converted from compression waves to tension waves, which are more efficient at breaking down the rock body. A system configured for electro-hydraulic drilling where shock waves produced during drilling are reflected into the rock body includes two electrodes and a shock wave reflector disposed at an electro-hydraulic drill head. The two electrodes are configured to (1) facilitate formation of a spark along a spark path spanning the two electrodes and (2) facilitate a pulse of electricity being passed through the spark to form a primary shock wave emanating from the spark path. The shock wave reflector is configured to reflect a portion of the primary shock wave such that the reflected shock wave is concentrated to a focal region within the rock body.
US08746364B2
An electric power tool includes a motor; a speed reducer for transferring a rotational power of the motor at a reduced speed; and a reduction ratio changing unit for changing a reduction ratio of the speed reducer. The speed reduction mechanism includes an axially slidable changeover member and a gear member, the changeover member being engaged with or disengaged from the gear member depending on an axial slide position thereof. The reduction ratio changing unit includes a shift actuator for axially sliding the changeover member, a driving state detector for detecting a driving state of the motor, a slide position detector for detecting a slide position of the changeover member and a controller for driving the shift actuator and for changing a drive control of the shift actuator depending on detection results of the slide position detector unit and the driving state detector unit, respectively.
US08746360B2
A plastic mulch retriever comprises a body and at least one set of cutting or digging elements mounted to the body to loosen plastic mulch embedded in the ground. At least one conveyor is mounted to the body rearward of the at least one set of cutting or digging elements. The conveyor engages the loosened plastic mulch and removes at least some of the ground material attached to the extracted plastic mulch. At least one storage device can be mounted to the body rearward of the conveyor to store the retrieved plastic mulch. Embodiments of the plastic mulch retriever comprise multiple sets of cutting or digging elements and multiple respective conveyors.
US08746355B2
A fire-extinguishing bomb that can be pre-programmed to explode 2-200 feet above the ground or tree line. The bomb employs a laser or barometric altitude sensor in combination with a GPS-altitude sensor for failsafe detonation with extreme accuracy at the proper altitude. The redundant failsafe altitude-dependent detonation system ruptures a container carrying a payload of wet or dry fire retardant/suppressant, preferably dry environmentally-friendly fire-retardant powder having no toxicity and having fertilizer properties. Upon detonation the device coats the ground below with a uniform fire extinguishing coating. The core components of the bomb can be biodegradable, or alternatively can be readily retrieved and reused after each activation, thereby increasing both economy and reducing environmental concerns.
US08746349B2
A drilling riser adapter variably connects and releases a riser from a subsea wellhead assembly. The drilling riser adapter has a hydraulically actuated engagement assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging a lower end of the marine riser. The drilling riser adapter also includes a control panel communicatively coupled to the engagement assembly for actuating the engagement assembly to engage and disengage the lower end of the marine riser. The drilling riser adapter also includes a hydraulic fluid pressure receptacle on the control panel for engagement by a remotely operated vehicle to supply hydraulic fluid pressure to the engagement assembly. The drilling riser adapter may be actuated subsea to release a first riser from the wellhead assembly, and connect to a second riser.
US08746343B2
A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore. The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off. The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition.
US08746335B2
A borehole is drilled from the surface to an underground shale matrix. A pipe is inserted into the borehole. Openings are created in the pipe in fluid communication with fractures in the shale matrix. The interior surface of at least one section of pipe is coated with a contaminant-capturing substance. Fracturing fluid including water, proppants and chemicals is pumped through the pipe and into the fractures in the shale matrix. The fluid re-enters the pipe from the shale matrix and moves toward the surface through the coated pipe section where contaminants are sequestered by the coating. Natural gas or oil from the fractured shale then enters the pipe and moves to the surface to be collected. The coated pipe section remains in the ground permanently such that the necessity of disposing of the captured contaminants is eliminated.
US08746324B2
The present invention relates to the field of magnesium and magnesium alloy processing, and discloses a use of aluminum-zirconium-carbon (Al—Zr—C) intermediate alloy in wrought processing of magnesium and magnesium alloys, wherein the aluminum-zirconium-carbon intermediate alloy has a chemical composition of: 0.01% to 10% Zr, 0.01% to 0.3% C, and Al in balance, based on weight percentage; the wrought processing is plastic molding; and the use is to refine the grains of magnesium or magnesium alloys. The present invention further discloses the method for using the aluminum-zirconium-carbon (Al—Zr—C) intermediate alloy in casting and rolling magnesium and magnesium alloys. The present invention provides an aluminum-zirconium-carbon (Al—Zr—C) intermediate alloy and the use thereof in the plastic wrought processing of magnesium or magnesium alloys as a grain refiner. The aluminum-zirconium-carbon intermediate alloy has the advantages of great ability in nucleation and good grain refining effect, and achieves the continuous and large-scale production of wrought magnesium and magnesium alloy materials.
US08746323B1
A continuous casting furnace is configured for efficiently continuously casting ingots, including titanium alloy ingots. The furnace is configured with an internal cutter for cutting an ingot within the furnace interior chamber. The furnace typically includes a first interior chamber in which a continuous casting mold is disposed and a withdrawal chamber which is separable from the first interior chamber to facilitate withdrawal of finished ingots therefrom while casting continues within the first chamber.
US08746321B2
The present invention is directed to a rolling protective shutter having an improved stopping mechanism that prevents the shutter from completely rolling up onto the shutter support member, and that is hidden within the shutter housing or the side tracks. The stopping mechanism may include a limit switch operatively connected to a drive motor to detect a disposition of the base slat of the shutter curtain proximate the shutter housing. The limit switch may actuate to turn off the drive motor at an appropriate position to retain the base slat within the side tracks and to prevent damage to the shutter housing due to engagement by the base slat.
US08746311B1
The present invention is a process for performing rigid-to-rigid substrate lamination implementing pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). The process may include pressurizing a first sealed cavity to a first pressure. The process may further include creating a vacuum within a second sealed cavity, the second sealed cavity being sealed from the first sealed cavity by a flexible membrane. The process may further include applying the first pressure to a laminate assembly stack via the flexible membrane, the laminate assembly stack including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a PSA layer, the PSA layer being positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate. The process may further include applying the vacuum created within the second sealed cavity to the laminate assembly stack. The applied first pressure and the applied vacuum promote intimate contact between the first substrate and the second substrate of the laminate assembly stack via the PSA layer.
US08746307B2
A pneumatic tire having a belt structure includes: a first belt layer; a second belt layer in a radially inner position with respect to the first belt layer, a third belt layer in a radially inner position with respect to the first and second belt layers, each belt layer including a plurality of elongated reinforcing elements disposed at a first, second and third belt angle respectively. The first and second belt angles have an absolute value of 15 to 40 degrees; the second angle is of opposite sign with respect to the first belt angle; and the third belt angle has an absolute value of 40 to 90 degrees and is of opposite sign with respect to the second belt angle. The belt structure also includes a zero degree belt layer placed in a radially outer position with repeat to the first belt layer including elongated reinforcing elements arranged such as to form a belt angle which is substantially zero.
US08746301B2
A disclosed protective cover assembly includes features that maintain a suction cup in a desired orientation such that a release tab remains accessible and includes features that aid in positioning and that prevent errant premature release. The disclosed protective panel assembly includes an improved suction cup that provides for limited contact during positioning of the panel. Further, the assembly includes the clip that holds the suction cup in place while also protecting the release tab. The protective cover includes pad and cushion that pulls on the button of the suction cup to generate a vacuum within a desired range that does not affect the surface finish while generating a sufficient holding force.
US08746294B2
A metering device for powdery substances, particularly for preparing dental and dental laboratory powder compounds. The powder compounds can be filled into a storage container (1) and fed from the storage container (1) to a vessel (9) using a discharge device. The lower region (3) of the storage container (1) is tapered, and in the storage container (1) an insert (4) is arranged, which has at least one upwardly tapering section (5), wherein the insert (4) is arranged in the tapered lower region (3) of the storage container (1). A through-passage (7) remains clear between the lower edge (6) of the tapering section (5) of the insert (4) and the tapered lower region (3) of the storage container (1). The insert (4) and/or the storage container (1) is associated with a vibration unit (8). The vessel (9) receiving the metered powder can be placed on a weighing unit (10), wherein the weighing unit (10) and the vibration unit (8) are operatively connected to each other.
US08746291B2
A custom color paint or stain tinting system employs a dark-colored non-infrared-absorptive liquid base paint or stain and a point-of-sale array of concentrated liquid colorants which when dispensed into the base paint or stain provide custom-tinted non-infrared-absorptive paints or stains in lightened shades and a variety of tints. Dark custom-tinted paints or stains are tinted lighter from a dark-colored base, not darker from a white or light colored base as is done in conventional point-of-sale systems.
US08746286B2
A hydraulic accumulator has a first housing shell (2) and a second housing shell (3). The opening edges (5, 6) of the shells overlap in relation to the longitudinal axis (4) of the hydraulic accumulator (1) such that they define a partial volume of the hydraulic accumulator (1). The accumulator also has a separating element (7) separating inner working chambers (9, 10) from each other within the accumulator housing (8) in a medium-tight manner. The housing is formed by the housing shells (2, 3). The opening edge (5) of the radially outer-lying housing shell (2) is positively coupled to the circumference of the radially inner-lying housing shell (3) by reshaping.
US08746279B2
A valve assembly includes a housing with a housing control bore, a supply port in selective fluid communication with the housing control bore for receiving working fluid from a working fluid source, a control port in fluid communication with the housing control bore for communicating the working fluid to and from a working device switchable from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation at a predetermined pressure, and a vent port in fluid communication with the housing control bore for selectively returning the working fluid to the working fluid source. A supply valve member is selectively seated and unseat with a supply valve seat. A bleed orifice is provided for communicating the working fluid from the supply port to the control port at a second pressure that is less than the predetermined pressure when the supply valve member is seated with the supply valve seat.
US08746275B2
A stepper-motor gas valve control is disclosed that includes a main diaphragm in a chamber that controllably displaces a valve relative to an opening in response to changes in pressure, to adjust fuel flow through the valve. A servo-regulator diaphragm is provided to regulate flow to the main diaphragm, to thereby control the rate of fuel flow. A stepper motor is configured to move in a stepwise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm, to control fluid flow to the main diaphragm. A controller mounted on the stepper-motor regulated gas valve control receives and converts an input control signal from a heating system to a reference value between 0 and 5 volts, and selects a corresponding motor step value. The control responsively moves the stepper-motor in a step wise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm and thereby regulates the rate of fuel flow through the valve.
US08746269B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a gas flow through a conjunction between one or more incoming streams and one or more outgoing streams through a conjunction. The method uses a biased mass flow imbalance value obtained by comparing the aggregate of incoming mass flow measurement value(s) with the aggregate of outgoing mass flow measurement value(s) and adding a bias component to provide the biased mass flow imbalance value. The flow of at least one of the incoming and outgoing streams (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) is adjusted to move the biased mass flow imbalance value towards zero. In addition, a conjunction pressure measurement (PC) is provided, which is used to adjust the bias component in response to a change in the conjunction pressure measurement (PC) relative to a pressure set point (PSP), to mitigate the change in the conjunction pressure measurement (PC) relative to the pressure set point (PSP).
US08746267B2
In some embodiments, a canopy structure includes a plurality of support members, each including a first leg and a second leg telescopically slideable within the first leg to infinitely adjust a height of the canopy structure. The canopy structure can include a plurality of eaves including scissor-jack members moveable between an extended position and a collapsed position. The canopy structure can include a plurality of locking members. The locking members can be coupled to the first legs. The locking members can be adjustable between a locked and an unlocked position. The locking members can be configured to apply a radial inward force received by an area of the second legs when the locking members are in the locked position.
US08746266B2
An apparatus for establishing dynamic ground contact is disclosed. A ground contact tip is attached to one end of an elongate member. The ground contact tip contains a connecting portion and a base portion that is opposite the connecting portion. A flexible core connects between the base portion and the connecting portion. At least one limiting ring is positioned on the flexible core. The elongate member is permitted to rotate through a range of angles while the flexible core allows the base portion to remain flat against the ground. At the maximum allowable angle, the limiting rings allow the ground contact tip to cease flexing and become rigid, so that the user can push against the ground at an angle, while the base portion remains flat against the ground.
US08746259B2
Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus, a substrate processing method and a computer-readable medium capable of recovering an extended amount of discharged solution from a processing unit thereby reducing the amount of deionized water for the processing and the cost. The substrate processing apparatus includes, inter alia, a first and second discharge solution lines each connected to a downstream side of a discharge unit, and the discharged solution from each of the first and second discharge solution lines is independently delivered to the processing solution supply unit as a recovered solution. Also, the substrate processing apparatus includes a converting unit that converts flow of the discharged solution from the discharge unit either to the first discharge solution line or to the second discharge solution line. The processing solution supply unit selectively delivers the recovered solution from the first and second discharge solution lines to the processing unit.
US08746254B2
Smoking articles, filters, and methods for selectively removing selected components from tobacco smoke are disclosed. The smoking articles and filters include composites composed of a porous alumina and/or aluminosilicate matrix containing particles of activated carbon and zeolite molecular sieve adsorbents distributed throughout the matrix which can selectively remove selected components of tobacco smoke. The composites may be made by admixing the adsorbent mixture and a binder such as aluminum hydroxide or montmorillonite clay, adding an aqueous mineral acid to gel the mixture and drying and firing the gel paste. The proportions and adsorption capacities of the components can be selected to tailor the adsorption characteristics of the composites to selectively remove targeted constituents such as acrolein and 1,3-butadiene in tobacco smoke. Methods for making filters and smoking articles using the composites, as well as methods for smoking products comprising the composites, are also provided.