US07909354B2
A wheelchair includes a chassis with rear wheels and front wheels mounted thereto. A support is pivotally coupled by a pivot axis to the chassis. A seat mount is pivotally coupled to the support. An electric actuator can move the support to cause the seat mount to be moved between raised and lowered positions. A clearance is provided between one or more power supply units and suspension mounts to enable the support to move therein during movement of the seat mount to and from the lowered position. The support and actuator are mounted by a mounting assembly that is mounted by guides so that the mounting assembly can be raised by the actuator to further elevate the seat mount.
US07909348B2
An adjustable-length seat post has a stanchion with first and second openings. The seat post has a sliding tube, a locking device and an energy transmission device. The sliding tube is guided through the first opening into the stanchion and is displaceable along a longitudinal direction of extension of the stanchion. The sliding tube is movable relative to the stanchion. An overlap between stanchion and sliding tube in a first position is greater than in a second position. The locking device can be transferred between a locking position and a releasing position, wherein in the locking position the sliding tube is fixed. The energy transmission device can transmit energy from an external actuating element to be provided to the locking device for releasing or locking. When the sliding tube is in the second position, the energy transmission device arranged guided from an external actuating element to be supplied through the second opening of the stanchion as far as the locking device.
US07909347B2
A bicycle rear suspension system that includes a main frame and a rear wheel suspension system, the main frame generally is comprised of a seat tube, a down tube, a top tube, and a head tube. The rear wheel suspension system consists of a first linkage member, a rear wheel swingarm, and a second linkage member. The rear wheel suspension system allows for a preferential linear decrease in rate of chainstay lengthening combined with a preferential linear decrease in rate of acceleration anti-squat with the value of 100% anti-squat occurring at the statically weighted sag point.
US07909342B2
Coupling mechanism for a vehicle anti-roll bar comprising a first piece able to be fixed to a first half-bar, a second piece able to be fixed to a second half-bar, the second piece being so arranged as to be moveable in rotation about an axis of rotation A relative to the first piece. The mechanism includes at least one elastically deformable elongate element coupled to the first and second pieces so that relative rotation of the first and second pieces about the axis of rotation A causes elastic flexion deformation of the at least one elongate element, the mechanism including an actuator able to position the at least one elongate element in a first state in which the said at least one elongate element presents a first flexion stiffness for the said elastic flexion deformation, and a second state in which the said at least one elongate element presents a second flexion stiffness for the said elastic flexion deformation.
US07909335B2
A seal arrangement for sealing the space between a rotating element and a stationary element, the sealing arrangement comprising a compliant plate seal housing supported adjustably in the stationary element, the compliant plate seal housing supporting a compliant plate seal; and a spring system provided between the compliant plate seal housing and the stationary element to bias the compliant plate seal housing in a direction away from a surface of the rotating element. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more actuators may be provided to move the compliant plate seal housing in a direction away from a surface of the rotating element.
US07909332B2
An interactive sports-themed game is disclosed. The game involves generating a list of predicted outcomes of the next play of a live sporting event, ranking the list, selecting one or more of the predicted outcomes to form a subset list. The outcome of the next play of the live sporting event is then compared to the subset list, and the player of the interactive sports-themed game is awarded points if the outcome of the play of the live sporting event matches one of the predictions in the subset list.
US07909330B2
A rebound wall (10) for a ball game includes a base unit (12) and a wall unit (14). The wall unit may be located in at least two different positions relative to the base unit to change how the ball rebounds from the device.
US07909327B1
A system and method for playing a poker game. The system is implemented either through a software application or through a physical game environment. The system integrates a card elimination table which has a range of attack elements and range of removable elements. The attack elements are correlated to the removable elements so that when an attack card element is played, the removable elements correlated to that particular attack card element are eliminated from the game.
US07909325B2
A sheet delivery has an endless conveyor for conveying printed sheets, and a secondary gripper with a gripper bar that receives the printed sheets from the conveyor at their trailing edges and deposits them on a delivery stack. A transmission generates an annular circulatory movement of the gripper bar. The endless conveyor has lower forward strands, running toward the delivery stack, and upper return strands, running away from the delivery stack. The transmission has a first control-cam pair on one side of the endless conveyor and a second control-cam pair on the other side of the endless conveyor and the two control-cam pairs are connected to one another via a common shaft. The shaft is disposed above the return strands.
US07909317B2
A document feeding device includes a pressing member that extends in a document conveying space from a document conveying surface of an outer conveying guide member having a counter conveying roller, of two conveying guide members provided in a first document conveying path such as to oppose front and back sides of a document, toward a document conveying surface of an inner conveying guide member. The pressing member extends in a document width direction perpendicular in a document feeding direction with its leading end extending in a conveying space from one of the conveying surfaces toward the other conveying surface. This structure prevents a large displacement of the document even when the document is released from the nip between conveying rollers or passes between the two conveying guide members provided in the document feeding direction.
US07909314B2
Device for extending the clamping width for a clamping tool, comprising a first rail to which a first workpiece abutment element is fixed, a second rail to which a second workpiece abutment element is fixed, a first bracket on which the first rail and the second rail are mounted for sliding displacement, and a second bracket on which the first rail and the second rail are mounted for sliding displacement, wherein the first bracket and the second bracket serve for engagement of the clamping tool thereon.
US07909308B2
A winch system includes a cable storage system (34), a drive system (30) and a deployment system to deploy a cable having a hook system attached thereto. A right angle sheave (46) guides the cable between the cable storage system and the drive system. The drive system includes a dual mode transmission that provides high speed capabilities when moderate to no load is being lifted, while also providing high torque for heavy lift operations at low speeds. The deployment system is rated to support a maximum hook load and is mounted to the airframe for pivotable movement about a deployment axis to enable large cable exit angles.
US07909307B2
A winch with adjustable arms allowing the length to be adjusted. The winch can have a very thin drum to allow it to fit in confined spaces.
US07909306B2
An improved ratchet strapping device is provided, comprising a frame, an axle, and a handle pivotally installed on the axle. Ratchets are mounted on the axle and adjacent to the exterior of the frame. The frame includes a first detent on the outside of the frame which engages the ratchet. A release device is mounted on the handle, wherein the release device includes a second detent on the outside of the handle which engages the ratchets at another location. The frame includes a first cam having a radius greater than the ratchets and on which the second detent slides, and the handle includes a second cam having a radius greater than the ratchets and on which the first detent slides. Placement of the ratchet and detent components on the outside of the device permits spooling of substantially all of the strap for storage or unused portions of the strap during use.
US07909295B2
A mounting for an all-in-one personal computer (10) that has a stand (12) for supporting the computer on a table or desk to enable the computer to be mounted on a wall or at the end of an articulated arm. A bracket (16) has a first wall (16A) that is disposed to confront a face of the stand surrounding the through-hole in the stand and that contains a through-hole (24) that registers with a through-hole (26) in the stand and a second wall (16B) that joins with the first wall and that contains a VESA compliant hole pattern that provides for attachment to a VESA compliant member. A hollow bolt (20) and a nut (22) coact with the registered through-holes to hold the first wall of the bracket fast on the stand.
US07909280B1
A fishing reel winding apparatus for use with a fishing reel includes a spool-retaining structure in which a spool is mounted and the spool connects to a spool handle hub from which a spool winding handle radially extends for removably interconnecting a fishing reel winding handle and the chuck of an electric drill, so that operation of the electric drill rotates the chuck and the reel to wind fishing line onto the spool, the fishing reel winding apparatus including: a chuck gripping stem for insertion into and engagement by a drill chuck and a handle hub engagement assembly drivably connected to the chuck gripping stem. The handle hub engagement assembly preferably includes a hub receiving cup having a cup side wall with a lateral handle receiving notch and a cup bottom wall drivably connected to the chuck gripping stem.
US07909279B2
A wear component for use in an impact crusher having a forward depression on the face of the wear component which is exposed to aggregate wear. Wear resistant inserts, for example cemented tungsten carbide inserts, are bonded within the forward depression to prevent rapid abrasion of the wear component. Joints are formed between wear resistant inserts and joints are also formed between wear resistant inserts and the wear component. Bonding material fills the joints to further secure the wear resistant inserts and to prevent crack propagation.
US07909272B2
Process for milling a substance selected from sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium sesquicarbonate or trona, in which a cleaning agent is introduced into a mill for the purpose of obtaining a powder with a mean diameter of less than 100 μm and of inhibiting the formation of incrustations in the mill.
US07909270B2
A valve assembly (80) of an injection valve (82) has a valve body (4) including a central longitudinal axis (L), the valve body (4) having a cavity (8) forming an inner surface (18) of the valve body (4), the cavity (8) having a fluid inlet portion (42), and a fluid outlet portion (44), a valve needle (10) axially movable in the cavity (8), the valve needle (10) preventing a fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion (44) in a closing position and releasing the fluid flow through the fluid outlet portion (44) in further positions, the valve needle (10) and/or the inner surface (18) of the valve body (4) having a surface layer (48) with a tungsten carbide layer (70) and a carbon layer (72).
US07909266B2
An oscillating sprinkler includes two adjustment plate rotatably mounted on a hollow tube of the body of the sprinkler and nozzles extend through the hollow tube and guide slots defined through the adjustment plates. Each of the two adjustment plates has two control members on two sides thereof so as to pivot the adjustment plate individually relative to the hollow tube. A top cover is mounted to the adjustment plates and has multiple guide holes, the nozzles extend through the guide holes.
US07909259B2
Provided is an RFID tag. When no external pressure is applied to a packaging structure, a wire for transmitting power and data from an antenna is separated from an RFID chip by an air layer. When external pressure is applied to the packaging structure, the wire is connected to the RFID chip to transmit the power and data between the antenna and the RFID chip.
US07909252B2
A terminal for interacting with a signaling tag includes a controller capable of selecting a signaling tag and thereafter receiving a tag type from the signaling tag at least partially over an air interface. The controller is also capable of determining if the terminal is actively operating an application. In this regard, the controller is capable of performing a predefined action based upon the tag type, such as based upon a tag type of “Read Only,” “Read/Write” or “Transceiver in Show Mode.” And when the controller is actively operating an application, the controller is capable of performing the predefined action further based upon the application and a state of the application.
US07909219B2
Described herein are endoscopic staplers used to apply one or more fasteners to body tissue. In one embodiment, a fastener-applying device, which is preferably a stapler, is passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed staplers allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver staples for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention. After one or more plications are formed, medical devices may optionally be coupled to the plication(s) for retention within the stomach.
US07909201B2
An apparatus disposed in a paint can for at least one of removing excess paint from a brush, pouring paint from a can without paint being trapped in a recessed portion of such can which receives a lid. The apparatus comprises a container member having a predetermined shape and size. A specially configured pouring edge is formed integral with the container member. There is a curved portion that is formed from a rim portion of the container member or formed and molded on such inner surface of the side wall of the container member closely adjacent the pouring edge. Such curved portion extends inwardly from the inner surface of the side wall and includes a concave portion formed on it. There is a lid member for sealing the container member, a portion of the lid member engages the concave portion for forming a seal.
US07909200B1
A wastebasket has one or more openings on one or more sides thereof. The openings extending from near the top of the wastebasket and terminate near the bottom of the wastebasket. The one or more openings allow a part of the wastebasket on either side of each opening to move outwardly under the pressure of being stuffed, and particularly when overstuffed by pushing the trash down in the plastic bag to create more room at the top of the wastebasket. The lower end of the one or more openings relieves an air pressure differential between an installed trash bag and the wastebasket with just a little movement upward of the trash bag.
US07909187B2
A baby bottle has elongated threads at an upper portion designed to render the bottle compatible with a sub-system with the ability to reduce the incidences of bubbling within the baby formula. The bottle also includes a chamber in its bottom portion, sized and configured to removably receive a pacifier. In a further aspect, the chamber may be enclosed by a dummy cap. Alternatively, the chamber may be closed by a device comprising a combined program player and vibration source. A sleeve made of an elastic material can be stretched over the baby bottle to serve as an insulating cover. The sleeve may also include a pocket to contain the music and vibratory playing device. A heat sensor may be incorporated into the baby bottle so that the user may see a visual display of the temperature before providing the bottle to a baby.
US07909178B2
A porous membrane, made of polyvinylidene fluoride which is excellent in fractionating capability, permeating capability and physical strength and suitable for use in water treatment such as water purification, preparation of drinking water, preparation of water for industrial use and wastewater treatment, and which can be manufactured inexpensively and easily. The porous membrane has one surface formed with round or oval micropores and the opposite surface formed with substantially slit shaped micropores. The round or oval micropores have an average ratio between the major axis and the minor axis, which is within the range of 1:1 to 5:1, and the substantially slit shaped micropores have an average ratio between the major axis and the minor axis, which is not smaller than 5:1 and the particle cutoff of the membrane is not smaller than 0.2 μm.
US07909175B2
A filter assembly comprises a filter (10) defining path for fluid passing to or from the filter (10). An adaptor (11) is connected to the filter (10) and provides a continuation of the path. The adaptor (11) is for mounting the filter (10) on a mounting plate (12) and carries one or more sealing rings (30, 37) that are engageable with the mounting plate (12). The adaptor (11) is made from a plastics material and one surface of the adaptor (11) is reinforced by contact with an annular reinforcing member (31) which may be of metal, particularly steel. This allows the flow path provided by the adaptor (11) to be maximized.
US07909173B2
The combined centrifugal separator with supplementary work units is an autonomous stationary or mobile complex apparatus, which is related to the separation of non-uniform granular or fibrous product, such as manure pulps, fruit pulps, sugar contained pulps, pulps for the medicine, etc., from the liquid in which it is carried. The screen, the screen scraper, and the driving shaft, which has the screw, the crusher and the mixer located on it, all have one common axis. However, all three rotate with different speeds around it. They are connected to one motor, and have a transmission system using pulleys and gears. Part of the liquid remainder may be used for internal recycling.
US07909172B2
A shaker screen including a screen frame and an inflatable sealing element integrally formed with the screen frame is disclosed. A screen sealing system including a plurality of shaker screens, each shaker screen having a screen frame and an inflatable sealing element integrally formed with the screen frame, wherein the inflatable sealing elements of each shaker screen are in fluid communication is also disclosed. A method of sealing a composite screen including assembling at least one shaker screen within a shale shaker and inflating at least one inflatable sealing element disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the screen frame, the portions selected from a group consisting of a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer surface is disclosed.
US07909163B2
The carton of this invention is capable of carrying the plurality of containers stacked upon their ends in two tiers with a unique dispenser that permits the dispensing of containers on their sides. The dispenser is formed in a top side wall and extends into the end wall with most of the end wall being torn open but leaving a portion near the bottom side wall to prevent the bottom layer of containers from rolling out. Angled projections in the dispensing end of the carton near the top panel and bottom panel prevent the top layer of containers from rolling out. A divider may be inserted between the two tiers of containers to facilitate loading the carton and preventing the containers from accidentally rolling out when the dispenser is open.
US07909150B2
An expandable bag includes a body having a lower portion defining a closed bottom and a generally upstanding lower sidewall having an upper rim and an upper portion defining an upper sidewall having a lower edge coupled adjacent to the upper rim of the lower portion and having an upper rim defining a top opening. The upper portion is movable between a folded position, in which the upper sidewall is folded within the lower sidewall such that the upper rim of the upper portion and the top opening thereof is disposed generally adjacent to the upper edge of the lower portion to define an interior compartment of a certain size, and an extended position, in which the upper portion is unfolded and extended upwardly, thereby extending the height of the body and creating an interior compartment of greater size.
US07909148B1
A combination food cooler and table assembly includes a cooler base having an insulated cavity covered by a removable lid and a table assembly overlying the cooler lid. A table sub-panel has two legs that slide within table leg sleeves at opposite ends of the cooler base. A table top mounted over the sub-panel includes a central panel and a pair of drop leaves hingedly attached to opposite sides of the central panel. A pair of handhold openings in the sub-panel, accessed through hinged covers at the ends of the central panel, permit the user to raise the table assembly to a desired height. The central panel is mounted atop the sub-panel by means of a swivel mechanism that permits the table top to be rotated about its central axis 90 degrees with respect to the sub-panel when the drop leaves are raised outwardly and upwardly from a vertical or transport position to a horizontal position. A locking handle/pawl mechanism associated with each of the table leg sleeves engages a selected one of a plurality of recessed notches in the table leg sleeves to thereby lock the table assembly in a raised position of desired height above the cooler base.
US07909129B2
A steering shaft support structure of a motor-driven steering assist apparatus is disclosed in which a steering shaft supported to a vehicle body side is connected to an input shaft of the motor-driven steering assist apparatus supported to the vehicle body side, and the steering shaft is supported to a spherical sliding bearing attached to a vehicle body side stay.
US07909128B1
A safety apparatus for an automobile includes a control unit, which is connected to an ignition system of an automobile, a seat belt sensor, which is connected to the control unit, and a seat occupancy detector, which is connected to the seat belt sensor. In the event that it senses an occupant in an automobile seat, the seat occupancy sensor transmits a signal to the seat belt sensor. In the event that it senses that the seat belt of the seat is fastened, the seat belt sensor transmits an activation signal to the control unit, which enables operation of the ignition system. In the event that it senses that the seat belt of the seat is not fastened, the seat belt sensor transmits an inactivation signal to the control unit, which does not enable operation of the ignition system.
US07909113B1
The invention is a fire place extinguishing and cleaning system which includes a water spray pipe with a plurality of water spray outlets wherein the water spray pipe is connected to a conventional water main and a drain outlet connected to a sewer system. The water spray pipe can extinguish a fire as well as wash the ash from the fireplace and rinse the walls of the fireplace, and whereupon the drain will provide a means to wash away the watered-ash debris. The invention also features a flush control knob which adjusts the flow of water spraying inside the furnace and/or fireplace. An alternative embodiment of the present invention features an upper and lower mounted water spray pipe with a plurality of water spray outlets. Another variation includes an ashtray with a drain, and with or without a pump and tank to re-circulate the water.
US07909112B2
A compact mobile fire attack vehicle detachably mounted to an emergency vehicle. The compact mobile fire attack vehicle is intended to be mountable to the rear end of a fire truck. In response to an emergency call, the mobile fire attack vehicle can be quickly disengaged and deployed to the fire. Likewise, after the emergency has been mitigated, the mobile fire attack vehicle can be quickly and conveniently be re-mounted to the fire truck.
US07909111B1
An outdoor fire prevention system preferably includes an existing roof structure with a plurality of first and second groups of water discharging assemblies. The system may also include a mechanism for automatically distributing water to a target group of water discharging assemblies by selecting assemblies from each of the first and second groups when sensors, located in the roof, indicate that the roof surface temperature, of a target region of is elevated above a maximum threshold temperature. The outdoor fire prevention system may further include a controller that is connected to a primary water shutoff valve in fluid communication with the automatic water distributing mechanism which automatically controls the amount of water transmitted to the system. The outdoor fire prevention system may also include a primary conduit in fluid communication with the primary water shutoff valve and traveling downstream therefrom, directing water where needed.
US07909109B2
An anchoring device for tool is disclosed that can be positioned downhole and used in casing. The anchoring device can have an architecture that supports installation by running downhole and into engagement with a recess formed in the casing. The anchoring device can support the use of weak materials such as plastic.
US07909108B2
A wellbore servicing system, comprising a plurality of sleeve systems disposed in a wellbore, each sleeve system comprising a seat and a dart configured to selectively seal against the seat to the exclusion of other seats, the seats each comprising an upper seat landing surface and the darts each comprising a dart landing surface, wherein the darts each comprise a dart landing surface that is configured to complement an upper seat landing surface of the seat to which the dart is configured to selectively seal against.
US07909101B2
An apparatus and method for hydrocarbon recovery in a well for coal bed methane (CBM) recovery, tight sand gas extraction, and other gas extraction techniques provides for the formation of a hydrocarbon foam comprised of a fluid delivered into a downhole portion of the well and the hydrocarbon, maximizing water removal for gas recovery. The apparatus may include a check valve that feeds a nozzle to deliver or atomize the spray of fluid into the downhole portion of the well when the pressure applied to the fluid is sufficient to overcome a hydrostatic pressure in the downhole portion of the well and to deliver the fluid into the downhole portion of the well. The fluid is not sprayed directly into the formation, thereby protecting the formation from damage and recovering the fluid even in the case where water is not present. The capillary tube feeding the fluid to the check valve may be placed externally to the production tube to facilitate ease of cleaning and clearing of the production tube.
US07909100B2
Casing cutter for severing multiple tubulars in a well bore has a pair of cutter blades pivotally mounted on a support body. The blades are pivotally mounted for gradual movement outside of the support body when downward force is applied to proximate ends of the cutter blades. The support body is rotated inside the innermost of the multiple tubulars, while the cutter blades sever the tubulars of progressively increasing diameter. Should the cutter blades or pivotal connections become unusable, the tool body can be rotated about the vertical axis and secured to a downhole string by the opposite end. A substitute pair of cutter blades are then engaged on the tool body and operated to cut the casings similar to the first set of the cutter blades.
US07909097B2
A well liner segment for use in hydrocarbon recovery processes. An elongate, typically cylindrical outer liner member, and an inner elongate liner member concentrically located therewithin is provided. Hydrocarbon upgrading catalyst is provided in the interstitial space between the two members. The outer liner members may be threadably coupled together. A slidable seal is provided between the outer liner and the inner liner to accommodated differential thermal growth between the two liners. A process for use of well liner segments having hydrocarbon upgrader catalyst pre-installed therein, is also provided, as is a method for manufacture of a well liner segment.
US07909096B2
A method for stimulating a reservoir formation while running a casing string into the wellbore includes the steps of: connecting a stimulation assembly to a casing string, the stimulation assembly including a packer actuator in operational connection with a packer and a logging sensor; running the casing string into the wellbore and positioning the logging assembly proximate to a selected reservoir formation; logging the reservoir formation; positioning the stimulation assembly proximate to the reservoir formation; actuating the packer to substantially isolate the reservoir formation from the wellbore; performing the stimulation operation; releasing the packers from sealing engagement with the wellbore; positioning the logging assembly proximate to the reservoir formation; logging the reservoir formation; and disconnecting the stimulation assembly from the casing string.
US07909094B2
A system for oscillating compressible working fluid in a wellbore defined in a subterranean formation includes a fluid supply and a fluid oscillator device. The fluid supply communicates compressible working fluid into a conduit disposed within the wellbore. The fluid oscillator device is configured to reside in the wellbore. The fluid oscillator device includes an interior surface that defines an interior volume of the fluid oscillator device, an inlet into the interior volume, and an outlet from the interior volume. The interior surface is static during operation to receive the compressible working fluid into the interior volume through the inlet and to vary over time a flow rate of the compressible working fluid from the interior volume through the outlet.
US07909092B2
The desander (10) for positioning downhole includes a generally tubular desander body (16) and a generally sleeve-shaped vortex body (39, 94). The desander with a seal or packer may be positioned in a well below the casing perforations. The desander with an ESP may be used with gas separator (60), which may include a seal (24) for positioning above the producing formation. The separator (60) may be used independent of the desander for some applications.
US07909079B2
A radio frequency welding system for flexible work pieces having a top-side and an underside. The welding system includes a fixed weld platform, a mobile radio frequency welder adapted to move over the fixed weld platform, movable welding electrodes configured over the fixed weld platform and adapted to engage the underside of the flexible work pieces and movable grounding apparatus adapted to engage the fixed weld platform and the mobile radio frequency welder so as to provide a return radio frequency electrical circuit.
US07909054B2
A fill valve for a toilet tank includes a multi-piece shank assembly. The shank assembly includes a first hollow member coupled with a second hollow member using a snap joint. The first hollow member has a tortuous outer surface, which together with the second hollow member forms a plurality of flow paths. The flow paths are configured to reduce water noise. The first and second hollow members are provided separately, resulting in simplified molding process and improved assembly automation.
US07909048B2
An umbrella with pneumatic activation, specifically a portable, foldable umbrella, for the protection of persons from the rain and sun, and to be employed in fixed installations of one or more umbrellas as well, to protect crops, objects, or surfaces that require controlled protection, outdoor tables, beaches, and patios as principal examples of operation and use with individual or centralized control. When connected together, a group of umbrellas are controlled with a unified command, or through an automated system with temperature and water sensors. An automatic compressor could be provided to activate and deactivate the system, and it also could be activated within a closed circuit with a pressurized air storage chamber. A pneumatic umbrella that, in addition to the handle, or base, has a complete pneumatic circuit with entry and exit of air, equipment for pumping the air, a valve controlling the flow of air to either open or close the umbrella through internal conduits which are connected to extendable stems and are held together by a threaded system.
US07909044B2
An applicator device for applying a cosmetic, the applicator device comprising an elongate body adapted to be held in the hand, an applicator head, a feed device adapted to feed the applicator head with cosmetic in solid form, and a heater device adapted to heat the applicator head, thereby causing the cosmetic to melt. The feed device comprises a feed duct provided in the body of the applicator device and communicating with passageways that are provided in the applicator head and that open out to the outside, and the heater device is adapted to heat said feed duct at the applicator head.
US07909040B2
Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye.
US07909032B2
A ventilator with integrated breathing air humidifier has at least two defined air pathways provided in the breathing air humidifier, wherein the breathing air humidifier is installed and fixed on a horizontal surface of the ventilator. The ventilator with integratable breathing air humidifier has a breathing air humidifier with at least a top part and a bottom part, wherein a water reservoir is provided in the bottom part, and wherein the top part cannot be removed from the bottom part when the unit is in at least one operating mode. The ventilator may have an air humidifier with at least one water reservoir, and at least one filing device for the water reservoir in the breathing air humidifier, wherein the filing device can be operated with one hand and/or opened with one hand.
US07909027B2
An ultrasonic fuel/power enhancer for producing sound and ultrasound at different wind speeds and conditions is provided. The enhancer is mountable in an air intake of a vehicle with the vehicle having a predetermined number of cylinders and each cylinder having a combustion chamber. The enhancer comprises at least one band and at least one tubular whistle. A whistle connection mechanism is wrapped around the whistle with the whistle connection mechanism having at least one band receiving aperture and the band insertable through one of the band receiving apertures. At least one stabilizing tab is mounted to the whistle connection mechanism wherein the whistle is shaped and designed to produce sonic and ultrasonic sounds thereby atomizing gas droplets being supplied to the combustion chamber of each cylinder.
US07909024B2
A hydrocarbon vapour filter system for capturing vapour released from a fuel tank. The system contains a vapour line in vapour-tight communication with the fuel tank, having a vapour capture segment for capturing fuel vapour, and in the preferred embodiment a purging stage releasing the fuel vapour. During engine operation captured fuel vapour can be released from the vapour capture line into air drawn into the engine intake manifold.
US07909023B2
A fuel supply system that includes a fuel pump, a jet pump, a first device and a second device. The fuel pump has a first port, a second port and a third port. Each of the first and second ports is configured to discharge a pressurized fuel. The third port is configured to discharge a fuel vapor that may be produced within the fuel pump. The first port is coupled to an engine via a fuel supply passage. The first device is coupled between the second port and the jet pump and is operable to permit and prevent the supply of the pressurized fuel to the jet pump. The second device is coupled to the third port and is operable to permit and prevent the discharge of the fuel vapor to the outside of the second device.
US07909020B2
At least one of a petroleum fuel and an alcohol fuel stored in a fuel tank is supplied to an internal combustion engine. Specifically, the fuel in the fuel tank is supplied to an injector by a fuel pump module. The injector injects the fuel into an intake pipe. An ECU adjusts a fuel injection quantity according to an alcohol concentration of the fuel. When the fuel-supply-pressure to the injector is less than or equal to a threshold pressure, the ECU determines the fuel pump module has a malfunction. Especially, the ECU varies the threshold pressure according to the alcohol concentration of the fuel.
US07909015B2
Apparatus and method are disclosed for converting an internal combustion engine from a normal engine operation (20) to an engine braking (or retarding) operation (10). The engine has an exhaust valve train containing two exhaust valves (300), a valve bridge (400) and an exhaust valve lifter (200). The apparatus has an actuation means (100) including a hydraulic system integrated into the exhaust valve train. The hydraulic system contains a braking piston (160) slidably disposed in the valve bridge between an inoperative position (0) and an operative position (1). In the inoperative position, the braking piston is retracted and the actuation means disengaged from the normal engine operation. In the operative position, the hydraulic piston is extended and the actuation means opens one of the two exhaust valves (300a) for the engine braking operation. The apparatus also includes engine brake reset means (150) for modifying the valve lift profile generated by the enlarged normal cam lobe (220) when the small braking cam lobes (232) and (233) are integrated into the normal exhaust cam (230). The apparatus also has a control means (50) for moving the actuation means between the inoperative position and the operative position.
US07909008B2
In an intake valve phase control after an engine stop command is issued, a stop-time phase is used as a target value. In the intake valve phase control, when the mode changeover condition is not satisfied, and an electric motor that serves as an actuator is not in a locked-state, the highest-speed mode, in which the amount of electric power supplied to the electric motor is fixed to the maximum value, is selected to reliably change the intake valve phase by a required amount. Then, the intake valve phase comes close to the stop-time phase and the mode changeover condition is satisfied, the control mode is changed from the highest-speed mode to the normal mode to set the control phase to the stop-time phase with higher accuracy, and the feedback control over the intake valve phase is executed.
US07909007B2
The finger follower has an inner and outer body and a torsional lost motion spring positioned at its lash adjuster end of the outer body. The torsional lost motion spring has two helical parts each with a short leg that abuts the outer body and a long leg that contacts the inner body. The torsional spring is located above the pivot point of the finger follower so as to provide a low mass moment of inertia and to reduce the weight over the valve stem end of the follower.
US07909006B2
Disclosed is a variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine. The variable valve mechanism accurately adjusts the valve operating angle although its structure is simple. The variable valve mechanism includes a control pin 48, which is inserted into a pin insertion hole 38 in a control shaft 16; a bearing hole 44, which is formed in a control member 26; and an adjustment pin 50, which is rotatably supported by the bearing hole 44. The adjustment pin 50 comes into surface contact with the control pin 48 to inhibit the control member 26 from rotating relative to the control shaft 16. The valve operating angle is adjusted by replacing the adjustment pin 50 with another having a different dimension B. Such adjustment pin replacement changes the distance A between the center line of the bearing hole 44 and the center line of the control pin 48, thereby changing the relative angle θ between the control shaft 16 and control member 26. When the adjustment pin 50 rotates within the bearing hole 44, the surface contact between the adjustment pin 50 and control pin 48 is maintained irrespective of the magnitude of the relative angle θ.
US07909004B2
A leash assembly includes a housing having a hand grip. A leash forming part of the assembly includes a first end and a second end that defines a leash handle. An intermediate section of the leash is extendable and retractable through the housing. The assembly also includes features for allowing travel of the leash in a first direction through the housing in response to a user pulling on the leash handle, and simultaneously preventing travel of the leash in an opposite second direction through the housing. Another feature of the assembly allows selective disengagement of the leash so that it may travel in the opposite second direction through the housing.
US07909000B1
A universal panel member can be connected with other universal panel members to form various sizes and shapes of feeder structures for dispensing forage material to horses and other animals. The universal panel members can be assembled to provide a floor with ground engaging legs and an upright wall surrounding the floor into which forage material can be placed for access by the animals feeding therefrom. Each panel member is formed with a main body portion that has a pair of connecting legs projecting outwardly from two opposing sides of the body portion within the same plane as the body portion, and a pair of connecting legs that project from the other two opposing sides perpendicularly to the plane of the body portion. Proper location of openings through the body portion allows the connecting legs of adjoining panel members to be connected with fasteners to form feeder structures.
US07908998B2
A gripper device mountable on a robot arm (10) of a milking robot (2) provided for automatically attach teat cups (5) to the teats of a milking animal, the gripper device comprises an electromagnet (6) from gripping teat cups made of a magnetic material, the electromagnet including a coil (31) feedable with a current a core (33) of a magnetic material arranged at least partly within the coil; and a support structure (7) for holding the electromagnet. The core comprises two end and portions (33a-b) in a single face of the electromagnet, wherein the two end portions constitute different poles of the electromagnet, and are shaped to be engagable with each of the teat cups in a close fit.
US07908996B2
A liquid coating apparatus, including; a head which has plural nozzles which eject liquid in which plural particles are dispersed, plural pressuring chambers each communicates to each nozzle, a piezo element which is provided on the pressuring chamber to change a volume of the pressuring chamber, and a common liquid chamber which communicates to each of the plural pressuring chambers; a sub-tank which stores the liquid and has an acceleration device to accelerate the plural particles to disperse in the liquid; a first flow channel which connects the common liquid chamber with the sub-tank; a second flow channel which connects the common liquid chamber with the sub-tank; and a circulation device which circulates the liquid through a circulation flow channel which includes the common liquid chamber, the first flow channel, the sub-tank and the second flow channel.
US07908983B2
A device for sowing seed, fertilizer in an existing lawn, comprising: a chassis, a movement system, fitted to the chassis, to move the device across the ground in a certain direction, a bearing-mounted pin disk in the chassis around a horizontal axis, a seed dosing device which doses the seed to be sown accurately and according to an adjustable amount, a guiding plate which at the bottom pushes the existing grass forward in the direction of the movement and at the top distributes the dosed seed in rows and sends the seed to the pin disk, wherein the pin disk collects the dosed seed from the guiding plate and plants the seed in the soil underneath the lawn during rotation.
US07908974B2
This invention relates to bogies for railway rolling stock. In particular it relates to suspension arrangements for such bogies wherein the frame is mounted on a spring suspension arrangement. In one embodiment the spring suspension arrangement comprises two groups of springs on either side of a wheel axle (11), each group comprising an inner spring (14) and two outer fore and aft springs (15, 16). In another arrangement there are two lower springs (14) on either side of a wheel axle (11) and at least one upper spring (21) above the axle. The arrangements described provide better lateral and longitudinal stiffness and shear characteristics which, reduce hunting and wheel wear. They also enable the axles to accommodate increased loads.
US07908972B2
A flare-bang projectile is comprised of a weighty ballast in the front leading edge, a flash-bang charge, a transfer charge and a flare charge that is lit by a starter composition located at the rear of the flare charge. When the flare charge is ignited such that it burns during the flight of the projectile, an the projectile path is indicated to thereby provide warning signaling.
US07908967B2
A method for manufacturing a printing plate includes forming first trenches having a first depth into an insulative substrate, forming an organic film over the insulative substrate including the first trenches, and forming second trenches having a width smaller than that of the first trenches into the organic film, the second trenches formed at positions corresponding to the first trenches by selectively removing the organic film.
US07908966B2
A cylinder, which is part of an inking system or of a dampening system, has a rotary individual drive which is embodied as a drive motor. A changeable drive is also provided. The rotary drive is driven by the drive motors by a bevel or angular gear.
US07908965B2
A plurality of through holes having an equal size are formed in an underlay substrate. Positions of the plurality of through holes are suitably set according to the shape of a substrate sheet. Specifically, an equal number of through holes are formed in each of end blank corresponding regions that, when the substrate sheet and the underlay substrate are overlapped with each other, overlap with end blank regions of the substrate sheet, of the underlay substrate. In addition, the through holes are formed at equal spacing in portions excluding the end blank corresponding regions in a blank corresponding region, which overlaps with a blank region of the substrate sheet, of the underlay substrate.
US07908964B2
The clearance ‘d’ between a substrate 3 and a mask 2 can be reduced at the time of the position recognition by horizontally offsetting two recognition devices 53,54 for recognizing the substrate 3 and the mask 2. Therefore, since the ascending stroke of the substrate 3 can be shortened at the time of the position alignment to contact the rear face of the substrate 3 with the rear face of the mask 2, the position misalignment of the substrate in the horizontal direction caused by the raising is suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the reduction of the position alignment accuracy with the mask 2.
US07908959B2
The present invention is directed to an armor system that protects vehicle occupants from lands mines or improvised explosive devices. In the preferred embodiment, the armor system has an arc member, a membrane, reactive blocks, and a reactive block enclosure. The armor system is designed to dissipate, neutralize, and redirect explosion energy, fragments and shrapnel, thereby ensuring the safety of the vehicle occupants.
US07908951B2
A machine tool, in particular a circular power saw, for machining a workpiece, has a covering (10) for guarding a user against machining residues of the workpiece that occur in operation and an adjustable residue guide (12, 14) for carrying away at least some of the machining residues through an outlet opening in a defined direction in accordance with the position of the residue guide (12, 14). The residue guide is adjustable in such a way that in one position of the residue guide (12, 14), at least some of the machining residues are carried onward inside the covering (10).
US07908947B2
The invention relates to a device for damping vibrations and/or controlling the flexion of an object in machining, said device comprising at least one force exchange device which could be a force applying device or a damping device. A such force applying device is for applying a force having a force component directed at right angles to the surface of the object and/or for applying a moment to the object. A damping device of this type is for absorbing vibrations from the object and is adapted to absorb a force component directed at right angles to the surface of the object or to absorb a moment from the object.
US07908942B1
A device designed to aid in opening jars is herein disclosed, comprising a general form of a lever with a movable “C”-shaped jaw section. An upper jaw is designed to press down in the center area of a lid while a lower jaw presses upward on the edge or rim of the lid. In such a manner the device will break the seal of the jar and “pop” the lid. Once the seal has been broken, it is generally a simple issue to open the lid. An alternate embodiment provides for a lower adjustable section of the jaw which operates in a slip-joint manner similar to that of a pair of Channel-Lock® pliers to accommodate any size lid. The handle is fitted with a grip area for each finger and is covered with non-slip rubber to facilitate use and comfort. The device is generally small in size and can be easily stored in a kitchen drawer.
US07908931B1
A system and method for measuring the flow rate of a liquid in a tube non-invasively has a heating element that generates energy that is applied to the liquid to produce a heat marker that is detected by a temperature sensor located at a known distance from the heating element and the flow rate is calculated from measuring the travel time of the heat marker from the heating element to the sensor. A second temperature sensor measures the ambient temperature of the liquid before the heat marker is produced and detection of the heat marker is made on the basis of the difference between the ambient temperatures and the temperature of the heat marker.
US07908923B2
A method of non-destructively testing a work piece is disclosed, wherein the work piece is placed within an active field of a positioning system; a frame of reference of the work piece is established based on the geometry of the work piece in the coordinates of the positioning system; the geometry of the work piece is detected by determining the position of specific transponders, which are fixed to the work piece, by the positioning system or the geometry of the work piece is detected by scanning at least parts of the contour of the work piece with a transponder of the positioning system; testing data is acquired for the work piece with a non-destructive testing probe, which comprises a transponder of the positioning system, while the position of the testing probe is recorded by the positioning system; the position of the testing probe is transformed into an intrinsic position defined with respect to the frame of reference of the work piece; and the intrinsic position of the testing probe is assigned to the testing data recorded at the respective position. Moreover, a non-destructive testing arrangement is provided.
US07908922B2
A motion sensor in the form of an angular rate sensor and a method of making a sensor are provided and includes a support substrate and a silicon sensing ring supported by the substrate and having a flexive resonance. Drive electrodes apply electrostatic force on the ring to cause the ring to resonate. Sensing electrodes sense a change in capacitance indicative of vibration modes of resonance of the ring so as to sense motion. A plurality of silicon support rings connect the substrate to the ring. The support rings are located at an angle to substantially match a modulus of elasticity of the silicon, such as about 22.5 degrees and 67.5 degrees, with respect to the crystalline orientation of the silicon.
US07908910B2
A combustion state detecting apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: an ignition plug (2) for generating a spark discharge for igniting an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber; an ignition coil (1) for supplying a high voltage to cause the ignition plug (2) to generate the spark discharge; and an ECU (3) for feeding a driving signal for driving the ignition coil (1). An electromotive force (secondary voltage) due to electromagnetic induction when a primary current is caused to flow through a primary winding of the ignition coil (1) in response to the driving signal from the ECU (3) is applied to the ignition plug (2) to detect an ion current generated in the combustion chamber to detect a combustion state in the ignition plug based thereon.
US07908909B2
The preferred embodiments are directed to a probe cassette for a scanning probe microscope that includes a base having at least one probe storage receptacle, a lid mountable on the base with the probe storage receptacle at least substantially covering the at least one receptacle, and a probe retainer that retains a probe device of the scanning probe microscope in the receptacle under a compressive force. The probe cassette can be pre-loaded and shipped to a user site where the cassette can be loaded in an AFM without manual manipulation of the individual probe devices.
US07908902B2
A method of vapor sampling and its delivery to the porous sensory element(s) employed in chemical detectors/sensors for vapor(s) identification and quantification. The sampling and delivery system comprises a flow cell in which a sensory membrane is placed parallel to the flow, while an additional flow normal to the membrane is introduced using the Bernoulli effect. The bi-directional flow of vapors increases the interactions between the sensory material and vapor molecules, and enhances sensitivity.
US07908895B2
A laundry treatment apparatus is provided that includes a condensing pool disposed within a water supply port formed in a tub, a water supply passage formed between the condensing pool and the water supply port, and a cap that guides water to the condensing pool and stops steam flowing backward through the water supply passage so that the steam is introduced into the condensing pool. The steam flowing backward from an inside of the tub to the water supply port of the tub is brought into contact with the water contained in the condensing pool and is condensed, thereby preventing pollution of a detergent holder or peripheral portions thereof, which may occur when the steam flows backward into the detergent holder or peripheral portions thereof via the water supply port of the tub.
US07908892B2
This invention also relates to stain-masking cut resistant gloves and methods for making the same, the gloves comprising at least one aramid fiber and at least one lubricating fiber selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyamide fiber, polyolefin fiber, polyethylene fiber, acrylic fiber, and mixtures thereof; wherein up to and including 15 parts by weight of the total amount of fibers in the glove are provided with a dye or pigment such that they have a color different from the remaining fibers; the dye or pigment selected such that the colored fibers have a measured “L” value that is lower than the measured “L” value for the remaining fibers.
US07908887B2
A vacuum valve for use with a blow mold in an I.S. machine. When the blow molds close around a parison, vacuum is applied to the wall of the blow mold. At some time following the application of the vacuum, final blow will occur blowing the parison into a bottle. This vacuum will be applied until the parison has been blown into a bottle. During the period during which vacuum is applied but final blow has not started, vacuum is reduced by operating a needle valve in the vacuum line.
US07908885B2
Thin substrates, such as flat glass panels, are levitated on a porous media air bearing creating a pressurized film of air and preloaded against the air film by negative pressure areas. The pressure can be distributed most uniformly across the pressure areas by defusing the pressure through a porous medium. Such a bearing can be used for glass flattening by holding the glass such that the unevenness is migrated to the side opposite the side to be worked on.
US07908873B1
A variable refrigeration system including a cooling system having a compressor, a condenser, and a refrigerant. An active insulation system includes an insulation portion disposed therein that holds a gas. The insulation portion is operably connected to the compressor and includes an insulation panel adjacent a refrigerated compartment. A controller is operably connected to the cooling system and to the active insulation system. The controller operates between a first stage, wherein the controller sends a signal to the compressor to compress the refrigerant in the cooling system, and a second stage, wherein the controller sends a signal to the compressor to alter the gas content in the insulation portion of the active insulation system.
US07908870B2
The present invention is directed to a transport package which efficiently maintains payload temperature within a predetermined temperature range during delivery through regions having ambient temperatures outside the desired range. The transport package is used for transporting temperature sensitive materials and thermally protecting the materials from cold and hot ambient temperatures in a manner that does not require a power source or other mechanical devices. Aspects of the invention relate to a temperature maintaining packaging system having an outer container, thermal insulation materials and two or more different phase change materials.
US07908859B2
An EGR mixer arrangement for mixing gas into the intake air of a turbocharged internal combustion engine is provided. The arrangement includes an inlet port with connection for a branch pipe, which with an insertion section opens out into the inlet port. The insertion section forms a diffuser vane with a surface which is positively double-bent in the direction of flow of the intake air and which extends in a curved shape in the flow direction of the inlet port.
US07908856B2
A high efficiency generator is provided using a Stirling engine to amplify an acoustic wave by heating the gas in the engine in a forward mode. The engine is coupled to an alternator to convert heat input to the engine into electricity. A plurality of the engines and respective alternators can be coupled to operate in a timed sequence to produce multi-phase electricity without the need for conversion. The engine system may be operated in a reverse mode as a refrigerator/heat pump.
US07908855B2
The invention relates to fluidic oscillators including compressed gas driven pumps and liquid piston and thermoacoustic heat engines and heat pumps in which the intention is to generate large amplitude oscillations by eliminating the dependence of the oscillations on inertia. According to the principle embodiment represented by circuit 200 pressure or temperature variations 27′ drive pressure variations in vessel 11′ causing a flow of further working fluid between vessel 11′ and load 12′ wherein useful work is consumed. Said flow varies out of phase with said pressure variations in vessel 11′ by a first phase angle determined by inter alia the dissipative load 12′ and the capacity of vessel 11′. Oscillations are sustained due to a second phase angle determined by inter alia subcircuit 13′ comprising dissipative processes 260, 262 and capacitive processes 261, 263 wherein each said dissipative process comprises any one, or combination of the following: viscous drag, thermal resistance or mechanical friction and each capacitive process comprises any one, or combination of the following: hydrostatic pressure change due to a flow, fluid compressibility, thermal capacitance, or elasticity; and wherein, the magnitude of the pressure changes in the working fluid increases or remains constant with time due to at least one mechanism giving rise to a gain.
US07908852B2
This disclosure relates to a hydraulic system and method that converts the kinetic energy generated by the operation of a swing motor into hydraulic potential energy and reuses the hydraulic potential energy for swing motor acceleration. An accumulator can be provided for storing exit oil from the swing motor that is pressurized by the inertia torque applied on the moving motor via movement of an upper structure of a machine. The pressurized oil in the accumulator can be reused to accelerate the swing motor by supplying pressurized oil to the swing motor.
US07908849B2
A stator shell for a hydrodynamic torque converter (1), wherein said stator shell (2) comprises a plurality of blades (32, 34), wherein said stator shell (2) comprises plural components (20, 22), produced separately from one another and respectively comprising one or plural blades (32, 34) of said stator shell (2), wherein said components (20, 22) are fixated to one another and disposed relative to one another, so that blades (32, 34) of several of said components (20, 22) are disposed respectively offset relative to one another in a circumferential direction forming gaps provided in said circumferential direction extending about a central axis of the stator shell (2), wherein each of said blades (32, 34) is configured from an integral component between its respective leading edge and its respective trailing edge, so that each of the blades (32, 34) is respectively configured integrally from one of the components (20 or 22).
US07908848B1
This embodiment of this exhaust apparatus relates to an air intake device and a rotating blade assembly (50 and 51) which significantly reduce greenhouse gases, hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen emissions and other gases and pollutants not yet required to be tested, exhaust noise and temperature of the exhaust gases. By its chilling effect it also improves the efficiency of an internal combustion engine. An electric motor drive shaft (69) is coupled to the drive shaft (67) at the rear of the unit. The drive shaft (66) is attached to the centrifuge and rotating blade assembly (51) creating a vacuum which draws chilled exhaust gases into the unit. The vacuum helps to cool the engine and chill the gases. The gases are mixed and the resultant gaseous mixture exits from the blades into a mixture of exhaust gases (43) and chilled air (35), making a chilled air and exhaust gas mixture (58) exiting through a discharge port in the rear of the unit (65). The test results demonstrated significant reductions in greenhouse gases and exhaust gas emissions and significantly reduced engine exhaust temperature.
US07908843B2
An exhaust gas purification device comprises a NOx catalyst for purifying NOx contained in exhaust gas by using ammonia as a reducing agent, an ammonia supply device for supplying ammonia to the NOx catalyst, a catalyst temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature of the NOx catalyst, and a control unit that stops the ammonia supply from the ammonia supply device when the stop condition is satisfied that the internal temperature of the NOx catalyst becomes equal to or higher than first prescribed temperature in the process where ammonia is supplied from the ammonia supply device to the NOx catalyst.
US07908842B2
In a method for operating a gas turbine (GT) with sequential combustion, which has at least one compressor (12, 13), a first combustion chamber (14) with a first turbine (15) which is connected downstream, and a second combustion chamber (16) with a second turbine (17) which is connected downstream, the at least one compressor (12, 13) draws in air and compresses it. The compressed air is fed to the first combustion chamber (14) for combusting a first fuel, and the gas which issues from the first turbine (15) is fed to the second combustion chamber (16) for combusting a second fuel. Increased flexibility and safety in operation is achieved by different fuels being used as first and second fuel.
US07908833B2
A mower has a frame that supports a rotary cutting deck. The frame includes a pair of side rails that each extend from a front end in advance of the cutting deck to a rear end substantially behind the cutting deck. The front ends of the side rails support a pair of front caster wheels. The rear ends of the side rails have a raised, upwardly extending arch at which a hydraulic pump/motor assembly is mounted. The pump/motor assembly has an L-shaped configuration with the motor being located towards the bottom of the arch and outboard of the side rail and with the pump extending upwardly and inwardly from the motor to be located inboard of the side rail and within the vertical profile of the arch. The hydraulic motors drive a pair of rear drive wheels to propel the frame over the ground. A cross frame extends between the motors in the pump/motor assemblies to join the assemblies together. The deck is propelled from the frame by a plurality of struts extending between the cross frame and the deck.
US07908827B2
A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is adapted to accept and hold a selected platen of a set of platens and to move the selected platen in both an X axis and a Y axis. The selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited.
US07908826B2
An improved method and apparatus for providing end seals on vertical stand up packages that prevents pleat formation and gusset variation. A clamping device is mounted below sealing jaws. A bottom end seal is made by the sealing jaws to form an open-ended tube. The open-ended tube is moved downward. The clamping device engages the tube to prevent twisting when product is placed into the tube. Product then enters an open-ended tube of flexible film packaging and the top seal is made.
US07908823B2
It shows a container cover that is generally Shown as (1). The cover comprises an inner portion (2) which stretches over and covers the mouth of a cup A. The inner portion includes a pierceable area (9) for receiving a tube or straw B. The inner portion includes a “teat” of material that is not drawn as tightly over the mouth of the container as the inner portion (2). This allows for a degree of slack in the cover. The inner portion (2) is bounded by an outer portion (3), which can be pulled down the sides of the cup A so securing the container cover (1) in place.
US07908820B2
An integrally molded window spacer bar connector for joining opposed spacer bar end passages in the form of a hollow tube with a longitudinal axis of symmetry and a transverse axis of symmetry includes inclined leading edge ramps, a medial rib to control the insertion of the connector into spacer bars, and external channels to receive a sealant material for sealing the connector to the spacer bar at the seam of the joint of the spacer bar.
US07908815B2
Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a displaceable tongue in a displacement groove. The tongue is molded and provided with bendable protrusions.
US07908805B2
A partition system for office spaces generally includes a framework and a plurality of different types of decorative and/or functional tiles mountable to the framework. The framework includes I- and C-shaped vertical frame members which are adjustably joined by upper and lower horizontal spanners such that the distance between the vertical frame members is adjustable. Also, the framework may include other types of vertical frame members for forming L-, T-, or X-junctions within the partition system framework. A variety of decorative and functional tiles are mountable to the framework, including retractable workspace tiles, several types of storage tiles, display tiles, window tiles, and electrical and data services tiles.
US07908801B2
A material and method for insulating and providing a drainage path for a foundation wall includes a non-woven thermoplastic board being for insulating and providing a drainage path for a foundation wall. The non-woven thermoplastic board has a thermal resistance of an R-value per inch thickness of at least 1. The non-woven thermoplastic board also has a vertical drainage ability per inch thickness of at least 135 Gallons/Hour/Lineal-Foot/inch at a pressure of 500 pounds per square foot (psf).
US07908781B2
A muzzle loading firearm with a break-open action includes a rear stock assembly and a barrel assembly. The barrel assembly includes an elongate barrel, having a bore with muzzle and breech ends, and a breech plug removably connected the breech end of the barrel, which encloses a chamber at the rear of the bore. The barrel assembly is pivotally attached to the rear stock assembly, and is movable with respect to the stock assembly between an open position in which the breech end is accessible for service, and a closed position in which the breech end is inaccessible and secured for discharge. A lever arm, optionally configured to serve as the firearm trigger guard, is user actuated for moving the action between the open and closed positions. The breech plug is configured for rapid removal from the barrel by hand when the action is open.
US07908780B2
The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a glass fiber reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover features built in tools for, among other things, unloading and disassembling the magazine.
US07908771B2
A removable spat may be used with a shoe having a sole and an upper. The spat includes a boot portion having a back opening and a front end, and a sleeve connected to the boot portion. The back opening of the boot portion is adapted to receive the shoe therein. The sleeve has a fixed end connected to the front end of the boot portion and a free end opposite the fixed end. The sleeve extends freely from the front end to define a first sleeve position, and the sleeve is foldable over the boot portion to define a second sleeve position.
US07908768B2
An insole providing cushioning and control of foot motion. The insole includes a stability cradle and pods secured to the underside of the insole core or base. A lateral heel pod and a medial heel pod have differing material properties selected to help control foot pronation.
US07908767B1
Protective footwear for responders such as firefighters, civil defense, and defense workers is described. Different aspects include a boot with a flange for forming a vapor/liquid tight seal with trousers, methods of making the boot and methods of using the boot.
US07908764B1
A centrifugal bowl separator, including a bowl, a source of pressurized gas in selective flow communication with the bowl and operable to selectively supply pressurized gas to an interior portion of the bowl, and first and second pressure seals selectively established to provide a zone within a portion of the bowl such that when the pressurized gas is introduced, pressure within the portion of the bowl increases for enhanced removal of moisture and drying of solids within the portion of the bowl.
US07908759B2
A method for measuring a surface profile using a surface sensing device mounted on an articulating probe head in which the probe head is moved along a nominal path relative to the surface profile, an at least approximation of the surface normal of the surface profile, the surface profile is sensed with the surface sensing device and the distance or force of the surface sensing device relative to the surface profile substantially in the direction of the surface normal. The surface normal may be determined by approximating at least one section to a curved profile which can be mathematically parameterised.
US07908755B2
An embodiment is an articulating straight-edge apparatus having an asymmetrical hub with a lobe having a flat edge. The hub has a bearing hole, an axle, a circular side with recesses which provide stopping at pre-set angles. There is a secant slotted channel through the lobe. The floor of the channel has depressions that provide stopping for translational shift. A connecting block is covered with a back and front plate. The block has an angle positioning SLD. The SLD impinges recesses as the hub is rotated. Additionally, there is a translational shift mechanism which includes a sliding rail in the channel. The rail has a SLD aligned to impinge a depression as the rail moves through the channel, therein stopping at a depression. Attached to the siding rail is a straight-edge element. The straight-edge serves as a carpenter's square, and can be adjusted angularly and translationally with manual force.
US07908732B2
There are disclosed methods of and apparatus for interconnecting lined metal pipes (110, 120), applying in particular to the offshore oil and gas industry. Corrosion is a common problem in the industry. Lining pipes overcomes the problem, but welding sections of pipe together can be a complicated and time-consuming task, requiring dedicated and sophisticated tooling. More desirable is the ability to use conventional pipe-laying equipment (20, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90) with little additional tooling. As such, there are disclosed methods and apparatus compatible with known offshore connection methods, particularly where the spacing of joints on the pipe is less than 100 m. The chosen technique will not significantly impact the laying rate of the lined pipe, compared with unlined pipe. The method includes connecting lined pipes (110, 120) using a corrosion-resistant bridging member (102) internally overlapping both linings, leaving a void space (146) behind the weld region (109) while at least the initial stages of welding (180) are performed, and expanding (170) the bridging member to provide a seal against the liners, in a controlled sequence. There is also disclosed a bridging member (102), tooling (170) and pipelay apparatus suitable for use with this method.
US07908731B2
In ventilation and air-conditioning technology, so-called spiral pipes have to be joined together in a tightly sealed manner at widely differing angles, which is generally carried out by segment bends and pipe sections. An improved, durable seal of folded-seam connections is achieved by a flange-like double fold which is arranged at a first pipe end and which is surrounded on the outside at least in part with positive locking and with a continuous metal seal, by a second double fold at the second pipe end.
US07908730B2
A Push To Connect (PTC) fitting cartridge for connecting to a pneumatic device, such as, an air brake or a height control valve, the PTC fitting cartridge including at least one protrusion positioned on an outer surface of the PTC fitting cartridge, which is provided to interact with an undercut positioned on an inner surface of a port. The undercut interacts with the protrusion to substantially eliminate stress on the surrounding material to reduce the chance of fraction thereof.
US07908727B2
A rivet is inserted into a workpiece by an apparatus that includes an internal roller screw linear actuator in which rotational movement of an internally threaded cylinder is converted into linear movement of a fastener insertion actuator assembly. The cylinder is driven in rotation by a servo-controlled motor. The angular velocity of the cylinder required to deliver the required energy to effect fastener insertion is calculated and the motor is first controlled to accelerate the cylinder up to the calculated angular velocity, the actuator assembly simultaneously being moved by the cylinder towards the workpiece. The motor is then controlled to maintain the angular velocity of the cylinder at not less than the calculated magnitude at least until insertion of the fastener. The cylinder stores kinetic energy by virtue of its inertia. Using this inertia to insert fasteners eliminates the need for position or force feedback control. The process allows for a rapid cycle time and the apparatus is compact.
US07908712B2
The invention relates to a hinge for a vehicle door, comprising a first hinge part that can be fixed to the door or the door frame, a second hinge part which is fixed to the other of the two components, i.e. the door frame or the door, and a hinge pin that defines a swiveling axis of the hinge and pivotally connects the first hinge part and the second hinge part to each other. The hinge pin is arranged nonrotably on the first hinge part or the second hinge part while being rotatably mounted in the other hinge part. The hinge further comprises an end stop which limits an opening movement of the first hinge part and the second hinge part. In order to create a hinge that allows the vehicle door to be opened securely, an adjusting mechanism which is assigned to the first hinge part or the second hinge part is provided for adjusting the end stop.
US07908708B2
The invention relates to method(s) and device(s) for accurately positioning and fastening a surface cover to the surface. A surface cover can be provided with a cover snap member that has a drill guide through which a hole can be drilled into the surface. The hole can be used to fasten a surface snap member, which snaps together with the cover snap member. The surface snap member can be attached to the surface through a separate screw. Alternatively, the surface snap member can comprise an integral screw that provides for self-attachment. The surface snap member can have a bore which aligns with the drill guide when the surface snap member and the cover snap member are snapped together. The user can snap the cover snap member and surface snap member and drill a hole into the surface through the channel formed by the aligned drill guide and bore.
US07908703B2
A wiper blade (18) with a connecting device (84) to connect a wiper arm (10), which connecting device features a pivoted adapter (66) equipped with holding surfaces (70, 72) for the wiper arm (10) and an openable and closeable protective cap (26), which in its closed position can fix the wiper arm (10) with limiting surfaces (64) arranged on an inner side by means of the holding surfaces (70, 72). The protective cap (26) has an openable and closeable cover (50) with an opening in its covering wall through which the wiper arm (10) can be connected to the adapter (66).
US07908690B2
A patient supporting apparatus used in medical imaging technologies has an inventive tabletop and stretcher system. The tabletop has a gap or narrowing of prescribed location and size, for example, more than thirty percent of the width of the tabletop is removed inferior to the patient's pelvis within a region of at least 0.3 meters in length. The stretcher supports the tabletop and includes a gap or narrowing so that the access of the operator's hand, arm, and line of sight is not obstructed from the gap or narrowing of the tabletop.
US07908688B2
Provided herein is a portable device useful for providing ventilation to a selected area via circulation of ambient air. A device according to the present invention is especially well-suited to provide ventilating air to a person resting on a bed, by directing air from the room to the volume defined by the top surface of the mattress of the bed and a bed covering disposed thereon. Use of the present invention increases the ability of persons to achieve restful sleep by enabling convenient control of the air surrounding the person to a comfortable level.
US07908687B2
A heating and cooling device for temperature conditioning an air supply for an air conditioned appliance, said heating/cooling device comprising: a first air passage for channeling a first air flow; a second air passage for channeling a second air flow; an inlet fan for drawing air into said first, air passage; an exhaust fan for drawing air through said second air passage; one or a plurality of heat exchangers for exchanging heat between air in said first air passage and air in said second exhaust air passage; wherein said first air passage comprises a tubular channel having an inlet at a first end and only one outlet, said outlet being at a second end of said passage, and said inlet fan is positioned at said inlet, such that said first air flow is channeled through said inlet fan, along the whole of said air passage, encountering all of said one or plurality of heat exchangers, and out of said outlet.
US07908677B1
A maternity pant insert that is configured to allow a user wear a conventional size pair of pants during the phases of pregnancy. The pant insert includes a main panel that is generally rectangular in shape and is of sufficient size to cover the opening in the front region of the pant created by the user being unable to utilize the fasteners integrally mounted on the pant. A waist strap is connected to the main panel and is configured to operably connect with the belt loops of the pant. Mounted on the waist strap are a plurality of fasteners located on opposing sides of the main panel that function to allow a user to releasably secure the pant insert to the pant.
US07908673B2
An invertible glove includes a hand portion having at least two digit portions configured to cover at least two digits of a hand of a wearer of the glove and a palm portion configured to cover a palm of the hand of the wearer of the glove. The hand portion includes an exterior surface for handling an object and an interior surface for abutting the hand of the wearer of the glove. The hand portion further includes a grasping element that extends from the interior surface of at least one of the digit portions and is configured to be grasped by a digit of the hand of the wearer of the glove for facilitating inversion of the glove when the hand is removed from the glove. A glove is inverted by pulling on the grasping element as the hand is removed from the glove.
US07908671B2
A one-piece garment with elastic bands threaded through the binding at the leg openings that allows for custom fitting of the garment. The contraction of the elastic bands through the cord-lock fastener creates a drawstring effect and provides a gathering force upon the garment, which is held securely in place with the cord-lock fastener so that the lower portion of the one-piece bodysuit thereby shortens in length and tightens around the legs to form a snug fit. Once the desired length is attained, the elastic bands and the cord-lock fastener are stored in the back flap of the crotch in a separate compartment, or pocket, held securely closed during wear with a strip of hook and loop fastener. The one-piece bodysuit can be expanded as needed by releasing the cord-lock fastener and pulling the elastic bands back through the cord-lock fastener to loosen the gathered fabric, thereby extending the crotch length of the garment and the diameter of the leg openings.
US07908670B2
An exercise garment according to which the exercise performance in various types of exercise accompanied by rotation of the trunk and movement of the arms can be sufficiently improved. The exercise garment includes first tightening portions exerting tightening forces on the scapulae and scapula-surrounding muscle groups, so that the scapulae and the scapula-surrounding muscle groups are supported such that the extent of mobility of the scapulae is broadened. The tightening force due to one of the first tightening portions is transmitted to the other first tightening portion via second tightening portions. As a result, movement of one scapula linked to the movement of the other scapula is promoted, and the extent of mobility of the scapulae is further broadened. Consequently, the flexibility around the shoulders during exercise in which the left and right shoulders are working together can be effectively increased.
US07908669B2
A clothing protector scarf that is worn around the neck and drapes over one's chest on two sides, from the neck to at, or slightly above, one's waist When not used for dining, or other purposes of clothing protection, the two sections of the scarf remain separated and the scarf is worn as a decorative fashion accessory. When dining, the two sections of the scarf may be joined together along their leading edges with hook and loop (Velcro) fasteners, forming a continuous surface of fabric capable of keeping food from coming in contact with the clothing underneath.
US07908667B2
Embodiments of a fixture secured, securable to, or integral with the outer shell of a helmet of the type that has a bulge or protrusion on a side thereof to facilitate convenient positional adjustment, attachment and removal of multiple accessories include a fixture for securely receiving an accessory, wherein the fixture comprises a rail for slidably and adjustably receiving a plurality of accessories thereon.
