US07963795B1
A light guiding structure for electric connector includes an insertion base being provided at two opposite lateral sides with a recessed portion each; at least two light-guiding units being separately connected to the two lateral sides of the insertion base, and respectively having an end formed into two engaging sections for fitting in the recessed portions; and an enclosure for enclosing the insertion base and the light-guiding units therein. The light guiding structure for electric connector can be easily and firmly assembled through engagement of the engaging sections of the light-guiding units with the recessed portions on the insertion base, and the light-guiding units are prevented from light leakage.
US07963793B2
A charge handle for use in charging a plug-in vehicle having a charge port includes a body having a receptacle for engaging the charge port to provide for charging the vehicle. A latch rotatably mounted to the body has a first end for securing the engagement of the receptacle to the charge port, and has a second end. An actuator lever is rotatably mounted to the body. The actuator lever has a first end connected to the second end of the latch, and has a second end. A trigger mechanism includes a trigger located on the opposite side of the body from the latch. The trigger mechanism is arranged such that depressing the trigger pushes the second end of the actuator lever to rotate the actuator lever to cause the latch to rotate and disengage the receptacle from the charge port.
US07963790B1
The current invention teaches a new and novel electrical connector which utilizes a cover with complimentary lower curved engagement aids to ensure the accurate engagement and disengagement of a plurality of data and electrical connections. The electrical connector further allows the one-handed engagement and disengagement of the connector while reducing the lateral forces required and reducing the corresponding stress on the conductor wires.
US07963789B1
A dual force single point actuation integrated load mechanism for securing a computer processor to a socket, the dual force single point actuation integrated load mechanism including a base mounted around the socket; and a load plate rotatably coupled to the base and secured to the base when an activate lever and a hinge lever are secured above the load plate; wherein the activate lever is rotatably coupled with the base and is secured when the activate lever is fully rotated; wherein the hinge lever is rotatably coupled with the base and connected to the activate lever such that rotating the activate lever rotates the hinge lever; and wherein the hinge lever is secured when the activate lever is secured.
US07963787B2
An electronic assembly comprises a printed circuit board that has an electronic component that is attached mechanically and electrically to the printed circuit board by soldering. A plastic header connector covers the electronic component and provides a socket for the electronic component when the plastic header connector is attached to the printed circuit board solely by portions of the plastic header connector.
US07963782B2
Separable connector assemblies include one or more pairs of connectors that engage and disengage one another in electrical connection and disconnection operations, respectively. An operator can disengage the connectors by pushing the connectors together and then pulling the connectors apart. Pushing the connectors together shears interface adhesion between the connectors, making it easier for the operator to pull the connectors apart. An indicator integral or coupled to one of the connectors can indicate whether the first and second connectors are in the pushed-in-position. A window in the other connector includes an opening, channel, and/or translucent or semi-translucent material through which the indicator may be seen. The window and/or one or more vents in a tubular member of one of the connectors can include a channel that provides an air path for ingress of air between the connectors, to thereby remove or reduce a vacuum or partial vacuum between the connectors.
US07963780B2
A card fixing module for fixing a card is provided. The card fixing module comprises a housing, a card holder and an elastic element. The housing comprises an opening and a through hole, wherein the through hole corresponds to the opening. The card holder comprises a body portion, an abutting portion and a post, wherein the abutting portion is connected to the body portion, the post is connected to the body portion, the post passes through the through hole, the card holder is moved between a first position and a second position, and wherein when the card holder is in the first position, the abutting portion abuts the housing, and the card is received in the housing. The elastic element is telescoped on the post, an end of the elastic element contacts the housing, and the other end of the elastic element contacts the body portion, wherein the elastic element applies an elastic force to the card holder to move the card holder from the first position to the second position to push the card out of the opening.
US07963779B1
An electrical plug is provided. The plug includes a base, a cover, a live prong, a neutral prong, and a ground prong. The cover defines a first hole, a second hole, and a third hole through which the ground prong, the live prong, and the neutral prong, respectively extend. The ground prong includes a middle contact, a first contact including a first pin rotatably connected to the middle contact and a first blade fixed to the first pin, and a second contact including a second pin rotatably connected to the middle contact and a second blade fixed to the second pin. The first pin and the second pin are rotatably at opposite sides of the middle contact. The first blade and the second blade are on front and rear of the middle contact.
US07963773B2
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a cable connector. The cable connector may have magnetic properties and/or a locking mechanism. The cable connector may be an HDMI connector and the cable may be an HDMI cable. Further, the connector may be plugged into the corresponding male/female connector port and be held in position by the magnetic properties associated with the connector and the port and/or by a lock lever mechanism. The magnetic array may be moved various distances in various directions. In addition, the connector and/or cable may include a processor, an integrated circuit, an indicator, an LED and/or a user interface.
US07963771B2
When a mechanism constituent unit having a base is secured to a magnetic base at a predetermined position, a fixture having a detachable mechanism inside itself is employed, and the fixture is disposed on a notch of the base of the mechanism constituent unit in a non-adsorption state in which magnetic force lines of a permanent magnet of the detachable mechanism permeate the fixture. In this state, a rotation casing is rotated 90 degrees to be in a lock state, and a fixing casing is firmly adsorbed to the magnetic base such that magnetic force of the permanent magnet inside it permeate to the magnetic base side. Thus, the mechanism constituent unit base is firmly sandwiched by a pressing portion of the fixing casing and the magnetic base, and the base of the mechanism constituent unit is firmly secured to the magnetic base at a predetermined position.
US07963770B2
A surgical-training device for measuring roughness (non-delicate manipulation) during a simulated-surgical technique is described. The device has a housing, a platform, and a sensor module. The platform is movably coupled to the housing, and is configured for three-dimensional motion relative to the housing. The platform is further configured to move from a start position to a displaced position when a force is applied to the platform as a result of a user performing a simulated-surgical technique on the platform. A sensor module, coupled to the housing, is configured to determine when the platform moves a distance (from the start position to the displaced position) that exceeds a preset-threshold distance. If the preset-threshold distance is exceeded, sensor module indicates (by visual and/or auditory alarms within the device, and/or computerized counting and scoring reports) that the user applied excessive force, and was therefore too rough when performing the simulated-surgical technique. A method of manufacturing a surgical-training device is also provided.
US07963765B2
A system of dental appliances having various sizes and types and a method for treating malocclusions of patients of various ages without adjustments or appointments are provided. The dental appliances may be sized to treat, for example, patients in age ranges of less than six years; six years to twelve years; and twelve or more years. The dental appliances may have preformed and/or customized sockets and/or slots for more than one tooth, such as incisors and/or canines and/or molars and/or premolars and/or deciduous molars and/or adult molars. The dental appliances may be one-size-fits-all type dental appliances. The dental appliances may be used to treat a malocclusion, such as, for example, an overbite, an overjet, crowding, spacing, or temporomandibular joint problems, and may be distributed in an over-the-counter manner.
US07963761B2
An injection molding apparatus includes a first mold supported on a first fixed plate, a second mold assembled to and disassembled from the first mold and forming a cavity for injection molding, a third mold installed so as to be assembled to and disassembled from the second mold, a guide portion guiding the assembly and disassembly of the first, second, and third molds, and a heating and cooling portion heating the second molding when injecting resin for forming a product into the cavity formed as the first and second molds are assembled to each other and cooling the second mod when curing the resin injected into the cavity.
US07963760B2
A heater cartridge and a molding apparatus using the heater cartridge are provided. The molding apparatus includes a mold comprising at least one cartridge channel and a heater cartridge inserted to the cartridge channel, the heater cartridge comprising a main body casing, a plurality of heating sectors dividing an inside of the main body casing, and a heating part provided to at least one of the heating sectors to heat a predetermined area of the mold. The heater cartridge and molding apparatus having same provide uniform heating to enhance thermal efficiency and the quality of a product.
US07963753B2
A scroll compressor includes scroll compressor bodies with axial tip seals projecting from the respective scroll ribs of fixed and movable scroll compressor bodies. An extended thrust region is provided in surrounding relation to an inner axial tip sealing region to provide for carrying thrust loads in the event that the scroll compressor bodies are forced axially together. Part of the thrust region may carry a tip seal, while another part may be free of a tip seal. This provides for at least a nominal reverse operation capability.
US07963748B2
If the ambient temperature of a pressure volute measured by a temperature sensor exceeds 0° C., a compressor is instantly started at normal operation. If the temperature of the pressure volute measured by the temperature sensor is 0° C. or lower, vibration along the axial direction is given to the rotary shaft by way of an axial magnetic bearing. If the vibration amplitude of the thus given vibration exceeds a predetermined value, the compressor is started at normal operation after idle operation. On the other hand, if the vibration amplitude is lower than a predetermined value, the heater is actuated to heat the pressure volute only for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the ambient temperature is detected again, and if the ambient temperature exceeds 0° C., the compressor is started.
US07963743B1
A wind turbine with improved cooling, which provides liquid cooling for a wind turbine with a completely closed or at least partially closed cooling circuit, with which the heat to be dissipated from the cooling circuit is dissipated by a nacelle of the wind turbine. The wind turbine with improved cooling dissipates energy losses from heat and applied for the conversion of kinetic energy of wind into mechanical and electrical energy of the wind turbine.
US07963742B2
An example variable stator vane assembly includes at least one button, a vane airfoil adjacent to the button, and a fillet defined between the button and the airfoil. In one example, the fillet defines a constant radius and extends beyond the button at least greater than a distance of 60% of a length of an overhang portion of the vane airfoil.
US07963741B2
The present invention provides a motor which includes a stator including a plurality of one-phase stators composed of a pair of stator cores having claw-type teeth and a coil for generating magnetic flux at the claw-type teeth, and a rotor for generating torque at a rotary shaft, wherein the stator core includes a plurality of split cores having the same shape, and the split cores are formed to have a recessed portion and a projected portion to be fitted in the recessed portion. Thereby, by using a plurality of the split cores having the same shape, one stator core is formed. On this occasion, the shape of the split cores is molded so that the recessed portion and the projected portion of one stator core are disposed at positions at which those are fitted to the projected portion and the recessed portion of the opposing stator core, respectively.
US07963739B2
A lift having a platform with a substantially level ride is described. The lift also reduces the distance between the ground and the platform in the ground position. An extension plate having receiving portions for accommodating portions of the lift when the platform is in a bed level position.
US07963737B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for transferring substrates. The substrate transferring apparatus is provided with a plurality of blades capable of withdrawing wafers from inside a container. Withdrawing members are elevated within coupling holes formed in the blades, and wafers are withdrawn by elevating and protruding the withdrawing members from the coupling holes of the blades. The withdrawing members are formed to be hollow, and are selectively elevated from the blades by supplying gas therein. Alternately, the withdrawing members are rotatably connected to the blades, and wafers are withdrawn when the withdrawing members are pivoted to protrude from the blades. Here, a withdrawing member includes a rotating shaft, and is pivoted when tension is applied to a wire wound around the rotating shaft. The wound wire is rotated by a driver that is selectively operated by a controller.
US07963731B2
A pad (20) is particularly suited for separating or restraining cargo and includes a top sheet surface (21) having longitudinally extending spaced ribs (27) forming a plurality of recesses (28) therebetween. A pattern of lugs (31) is formed in the recesses (28). The pad (20) also includes a bottom sheet surface (22) having longitudinally extending spaced ribs (29) forming a plurality of recesses (30) therebetween. A pattern of notches (32) is formed in the ribs (29), and the pad (20) may nest with a like pad (20) by placing the lugs (31) in the notches (32). The pads (20) may stack to form a thicker pad by positioning the ribs (27) of one pad (20) in the recesses (28) of a like pad (20). A flange (33) extends outwardly from one of the edges of the sheet surface (21) which assists in preventing the pad (20) from sliding when in use.
US07963730B2
Apparatus for securing one or more wheelchairs to a vehicle includes a plurality of straps for holding the wheelchairs to the vehicle. Some of the straps are attached to a movable element that can be moved into or out of the area to be occupied by the wheelchairs. This allows the area to be utilized by other passengers when no wheelchairs are present and also facilitates ingress and egress of the wheelchairs. In the preferred embodiment, movable elements, which carry housings for wheelchair-engaging belts and passenger restraint belts, are mounted to the side wall of the vehicle for pivotal movement about vertical axes between storage positions and operative positions. The apparatus allows an operator to quickly and easily secure or release a passenger in a wheelchair and maintains the integrity of the straps.
US07963721B2
Apparatuses including a subsea pipeline (18) extending from a first location (14) to a second location (16) and including at least one distributed buoyancy region (102) to traverse a seabed topographic feature (12) are presented. Methods including laying a subsea pipeline (218) including laying a negatively buoyant section of pipeline (218A), a distributed buoyancy section (202) of pipeline (218), and a second negatively buoyant section of pipeline (218B) from a pipelay vessel (220) to traverse an undersea topographic feature (212) are also presented.
US07963719B2
A method and apparatus for applying various different coating on surfaces including but not limited to roadways, parking lots, bridge decks, airport runways, offshore heliports and workboat walkways. Preferably, an applicator is provided that allows numerous different coatings to be applied to a surface. The coatings may be protective, decorative, non-skid and/or reflective in nature. Preferably, the applicator allows for the dispensing of two or more materials in at least two different manners (e.g., (i) two or more materials simultaneously applied to the surface to be coated; and, (ii) one material applied followed by application of one or more additional materials). Preferably, the applicator is lightweight and compact so that a single individual can carry the applicator while applying a coating to a surface to be coated. This allows the applicator to be used to coat surfaces in constricted areas including but not limited to workboat walkways. The applicator, in its preferred form, permits a non-skid coating to be applied in a single step with the aggregate being encapsulated by the binder or coating material to prolong the life of the non-skid surface.
US07963706B2
A lens barrel includes a telescopic cylinder, at least one movable lens, and a retractable lens. The telescopic cylinder includes at least one movable cylinder that can be accommodated in a fixed cylinder. The movable lens is retained in the movable cylinder. An optical axis of the movable lens determines a reference axis of the lens barrel. The retractable lens can be retracted in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis from a photographing position on the reference axis to a retracted position off the reference axis. In a photographing state, the retractable lens is adjacent to the movable lens, and the movable lens and the retractable lens are coaxially aligned along the reference axis. The retractable lens moves to the reference axis from the retracted position immediately after the movable cylinder of the movable lens reaches a maximum protruded position.
US07963704B2
The connector system provides two identical hermaphroditic housings, which accomplish a reliable connection of standard optical fiber connectors without the use of an adaptor. The connector system includes a first housing mounted to a first printed wiring board and a second housing mounted to a second printed wiring board. Each housing supports an optical fiber connector therein. Each housing includes an inner member and an outer member. Springs are provided between the inner and outer members to provide biasing of the housings in the mating direction of the optical connectors.
US07963703B2
A thrust roller bearing including: a pair of races each of which has an annular plate; a cage interposed between the pair of races, formed by a single annular plate including a bent portion bent in an intermediate region in a radial direction of the cage such that a plurality of projecting portions to project in a thickness direction of the cage are formed on a first side and a second side of the cage, and a plurality of pockets stamped out in the thickness direction at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of the cage; and a plurality of rollers received respectively in the pockets. At least two projecting portions are formed on each of the first side and the second side of the cage; and a plurality of race-contacting projection portions are arranged on a surface of at least one of the two projecting portions on at least one of the first side and the second side of the cage at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cage.
US07963699B2
Bearing shell of a connecting rod which is located in the larger connecting rod eye in which the bearing shell is constituted by several thermally sprayed layers and the topmost material layer of the bearing shell is essentially constituted by an aluminum/bismuth alloy as well as a bearing shell of a connecting rod which is at least located in the larger connecting rod eye in which the entire bearing shell is essentially constituted by a thermally sprayed layer of aluminum/bismuth alloy and process for the fabrication of a bearing shell on a connecting rod eye with the steps mechanical roughening of the connecting rod surface in the region of the bearing, thermal coating onto the surface with a bearing metal or a bearing material to build up a bearing layer and thermal coating onto the bearing layer with an Al/Bi alloy to build up a sliding layer, as well as a process for the fabrication of a bearing shell on a connecting rod eye with the steps mechanical roughening of the connecting rod surface in the region of the bearing and thermal coating onto the surface with an Al/Bi alloy to build up a bearing and sliding layer.
US07963696B2
A mobile CT imaging system comprising a housing having a center opening; and a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, wherein the CT imaging unit is adapted to scan anatomical objects located within the center opening and generate images of the same, wherein the CT imaging unit comprises: a rotatable drum assembly disposed within the housing, concentric with the center opening; an X-ray tube mounted on the rotatable drum assembly and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and an X-ray detector mounted on the rotatable drum assembly in alignment with the X-ray beam; wherein the X-ray beam is disposed in an “off-center” configuration, adjacent to an entrance of the center opening.
US07963692B2
A monitoring apparatus is disclosed for monitoring time by a color change indicator, comprising an observable fluid, a first reservoir holding at least a portion of the observable fluid, and a second reservoir abutting the first reservoir. The first reservoir is responsive to pressure on it such that a portion of the observable fluid flows into the second reservoir. The second reservoir is responsive to a lack of pressure in the first reservoir such that a portion of the observable fluid in the second reservoir reverses flow back into the first reservoir once the first reservoir is not under pressure.
US07963691B2
The light pressure rotator (1) is the light pressure rotator being light pressure trapped by irradiation with light and light pressure rotating about the central axis O of rotation, characterized in that a reverse torque generating section generating a torque for rotating the rotator in the direction reverse to the predetermined direction is removed from a section arranged with three blades (2) each having a first side face (3) extending in the radial direction from the central axis O of rotation, a second side face (4) facing the central axis O of rotation, a third side face (5) facing the first side face (3), a lower surface (6) intersecting the central axis O of the rotation, and an upper surface (7) facing the lower surface (6). The light pressure rotating device comprises the light pressure rotator (1), a light source (C), and an objective (condenser) lens D.
US07963686B2
A thermal dispersing structure for LED or SMD LED lights is to mount a lamp base on a light head. The lamp base is funnel-shaped and has an interior annular cutout near its top edge. A substrate engages the annular cutout to carry one or multiple LED or SMD LED units at a center or other proper locations. Moreover, a rim is formed on the substrate around the LED or SMD LED units. The substrate has multiple holes defined corresponding to thermal conducting bases under the LED or SMD LED units and defined slightly larger or smaller than the LED thermal conducting base. Additionally, a thermal dispersing body is secured under the substrate and has multiple posts corresponding to the holes of the thermal conducting bases. Each post penetrates the substrate to snugly engage the thermal conducting base so that thermal dispersing efficiency is improved.
US07963675B2
A system for reducing sun glare through an opening into a space, the system comprising an electrically controllable window treatment operable to alter the amount of daylight entering the space through the opening; a first sensor mounted within the space and characterized by a sensor gain, the first sensor operable to sense a level of illumination in the space; and a control system operable: to compare the sensed illumination level in the space to a dead-band having upper and lower thresholds; to adjust during a time period when glare from the sun can occur through the opening at least one of: (a) the upper threshold of the dead-band, (b) the lower threshold of the dead-band, and (c) the sensor gain of the first sensor; and to adjust the window treatment in response to the sensed level of illumination to reduce the sun glare.
US07963667B2
The present invention is a light generation device utilizing higher efficiency LED's while also allowing for interface with current lighting interfaces. The LED's are replaceable in the unit and may be interchanged with other LED's to affect lighting mood and style or simply for replacement in the event an LED ceases to function.
US07963661B2
Light fixtures adaptable for use with displays such as retail displays and using T-5 type lamps, the fixtures having a lamp housing, a mounting bracket, and lamp housing support arms which extend from the mounting bracket to the lamp housing, the lamp housing having a shroud and shroud end caps at each end of the shroud, the shroud end caps configured for interconnection with an opposing shroud end cap of another fixture whereby multiple fixtures can be interconnected in serial fashion.
US07963655B2
Methods and devices measure eye blinks and tear film lipid and aqueous layer thickness before and following ophthalmic formula application onto the ocular surface, especially wherein the ophthalmic formula is an artificial tear. The methods and devices are suitable for dry eye diagnosis. The methods and devices are suitable for use to evaluate ophthalmic formula effects on the tear film and to use such information to diagnose ophthalmic formula treatment of ocular disease conditions such as dry eye in the absence of contact lens wear or post-surgical eye drop treatment and diagnosis. The methods and devices are also suitable for use in the optimization of ophthalmic drug dosage forms and sustained drug release.
US07963652B2
A method and apparatus for eye gaze tracking in human or animal subjects without calibration of cameras, specific measurements of eye geometries, or tracking of a cursor image on a screen by the subject through a known trajectory. One embodiment provides a method for tracking a user's eye gaze at a surface, object, or visual scene, comprising: providing an imaging device for acquiring images of at least one of the user's eves: modeling, measuring, estimating, and/or calibrating for the user's head position: providing one or more markers associated with the surface, object, or visual scene for producing corresponding glints or reflections in the user's eyes; analyzing the images to find said glints or reflections and/or the pupil: and determining eye gaze of the user upon a said one or more marker as indicative of the user's eye gaze at the surface, object, or visual scene.
US07963648B2
An original cover closer of which the energy absorption capability can be freely adjusted by a damper is described. The development period for the original cover closer is therefore shortened. The original cover closer comprises: an attachment member to be mounted on the main body of a device; a support member pivotally connected to the attachment member and operable to support an original cover; a first and a second slider slidably installed in the support member; a compression coil spring interposed between the first and second sliders and operable to urge the original cover to open; and a fluid damper located in the compression coil spring. Particularly, the fluid damper comprises: a cylinder having a base end fixed to the first slider; a piston slidably installed in the cylinder; an abutment stem integrally provided on the piston and located in order that a tip portion of the abutment stem can come in contact with the second slider; a first fluid chamber formed on one side of the piston; a second fluid chamber formed on the other side of the piston; a viscous fluid with which the first fluid second fluid chambers are filled; a fluid conduit formed through the piston in order that the viscous fluid can move through the fluid conduit from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber and vice versa; and a flow rate regulating needle valve formed in the fluid conduit and operable to adjust the speed of the viscous fluid passing through the fluid conduit when the piston slides in the cylinder.
US07963644B2
A printing-fluid container includes a reservoir. An electrical interface is coincident with a first axis and includes a first leading surface or contact pad. A fluidic interface is coincident with a second axis and perpendicular to the first axis. The fluidic interface includes a second leading surface or entry point. The first void is recessed from the first leading surface or contact pad and the second leading surface or first entry point. The first void is coincident with the first axis. A second void is recessed from the first leading surface or contact pad and the second leading surface or second entry point. The second void is coincident with both the first axis and the second axis.
US07963642B2
An ink-jet printer, including: a recording head which ejects ink onto a recording medium; a main tank which stores the ink to be supplied to the recording head; a sub tank configured to be extended and contracted in a vertical direction and including first and second ink flow holes provided in a lower portion of the sub tank, such that the first ink flow hole communicates with the recording head while the second ink flow hole communicates with the main tank; and a communication tube which is connected, at one of opposite ends thereof, to the second ink flow hole and which has, at the other of opposite ends thereof, an opening positioned in an inside space of the sub tank, whereby the second ink flow hole and the inside space of the sub tank communicate with each other via the communication tube, wherein the communication tube is configured such that the opening of the communication tube is displaced downwardly in accordance with the contraction of the sub tank.
US07963640B2
A liquid discharge head according to the present invention comprises plural pressure chambers for applying pressure to liquid, which respectively communicate with liquid discharge openings for discharging liquid; and plural piezoelectric elements, arranged respectively corresponding to the plural pressure chambers, which respectively include lower electrodes, piezoelectric layers and upper electrodes layered in order from the pressure chambers, the lower electrodes being extended to areas corresponding to areas between the plural pressure chambers, and wherein an insulating layer is provided so as to cover at least all the lower electrodes located in the areas corresponding to areas between the plural pressure chambers.
US07963638B2
In a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric element which includes a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer including a plurality of piezoelectric films, and a second electrode formed opposite a surface of the piezoelectric layer, a step of forming the first electrode metal layer includes forming the first electrode metal layer so as to include one or more iridium layer and permit the iridium layer to have the total thickness in the range from 2 to 5 nm to form the first electrode metal layer; and forming the first electrode film by heating the piezoelectric film at a temperature in the range from 400 to 650° C. for 30 minutes or more after the first piezoelectric film is formed in the step of forming the piezoelectric layer to oxidize the iridium contained in the first electrode metal layer.
US07963637B2
A method of driving a piezoelectric actuator which is constituted of a lower electrode film, a piezoelectric film and an upper electrode film that are layered successively onto a diaphragm, includes the step of: applying an electric field to the piezoelectric film in a direction opposite to the orientation direction of the piezoelectric film while continuously changing an intensity of the electric field from a first electric field intensity to a second electric field intensity, the first electric field intensity being smaller than a coercive electric field of the piezoelectric film, the second electric field intensity being larger than the coercive electric field of the piezoelectric film. The piezoelectric film is oriented in the orientation direction from the lower electrode film toward the upper electrode film.
US07963636B2
A liquid ejecting head is constituted by a substrate to which elements for generating energy utilized for ejecting liquid and a supply port for supplying the liquid to be ejected are provided; a plurality of ejection outlets, for ejecting the liquid, provided corresponding to the elements; pressure chambers each communicating with an associated ejection outlet; and flow paths communicating between the pressure chambers and the supply port. The flow paths include at least one pair of flow paths connected to an associated pressure chamber in a symmetrical manner and include flow paths overlapping with each other with respect to a direction from an associated ejection outlet toward the substrate.
US07963630B2
In a method and thermotransfer printing device for setting the speed of a relative movement between the print head and a recording medium during a printing procedure in the thermotransfer printing device, in particular for setting the transport speed of a mail piece in a thermotransfer printing franking machine, the heat energies required for the generation of a predeterminable print image are calculated for the individual heating elements of the print head from start value that has been established for the desired speed. It is subsequently computationally checked whether the respectively calculated heat energy can be emitted at the respective heating element in a first time interval predetermined by the start value of the desired speed and a predeterminable remaining time. If so, a printing procedure follows in which the beginning of the printing procedure ensues using the end value of the desired speed.
US07963629B2
The present invention is to provide, for each nozzle, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature change accompanying driving an ejection heater. In the temperature change, an inflection point appears when an ink is ejected normally. Then, calculated is a summation of absolute values of the differences between a value of second derivative in each point of temperature data in a predetermined section including the timing at which this inflection point appears and a first threshold value based on the second derivative when an ejection-failure occurrence. Since the second derivative when the ejection-failure has occurred does not vary virtually, the summation becomes to be approximately zero. Therefore, appears clearly the difference with the time of normal ejection. From the magnitude relation between the summation and a second threshold value predetermined with respect to the summation, it can be determined whether the normal ejection is being carried out for every nozzle.
US07963623B2
An ink jet printing apparatus and an ink jet printing method are provided which use a printing head having a plurality of ejection opening arrays and enable high quality printing without causing uneven density in a conveying direction. For this purpose, by providing a plurality of ejection opening arrays to chips constituting the printing head and changing data assigning ratio of each ejection opening array, deviation in impact positions depending on the distance between the ejection opening arrays becomes inconspicuous.
US07963622B2
A liquid droplet-discharging device comprises: a droplet-discharging head having a plurality of nozzles that are arranged in a predetermined direction and discharge liquid droplets; a scanning unit for relatively moving the droplet-discharging head and a substrate toward a scanning direction: a memory memorizing pattern data corresponding to driving nozzles that are selected from the plurality of nozzles in each of a plurality of discharged regions, by partitioning a drew region of the substrate into the plurality of discharged regions every discharging frequency along a scanning direction of the substrate; a transferring unit for developing the patterned data memorized by the memory into a plurality of data to be divided and transferring the divided data to the liquid droplet-discharging head in order; and an output unit for outputting a driving signal that drives a driving nozzle selected by the divided data to discharge the liquid droplets. The patterned data are data that allocates the plurality of nozzles to a plurality of blocks and corresponds each of the plurality of blocks to each of the plurality of discharging regions.
US07963619B2
A hydraulic unit for a slip-controlled brake system, comprising an accommodating member accommodating inlet and outlet valves in several valve accommodating bores. The inlet and outlet valves thereof being necessary for brake slip control are arranged in one single valve row (X) in a particularly space-saving fashion.
US07963614B2
A buckle assembly configured to mate with a plurality of tongues may include a rotational lever; a latch plate supported by the rotational lever and configured to move in a vertical direction when the lever rotates; a plurality of latch pins, wherein each latch pin is configured to engage the latch plate at one end of the pin and one of the plurality of tongues at the other end of the pin in order to mate the tongue with the buckle assembly; and a rotational solenoid. A core of the rotational solenoid may be connected to the rotational lever, so that rotation of the core causes the lever to rotate and the latch plate to move in a vertical direction. Each of the latch pins is configured to disengage from the corresponding tongue when the lever rotates.
US07963607B2
The present invention relates to a reclining device for seats in vehicles, which has improved engagement force between an upper tooth bracket and an operating part, improved overall strength and durability, and improved quality due to the improvement in the connection structure of pole gears and rear guide protrusions. Further, the reclining device provides improved ride comfort for the driver and passengers and prevents operational noise.
US07963593B2
An organizer and utility apparatus that can be attached to a chair comprises a generally horizontal elongate support which can be in the form of a tube or channeled block. The elongate support has one or more holder attachments that can be joined in a permanent fashion or mutually engaged and disengaged and located according to user preference. The elongate support can be supported directly on a desk, or with an attachable generally vertical support, supported above a floor or desk; Or with such attachable vertical support, engaged to a chair that has a chair attachment mechanism. If the organizer is either freestanding or attached to a chair, it can be converted into a work station by the use of an engageable plane-attachment accessory. If free standing, the vertical support is attached to a stand base. An embodiment of the apparatus has a wire conduit that permits electrical and electronics wire protection and management. In addition to organizing traditional items associated with desk work, it incorporates the possible organization of items such as computer monitors, lamps, electronic devices, and relatively smaller organizers or specific holders.
US07963590B2
An assembly configured to be attachable to a front portion of a frame for a vehicle, wherein a longitudinal axis extends through the assembly. The assembly includes: a first cross member oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis positioned at a forward end of the assembly; a first side member attached to a first end of the first cross member at a first end thereof, the first side member extending rearward and upward therefrom; a second side member attached to a second end of the first cross member at a first end thereof, the second side member extending rearward and upward therefrom; a second cross member connected to a second end of the first side member at a first end thereof and to a second end of the second side member at a second end thereof wherein an open area is defined by the first cross member, the first side member, the second side member, and the second cross member; a first side mirror assembly movably attachable to the first side member, and, a second side mirror assembly movably attachable to the second side member. In this way, the first and second side mirror assemblies are adjustable to a desired position.
US07963585B2
A tonneau system for a vehicle bed includes a rail disposed on a top portion of the vehicle bed. A tonneau cover extends over the vehicle bed and includes an elongate retention clip is adjacent the rail and is connected thereto by an interference fit. The elongate retention clip includes a removal tab. A connection clip is slidable along the linear extent of the rail. An elongate band is slidably received in the tonneau cover and in a band aperture of the connection clip.
US07963583B2
The invention relates to a system for sensing an object in the pivoting range of a top for a convertible vehicle, the system comprising an electrode for sensing field properties of a field which is assigned to the top, and an evaluation unit for evaluating the sensed field properties. The invention further relates to a method for sensing a top of a convertible vehicle which is moved by a drive, comprising the steps: sensing of a field between the top of the convertible vehicle and the bodywork during movement of the top of the convertible vehicle, adjusting of the sensed characteristic variables to setpoint values, and acting on the drive as a function of the sensed characteristic variables of the field and of the setpoint values.
US07963571B2
A high-pressure joint for sealing the high pressure at the tubing ends for a high-pressure fuel system on diesel and gasoline engines. One form of the invention of such a method is disclosed using a harder male fitting and a hard tube end and introducing a replaceable insert made out of a softer material of lower yield strength which will deform at both ends and seal the two mating harder components. This insert will be a throw away part to be replaced every time the system is serviced or repaired and the joint is broken. The cost for this insert is minimum and will reduce the fuel system service or repair cost saving money for the customer.
US07963569B2
A novel locking pipe joint for use in fluid-carrying pipe systems is described. The locking pipe joint of the present invention provides a system of joints that will withstand the stresses and forces imposed on a pipe system carrying fluids. The joint is constructed on a push-fit principle. Sealing rings are used to make the joint leak-proof. Splines are provided to sustain the longitudinal forces imposed on the joint, and longitudinal ribs are provided on the outer surface of the joined pipes to withstand the torsional loads. The joint is simple in its construction, easy to assemble in field and cost effective.
US07963566B2
A clamping device supports or structurally replaces a weld joint between connected pipes. The clamping device includes an upper clamp body and a lower clamp body securable on opposite sides of the connected pipes in facing relation, and at least one clamp bolt connecting the upper and lower clamp bodies and extendable through the connected pipes. One of the upper and lower clamp bodies has at least one shaped depression, which receives a complementary shaped clamp bolt nut engageable with the clamp bolt. The shaped depression prevents rotation of the clamp bolt nut.
US07963560B2
The invention discloses an anti-skid mechanism operating device (1) for vehicles comprising an operating unit (2) and an operating arm (3) pivotally supported thereby and intended to carry a rotary anti-skid device (4) and to operate the latter between an active and a passive position. The operating device (2) comprises a worm gear (6) and a driven worm (5) adapted to engage said worm gear (6) for operation of the operating arm (3). The driven worm (5) is resiliently displaceable along an axis (A) of said worm (5).
US07963555B2
An airbag module for a motor vehicle is provided. The airbag module comprising a first subassembly which may be arranged on a motor vehicle, an airbag of the first subassembly which may be inflated for protecting a person, which comprises an interior which may be filled with gas for inflating the airbag, a housing of the first subassembly, for receiving the airbag, a gas generator of the first subassembly for inflating the airbag with gas, an additional second subassembly and a reservoir of the second subassembly (for storing a coolant which is designed and provided for cooling gases located in the interior of the airbag. The additional second subassembly is separate from the first subassembly and is designed and provided to be arranged at a distance from the first subassembly on the motor vehicle.
US07963553B2
A vehicle seat including a backrest which has a middle part laterally confined by side walls; an airbag module arranged in one of the side walls; adjusting means for adjusting the width of the backrest. The adjusting means have an adjusting element, which is arranged together with the airbag module in the side wall and movable relative to the middle part, via which the position of the side wall is changeable relative to the middle part. The adjusting element is connected to a section of the module housing of the airbag module so that the module housing is moved by moving the adjusting element.
US07963552B2
A head-protecting airbag is deployable downward from an upper periphery of a window of vehicle to cover the window. The airbag includes a primary inflatable portion that includes a protection portion for receiving an occupant's head and a secondary inflatable portion that admits inflation gas of the primary inflatable portion and is inflatable secondarily for preventing a pressure increase of the primary inflatable portion. The primary inflatable portion and the secondary inflatable portion are communicated with a tubular conduit that is arranged along the lower periphery of the airbag. The protection portion includes an inlet-side inflatable portion communicated with the conduit and an upper inflatable portion located above the conduit. The conduit includes a main region located facing the outlet port and an enlarged-diameter region that is located facing the inlet port and has a greater opening dimension than the main region.
US07963548B2
In a fastener and a fastening system for fixing a curtain airbag in a vehicle, the fastener is fixed to a mounting hole in a body frame or the like of the vehicle by inserting an attachment portion of the fastener into the mounting hole while a head portion securing the attachment of the airbag curtain to the fastener and the vehicle. The fastener is formed as one single piece made from polymeric material.
US07963547B2
An articulated vehicle is provided including a stabilization system configured to resist roll-over of a trailer portion of the vehicle.
US07963543B2
A fully adjustable safety chain assembly comprising at least one trailer mounted safety chain adjusting box, at least one vehicle mounted safety chain adjusting box, and a safety chain having a first free end and a second free end. A slot in each of the at least one trailer mounted safety chain adjusting box and at least one vehicle mounted safety chain adjusting box enables the safety chain first free end and second free end, respectively, to be reversible affixed at a selected position, thereby holding the safety chain at a desired length. A locking mechanism secures the safety chain in place to prevent it from dislodging.
US07963538B2
A motor vehicle and wheel suspension assembly for a rear wheel of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a wheel spindle housing supporting a wheel spindle carrying the rear wheel and defining a wheel center. A frame structure is adapted to be connected to a vehicle body or an engine-transmission assembly of the motor vehicle. A spring link extends between the frame structure and the wheel spindle housing and carries a vehicle spring. First and second control links extend between the frame structure and the wheel spindle housing to control the wheel spindle housing to maintain the rear wheel substantially in parallel with a longitudinal direction. A first and second camber link extends between the frame structure and the wheel spindle housing, and intersect each other. An instantaneous center of motion is located at a position far outside the wheel and then rearward the wheel, or far inside the wheel and then forward the wheel.
US07963527B2
A chuck (10) has a chuck body (12), which is provided with three guide devices (24), on each of which is received a radially movable clamping holder (34) for fixing a workpiece to chuck body (12), the guide device (24) being constructed separately from the chuck body (12). Guide device (24) is integrally joined by a polymer concrete filling (46) to the chuck body (12) for a force transfer between guide device (24) and chuck body (12). There is no need for a particularly precise manufacture of the outer contour of guide device (24) and the recess (20) in chuck body (12), because the polymer concrete (46) is able to compensate tolerances.
US07963523B2
The present invention provides a sheet stacking apparatus, whose lifting and lowering mechanism having excellent assembly properties and maintenance properties.A sheet stacking apparatus includes: a stacking portion which stacks a discharged sheet thereon; a housing portion which can support the stacking portion so as to lift and lower the stacking portion; and a lifting and lowering mechanism which lifts and lowers the stacking portion. In the sheet stacking apparatus, the stacking portion has a connecting portion which connects the stacking portion to the housing portion. The connecting portion can connect the stacking portion to the housing portion in a direction perpendicular to the lifting and lowering direction of the stacking portion.
US07963520B2
A sheet cassette loads and houses therein a plurality of sheets. A separating unit separates the sheets loaded in the sheet cassette one by one. The separating unit is arranged in the sheet cassette in opposite to a feeding roller that conveys the sheets from the sheet cassette. A rib is formed on a rear surface of a bottom plate of the sheet cassette. The rib is pressed by a pressing member.
US07963519B2
Various embodiments of a system and method for picking print media are disclosed.
US07963518B2
A media sheet inverter apparatus and method is disclosed. The media sheet inverter, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, comprises an input nip configured to receive a media sheet and a reversing roll nip configured to receive a media sheet from the input nip. The media sheet is subsequently held within the inverter for a predetermined time before being ejected to an output nip configured to receive the media sheet from the reversing roll nip. The inverter apparatus and method is especially suited to inverting alternating media sheets.
US07963515B2
An adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus is provided. The adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus includes a variable cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a first assembly receiving the first signature and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receiving the second signature. Also included are a first delivery section for receiving the first signature from the first assembly, a second delivery section for receiving the second signature from the second assembly and a stack receiving conveyor for receiving the first signature and the second signature. The first delivery section is movable between a first delivery and a first non-delivery position. The second delivery section is movable between a second delivery position and a second non-delivery position. The stacking receiving conveyor is movable between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. A method of producing and delivering signatures is also provided.
US07963505B2
In one embodiment, a self-elevating platform lift for moving objects between a first level and a vertically-elevated second level is provided. The platform lift comprises: (A) a platform for supporting the objects; (B) a plurality of lift lines for connection at the second level and for moving the platform; and (C) a motor connected to move with the platform and wherein the motor operably is connected to the lift lines for moving the platform between the first and second levels while being supported by the lift lines. In another embodiment, a lift installation is provided for moving objects between a first level and a vertically-elevated second level comprising: (A) a platform for supporting the objects; (B) a plurality of lift lines fixed at one end to extend downward from the second level for moving the platform; and (C) a motor connected to move with the platform and wherein the motor operably is connected to the lift lines for use in moving the platform between the first and second levels while being supported by the lift lines.
US07963503B2
A rotary valve includes a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a rotating control element disposed within the valve body for selectively opening and closing the flow passage. The valve also includes a retainer ring mountable to the valve body which holds in place a seal carrier ring having an annular mounting flange mounted between the valve body and the retainer ring. The seal carrier ring also includes a seal carrier cartridge and a flexible portion coupling the seal carrier cartridge to the mounting flange to provide an improved seal and greater ease of assembly.
US07963502B2
A valve packing assembly for a control valve includes a seal assembly, a loading assembly, and a packing retainer. The seal assembly has a seal component to provide a fluid seal around a valve stem and an anti-extrusion component to substantially prevent extrusion of the seal component about the valve stem. The loading assembly is configured to advantageously provide a predetermined packing stress to the seal assembly that is in the same direction as a process stress applied to the seal assembly by a process fluid, thereby substantially reducing packing friction and packing wear in the control valve assembly.
US07963497B2
A device mounting apparatus includes a mounting base portion having a plurality of opposing pairs of rails. The mounting base portion is adapted for mounting on a support structure. The apparatus further includes a mounting tab affixed to a device for snap in mounting between a pair of rails, whereby the device is captively retained on the mounting base portion, and can be disengaged therefrom by snapping the mounting tabs out of the associated pairs of rails.
US07963495B2
A ceiling mounted lift for a multimedia projector that can be installed into a hollow ceiling. The same is equipped with a frame-shaped base plate (2) that can be fitted to an original ceiling, and with a platform (5) receiving the projector that can be lowered in relation to the base plate (2) from a non-usage position into a usage position. For lowering and lifting the platform (5) lifting spindles (3) that can be driven equally in both rotation directions and co-operatively connected with spindle nuts (4) are provided. The lifting spindles (3) as well as the spindle nuts (4) are equipped with a circular thread, whereby the spindle nuts (4) consist of Nylon thread nuts.
US07963493B2
A display assembly for displaying items and being mountable to a vertical surface and comprising at least two longitudinal runners and an elongate member. The longitudinal runners are mountable to the vertical surface. Each runner includes elongate-member-mounting elements. The elongate-member-mounting elements of at least one of the runners include a protrusion-receiving element. The elongate member includes one end mountable to one of the runners and an opposite end mountable to the other of the runners. The one end has a moveable protrusion assembly for releasably engaging the protrusion-receiving element. The opposite end is so configured and sized as to be mountable to the elongate-member-mounting elements. The elongate member includes display-member-engaging elements. The moveable protrusion assembly is moveable between a runner-engaging position for engaging the protrusion-receiving element and a runner-disengaging position for disengaging the protrusion-receiving element.
US07963492B2
A vertical support structure includes a mounting plate and a support member. The support member has a vertically-elongated central panel and a pair of vertically-elongated side panels connected to and extending perpendicularly from the central panel to form a U-shaped-channel as viewed in cross-section. The support member has a top edge and a bottom edge disposed vertically apart from and extending horizontally parallel to one another. The support member has a slot formed at least through the central panel. The slot is disposed between and extends parallel to the top and bottom edges. The mounting plate is slidably inserted into the slot in a close-fitting manner and is connected to the support member such that the mounting plate at least partially projects perpendicularly from the central panel away from the U-shaped channel. A guide element is connected to the top edge and extends upwardly and inwardly toward the U-shaped channel.
US07963488B2
A stand for a thin display includes a vertical position adjustment mechanism; and a switchover mechanism for switching over between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation of a thin display. When the switchover mechanism has rotated the thin display, the vertical position adjustment mechanism has different movement ranges between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation. Accordingly, when the thin display is in a vertical orientation, the lower end of the thin display does not hit against a base, which provides a easy and reliable operation even in a vertical orientation or in a horizontal orientation.
US07963486B2
A variably spaced cable management assembly according to the present invention is used in conjunction with a conventional equipment rack to route cables between and otherwise to or from equipment stored in the conventional rack. Implementations of the variably spaced assembly include various elongated guide members projecting from a rear wall of the variably spaced assembly interspaced in juxtaposition with one another by a variable amount.
US07963478B2
The present invention provides a wing-flapping flying apparatus, which can fly by moving its wings similar to a bird hovering or flying in the air by flapping its wings. The wing-flapping flying apparatus comprises: a body; a rotating shaft rotatably joined to the body; driving means for rotating the rotating shaft; and wings reciprocated between two points and connected to the rotating shaft so as to be rotated together with the rotating shaft and to be relatively torsionally rotated with respect to the rotating shaft. The wing-flapping flying apparatus generates lift throughout an entire wing-flapping movement without generating lift only throughout the half of a wing-flapping movement or offsetting the generated lift by the other half of the wing-flapping movement. Therefore, the wing-flapping flying apparatus can provide not only a stable flight but also a softly hovering or ascending and descending flight.
US07963469B2
A food waste disposer having a fluid recycling device includes a plate disposed for rotation within the food waste disposer. At least one fluid recovery member connects a first side of the plate defining a food grinding cavity to a second side of the plate defining a waste receiving cavity. Rotating the plate forces a portion of a waste water/slurry in the waste receiving cavity to back-flow into the food grinding cavity, to recycle/reuse the water. The fluid recovery member can include a fluid passageway oriented at an angle with respect to the plate. A control device can also be used to recycle the portion of the food waste water/slurry.
US07963465B2
An injection valve for fuel-injection systems has a valve-seat support, a valve needle, a solenoid and a connection piece having a filter, to convey the fuel. Valve opening and valve seat are formed on the one-piece valve-seat support itself, which additionally guides the valve needle so as to be axially displaceable; solenoid coil and connector plug are combined in a separate, plastic-extrusion-coated coil part, the magnetic cup is placed over the coil part, and the connection piece is formed as separate plastic-injection-molded part having an integrated filter. Joining and sealing points between the connection piece on the one side and the coil part, magnetic cup and/or valve-seat support on the other side are bonded.
US07963464B2
A fuel injector and a method of assembly includes a determination of various flow areas through clearances or openings formed in various components of the injector. With the various flow areas determined, the various components can be classified according to their flow areas such that sets of components can be selected having desirable flow area characteristics for assembly of the fuel injector.
US07963453B2
An HVAC sensor is provided that includes a housing that houses a sensor. In some instances, a conduit is provided that has a first end that extends out the back of the HVAC sensor housing and adjacent to (and sometimes through) a hole in a duct of the HVAC system that is situated behind the HVAC sensor. The sensor itself may be positioned adjacent the other end of the conduit outside of the duct, and sometimes inside the housing of the HVAC sensor. The conduit may direct pressurized air emanating from the hole in the duct toward the sensor, thereby allowing the sensor to sense a parameter of the air in the duct without actually positioning the sensor within the duct.
US07963449B2
A composition is provided for adhering a first article to a second article, the composition comprising a thermally active low Tg polymeric resin; and a multifunctional crystalline polymer. The thermally active low Tg polymeric resin can, for example, comprise 50-99% of the composition. The multifunctional crystalline polymer can, for example, comprise 1-50% of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer comprises 5-20% by weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the multifunctional crystalline polymer has a low molecular weight.
US07963448B2
A method and system for use with a portable device including a processor, at least some embodiments of the method including the steps of providing an identification tag on at least one item that includes item identifying information, obtaining item identifying information from the identification tag via the portable device, obtaining at least one image of the at least one item via the portable device and performing a supplemental process using the identifying information and the at least one image.
US07963446B2
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.
US07963437B1
Systems and methods which provide for distributed printing of personalized postage indicia are shown. Embodiments facilitate printing of personalized postage indicia at various distributed printing locations, such as user sites, retail locations, consumer kiosks, etc., while implementing techniques to avoid widespread availability of live (e.g., active or representing postage value) postage barcodes, prevent printing of fraudulent postage indicia, and/or preventing approved images from being replaced with unapproved images in printed postage indicia. Embodiments facilitate distributed printing of personalized postage indicia through implementation of a technique wherein a manufacturer, such as a postage service provider or a postal authority, provides a centralized print of unassigned tokens on postage stock. The unassigned tokens are configured or otherwise able to form a complete postage indicia when appropriate personalized content is associated therewith.
US07963436B2
An apparatus and method for enhancing the security of a cluster box unit which includes a protective enclosure, internal cabinetry, door, hinge and locking system. The cluster box unit may also include outgoing mail compartment doors that are heavily constructed and rigidly reinforced, with the locks carried thereon protectively shielded, and with the extensible bolts of these locks being engaged by brackets that not only lock the outgoing mail compartment doors but also the master loading doors of the cluster box units. The cluster box unit may also include master loading doors are provided with hinges that extend the full height of the doors—hinges that are defined by pivotally interlining elements of extrusions that very sturdily mount the master loading doors, that prevent prying or bending the doors in the vicinities of their hinges. The interfitting elements of the hinge extrusions also permit the doors to be installed on their surrounding door frames quickly and easily, and permit one or both of the master loading doors to be quickly and easily removed for service or replacement when necessary.
US07963427B2
A strap attachment apparatus is arranged to releasably secure pocket and pouch members, holsters, selected holders and other types of removable articles securely yet removably in quick-release manner onto supporting articles including packs and backpacks, luggage, bags, jackets, vests and other garments and types of support articles by releasably interwoven strap components which require no other metal, plastic or molded mechanical fasteners such as snaps, buttons, hooks, VELCRO connectors or other locking arrangement which may snag, catch or otherwise interfere with or hinder installation of and quick-release removal of the attached article.
US07963423B2
A fuel dispensing unit for refueling vehicles, comprising a fuel line having a fuel inlet, a gas exit and a fuel exit. A sensor is arranged to measure the amount of gas in the fuel flowing through the fuel line.
US07963418B2
A paint liner having a containment area within the paint liner for receiving and containing paint, the containment area defining a peripheral edge provided with a rim, the rim being provided with male and female components, the male and female components of the paint liner being positioned, shaped and sized with respect to one another so that the paint liner can be operated along first and second operating modes, where in the first operating mode the male component of the paint liner is insertable into a corresponding female component of another paint liner so that the paint liners can be nested into one another, and where in the second operating mode the paint liner is turned over so that the male component of the paint liner is insertable into another corresponding female component of the other paint liner in order to have the first paint liner cover the containment area of the other paint liner.
US07963409B2
A closure (2) comprising a solid colour spout (6) and a transparent overcap (4) is adapted to be sealed to a container neck (50) by means of a double-sided foil (8). The overcap (4) has a depending valve (24), which engages with the spout (6) to hold these components together prior to assembly to the container. The spout (6) has a flange (10) adapted to seat on a rim (54) of the container neck and an annular wall (28) that is received within the container neck (50). The foil (8) is welded to the flange (10) and is also used to weld the closure (2) to a rim (54) of a container neck of standard threaded design. The overcap (4) can screw to an external thread on the container neck. The primary ex-factory seal is provided by welding the assembled closure to the neck. The secondary seal is provided by the engagement of the overcap valve (24) with the spout (6). The invention discloses an improved method of assembly.
US07963405B2
A shoe rack includes shoe support subassemblies each comprising a lower support including a rear hook, a sleeve passing through a rear end of the lower support and having a longitudinal first ridged section on an inner wall, an annular first projection extending inward from top of the first ridged section, and an annular second projection extending inward from an intermediate portion of the first ridged section; and an upper support including a hollow cylinder passing through a rear end of the upper support and having a longitudinal second ridged section on an outer surface, an annular first groove on top of the second ridged section, and an annular second groove on an intermediate portion of the second ridged section wherein the cylinder is inserted into the sleeve to be pivotably secured thereto; and a tube comprising slits each adapted to secure to the hook.
US07963404B2
A combined shoe rack comprises a combined frame and at least one movable spacer plate. The combined frame is defined with at least one holding groove. The movable spacer plate is disposed in the holding groove of the combined frame, and an edge of the movable spacer plate is pivotally combined to an inner edge of the holding groove in such a manner that the movable spacer plate can be pivoted about the inner edge of the holding groove within the holding groove. When the movable spacer plate is pivoted to incline along a diagonal plane of the holding groove, the holding groove will be divided into a first chamber and a second chamber both of which are triangular in cross section, so that one holding groove can hold two pairs of lower shoes or a pair of higher shoes, thus making full use of space to hold more shoes.
US07963394B2
A preferred form of slip sheet (62) for use between layers (L) of containers, especially bottles (20), in a palletised load, comprises a rectangular board (63) having marginal portions (34) formed with corrugations (65, 66) extending perpendicular from their edges and merging into the general plane of the board (63), whereby, in use, a ‘throat’ (TD) is formed between the upward corrugations (66) on a lower slip sheet (62) and the downward corrugations (65) on an upper slip sheet (62) which prevents ‘walking’ of the outermost rows of bottles (20) in the intervening layer. Curved corners of the board (63) are provided with diverging corrugations (65X, 66X) to prevent ‘walking’ of bottles (20) from the corners of layers (L). A plurality of such slip sheets (62) can be stacked compactly and with great stability by virtue of the corrugations (65, 66) nesting in the corrugations of neighbouring slip sheets.
US07963389B2
A conveyor for conveying piece goods or the like through a helical path around a central axis in a vertical direction includes a frame which supports an endless conveyor belt that is movable along the helical path in a conveying direction. The conveyor belt includes carrier plates which are movably connected to each other. The frame includes at least a guide and at least a number of carrier plates comprise at least a guide roller rotatable about an axis of rotation. The guide roller has at least a first guide roller surface which is in contact with the guide in a first contact location, and a second guide roller surface which is in contact with the guide in a second contact location. The first and second contact locations are spaced from each other and the normal to the first guide roller surface in the first contact location deviates from the normal to the second guide roller surface in the second contact location. The invention provides a conveyor with a high driving efficiency as a consequence of low resistance between the carrier plate and the guide.
US07963388B2
A spline roller having a cylindrical barrel having a length, a first and second end, a centerline, and a circumferential surface, and at least a first drive portion formed integrally into the circumferential surface, having a first end and a second end, at least a first circumferential recess at the first end, and comprising a plurality of the parallel, radially-disposed, splines about the circumference, each spline extending along the length of the barrel from the first circumferential recess. Each spline has a ridge extending from the first end to the second end, and typically has a crown along the length of the ridge. The ridge can be oriented along a line that is parallel to the centerline of the spline roller, to provide a straight spline roller. The ridge can also be oriented along a line that is angled inwardly at a taper angle toward the centerline of the roller, to provide a tapered spline roller. Typically, each roller has a second drive portion adjacent to and axially disposed from the first drive portion.
US07963385B2
A diverter assembly for handling articles transported on a conveying surface is disclosed. The diverter assembly includes at least one diverter arm and a motor coupled to a drive arrangement for swinging the diverter arm over the conveying surface. An inverter controller is provided for operating the motor at a plurality of speeds. A sensor arrangement is coupled to the inverter controller for monitoring the position of the diverter arm. The sensor arrangement sends a slow-down signal to the inverter controller when the diverter arm reaches a pre-determined position, causing the inverter controller to operate the motor at a slower speed.
US07963373B2
A brake stroke indicator, comprising a L shaped indicator member disposed on the push rod clevis pin, and a concealing means. The indicator member comprises a first section with holes to connect with the push rod clevis pin and slack adjuster, and a second section of highly reflective color surface angularly disposed to the first section. The indicator member moves with the clevis pin, and oscillates as the push rod is reciprocating. The indicator member hides behind the concealing member while the push rod reciprocates within safe limits. The second section of indicator show up out of the concealing means when the push rod goes beyond its safe operational limits.
US07963369B2
A folding step stool includes a front rail assembly. The step stool includes a rear rail assembly, pivotally connected to the front rail assembly, having a crossbar. The step stool includes a step pivotally attached to the front rail assembly having notches which fit over the crossbar when the stool is in an open position. The step stool includes a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar. The linkage assembly compresses to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar and the linkage assembly exerting a force to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position. A method for securing a step stool includes the steps of moving the notches of a step against a crossbar of a rear rail assembly pivotally connected to a front rail assembly of the step stool. There is the step of compressing a linkage assembly pivotally and fixedly attached to the step and pivotally and fixedly attached to the crossbar to allow the notches to fit over the crossbar. There is the step of exerting a force with the linkage assembly to maintain the crossbar in the notches when the stool is in the open position.
US07963368B2
A ladder or climbing device has hollow tubular jaws at its head end that permit a rope or cable to pass around the target tree or pole. A tubular cable guide is positioned along side the vertical rail for feeding the cable to the hollow jaws. The rail is formed of extension sections that are joined together. A security clamp or clasp attached over both the head of the device and the cable to secure to the worker's safety harness.
US07963363B2
The present invention relates to a soundproof cover for automobiles, the soundproof cover including: a cover body formed of a metal or a resin; and a sound-absorbing material disposed opposite to a sound source, in which the sound-absorbing material has a soft sound-insulating layer on a surface side thereof facing the cover body, the sound-absorbing material is disposed apart from the cover body, and the sound-absorbing material has a peripheral edge that contacts with an inner wall of an edge of the cover body.
US07963361B2
A steering axle assembly of a work machine such as an agricultural harvester includes telescoping axles and hub assemblies on the telescoping axles, with front and rear hydraulic cylinders for axially and angularly adjusting positions of the wheel hub assemblies, including steering the hubs to angles sufficient to minimize a width of the steering axle assembly for transport.
US07963350B1
A spherical armored mobile platform (SAMP) is provided for at least one operator to enable protected entry and egress from a militarily hostile environment. The SAMP includes a spherical shell, an armored cockpit and a set of wheels. The spherical shell has inner and outer surfaces and features a plurality of cavities that extend therethrough. The cockpit houses a seat, a guidance controller, a display console, and an electric motor connected to a power supply. The cockpit is contained within said shell. The seat is designed to receive the operator. The wheels are driven by the motor and structurally supported by the cockpit. The wheels engage the inner surface and turn in response to the motor. The cavities are disposed within three-sided boundaries of a geodesic dome. The SAMP can further include a plurality of optical sensors disposed on the cockpit, and a signal integrator to present temporally concatenated visual signals into a mosaic at the display console. The SAMP can also include a projectile-firing gun mounted to the cockpit, and a trigger control to enable actuation of the gun in response to the projectile exiting the sphere at an instance that coincides with a cavity of the plurality of cavities. The SAMP includes a steering mechanism that turns orientation direction of the fore lower and aft upper wheels. The SAMP includes a door on the cockpit that slides between first open and closed positions, and a hatch on the sphere that hinges between second open and closed positions.
US07963349B2
A drive and steering equipment for a floor conveyor, with a drive unit which has a driving motor, a gear and a driving wheel and which is mounted in a bearing around vertical axis in a vehicle-fixed frame of the floor conveyor, a steering motor which pivots the drive unit around the vertical axis, and a control arm, an angle sensor and a steering control equipment, which adjusts a steering angle of the driving wheel through the steering motor in accordance to the signal of the angle sensor, characterised in that the control arm is rotatably mounted in a bearing coaxially or axially parallel to the drive unit via a bearing component part, the angle sensor is attached on the bearing component part and measures the relative angle between the drive unit and the bearing component part and the steering control equipment adjusts the drive unit via the steering motor such that the relative angle becomes zero.
US07963345B1
The present disclosure generally provides systems and methods for adjusting tension in a harrowing chain. The system includes a tension adjustment assembly, and the tension adjustment assembly includes a slider assembly. A first end of the slider assembly is coupled to a first end of the harrowing chain, and the slider assembly is configured to slide horizontally. The tension adjustment assembly also includes a compression plate that is configured to apply a compression force to a first spring, which is configured to apply a spring force to the slider assembly. A height adjustment assembly is also coupled to the slider assembly. The height adjustment assembly is configured to vertically adjust the first end of the harrowing chain.
US07963343B1
A Christmas tree fire prevention device preferably includes an air-pressurized reservoir containing fire-retardant agent and a mechanism for automatically discharging the fire-retardant agent. The discharging mechanism may be connected to the reservoir via a flexible hose may also be removably attached to the apex of an existing Christmas tree and camouflaged as a holiday decoration. A mechanism for automatically emitting an alarm signal when the automatic fire-retardant agent discharging mechanism is activated may further be included. The discharging mechanism may include a valve with a metal-alloy plug which has a relatively low melting point. Flame heated air preferably causes the plug to melt and activates the discharging mechanism, which ejects the plug from the valve. The pressurized fire-retardant may then egress through the valve, deflect off a guard located on top of the discharging mechanism, and cover the Christmas tree.
US07963338B1
Methods are disclosed to treat produced water from hydrocarbons production facilities. The disclosed methods can be used to either: (1) de-NORM produced water; or (2) de-NORM and partially de-salt produced water; or (3) de-NORM and partially de-salt and de-ionize produced water; or (4) de-oil, de-NORM, de-salt and de-ionize produced water.
US07963330B2
Methods and compositions that include a resin composition having from about 5% to about 30% phenol, from about 40% to about 70% phenol formaldehyde, from about 10 to about 40% furfuryl alcohol, from about 0.1% to about 3% of a silane coupling agent, and from about 1% to about 15% of a surfactant and methods of using of that resin in controlling particulate flowback from a subterranean formation.
US07963327B1
Methods for accurately assessing the condition of a petroleum reservoir and designing and implementing a plan of action to increase production and recovery of petroleum from the reservoir. Information is gathered using a unique set of metrics and information gathering techniques and analyzed in a targeted fashion by properly weighting the data in the context of the particular reservoir and goals of the producer. A reservoir rating is generated using asymmetric analysis of metrics and then used to formulate a plan of action. Production architecture (e.g., number, location and manner of constructing oil and injector wells) is then constructed according to the plan of action. Reservoir performance can be continuously monitored and used to verify production and recovery goals and/or provide triggers or alarms to alter production equipment.
US07963318B2
A finned tube for the thermal cracking of hydrocarbons in the presence of steam is defined by a tube axis and includes a plurality of inner fins. The fins are inclined at an angle of 20° to 40° in relation to the tube axis and have a flank angle of 16° to 25°.
US07963314B2
A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.
US07963309B2
A material transfer device for transferring a coating from an outer surface of a transfer tape onto a surface includes a housing; a transfer head around which the transfer tape extends, wherein the transfer head protrudes from the housing; a protective cover connected to the housing and movable between an advanced and a retracted position. The cover has a front end portion adapted to protrude from the housing in the advanced position for protecting an unused portion of the transfer tape when the device is out of use. The connection between the protective cover and the housing is provided by a groove in the protective cover and tongue on the outer surface of the housing.
US07963308B2
A bonded-substrate fabricating apparatus capable of reducing defective bonded substrates fabricated. A transfer robot sucks the outer edge area of the bottom surface of a substrate and spouts gas toward the bottom surface of the substrate to carry the substrate into a vacuum process chamber of a press machine while keeping the substrate horizontally. A press plate holds the substrate, which is held by the transfer robot, by suction.
US07963294B1
An assistive walker for assisting a user in going on foot and for reinforcing recommended walker use technique includes a walker frame including opposed leading and trailing ends formed between opposed handled and footed ends and that together define a user-receiving area extending from the trailing end of the walker frame to the leading end of the walker frame, and the walker frame is for supporting a user in the user-receiving area and aiding ambulation thereof. The walker frame is formed with a motion sensor apparatus including a motion sensor assembly to detect user movement at the user-receiving area, and a signal device operatively coupled to the motion sensor assembly to emit the signal in response to a substantial lack of detected user movement at the user-receiving area.
US07963292B2
Disclosed herein is a dish washing machine that is capable of preventing the unintentional drainage of some wash water by the increase of the water pressure in a sump due to the excessive accumulation of filth in the sump. The dish washing machine includes a washing tub, at least one injection nozzle disposed in the washing tub, a sump disposed in the washing tub to forward wash water to the at least one injection nozzle, a guide pipe connected between the sump and the at least one injection nozzle, and a bypass pipe, diverging from a portion of the guide pipe, connected to the sump to bypass the wash water in the sump to the guide pipe.
US07963284B2
In one embodiment, a custom-fitted mask includes a thin sheet of deformable material that has been formed and fitted to a portion of a face surrounding the nostrils to conform substantially optimally to unique facial features. The thin sheet includes a perimeter defining only soft cartilaginous portions of the nose and portions on either side of and below the soft cartilaginous portions. and excludes hard bony portions of the nose; and an interior within the perimeter. In another embodiment, a mask blank for using in forming a custom-fitted mask includes a thin sheet of deformable material adapted to be transitioned from a non-deformable state into a deformable state, applied against a portion of a face surrounding the nostrils while the mask blank is in the deformable state, and deformed against the face to cause the mask blank to conform substantially optimally to unique facial features to form the custom-fitted mask.
US07963279B2
An arrow rest that drops away or otherwise moves away from a discharging shaft of an arrow or another projectile. An arrow holder is operable between two support positions and a launch position. A support force is used to keep or maintain the arrow holder in the support position. A movement force can be transferred to the arrow holder for overcoming the support force and moving the arrow rest into a launch position, away from a discharging arrow shaft and the corresponding fletching.
US07963270B2
The injector comprises a metering servo valve for controlling a rod for opening/closing a nebulizer. The servo valve has a valve body having a control chamber provided with an outlet passage that is opened/closed by an open/close element that is axially movable. The open/close element is separate from an armature of an electromagnet, and is slidable on an axial guide element for closing the outlet passage. The open/close element is held in the closing position by a spring acting through an intermediate body. The armature can be displaced with respect to the axial guide element between a flange of the intermediate body and a projection element of the guide member, for eliminating the rebounds of the open/close element upon closing of the solenoid valve.
US07963267B2
A vehicle propulsion system and method of operation are presented. As one example, cylinder deactivation and transitioning from four to two strokes is coordinated with transmission shifting to improve vehicle response. Additionally, it is possible to reduce transitions in operating modes to improve drive feel.
US07963265B2
An air intake system for a two-stroke or four-stroke internal combustion engine that is tunable through the use of interchangeable velocity stacks.
US07963258B2
A two stroke engine of a particular configuration can have its power output increased by running bigger pistons and using ports in the piston skirt through which to conduct compressed air within the skirt through short passages in the cylinder housing that conduct the air from within the skirt to above the piston. As a result a larger piston can be used for the same spacing and opening size in the block to save the need to redesign the block and the crankshaft. A position adjuster for the piston moves it axially without rotation of the piston ports out of alignment with inlet ports in the housing. The piston rod is held in the crosshead using a flat to prevent rotation while an adjuster nut that is turned creates axial movement in the piston rod with a lock nut securing the final piston position.
US07963257B2
A self-contained waste heat recovery system for a commercial oven provides circulating an energy source to an oven heating system. The oven heating system recovers heat from an oven stack or downstream of oxidizer if used and distributes the heat to bakery systems such as proofers, tray washers, process water heating and other points of use. The system features secondary loops to ensure constant flow of the energy source throughout the system optimizing energy savings.
US07963254B2
An apparatus for detecting and identifying birds based upon electronic analysis of their bird calls and songs and method for doing so by utilizing a step-by-step hierarchical method of breaking down bird vocalizations according to order, family, and species of the specific bird. Several embodiments of the apparatus are disclosed particularly a hand held computational device, microphone, audio capture card, user application software and a collection of prerecorded audio data.
US07963251B2
An animal toileting system including a device (10) having a zone (19) into which an animal may urinate, defecate or both. The zone (19) has an aperture (18) through which animal waste may pass. A number of inserts (30, 32, 34) are provided that reduce or block the size of the aperture (18).
US07963250B2
An animal feeder which is adapted to simultaneously dispense feed and liquid onto a feed material receiving member.
US07963249B2
In apparatus and methods for applying treatment and cleaning fluid to cows teats and the teat cups of milking equipment, post-milking, each teat cup (1) has a nozzle (13) in the head portion (6) of the flexible liner (3) of the teat cup for delivering fluid internally of the teat cup. The nozzle is directed so as to discharge fluid towards the discharge end (4) of the teat cup. When milking is terminated, treatment fluid is injected through the nozzle (13) into the head portion of the liner (3) just prior to and/or as the teat cup is being withdrawn from the teat and, as a result, the teat cup wipes the injected fluid down the teat so as substantially to coat the teat with the treatment fluid. When the teat cup (1) falls into an inverted rest position, after take-off, the interior of the liner (3) may be flushed and dried with disinfectant, water and compressed air discharged upwardly into the liner by the nozzle (13). Flushing fluid can then drain downwardly from the liner and through its mouth (7). The discharge end (4) of the teat cup may be fitted with a shut-off valve (20) which can be actuated to prevent ingress of treatment and cleansing fluids into the milk tubes during the treatment and cleansing cycle.
US07963244B2
An electrostatic coating apparatus for coating an object includes a base module, a nozzle, an electric field generator and a power supply. The object is mounted on the base module. The nozzle receives gas and liquid and ejects the gas and the liquid. The electric field generator mounted on the base module generates an electric field. The power supply has a first pole electrically connected to a first pole of the electric field generator, and a second pole electrically connected to the object and a second pole of the electric field generator such that the electric field is generated in the electric field generator and the atomized liquid passing through the electric field generator is charged and absorbed onto the object to form a coating layer on the object.
US07963235B2
Articles constructed of a plurality of scuffed sheets have improved sheet-to-sheet bond strength and surfaces with high coefficients of friction. Articles constructed out of three scuffed sheets include exterior intumescent polymeric surfaces resisting the spread of combustion flames and insulating the interior surfaces from the high temperature of fire. Articles include electronic apparatus sending an emergency 911 call to a remote monitoring station. Articles are advantageously reinforced with optional rigidifying structures without article modification. Members are joined with snap together features providing an assembled article. Articles include handles for ergonomic manipulation by workers. Articles include elements amenably receiving unitization accessories. The article improvements are demonstrated in the form of industrial platforms, particularly material handling pallets.
US07963227B1
The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a stun grenade device with an elongated cylindrical body having a cylindrical sidewall and opposed top and bottom end faces. The body includes a delay chamber containing a delay material, and has a number of flash charge chambers each containing a quantity of flash charge material. The body defines a number of ignition passages, each communicating from a respective flash charge chamber to the delay chamber. Each flash charge chamber has at least one exhaust aperture penetrating the top or bottom end face. Each flash charge chamber may be formed in an elongated tubular sleeve inset in a frame of a different material.
US07963226B2
A printing unit has at least one press unit having a plate cylinder with at least one printing plate that can be mounted on the plate cylinder and which carries a printing image. The plate cylinder has at least one cylinder channel in which ends of the printing plate can be fixed or positioned. The printing plate has a leading angled end and also has a trailing angled end, as viewed in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder during operation of the printing press. The printing plate can be secured to the plate cylinder by insertion of the plate leading end into the cylinder channel and by insertion of the plate trailing end into the same, or another cylinder channel. Initially, the plate trailing end is fixed in its associated cylinder channel and the plate cylinder is rotated in a rotational direction counter to a production direction. The leading plate end is then fixed in its associated cylinder channel during continued rotation of the plate cylinder opposite to a production direction. Once the printing plate is secured, the printing cylinder is rotated in its production direction.
US07963221B2
A wheel assembly for applying ink to a target surface comprises a wheel member defining a support portion, at least one adhesive sheet, and at least one inking member. The at least one adhesive sheet is detachably attached to the support portion of the wheel member. The at least one adhesive sheet defines an outer adhesive surface. The at least one inking member is detachably attached to the outer adhesive surface of the at least one adhesive sheet. When the at least one inking member detachably attached to the adhesive surface is brought into contact with the target surface, ink on the at least one inking member is transferred to the target surface.
US07963219B2
A press is described having an upper platen and a lower platen. A support is adapted to close the upper platen with the lower platen by applying a force therebetween. A sensor is adapted to detect the force and a display is in communication with the sensor.
US07963218B2
A screw press is provided having a radial gate valve and supported longitudinally-extending screw shaft. The screw shaft includes a central shaft and helical threads which is driven by a drive package. The screw shaft is encapsulated within a housing including a hopper portion, transition portion, bearing portion and screen portion. A transition portion includes a radial gate valve which is angled such that the radial gate valve's axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the screw shaft threads. In addition, the screw shaft is supported by a first support at its proximal extremity and a second support towards its distal extremity. The support at its distal extremity includes one or more wear bearings which concentrically support the threads of the screw shaft in a frictional engagement manner. Back flow of material is prevented by a radial gate valve. The angle of the radial gate valve with respect to the screw presses housing provides for greater pressure build up within the screen portion. Moreover, the use of wear bearings reduces wear to the housing and screen due to metal on metal contact with the screw threads and also provides for increased efficiency of the screw press operation.
US07963216B2
An apparatus for improving surface smoothness and internal firmness of cylindrical food products is provided. The apparatus includes a conveyor belt for conveying cylindrical food products to a concave rolling zone below an output end, such that each of the cylindrical food products rolls in the rolling zone for an appropriate amount of time. Thus, surface smoothness and internal firmness of each of the cylindrical food products are improved.
US07963213B1
An apparatus for preparing a beverage is provided. The apparatus may comprise a frame having a base, a top, front and back sides, and right and left sides; a beverage chamber disposed inside the frame; a heating element connected to the frame; a cooling element disposed inside the frame between the beverage chamber and the frame; a gas valve connected to the frame and penetrating the frame to extend into the beverage chamber; and a spigot connected to the frame, the spigot having a channel contiguous with the beverage chamber for emptying the contents of the chamber.
US07963212B2
A piston 1 contains multiple ring grooves 2, 3 on the outer circumference of the piston 1, and piston rings 4, 10 are mounted in the ring grooves 2, 3. The piston 1 contains oil path grooves 7, 9 extending respectively to the outer circumference of the piston 1 on the upper and lower surfaces of the lowermost ring groove 2, and an oil path groove 12 extending to the outer circumference of the piston 1 on the lower surface of the ring groove 3 just above the lowermost ring groove 2. The weight of the lowermost piston ring 4 is equal to or smaller than the weight of the piston ring 10 just above the lowermost piston ring 4; and expanders 5, 11 are installed on the rear side of the piston rings 4, 10 respectively.
US07963209B2
Motor start circuit for an induction motor, particularly a single-phase AC induction motor, with a main winding (4) and an auxiliary winding (5), which are supplied with current, particularly alternating current, via current supply connections (24, 25), and with a start switching device (15) serving the purpose of interrupting the current flow through the auxiliary winding (5) after the start of the motor, the start switching device (15) being connected to a control device (20) via a connector (18), the control device (20) being connected between the current supply connections (24, 25), and with a winding protection switch (28), which is normally closed and which opens on the occurrence of a fault. The invention is characterized in that the control device (20) is connected to the winding protection switch (28) via at least one further connector (22, 17), preferably via at least one further connector (22, 17) and the auxiliary winding (5).
US07963205B1
A weapon mounting system for securing a weapon such as a machine gun to a platform comprises a cradle assembly including a pair of opposed front and rear flanges having apertures therein for engaging a retaining pin to secure a weapon thereto. The cradle assembly of the present invention is formed of a single piece of high strength material, for example aluminum stainless steel or titanium. The cradle assembly further includes a pair of pintle flanges to engage a pintle, thereby enabling rotation of cradle and concomitant weapon around two axes.
US07963193B2
An improved nail holder that allows the user to safely and comfortably hold a multiplicity of nails while extending his or her reach into hard-to-reach or otherwise inaccessible places. The present invention represents a significant improvement over those inventions disclosed in the prior art in that it: (1) permits the user to hold and position a multiplicity of nails at the same time, (2) provides the user with an ergonomic handle that is comfortable, efficient and safe to hold, (3) extends the reach of the user beyond arm's length and into hard-to-reach or otherwise inaccessible places, and (4) moves the nails held therein horizontally and/or vertically so as to permit operation in additional hard-to-reach or otherwise inaccessible places.
US07963190B2
A gear set for a transmission for use in limited space and capable of transmitting relatively large amounts of power with a small diameter of the gear sets, comprising a series of helical gear elements having stub shafts extending laterally from either side thereof, each of the stub shafts having teeth formed at the remote ends thereof and a central axial bore extending through each gear element and a coupler adapted to engage the teeth on adjacent gear elements join gear elements in driving contact. The gear set having a relatively large effective diameter, and a tension rail extending through the axial bore in the gear elements with retainers at either end of the tension rail so as to effectively permit limited axial movement along the tension rail while preventing inadvertent disengagement.
US07963187B2
The invention relates to a control device for controlling the engagement of desired gears of a gearbox, which control device comprises a control rod with a relating locking arrangement. The locking arrangement comprises a locking element provided with one or more grooves or recesses which each define a predetermined setting position of the control rod. The locking arrangement further comprises a resilient locking means arranged in a recess in the control rod, which locking means has a locking portion which, against the action of a spring force of the locking means, is arranged for movement in said recess in the control rod's radial direction between a protruded position in which the locking portion engages in one of said grooves/recesses in the locking element and thereby counteracts movement of the control rod relative to the locking element, and a retracted position in which the locking portion does not engage in any of said grooves/recesses in the locking element. The invention also relates to a gearbox comprising such a control device.
US07963183B2
An apparatus for controlling a sequential transmission of a vehicle is provided comprising a control motor that drives a selector drum for shifting gears wherein the apparatus measures torque applied to or position of the selector drum and controls the control motor to engage the gears, to accommodate for wear and transient gear interference or jamming.
US07963176B2
An ultrasonic flow rate measuring device, especially a clamp-on type, is mounted on a line through which medium flows with at least one ultrasonic transducer and a guide frame for guiding and holding the ultrasonic transducer. A fixing mechanism allows the ultrasonic transducer to be moved onto the line or away from the line and also allows it to be axially moved and fixed on the guide frame or unclamped from it. The ultrasonic flow rate measuring device is able to be easily unclamped for maintenance and repair purposes and then re-attachable to the line in the original configuration.
US07963169B2
Level indicator or pressure-measuring device with a cup-shaped housing cover (1), having a cylindrical lateral wall (10) and an inspection glass (4) fixed to the base, such that the inspection glass (4) is held in place by a bayonet fitting.
US07963165B2
Apparatus and method for non-contact ultrasonic detection of features on or within the walls of hollow pipes are described. An air-coupled, high-power ultrasonic transducer for generating guided waves in the pipe wall, and a high-sensitivity, air-coupled transducer for detecting these waves, are disposed at a distance apart and at chosen angle with respect to the surface of the pipe, either inside of or outside of the pipe. Measurements may be made in reflection or transmission modes depending on the relative position of the transducers and the pipe. Data are taken by sweeping the frequency of the incident ultrasonic waves, using a tracking narrow-band filter to reduce detected noise, and transforming the frequency domain data into the time domain using fast Fourier transformation, if required.
US07963155B2
Fuel pressure sensor/sensor mount assembly, fuel injection apparatus, and pressure sensing apparatus
A fuel pressure sensor/sensor mount assembly in which a fuel pressure sensor is so mounted as to exposed to a high-pressure fuel path through which fuel is supplied to a fuel injector, a fuel injection apparatus equipped with a built-in fuel pressure sensor, and a pressure sensing apparatus working to measure the pressure of fuel in a fuel injector are provided. The fuel pressure sensor/sensor mount assembly is disposed between the high-pressure fuel path and the fuel injector, thus permitting the size of the fuel injector to be minimized without sacrificing the accuracy in measuring the pressure of the fuel. The fuel injection apparatus and the a pressure sensing apparatus are designed to ensure desired accuracy in measuring the pressure of the fuel.
US07963153B2
A method, a system and a computer readable medium for dynamic mode AFM amplitude versus distance curve acquisition. In an embodiment, a constant force feedback mechanism is enabled prior to the first time an AFM probe tip contacts a sample. The feedback mechanism setpoint is iteratively reduced while at least phase and amplitude of the probe tip are recorded as a function of the relative z-height of a cantilever coupled to the probe tip. The feedback mechanism setpoint may be repeatedly swept between upper and lower bounds to average out drift between the cantilever and sample. Upon detecting a threshold, an absolute tip-to-sample distance is determined and correlated to the relative z-heights. The amplitude and phase data recorded prior to tip-sample contact is then determined as a function of absolute tip-to-sample distance.
US07963140B2
A variable crimp on flange (COF) tool is provided for engaging and attaching a weather strip and like structures onto a flange. The COF tool includes a housing with two or more crimp rollers that project therefrom. For example, a fixed roller is mounted to the housing to rotate in a first direction, while a movable roller is mounted to the housing to rotate in a second, opposite direction. The movable roller is axially offset from and movable relative to the fixed roller. A driving mechanism, such as a pneumatic motor, is encased within the housing, and operates to rotate the crimp rollers. A biasing mechanism, such as a pneumatic piston assembly, is also encased within the housing, and operates to move the movable crimp roller relative to the fixed crimp roller. The COF tool is engineered such that the crimp speed, crimp rate, and crimp pressure are independently adjustable.
US07963139B2
An apparatus to expand a diameter of a can or other article comprises a forming turret that includes a stop plate and a forming tooling. The stop plate is configured to be adjacent a dome-end of a can to restrict motion of the can; the stop plate is axially movable relative to a turret axis of rotation. The forming tooling includes a plate and an expansion tool axially movable relative to the turret axis of rotation. The plate includes an opening through which the tool passes. The expansion tool is configured to move into an open end of the can to expand the diameter of the can.
US07963136B2
Processes for continuous production of a thin metal strip, in particular a steel hot strip, directly from a metal melt and with a strip cast thickness of <10 mm by the roll-casting process. The cast metal strip is fed for in-line thickness reduction, and then to a storage device. To achieve a high-quality, hot-rolled metal strip with flatness tolerances comparable to those which can currently be achieved in the production of hot-rolled metal strip from continuous-cast thin slabs or slabs, at cast thicknesses of between 40 and 300 mm, in a continuous production process starting directly from metal melt. With the low strip cast thickness, a flatness measurement is performed on the moving metal strip, and the measurement results of this flatness measurement are used to influence the flatness of the metal strip in a targeted way.
US07963133B2
A cylinder lock, includes a sleeve, a key plug arranged in the sleeve and having a key insert hole opening on an edge face of a key insert side, a key matching member movably supported on the key plug, detachably arranged in the sleeve and withdrawn from the sleeve by an insertion of a matching key into the key insert hole, and a clutch arranged on an opposite side of the key insert side of the sleeve for transmitting an unlocking movement of an operating handle to a locking mechanism. The clutch has an input clutch element pivoting/moving by an input of the unlocking movement of the operating handle and an output clutch element moving by receiving a moving force from the input clutch element, the output clutch element is detachably coupled with the sleeve, and the input clutch element is detachably coupled with the sleeve and is arranged in a position to withdraw the output clutch element from the sleeve moving in an axial direction by a pivotal movement by the input of the unlocking movement in a locking state of the key matching member.
US07963131B2
A security container for retaining an item of merchandise therein; said security container comprising a base, a lid, a slider within the lid, a lid hole, a slider tab extending from the slider through the lid hole, and a locking mechanism unlocked through magnetic manipulation. The slider tab is located proximate the hinged side of the lid. As a user positions a key to magnetically unlock the locking mechanism, a protrusion on the key simultaneously pushes the slider tab which unlocks internal L-shaped lock tabs from hook tabs. The slider tab is located on the hinged side of the lid for aesthetic as well as safety purposes. By hiding the security features, potential customers focus on the product within the box. Likewise, a casual thief observing from the front and sides of the container is presented with no immediate means for entry. Thus, the invention provides a more secure container for displaying upscale merchandise.
US07963126B2
A glass fiber and a method of manufacturing a glass fiber for reinforcing a transparent composite matrix is disclosed. The glass fiber includes a first glass material having a first refractive index, a first modulus, and a first durability characteristic and a second glass material having a second refractive index, a second modulus, and second durability characteristic. The second durability characteristic is greater than the first durability characteristic. Durability characteristic is selected from the group comprising resistance to chemical attack, resistance to acid attack, resistance to fading from exposure to ultra-violet radiation, and resistance to mechanical abrasion.
US07963123B2
A method and machine for obtaining bent glass sheets. Glass sheets are brought to their softening temperature, then they are caused to travel over a shaping bed of advancing elements for advancing them which are arranged along a path having a circular arc-shaped profile, the sheets progressively assuming their shape on entering the bed and over a first shaping zone, then being hardened by tempering or cooling in a second zone of the bed until they leave, and then the bent glass sheets thus obtained are recovered. The shaping bed is produced with a profile extending in a circular arc of more than 90°, and, on leaving the shaping bed, the hardened glass sheets are moved in a direction opposite that in which they were fed in.
US07963122B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing optical glass elements, in particular optical prisms or optical rod lenses, using a drawing process. The geometry of the glass strand which is to be produced is controlled by means of cooling or heating elements positioned at least around portions of the periphery or longitudinal axis of the glass strand, inside or outside the heating apparatus.
US07963121B2
An outdoor unit of an air conditioner is provided in which a wind whistling sound and a vibration noise due to airflow are reduced. The outdoor unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger, a fan, a motor for driving the fan, and a motor support table for supporting the motor. The fan moves air on the outdoor heat exchanger to promote heat exchange between refrigerant and air. The motor support table (63) is provided with a rectifying member, and the rectifying member deflects air flowing toward the motor support table in a predetermined direction.
US07963116B2
Compositions are disclosed for storing and releasing hydrogen and methods for preparing and using same. These hydrogen storage and releasing materials exhibit fast release rates at low release temperatures without unwanted side reactions, thus preserving desired levels of purity and enabling applications in combustion and fuel cell applications.
US07963114B2
A hydraulic brake lever assembly includes a master cylinder, a master piston, and a floating piston. Both of the master piston and the floating piston are sealingly and movably received in the master cylinder. The master piston has a passage diametrically defined therein and extending therethrough for receiving a bias mechanism. The floating piston has a through hole for coaxially and sealingly receiving the master piston. The floating piston has two raceways radially and symmetrically extending from the through hole therein. The bias mechanism is movably disposed between the two raceways. Each raceway has a trough defined in a bottom thereof. The bias mechanism moves along the troughs and the raceways to provide the effort of multi-stage movement and different braking feel.
US07963112B1
In accordance with the present invention, a portable wave-swash & coastal-wind energy harvester, once placed on a sea coast in the swash zone captures the mechanical energy contained in: (a) waves in the swash-zone, and (b) coastal-wind. Energy is extracted through: (a) wave turbines, (b) wind turbines, and (c) wave floats. A rotational transmission system with one-way clutches transmits torque to an alternator, while flywheels attached to the axles maintain steady rotation of axles. A wave funnel faces the waves and causes the wave uprush to converge toward wave turbines. A buoyancy chamber at the bottom produces reduction of weight of the portable wave-swash & coastal-wind energy harvester when water in the chamber is emptied and thereby enhances maneuverability of the unit on land and in water, while a stabilization tank at the top when filled with water provides extra weight and stability of the unit in its operating location.
US07963104B2
An emission control system capable of remediating an exhaust from an internal combustion engine and having an exhaust passage, an oxidation catalyst, a reducing agent and a source of the reducing agent cooperating with an aperture in the exhaust passage. The aperture is disposed downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The system also includes a mixer arranged within the exhaust passage downstream of the aperture. The mixer includes a plurality of mixing elements. The mixer also includes a coating capable of hydrolyzing the reducing agent. At least a portion of the mixing elements which have a thermal conductivity greater than 8 W/m/° K. The system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst disposed downstream from the mixer.
US07963099B2
A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle includes a fluted shell terminating in a row of chevrons. The nozzle is radially serpentine circumferentially around the shell and has a circumferentially serpentine trailing edge.
US07963098B2
A carbon composite duct assembly has a duct body having an opening. The duct body extends along an axis. The opening extends transversely to the axis. The duct body has a carbon composite fabric layer. The duct body has an axial flange extending along the axis and a peripheral flange extending along the opening. The axial flange and the peripheral flange overlap forming a corner of the carbon composite fabric layer.
US07963096B2
A rotary engine includes a rotor having one or more combustion chambers connected to an exhaust passageway extending radially outward from the combustion chamber to an exhaust port adjacent a peripheral edge of the rotor. The exhaust gas is expelled at an angle to thereby generate cause the rotor to rotate. The housing may include reflective surfaces that reflect shockwaves from the exhaust gas back towards vanes on the rotor to thereby capture additional energy from the exhaust gas. The housing may also include stators that capture additional energy from the exhaust gas and rotate the rotor. An intake port fluidly connected to the combustion chamber is aligned with an opening in the housing as the rotor rotates to thereby allow comprised air to flow into the combustion chamber. As the combustion chamber rotates, it is closed off by a closed portion of the housing, fuel is injected, and ignited, to thereby generate exhaust gases and generate power. The engine does not include reciprocating components, and relatively few moving parts are required.
US07963095B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides an air conditioning system located upstream of the inlet system for a gas turbine. The air conditioning system may include at least one conditioning module for adjusting the temperature of the airstream. The at least one conditioning module may have a plurality of forms including at least one of the following systems: a chiller, an evaporative cooler; a spray cooler, or combinations thereof. The specific form of the at least one conditioning module may be determined in part the configuration of the gas turbine.
US07963089B2
The present disclosure is directed to processes for manufacturing shaped articles for unit-dose packaging with at least one formed recess (e.g., a blister), in particular for unit-dose packaging of pharmaceutical dosage forms. In certain embodiments, the first step of the process is directed to drawing the film material (e.g., metal-plastic foil) with one or more plungers to form a primary contour, the contour having a depth of at least 100% and up to 150% of the depth of the formed recess. The second stage involves shaping the primary contour with one or more plunger(s) to the desired formed recess, with a depth that is less than the depth of the primary contour, while substantially maintaining the surface area of the primary contour formed in the first stage. The formed recess may be formed using warm-forming or cold-forming techniques.
US07963086B2
A package unbundling station receives bundles of articles to be unwrapped. The station includes a clamp for holding a bundle in a fixed position and a pair of spaced-apart movable cutter assemblies which cut at least one of wrapping and banding on at least two sides of the bundle, resulting in an “open envelope” which is transferred to a work station for easy removal of the articles which are then conveyed for subsequent sorting. In one embodiment, an unbundling station is coupled with a package sorting system and receives banded and/or wrapped bundles of articles and includes at least a pair of spaced-apart movable cutter assemblies which cut at least one of the banding and/or wrapping materials of the bundle and subsequently outputs the opened bundle to an output station for subsequent processing.
US07963084B2
A synchronously deployable tetrahedral truss beam with orthogonally-hinged diagonals, having uniquely-connected transverse members and folding chordal members, where a plurality of bays can extend and retract in a coordinated manner without need for a deployment canister mechanism or other assembling means. The triangular cross-section truss can be adapted to deploy pre-attached panels or nodally-attached payload components. These triangular beams can be mounted side-by-side with a common chord to create a synchronously deployable trapezoidal cross-section beam or space-frame. Both the triangular and trapezoidal configurations can be adapted to deploy with a prescribed curvature of the longitudinal axis, and form perimeter trusses which can be post-tensioned for maximum structural performance.
US07963068B2
A method and apparatus for containing, protecting, isolating, and individually identifying sets of one or more articles in a plurality of compartments such that information related to the sets can be easily and efficiently linked to the set. In an example of the apparatus, the apparatus has a compartment layer, a sealant layer, and indicia which may individually identify compartments. In another example, a method includes taking a compartment layer and sealant layer, loading compartments with sets of one or more articles, closing the compartment layer with the sealant layer, and identifying each compartment for each seed or portion thereof with a positionally-addressable ordered array of indicia on at least one of the layers of the package.
US07963051B2
A method of removing a T-type fence post from the earth with a powered, mobile piece of equipment controlled by a human operator includes attaching a substantially flat plate to a lift arm of the powered mobile piece of equipment such that the plate hangs substantially vertically from the lift arm and can move in an arc, the plate having a opening with a top wall and a bottom wall, moving the powered, mobile piece of equipment in a first direction to pull the plate over the fence post such that an upper portion of the post enters the opening with the bottom and upper walls of the opening engaging the post with sufficient force to retain the post in the opening when the post is pulled from the earth and raising the lift arm to pull the post from the earth in a substantially vertical direction.
US07963048B2
An dual path kiln is provided that includes a kiln having one or more chambers and at least two lumber charge paths adapted to convey lumber through the kiln in opposite directions.
US07963045B2
A detection device for detecting a distance between centers of two through holes includes a support member, a base member, and a measurement member. The base member and the measurement member are set on opposite ends of the support member. The base member is operable to enter one of the through holes. A distance between a center of the base member and a center of the measurement member is equal to a normal distance between centers of the two through holes. If an actual distance between the centers of the two through holes meets a determined specification, the measurement member will enter the other through hole. If the actual distance between the centers of the two through holes does not meet the determined specification, the measurement member cannot enter the other through hole.
US07963043B2
A reciprocating saw includes a housing and a support shoe mounted on the front end of the housing which is adjacent to a saw blade. The support shoe includes a guide plate which is partly mounted in the housing and is movable thereabout, and a base plate pivotally connected to the guide plate. The guide plate has a series of recesses or apertures. The reciprocating saw also includes a locking member which is movable in the housing along a first direction and at least a portion of which could be engaged with any one of the recesses or apertures, and an adjusting member which is movable along a direction perpendicular to the first direction from a first position to a second position. The locking member is disposed between the adjusting member and the guide plate.
US07963042B2
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for micro surgical blades, knives and assemblies.
US07963041B1
A guard including three sub-systems: a main guard body, a solid shield, and an attachment mechanism. The main guard body includes a base, a peripheral exterior ring, and a plurality of supports for holding the peripheral exterior ring in spaced relationship with the base. Together, the base, the peripheral exterior ring, and the plurality of supports define at least one aperture. The solid shield is attachable to the main guard body. The attachment mechanism is used to attach the main guard body to an extension member of a filament-type trimmer. When positioned, a rotatable non-rigid filament of the filament-type trimmer is peripherally surrounded by the main guard body when the rotatable non-rigid filament is rotating.
US07963015B2
A method of detecting fatigue crack by which the fatigue crack can be easily detected by visual observation even in a relatively early stage, and a method of restraining propagation thereof. The detection method includes the steps of: (a) preparing a paste in which particles having hardness not less than that of a base material and an oil having viscosity are mixed with each other; (b) applying the paste to a desired portion of the base material; and (c) detecting fatigue crack based on a change in color generated by movement of base material powder to a surface of the paste, and the base material powder is produced when the particles grind the base material due to opening and closing of the fatigue crack in the base material.
US07963004B2
An apparatus for attaching an extraneous item to a military uniform is disclosed. The apparatus for attaching an extraneous item to a military uniform, which can attach a name tag, a unit marking, insignia of rank, etc. to a predetermined position of the military uniform, includes: a female Velcro tape where an attaching means is formed; an attaching member which is formed with the same size as the female Velcro tape and has the same pattern or color as the military uniform formed on the surface and a male Velcro tape formed on the back side; and an extraneous item comprising a name tag, a unit marking, insignia of rank, etc. to be attached to the surface of the attaching member.
US07963000B2
A flip apparatus and an electronic device using the same are provided. The flip apparatus is disposed in the electronic device including a first casing and a second casing. The flip apparatus includes a sliding mechanism, a rotating mechanism pivotally connected to the second casing, and an actuating element disposed at the second casing. The sliding mechanism is disposed at the first casing and is slidably connected to the second casing to drive the first casing to slide to a rotating position relative to the second casing. The rotating mechanism includes a rotating block pivotally connected to the second casing and fixed to the first casing, a moving block slidably provided at the rotating block and is fixed to the sliding mechanism, and an elastic element coupled to the rotating block and has elastic potential energy. The rotating block can be driven to rotate by releasing the elastic potential energy.
US07962987B1
A portable ramp made according to this invention includes a pair of interconnected ramps for use with high-centering wheeled lawn equipment such as commercial walk-behind mowers. The ramps allow the equipment to move between a first lower elevation and a second higher elevation without its front wheels becoming airborne as the equipment traverses the ramps in a forward direction. The ramps are connected to one another by a flexible tether that allows the distance between the ramps to be easily adjusted and provides a means for stowing the ramps over the handles of the equipment Magnets may be included in a bottom portion of the ramp to provide an optional means for stowing the ramps on the equipment.
US07962977B1
In use, parameter representing pricing logic is defined in a pattern oriented rule implementation table/(s) and is applied utilizing a rule. Each rule may return a result according to a set of condition-value expressions pairs. Code is generated for determining a price, based on the rule. In various embodiments, the order of the code may be optimized when generated. Given a parameter name, the code may be executed for determining the price in an event scope.
US07962969B1
A shirt cuff for a long-sleeved garment including a band of material having first and second opposing edges and first and second opposing cuff ends, wherein the first edge is attached to the sleeve of the shirt. A closure device is comprised of a hidden button and first eyelet combination, respectively disposed separately at the first and second opposing ends. A button-side eyelet may also be disposed adjacent to the hidden button on the first cuff end, and a cuff-link may be placed through the first eyelet and the button-side eyelet to form a French cuff configuration.
