US08124277B2
Disclosed is a binder for electrode formation, which is obtained by dispersing a polyolefin resin containing 50 to 98% by mass of an unsaturated hydrocarbon having 3 to 6 carbon atoms and 0.5 to 20% by mass of an unsaturated carboxylic acid unit in an aqueous medium together with a basic compound. This binder for electrode formation is also characterized in that the content of a nonvolatile water-compatibilizing agent is 5 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of the polyolefin resin.
US08124274B2
Electrochemical battery cells, and more particularly, to cells comprising a lithium negative electrode and an iron disulfide positive electrode. Before use in the cell, the iron disulfide has an inherent pH, or a mixture of iron disulfide and an pH raising additive compound have a calculated pH, of at least a predetermined minimum pH value. In a preferred embodiment, the pH raising additive compound comprises a Group IIA element of the Periodic Table of the Elements, or an acid scavenger or pH control agent such as an organic amine, cycloaliphatic epoxy, amino alcohol or overbased calcium sulfonate. In one embodiment, the iron disulfide particles utilized in the cell have a specific reduced average particle size range. Methods for preparing cathodes and electrochemical battery cells comprising such cathodes including (a) iron disulfide or (b) a mixture of iron disulfide and the pH raising additive compound, having (a) an inherent pH or (b) a calculated pH greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum value are disclosed.
US08124272B2
A polyvinyl acetal resin varnish which is so low in stimulus property, toxicity, environment-polluting property, offensive odor, and inflammability that no problem is caused in practical use, and which is high in safety, low in viscosity, and thus favorable in workability, and an application of the polyvinyl acetal resin varnish are provided. As an organic solvent for dissolving the polyvinyl acetal resin, there is used a nonaqueous solvent, preferably carbonate ester, and more preferably a mixed solvent composed of cyclic carbonate ester and chain carbonate ester, into which the polyvinyl acetal resin is evenly dissolved regardless of its type, resulting in varnish which is high in safety and low in viscosity. Since the varnish has an action of gelling the organic solvent, the varnish can be used as a gelling agent in various applications.
US08124271B2
The present invention relates to a secondary battery including an insulating case interposed between the cap assembly and the electrode assembly. The insulating case is made of a sealing material with low thermal deformation, excellent flame-retardation, and excellent electric insulation so as to be able to enhance the reliability of the secondary battery. The secondary battery of the present invention includes a can having an open top, an electrode assembly disposed inside the can and generating electricity, a cap assembly sealing the open top of the can, and an insulating case interposed between the cap assembly and the electrode assembly. The insulating case includes a base having an upper surface and a side surface, and a protrusion formed on the side surface. The upper surface has a deformation hole. The deformation hole and the protrusion are arranged in a manner that a line connecting the center of the deformation hole to the protrusion is substantially perpendicular to the side surface.
US08124268B2
A gasket 20; 40; 80 for use in a starved electrolyte bipolar battery comprises a structural part 27; 44; 82 in the shape of a frame having an upper surface 1 and a lower surface 2, and at least one channel 23, 24; 83, 84 to permit gas passage through the gasket. The structural part is made from a first material having hydrophobic properties. The gasket 20; 40; 80 further comprises at least a first sealing surface 30; 47; 91 arranged in a closed loop projecting from the upper surface 1, and at least a second sealing surface 30; 47; 92 arranged in a closed loop projecting from the lower surface 2. The first and the second sealing surfaces are provided on at least one sealing part 26; 41, 41; 81, are made from a second material, and the first material of the structural part 27; 44; 82 has a higher elastic modulus than an elastic modulus of the second material of the sealing parts 26; 41, 42; 81. A starved electrolyte bipolar battery and a method for manufacturing a gasket are also disclosed.
US08124260B2
This invention relates in general to components of electrochemical devices, and to methods of preparing the components. The components and methods include the use of a composition comprising an ionically conductive polymer and at least one solvent, where the polymer and the solvent are selected based on the thermodynamics of the combination. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a component for an electrochemical device which is prepared from a composition comprising a true solution of an ionically conductive polymer and at least one solvent, the polymer and the at least one solvent being selected such that |δ solvent−δ solute|<1, where δ solvent is the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the at least one solvent and where δ solute is the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the polymer. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of improving at least one property of a component for an electrochemical device or at least one property of the electrochemical device, the method comprising preparing the component from a composition comprising a true solution of an ionically conductive polymer and at least one solvent, the polymer and the at least one solvent being selected such that |δ solvent−δ solute|<1, where δ solvent is the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the at least one solvent and where δ solute is the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the polymer.
US08124257B2
A substrate for a recording medium suited for thermally assisted recording methods has a disc shape with a center hole and includes a silicon single-crystal supporting member; an SiO2 film formed on the silicon single-crystal supporting member; a main face having a film thickness of the SiO2 film thereon which is less than 10 nm; a substrate inner periphery end face adjacent to the center hole; a substrate inner periphery chamfer portion adjacent to the main face and to the substrate inner periphery end face; a substrate outer periphery end face positioned on the side of the main face opposite the substrate inner periphery end face; and a substrate outer periphery chamfer portion adjacent to the main face and to the substrate outer periphery end face. A magnetic recording medium includes at least the above substrate and a magnetic recording layer formed on the substrate.
US08124256B2
A magnetic recording medium with excellent high density recording performances and good durability comprising a non-magnetic substrate, a non-magnetic layer containing a non-magnetic powder and a binder formed on the non-magnetic substrate, and a magnetic layer having a thickness of less than 100 nm and containing a substantially particulate non-magnetic powder, a substantially particulate magnetic powder having an average particle size of less than 25 nm, and a binder, wherein an average particle size R of the non-magnetic powder contained in the magnetic layer and a thickness D of the magnetic powder satisfy the following relationship: 0.88≦R/D≦2.5.
US08124254B2
A heterostructure of multiferroics or magnetoelectrics (ME) was disclosed. The film has both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties, as well as magneto-optic (MO) and electro-optic (EO) properties. Oxide buffer layers were employed to allow grown a cracking-free heterostructure a solution coating method.
US08124250B2
An organic electronic device includes: a pair of electrodes, an organic film layer containing an organic substance having a benzothiadiazole skeleton, a metal oxide layer provided on the organic film layer by vacuum vapor deposition, and an interface formed between the pair of electrodes out of the organic film layer and the metal oxide layer.
US08124248B2
A polymer blend comprising a first, light-emissive polymer comprising substituted or non-substituted units according to formulae (I) and (II) and a second, hole transport polymer comprising substituted or non-substituted fluorene units according to formula (I) and substituted or non-substituted triarylamine units, wherein the molecular weights of the first and second polymers and the blending ratio of the first and second polymers are selected such that, in use in a light-emissive device, the luminance of the emitted light at a bias of 5V is no less than 20,000 cd/m2. wherein R′ is independently in each occurrence H, C1-C20 hydrocarbyl or C1-C20 hydrocarbyl containing one or more S, N, O, P or Si atoms, C4-C16 hydrocarbyl carbonyloxy, C4-C16 aryl(trialkylsiloxy) or both R′ may form together with the 9-carbon on the fluorene ring a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic structure containing one or more heteroatoms of S, N or O.
US08124242B2
The present invention provides a coating composition, and coated substrates and articles. The coating composition includes a binder containing a polyester resin that is formed using at least one aromatic, dicarboxylic acid and at least one asymmetric diol. The present invention also provides coating compositions that may be used on articles where excellent outdoor durability is desired. A method of coating and fabricating a substrate is also included.
US08124241B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a multilayer polyimide film, uniform in film thickness and rate of dimensional change in the width direction of the film, which has a thermoplastic polyimide layer or the like serving as an adhesive layer. The object is attained by a method for manufacturing a multilayer polyimide film by width-spreading and flow-casting at least two types of polyimide resin solutions or polyimide precursor resin solutions fed into a multilayer coextrusion die including a plurality of flow channels, the method being characterized in that the thickness of each layer of the multilayer film is controlled by adding a solvent to the resin solutions to be fed into at least one of the flow channels and by adjusting, independently of the amounts of the resin solutions to be fed, the amount of the solvent to be added.
US08124214B2
A method of controlling a transport mechanism allows a first mobile carrier to move based on a power source incorporated in the first mobile carrier when an instructions signal specifying an access to a cell defined in a storage is supplied to a controller. When a fault is detected in the first mobile carrier, the first mobile carrier is moved based on the action of a second mobile carrier. The method ensures the movement of the first mobile carrier with the assistance of the second mobile carrier even when the first mobile carrier suffers from a fault. The first mobile carrier can be moved out of the movable range of the second mobile carrier. The second mobile carrier is allowed to move in the own movable range without an interference to the first mobile carrier. The second mobile carrier keeps operating without an interruption.
US08124210B2
Disclosed herein is a metal mosaic tile used as the interior finishing material on the wall of a building. The tile includes a metallic board and a metallic cover. Convex parts are provided on the front of the metallic board at regular intervals and concave parts are provided on the back of the metallic board at regular intervals. The metallic cover includes a bent side plate, a top plate and an opening for accommodating at least one of the convex parts of the metallic board, and the upper surface of each convex part adheres to the top plate. The tile has high fire resistance, effectively prevents condensation from occurring, mitigates vibration or noise, has high joining strength and high attaching strength against an object to which the tile is attached, and permits the mass production of metal mosaic tile at lower cost.
US08124209B2
A paper web transfer tape having a cover flap joined longitudinally to a carrier member along the trailing edge such that the cover flap opens in a hinged manner to expose a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on the carrier member for adherence to an advancing paper web for severance and transfer of the paper web onto an empty spool. The transfer tape is adhered to an empty spool. The cover flap is opened by air resistance encountered during rotation of the spool, by providing an adhesive tab member on the exterior of the cover flap that initiates opening upon adhesion of the tab member to the reel drum, or by providing a blast of pressurized air against the leading edge of the transfer tape.
US08124207B2
Articles having reduced sliding frictional force comprising a lubricant applied to one or more surfaces of the article, and the lubricant-coated surface treated by exposing the surface to an energy source, wherein the energy source is an ionizing gas plasma at about atmospheric pressure. The ionizing gas plasma may be a flame plasma. One or more of the surfaces may be exposed to the ionizing gas plasma at about atmospheric pressure prior to application of the lubricant.
US08124203B2
A multi-layer preform having at least one foamed layer suitable for forming a multi-layer blow molded container having at least one foamed layer container is disclosed, the multi-layer container formed by a process comprising the steps of injection molding a polymer melt having a non-reactive gas entrained therein, causing entrained gas cells in the polymer melt to open to form a polymer preform having an open cell foam layer, cooling the preform to a temperature below the polymer softening temperature, reheating the preform to a temperature greater than the polymer softening temperature, and blow molding the preform in a second mold, to prepare the container. At least one layer of the container may be blended with an oxygen and/or carbon dioxide barrier material.
US08124202B2
A multilayer container having enhanced gas barrier properties comprises at least two outer layers comprising a polymer matrix, and at least one barrier layer disposed between the at least two outer layers. The at least one barrier layer comprises a first polymer composition comprising a polymer matrix and a low molecular weight additive. In a particular embodiment, the low molecular weight additive comprises a purine derivative, such as caffeine, and is present in the multilayer container in an amount in the range of about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent of the container.
US08124192B2
A device and a method for applying powder onto an application surface has a powder container (35) and a voltage source (32) for applying a voltage between the powder container and the application surface, wherein the powder container (35) at least partially consists of a conductive material and the powder container (35) has an opening (35a) or is completely open at its side facing the application surface when the voltage is applied.
US08124178B2
A directed vapor deposition (DVD) method and system for applying at least one bond coating on at least one substrate for thermal barrier coating systems. To overcome the limitations incurred by conventional methods, the DVD system uses an electron beam directed vapor deposition (DVD) technique to evaporate and deposit compositionally and morphologically controlled bond coats at high rate. The present DVD system uses the combination of an electron beam and a combined inert gas/reactive gas carrier jet of controlled composition to create engineering films. In this system, the vaporized material can be entrained in the carrier gas jet and deposited onto the substrate at a high rate and with high materials utilization efficiency. The velocity and flux of the gas atoms entering the chamber, the nozzle parameters, and the operating chamber pressure can all be significantly varied, facilitating wide processing condition variation and allowing for improved control over the properties of the deposited layer.
US08124177B2
Interior microchannels within microchannel apparatus are uniformly coated. Remarkably, these uniform coatings are formed from materials that are applied to the interior microchannels after an apparatus has been assembled or manufactured. Coatings can be made uniform along the length of a microchannel, in the corner of a microchannel, and/or throughout numerous microchannels in an array of microchannels. Techniques for tailoring the application of washcoats onto microchannels is also described.
US08124176B2
A polymer assisted deposition process for deposition of metal nitride films and the like is presented. The process includes solutions of one or more metal precursor and soluble polymers having binding properties for the one or more metal precursor. After a coating operation, the resultant coating is heated at high temperatures under a suitable atmosphere to yield metal nitride films and the like. Such films can be conformal on a variety of substrates including non-planar substrates. In some instances, the films can be epitaxial in structure and can be of optical quality. The process can be organic solvent-free.
US08124173B2
A process for packaging an electronic device employs an insulating protective resin layer produced from one or more of the resin compositions: (1) 100 parts of an organic solvent-soluble resin having a polysiloxane skeleton and a polar group, 0.5 to 30 parts of an epoxy compound having an epoxy equivalent of more than 800, and an organic solvent, (2) 100 parts of an organic solvent-soluble resin having a polysiloxane skeleton and a polar group, 0.1 to 10 parts of an epoxy compound having an epoxy equivalent of 100 to 800, 2 to 30 weight parts of a polyvalent isocyanate compound, and an organic solvent; and (3) 100 parts of an organic solvent-soluble resin having a polysiloxane skeleton and a polar group, 0.1 to 20 parts of an epoxy compound having an epoxy equivalent of more than 800, 2 to 30 parts of a polyvalent isocyanate compound, and an organic solvent.
US08124172B2
There is provided a process for forming a contained second layer over a first layer, including the steps: forming the first layer having a first surface energy; treating the first layer with a reactive surface-active composition to form a treated first layer having a second surface energy which is lower than the first surface energy; exposing the treated first layer with radiation; and forming the second layer. There is also provided an organic electronic device made by the process.
US08124167B2
A medical device such as a wire guide has a lubricious and/or therapeutic coating adhered to an etched, carbonaceous polymeric surface, for example a sodium-etched polymer surface. A method for preparing a lubricious and/or therapeutic coating on a medical device includes etching a polymeric portion of the device to create a carbonaceous surface and applying a lubricious and/or therapeutic coating on the etched surface.
US08124163B2
The present invention provides a water containing, heat processable firm RTE fudge dessert. The RTE fudge dessert of this invention is prepared from an emulsified blend of water, fat, milk, lecithin, and a water binder. Sweeteners and/or flavorings may be added to provide the desired level of sweetness or desired flavor profile. A smooth firm fudge candy textured dessert comprising about 20 to about 60 percent water, about 15 to about 45 percent fat, about 1 to about 15 percent non-fat dry milk (or equivalent milk protein), about 0.1 to about 3 percent lecithin, and about 0.1 to about 20 percent water binder is provided.
US08124161B2
The invention provides food product particles obtainable with a method for finish-frying food product particles in superheated steam having a flow rate in the range of from 1 to 20 m/s, at a temperature in the range of from 150-250° C. and for a period of time in the range of from 1 to 5 minutes, wherein more than 75% of the surface of the food product particles is contacted with the superheated steam.
US08124158B2
Fat-and-oil composition comprising fat-and-oil A (foA), foB, foD and optional foE as defined below and meeting the following conditions: FoA; fat-and-oil including lauric fat-and-oil, etc., FoB; transesterified oil of foC wherein the contents of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having 16 or more carbon atoms are in specific ranges, respectively, FoD; fat-and-oil containing XOX-type triacyl glycerols in a content of 30% by mass or more, FoE; fat-and-oil ingredient which is derived from vegetable fats and oils and does not belong to any of foA, foB and foD; in all the fat-and-oil ingredients derived from vegetable fats and oils, the contents % by mass of foA, foB and XOX-type triacyl glycerols are 1 to 4, 10 to 20, and 40 or more but less than 60, respectively; and oil-in-water emulsified product containing the composition.
US08124157B2
It is intended to prepare noodles and noodle skins, in particular, wheat flour-free noodles and noodle skins, which comprise a soybean protein composition at a high ratio. By adding a water-extracted less denatured soybean protein to noodles and noodle skins, noodles and noodle skins containing a large amount of the soybean protein can be obtained. Further, it is possible to obtain wheat flour-free noodles and noodle skins and starch-free noodles and noodle skins.
US08124153B2
A method for forming a film on a surface of a base so that the film can impart good peeling property between the base and an object to be treated when the object contacts the base. A film formed by the method is also provided. Cooking oil 2 applied to a surface of a plate 1a is brought into contact with a flame, so that a film 7 imparting a peeling property relative to the plate 1a is formed. As the film 7 displays an excellent peeling property when a foodstuff 8 contacts the plate 1a with the film 7 formed therebetween, a good releasing property between the plate 1a and the foodstuff 8 can be obtained. As the film 7 is capable of being regenerated easily, it is possible to prevent easily and semi permanently the foodstuff 8 from firmly sticking to the plate 1a even though the foodstuff repeatedly contacts and releases from the plate 1a.
US08124146B2
The present invention relates to a fermented food product, which comprises defatted flax-seed as main raw material. Suspension of defatted crushed flaxseed or crushed and milled flaxseed, optionally supplemented with other cereals or plant seeds or flaxseed fractions, is fermented by a starter culture which comprises probiotic bacteria, and seasoned and stabilized, whereby a spoonable or thinkable fermented snack product is obtained.
US08124139B2
The present invention discloses a compound preparation for quickly reducing oxidative stress, which contains small molecules and mineral trace elements that can remove or help removing free radicals, can regulate the function of endocrine and circulatory digestive system, as well as other components that can rebuild inner harmony. The compound preparation is in solid dosage form, preferably effervescent tablet or effervescent granules. The preparative method of the compound preparation is also disclosed. Animal experiment and clinical trial show that the invention has strong effect in reducing oxidative stress and disease prevention.
US08124123B2
A solid dosage form for oral administration comprising azithromycin in an amount below that which causes gastrointestinal side effects, which dosage form is a controlled release dosage form.
US08124118B2
The present invention relates to a drug carrier composition comprising i) one or more biodegradable hydrating ceramics ii) one or more expandable agents, and iii) sorbed aqueous medium which in solid form has a ruptured structure. The function of the expandable agent is to create a ruptured structure in the solidified composition, either a foam-like structure or a disintegrated structure where it is split into a large number of parts, particles, units, granules or pieces, so as to obtain an enlarged apparent surface area that is exposed to degradation or erosion upon administration. Suitable substances to obtain this surface enlarging effect are gas-forming agents or swelling agents, gelling agents or disintegrants, here referred to as expandable agents. The expandable agents may be bioresorbable or non-bioresorbable.
US08124089B2
Human anti-human IL-21 monoclonal antibodies and the hybridomas that produce them are presented. Certain of these antibodies have the ability to bind native human IL-21, a mutant recombinat IL-21 protein and/or peptide regions of human IL-21. These human anti-IL-21 antibodies are useful in therapeutic treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, particularly diseases mediated by T follicular helper cells, B cells TH cells or TH17 cells.
US08124086B2
The present invention provides antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies, fusion polypeptides and analogs that preferentially bind cell-associated CA 125/O772P polypeptides relative to shed CA 125/O772P polypeptides. The present invention further provides methods of preventing, managing, treating or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a CA 125/O772P-related disorder. In particular, the present invention provides methods of preventing, managing, treating, or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a cell proliferative disorder, such as cancer, e.g., ovarian cancer. The present invention still further provides methods for diagnosing a CA 125/O772P-related disorder or predisposition to developing such a disorder, as well as methods for identifying antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies, that preferentially bind cell-associated CA 125/O772P polypeptides relative to shed CA 125/O772P polypeptides.
US08124085B2
Methods for improving the biological and pharmaceutical properties of bispecific binding agents are described herein where the bispecific binding agent are able to target cells by a high affinity binding domain to a first cell surface marker that does not induce a significant biological effect and a low affinity binding domain that binds specifically to a second cell surface marker, causing a significant and desired biological effect. Compositions of such bispecific binding agents, uses for them, and kits containing them are also provided.
US08124084B2
The present invention relates to a therapeutic polypeptide and methods for its creation and use for modulating an immune response in a host organism in need thereof. In particular, the invention relates to the administration to an organism in need thereof, of an effective amount of a pre-coupled polypeptide complex comprising a lymphokine polypeptide portion, for example IL-15 (SEQ ID NO: 5, 6), IL-2 (SEQ ID NO: 10, 12) or combinations of both, and an interleukin receptor polypeptide portion, for example IL-15Ra (SEQ ID NO: 7, 8), IL-2Ra (SEQ ID NO: 9, 11) or combinations of both, for augmenting the immune system in, for example, cancer, SCID, AIDS, or vaccination; or inhibiting the immune system in, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, or Lupus. The therapeutic complex of the invention surprisingly demonstrates increased half-life, and efficacy in vivo.
US08124050B2
A method for coating the internal surfaces of a reaction vessel having a small internal diameter comprises the steps of (i) introducing into the reaction vessel a solution of one or more monomers in a suitable solvent; (ii) introducing a flow of an inert gas through the reaction vessel; and (iii) initiating polymerization of the monomer solution.
US08124049B2
A high thermal efficiency process for hydrogen recovery is provided. The present invention includes combusting a first fuel stream to a reforming furnace, producing reforming heat and a hot exhaust stream. Then exchanging heat indirectly between the hot exhaust stream and a first feed water stream, producing a first steam stream. Then providing a hydrocarbon containing stream and a feed steam stream to the reforming furnace, utilizing the reforming heat and producing a hot raw syngas stream. Then exchanging heat indirectly between the hot raw syngas stream and second feedwater stream, producing a second steam stream and a cooled, raw syngas stream. Then introducing the cooled, raw syngas stream to a CO shift converter, producing a shifted syngas stream. Then introducing the shifted syngas stream into a pressure swing adsorption unit, producing a hydrogen product stream and a tail gas stream. Then introducing the tail gas stream to a CO2 removal unit, producing a CO2 stream and a recycle stream; compressing the recycle stream, producing a compressed recycle stream. Then combining the compressed recycle stream with at least one stream selected from the group consisting of the hydrocarbon containing stream, the cooled raw syngas stream, the shifted syngas stream, and the tail gas stream. Then combining the first steam stream and the second steam stream, producing the feed steam stream.
US08124042B2
An aqueous dispersion includes a self-crosslinking alkylolacrylamide containing interpolymer, the interpolymer being prepared in an emulsion polymerization medium by way of interpolymerizing in the medium: (a) acrylamide monomer; (b) N—C2 to C10 alkylolacrylamide monomer, wherein the molar ratio of acrylamide:N—C2 to C10 alkylolacrylamide interpolymerized is at least 0.5; and (c) at least one or more additional ethylenically unsaturated monomers added to the medium in an amount of from about 80 weight % to about 98 weight % based on the dry weight of monomer interpolymerized in the medium. The dispersions are particularly useful as binders for fibrous webs.
US08124039B2
A process of producing silicon tetrafluoride from fluoride containing feedstocks. The process calcines the fluoride containing feedstock and a silica containing feedstock before reacting the mixture with sulfuric acid to produce silicon tetrafluoride. The silicon tetrafluoride is scrubbed with sulfuric acid. Excess sulfuric acid is recycled to the process. The process demonstrates an economic and environmentally friendly way to produce high quality silicon tetrafluoride.
US08124037B2
An improved LSCF 6428 perovskite material of the type La12zSrx+zCo0.2+aFe0.8+bO3−δ wherein x=0.4, z=(0-0.1), a=(0.01-0.04), and b=(0.05-0.15) for use as an SOFC cathode having increased electronic and ionic conductivity. The general formula is similar to the prior art formulae (La0.6Sr0.4)1−zCo0.2Fe0.8O3−δ and La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ but applies the z term to La and Sr independently as well as reducing the overall content of La. Further, by adding a small amount (a) of extra Co ions, catalytic activity, conductivity, and sinterability are further enhanced. Adding small amounts (b) of Fe and/or Fe and Co moderates the thermal expansion coefficient with no adverse effect on crystal structure or fuel cell performance. Improved sinterability, microstructure, and reduced film cracking result in high power density of fuel cells. An inherently low-cost solid state reaction method is described.
US08124030B2
A centrifugal microfluidic device includes a substrate configured for rotation about an axis, the substrate having a start chamber disposed therein, the start chamber configured to hold a liquid. The device includes an output chamber disposed in the substrate and located radially outward of the start chamber. A fluid transfer channel connects the start chamber to the output chamber. A ventilation channel connects the output chamber to the start chamber, the ventilation channel connecting at one end to a radially inward portion of the start chamber and at an opposing end to a junction point on the output chamber. A vent hole is provided in the substrate that is operatively connected to the output chamber. The location of the junction between the ventilation channel and the output chamber is located radially outward with respect to the level of fluid in the start chamber so as to prevent cross-contamination.
US08124029B2
Non-rigid tape apparatus and fabrication methods for microfluidic processing applications such as gel electrophoresis are provided, where microfluidic processing is performed on selected areas. Parts of the tape are formed by high pressure plastic film forming. Membranes and other structures are self sealing during and after penetration by pipettes and electrical probes. Rigid exoskeleton elements protect the non-rigid parts during processing and facilitate transport of the tape.
US08124025B2
Articles for testing a coagulation process in whole blood.
US08124018B2
A modular device for the continuous degas sing of reaction products, such as of a carboxylic acid or a polycarboxylic acid with a multi-functional alcohol suitable for application in the production of precondensates (or also prepolymers), has a heated enclosure in which a plurality of modules are stacked one above the other, each said module having a base. There is a vapor inlet to the uppermost module and a discharge port at the lower most module with at least one module intermediate the uppermost and lowest modules to provide space for expansion of the vapor. The base of each module preferably is concave and there are conduits that provide flow communication between the modules.
US08124012B2
An air purification system for a structure includes a first radiation source for generating UV-B and/or UV-C radiation and having an imaginary horizontal plane intersecting with the center of the first radiation source. The system further includes a first screen facing the first radiation source for preventing UV radiation generated by the first radiation source from radiating directly outward from the air purification system into a space below the imaginary horizontal plane. A second screen, facing the first radiation source as well as the first screen, is adjustable with respect to the first radiation source and is at least partially coated with a photo-catalytic material at a surface facing the first radiation source.
US08124003B2
A method and apparatus provide for remote control, monitoring and/or servicing of heat-treatment equipment via wireless communications networks. Specifically, the method and apparatus can be used in pre and post-weld heat-treatment applications for steel pipes in a variety of industries, including, but not limited to, power plants, chemical and petrochemical plants and refineries. Importantly, the embodiment generates and manages all the documentation necessary to input and verify the specified heat-treatment process. It will produce and deliver to the customer the reports and certificates required by the applicable quality control standards, requirements and regulatory authorities.
US08124001B1
Disclosed are composite materials that can more closely mimic the mechanical characteristics of natural elastic tissue, such as vascular tissue. Disclosed materials include a combination of elastic nanofibers and non-elastic nanofibers. Also disclosed are a variety of methods for forming the composite materials. Formation methods generally include the utilization of electrospinning methods to form a fibrous composite construct including fibers of different mechanical characteristics.
US08124000B2
A method for removing and modifying a protrusion by using a short pulse laser is provided for modifying a color filter. In a color filter modifying method, a transparent substrate (2) is scanned with a beam in a parallel direction, while irradiating a protrusion (8) generated on the color filters (3-1, 3-2, 3-3) formed on a transparent substrate (2) with a beam collected by a high NA condensing lens (18), and a protrusion (8) is removed or modified.
US08123993B2
Disclosed is a method for producing a three-dimensional composite structure and a method for producing the mold for the three-dimensional composite structure. The mold is formed of at least one rigid die member and a second thermoplastic die member. The second thermoplastic die member is formed by coupling a rubber flexible pattern to a surface of the first die member. Vacuum or pressure is applied to a heated thermoplastic sheet to cause the heated thermoplastic sheet to deform about the flexible pattern, thereby forming the second die. Strips of reinforced polymer thermoset pre-preg material are then positioned within the cavities formed by the flexible pattern and are allowed to cure. Optionally, heat, pressure, and vacuum may be applied to the mold construction to facilitate the curing of the thermoset materials.
US08123992B2
The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.
US08123979B2
Provided are a group 13 nitride phosphor having high luminous intensity and excellent reliability obtained by preparing group 13 nitride crystallites homogeneously dispersible in a solid matrix by capping surface defects and homogeneously dispersing the group 13 nitride crystallites in the solid matrix and an efficient method of preparing the same. The present invention relates to a group 13 nitride phosphor consisting of group 13 nitride crystallites having a group 13 element dispersed in a matrix of a silica gel solid layer, with a diamine compound bonded to the surfaces of the group 13 nitride crystallites and the silica gel solid layer, and a method of preparing the same.
US08123978B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystalline polyester resin composition which imparts a good mold-releasability during molding and further is improved in heat resistance. Specifically, with 100 parts by weight of a liquid crystalline polyester resin is added 0.001 to 1 part by weight of a fatty acid ester which is a tetraester of pentaerythritol and a C10 to C32 higher fatty acid and has an acid value ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 and a hydroxyl value ranging from 0.01 to 5.
US08123975B2
Disclosed herein is a winter precipitation barrier composition, comprising: a retaining agent, a solvent, and optionally, an auxiliary component, such as a rheology/viscosity modifier, surfactant, detergent, foaming/defoaming additive, humectant, dye, colorant, fragrance, or a combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the retaining agent comprises a primarily hydrophobic monomer or a hydrophilic monomer.
US08123964B2
An image sensor and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The image sensor includes a first conductive type substrate including a trench formed in a predetermined portion of the first conductive type substrate, a second conductive type impurity region for use in a photodiode, formed below a bottom surface of the trench in the first conductive type substrate, and a first conductive type epitaxial layer for use in the photodiode, buried in the trench.
US08123961B2
Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale arrays of openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. Embodiments of the invention use a self-templating or multilayer approach to induce ordering of a self-assembling block copolymer film to an underlying base film to produce a multilayered film having an ordered array of nanostructures that can be removed to provide openings in the film which, in some embodiments, can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer.
US08123959B2
Provided are methods of modifying solid particles with functional agents to provide anti-microbial media. The anti-microbial media comprise a surface-modified inorganic component which is a reaction product of an anti-microbial component and an inorganic component. Methods of making the media include agitating inorganic base material in a processing tank substantially simultaneously with spraying the anti-microbial component into the processing tank to form a coated base material. Methods of making the media also include maintaining a ratio of the anti-microbial component to the inorganic component such that the coated base material is below its compaction point. Methods of use are also provided.
US08123957B2
An apparatus having flotation ballasts, a flotation platform and on the flotation platform, an intake equipment, such as a screen, check valve and/or pump intake and a coupling for a discharge pipe. In an embodiment of the present invention comprises, there are a plurality of substantially symmetrical flotation ballasts, each having a ballast chamber. The composition of the flotation ballast may be made of a material having a density appropriate for the fluid in which it is to be submerged. The method includes the steps of using an apparatus as herein described to ascend and descend intake equipment.
US08123949B2
Methods and systems for analyzing samples using multi-dimensional chromatography are disclosed.
US08123941B2
A sand filter apparatus (10) for treating water includes a filter retention vessel (16) having an outlet (18) from which filtrate can be supplied. An inlet arrangement (48) is in fluid communication with the filter retention vessel and is connectable to a supply of waste water. A filter is interposed between the inlet arrangement and the outlet. The filter includes two layers of aggregate (12, 36) and a layer of sand (26) interposed between the two layers of aggregate. The sand is at least one of, or a mixture of, granite-based sand and substantially pure silica based sand.
US08123915B2
An Alkaline Electrolyzer Cell Configuration (AECC) has a hydrogen half cell; an oxygen half cell; a GSM (Gas Separation Membrane); two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens; an outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen; a hydrogen electrode; two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens; an outer oxygen half cell spacer screen; and an oxygen electrode. The hydrogen half cell includes the hydrogen electrode which is located between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens and said outer hydrogen half cell spacer screen. The oxygen half cell includes the oxygen electrode which is located between said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens and said outer oxygen half cell spacer screen. The GSM is provided between said two inner hydrogen half cell spacer screens of the hydrogen half cell and said two inner oxygen half cell spacer screens of the oxygen half cell to from the electrolyzer.
US08123912B2
The present invention relates to a method for the production of a screen and to a screen for the treatment of a fibrous material suspension suitable for the production of a fibrous material web, the screen including at least two screen layers that are connected to each other and have apertures, at least some of the apertures being arranged in such a way that the result is screen openings leading through the screen. The production of the screen is simplified in that some of the apertures are arranged in such a way that the result is recesses on the front side of the screen which do not pass through the screen, and at least the apertures forming the recesses are introduced into the screen layers before the latter are connected.
US08123904B2
The present invention provides a method for producing an MDF board from pulp from a fibrous lignocellulose material using a treatment or pretreatment step which exposes the material to oxalic acid or oxalic acid derivatives (particularly dialkyl ester derivatives, particularly in the vapor phase). The treated wood is then subjected to a sugar extraction wash and refined using any one of the several pulping methods to produce a final pulp product. Once this is done the pulp is used to make MDF boards having improved water repellency properties.
US08123901B2
The wafer processing apparatus 100 included in an etching apparatus selectively etches the peripheral portion of a wafer 200. The wafer processing apparatus 100 includes a lower electrode 112 as a stage on which the wafer 200 is placed, a process gas introducing duct 120 supplying therethgouh a process gas etching the peripheral portion, an etching-interfering gas introducing duct 118 supplying therethrough an etching-interfering gas interfering supply of the process gas to the center portion of the wafer, and a movable alignment mechanism 102 aligning the wafer on the lower electrode 112. The etching-interfering gas introducing duct 118 and the process gas introducing duct 120 can be provided in an upper electrode 106.
US08123890B2
A process of preparing an elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web, whereby the process is characterized by the following steps: (i) providing a thermally bonded nonwoven precursor web containing thermoplastic fibers, (ii) subjecting the precursor web of step (i) to a drawing treatment in a machine direction at a drawing rate of from 45 to 70%, and a strain rate within a range of from 1000 to 2400%/min at a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the fibers for preparing the elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web.
US08123888B2
A technique facilitates construction of high temperature fiber reinforced polymer oilfield tubulars. The technique comprises a method of combining a fiber material and a high temperature thermoset resin to create a high performance composite material. The composite material is formed into an oilfield tubular that can be used in a variety of downhole applications. The method of combining the high performance materials with low modulus, high temperature coating materials during the manufacturing process produces composite tubular products that can survive prolonged exposure to deleterious well fluids in high temperature and high pressure downhole environments.
US08123887B2
A continuous method for making a thermoset resin matrix, which is reinforced with predominantly continuous fibers, and the product made from that method. The product can be produced at a thickness below about 0.060″, or even below a thickness of about 0.035″, and incorporated as a material to combine with or attach to other products for providing an increased strength to those other products, such as wood support beams (gluelam), wood laminates, truck floors and trusses. The product can also be used to strengthen composite thermoplastic lumber, other thermoplastic extrusions and moldings, and aluminum extruded products, as well as for being added to pultruded or molded thermoset plastic products to allow for specific areas of increased strength while maintaining a low reinforcement level in other areas and for providing a resin rich surface.
US08123881B2
A method, a system and a computer readable medium having a set of instructions stored thereon for die-to-robot alignment for die-to-substrate bonding are described. First, a robot is aligned with a substrate to provide a pre-aligned robot. Next, a die is aligned with the pre-aligned robot to provide a robot-aligned die. Finally, the robot-aligned die is bonded to a region of the substrate. The substrate is held stationary immediately following the aligning of the robot with the substrate and at least until the robot-aligned die is bonded to the region of the substrate.
US08123875B2
An Ag sputtering target 6 has three-dimensional fluctuation of grain sizes of not more than 18%. The fluctuation is determined by exposing plural sputtering surfaces by slicing the sputtering target 6 in planes to initial sputtering surface, selecting plural locations on each of the exposed sputtering surfaces, calculating values A1 and B1 using the formula below, and selecting larger one of the values A1 and B1 as the three-dimensional fluctuation of the grain sizes. A1=(Dmax−Dave)/Dave×100(%) B1=(Dave
US08123867B2
The present invention relates to a phosphate-free machine dishwasher detergent comprising 0.01-20% by weight of at least one alcohol alkoxylate, 0.01-10% by weight of at least one alcohol ethoxylate, 0-15% by weight of at least one sulfonate-containing polymer, 0-15% by weight of at least one hydrophilically modified polycarboxylate, 0-8% by weight of at least one polycarboxylate, 1-50% by weight of at least one complexing agent and 0.1-60% by weight of at least one further additive, where the sum of components (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F) and (G) is 100% by weight, to a process for rinsing surfaces of articles by treating these surfaces with the composition, and to the use of the composition for increasing the rinsing performance in the machine washing of articles.
US08123866B2
The invention relates to a device for manufacturing semiconductor material wafers with a sawing device for the sawing of slices attached to a saw holder, a pre-cleaning device arranged in the process direction downstream of the sawing device for pre-cleaning the surfaces of the slices hanging on the saw holder, and a degluing device arranged downstream in the process direction for detaching the slices from the saw holder.
US08123865B2
A method of starch extraction, starch modification, and/or malting comprising (a) steeping a starch source in the presence of an aqueous anolyte product, (b) adding an aqueous anolyte product to an intermediate product extraction slurry comprising starch and gluten, (c) adding an aqueous anolyte product to a starch product slurry produced by separating the starch and gluten, (d) contacting an extracted starch product with a type and amount of an aqueous anolyte product effective for modifying the starch product and/or (e) steeping the starch source in the presence of an aqueous catholyte product.
US08123863B2
An evaporation apparatus is capable of preventing a sag phenomenon in a substrate. The evaporation apparatus includes a substrate supporting unit. The substrate supporting unit includes a substrate supporter for supporting side walls of a substrate in a chamber toward the same direction as an intake direction of the substrate entering the chamber; and a substrate-aiding supporter for supporting other side walls of the substrate that are not supported by the substrate supporter.
US08123855B2
A device and method for producing Ga doped silicone single crystal with a diameter between 150 and 165 mm and a narrow resistivity distribution range (from 3 Ω·cm to 0.5 Ω·cm). The device is characterized by the use of a shorter heater and a funnel shaped gas flow guide capable of blowing an inert gas such as Ar straight to the crystallization frontier at the interface between outer surface of the nascent single crystal ingot and the surface of the melt of polycrystalline silicone raw materials in a quartz crucible.
US08123839B2
First, a mixture of a polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder and a liquid lubricant into a sheet-form body extending in a first direction. Next, the liquid lubricant is removed from the sheet-form body. Then, the sheet-form body is stretched by a factor of 40 to 250 in the longitudinal direction at a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the stretched sheet-form body is further stretched by a factor of 3 to 40 in the width direction. Thus, a highly air-permeable porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is obtained.
US08123835B2
High rate and high crush-strength adsorbent particles and collections of such particles, and particularly LiLSX particles, are provided. A binder is employed in the form of a colloidal solution during the method of manufacture. Suitable binders include various silica binders. The particles are made using the steps of mixing, agglomeration, calcination and in the case of certain adsorbents such as LiX and LiLSX, ion exchange and activation. When the adsorption rate is expressed in the form SCRR/εp (mmol mm2/g s), desirable collections of adsorbent particles can have values of at least 4.0 for the highly-exchanged Li (at least 90% Li exchanged) form of the collection of particles and can further be characterized by particles having average crush strengths of at least 0.9 lbf for particles having an average diameter of at least about 1.0 mm.
US08123833B2
A process for producing a gas-containing cleaning water which contains a specific gas dissolved in water, which process comprises dissolving the specific gas into water under an increased pressure exceeding an atmospheric pressure to prepare a gas-containing water having a concentration of the gas exceeding solubility of the gas under an atmospheric pressure and, then, removing a portion of the dissolved gas by decreasing pressure on the gas-containing water; an apparatus for producing a gas-containing cleaning water which comprises an apparatus for dissolving a gas (14) in which a specific gas is dissolved into water under a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure and an apparatus for removing a portion of a dissolved gas (15) in which the pressure on the gas-containing water obtained from the apparatus for dissolving a gas is decreased to a pressure lower than the pressure under which the gas has been dissolved so that a portion of the dissolved gas is removed; and a cleaning apparatus using the gas-containing cleaning water. A gas-containing cleaning water having a desired concentration of the gas can be produced safely without using a mechanism for decreasing the pressure such as a vacuum pump. Water and the specific gas in the gas-containing cleaning water after being used can be reused. The process and the apparatuses can be advantageously applied to cleaning electronic members requiring a great degree of cleanliness.
US08123828B2
By controlling the process parameters and by using a polymeric production tooling having a plurality of mold cavities, different types of shaped abrasive particles selected from the group consisting of abrasive shards, dish-shaped abrasive particles, and shaped abrasive particles with an opening can be produced from the exact same mold. In one embodiment, the mold comprised a plurality of equilateral triangles and fractured precursor abrasive particles, dish-shaped precursor abrasive particles, or precursor shaped abrasive particles with an opening were produced from the same mold.
US08123798B2
A treatment device such as a biliary stent, capable of effectively and continuously inhibiting biofilm formation, and a biofilm formation inhibitor suitable for coating on the treatment device by killing all bacteria including E. coli and by suppressing the growth of these bacteria, are provided. A biofilm formation inhibitor having an effective amount of catechin for inhibiting biofilm formation and a carrier that is suitable for adhesion of said catechin to a treatment device to be placed in the living body, are provided.
US08123796B2
A stent prosthesis for vascular surgery for inserting into an artery, particularly for bridging a vascular enlargement in the area of the aortic arch, comprising a tubular flexible and radially expandable stent body, on which at least one tear-proof long thread is attached in a fixed manner at a point of attachment on the outer peripheral surface of the stent body in the front portion thereof The thread can be recognized under x-ray radiation and has a free thread length of a number of decimeters and, starting from the point of attachment, is exposed outside the stent body so that the stent body, while following the thread, can be passed into the artery and can be placed, by means of the thread, in position inside the artery and can be subsequently fixed to the vascular wall.
US08123791B2
A patch for facilitating blood circulation, including a warmer, a powder-containing bag and a base sheet. The warmer includes iron powder for generating heat oxidized by oxygen in the air and an oxidization regulatory agent enclosed in a flat, air permeable bag. The outer shape of the bag is larger than that of the warmer, and contains powder including components contained in bamboo vinegar or wood vinegar. The outer shape of a base sheet is larger than that of the bag, and the base sheet has an air ventilation hole at a central portion. An adhesive layer is formed on the surface of one side of the base sheet. The warmer and the powder-containing bag are sequentially adhered onto the adhesive layer to cover the air ventilation hole.
US08123790B2
A clinical garment having a lower hem and sleeves includes permeable surfaces inside near peripheral portions, a duct in communication with the permeable surfaces, and at least one inlet port opening into the duct. When worn by a patient, the permeable surfaces are positioned adjacent the patient's limbs. Warmed pressurized air may be introduced into the duct and conducted to the permeable surfaces. The warmed pressurized air circulates through the permeable surfaces to warm the adjacent limbs.
US08123789B2
The invention provides a method and apparatus for performing selective hypothermia to the brain and spinal cord for injury protection without the need for systemic cooling. A flexible catheter is inserted into the cerebral lateral ventricle or spinal subdural space. The catheter has lumens with a heat transfer element. The lumens of the catheter circulate a coolant and communicate at the distal heat transfer element for transfer of heat from the cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore a method of maintaining catheter patency and providing blood clot hemolysis and drainage is also provided through the use of ultrasonic and/or laser energy delivered through the catheter.
US08123782B2
An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes is provided. The spacer includes a body and a wing rotatable connected to the body. The wing includes two U-shaped configurations that together define a substantially H-shaped configuration for retaining the spacer between adjacent spinous processes. An actuator assembly is connected to the body and to the wing with the proximal end of the spacer being connectable to a removable driver that is configured to engage the actuator assembly. While connected to the spacer, the driver is rotatable in one direction to deploy the wing from an undeployed to a deployed configuration and in an opposite direction to undeploy the wing. In the deployed configuration, the spacer acts as a space holder opening up the area of the spinal canal, maintaining foraminal height, reducing stress on the facet joints and relieving pain for the patient.
US08123777B2
Apparatus and methods for aspirating emboli from a vascular filter or stent within a patient's circulatory system are provided. A filter sac of the vascular filter permits blood flow and captures emboli from the flow. The aspiration device removes emboli from within or proximal to the vascular filter or stent to reduce the risk to the ischemia during retrieval of the vascular filter and during a treatment procedure. Retrieval of the vascular filter may be accomplished using either the aspiration catheter or a separate retrieval catheter.
US08123775B2
Embolism protection devices can be formed with a biocompatible expandable polymer that can expand upon release within a patient's vessel. Upon release, the structure can be configured to filter flow through the vessel. The material of the embolism protection devices can release one or more biologically active agents, such as a thrombolitic agent, including, for example, tPA. Alternatively or additionally, the embolism protection device can be connected to a tether that elutes one or more biologically active agents.
US08123774B2
The present invention relates to a devices and methods for their use for the release of medical workpieces such as, without limitation, embolic devices, from apparatuses used to deliver them to a target site in a patient's body involving use of a piezoelectric member that is fracturable and/or an adhesive layer that is susceptible to adhesive or cohesive failure.
US08123762B2
The suturing instrument includes an elongate member having an articulating distal portion biased offset from the elongate member, and a sheath slideably disposed about the elongate member. The user positions the sheath in contact with the articulating distal portion to actuate the distal portion relative to the elongate member. The articulating distal portion is pivotally coupled to the elongate member for improved maneuverability within the body of a patient during surgical procedures.
US08123757B2
A method and apparatus assisting safe one-handed insertion of an implant. An implant implantation device has a frame which includes a trigger mechanism, an outer sleeve mechanically coupled to the frame, an inner shaft having a grabber for mechanically engaging an implant, the inner shaft slidably disposed within the outer sleeve, and a retaining element disposed over the inner shaft for directing the grabber toward a closed position. An implant clip has a first member, a second member pivotally coupled to the first member, a first implant holder pivotally coupled to the first member, the coupling causing the implant clip to have a closed position and an open position, and a second implant holder, the second implant holder pivotally coupled to the second member, a surface of the first implant holder and a surface of the second implant holder remaining substantially parallel to each other while the first member and the second member pivot between the closed position and the open position.
US08123750B2
Apparatus and methods for removing tissue from an intervertebral disc are disclosed. The apparatus can include an elongated guide tube, a rotary cutting member and a drive shaft. Other apparatus can include an elongated guide tube, an inner guide tube, a cutting head, a rotary cutting member and a drive shaft. The elongated guide tube has a bendable end. The apparatus are generally configured to extend and withdraw a rotary cutting member while controllably bending the bendable end of the guide tube.
US08123746B2
A high-frequency current treatment tool of the present invention includes a pair of clamp pieces which clamps an object, and an electrode which is provided on one of the clamp pieces. Each of the clamp pieces has a clamp face which faces with each other. A first clamp face being one of the clamp faces has a chevron shape protruding toward a second clamp face being another of the clamp faces, and having a ridge portion formed along a longitudinal direction of the first clamp face. The electrode is arranged along the ridge portion.
US08123742B2
Featured is a catheter device for ablating tissue that includes an elongated body member having a distal portion and a deflection mechanism operably coupled to the distal portion so as to cause the distal portion to deflect with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body member. Such a catheter device also includes a guide member and a guiding mechanism that is coupled to the elongated body member and is configured so as to guide the guide member. The guiding mechanism includes an exit portion from which the guide member exits during deployment. The exit portion is disposed with respect to the distal portion end so the distal portion deflects from and with respect to the guide member as well as rotating about the guide member. Also featured are systems and methods related thereto.
US08123739B2
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a drainage catheter for draining part of patient's body is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated member having a proximal portion extending to a distal portion and a lumen formed therethrough for fluid communication with the patient's body. The distal portion is formed of a polymer material having a first phase transition temperature and a second phase transition temperature that is less than the first phase transition temperature but is greater than about body temperature. The distal portion has a first configuration when at about body temperature for at least one of moving and anchoring the distal portion within the patient's body. The distal portion self-configures to a second configuration when at a temperature of at least the second phase transition temperature for retrieval of the distal portion from the patient's body.
US08123730B2
The invention relates to a wound dressing, a wound contact layer and a medicinal composition comprising a hydrophilic base in which hydrocolloids are dispersed, wherein the hydrophilic base comprises at least one emulsifier and the use of said composition is for the treatment of wounds.
US08123729B2
The invention relates to a novel apparatus for the treatment of ocular disease, particularly glaucoma. The apparatus consists of a locating device to locate Schlemm's Canal within the anterior portion of the eye and a surgical tool to access the canal for treatment. The apparatus allows for guided, minimally invasive surgical access to Schlemm's Canal to enable surgical procedures to be performed on the canal and trabecular meshwork to reduce intraocular pressure. The apparatus may also deliver devices or substances to Schlemm's Canal in the treatment of glaucoma.
US08123728B2
An antimicrobial agent delivery system and method are provided for an antimicrobial agent-bearing intervention device. A delivery tube contains the intervention device, where the delivery tube facilitates handling of the intervention device. In one example, the intervention device is a rod, and a hub is coupled to the rod. Longitudinal movement of the hub ejects the rod from the delivery tube.
US08123723B2
A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments such as antibiotics, blood clotting agents, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from collapsible containers at a uniform rate. The dispenser includes a novel stored energy source that is provided in the form of a compressible-expandable member that functions to continuously and uniformly expel fluid from the apparatus reservoir. The apparatus further includes a novel fluid flow control assembly that precisely controls the flow of the medicament solutions from the apparatus reservoir to the patient.
US08123722B2
Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc.
US08123717B2
A therapy delivery system having an open architecture and method of providing thereof are disclosed. The present invention provides a therapy dosage module having a control algorithm that can be replaced with a predefined or independently defined control algorithm. The tools necessary to create and test such control algorithms in the therapy dosage module in a simulated environment before implementing it in a live therapy system are also disclosed.
US08123714B2
Devices and methods for regulating and directing bodily fluids from one region of a patient to another region are disclosed. In general, an apparatus is provided that can include an implantable shunt system and a system controller. The implantable shunt system can have an adjustable valve for regulating the flow of fluid, a sensor element for measuring a physiological characteristic of a patient, and an electromechanical valve actuator that can be adapted to adjust a resistance of the valve. The implantable shunt system can be in electrical communication with the system controller. The system controller can generally be adapted to receive a physiological characteristic of the patient and operate the electromechanical valve actuator to adjust a resistance of the valve. The apparatus can also include an external programming device that is in communication with the system controller.
US08123709B2
A hinge or joint assembly is provided that includes first and second members, a pivot rotatably connecting the first and second members and allowing movement between extension and flexion positions, and at least one elastomeric spring communicating with the first and second members to restrain pivotal movement of the members toward flexion, through compression of the elastomeric spring, and to assist pivotal movement toward extension through decompression of the elastomeric spring. The assembly can further include a disk and lock slide, the disk and lock slide each having complementary teeth providing, when engaged, an arrest of pivotal movement in a direction of flexion and one-way, ratcheting, step-advance pivotal movement in a direction toward extension. The elastomeric spring can be urethane, and can be adapted to mimic any bodily muscle. An embodiment employing a torsional spring is also provided, as is a cable release mechanism providing one-dimensional cable movement.
US08123706B2
A method, system and apparatus for Resonance-Based Acoustic Reflectometry that uses a hybrid approach. A method of manufacture, system and apparatus for a modified circle system that allows for the connection of extra devices like exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
US08123687B2
An implantable intraocular pressure sensor system has a sealed geometric shape with an internal pressure at a first value. The sealed geometric shape has a first light permitting surface and a second flexible surface. A pair of photocells is located in the sealed geometric shape. A light shield is coupled to the second flexible surface. When the second flexible surface is deflected, a light measurement by the pair of photocells indicates an intraocular pressure condition.
US08123677B2
A body-insertable apparatus including a capsule-like casing, an illuminating unit, an imaging unit, and an antenna is provided. The capsule-like casing is formed in a capsule-like shape and includes a transparent imaging dome. The illuminating unit is arranged in the capsule-like casing and illuminates an examined site of a subject through the imaging dome. The imaging unit is arranged in the capsule-like casing and takes an image of the examined site illuminated by the illuminating unit. The antenna is arranged in the imaging dome at a position outside an imaging field of view of the imaging dome to transmit image information obtained through imaging by the imaging unit to an outside of the subject.
US08123676B2
An anti-extravasation sheath includes a tube sized and dimensioned to permit fluid flow between the inner surface of the tube and an outer surface of an arthroscopic instrument when the arthroscopic instrument is disposed within the tube. A plurality of ribs extending inwardly from the inner surface of the tube and running longitudinally along the tube form a seal between the outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument, thus defining outer lumens between the outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument and the inner surface of the tube. At least one drainage lumen extending longitudinally along the tube and disposed within the ribs is in fluid communication with at least one drainage aperture disposed on the central portion of the tube. The sheath further includes at least one inflow/outflow hole disposed on the distal portion of the tube in fluid communication with at least one outer lumen defined between the outer surface of the arthroscopic instrument and the inner surface of the tube when the arthroscopic instrument is disposed within the tube.
US08123673B2
A surgical implant for treating female urinary incontinence. The implant comprises an elongate polymer material suburethral support having a length and a width, first and second elongate and porous polymer material suspending members having a length and a width extending from opposite ends of the suburethral support, and first and second polymer tissue anchors having conical tips and wings on the first and second suspending members. The width of the suspending members is less than the width of the suburethral support. The length of the second suspending member between the suburethral support and the second anchor is adjustable.
US08123667B2
A separator includes a rotatable centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation. The separator includes a rotatable drive spindle to drive the drum, an hydraulic system located in an interior of the drum and at least one feed line to feed a control fluid to the drum, the at least one feed line having an outlet region. Further included is a ring non-rotatably connected to the drum, a gap located between one of the drive spindle and the drum and the drive spindle and the ring. The feed line leads out radially in front of the drive spindle in the outlet region. The outlet region is oriented and configured such that emerging control fluid is spread directly against the drive spindle, and a portion of the control fluid enters through the gap into the hydraulic system.
US08123666B2
A packing structure, which consists of pliant border having a length, and strips of pliant material attached to the border along the length thereof. The border is attached to itself at a plurality of spaced-apart points forming a lattice, which constitutes a supporting base for the strips of pliant material.
US08123660B2
A method and apparatus of generating haptic cues for pacing and monitoring are disclosed. After sensing an event via a component, a process for generating haptic cues generates an input in response to the event. The component, in one example, may be a sensor or a combination of a sensor and a haptic actuator. Upon receipt of the input, the process retrieves a haptic signal from a tactile library in response to the input. A haptic feedback in response to the haptic signal is subsequently generated.
US08123659B2
A method and a motor vehicle applying that method for preventing an uncontrolled rollback of a motor vehicle is suggested, said method comprising means for influencing the torque transmission by a drive train. In case a rollback action is detected, namely a movement in opposite direction as the predetermined direction of movement, the transmission of torque is influenced such that a torque is transmitted via the drive train acting against the rollback direction and the torque does not exceed a defined maximum value. The control allows a controlled rollback by making the intervention by the system to be perceived little disturbing, but at the same time in particular in case of strong incline of the road does not render the driver non-informed about the actual incline.
US08123657B2
A method of operating a drive train comprising a hybrid drive with a combustion engine and an electric motor; a transmission positioned between the hybrid drive and the output; and a clutch positioned between the combustion engine and the electric motor. When the electric motor exclusively drives the vehicle, the combustion engine can be started by engaging the clutch. At the time when the electric motor permanently or without traction force interruption is coupled to the output, and the rotational speed of the electric motor is greater than the starting rotational speed of the combustion engine, and a clutch, positioned between the combustion engine and the electric motor, is engagedly and disengagedly controlled so that the clutch is brought into slippage, via partial engagement, to start the combustion engine, and thereafter the clutch is completely disengaged before reaching a synchronous rotational speed between the combustion engine and the electric motor.
US08123652B2
A front wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
US08123651B2
A front wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
US08123640B2
A tensioner for tensioning a belt includes a support housing at least in part defining a spring cavity. A damping member having a first friction bearing surface is at least partially disposed in the spring cavity. An arm pivotally attached to the support housing has a second friction bearing surface. A spring is located in the spring cavity and operatively connected to the arm and damping member to pivot the damping member about a pivot location such that the first friction bearing surface of the damping member is biased against the second friction bearing surface of the arm to dampen relative movement between the arm and the support housing.
US08123637B1
A stun dart having a solid impact head with a conical shaped tail portion interconnected by a solid cylindrical elongated body. The impact head has a contoured front surface with intersecting grooves and a tapered trailing body surface to impart flight stability and maximum travel distance and impact delivery to the target.
US08123633B2
Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The dual core consists of an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition.
US08123628B2
The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core encased by a cover of one or more layer, which solid core has an inner core layer and an outer core layer. The inner core layer is formed primarily of a thermoplastic resin, has a diameter of from 3 to 20 mm, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference of within ±5 between any two points on a cross-section obtained by cutting the inner core layer in half. The outer core layer is formed of a rubber composition made primarily of polybutadiene rubber. The solid core has a diameter of from 35 to 42 mm. The ball has specific relationships between the hardness of the inner core layer 1 mm inside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the hardness of the outer core layer 1 mm outside the boundary, and the surface hardness of the outer core layer. Such a golf ball is able to achieve an increased distance and has a good feel on impact.
US08123625B2
An apparatus for sporting equipment includes a housing. An inlet orifice is disposed on a first side of the housing for enabling a volume of air to enter the housing in response to the housing being passed through the air generally about a plane defining a swing. An exhaust orifice disposed on a second side of the housing for enabling the volume of air to exit the housing to produce a sound indicative of a path of the housing about the plane. Means joins the housing to the sporting equipment.
US08123623B2
A simulated gun includes a main body and a reactionary force generator having a drive force generator, an actuator and a transmitter. The drive force generator is arranged outside the main body and transmits a drive force to a core constituting the transmitter by driving of the drive force generator. The rotational arm of the actuator is rotated together with a weight about the horizontal axis by a drive force from the core, and a drive force in a direction for raising the muzzle side of the gun is imparted to the main body when the weight hammers the inner wall surface of the main body. Consequently, a specified impact force can be generated by the drive force generator arranged outside of the main body, the size and weight of the main body can be reduced, and a realistic reaction force such that the muzzle side of the gun is sprung up can be realized.
US08123612B2
A game system according to the present invention includes a plurality of slot machines and a common game machine. The plurality of slot machines each includes: a display having a symbol display region for displaying plural types of symbols in a matrix form; a memory for cumulatively storing bonus points in the case where the specific symbol is rearranged under a specific condition; and a controller. The common game machine is provided in common to the plurality of slot machines. The common game machine has: a common display device having a symbol display region for displaying plural types of symbols in a matrix form; a common memory for cumulatively storing a part of credit having been bet; and a common controller for selecting a column or row of a matrix displayed on the display device of each of the slot machines and rearranging, on the common display device, the symbol to be rearranged in the column or row. The common controller selects the slot machine possessing the bonus points, and executes the bonus game on the common display device. The common controller subtracts the bonus points of each of the slot machines every time the bonus game is executed, and executes the bonus game until the bonus points become zero. The common controller awards a prize determined based on a cumulative value of the credit stored in the common memory, in the case where a predetermined condition is met.
US08123608B2
A gaming apparatus includes a player terminal operable by a player to simulate a slots game, and a random event generator for generating a random event upon which an outcome of the slots game is based. The slots game has a plurality of successful outcomes, each associated with a corresponding prize. A wagering facility enables the player to place a wager on the occurrence of any specific successful outcome of the slots game, or to make a plurality of different wagers, each corresponding to a different specific one of the successful outcomes of the slots game. The different specific successful outcomes include a favorable outcome and a number of intermediate outcomes. The prize corresponding to the favorable outcome is a jackpot prize. The prize corresponding to an intermediate outcome is repayment of the player's wager at fixed odds inversely proportional to the probability of that intermediate outcome occurring.
US08123606B2
The present invention provides methods and devices for providing wagering games having aspects of card games, such as poker games. Some implementations of the present invention involve methods and devices for providing such wagering games on a network of gaming machines. In some implementations, players can view a first M playing cards from each of N hands of playing cards, then must select one (or more) of the hands. Thereafter, a playing card hand (e.g., a poker hand) is made up for the selected hand from the N cards and from additional cards that are revealed after the hand is selected. Some implementations provide a bingo game in which areas of each bingo card correspond with playing cards, wherein players may establish interim wins that correspond to poker hands. Some such implementations include displaying N bingo cards, each of which corresponds to one of the N hands of playing cards.
US08123605B2
A method of operating a game controlled by a gaming machine includes accepting a wager from a player, presenting a primary game, awarding any primary game awards to the player, and upon a triggering event, presenting a feature game. The feature game includes performing a first portion of the feature game during which a set of bonus slots is accumulated and performing a second portion of the feature game. The second portion of the feature game includes selecting at least one set of a predetermined number of target symbols, associated with a bonus award, from among a pool of bonus symbols during which selected bonus symbols are not removed from the pool, and selecting a set of match symbols, equal in number to the accumulated number of bonus slots, from among the pool of bonus symbol during which selected bonus symbols are removed from the pool. The match symbols are compared to the at least one set of target symbols. If all the symbols in the at least one set of target symbols correspond to match symbols, the bonus award associated with the at least one set of target symbols is awarded to the player.
US08123603B2
A gaming machine of the present invention displays a dealer image selected from a plurality of types of dealer images to a display, and offers a profit (e.g. a game support advantageous for the player) in accordance with the dealer image to a station where an additional BET has been placed. Then, the gaming machine calculates and compares a total number of BETs in each station over a unit number of games, and accepts a selection of a dealer image at the station where the total number of BETs is the largest.
US08123598B2
A device for separating a harvested crop stream, the device being mounted in a fruit harvesting machine. The separator device includes longitudinal separator members (2) and a conveyor belt (3), which is driven in a longitudinal direction between an upstream roller (4) and a downstream roller (5). The separator members (2) are fastened, behind the upstream roller (4), by fixing the members to the frame (1) and, in front of the upstream roller, by a rotary member (12) mounted on the frame (1). The rotary member includes paddles (13), which are adapted to hold the separator members (2) in position during rotation of the member. The invention also relates to a cleaning system including this kind of separator device and a harvesting machine including this kind of cleaning system.
US08123596B2
A power tool includes an air introduction device that can introduce an external air into the casing and can produce a spiral flow of the air within the casing. A motor is disposed within the casing.
US08123595B2
An apparatus for dressing a grinding wheel mounted on a flex-arm, the apparatus including a base, a post, a dresser and a guide, wherein when the flex-arm is in an unengaged position with the apparatus, the flex-arm is capable of movement along at least two directional axes, and wherein when the flex-arm is in an engaged position with the apparatus, the flex-arm is restricted to movement along one directional axis.
US08123594B2
The system comprises a headstock (1) in which is established a rotary shaft (10) driven via a cone (8) that can be coupled to a drive means, for example a robot, the shaft (10) being linked to a spring (11) which permits axial displacement of the shaft (10) in the upward and downward direction, while coupled to the other end, with the interposition of an eccentric (21), is a plate (2) for carrying an abrasive disc (3) intended for sanding the pins of the fasteners, following the operation of shaving said pins. The eccentric (21) transforms the rotation of the shaft (10) into an orbital motion so that, in combination with the upward and downward displacements by means of the spring (11), the abrasive disc (3) is successfully adapted on the surface on which the pin of the fasteners intended to sand is located.
US08123593B2
A lapping or polishing machine includes a material having a first finishing surface to process a surface of a work item, a measuring tool to measure a contour of the first finishing surface, and a conditioning tool having a second finishing surface to process the first finishing surface to reduce a difference between the measured contour and a desired contour of the first finishing surface.
US08123587B2
An intimate apparel apparatus includes a brassiere frame with a chest band for securing the brassiere frame to the wearer, and a first arcuate recess in the brassiere frame for receiving a first detachable brassiere cup. A first arcuate channel is located along the edge of first arcuate recess. A first detachable brassiere cup has a first arcuate latch at a perimeter thereof. The first arcuate latch and the first arcuate channel are slidably engageable with one another, and have substantially identical cross sections, such that the substantially identical cross sections resist transverse separation from each other when slidably engaged. An intimate apparel set includes at least one brassiere garment as described above, and additionally further pair or pairs of detachable brassiere cups, interchangeable with those already described.
US08123576B2
A structure of electrically connecting a snap electrode for medical purposes is easily attached/detached to/from various monitoring pads attached to a human body to measure electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), brain wave and nervous system signals and electrically connected to medical equipment, to an electric wire using a pressing method instead of welding. The connecting structure of a snap electrode and an electric wire includes a body having a convex portion, which is formed on the top of the body and has a groove formed on the circumference thereof, in which a combining part is fitted, and the combining protrusion having a ring shape and including a predetermined number of elastic fixing pieces protruded from the inner side thereof and a pair of first pressing pieces protruded from one side thereof and combined with an electric wire. A combining protrusion of a pad is inserted into the body.
US08123575B2
A crimping terminal fitting has a wire barrel (21) to be crimped and connected to core strands (31) of a wire (30). The wire barrel (21) has a base plate (23) continuously extending from a ground terminal (11) in a longitudinal direction. Two core crimping pieces (25) extend from the opposite sides of the base plate (23). A thinned portion (27) is formed at least at a leading end of each core crimping piece (25) and is thinner than the base plate (23).
US08123572B2
An electrical component configured to engage a circuit board having a thru-hole. The thru-hole has a plated portion of conductive material that includes an outward facing contact pad. The component includes a housing having a mounting surface that is configured to be mounted to the circuit board. The component also includes an electrical contact that is coupled to the housing and projects away from the mounting surface. The contact is configured to engage the thru-hole of the circuit board. The contact includes an elongated body that extends along a contact axis to a leading end that is configured to be inserted into a passage of the plated portion. The contact also includes an engagement projection that extends away from the body and is biased against the contact pad to maintain an electrical connection.
US08123565B2
Provided are low profile, water-resistant and touch safe electrical connectors for solar modules. According to various embodiments, the electrical connectors include a low-profile conductive stud, a low-profile sheath that surrounds the stud, and a socket to mate with the stud. According to various embodiments, the sheath and socket mate via keyed inter-engageable features. Also according to certain embodiments, the socket is fastened to the stud and/or sheath via snap fastening.
US08123564B2
An apparatus for connecting a computing device to different types of mobile devices that includes an enclosure that encloses a USB hub, mobile device cables connectable to different mobile devices, and a USB cable connectable to a computing device to extract data from connected mobile devices. The mobile device cables are coupled to the USB cable through the USB hub. The apparatus can include multimedia card readers within the enclosure that are coupled to the USB hub and connectable to different types of multimedia cards to extract data from connected multimedia cards. The multimedia card readers can be write-protected to only read information from connected multimedia cards. The apparatus can include biometric data gathering tools, camera or light within the enclosure. The enclosure can be tube, notebook or flask shaped. The apparatus can also include a wiring harness that seals one end of the enclosure from the other end.
US08123563B2
An electrical connector that electrically connects a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board is disclosed, where the electrical connector in the preferred embodiment includes: (a) an insulative housing; (b) a plurality of signal conductors, with at least a portion of each of the plurality of signal conductors disposed within the insulative housing; (c) each of the plurality of signal conductors having a first contact end, a second contact end and an intermediate portion therebetween; and (d) a passive circuit element electrically connected to the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of signal conductors, where the passive circuit element is housed in an insulative package and includes at least a capacitor or an inductor.
US08123562B2
An electrical connector assembly (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a number of contacts (2) assembled in the insulative housing, a cable (4) welded with the contacts. The insulative housing includes a base portion (11), a tongue portion (12) integral with the base portion for defining a mating direction. The contacts has a number of contacting portions (212, 222) received in the tongue portion and partly extending beyond the tongue portion and a number of soldering portions (211, 221) extending rearward out of the base portion. The soldering portions include at least one pair of upper-and-lower soldering portions (26, 28, 27, 29). Each upper soldering portion opposingly faces a corresponding lower soldering portion in a vertical direction perpendicular to the mating direction. The cable is connected with respective soldering portions of the contacts.
US08123560B2
A connector system includes a first connector comprising a housing holding a plurality of contacts, a second connector comprising a housing holding a plurality of contacts, and a metal shield having walls defining a shielded chamber. The first and second connectors are configured to be mounted to a circuit board in a stacked arrangement next to one another. The first and second connectors are configured to be arranged in a shielded configuration in which the first and second connectors are positioned within the shielded chamber and mounted to the circuit board with the metal shield. The first and second connectors are also configured to be arranged in an unshielded configuration in which the first and second connectors are mounted to the circuit board without the metal shield.
US08123550B2
A connector has a base having an opening formed on a front surface side into which a distal end of a flexible print substrate is insertable, and a plurality of insertion holes arranged side by side at a predetermined pitch passing through from the front surface side to a rear surface side, connection terminals respectively including substantially T shape operation pieces respectively having movable contacts formed at first ends in a protruding manner to be pressure-welded to connection portions arranged side by side in the distal end of the flexible print substrate, the connection terminals being adapted to be inserted into the insertion holes, and an operation lever supported on the rear surface side of the base turnably on a turning support point on an upper surface side of the connection terminals.
US08123544B2
An electrical connector assembly, which can easily disengage a first connector from a second connector without damaging constructional elements when excessive rotational moment is exerted on the one connector when connected to the second connector, is provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector that connect with each other. The first connector includes a first housing, a first contact, and a latch. The second connector includes a second housing having a second contact and a shell attached to the second housing so as to cover the second housing.
US08123540B2
A socket assembly includes a rotor assembly, a housing, and at least one electrical contact. The rotor assembly has an axis of rotation and defines a channel. The rotor assembly is adapted to receive at least one lamp pin within the channel from an edge of the rotor assembly. The housing is adapted to receive the rotor assembly such that the rotor assembly is rotatable along its axis of rotation therein. The housing defines a notch adapted to receive each of the at least one lamp pin when each of the axis of each of the at least one pin is about parallel to the axis of rotation. A least one electrical contact is disposed within the housing and an electrical contact of the at least one electrical contact is adapted for operative engagement with a lamp pin of the at least one lamp pin.
US08123529B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing electrical connections for an area array device. Each of a plurality of holes in a circuit board has a conductor within it and has an opening on a side of the circuit board. Electrically conductive contact posts extend from the openings of the holes. The contact posts are in a pattern corresponding to contact pads on an area array device. A compliant portion of each contact post is inserted within a hole. The conductor compresses the compliant portion to removably secure the contact post within the hole. The conductors form an electrical connection with the contact post. A spring portion of each contact post extends away from the circuit board. The spring portion is compressible toward the circuit board, and provides an electrical connection between a contact post and a contact pad in response to contact with the contact pad.
US08123527B2
An activity device including an activity sensor generating an activity interaction signal responsive to a sustained large-muscle physical activity of a user operating the activity device; a controller, coupled to the activity monitor, generating a virtual environment supporting a virtual user frame-of-reference in the virtual environment, the controller generating a set of virtual education elements in the environment and a goal for the set virtual representation with respect to the virtual education elements wherein the controller is responsive to the activity interaction signal to produce an affected interaction of the virtual representation with the virtual education elements with the controller measuring a conformation of the goal by the affected interaction; and a feedback system, coupled to the controller, presenting the virtual environment with the frame-of-reference in relation to the virtual education elements providing the user with feedback regarding the goal and the conformation of the goal by the affected interaction.
US08123523B2
A dental prophy angle includes a housing and a rotor. The housing defines a first bore and a second bore in communication with the first bore, and rotor is disposed within the second bore. The rotor includes a gearing system, and rotor includes a lock having a lock channel configured to receive a tip of a drive shaft. The housing includes a lock receiver for receiving the lock receiver permits rotation of the lock within the lock receiver and restrains linear movement of the lock in a direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the rotor.
US08123518B2
A modulating furnace having a variable rate burner and a controller is operated at a first burner firing rate for a first period of time, and a higher burner firing rate once the first period of time has expired. In some instances, the burner may be operated only while the controller is receiving a call for heat from a thermostat or the like.
US08123513B2
These inventions provide a method and an apparatus for rolling food dough without causing slipping between the food dough and rolling rollers and without causing twisted shrinkages in the food dough, and disk-shaped food dough manufactured by the method. Further, these inventions relate to the disk-shaped food dough manufactured by the method and the apparatus. The apparatus used for the method is comprised of a cradle that can relatively ascend away from and descend toward a table, and conical-shaped rolling rollers rotatably disposed at the cradle, which rollers can swivel. When the food dough is rolled by means of the rolling rollers by pressing the food dough, the rolling rollers rotate so that the speed of the rotation is higher than that when they are passively rotated by the swiveling motion. The relative speed of the descent of the rolling rollers toward the food dough is controlled so that the speed gradually decreases from the initial speed.
US08123499B2
A compressor assembly includes a support plate and a plurality of components mounted on the support plate via mechanical connections. The plurality of components includes at least a drive and a compressor for compressing air, the compressor being driven by the drive. The assembly also includes at least one line integrated into the support plate and selected ones of the mechanical connections. The line provides at least one of a fluidic connection and an electrical connection between at least two of the plurality of components.
US08123496B2
A pump device which accurately detects a flow rate of a pump, performs real-time control of the flow rate, and thus can suppress a flow rate error caused by occurrence of pulsation. Control of a pump rotation speed by a pressure sensor has low responsiveness in a low pressure region, and a correlation between a pressure and a flow rate is incomplete in a high flow rate region. With this taken into consideration, a flow rate sensor is disposed at an outlet port of a second pump. A position detection sensor detects a point where a first pump is shifted from a suction mode to a discharge mode. Moreover, the flow rate sensor detects that there is no discharge from the pump, and that there is discharge from the pump alone. Accordingly, a controller sets a rotation speed of a motor to a speed double the previous speed (double the normal rotation speed). When the flow rate sensor detects an increase in the flow rate at the outlet port of the second pump, the controller returns the rotation speed of the motor to a normal rotation speed. The rotation speed of the motor is controlled by accurate flow rate detection by the flow rate sensor. Thus, occurrence of pulsation can be suppressed.
US08123493B2
A screw compressor is disclosed wherein a pair of rotor shafts are disposed horizontally and an oil sump is formed at the bottom of a bearing casing which accommodates bearings for supporting the rotor shafts, a bearing lower portion being soaked into oil present in the oil sump for lubrication. The screw compressor comprises a chamber provided separately from the bearing casing, an oil line for communication between the oil sump in the bearing casing and the chamber and oil level detecting means disposed in the chamber. According to this structure, the oil level in the bearing casing can be checked accurately and there is no fear of oil shortage in the bearings.
US08123487B2
A rotor for a turbo engine is disclosed including a rotor base body and a plurality of rotor blades distributed over the circumference of the rotor base body. The rotor base body is formed by at least one ring-shaped element made of a metal matrix composite material. The rotor blades are attached by footing to the rotor base body in such a way that the footing is positioned in a fiber-free area of the rotor base body.
US08123467B2
A fan device with a vibration attenuating structure is disclosed. The fan device with a vibration attenuating structure comprises a fan and a frame covering the fan. The frame entirely covers the fan, and two opposing sides of the frame have an opening thereon. The openings are corresponding to blades of the fan to form the flowing path of the air. As above-mentioned, the frame performs as a buffering member for attenuating the vibration of the fan so as to prevent the noise generated by the vibration.
US08123466B2
A turbine engine blade outer air seal segment has a body having a base portion. The base portion has a transversely concave ID face, a forward end, an aft end, and first and second circumferential edges. The body has at least one mounting hook. At least one cover plate is secured to the body to define at least one cavity. The cover plate has a plurality of feed holes. A plurality of outlet holes extend through the base portion to the ID face. At least one of the base portion and cover plate comprises a protruding portion protruding into the cavity to form a partial restriction separating circumferentially and fore-aft offset cavity portions.
US08123464B2
A method for optimizing the coating of a component using a coupon by introducing the coupon into a depression of the component, in which the geometry of the component is not altered as compared to a component without a coupon, is provided. A component having a depression into which a coupon is fastened is also provided.
US08123454B2
An elongated container of a truck has a closed front end wall and a hinged rear outlet closure, and a side infeed opening for receiving garbage. This empty container is configured to receive an elongated base upon which is mounted a reciprocating conveyor floor for moving garbage in the container outward through the opened rear closure for deposit at a garbage disposal site. The power drive mechanism for driving the reciprocating floor is located at the front end of the container and is shielded from input garbage by a deflector secured to the reciprocating floor. The deflector also serves as a pusher for compacting and moving garbage in the container out through the opened rear closure. The self-contained reciprocating floor is easily carried manually and fed through the opened rear closure and secured firmly in the truck container.
US08123433B2
An inflatable lift system for to lift and maneuver a boat lift upon a body of water. The inflatable lift system includes a floatation assembly including a plurality of air inflatable floatation members for lifting a movable structure, and also includes a support assembly for supporting and securing the air inflatable floatation members to the movable structure.
US08123429B2
A reinforcing bar comprises a shaft extending along a portion of the length of the bar and a termination extending along an end portion of the bar. The termination incorporating an engagement face incorporating locking formations thereon arranged to interfit with a complementary shaped termination to form an interlock operative to accommodate axial loading.
US08123422B2
An ADU is turned around a first hole section that operates as fulcrum and opened by a first angle relative to the lateral side of an apparatus main body when dissolving a jam. The lateral side cover is temporarily taken away from a stationary side plate when maintenance the inside of a color copying machine. Then, a second engaging pin is put into a second hole section to engage the lateral side cover with the stationary side plate. The ADU is turned around the second hole section that operates as fulcrum and opened by a second angle greater than the first angle.
US08123411B2
To provide a sensor equipped wheel support bearing assembly, in which a load sensor can be installed compactly in an automotive vehicle, maintaining a high sensitivity while damage and/or malfunction caused by the external environments and/or the electromagnetic noises are avoided, with low manufacturing cost. This bearing assembly includes outer and inner members having respective rolling surfaces and a plurality of rows of rolling elements interposed between those rolling surfaces. A strain sensor unit including a sensor element is fitted to one of the outer and inner members, which is a stationary member, for example, the outer member. A sensor mounting surface of the strain sensor unit fitted with the sensor element has a covering member made of a resin, which is over-molded, or an elastomer bonded by vulcanization, so as to cover the sensor element sealingly.
US08123409B2
A journal bearing has a plurality of pad stops which include a first pad stop located at a most forward position in the rotation direction of the rotation shaft, and the pad stops other than the first pad stop function as oiling nozzles for releasing lubricating oil between the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft and the inner circumferential surfaces of the pads.
US08123401B2
A probe cover for an infrared electronic thermometer including a generally tubular body having open first and second ends. The body is sized and shaped to receive a probe of the infrared electronic thermometer into the body through the first end. The probe cover further includes a film closing the second end of the body. The film has a metallic region defining a blackbody portion for rapidly equilibrating to a temperature corresponding to the temperature of an object for viewing by a sensor of the electronic thermometer to measure the temperature of the object.
US08123399B2
A thermometer is provided. A housing has at least one opening. A dielectric element is disposed in the housing. At least one microwave guide is coupled to the at least one opening for providing a signal into the dielectric element for propagation at a resonant frequency and for receiving the signal from the dielectric element. A temperature determination unit receives the signal from the at least one microwave guide, measures the resonant frequency of the dielectric element, and determines the temperature of the dielectric element based on a relationship between resonant frequency and temperature of the dielectric element.
US08123393B2
Light emitting assembly comprises a light transition member and a light source mounted or positioned within the light transition member. A transparent light emitting panel member conducts light received from the light source. On or in one or more surfaces of the panel member is a pattern of light extracting deformities. A cavity or recess in the panel member is shaped to receive the light transition member to facilitate placement of the light source in a modular manner.
US08123391B2
A surface light emitter comprising a surface-emitting device is notably increased in the front brightness of light outputted from the surface-emitting device.In the surface light emitter comprising the surface-emitting device 20 and a light control sheet 10, a repetitive concavo-convex pattern of trapezoidal from in section is formed at least on one side of the light control sheet and has planar portions 12a at distal ends of projections of the concavo-convex pattern tightly bonded to an output surface 21a of the surface-emitting device. The light control sheet satisfies a condition 0.75>D>4[(sin θ−1/n)2+0.034] where θ represents the apex angle formed by opposite slant sides of the trapezoidal projection of the light control sheet, n represents the refractive index of the light control sheet, and D represents the ratio of a length of a zone to a one-cycle length of the repetitive concavo-convex pattern of the light control sheet as determined in one of the pattern arrangement directions, the zone tightly bonded to the output surface of the surface-emitting device.
US08123385B2
A planar light source device of the present invention includes a light guide plate and a plurality of light-emitting diodes. The light guide plate includes a plurality of plate-form light guide members whose side surfaces are formed in a serrated shape. The serrated-shaped side surfaces of adjacent light guide members are connected in a planar direction so as to be engaged with each other. The plurality of light-emitting diodes emit light toward each of the light guide members. With this configuration, it is possible to securely prevent irregularity of brightness, when changing the luminance in the display screen in unit of blocks.
US08123378B1
A heatsink for cooling at least one LED may have a longitudinally extending channel flanked on each side by a longitudinally extending column of heat fins.
US08123376B2
A lighting device comprising first and second groups of solid state light emitters, which emit light having peak wavelength in ranges of from 430 nm to 480 nm, and first and second groups of lumiphors which emit light having dominant wavelength in the range of from 555 nm to 585 nm. In some embodiments, if current is supplied to a power line, a combination of (1) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the first group of emitters, and (2) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the first group of lumiphors would have a correlated color temperature which differs by at least 50 K from a correlated color temperature which would be emitted by a combination of (3) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the second group of emitters, and (4) light exiting the lighting device which was emitted by the second group of lumiphors.
US08123375B2
A solid state lighting tile (10) includes a substrate having a planar surface. A first plurality of solid state light emitting devices (LEDs) are on the substrate. The first plurality of LEDs (19) are connected in series to form a first string of LEDs of a first color having an anode contact (22) at a first end of the tile and a cathode contact (24) at a second end of the tile. A second plurality of LEDs are on the substrate. The second plurality of LEDs (21) are connected in series to form a second string of LEDs of the first color having a cathode contact (28) at the first end of the tile and an anode contact (26) at the second end of the tile.
US08123371B2
An all-reflective optical system includes a primary mirror of ellipsoidal configuration, a secondary mirror of hyperboloidal configuration facing the primary mirror, and an eye-piece that includes: a positive-powered tertiary mirror having a majority of positive power that is expected in the eye-piece and configured to substantially collimate light rays incident thereon; and a negative-powered near-flat quaternary mirror having lesser power than the tertiary mirror and configured to receive the substantially collimated light rays from the tertiary mirror, further collimate the received light rays and reflect the further collimated light rays to an exit pupil. The primary mirror, the secondary mirror and the eye-piece thereby form an afocal optical system.
US08123364B2
In order to provide a display apparatus with high image quality which can detect a change in light on an entire display frame without any influence on user's appreciation, a rear-projection type display apparatus which projects irradiating light from a light source unit onto a fresnel screen through a light valve includes a light measurement unit which is placed at a position where reflected light from the fresnel screen is condensed, and a control unit which controls the light valve on the basis of the measurement result obtained by the light measurement unit.
US08123361B2
A projector includes: a laser beam generator configured to emit a laser beam according to an image signal; a beam splitter configured to split the laser beam into a first laser beam toward the first projection plane and a second laser beam toward the second projection plane; a scanning unit, disposed between the laser beam generator and the beam splitter, configured to scan the laser beam from the laser beam generator toward the beam splitter; a light receiver configured to receive reflected light of the first laser beam; a computation portion configured to compute positional information indicating a position of an obstacle located in an optical path of the first laser beam based on a light receiving result by the light receiver; and a display control portion configured to change the image signal so that a pointer is displayed in the image based on the positional information.
US08123352B2
A head mounted display includes: a projection part which projects an image corresponding to image information onto a retina of an eye of a user; and an eyeglasses-type frame which supports the projection part. The eyeglasses-type frame includes a resilient bent portion having a Z shape in a plan view on middle portions of left and right temples thereof. The projection part is arranged in front of the resilient bent portion of the eyeglasses-type frame.
US08123345B2
A system enables ink on an image receiving member to be re-distributed to reduce banding effects in the image. The system includes an ink applicator for applying ink to form an ink image on an image receiving member as it passes by the ink applicator; a plenum chamber for receiving a flow of pressurized fluid from a fluid source, and at least one opening in the plenum chamber to direct the flow of pressurized fluid from the plenum towards the ink image on the image receiving member to re-distribute the ink on the image receiving member.
US08123335B2
A liquid droplet ejecting head of an aspect of the invention includes: a nozzle ejecting a liquid-droplet; a liquid flow path member in which a liquid is supplied toward the nozzle; a back-pressure generating unit applying back-pressure to the liquid in a liquid-flow-path toward the nozzle; a beam member joined together with or including the liquid flow path member, deforming to become concave in a liquid-droplet ejection direction, thereafter undergoing buckling reverse deformation to become convex in the ejection direction, and applying inertia to the liquid near the nozzle in the ejection direction, to cause the liquid near the nozzle to be ejected; an opening disposed on an opposite side of the liquid flow path member in the ejection direction and communicated with the atmosphere; a suction path whose suction opening is directed toward near the nozzle; and a negative-pressure generating unit generating negative-pressure in the suction path.
US08123334B2
A liquid ejection head has: a nozzle plate having a nozzle surface in which at least one nozzle for ejecting droplets of a liquid are formed; an anti-drying liquid supply port which supplies an anti-drying liquid to the nozzle surface of the nozzle plate; a flow channel portion which is formed in the nozzle surface and through which the anti-drying liquid supplied to the nozzle surface from the anti-drying liquid supply port flows; and an anti-drying liquid discharge port which suctions and discharges the anti-drying liquid flowing through the flow channel portion on the nozzle surface, from the nozzle surface, wherein, while the anti-drying liquid flows through the flow channel portion, the anti-drying liquid evaporates to increase humidity.
US08123329B2
The inkjet recording apparatus includes: a liquid set which includes a plurality of first liquids and a second liquid, the first liquids each containing solvent-insoluble materials, the second liquid causing the solvent-insoluble materials to form aggregate; a liquid ejection device which ejects the first liquids and the second liquid from different ejection ports; and a cleaning liquid supply device which supplies a cleaning liquid causing the aggregate of the solvent-insoluble materials to redispersed. The liquid set satisfies Dmax/Drain≦2.6, where Dmax is a maximum of average particle sizes of the solvent-insoluble materials in the first liquids, and Dmin is a minimum of the average particle sizes of the solvent-insoluble materials in the first liquids.
US08123324B2
A method for setting up a condition for a drive signal in a liquid ejection head that includes a plurality of linearly-arranged nozzles and driving elements provided for each of the nozzles, includes: calculating an ejection rate for each nozzle relating to a supply of the drive signal under a predetermined condition by using a moving average; classifying the plurality of nozzles into a plurality of groups based on the ejection rate calculated by using the moving average of each nozzle; calculating a proper condition for the drive signal corresponding to each group based on a statistical value of the ejection rate relating to the group; and selecting one proper condition among proper conditions corresponding to the groups so as to set the selected proper condition for each nozzle.
US08123319B2
The first plurality of nozzles and the second plurality of nozzles in a fluid ejection system are arranged in a plurality of nozzle pairs, each nozzle pair of the plurality of nozzle pairs including a first nozzle from the first plurality of nozzles and an associated second nozzle from the second plurality of nozzles, the first nozzle and associated second nozzle of each nozzle pair spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction, the first direction being the direction of movement of a print media, by greater than zero and less than the pixel pitch p and spaced apart in the first direction. A controller is configured to cause the first nozzle and the second nozzle of each nozzle pair to deposit droplets at the same pixel in a line of pixels.
US08123313B2
A system for dampening an opening motion of a door includes a frame, an access door and at least one dampening member. The access door is rotatably secured to the frame. The access door is configured to be moved with respect to the frame between closed and completely open positions. The at least one dampening member is secured to the access door or the frame. The dampening member(s) dampens movement of the access door toward the completely open position over a range of motion.
US08123303B2
In an automobile wheel, a surface-side flange is provided on an outer circumferential edge of a wheel disk. The surface-side flange includes: a surface-side annular circumferential portion on an aesthetic surface; and a back-side annular circumferential portion that is formed continuously with, and on the back side of, the surface-side annular circumferential portion and that is thinner than the surface-side annular circumferential portion. An inner circumferential end of the back-side annular circumferential portion of the surface-side flange and an opening end of a surface-side bead seat of a wheel rim are welded together all along their circumferences. The automobile wheel allows the back-side annular circumferential portion of the surface-side flange to bear a stress that acts on a weld area. This relaxes the stress concentration on the weld area.
US08123301B2
A fastening bracket (1) for a chair (2) having two side members (21) and a seat plate (20), an assembly kit for a chair, and the use of the fastening bracket and the assembly kit. The fastening bracket includes an upper beam (10) and a lower beam (11) positioned in parallel over each other and joined in the front edge and rear edge by a front side piece (12) and a rear side piece (13) respectively, the pieces being outside a first space that is formed between the beams (10, 11 The first space receives a side edge of the seat plate (20). A second space is formed between the front and rear side piece (12, 13) and receives a side member (21) of the chair (2). The bracket includes at least one fastening device (14).
US08123300B2
Disclosed is a chair accessory comprising one or more board-like items, including planks, of various thicknesses having on or in each item at least one restraining device having one or more chair-leg contacting surfaces that will prevent a child, while sitting in the chair, from moving the board-like item out of its functional place with his feet. The chair accessory is used with a chair including a child's chair to provide a foot rest when the chair occupant's legs are too short to allow the occupant's feet to reach the floor to provide stability necessary to permit more advanced fine motor development.
US08123298B2
An embodiment of a hinge assembly includes a seat back support, a seat bottom support, a hinge pivot, and a stop pin. The seat back support has a seat back mounting portion and a seat back hinge portion. The seat back hinge portion includes a stop notch formed at an end of the seat back hinge portion. The seat bottom support has a seat bottom mounting portion and a seat bottom hinge portion. The hinge pivot passes through the seat back hinge portion and the seat bottom hinge portion to hingedly couple the seat back hinge portion to the seat bottom portion. The stop pin has a stop pin shaft and a stop pin head positioned at a first end of the stop pin shaft. A second end of the stop pin shaft is affixed to the seat bottom hinge portion of the seat bottom support proximate to the seat back hinge portion of the seat back support.
US08123296B2
A vehicle bench seat assembly includes a seat bottom including a first seat portion having a seating surface, a second seat portion having a seating surface, and a third seat portion having a seating surface. The seat assembly further includes a seat back including a first back portion, a second back portion, and a third back portion located between the first and second portions. The third seat portion is movable between a first position, wherein the seating surface of the third seat portion is generally flush with the seating surfaces of the first and second seat portions, and a second position, wherein the seating surface of the third seat portion extends in a non-flush position relative to the seating surfaces of the first and second seat portions.
US08123283B2
A cargo protecting system for a vehicle having a load-carrying bed comprises a support structure and a bed floor fixedly supported by the support structure. The support structure forms at least a portion of a frame of a vehicle. The bed floor includes a support surface having a plurality of longitudinal extending, spaced apart raised ridges for directly supporting cargo. Each ridge has elevated and angled parts and an upper part. The upper part of each ridge has an increased thickness compared to the other parts and a raised section for increased strength and rigidity of the ridge. Each ridge includes a wear resistant surface having a first texture disposed substantially over the entire ridge and a second texture disposed over the upper part of the ridge. The second texture is disposed at least partially over the first texture.
US08123277B2
A pivotable tailgate for a motor vehicle includes pivot arms disposed as one piece on the tailgate body at a distance from one another. At an upper end of each pivot arm, a respective hinge arm is provided, each of which is mounted in a roof section of the body so that there is sealing between an upper tailgate section, a tailgate body, and a tailgate opening via a single encircling seal disposed at the tailgate opening, without additional sealing of the respective pivot arms being required.
US08123274B1
A protective cover for trailerable items includes a support frame having a plurality of ribs having opposed first and second leg members and a lateral batten member spanning the first and second leg members and defining an open area thereunder, and a flexible cover supported on the support frame, wherein each of the first leg members are rotatable about a first axis and each of the second leg members are rotatable about a second axis. The plurality of ribs are selectively movable between a first position in which they are spaced apart and the flexible cover encompasses an entirety of a trailerable item, and a second position in which the plurality of ribs are adjacent one another and extend substantially vertically to allow for loading and unloading of the trailerable item from a trailer while the protective cover is attached to the trailer.
US08123271B1
A foldable, thin plate seat frame that is permanently built-in to the tailgate of a pickup truck or sport utility vehicle. The device comprises a foldable bench seat, having a bottom seat plate and a back support plate. The device is built-in to a tailgate along its interior side and folds flush thereagainst, locking into place such that a user does not need to uninstall the device when in a stowed position. Cushions can be attached to the extended seat frame when the device is in a working position for added comfort. The seat frame folds about a hinge that separates the bottom seat plate and the back rest plate of the device. When the seat is in the open configuration, the seat frame hinge rests above the jamb of the open tailgate such as to not interfere with the tailgate's ability to open or close.
US08123267B2
A tool for lifting truck tires from a prone position to an upright position. The tool has a frame which extends over the length of a truck tire to a leverage point at one end of the tire. The frame is attached to a plate which is adapted to slide underneath the other side of the truck tire. Two handles extend from the frame at an angle and a length to allow maximum leverage for an operator of the tool. The frame may have many shapes, but preferably is angled to exert force at a point opposite the plate.
US08123266B1
A pet feces collection device for placement beneath a pet's derriere during the defecation process, the device including an annular support member at the end of a telescopic handle, the support member having a liner bag with an elasticized upper end removably engaging a support member groove for support within a support member aperture and a disposal bag removably disposed within the liner bag, the disposal bag having an elasticized top end that also engages the groove.
US08123265B2
A bumper beam has a hat shaped profile and is turned with the crown (12-14) towards the vehicle and has a lid (17) that gives the bumper beam a closed profile. The bumper beam has two mountings (20, 21) that usually are adapted to be fitted to the side rails of the vehicle. The mountings (20, 21; 40) consist of a plate formed from one piece that has two standing sides (23, 24; 43, 44) and from these out-turned flanges (25, 26) with holes (28) for mounting to the vehicle, where the standing sides have cut-outs (27) adapted for the bottom and sides of the bumper beam and are welded to these.
US08123259B2
A loose anti-rotation lock sleeve design for use in a flange and pipe assembly. The design includes a lock sleeve positioned between a pipe and a flange to prevent rotation of the pipe relative to the flange. The lock sleeve includes at least two openings in a first end of the lock sleeve configured to receive at least two pipe pins extending radially outward from the pipe. The lock sleeve further includes at least four openings in a second end of the lock sleeve configured to receive at least four flange pins extending radially inward from the flange.
US08123253B2
A relay box protective structure, which protects a relay box from a tread surface stripped off when a tire 2 bursts, and includes a fender 3, a relay box 6, a relay box cover 7, and a movement restricting component 10, is provided. The fender 3 is fixed to a frame 1 of a vehicle body. The relay box 6 is arranged higher than and behind a lower end 3a of the fender 3, and fixed to the vehicle body. The relay box cover 7 is arranged higher than and behind the lower end 3a of the fender 3, includes a bottom 8 covering a lower surface of the relay box 6, and is fixed to the vehicle body. The movement restricting component 10 is fixed to the frame 1 behind a back end 7a of the relay box cover 7, restricting movement of the relay box cover 7 towards the vehicle front.
US08123252B2
A stick handle is described, in particular for a ski stick, cross-country skiing stick, hiking stick or Nordic walking stick, with a handle body (10, 11), the head region (3) of which has, on the side (4) directed forwards in the direction of movement and/or on the side (5) directed rearwards in the direction of movement, an upper terminating projection (8, 12) which, when the stick is grasped, is arranged above the sliding hand and adjacent thereto, and which has, at least on the side (5) directed rearwards, a lower terminating projection (13) which, when the stick is grasped, is arranged below the grasping hand and adjacent thereto. With a handle of this type, adaptation to different hand sizes is made possible by the handle body being constructed from at least two individual stick handle elements (10, 11), wherein a first stick handle element (11) is connected in a form-fitting and/or frictional manner to the stick tube (1), and a second stick handle element (10) is arranged on the first stick handle element (11) in a manner such that it can be fixed in a displaceable and/or exchangeable manner.
US08123251B2
An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle preferably has a bracket for rigid attachment to the vehicle with a first slot defining a longitudinal adjustment path of the assembly. A steering shaft is journaled to a jacket of the assembly for rotation about an axis. A shuttle attaches rigidly to the jacket and adjustably to the bracket for telescoping and tilt adjustment of the assembly. The shuttle has a second slot that defines a collapse path with said second slot preferably having a first portion restraining said steering shaft in a normal state and a second portion that allows said steering shaft to move through said collapse path when in a collapsed state. A pin extends through said first and second slots for coupling said shuttle to said bracket.
US08123247B2
The present invention relates to an airbag door for instrument panel and its manufacturing method. A passenger side airbag (PAB) door for instrument panel includes a substrate with airbag opening, skin layer and foam layer, a PAB door reinforcement board which covers the airbag opening is connected to the instrument panel substrate. This PAB door reinforcement board is a cellulosic composite material board which is soaked by thermoplastic plastic or thermoplastic elastomer, formed through thermoforming. In present invention, the turnover and movable portion of the airbag door is lighten greatly. The airbag door with the light composite material can prevent the windshields from being broken effectively when the airbag deploys sufficiently and impacts against the windshields.
US08123244B2
A low profile saddle mount for use in the transportation of vehicles including a saddle body configuration capable of withstanding increased load capacity over conventional saddle mounts is disclosed. The saddle mount generally includes a pair of laterally spaced support plates and a substantially tubular cross member extending therebetween. Each of the support plates is at least partially disposed inside the cross member at opposing ends thereof and secured therein using at least one dampening or filler plate. The configuration of the support plates in combination with one or more filler plate provides limited yield/deflection of the saddle body during operation and provides a load dissipation function, thereby permitting the support plates to withstand an increased load capacity.
US08123226B2
A seal assembly for sealing an annular space between an inner and an outer pipe in a double-walled subsea pipeline which seal assembly comprises an annular member (1) and moveable blocking means (2, 3) and: (a) under normal operating conditions is in a non-sealing position which allows the passage of a gas through said seal assembly; and (b) is actuatable from a non-sealing position to a sealing position in response to the entry of liquid into said annular space.
US08123223B1
An inserter device for a document printer and inserter system includes a first container sensor. A belt mechanism includes a flexible delivery belt receiving a printed document from a document printer. A motor rotates the delivery belt in response to an actuation signal from the first container sensor indicating the presence of a container at a document loading position proximate the delivery belt. A support shaft is rotatably connected to a support frame. The belt mechanism is fixed to the support shaft. The support shaft is rotated to achieve a desired belt drive angle and fixed to the support frame to maintain the belt drive angle. A rigid document diverter proximate the delivery belt deflects a document discharged from the delivery belt at the belt drive angle into the container. First and second belt tensioning assemblies are individually positioned in either a belt mechanism drive box or idler box.
US08123219B2
A medium feeding device includes a rib disposed on a feeding path along which the medium is fed. In a cross section perpendicular to a direction in which the medium is fed along the feeding path, an end side of the rib includes an end portion that guides the medium, and an inclined portion inclined from the end portion.
US08123218B2
A skew roller is disposed near an abutment reference member. A pre-skew roller is disposed on the upstream side of the skew roller at a position corresponding to a conveyance center line. When a sheet conveyed by a pre-registration conveyance roller reaches the skew roller, the pre-registration conveyance roller moves upward to release a nipping force applied on the sheet. At the same time, the pre-skew roller moves downward to start aligning the sheet.
US08123215B2
In a sheet aligning apparatus, a sheet is conveyed from a conveying-in path into a sheet storing section through an open end portion and the leading end of the sheet comes in with a stop member. Thereafter, when a shifting section shifts the stop member from an initial position to a first position, the sheet is shifted inversely together with the stop member and the back end of the sheet proceeds as the inversed leading end from the open end portion to a conveying-out path so that a succeeding sheet is allowed to be conveyed from the conveying-in path into the open end portion. When the sheet is shifted inversely, a shift regulating section regulates the shift of the sheet in such a way that the back end of the sheet is prevented from proceeding more than a predetermined distance due to the inertia of the shift.
US08123212B1
A method for indexing a lift plate in an image forming device according to one exemplary embodiment includes driving a motor in a first direction to drive a pick mechanism for feeding media from a stack of media sheets on a raisable lift plate such that as media is fed the height of the pick mechanism decreases. When the height of the pick mechanism falls below a predetermined level, the motor is driven a predetermined amount of rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction to raise the lift plate in order to raise the pick mechanism to a desired pick height.
US08123205B2
A manual locking clamp is disclosed. The manual locking clamp includes a base and a handle pivotally connected to the base. The manual locking clamp also includes a locking lever connected to the handle. The locking lever including a first locking orifice and a second locking orifice along with a fulcrum orifice and a pivot orifice. The locking lever is capable of being used on any known manual clamp, including pull action clamps, hold down action clamps, straight line action clamps, and any other known manual action clamps.
US08123204B2
A machining center that includes a swivel bridge supported by a bearing wall and pivotable about a horizontal axis, at least one drive sprocket attached to a disc-type connector of the swivel bridge, and at least one drive system attached adjacent the bearing wall and operatively connected to the drive sprocket of the swivel bridge. The machining center is characterized by clamping of the swivel bridge being performed by a friction-locked clamping system which is arranged rotationally fixed about a bearing pin of the swivel bridge in a circular ring shape and which is operatively connected to the disc-type connector. A clamping force of the friction-locked clamping system is generated by an energy storage.
US08123203B2
A jounce bumper assembly for a vehicular suspension system, the suspension system having a first member and a second member, is provided. The assembly comprises a mount coupled to the first member, wherein the mount has a cylindrical portion comprising a first cylindrical outer surface. The assembly also comprises a jounce bumper coupled to the second member, and a striker cap having a first end comprising a first cylindrical inner surface circumferentially coupled over the first cylindrical outer surface, and having a second end configured for resilient engagement with the jounce bumper.
US08123191B2
A valve system comprising a closure member that is linearly translatable within a valve body. A fail safe assembly is connected to the valve body and a first rod member that is connected to the closure member. A linear actuator is movably connected to the fail safe assembly and is operable to move the first rod member. A mechanical override system is connected to the linear actuator and is operable to move the linear actuator relative to the valve body.
US08123190B2
An adjustable mount for an umbrella may include one or more adjustments to allow the umbrella to be secured at different positions both horizontally and vertically. The mount may include a beam that fits into a standard receiver hitch on a vehicle. The mount may be used without the beam to secure an umbrella to a horizontal or vertical surface. The mount may be used to hold other objects besides an umbrella, such as a flag.
US08123188B2
An apparatus for concealing a multimedia device. The apparatus may include a horizontal base with two vertical members, each vertical member being affixed to the horizontal base, with each vertical member having a metal plate affixed to the inner side of each vertical member. The apparatus may also include a pair of angular brackets, each bracket being rotationally coupled with each metal plate, a horizontal cross-piece, with each end of said cross-piece affixed to each angular bracket, a backing panel coupled with a picture frame and an art panel the backing panel being affixed to the horizontal cross-piece and a horizontal brace which is designed and adapted to support the weight of the picture frame, backing panel and the art panel.
US08123186B2
A ruggedized mounting assembly or bracket and incorporated method and is provided to enhance structural rigidity of a computer environment and provide stability to it during sudden shifts and vibrations. The assembly comprises two intersecting planes. One plane will be disposed on the computer rack at an upper surface while the other plane is to be secured to a surrounding surface such as a ceiling.
US08123166B2
The disclosed embodiments relate essentially to a primary structure of an aircraft fuselage that has at least a first strut linked at one end to a crossbeam and at the other end to a reinforcing frame. A second strut has one end fastened to the structure below the end of the first strut, and another end linked to the first strut through an intermediate sliding linkage. A deformable member is linked to the struts so that in case of a crash, the compressive forces press against the second strut, so that the end of the second strut slides along the first strut so as to stretch the deformable member longitudinally to absorb the shock.
US08123163B2
A kinetic energy system which transfers the kinetic landing into recoverable electric energy for an aircraft. The system incorporates at least one wheel supporting the aircraft for landing and takeoff coupled with a dynamic functioning motor/generator mounted to and operated by rotation of the wheel to create electrical energy from kinetic energy. An induction shoe structurally connected to the aircraft and electrically connected to the motor/generator, which shoe draws the converted energy from the generator which supplies the load created by the inductively coupled induction shoe to the an ancillary load provided by the resistive heat sink on by the capacitor storage bank. This provides the generator circuit for conversion of the rotational energy of the wheel to electrical energy and creates braking drag. In exemplary embodiments, the system employs an energy storage system acting as the load to store electrical potential energy created by the generator. Additionally, the generator is employable as a motor, receiving energy from the storage system for traction power to the associated aircraft wheel. An induction grid or a surface mounted conductive layer mounted into or onto a runway is employed for transferring energy to and from the motor/generator.
US08123158B2
A reel includes a hub formed in a cylindrical-tube-shape with a base portion, on an outer peripheral surface of which a recording tape is wound; a base side flange portion that projects-out to a radial direction outer side of a base portion side of the hub; a flange member configured in a disc-shape or an annular-plate-shape of a material with an elastic modulus at least equal to a material that constitutes the hub, the flange member being coaxially joined to an opening end portion of the hub; a metal plate formed in a circular-plate-shape or an annular-plate-shape, which is fixed coaxially to the base portion of the hub; and a groove wall that is formed integrally with the base portion of the hub and forms a groove portion which is continuous around the entire periphery between the groove wall and an outer peripheral surface of the metal plate.
US08123147B2
A nozzle for a powder spray gun optionally includes an internal filter that allows air to be added to the powder flow within the nozzle shell. The nozzle may optionally include an off-axis outlet slot relative to a main flow axis of the powder into the nozzle shell so that powder encounters an obstruction before exiting through the outlet slot.
US08123143B2
In a thermostatic valve for connecting an automatic transmission with an oil cooler, wherein the connection between an inlet conduit 12 for oil coming from the transmission and an outlet conduit 13 to the oil cooler is released or blocked by valve slider element 22, which is actuated by a thermostatic actuating element 16, 17 and is spring-loaded by a restoring spring 21, the valve slider element 22 with the restoring spring 21 is designed as a pressure-control valve which, with the open connection between the inlet conduit 12 for oil coming from the transmission and the outlet conduit 13 to the oil cooler, opens a bypass conduit 24 when a predetermined pressure of the oil is exceeded.
US08123140B2
A mixing valve (10) includes a valve body (12) having a hot fluid inlet (14), a cold fluid inlet (16), a mixed fluid outlet (18), and a cavity (20) in the valve body (12) between the inlets (14, 16) and the outlet (18). Mixing valve (10) includes a liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) positioned in valve body (12) and a valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840) movable therein between a first position restricting the flow of hot fluid and a second position. Liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) includes a downstream valve seat (74, 174, 274, 474, 574, 674, 774) that, when engaged by valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840), restricts flow of hot fluid past valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840).
US08123136B2
A processing apparatus of portable electronic devices, a portable electronic device, and a processing system of portable electronic devices are provided, each of which can process data at high speed. The processing apparatus has a transmitting/receiving unit configured to transmit and receive data to and from the portable electronic device. In the processing, the transmitting/receiving unit generates a first command and adds a second command to the first command.
US08123135B2
An apparatus includes a first substantially card-shaped body. The first card-shaped body has a plurality of voids formed therein to define sides of a second substantially card-shaped body. The second body is smaller than the first body and is adapted to be detached from the first body. The second body is joined to the first body by a plurality of breakable tabs. The voids have a total length, inclusive of the tabs, that does not exceed about 64 mm.
US08123134B2
The present disclosure provides apparatus for analyzing emerging security or authentication feature for physical objects (e.g., identification documents, product packaging, banknotes, etc.). One claim recites an apparatus comprising: a light source for illuminating a physical object with first non-visible light, the physical object comprising a first code provided with a first ink or dye and a second code provided with a second ink or dye, the second ink or dye comprising an emission decay time that is relatively longer than an emission decay time of the first ink or dye, the first code and the second code collectively conveying a first feature when illuminated with the first non-visible light, with the second code individually conveying a second feature after emissions attributable to the first code fall to a first level; and an electronic reader programmed for reading at least the second feature after emissions attributable to the first ink or dye fall to the first level and before emissions attributable to the second ink or dye fall to a second level. Other claims and combinations are provided as well.
US08123133B2
The invention relates to an access-protection device for an electronic card, including a flexible circuit (2) that comprises an electrically conductive track (21) in the shape of a mesh connected to processing means of the electronic card, a guide (3) around which the flexible circuit (2) is arranged and for maintaining the flexible circuit (2) in position, and a protection hood (4) provided about the assembly comprising the guide (3) and the flexible circuit (2), wherein said access-protection device can be configured to be installed in an area of the card to be protected.
US08123132B2
There is described a device having a two dimensional imager. The device having a two dimensional image sensor can be a hand held device. Imaging optics can be provided for focusing light reflected from a target onto the two dimensional imager. An image including imaging data can be obtained utilizing the hand held device. The image can include a representation of a signature.
US08123131B2
To increase an area in which a component can be mounted in a substrate including an IC chip to which an antenna is connected. For this purpose, an opening at the center of a center substrate is provided with an IC chip. An antenna is wired to an upper surface of the center substrate so as to enclose the IC chip. A top substrate is laminated and fixed on the upper surface of the center substrate. A bottom substrate is laminated and fixed on a lower surface of the center substrate. Since the antenna is not wired to an upper surface of the top substrate and a lower surface of the bottom substrate, a component can be mounted on the entire upper and lower surfaces. This allows a large number of components to be mounted.
US08123127B2
Entertainment credits from a game of chance can be identified. The entertainment credits can be associated with an entity with which a user has previously interacted. The previous interactions can earning the entertainment credits, which are non-negotiable credits. Responsive to a user request, a conversion agency can convert a quantity of the entertainment credits to a quantity of negotiable funds, wherein the conversion agency is not directly associated with the entity. The user can be permitted to access the quantity of negotiable funds, wherein the quantity of negotiable funds are able to be applied to user specified purchases, wherein at least a portion of the user specified purchases involve at least one vender that does not honor the non-negotiable credits.
US08123120B2
A system controlled responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that is operative to read card data from user cards including identifying data, and authorizes operation of an automated banking machine responsive to the identifying data. The system is operative send a configuration XML message to a banking machine from an application server, wherein the configuration XML data includes configuration data targeted to the banking machine. The system comprising an application server is operative to send an application XML message to the banking machine, wherein the application XML application includes application data. In addition, the application data may be mapped to at least one corresponding resource on the banking machine responsive to the configuration data. The banking machine may performing a banking transaction using the at least one resource on the banking machine responsive to the application XML message.
US08123118B2
A system and method of tracking a plurality of items during transfer from a source location to a destination. One embodiment is a method comprising associating information identifying the plurality of items with a radio frequency (RF) tag that identifies a carrier unit. The method further comprises storing said associated information in at least one of the RF tag and a computer memory. The method further comprises communicating with the RF tag to identify the location of the carrier unit. The method further comprises identifying the location of at least one of the plurality of items based at least in part on the location of the carrier unit. Another embodiment is a system configured to perform an embodiment of the method.
US08123117B2
In a proximity card function content distribution system of the invention, an IP-side apparatus 5 adds identification information of a user to simplified data of contents for the proximity card function, a mobile terminal 1A acquires the simplified data from the IP-side apparatus 5, and distributes the simplified data to another mobile terminal 1B, and when the another mobile terminal 1B performs proximity card communication with a R/W of the IP-side apparatus 5, the another mobile terminal 1B checks whether the terminal 1B has the specific simplified data, and communicates the checking information.
US08123108B2
A terminal of a compact wire loop with a great strength of bonding is formed by a method including: a first folding step in which a tip end of a capillary is raised by a height of H1 from a point 86a where the center of the capillary is positioned during second bonding on a lead 74 to a point “p”, and then moved horizontally by a first distance of L1 toward a pad 73, and lowered to a point “r”; a second folding step in which the tip end of the capillary is raised from the point “r” to a height of H2 and then moved horizontally toward the lead 74 by a second distance of L2; and a third bonding step in which the center of the capillary is aligned with and then lowered to a point 87a on the lead 74 adjacent to the point 86a.
US08123105B2
A method for repairing wider gaps in a substrate of a component by brazing at a brazing temperature is provided. Filler material and solder are prevented from separating in that, in a two-stage process, first the filler material and then the solder are applied to the wider gap. The powder does not melt at the brazing temperature and the filler metal does melt at the brazing temperature.
US08123102B2
A surgical instrument for creating an anastomosis includes a housing, a handle extending from the housing and a fastener support member extending distally from the housing. The fastener support member is configured and dimensioned to releasably support a plurality of surgical fasteners. The instrument further includes a tissue retaining mechanism which is selectively movable from a first position relative to the fastener support member to a second position in closer proximity with the fastener support member such that tissue disposed adjacent to the fastener support member is retained thereagainst. Upon actuation of the handle, a fastener firing mechanism simultaneously deforms the plurality of surgical fasteners to complete the anastomosis.
US08123101B2
In accordance with the present disclosure a directionally biased staple is provided for use in all types of surgical staplers having anvil structure against which the staple is formed. The directionally biased staple may be constructed in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations including rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, etc. All of the configurations are distinguished by having a bending region requiring more force to twist or malform the staple than is required to properly form the staple. Preferably, these staples have Moment of Inertia Ratios on the order of between about 1.1 to about 3.0. The staple preferably corresponds in other respects to conventional formed staples, i.e. having at least a pair of leg members interconnected by a crown portion wherein the leg members are formed by direct contact with the anvil. An anvil assembly is also provided for minimizing the malformation of staples.
US08123099B2
A power tool with a flywheel, an activation arm, a driver, a cam and a clutch. The activation arm can have a first arm, a second arm, which can be pivotally mounted to the first arm, and a roller that can be coupled to the second arm. The driver can be disposed between the roller and the flywheel. The cam can be moveable in a predetermined direction for causing the activation arm to rotate about a pivot to drive the roller against the driver so that the driver frictionally engages the flywheel. The clutch can cooperate with the cam to inhibit the cam from moving in a direction opposite the predetermined direction in response to a reaction force that is applied by the driver onto the activation arm.
US08123082B2
A hand-held dispensing device having a dispenser incorporating: (i) a dispenser body defining a dispensing chamber for holding a substance; (ii) an outlet communicating with the dispensing chamber; (iii) a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the substance through the outlet; and (iv) an actuating member resiliently mounted for movement relative to the dispenser body to actuate the dispensing mechanism. The dispenser is operably connected to and manually slidable relative to a handle between a non-use position, and an operative position. The device further comprises a locking assembly for releasably locking the dispenser body to the handle in the operative position to prevent said manual sliding movement of the dispenser body, whereby a user may grasp the handle and effect manual movement of the actuating member relative to the handle and the dispenser body, against the action of the biasing member, to actuate the dispensing mechanism and dispense the contents of the dispensing chamber.
US08123080B2
A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
US08123074B2
A dispenser of viscous fluid, in at least one embodiment a hot melt glue adhesive, has a heater element, an adhesive source, a main common passage, and a series of valves that all fluidly connect to the main passage. A sheet of receiving material, such as an envelope, has hot melt glue applied to its surface as it passes under the series of valves. A variable amount of valves can be activated by moving control rods inwardly or outwardly of the main common passage. The moving control rods have indicator markers, a securing screw and are housed in U-shaped beds which collectively make adjusting the dispensing pattern very easy.
US08123071B2
Improvements to increase the speed at which a vending machine can dispense articles are disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine defines plural first arrays of receptacles for receiving articles with the first arrays stacked so that adjacent receptacles in the first arrays form second arrays. A separate user door closes each first array of receptacles, a slot door assembly provides a plurality of receptacle doors operative to open a particular receptacle when the user door is unlocked, and a slot access mechanism provides access to a particular receptacle. The machine waits a specified time period after dispensing to detect whether a subsequent user request is received. If a subsequent user request is received, the machine moves the slot access mechanism directly to a receptacle where the articles are available. Additional improvements include procedures for avoiding problems caused by misaligned doors and procedures for providing optimal article stocking.
US08123056B2
Container, comprising a neck provided with a wall forming an opening and an abutting arrangement arranged to interact with an opening indicating device of a cap associatable with the neck, the abutting arrangement comprising a ring-shaped projection extending circumferentially from the wall, and an abutting element arrangement projecting from the ring-shaped projection.
US08123055B2
A biaxially oriented bottle with exterior threading in a hollow of a personage figure to form a unitary drinking cup, comprising: exterior threading at the base of the inner bottle to secure the inner bottle fast in internal threading at the base of the personage figure; exterior threading at the upper end of the inner bottle to secure the inner bottle fast into the internal threading at the top above the head of the personage figure; and wherein a handle is inscribed within the base of the inner bottle inside the exterior threading to enable the inner bottle to be wound fast to the internal threading in the hollow of the personage figure.
US08123054B2
A drinking cap includes a first tubular portion (10) for connection to the mouth of a beverage container and an elongate actuating member (26) situated at least partly within the first tubular portion (10) and connected to it by a resilient, annular, integral web (12), in which one or more flow openings (28) are formed. The actuating member (26) is longitudinally movable in the axial direction between an open position of the flow openings (28) and a closed position thereof. The cap also includes an insert (6) and a piston (4) which together define a reservoir (56). The insert (6) includes a cylindrical wall (34) and a portion (40) which is movable under the action of pressure within the reservoir and in which a discharge aperture (44) is formed. A flow tube (52) is connected to the piston (4) around an aperture (50) and extends through the discharge aperture (44) in the insert (6) and forms a sliding seal with the edge (46) of the discharge aperture. The actuating member (26) is arranged to engage the piston (4) when it is moved from the closed position to the open position and thus to move the piston (4) towards the insert (6), whereby the increased pressure created in the reservoir (56) causes the movable portion (4) of the insert (6) to move away from the piston (4) until the flow tube (52) moves out of the discharge aperture (44) in the insert (6).
US08123051B2
Some embodiments of a display fixture may include an articulable arm assembly that can be adjusted so as to retain items in a vertical orientation. In one implementation, the arm assembly may be mounted to a horizontal cross-member of a retail display fixture and may include two grasping arms that can be slidably adjusted relative to one another so as to contact the edges of a surfboard or wakeboard and securely display the item in an offset orientation such that the item is presented at an angle relative to a normal viewing direction. The arm assembly may include a pivot mechanism that permits the angle to be adjusted, optionally to a number of predetermined angular positions.
US08123050B2
This invention is directed toward a display rack for the sale of removable textured deck applications for miniature skateboards which can also serve as a miniature test course for a prospective purchaser to sample the merchandise before making the decision whether to buy. The display rack has a base heavy enough to keep the display rack upright, with one or more miniature skatepark features such as quarterpipes, grind rails, ramps, steps, or other testing obstacles and surfaces upon which a finger skateboard can be used. Upright members hold horizontal pegs in place from which packaged textured applications can hang.
US08123045B2
An apparatus is disclosed for separating popped corn from un-popped kernels. The apparatus includes a popped corn container that holds popped corn and a kernel separator located on a side of the popped corn container. The kernel separator includes a kernel separator screen with a plurality of holes, where a hole in the plurality of holes is larger than an un-popped kernel and smaller than a fully popped corn. The kernel separator also includes a reentry impedance means for impeding an un-popped kernel from entering the popped corn container through the kernel separator. The apparatus also includes a kernel container positioned outside the popped corn container and adjacent to the kernel separator such that the kernel container stores the un-popped kernel after the un-popped kernel has passed through the kernel separator. The apparatus may further include a cover container.
US08123043B2
A screening module retaining assembly 10 includes a body member 12 defining a passage 14. The body member 12 further includes a locating formation 16, associated with a first end 18 of the body member 12, for engaging a screening module to assist in retaining the screening module relative to a screen deck A retaining element 20 is displaceably arranged in the passage 14, the retaining element 20 being displaceable between a first, non-retaining position in which the retaining element 20 is accessible from the first end of the body member 12 and a second, retaining position in which the retaining element 20 is received within the passage 14 and acts on at least a part of the body member 12 for retaining the body member 12 in position relative to a component of the screen deck. A head portion 22 of the retaining element 20 defines a receiving formation 40 for receiving a complementary formation of the screening module to assist in laterally retaining the screening module relative to the screen deck.
US08123041B2
Method of separation of loose mixture in fluid medium consists in the gravity feed of particles, aerodynamic monotonically increasing effect on them at acute angle to the vertical line by the cascade of slot jets and the outlet of separated fractions into separate collectors. Before aerodynamic effect on loose mixture particles each jet is transferred to developed turbulence mode by their vertical expansion jets until jets are merged with each other with faulty or close to it form of jet formation and the appearance of at least two circulation zones different in size in each inter-jet space of all contiguous jets. The device for separation contains the bunker with vibrating chute mounted underneath the jet generator, the flat nozzles located one under another at acute angle to the vertical line, the height of cross sections of which, step and angle of installation increase top-down. The generator is connected with the source of air supply under pressure, and is covered by the side walls, and grade collectors. Each nozzle is equipped with rectangular rigid wall adjoined to its top across full width of the nozzle. The size of the rigid wall width makes at least three dimensions of cross-sectional height of the nozzle contiguity, and the ratio of installation step of nozzles to the height of cross section of the upper nozzle in relation to it is not less than four.
US08123030B2
An aroma-tight or moisture-tight pack for cigarettes (10) having an inner pack (12), produced from cardboard or a comparable packaging material, made tight as a result of corresponding treatment, and an outer pack (13) in the form of a hinge-lid box, however without a collar. A cigarette group (11) is positioned directly, that is without an inner envelope, in the inner pack (12). The inner pack is provided in an upper region, namely in the region of a cover (15) of the outer pack (13), with a particular opening aid. A closure tab (39) of the inner pack (12) is covered over its entire surface area by an actuating tab (42) which is realized as tape and is produced from a separate blank.
US08123022B2
A scraper blade for a conveyor may comprise: a blade body having a scraping edge and a base for mounting the scraper blade on a blade mount of a conveyor, wherein the blade body has a plurality of elongated recessed features extending across the rearward side thereof, wherein the elongated recessed features are spaced apart and are generally parallel to the scraping edge. Additionally, the base of the blade body may be affixed to a scraper blade mount having a shape of a “flattened W” defining a groove that has beveled edges to provide clearance for a fillet weld of a scraper blade support bar to which the scraper blade is mountable.
US08123019B2
This invention provides an improvement relating to an extendable and retractable auxiliary axle suitable for supporting an end section of a telescopic conveyor system having rotatable wheel assemblies. The improvement provides for an axle assembly for a conveyor system where the axle is a transversely extending axle positioned forwardly of the rotatable wheel assemblies on the conveyor system. There is provided an axle frame operatively associated with the axle for mounting the axle relative to the conveyor system. Actuatable systems mounted on the frame are provided for displacing the axle between a first raised position and a second lowered position; also provided are a device for actuating the actuatable system to permit the actuatable system to raise and lower the auxiliary axle as desired.
US08123013B2
The invention concerns a freewheel bearing device including an outer element and inner element arranged inside the outer element, and a free wheel provided with at least a wedging element, arranged between the inner element and the outer element to allow a free rotational movement in one direction between the outer element and the inner element and for transmission of a torque in the other direction between the outer element and the inner element, the free wheel including a ring provided with a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface, substantially aligned on a radial plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the device, and a torque limiting member adapted to limit the torque transmitted by the free wheel, the torque limiting member being arranged radially between said ring and the outer element or the inner element in contact with said ring and said element.
US08123010B2
A retractable cord reel is disclosed. The retractable cord reel may have a spool having a conductor carried thereon. The cord reel may also have a conductor lead coupled to a ratchet. The spool and the ratchet may be configured to make an electrical connection with each other.
US08123004B2
A hand brake actuator for a rail car has a rotary input connected to a rotary output by a transmission including a clutch and a ratchet wheel and pawl, a declutching mechanism for disengaging the clutch in a declutched position of the declutching mechanism, and a release handle with a first cam which drives the declutching mechanism to the declutched position when the release handle is moved from an apply position to a release position. A second cam is biased in a first direction to engage and retain the declutching mechanism in a declutched position after the release handle is removed from the release position. A follower is connected to the second cam and is responsive to the rotation of the input in an apply direction to rotate the second cam in a second direction opposite the first direction to release the declutching mechanism and allow the clutch to reengage.
US08122998B2
A device is provided which can be converted from a transporting cart to an erecting hoist for a hunter's tree ladder stand. The device includes components which can be assembled into the cart, disassembled, and re-assembled into the hoist which allows one person to transport the ladder stand, and to raise and lower the ladder stand to and from a position against a tree. The hoist includes a clamp with jaws which can be operated by the hunter on the ground so as to secure the hoist to the tree. A rope or cable extends through a pulley on the hoist so that the ladder stand can be raised into position by a hunter, single-handily. The hunter can then climb the ladder stand, which is secured to the hoist, which is secured to the tree, and further attach the platform of the ladder stand to the tree with one or more straps.
US08122990B2
A radiator mounting structure for motorcycle, in which a radiator is disposed forward of a water-cooled engine mounted on a body frame and an upper portion of the radiator is attached to the body frame, in which running-air that passes the radiator is not directed to a rider. The radiator is reliably supported so as not to be affected by heat from the engine with an increase in the number of parts avoided. A shroud for covering the radiator from behind is attached the radiator and has at an upper portion thereof attachment arm portions attached to a body frame. Attachment portions fastened to stays provided on the body frame are provided at a rear lower portion of the shroud.
US08122987B2
A vehicle including a wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor that reduces the rate of output of the in-wheel motor using a reduction mechanism, which includes a counter gear mechanism and a planetary gear set, and drives a wheel and is structured such that the directionality of a helix angle of a helical gear of a counter gear mechanism in a left wheel is opposite the directionality of a helix angle of a helical gear of the counter gear mechanism in a right wheel, and the directionality of the helix angle of a helical gear of the planetary gear set in the left wheel is the same as the directionality of the helix angle of a helical gear of the planetary gear set in the right wheel.
US08122978B1
The invention is a drilling device for providing a conically shaped cavity in materials primarily used for anchoring systems. The drilling device is comprised of a solid shank for attachment to a drill, a reverse thread section, and a cutting head. The cutting head includes a cutting tip, clean out flutes, extendable cutting blades mounted within an internal chamber of cutting head body, and means for extending the cutting blades. The extendable cutting blades project from the cutting head body radially when the reverse thread section is driven into the internal chamber of the cutting head. The reverse thread section interacts with the means for extending the cutting blades. This may include a pair of cams that are spring biased outwardly. The cams push against the backsides of the extendable cutting blades for driving them from the cutting head body when the drill device is counter rotated. The extendable blades cut a conical cavity at the distal end of a bore hole made by the cutting tip of the cutting head. After the conical cavity is produced, the drilling device is then clockwise rotated to cause the reverse threaded section being at its most distal position to return to its initial position. Biased springs mounted on the outer part of the body push the cutting blades into the body so that the drilling device can be removed from the bore hole.
US08122957B2
Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that include porous materials. Such porous materials may be selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials to have desired strength and/or apparent density to fit particular downhole conditions for well treating such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control treatments. Porous materials may also be employed in selected combinations to optimize fracture or sand control performance, and/or may be employed as relatively lightweight materials in liquid carbon dioxide-based well treatment systems.
US08122948B2
Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retrofitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
US08122943B2
Heat exchanger, for example for a motor vehicle air-conditioning circuit, comprising a plurality of tubes (12) for circulating a heat-transfer fluid, the ends of said tubes (12) opening into manifolds and reservoirs (11) of thermal storage material in contact with the tubes (12) so that the storage material and the heat-transfer fluid exchange heat with one another. The exchanger comprises a plurality of heat-exchange elements (4) each housing at least one reservoir (11) and at least one tube (12) which are nested.
US08122942B2
A slurry suitable for forming facecoats, facecoats formed by such a slurry, and processes using such facecoats. The slurry is formed of a particulate refractory material, an aqueous suspension containing a particulate inorganic binder, a thixotropic organic binder, a dispersant, and possibly optional constituents excluding particulate refractory materials and inorganic binders. The particulate refractory material constitutes at least about 60 weight percent of the slurry and consists essentially of yttria. The aqueous suspension containing the particulate inorganic binder constitutes at most about 35 weight percent of the facecoat slurry. The dispersant is present in the slurry in an amount sufficient to stabilize the slurry at a pH of up to about 10, and has the general formula Hx[N(CH2)yOH]z, where x has a value of 0, 1 or 2, y has a value of 1 to 8, and z=3−x.
US08122937B2
A method of forming a textured casting roll may include a step of forming a plurality of contiguous rows of gravure cells on the surface of a casting roll, removing portions of the cells to leave raised portions corresponding to raised portions of the gravure cells not removed. The gravure cells may be formed by diamond engraving, and the step of removing portions of the gravure cells may be accomplished by engraving or etching.
US08122933B2
A sectional door having a door frame, a door panel comprising sections coupled to another in articulated manner, a weight equalization device coupled to the door panel, and an electrical door drive for opening and closing movements of said door panel. The uppermost section in the closed position of the door panel, is guided on running rails as the header section, wherein said rails extend essentially horizontally up to the door frame, and have a vertical end segment on the frame side. The other sections that follow below the header section are guided in guide rails that have a vertical segment along the door frame, a horizontal segment parallel to the running rail that holds the header section, and an arc that joins the two segments. With this device, the door drive is attached to one of the sections connected below the header section, and has at least one power take-off shaft having an impeller at the end. The driven impeller engages in the guide rail and moves the door panel.
US08122931B2
A window covering includes a plurality of lift cords extending from an upper rail and window covering material connected to the upper rail or the lift cords. A plurality of safety devices are attached to the window covering. Each safety device includes a male member and a female member. One of the members is attached to a respective lift cord and the other of the members is attached to an upper rail, a portion of the window covering material or a lower rail. The male and female members are configured to be attached together such that the male and female members separate from each other when a release force acts on at least one of the male member and female member.
US08122928B2
A pneumatic tire according to the present invention includes bead units and a carcass layer at least. The bead units includes an inside bead core and an inside bead filler located in an inside under an equipment on a vehicle, and an outside bead core and an outside bead filler located in an outside. The carcass layer includes a main body and turnbacks. The main body extends from the inside bead core to the outside bead core. Each of the turnbacks is turned back from the inside bead core or the outside bead core to an internal side of a belt layer. Here, each edge of the turnbacks provided at a tire inner peripheral side of the belt layer is located inside from each edge of the belt layer in a tread width direction. In addition, a height of the outside bead filler is lower than a height of the inside bead filler in a cross section along the tread width direction.
US08122920B2
The invention relates to a beverage container tapping apparatus, with: a transporting device for transporting beverage containers from an introducing position to a first and a second position, a disinfecting device for disinfecting a beverage container fitting, said disinfecting device being assigned to the first position, a tap head device with a tap head and a unit for attaching the tap head to the fitting of a beverage container, wherein the tap head device is assigned to the second position, and a device for transporting a beverage container out of the second position into an empties region.
US08122909B2
This invention relates to microchannel apparatus that includes microchannels with interior surface features for modifying flow; processes utilizing this microchannel architecture, and methods of making apparatus having these features.
US08122906B2
A pressure-driven apparatus sequential controls a multiphase operation, e.g., of a cementing head. A transmission arm including a pawl is supported on a cam shaft connected to a pawl cylinder having a built-in return force, directional control valves with a spring return member and roller, operated by the cam plates of the cam shaft, that are staggered relative to each other in a predetermined angle to a pawl disk supported in bearings. The pawl cylinder will rotate cam shaft to a predetermined angular position in the same rotational direction each time the system is supplied with pressure, and operate the directional valves with rollers, whereby the directional valves will apply pressure to actuators present so that cementing valves or other types of valves will open for a predetermined period of time until a timer control shuts off the pressure supply, the pressure is discharged, and the pawl cylinder returns to the starting position thereof. When pressure is supplied to pawl cylinder after all operating phases have been completed, the cam shaft will rotate further on to return to the starting position thereof, and all directional control valves is closed.
US08122893B2
Pouches (2) of a smokeless tobacco product are manufactured on a machine comprising an intermittently rotatable dispensing disc (3) with peripheral cavities (4), a station (5) at which each cavity (4) is filled with a given quantity of tobacco equivalent to a single portion, a push rod mechanism (12) by which the portions of tobacco are ejected from each cavity (4) of the disc (3) at a transfer station (6), and a connecting duct (8) through which the portion of tobacco ejected by the push rod from each cavity passes directly to a wrapping station (7) where the pouches (2) are formed, filled with the tobacco product and sealed.
US08122891B2
A suction device includes a membrane-covered walled enclosure from which pressure can be reduced therein, including through desired fluid removal from the enclosure, below ambient external air pressure to apply suction therapy to treat medical conditions, including sleep breathing disorders.
US08122886B2
A mask (10) for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal's airways. The mask (10) includes a mask shell (12) which is, in use, in fluid communication with a gas supply conduit (30), and a gas washout vent assembly (20). At least the region of the mask shell (12) or conduit (30) surrounding or adjacent the vent assembly is formed from a relatively flexible elastomeric material.
US08122879B2
A solar collector device for mounting on the outside of a support structure and including a fluid circuit for receiving a fluid for heating by solar radiation, the device further comprising a length of connection piping connected to the fluid circuit and moveable relative to the fluid circuit while thus connected thereto from a protected position to an installation position where the distal end thereof extends to the inside of said support structure.
US08122873B2
An actuator includes an electric motor and a drive force transmitting mechanism. The drive force transmitting mechanism includes a rotary gear and a rotary cam. The rotary gear transmits a drive force of the electric motor to an EGR valve to drive the same. The rotary cam transmits the drive force of the electric motor to a mode change valve to drive the same. The rotary cam is releasably linkable to the rotary gear to receive the drive force of the electric motor through the rotary gear.
US08122860B2
A variable compression ratio internal combustion engine rotates a camshaft to cause relative movement between a crankcase and a cylinder block. The camshaft has a shaft member, a cam member fixed to the shaft member, and a movable bearing member rotatable with respect to the shaft member. The cam member is rotatably housed in a cam housing hole formed in the crankcase, and the movable bearing member is rotatably housed a bearing housing hole formed in the cylinder block.
US08122856B2
Disclosed is a steam generator pipe which can be produced in a simple and economical manner and which has a particularly good heat transitional behavior having a large band width with various operational conditions. According to the invention, at least one insert is arranged in the inner chamber of the pipe in order to form a swirl-generating inner profile. The insert comprises a plurality of wires which wind, in a screw-like manner, along the inner wall of the pipe in the form of a multi-path thread.
US08122854B2
A fowl-loading vehicle is described, the vehicle comprising: a chassis, wheels or tracks for supporting the chassis relative to the ground; a pick-up conveyor belt for picking up fowl from the ground and a storage conveyor belt which receives fowl from the pick-up conveyor belt and which is movable in the same direction as the pick-up conveyor belt, the speed of the pick-up conveyor belt, during loading of the fowl, being greater than the speed of the storage conveyor belt.
US08122848B2
A film forming apparatus which forms a film on a substrate by utilizing a chemical solution, including: a correlation data creating unit which creates a correlation data that is related to the quality of a chemical solution, from data that is related to the properties of the chemical solution including at least one of data on storage temperature for the chemical solution to be loaded and data on pressure applied to the chemical solution to be loaded; and a determining unit which determines whether or not the chemical solution holds expected quality thereof on the bases of the correlation data.
US08122837B2
A stackable, nestable, and gangable table for use in varied environments such as classrooms, conferences, testing, etc includes a wire frame scaled according to the anticipated use, a table top and a modesty panel angled obtusely from the table top to accommodate stacking and/or nesting of the tables. The table further includes glide members on the wire frame base that accommodates the ganging of tables next to one another. The glide members are mounted on the base in such a manner that they engage the opposing glides on the aligned consecutive table. The table also includes a mounting mechanism for mounting accessories such as a side storage pouch to provide additional storage and help delineate the personal work space of each table.
US08122836B1
A primary work board has upper and lower surfaces. Bearing sleeves depend downwardly from the lower surface. A base has horizontal rods and a vertical rod. A support tube extends laterally from the vertical rod. Vertically extending parallel side walls extend upwardly from the primary work board to form a lower chamber there between. A secondary work board has upper and lower surfaces. Side, front and rear walls extend upwardly from the secondary work board to form a secondary chamber there between. Lower hinges pivotally couple the secondary work board and one side wall of the primary work board.
US08122835B2
An undercarriage (1) for a rail vehicle has an undercarriage frame (2) comprising two longitudinal supports (3) and at least one transverse support (4) connected thereto. The undercarriage has at least two wheelsets (7) supported in wheelset bearings (6), each wheelset having a wheelset shaft (8) and two wheels (5). The wheelset bearings (6) are connected to the undercarriage frame (2). The undercarriage (1) has at least one drive (9) accommodated in the undercarriage frame (2) for driving one wheelset shaft (8) each. The at least one drive (9) is suspended in a movable fashion on the at least one transverse support (4). According to the invention, the at least one transverse support (4) can be connected in an articulated fashion to a locomotive or railcar body (16) via at least one tension/pressure element (41, 42) disposed in an articulated fashion on a top side (OS) and a bottom side (US) of the transverse support (4).
US08122827B2
An apparatus for turning a sheet during transport through a printing press provides better printed results as a result of improved sheet guidance. A transfer drum has gripper systems disposed in channels for holding the sheet at the leading and trailing sheet edge, and guide elements covering the channels.
US08122818B2
An apparatus for barbecue cooking and smoking is described herein. Provided is a grill enclosure having a grill chamber and an adjustable vent to allow smoke to be released from the grill chamber. Additionally, an adjustable venting hood is coupled to the grill enclosure to channel and control smoke from the grill chamber. A smoker that is coupled to the venting hood receives the smoke channeled from the grill chamber. The smoker includes one or more racks connected to an axle capable of movement.
US08122816B2
A grill comprises an upper shell, a lower shell, an upper grill pan disposed on the bottom surface of the upper shell and a lower grill pan disposed on the top surface of the lower shell, wherein the upper shell connects to the lower shell by hinge mechanisms such that the distance between the two grilling pans is adjustable to accommodate to-be-grilled food items of varying thickness.
US08122815B2
A cooking device and method heats a removable vessel with heaters of a cooking capsule, which includes a separator wall between the heaters and vessel. The heaters mount to the separator wall. The capsule is fixed in a housing, which also mounts a motor that rotates the vessel. The housing tiltably mounts on a base. Accessories can be fixed to the vessel or a lid secured to the housing, so the accessories can rotate with the vessel or remain stationary with respect to the vessel as it rotates. A locking mechanism that secures the lid to the housing prevents lid detachment when the vessel counter-rotates and an accessory is fixed to the lid. A heat sink wall reflects heat toward the vessel and fins draw heat from the heat sink wall away from the housing and out vent holes. Computer hardware and software control power to the motor and heaters.
US08122814B2
A beverage maker (1) comprises a water tank (20) for containing and supplying water during a beverage making process, and a pump (40) for pumping the water out of the water tank (20). In order to terminate a pumping action at a predetermined point, the beverage maker (1) comprises a switch (64) which is arranged in a pumping circuit (41) for energizing the pump (40), a float (70) which is located in the water tank (20), and a coupling arm (71) attached to the float (70). During a pumping action, when a water level (21) in the water tank (20) is above a predetermined minimum level, the coupling arm (71) couples the float (70) to the switch (64), and the switch (64) is held in a closed position. However, as soon as the water level (21) reaches the minimum level, the coupling of the float (70) to the switch (64) is lost, and the switch (64) switches back to an opened position, as a result of which the pumping action is terminated.
US08122813B2
A brewing element comprising an envelope for storing at least one comestible brewing ingredient therein; and an attachment means for removably attaching the element to a container, the element having formed therein a central inlet for admitting pressurized, heated water and a peripheral outlet for releasing a mixture of the at least one comestible brewing ingredient with the pressurized, heated water, wherein when the brewing element is incorporated into an operating beverage brewing system, the capsule releases the mixture multi-directionally through the peripheral outlet to provide a brewed beverage into the container.
US08122800B2
Provided is a cutting board apparatus comprising a catch pan and a cutting platform. The catch pan includes a substantially planar upper surface enclosed by a retaining member. The catch pan further includes a base member on an underside of the catch pan stabilizing the catch pan against cutting forces. The cutting platform includes a substantially planar cutting surface elevated from the catch pan by a support member extending away from the face of the planar cutting surface, wherein the cutting platform is positioned on the catch pan to form a discard channel between the catch pan retaining member and the cutting surface's outer boundary, and further, wherein the cutting platform and the catch pan are rotatably attached to each other about an axis. Also provided is a corresponding method of cutting an item utilizing a cutting board apparatus.
US08122791B2
A compact, three-way ratchet drive mechanism selectively enables ratcheting operation in a clockwise direction, or an anti-clockwise direction, or disables ratcheting behavior. The mechanism includes a ratchet housing, a drive shaft, a ratchet wheel, J-shaped pawls, and a coaxially fitted selector sleeve for selecting a desired mode of operation.
US08122790B1
A tool for linesmen who work on high powered electrical installations. The tool is constructed of a single handle at one end and a integral forked end at the other end. The forked end receives a ratchet mechanism with two outwardly placed sockets. The handle and the integral forked end is manufactured of an electrical insulating and hardened material.
US08122786B2
Locking arrangement for locking a first element which is movably mounted in a first direction, by means of a second element which is movably mounted in a second direction transversely with respect to the first direction. First element has a toothed contour with at least two teeth and a tooth gap which lies between. Second element has a projection which has a projection length which is shorter than the tooth gap length. The projection can be introduced into tooth gap when there is movement in the second direction, to lock the first element. Each tooth has a face which points towards the second element and has a first contour. Projection has a face which points towards the first element and has a second contour. First and second contours are matched to one another so that the projection is deflected by the teeth from becoming inserted into tooth gap if first element moves faster than a predetermined locking speed and slower than a maximum speed of first element.
US08122782B2
A pinion shaft and bearing assembly is provided having two different surface finish interfaces. A first surface finish functions to locate the bearing to the pinion. A second surface finish functions to improve the cure time of an adhesive used to retain the bearing to the pinion.
US08122776B2
An apparatus for checking or monitoring a vacuum drawn by a suction cup used in connection with a material handling system. The apparatus includes a faceplate and a handle connected to the faceplate. The handle includes a vacuum gauge wherein a passageway extends from the vacuum gauge to the faceplate.
US08122762B2
Provided is a tire contact state estimating method using a tire for estimating a contact state having a block row, in which a plurality of blocks having different lengths in a tire circumference direction are arrayed, and having a tread pattern, in which the kicking ends of two adjacent blocks of the block row are formed at a constant period. The method detects the periodic vibrations, which are generated when the kicking ends to be propagated from the tire to the knuckle leave the road surface sequentially, by an acceleration sensor attached to a knuckle. The method detects such a vibration level of the frequency waveform in a detection frequency band as is calculated from both a wheel speed and that period, to estimate the grounding state of the tire. Thus, without attaching any sensor to the tire, the grounding state of the running tire can be precisely estimated.
US08122761B2
A microcantilever sensor includes a supporting substrate, a cantilever spring element at least partially disposed over the support substrate, a probe layer disposed over the first side of the cantilever spring element, and a piezoresistive transducer attached to the second side of the cantilever spring element. The cantilever spring element is characterized by having a first side and a second side and comprising a polymer having a Young's modulus less than about 100 Gpa. Sensing systems that incorporate the cantilever sensor of the invention include a detector in communication with the piezoresistive transducer to provide measurements of surface strain changes in the piezoresistive transducer.
US08122752B2
A discard conveying apparatus comprising a chute provided below a die of an extrusion pressing machine in which discards are freely dropped along the chute through which the discards are guided, in which the discard conveying apparatus comprises a chute having a discharging port in a position which is approximately just under the dies, a bucket for containing the discards disposed in the discharging port of the chute, and a transporter capable of freely moving the bucket in a forward and backward direction, the transporter being attached to a machine base in the direction of crossing to an axis line of the machine base in the manner of being passed through the machine base and supporting an inversion axis of the bucket, and the bucket is turned and inversed when the bucket is transported to an end portion of the forward movement.
US08122746B2
An electromechanical locking mechanism provides a plug with a rekeyable primary lock mechanism such as a tumbler stack, an electromechanical operator such as a solenoid or a motor, and an electronic circuit having a memory, or an electronic memory and an electronic logic stage, controlling activitiation and operation of the electromechanical operator, contained entirely within the plug. Insertion of a blade of a key that is properly profiled and bitted to correctly displace the primary lock assembly relative to a cylinder encasing the plug, and application by the key of electrical power, or of electrical power and a correct data signal, to the electronic circuit, will cause activation of the electrical operator and repositioning of a distal member of the operator relative to the cylinder, and thereby enable torque manually applied to the blade of the key to rotate the plug within the cylinder.
US08122735B2
A refrigerant circuit (11) of an air conditioner (10) includes a compressor (20) and an expander (30). In the compressor (20), refrigerator oil is supplied from an oil reservoir (27) to a compression mechanism (21). In the expander (30), the refrigerator oil is supplied from an oil reservoir (37) to an expansion mechanism (31). The inner pressures of the compressor casing (24) and the expander casing (34) are the high pressure and the low pressure of the refrigeration cycle, respectively. An oil adjusting valve (52) is provided in an oil pipe (42) connecting the compressor casing (24) and the expander casing (34). The oil amount adjusting valve (52) is operated on the basis of an output signal of an oil level sensor (51). When the oil amount adjusting valve (52) is opened, the refrigerator oil flows from the oil reservoir (27) in the compressor casing (24) toward the oil reservoir (37) in the expander casing (34) through the oil pipe (42).
US08122731B2
A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that can clear oil from an oil inject path in order to prepare the unit to switch over to a different kind of oil. The refrigerant recovery unit includes an oil inject circuit that receives an oil from the oil bottle into the refrigerant system. The refrigerant recovery circuit is coupled in fluid communication with the oil inject circuit. The refrigerant recovery circuit is operable to receive and transfer a fluid drawn through the oil inject circuit. A controller is operatively connected to the refrigerant recovery circuit and to the oil inject circuit so that as the fluid is drawn through the oil inject circuit a quantity of the oil in the oil inject circuit is removed.
US08122729B2
A dehumidification system for removing moisture from the air within a structure comprises a refrigerant system and a heat transfer system. The refrigerant system comprises a condenser section and an evaporator section. The heat transfer system comprises a first coil and a second coil. A primary air path extends through the first coil, the evaporator section, and the second coil. A secondary air path extends through the condenser section.
US08122721B2
A method of assembling a combustion turbine engine in provided. The method includes coupling at least one fuel nozzle inner atomized air tube to a combustor end cover plate body. The method also includes assembling a fuel nozzle insert sub-assembly by inserting at least one flow control apparatus into a fuel nozzle insert sub-assembly body. The method further includes inserting at least one seal between the combustor end cover plate body and the fuel nozzle insert sub-assembly body as well as inserting at least one seal between the combustor end cover plate body and the fuel nozzle insert sub-assembly body. The method also includes coupling the fuel nozzle insert sub-assembly to the combustor end cover plate body. The method further includes inserting at least one bellows onto a bellows support fitting and inserting the bellows support fitting onto a fuel nozzle insert sub-assembly body support surface. The method also includes assembling a fuel nozzle sub-assembly. The method further includes assembling a fuel nozzle assembly by coupling the fuel nozzle sub-assembly to the combustor end cover plate body.
US08122715B2
A self-contained refrigerant powered system is provided having a motor configured for receiving liquefied refrigerant and converting the liquefied refrigerant into gaseous form for powering the motor; a condenser in fluid communication with the motor for receiving gaseous refrigerant and for converting the gaseous refrigerant to liquefied form; and at least one pipe in fluid communication with the condenser and the motor for returning the liquefied refrigerant to the motor.
US08122714B2
A hydraulic motor 11 is switched to a high-speed mode when pressure oil is supplied to a pressure chamber 23 of a tilt piston 17 based on the transmission of a speed signal to a high-low speed switching valve 18, and the hydraulic motor 11 is switched to a low-speed mode when pressure oil is discharged from the pressure chamber 23 of the tilt piston 17. A first braking purpose speed changing mechanism 13 operates so as to discharge pressure oil from the pressure chamber 23 of the tilt piston 17 when the pressure of pressure oil between a counterbalance valve 15 and a direction changeover valve 103 becomes equal to a tank pressure. Therefore, it is possible to provide a variable hydraulic motor driving device which is capable of preventing braking operation from being excessively long and also capable of preventing a large shock from occurring at a time of stoppage due to a large braking force generated from an early stage of braking operation.
US08122713B2
A hydraulic circuit of a servo-assisted mechanical transmission, which is provided with a number of hydraulic actuators provided with corresponding actuation chambers adapted to be filled with pressurized oil; the hydraulic circuit is provided with: a number of solenoid valves, each of which is coupled to a corresponding actuation chamber of a hydraulic actuator; a tank, which contains the oil at atmospheric pressure and is provided with an upper loading aperture; the cap, which closes the loading aperture of the tank and is provided with a through venting hole which puts the tank into communication with the external environment; a filtering element, which is coupled to the cap and is arranged under the venting hole; a hydraulic accumulator containing the pressurized oil; and an electric pump which draws from the tank and feeds the hydraulic accumulator.
US08122712B2
An exhaust system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit and a NOx absorber that may include a lean NOx trap (LNT). The NOx absorber absorbs NOx and releases the NOx absorbed in the NOx absorber into the SCR unit. The SCR unit converts NOx of exhaust gas into nitrogen and water.
US08122711B2
The invention concerns a procedure to ascertain a concentration of sooty particles in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine or a depletion of an emission control system of the internal combustion engine due to the loading of sooty particles, whereby the sooty particle concentration in the exhaust gas system is determined by means of a collecting particle sensor, which emits a sensor signal and whereby the depletion of the emission control system due to the loading of sooty particles is determined from the sooty particle concentration.The task is thereby solved, in that the sensor signal is corrected by means of predetermined corrections with regard to a sensor temperature and/or an exhaust gas temperature and/or a flow velocity of the exhaust gas and/or a voltage applied at the particle sensor. Transverse sensibilities of the particle sensor can thereby be taken into account during the evaluation; and the determination of the accumulated loading of sooty particles and the determination of the sooty particle concentration in the exhaust gas system are improved. In the process, the sensor temperature enters into the correction to the extent that a temperature dependence of the electrical resistance of the loading of sooty particles is determined in a preparation phase and can be taken into account during the evaluation of the sensor signal.
US08122708B2
An exhaust gas purification device having a DPF provided in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The device has one or more sound pressure measurement means for measuring exhaust sound pressure and calculation means for calculating the amount of PM accumulation based on the exhaust sound pressure measured. On the upstream side of the DPF are arranged exhaust gas temperature measurement means and exhaust gas temperature raising means. The exhaust gas temperature raising means is activated when the amount of PM accumulation calculated by the calculation means is higher than a preset default and at the same time when the exhaust gas temperature measured by the exhaust temperature measurement means is lower than a lower limit of a temperature region in which the DPF can be regenerated.
US08122705B2
An internal combustion engine of a vehicle is provided with an exhaust cleaning apparatus and control method. In the exhaust cleaning apparatus and method, exhaust from a combustion chamber is conducted to a main catalytic converter disposed in a main exhaust channel. A fuel cutting operation is performed upon determining a deceleration state in the vehicle and establishment of a condition for stopping fuel supply to the engine. Then, a main-channel blocking device closes the main exhaust channel so that the exhaust flows through a bypass catalytic converter disposed in a bypass exhaust channel upstream from the main catalytic converter and then merges again with the main exhaust channel upstream from the main catalytic converter after the fuel cutting operation and upon determining one of either an elapsed of a prescribed period of time, or an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust reaching a stable state.
US08122699B2
An ecology valve (EV) fuel return system includes a housing assembly, an ecology valve, and a fuel routing assembly. The ecology valve includes an EV piston slidably disposed within the housing assembly for movement between a fuel storage position and a fuel return position, a fuel storage chamber defined by the EV piston and the housing assembly, and an EV control chamber defined by the EV piston and the housing assembly. The fuel routing assembly, which is fluidly coupled to the EV control chamber and to the fuel storage chamber, is configured to route fuel: (i) from the fuel storage chamber to a fuel supply system when a gas turbine engine (GTE) is in a start-up mode, and (ii) from the first fuel manifold and from the EV control chamber to the fuel storage chamber when the GTE is in a shut-down mode.
US08122690B2
A shipping system comprising: a plurality of edge protectors, each of the edge protectors comprising: a backwall; an upper jaw member in communication with the backwall, the upper jaw member having a top surface; a lower jaw member in communication with the backwall, the lower jaw member having a lower surface, and the lower surface and the top surface are generally flat and parallel to each other; a single slot defined by the upper jaw member and the lower jaw member, and the single slot being generally orthogonal to the backwall, the edge protector having an outer width; at least one u-channel support member, the u-channel support member comprising: a bottom wall; a first sidewall extending generally orthogonally from the bottom wall; a second sidewall extending generally orthogonally from the bottom wall; an interior width between an interior surface of the first sidewall and the interior surface of the second sidewall, and where the interior width is generally equal to the outer width. A method of shipping generally flat items.
US08122679B2
A fire resistive assembly including metal framing members, for example, C-joists, U-joists, open web joists, HAMBRO or other metal frame systems that support a reinforced, lightweight, dimensionally stable SCP panel. The assembly is non-combustible, water durable, mold and rot resistant, termite resistant and is capable of resisting shear loads equal to or exceeding shear loads provided by plywood or oriented strand board panels. The panels employ one or more layers of a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture of inorganic binder, for example, calcium sulfate alpha hemihydrate, hydraulic cement, an active pozzolan and lime. The continuous phase is reinforced with glass fibers and contains lightweight filler particles, for example, ceramic microspheres.
US08122668B2
A brick assembly includes multiple bricks and each brick has at least one rib and at least one slot respectively on two sides thereof so as to be connected side-by-side. Each brick includes multiple passages defined through the top surface and the bottom surface thereof and multiple first recesses are defined in the top surface and multiple second recesses are defined in the bottom surface of the brick. Each of the first and second recesses communicates with two passages. A U-shaped reinforcement bar extends through the two passages and the connection portion connected between two ends of the two legs is engaged with the second recess and a plate is engaged with the first recess. The two legs extend through the plate and are securely connected with two nuts.
US08122664B2
An insulating and waterproofing membrane for over-lying attachment to a foam insulation layer of material fixed to a roof or other structure, the membrane including a first layer of a flexible foam material for over-lying attachment to the foam insulation layer, a second layer of a fabric fixed to and over-lying the first layer, and a third layer comprising a waterproof outer skin affixed to and over-lying the second layer.
US08122663B1
Anchor and reinforcement devices for a cavity wall are disclosed. The devices are combined with interlocking veneer anchors, and with veneer reinforcements to form unique anchoring systems. All the components of the system are wire formatives, including therewithin truss or ladder reinforcements and the eye extensions. The wall anchor portion of the device is fusibly attached to the exterior of the truss or ladder reinforcement by various metalworking techniques. Beyond the portions of the wire formatives inserted in the backup wall, the wire formatives are optionally reduced in height by cold-working thereof. The combined wall anchor and reinforcement devices are compressively reduced in height for spanning insulation mounted on the exterior of the backup wall. The low-profile portions are disposed between thick strips of insulation and maintain the insulative integrity thereof by preventing air leakage.
US08122660B2
The possibility of special lightening, insulating and reinforcing intermediate floor constructions enables fast building of semi-prefibraceted and prefabricated floor with complete insulation, bearing capacity and smaller price. Floor elements and are constructed to that already present steel space trusses can be placed in their channels, so that are hastened the building of intermediate floor constructions and makes them cheaper, too. They are minimum shorting at the ends and at the middle of beams, so the works below can be proceeding and the required working time is shorter. The intermediate floor construction is already insulating, so they are no need for insulating, which makes the construction cheaper and the required working time shorter. The plates are enabling the increase of the height of the floor constructions, by tying two beams in the construction. Usage of distance elements and protects the reinforcement in floor construction, so they are no need for corrosion protection.
US08122658B2
The baseboard has a side with a first contour and an opposite side with a second contour. In order to be able to mount the baseboard in either of two 180°-rotated positions, the baseboard has a longitudinally extending axis of symmetry. The first contour in a first edge region, rotated through 180° about the axis of symmetry, corresponds to the second contour in a second edge region. Moreover, the second contour in the first edge region, rotated through 180° about the axis of symmetry, corresponds to the first contour in the second edge region.
US08122650B2
A concealed mounting system for columbarium shutters and the like. The mounting system includes a top clip and bottom hangers secured to a back side of the shutter. Vertically spaced upper and lower tracks are disposed behind the shutter at its upper end and a lower end. Each track includes a forwardly extending channel and a downwardly extending channel. A locking screw is received within apertures disposed substantially perpendicular to the forwardly extending channel. A nut threadably receives the locking screw and is disposed in the forwardly extending channel, whereby upon rotation of the nut, the locking screw is caused to move vertically with respect to a bottom edge of the upper track for engagement and disengagement with the top clip. The bottom hangers are operably supported by the lower track.
US08122649B2
A roofing system includes at least one row of tiles extending across a surface in a row direction, a first tile of the at least one row of tiles including a rain lock adapted to interlock with a second tile adjacent to and within the same row as the first tile, wherein the rain lock has a lower end, an upper end, and a weakened portion proximate the lower end to allow for removal of a predetermined portion of the rain lock. The second tile of the roofing system includes a corner at the upper end of the rain lock of the first tile, the corner including a notch and a second weakened portion to allow for lengthening of the notch.
US08122642B1
A horticultural growing medium is made up of composted bark, a carbon-based fibrous material, a hydrophilic polymer, sea solid, and beneficial bacteria/fungicide. The materials are formed into a solid substrate having structural stability, with both micro and macro interconnecting pores. The addition of a controlled release fertilizer provides for a perfect combination of nutrients, water retention, and pest and fungus control.
US08122633B2
The invention comprises improved designs in a recoil control device comprising a bolt and slider for use in a variety of firearms. In one embodiment, the bolt and slider are articulated so that the displacement of the bolt results in a force component accompanying the slider as it moves along a slider path that traverses a line formed by a linear firing axis of the barrel of the firearm. The slider can have additional structural and functional features, including stabilizing features, vibrational damping elements, elements of the fire control mechanism, and devices to manage the peak impulse of the slider movement as it contacts a base or terminus point.
US08122630B2
A rib-engaging support is made from a unitary web having four panels, including two inner panels and two outer panels, with each panel having the shape of an isosceles trapezoid. Each panel includes a base side and a top side parallel to each other, and a pair of equal sides extending between the base side and the top side. The inner panels have a smaller size and are joined together at their bases. The outer panels have a larger size, with their top sides joined to the top sides of respective inner panels along respective fold lines. The web is folded such that the inner panels are folded one on top of the other and the outer panels are folded one on top of the other, with the inner panels on top of the outer panels. A rib-receiving pocket is formed between the inner panels and the outer panels.
US08122629B2
A collapsible sign comprising a pivotal sign carrying member, an upright member hingedly attached to the pivotal sign carrying member, and a foldable support member adapted to stabilize the upright member and the pivotal sign carrying member. The pivotal sign carrying member may be adapted to lock into a substantially perpendicular arrangement with the upright member, or fold into a substantially parallel arrangement with the upright member. A flexible membrane may be rolled around the pivotal sign carrying member. Further, the collapsible sign may include a foldable support having an asymmetric arrangement of legs attached to the upright member. Alternatively, the collapsible sign may include a support member comprising a base member in a perpendicular arrangement with the upright member, and including penetration means for stabilizing the upright member and the sign carrying member.
US08122627B2
A ventilated washable electronic sign display enclosure having an intake duct and an exhaust duct located along the front thereof. The ventilated washable electronic sign display enclosure is geometrically configured to prevent or dissuade entry of fluid streams to the interior of the enclosure through the exhaust duct and through the intake duct. Combinations of vertically spaced vent tabs and vent spaces in the intake duct and the exhaust duct are incorporated to allow air flow freely therethrough and also provide through various relationships of structure to prevent or dissuade cleaning water streams from entry to the interior of the enclosure. An alternate embodiment provides a ventilated washable electronic sign display enclosure using formed components including formed full and partial width mid-panels supporting a protective shroud support and a plurality of angled protective shrouds having interchangeability accommodating features providing for rapid field installation assembly.
US08122626B2
An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.
US08122615B2
The present invention relates to a shoe sole including a cushioning element. The shoe sole can include a heel cup or heel rim having a shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of heel of a foot. Further, the heel part can include a plurality of side walls arranged below the heel cup or rim and at least one tension element that interconnects at least one side wall to another side wall or to the heel cup or rim. The heel cup or rim, the plurality of side walls, and the at least one tension element can be integrally formed as a single piece.
US08122590B2
A method of manufacturing a triple-winding layer arrangement for a three-phase, four pole motor is provided.
US08122587B2
A method for manufacturing a quartz crystal unit comprises the steps of adjusting an oscillation frequency of a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator that is vibratable in a flexural mode of an inverse phrase and that has first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines, forming at least one groove in each of two of opposite main surfaces of each of first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines, disposing an electrode on a surface of the at least one groove formed in each of two of the opposite main surfaces and each of two of opposite side surfaces of each of the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork tines so that the electrodes of the grooves of the first quartz crystal tuning fork tine are connected to the electrodes of the side surfaces of the second quartz crystal tuning fork tine and the electrodes of the grooves of the second quartz crystal tuning fork tine are connected to the electrodes of the side surfaces of the first quartz crystal tuning fork tine, the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator having a series resistance R1 of a fundamental mode of vibration less than a series resistance R2 of a second overtone mode of vibration, mounting the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator on a mounting portion of a case, and connecting a lid to the case to cover an open end of the case.
US08122586B2
A method for connecting a tension-torsion strap. The method includes sliding a sleeve into an arm of a hub; aligning holes in the sleeve with holes in the hub; installing a bushing in each aligned hole in the sleeve; sliding a first end of the tension-torsion strap through the sleeve; and placing a pin through the bushings and the tension-torsion strap.
US08122585B2
Disclosed herein is an electrical connector tool spanner plate. The electrical connector tool spanner plate includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes an aperture and a first opening. The aperture extends along a majority of a length of the first section. The spanner plate is configured to surround an electrical connector tool cam mechanism at the aperture. The second section includes a second opening. The second section extends from the first section in a general cantilevered fashion. The second opening is proximate a free end of the second section. The aperture is between the first opening and the second opening.
US08122582B2
Disclosed herein are tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
US08122579B2
A cell manufacturing method in which a main operator, who carries out main operations that include a plurality of steps in which parts are installed on a workpiece, is moved along with the workpiece so as to transit a plurality of stations where auxiliary steps related to the main operations are carried out. At least a portion of operations in which parts and/or jigs are supplied to a main car are carried out via a main delivery apparatus by using a main car on which a workpiece is mounted and on which a main operator rides, and that travels automatically on a predetermined travel route that transits a plurality of stations. The main delivery apparatus has a main serving position and a main receiving position. Parts and/or jigs that have been disposed at the main receiving position are delivered to the main serving position.
US08122573B2
There is provided a thin slider for a slide fastener with an automatic locking mechanism with a locking pawl while having an excellent design property and operability.The thin slider according to the present invention includes a locking pawl journaled by a slider body and a resilient member accommodated in a connecting post. The locking pawl is urged in such a first rotation direction that its pawl portion is inserted into an element guide passage of the slider body by the resilient member. The upper blade of the slider body includes a first upper blade connected to the connecting post and a second upper blade which is attached slidably onto the first upper blade. The second upper blade has a thin second upper blade main body and an operating piece drooping from the front end portion of the second upper blade main body. A first operating portion for pressing the first projecting piece in a second rotation direction for pulling the pawl portion out of the element guide passage when the second upper blade is slid backward is disposed on the inner face of the operating piece, and a second operating portion for pressing the second projecting piece in the second rotation direction when the second upper blade is slid forward is disposed on the side of the sliding face of the second upper blade main body.
US08122558B1
A means for a physically challenged user to gain access to their anus in order to clean the area through a wiping action. The device has a handle that operates through a positionable mid-section to a pair of spreader elements used to spread the cheeks of the buttocks while a wiping element covered by a sleeve is brought forward through leverage, wherethen while holding the handle wiping can be performed through repetitive parallel movement of the device.
US08122554B2
An apparatus with a main unit, a dispenser, a clamp and a clamp structure. The main unit includes a housing, a battery in the housing, a motor in the housing and connected to the battery, and an output drive shaft driven by the motor. The dispenser includes a body that defines a body aperture and which has a reservoir for storing a fluid, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispenser is configured to permit the stored fluid to be dispensed from the reservoir through the nozzle. The clamp is coupled to either the main unit or the dispenser and includes a pivotable engagement member. The clamp structure is coupled to the other one of the main unit and the dispenser and includes a second engagement member that can be releasably engaged to the engagement member. The housing is received through the body aperture.
US08122553B1
A ramp assembly includes ramp portion coupled for rotational movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. A panel is rotatably coupled at a curbside end to the ramp portion about a first axis. The ramp assembly further includes an elongate drive arm that extends radially from a second axis. The drive arm is operably coupled to the ramp portion and to an actuator. The actuator rotates the drive arm about the second axis to drive the ramp portion through a deployment motion. The deployment motion has a first phase, during which the drive arm rotates the ramp portion about the first axis, and a second phase, during which the drive arm moves the first axis from a raised position to a lowered position.
US08122537B1
A corner connector element having a main body portion, wherein a first side surface and a second side surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another; a first abutment surface extending substantially perpendicularly from a terminating edge of the first side surface; a second abutment surface extending substantially perpendicularly from a terminating edge of the second side surface; one or more protrusions extend perpendicularly from the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface; a corner abutment surface; and a radiused surface extending from a terminating edge of the first abutment surface to a terminating edge of the second abutment surface.
US08122533B2
The device has a housing (5) which comprises an opening (4) in which a button (15) is fixed on a receiving part (8) mounted movably in the housing (5). A fitting aid (36) is provided, with which the button (15) may be introduced into the opening (4) in the housing (5) and positioned in a recessed manner therein as well as being fixed to the receiving part (8). Sets of teeth (23, 27) on the receiving part (8) and on the button (15) enable simple and depth-adjustable fixing of the button (15) to the receiving part (8).
US08122526B2
A toilet flush flapper valve includes a flapper and a ballast with a vent hole for enabling air to escape from the ballast, the ballast is rotatably fixed to the flapper for enabling positioning of the vent hole for controlling buoyancy of the ballast in order to control closing time of said flapper.
