04th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 33 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140023349 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - Grain noise and scratches are applied to an input image as random noise to generate a combined image. When applying grain noise clipped from two-dimensional noise data to the input image, each time clipping is performed, a positional difference from a last clipping position is evaluated. When the positional difference is determined to be small, a current clipping position is changed. When applying scratches clipped from noise data of a plurality of patterns to an input image, when a condition for successively applying scratches for a predetermined time period is selected, a positional difference from a last pasting position is evaluated. When the positional difference is determined to be large, the application of scratches is invalidated. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023350 | VIDEO RECORDING APPARATUS - A video recording apparatus includes a graphics card, a hardware recorder card and a storage device. The graphics card is used to generate a video signal. The hardware recorder card and the graphics card are both placed in a computer. The hardware recorder card includes a video loop-through unit and a bridge. The video loop-through unit captures the video signal from the graphics card and distributes the video signal to the bridge and a display. The storage device is electrically connected to the bridge, and is used to store the video signal via the bridge. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023351 | SELECTIVE POST-PROCESSING OF DECODED VIDEO FRAMES BASED ON FOCUS POINT DETERMINATION - In general, in one aspect, a graphics driver receives information related to where eyes of a user watching a video are focused, determine if the user is focusing their attention on a particular location of the video, and generates post processing instructions for pixel macro blocks of decoded video frames. The instructions are based on whether it is determined that the user is focused. The graphics driver is further to determine a focus area associated with the particular location the user is focusing their attention on, determine a peripheral area around the focus area, generate a first set of post processing instructions for pixel macro blocks within the focus area, generate a second set of post processing instructions for pixel macro blocks within the peripheral area, and generate a third set of post processing instructions for pixel macro blocks not within either area. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023352 | FLUID HEATING SYSTEM AND INSTANT FLUID HEATING DEVICE - A fluid heating system may be installed for residential and commercial use, and may deliver fluid at consistent high temperatures for cooking, sterilizing tools or utensils, hot beverages and the like, without a limit on the number of consecutive discharges of fluid. The fluid heating system is installed with a tankless fluid heating that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a drain port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve manifold connected to the at least one heat source, the drain port, and the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve manifold. The valve manifold is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature (including near boiling fluid) on demand, for every demand occurring over a short period of time. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023353 | MIXING HEADER FOR FLUID HEATER - In one example, a mixing header includes a body that defines a fluid passage having an inlet side and an outlet side. The mixing header also includes a flow conditioning element that is connected to the body and arranged for fluid communication with the fluid passage. The flow conditioning element also includes a plurality of elements each connected to, and extending outwardly from, a hub. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023354 | NEXT GENERATION MODULAR HEATING SYSTEM - A heating unit for heating fluid is described having a first manifold having at least one inlet, a second manifold connected to the first manifold and having at least one outlet, and a third manifold. The heating unit also includes one or more heating systems which extend from the third manifold to the first manifold via the second manifold, where the one or more heating systems have an inner tube and an outer tube. Further, the heating unit includes a fluid flow path from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet via the first manifold, an area between the inner tube and outer tube, the interior of the inner tube and the second manifold. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023355 | LENS CONTROL DEVICE AND LENS CONTROL METHOD - A first lens device ( | 2014-01-23 |
20140023356 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND USER INTERFACE DISPLAY APPARATUS - An image sensing apparatus on which a plurality of lens units are interchangeably mountable includes a system controller configured to acquired information specific to a mounted lens unit from the mounted lens unit, a detection unit configured to detect a focus shift amount of the mounted lens unit, a display circuit configured to display the specific information acquired by the system controller in association with a focus correction value for correcting the focus shift amount detected by the detection unit, an operation switch configured to be operated by a user, and a setting unit that sets the focus correction value according to an operation on the operation switch. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023357 | CAMERA - An embodiment of the invention is a camera having a housing, a camera lens disposed at an end of the housing, a box camera mounting part provided on the housing to mount the camera in a box camera configuration, and a dome camera mounting part provided at a front end of the housing to mount the camera in a dome camera configuration. Providing the box and dome camera mounting parts on the housing of the camera enables mounting of the camera in box and dome camera configurations, and allows the user to delay the decision of choosing which configuration, thereby reducing the complexity of engineering design and installation. Furthermore, inclusion of both mounting parts facilitates purchasing and stocking only one configuration of camera, thereby simplifying management of the stocked parts and reducing costs. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023358 | LIFTING UNIT FOR PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS - A lifting unit for pipe inspection systems for lifting a head unit, comprising a base support with a connection module for connection to a connection unit of a carriage, a lifting system with at least one lifting arm and a drive unit for deflecting the lifting arm relative to the base support via a rotation axis, as well as a head unit with a connection module for connection of inspection units, in particular cameras and illumination systems, wherein connectors of the carriage are at least partially lead to the connection module of the head unit. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023359 | RECEIVER AND FAILURE DETECTION METHOD FOR RECEIVER - A local oscillation light source outputs locally-oscillated light. An light receiving unit phase-separates an input optical signal by making the optical signal interfere with the locally-oscillated light and outputs an analog electric signal corresponding to the phase-separated optical signal. An analog-to-digital converting unit converts the analog electric signal into a digital signal. A processing unit performs digital signal processing by using the digital signal. A failure detection unit determines whether or not the optical signal is being input to the light receiving unit, or detects a failure in the light receiving unit, the analog-to-digital converting unit or the processing unit based on light intensity of the optical signal, whether or not the analog electric signal can be generated in the light receiving unit, and an amplitude of the analog electric signal output from the light receiving unit. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023360 | OPTICAL RECEIVING APPARATUS AND CHARACTERISTIC COMPENSATION METHOD - An optical receiving apparatus includes: a compensator configured to compensate an amount of change in a characteristic; a controller configured to obtain, based on a first amount of change in the characteristic with respect to a first optical signal with a first wavelength, the first wavelength, and a wavelength characteristic in the characteristic, a second amount of change in the characteristic made when a second optical signal with a second wavelength is propagated in an optical path, the second wavelength being different from the first wavelength, and obtain a compensation amount based on the second amount of change; and a first setting unit configured to set the compensation amount for the compensator so that the compensator compensates the amount of change in the characteristic. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023361 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE OF WAVELENGTH PATH, AND NODE DEVICE - The present disclosure relates to the field of network communication and particularly discloses a method for monitoring performance of a wavelength path. The method includes: receiving, by a second node, a path request message of a wavelength path from an upstream neighboring node, where the path request message includes at least a path identifier of the wavelength path and second wavelength identifier information; obtaining, by the second node, a wavelength identifier according to the second wavelength identifier information, and recording a mapping relationship between the wavelength path and the wavelength identifier; and determining, by the second node according to the wavelength identifier, a low frequency signal modulated at a working wavelength of the wavelength path, and obtaining performance of the wavelength path by monitoring the low frequency signal. A system for monitoring performance of a wavelength path and a node device are also disclosed in embodiments of the present disclosure. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023362 | POLARIZATION DEPENDENT LOSS COMPENSATION - An apparatus including a polarization controller is described. The polarizer controller is communicatively coupled via a feedback loop to an evaluation module located near an optical receiver. The evaluation module is configured to measure polarization dependent loss (PDL) of an optical signal received at the optical receiver. The polarization controller is configured to receive feedback control data regarding the PDL from the evaluation module. Additionally, the polarization controller is configured to modify a state of polarization of the optical signal at an optical transmitter, which is communicatively coupled to the optical receiver, based on the feedback control data. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023363 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NETWORKING CONSUMER DEVICES - Systems and methods for enrolling nodes into an ad hoc network associated with a multi-roomed structure. Nodes within the ad hoc network comprise a communication module configured to communicate with the ad hoc network using at least one of room-limited communications and room-transparent communications. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023364 | ESTABLISHING CONNECTIONS IN A MULTI-RATE OPTICAL NETWORK - An optical transmission network comprises nodes which support a plurality of different wavelength channels and support at least a first bitrate traffic type and the second bitrate traffic type on respective wavelength channels. A connection of the second bitrate traffic type is established on an available wavelength, if the wavelength offers an acceptable quality of transmission using a first quality of transmission calculation. Alternatively, a connection of the second bitrate traffic type is established on a wavelength which is spaced, by a guard band, from wavelengths used for connections of the first bitrate traffic type, if the wavelength offers an acceptable quality of transmission using a second quality of transmission calculation. The second quality of transmission calculation is less stringent than the first quality of transmission calculation, and can ignore the effects of interference due to cross-phase modulation. The guard band is a wavelength spacing at which the interference between a connection of the first bitrate traffic type and a connection of the second bitrate traffic type is less than a predetermined amount. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023365 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUBSEA OPTICAL CAN BUSES - Messages on controller area net work (CAN) buses are communicated over subsea optical links. An adaptor couples a CAN bus to an optical link. The adaptor detects a direction of transmission, that is, whether a signal began on the CAN bus coupled to the adaptor or on the optical link coupled to the adaptor. Signals from the CAN bus are conditionally transmitted to the optical link depending on the detected direction of transmission. The adaptor can operate at the physical layer without analyzing contents of the CAN bus communications. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023366 | DPOE System And Service Auto-Configuration Method And Network Based Thereon - A DPOE system and a service auto-configuration method and network based on that system are provided, wherein, the DPOE system includes an acquisition unit, an analyzing unit and a configuration unit; the service auto-configuration network includes a DPOE system, a back-office management system and an ONU; the service auto-configuration method based on that system includes: the DPOE system acquiring a configuration file from the back-office management system, wherein the configuration file includes configuration information of the ONU and configuration information of an OLT in the DPOE system; the DPOE system analyzing the configuration file and obtaining the configuration information of the ONU and the configuration information of the OLT; configuring the OLT locally and configuring the ONU via a management channel between the OLT and the ONU. Thus the service can be opened without performing further configuration to the OLT individually after the process of the ONU initialization is completed. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023367 | BURST TRANSMISSION METHOD, AND RECEIVER RESETTING METHOD AND APPARATUS IN A PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - A burst transmission method and a receiver resetting method and apparatus in a Passive Optical Network (PON) are provided. A burst receiver resetting method in a PON includes: receiving a preamble sequence and synchronizing data; after synchronizing the data, continuing to receive the data, and matching a Burst Terminator (BT); and resetting a receiver after successfully matching the BT. Meanwhile, an apparatus for implementing the method and a corresponding burst data transmission method are provided. By using the burst receiver resetting method and apparatus in the PON and the corresponding burst transmission method at an Optical Network Unit (ONU) burst transmission end, a Reach Extender (RE) does not need to unpack upstream burst bandwidth allocation information carried in downstream data. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023368 | Method And Apparatus for Stabilization of Optical Transmitter - A DP-QPSK optical transmitter includes an outer MZM comprising a first parent MZM comprising a first child MZM and a second child MZM that modulates a QPSK signal with a first polarization. A second parent MZM includes a first child MZM and a second child MZM that modulates a QPSK signal with a second polarization. The outer Mach-Zehnder modulator multiplexes the first and second polarization embedded into a dual-polarization QPSK signal generation. A first optical detector detects the QPSK signal generated by the first parent MZM with the first polarization. A second optical detector optical detects the QPSK signal generated by the second parent Mach-Zehnder modulator with the second polarization. A bias control circuit generates bias signals on at least one output that stabilize the DP-QPSK signal in response to signals generated by the first and second optical detector using electrical time division multiplexing. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023369 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND OPTICAL NETWORK DEVICE FOR SYNCHRONIZING TIME OF A PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK - The present invention relates to method for synchronizing time, apparatus and system. The method discloses an OLT generates a Passive Optical Network (PON) downstream frame from to an Optical Network Unit (ONU), wherein the PON downstream frame comprises a time synchronization message based on Ethernet protocol, wherein the time synchronization message comprises a time value that is referenced to a PON Media Access Control (MAC) control layer and that indicates the ONU to adjust a time of a clock coupled to the ONU; and send the PON downstream frame. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023370 | PROCESSING DATA IN AN OPTICAL NETWORK ELEMENT - A method for processing data in an optical network element are provided, wherein the optical network element comprises a local oscillator operating at a first frequency; wherein an incoming data stream is received at a second frequency; wherein the incoming data steam is processed using the first frequency; wherein a first pattern is searched in the incoming data stream; wherein a second pattern is searched in the incoming data stream; and wherein the first pattern corresponds to the first frequency being in the spectrum on one side of the second frequency and the second pattern corresponds to the first frequency being in the spectrum on the other side of the second frequency. Also, a corresponding optical network element and a communication system comprising at least one such optical network element are suggested. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023371 | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, RECEIVING-END DEVICE, AND OPTICAL TRANSMISSION METHOD - An optical transmission system includes an optical transmitting device ( | 2014-01-23 |
20140023372 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC WAVELENGTH ALLOCATION IN WAVELENGTH SWITCHED OPTICAL NETWORKS - A method of allocating a wavelength to a lightpath in a wavelength multiplex for use in an optical network comprising nodes connected by optical links, wherein the wavelength multiplex is adapted to support lightpaths of two different bitrates. The disclosed method allows for efficient allocation of wavelengths that prevents wasting bandwidth and mitigates detrimental effects of cross-phase modulation. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023373 | OPTICAL SIGNAL DROPPER AND OPTICAL SIGNAL ADDER FOR USE IN A ROADM SYSTEM - A plurality of output units | 2014-01-23 |
20140023374 | DRIVE CIRCUIT AND OPTICAL NETWORK UNIT - A drive circuit includes a bias current supply circuit for supplying a bias current to a light-emitting device for transmitting an optical signal, the light-emitting device included in a light-emitting circuit; and a modulation current supply circuit for supplying a modulation current of a magnitude according to a logical value of data to be transmitted, to the light-emitting device. The modulation current supply circuit includes a differential drive circuit for switching whether to supply a current to the light-emitting device, according to the logical value of the data; and a termination resistor connected between differential outputs of the differential drive circuit. The differential drive circuit and the light-emitting circuit are DC-coupled to each other, and power supply of the current supplied to the light-emitting device by the differential drive circuit is supplied from the light-emitting circuit. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023375 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING DEVICE CONTROLS - Systems and methods for managing device controls are disclosed. One method can comprise receiving validation information regarding validity of a plurality of command codes and identifying one or more code indices based upon the received validation information. If the one or more of the code indices is a full function match, the one or more of the code indices can be transmitted to the control device. If the one or more of the code indices is a partial function match, supplemental validation information can be requested regarding validity of one or more second command codes. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023376 | High Speed Communication - The disclosure has application for use in establishing a communication link between a first location and a second location, the first location having an electrical driver circuit that receives input data to be communicated, and the second location having an electrical receiver circuit for producing output data representative of the input data. The method includes the following steps: providing a tilted charge light emitting device at the first location and coupled with the driver circuit such that the light produced by the tilted charge light-emitting device is a function of the input data; providing an optical fiber between the first and second locations; coupling light from the tilted charge light emitting device into the optical fiber; and providing, at the second location, a photodetector coupled with the optical fiber and with the receiver circuit; whereby electrical signals representative of the input data are output from the receiver circuit. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023377 | FREE SPACE OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LINK NODE, NETWORK AND METHOD OF TRANSMITTING TRAFFIC - A free space optical communications link node | 2014-01-23 |
20140023378 | VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION METHOD IN AN INFORMATION DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING AN LED BACKLIGHT UNIT, AND INFORMATION DISPLAY DEVICE FOR THE METHOD - Proposed is a method for providing additional information to a mobile communication terminal by means of visible light communication in an information display device having an LED backlight unit. For this purpose, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving, from a mobile communication terminal, a request for additional information on an object in a content image when a content image is being displayed on a screen of an information display device; determining whether or not there exists additional information corresponding to the request; and controlling, if said additional information does exist, the light emission of the LED backlight unit so as to transmit said additional information in the form of visible light to the mobile communication terminal. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide various additional information corresponding to the request from the mobile communication terminal. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023379 | REDUCING ELECTRICAL CURRENT OF A SIGNAL DRIVER FOR AN OPTICAL TRANSMITTER - Data for transmission by an optical transmitter that is driven by a signal driver is encoded, where the encoding is according to a criterion that specifies a reduction of an aggregate electrical current of the signal driver. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023380 | SURFACE EMITTING SEMICONDUCTOR LASER, SURFACE EMITTING SEMICONDUCTOR LASER DEVICE, OPTICAL TRANSMISSION DEVICE, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - A surface emitting semiconductor laser includes: a substrate; a first semiconductor multilayer reflector on the substrate including laminated pairs of a high refractive index layer relatively high in refractive index and a low refractive index layer relatively low in refractive index; an active region on or above the first reflector; a second semiconductor multilayer reflector on or above the active region including laminated pairs of a high refractive index layer relatively high in refractive index and a low refractive index layer relatively low in refractive index; and a cavity extending region formed between the first reflector and the active region or between the second reflector and the active region, having an optical film thickness greater than an oscillation wavelength, extending a cavity length, including a conductive semiconductor material, and including an optical loss causing layer at at least one node of a standing wave of a selected longitudinal mode. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023381 | Non-Linear Optical Receiver - A method and apparatus for optical communication. A plurality of optical signals having a plurality of different frequencies is received at a receiver. The plurality of optical signals received at the receiver is sent through a non-linear optical element in the receiver such that a resulting optical signal is generated that has a frequency based on at least one of the plurality of different frequencies. Information is identified in the resulting optical signal. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023382 | MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, MANAGEMENT DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image forming device provided in a management system manages remaining amount information of consumable contained in a loaded consumable container, detects identification information of a new consumable container to be loaded upon replacing the consumable container, and transmits a replacement notification including identification information, counter information indicating the operation status of the image forming device upon replacement, and remaining amount information of consumable contained in the previously loaded consumable container which has been removed by the replacement to a management device. The management device receives a replacement notification, associates identification information of a consumable container, counter information relating to the replacement of the consumable container, and the remaining amount information with each other based on the replacement notification, and stores the same as management information. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023383 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, METHOD OF NOTIFYING CONSUMABLE EXHAUSTION, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image forming device includes a calculation unit configured to calculate, based on attribute information of a print job, a supply time point at which supply of consumables becomes necessary due to execution of the print job; and a notification unit configured to notify a user of necessity of the supply of the consumables at a time point obtained by subtracting a transit time it takes for the user to move to the image forming device and a supply time necessary for supplying the consumables from the supply time point. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023384 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes image forming devices which each forms a developer image on a latent image carrier, transfers the developer image onto an intermediate transfer member, and cleans the latent image carrier by using a plate-shaped cleaning member, the intermediate transfer body, and a controller. The developer used in one of the image forming devices is a low-electrostatic-propensity developer having an electrification performance lower than those of the developers used in the other image forming devices. The controller has a control mode for executing a supply operation in which the low-electrostatic-propensity developer used in the one of the image forming devices is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body and at least a part of the low-electrostatic-propensity developer is reversely transferred onto the latent image carriers of the other image forming devices and caused to reach the respective plate-shaped cleaning members. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023385 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The image forming apparatus includes a developing unit that is detachable and contains a developer, a detection member that includes an electrode to be detected and is rotatable around a rotation axis in the developing unit, an agitator that moves around the rotation axis in the developing unit; an electrostatic capacitance sensor electrode provided on an exterior of the developing unit, an electrostatic capacitance sensor that detects electrostatic capacitance between the electrode to be detected and the electrostatic capacitance sensor electrode, and outputs data on the detected electrostatic capacitance, and a CPU that determines an amount of developer in the developing unit based on the data output from the electrostatic capacitance sensor. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023386 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus includes: an image forming section, a control section, and a magnification factor adjusting section. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023387 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including: a transfer belt; a rotational body; a transfer roller that forms a transfer nip part between the transfer roller and the rotational body with the transfer belt therebetween; a pressing section that presses one of the rotational body and the transfer roller against the other of the rotational body and the transfer roller; and a controlling section that controls the pressing section so as to change the pressing direction of the rotational body or the transfer roller in accordance with a predetermined image formation condition. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023388 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a transfer member arranged so as to face the image carrier; and a non-transferred toner adhesion unit that causes a non-transferred toner to adhere to an inter-sheet area present on the image carrier during a period of continuous image formation in which images are continuously formed on the image carrier. The transfer member is a foam roller. The image forming apparatus further includes a contacting and separating unit that causes the foam roller and the image carrier to come into contact with and be separated from each other. The contacting and separating unit separates the image carrier and the transfer member when the inter-sheet area present on the image carrier passes through a transfer area in which the image carrier and the transfer member face each other in association with rotation of the image carrier. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023389 | FIXING APPARATUS - A fixing apparatus that fixes a toner image on a sheet includes each of fans configured to respectively cool areas adjacent to a longitudinal center and longitudinal both ends of a pressure roller, and in a case where fixing processing is performed on thin paper of a maximum width size, includes a first mode in which the fixing processing is started after the fan configured to cool the area adjacent to the longitudinal center of the pressure roller is actuated for a predetermined time and a second mode in which the fixing processing is started after the fan configured to cool the area adjacent to the longitudinal both ends of the pressure roller is actuated for a predetermined time. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023390 | FIXING APPARATUS - The fixing apparatus includes a first rotary member that comes into contact with the unfixed toner image, a second rotary member that is heated by the first rotary member and forms the nip portion together with the first rotary member, and a air supply unit that supplies air to the second rotary member. The fixing apparatus is configured to execute a first mode of warming the first rotary member and the second rotary member as a warm-up while rotating the first rotary member and the second rotary member before the fixing process and performing supplying air by the air supply unit in the fixing process, and a second mode of performing the warm-up for a longer period than in the first mode and performing the supplying air by the air supply unit in the fixing process. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023391 | TONER-DENSITY CALCULATING METHOD, REFLECTIVE OPTICAL SENSOR, REFLECTIVE OPTICAL SENSOR DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner density is calculated from outputs of light-receiving elements based on a difference between a reflection property of a supporting member and a reflection property of a toner pattern. Light-emitting elements aligned in one direction that is inclined to a sub-direction emit a detection light in such a manner that a distance between adjacent spots falling on the supporting member in a second direction is equal to or smaller than a width of the toner pattern in the second direction. The light-receiving elements receive a reflected light reflected from the supporting member and/or the toner pattern. The light-receiving elements are aligned, opposed to the supporting member, in a one direction corresponding to the light-emitting elements. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023392 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charge roller, a cleaning brush and a distance changing mechanism. The charge roller includes a surface having protrusions and depressions and to electrically charge the image carrier. The cleaning brush includes a brush part cleaning the surface of the charge roller and a main body part supporting the brush part. The brush part includes a top end part and a belly part being nearer to the main body part than the top end part. The distance changing mechanism changes a distance between the charge roller and main body part so that, by adjusting the distance to a first distance, the top end part contacts with the depression and, by adjusting the distance to a second distance shorter than the first distance, the belly part contacts with the protrusion. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023393 | CLEANING DEVICE - A cleaning device for cleaning a cleaning subject, having; a first cleaning member that rotates in a predetermined direction, thereby removing toner from the cleaning subject; a first collecting member that collects the toner removed by the first cleaning member; and a second collecting member that is positioned downstream from the first collecting member in the predetermined direction and collects the toner removed by the first cleaning member, in which, a potential difference of the first collecting member relative to the first cleaning member is opposite in polarity to a potential difference of the second collecting member relative to the first cleaning member, the first collecting member has a potential equal in polarity to that of the first cleaning member, and the potential of the first collecting member is greater in magnitude than the potential of the first cleaning member. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023394 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A unit detachably mountable to an apparatus main assembly s provided with a coupling for receiving a rotational driving force from the apparatus main assembly. Also the apparatus main assembly is provided with a coupling to be engaged with the coupling of the unit. At least one of these couplings can be pushed in a direction parallel to a rotation shaft and one of the couplings is provided with an inclined surface. During mounting and demounting of the unit, the engagement between the couplings is released by the pushing-in of one of the couplings pushed by the inclined surface. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023395 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - An image forming device, including a cylindrical photoreceptor drum, an end member having a tubular body which is mounted at an end portion of the photoreceptor drum and which has an outer circumferential surface serving as a sliding surface, and a bearing configured to have a hole which defines an inner peripheral surface that corresponds to a sliding surface, the bearing supporting the tubular body of the end member by inserting the tubular body into the hole, wherein a difference between an outside diameter of a part provided with the sliding surface of the end member and a diameter of the hole of the bearing is equal to or more than 0.06 mm and equal to or less than 0.5 mm. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023396 | DRIVE TRANSMISSION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A drive transmission device includes a first coupling member to be coupled to a drive shaft and including a first contact surface, a second coupling member to be coupled to a driven shaft and including a second contact surface, and an intermediate coupler disposed between the first and second coupling members. The intermediate coupler includes: a first intermediate contact surface opposed to the first contact surface and contacting the first contact surface with a first rolling member interposed in between; and a second intermediate contact surface opposed to the second contact surface and contacting the second contact surface with a second rolling member interposed in between. One of the contact surfaces and a corresponding one of the intermediate contact surfaces are formed point-symmetrically with respect to the center of a corresponding one of the rolling members. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023397 | CHARGE APPLYING MEMBER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH THE SAME - A charge applying member includes a conductive roller and a shaft. The conductive roller includes a first region in contact with a member to be charged and facing an image forming region of the member to be charged and a second region next to a longitudinal end of the first region and facing a region of the member to be charged outside the image forming region and is configured to apply a charge to the member to be charged. The shaft formed of a metallic material inserted into the conductive roller and configured to be given a voltage from a power supply. A region plated with a metal having a lower ionization tendency than the shaft is formed as a plated region on a surface portion of the shaft corresponding to the first and second regions and a non-plated region is formed on a surface portion of the shaft corresponding to the second region. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023398 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor which is rotatable with respect to a body frame, an exposing member which is movable relative to the body frame, a spacing member which is provided between the exposing member and the photoreceptor to maintain a distance between the photoreceptor and the exposing member, a positioning member which makes a contact with the exposing member to position the exposing member in a direction of rotation of the photoreceptor, and a pressing member which is provided to the body frame to press the exposing member toward the photoreceptor and the positioning member. Accordingly, it is possible to position the exposing member accurately with respect to the photoreceptor, in any of the light-axis direction and the rotational direction of the photoreceptor. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023399 | LIGHT-EMITTING DEVICE, DRIVING METHOD OF LIGHT-EMITTING DEVICE, LIGHT-EMITTING CHIP, PRINT HEAD AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A light-emitting device includes: plural light-emitting chips each having plural light-emitting elements, and each being designated, as a control target for lighting up or not lighting up, by two to Q designation signals (Q is an integer of two or more); and a selection signal generating part that selectively transmits P selection signals (P is an integer of three or more where P>Q) as the designation signals to designate each of the plural light-emitting elements as the control target, the designation signals for each of the plural light-emitting chips including a combination of two to Q selection signals taken from the P selection signals. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023400 | Rollers - In an example, rollers are disclosed, wherein one of the rollers has a resilient outer layer, and one of the rollers comprises a coned portion. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023401 | DEVELOPER CONVEYING DEVICE, AND DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH SAME - A developer conveying device includes a housing with a pair of wall portions, a developer conveyance path extending between the pair of wall portions, and a conveying member. The conveying member is rotatably supported on the wall portions and conveys developer from one wall portion to the other. This conveying member includes a spiral member, shaft portions and a breaking member. The spiral member is formed by connecting spiral pieces, each forming one spiral turn, in a conveying direction of the developer and includes a hollow interior defined by the connected spiral pieces. The shaft portions are arranged at opposite end parts of the spiral member and rotatably supported on the wall portions and serve as a rotary shaft for the rotation of the conveying member. The breaking member extends across the hollow interior in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023402 | DEVELOPER STORAGE CONTAINER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - In order to achieve an improvement in terms of workability when mounting a developer agitation member and a drive transmission member to a container portion storing developer, there is provided a method of mounting a developer storage container in which, when mounting a developer agitation member to a developer storage portion, a drive transmission member is inserted for connection from an end portion of the developer agitation member, the developer agitation member exhibits a first phase and a second phase. The first phase allows connection of the developer agitation member and the drive transmission member in the insertion path of the drive transmission member, whereas the second phase does not allow connection of the developer agitation member and the drive transmission member in the insertion path of a support member. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023403 | DEVELOPER CONVEYANCE DEVICE, DEVELOPMENT DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer conveyance device includes a housing and a conveyance member. The conveyance member is supported to the housing and rotates to convey developer. The conveyance member includes a shaft portion, a helical member, and a plurality of reinforcement members. The plurality of reinforcement members are disposed in a circumferential direction of rotation of the conveyance member. When viewing a cross section in a direction intersecting with the rotational axis, an outer circumferential surface of the helical member includes a facing region and a non-facing region, which are defined for one reinforcement member of the plurality of reinforcement members, the facing region being a region where the one reinforcement member of the plurality of reinforcement members is projected on an opposite side of an outer circumferential surface of the helical member through the rotational axis, and the non-facing region being a region of the outer circumferential surface of the helical member which is different from the facing region. The other reinforcement member of the plurality of reinforcement members is disposed in the non-facing region. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023404 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A developing device and an image forming apparatus including the same includes an agitating and conveying unit that receives a developer, and at least one agitating and conveying member to mix and agitate the developer and convey the developer in a developer conveying direction. A developing roller faces a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and attaches the developer to an outer surface of the developing roller. The agitating and conveying member includes a support shaft extending in the developer conveying direction. A plurality of agitation wings disposed on an outer surface of the support shaft to mix and agitate the developer. At least one paddle protrudes from the support shaft in a radial direction and extends along the shaft between adjacent agitation wings. The at least one paddle has a height increasing from an upstream side to a downstream side of the developer conveying direction. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023405 | Developing Device and Image Forming Apparatus Having the Same - A developing device is provided that facilitates developing agent delivery upward. A cartridge includes a developing roller, a supply roller, and a container disposed below the supply roller. The container can have an upper portion formed with an opening having upper and lower edges. A conveying member can be rotatably disposed and in rotational contact with an inner surface of the container for delivering the developing agent upward. The developing agent container can include a first wall portion for receiving the developing agent through the opening. The first wall portion extends from the lower edge in a downstream direction with respect to a rotational direction of the conveying member toward a bottommost portion of the supply roller. The container also includes a second wall portion extending from the upper edge in an upstream direction. The conveying member can be in simultaneous sliding contact with the first and the second wall portions. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023406 | Developing Device, Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A developing device includes: a first conveying unit provided within a developing agent storage chamber and that is configured to convey a developing agent from one end of the developing agent storage chamber to another end of the developing agent storage chamber in a longitudinal direction of a developing agent carrier that is disposed with in a developing chamber and to supply the developing agent from the developing agent storage chamber to the developing chamber; a second conveying unit provided within the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the other end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing chamber in the longitudinal direction and to supply the developing agent toward a developing agent carrier; and a third conveying unit provided between the one end of the developing agent storage chamber and the one end of the developing chamber. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023407 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drum unit which holds photosensitive drums in parallel, a developing cartridge which is detachably mounted in the drum unit, a translation member which is provided in the apparatus body to be movable linearly, a shaft which is provided on the tandem photosensitive drum unit for each developing cartridge; and a pivoting member which is rotatably supported by the shaft. The pivoting member includes an abutting portion which is provided on one side to abut the translation member, a pressing portion which is provided on the other side, and is configured to press a predetermined portion of the developing cartridge in a direction in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and a spring portion which applies a biasing force in a direction in which the pressing portion is separated from the predetermined portion. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023408 | DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - There is provided a developing device including a first developing roller that is disposed to be rotatable with a desired distance set between the first developing roller and an outer circumferential surface of a rotatable latent image holding member, transports a developer onto an outer circumferential surface thereof while holding the developer by magnetic force, and has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a second developing roller that is disposed to be rotatable with desired distances set between the second developing roller and the respective outer circumferential surfaces of the corresponding latent image holding member and the corresponding first developing roller at a position on the downstream side of the first developing roller in a rotation direction of the latent image holding member, transports the developer onto an outer circumferential surface thereof while holding the developer by magnetic force, and has a substantially cylindrical shape. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023409 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - Provided is a developing device including a pair of developer holding members that include a pair of cylinder members, which are disposed close to each other and rotate in the same direction at an adjacent gap at which both cylinder members are in close proximity, and a pair of magnetic force generation sections which are provided inside the pair of cylinder members respectively and generate magnetic forces for holding a developer on the cylinder members, and a pair of developing magnetic poles that are provided in the pair of magnetic force generation sections respectively, are disposed to be opposed to a latent image holding member, and are set to have the same polarity. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023410 | DEVELOPING ROLLER - A developing roller is provided which is capable of forming a toner layer having the most uniform possible thickness on an outer peripheral surface of a roller body thereof. The roller body ( | 2014-01-23 |
20140023411 | DEVELOPING ROLLER - A developing roller is provided which is capable of forming a toner layer having the most uniform possible thickness on an outer peripheral surface of a roller body thereof. The roller body ( | 2014-01-23 |
20140023412 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - It has been difficult to ensure satisfactory secondary transfer performance while ensuring satisfactory primary transfer performance by passing a current in the circumferential direction of an intermediate transfer belt from a current supply member. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023413 | IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - The image heating apparatus, for heating a toner image while conveying a recording material bearing the toner image at a nip portion, includes a rotary member in contact with the toner image, an endless belt, and a nip portion forming member that is in contact with the inner surface of the belt and forms the nip portion together with the rotary member via the belt. The nip portion forming member is a metal member having a surface which is in contact with the inner surface of the belt and on which an oxide layer is formed by an alumite treatment. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023414 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming unit that forms an image by using a first toner having a first average particle diameter, a second image forming unit that forms an image by using a second toner having a second average particle diameter that is greater than the first average particle diameter, and a transport path through which the first and second toners collected from the first and second image forming units, respectively, are transported. The transport path is configured such that a position at which the second toner is collected from the second image forming unit is located upstream of a position at which the first toner is collected from the first image forming unit in a transporting direction of the transport path. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023415 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS FOR FORMING OUTPUT SHEET BUNDLES INSERTED WITH TABBED SHEETS, AND CONTROL METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM THEREFOR - An image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the productivity of image formation from being lowered due to discharge of surplus tabbed sheets in a double-sided printing job in which output sheet bundles are produced by inserting tabbed sheets into each bundle of double-sided printed recording sheets. In a case that output sheet bundles are each produced by setting tabbed sheet bundles each comprised of five tabbed sheets to the image forming apparatus, by inserting one tabbed sheet subsequently to double-sided image formation on five recording sheets, and by performing double-sided image formation on other five recording sheets, four surplus tabbed sheets are discharged subsequently to feeding of the tabbed sheet, instead of discharging the four surplus tabbed sheets after completion of image formation on a second surface of a tenth recording sheet. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023416 | Image Reading Apparatus - An image reading apparatus, including a main unit including a placement plane and an image reader, a document cover swingably supported by the main unit via a hinge to move between a closed position and an open position, and a conveyer unit to convey a document sheet, is provided. The hinge includes an in-main-unit joint section attached to an end of the main unit, an on-cover joint section attached to an end of the document cover, and an urging member arranged in between the in-main-unit joint section and the on-cover joint section. A coupling device to couple the end of the document cover and the end of the main unit together and to restrict the end of the document cover and the end of the main unit from being separated from each other is disposed in an intermediate position between the document cover and the conveyer unit. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023417 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THAT DISCHARGES SHEETS TO POST-PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM - An image forming apparatus that has a post-processing apparatus connected thereto and is capable of achieving the same level of improvement of sheet output productivity without buffering as that achieved with buffering, and an image forming system. The image forming apparatus includes sheet feeders containing sheets and a printer which forms an image on a sheet. The post-processing apparatus performs post processing on the sheets on which image formation has been performed. When double-sided printing for forming images on both sides of a sheet is performed for a plurality of sheets, a sheet circulation method in double-sided printing is selected between “alternate circulation” and “block circulation” according to information of post processing to be performed on the sheets, which is designated in a print job. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023418 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A control method for controlling a printing apparatus includes printing an image on a sheet, receiving a position subjected to post-processing from a user, controlling, in a case where the received position subjected to post-processing is a first position, to perform post-processing to the received position on the sheet without reversing the sheet on which the image is printed, and, controlling, in a case where the received position subjected to post-processing is a second position, to perform post-processing to the received position on the sheet after reversing the sheet on which the image is printed, and displaying, in a case where the type of the sheet subjected to image printing is of a type unsuitable for reversal, a screen for changing the type of the sheet to be used for printing. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023419 | PRINT CARTRIDGE WITH SENSOR PINS - A print cartridge configured for insertion into a recess of a printer having a plurality of sensor plungers arranged in the recess. The print cartridge includes a length of print tape having at least one characteristic, and a body containing the length of print tape. The body includes a print head receiving recess and an indicator portion spaced from the recess. The indicator portion includes at least one pin. An arrangement of the at least one pin corresponds to the at least one characteristic of the length of print tape, and each at least one pin is configured to engage a corresponding one of the sensor plungers when the print cartridge is inserted into the recess. The arrangement of pins that engage the sensor plungers allows the printer to identify the at least one characteristic of the print tape. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023420 | PRINTER - A printer includes a paper holder which includes a shaft portion for supporting roll paper and a movable member in a predetermined vertical height position near and above one end portion of the shaft portion, the movable member being configured to be displaced along an extending direction of the shaft portion between a pressing position in which the movable member is brought into contact with and pressed against an end surface of the roll paper supported by the shaft portion and a non-pressing position in which the movable member is not in contact with the end surface of the roll paper, the movable member being biased toward the non-pressing position; a movable member detector configured to detect that the movable member is in the non-pressing position; and a remaining amount notifier configured to notify that a remaining amount of the roll paper is low. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023421 | System and Method for Adjusting the Tension of a Continuous Web of Recording Media in a Printer - A method for adjusting the tension of a continuous web of recording media in a printing system. The method includes identifying a tension in the continuous web and adjusting the tension in response to the amount of ink being deposited on the recording media. An offset tension value is determined, stored in memory, and used by a controller to adjust the velocity or tension of the continuous web moving through the printing system to improve the printing of images. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023422 | Novel Hand Sanitizer Dispenser for Gloves - A foamed or open cell matrix material is attached to the palm of a glove and retains and releases hand sanitizer. The foam pad can be adhered to the glove integrally, or as a detachable accessory using mechanical or chemical adhesive systems. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023423 | APPARATUS FOR SELECTABLY PROVIDING MULTIPLE COLORS OF INK FROM A MARKER PEN - A writing device can be configured to provide ink or a colored dye upon a piece of paper or other medium. Such a writing device can include a plurality of selectable writing elements, wherein one of the writing elements comprises marker device comprising an ink reservoir connected to a writing tip. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023424 | HYGIENIC WRITING INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF USING - A hygienic modular writing utensil and method of using for eliminating or minimizing the spread of germs, bacteria and the like between a first and a second user. The utensil has an External Protective Shield with a first holding area for use by the first user and a removable Internal Writing Utensil with a second holding area for use by the second user. The External Protective Shield has an internal cleaning element and the Internal Writing Utensil has a removable cap on its outer end, whereby when the first user pulls the Internal Writing Utensil out from the External Protective Shield or reinserts the Internal Writing Utensil back into the External Protective Shield by grasping the exterior surface of the removable cap, an outer surface of the Internal Writing Utensil, including the second holding area is cleaned. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023425 | COLD EFFECT APPLICATOR TIP - The present application relates to a cold effect applicator tip for cosmetic products, characterized in that the applicator tip is made of a plastic material comprising organic fillers, metallic fillers or a mixture of both. The present application also relates to a container for cosmetic products with a cold effect applicator tip is also provided, comprising a reservoir to contain a cosmetic product and an applicator tip such as above described. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023426 | MOUNTING SYSTEM - A mounting and alignment system for selectively securing and accurately aligning a first plate relative to a second plate, the mounting system including a shank and a receiver arrangement with an annular locking ring and an annular receiver bushing. The bushing having an inner passage and an oppositely facing outer bushing surface. The outer bushing surface having at least one receiver bearing surface shaped to engage a bearing surface of an associated mounting opening in one of the plates to align the receiver bushing laterally within the opening. The inner passage of the bushing being shaped to receive and align with a shaft portion of the shank. The locking ring configured to secure the bushing axially within the mounting opening. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023427 | FRONT SHEET FIXING STRUCTURE - In a front sheet fixing structure configured to attach a front sheet to a housing having an opening for a display device or control panel, the front sheet is attached to an inner bottom surface of the housing so as to close the opening of the housing by means of a front metal plate having an opening corresponding to the opening of the housing and having a thermal expansion coefficient substantially equal to that of the front sheet. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023428 | ELONGATE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH ARTICULATING PORTION - An articulating portion for an elongate medical device is disclosed. The articulating portion may include a plurality of segments movable relative to one another, and a plurality of hinges disposed between adjacent segments. The segments can be configured to bend at the hinges upon manipulation of a control member of the device. The segments and the hinges can also be a single continuous piece of material. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023429 | CONNECTION MECHANISM FOR PIVOTALLY CONNECTING TWO LINK RODS - A connection mechanism for pivotally connecting two link rods, namely, a first link rod of a scissor linkage and a second link rod of another scissor linkage, includes a first connection seat having a fitting surface for non-rotatably bearing on an outer side surface of the first link rod facing away from the second link rod; a second connection seat having a fitting surface for non-rotatably bearing on an outer side surface of the second link rod facing away from the first link rod; and a pivot shaft being sequentially extended through and locked to the second connection seat, the second link rod, the first link rod and the first connection seat. The connection seats are non-rotatably attached to the link rods and do not rotate along with the pivot shaft when the pivot shaft is turned to connect or separate the link rods to or from each other. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023430 | Attachment Techniques - Techniques for attachment of sapphire substrates with other materials and the resulting structures are provided. One embodiment may take the form of an attachment method including creating an aperture within a sapphire substrate and filling the aperture with an attachment material. The method also includes mechanically coupling a member to the sapphire substrate using the attachment material. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023431 | Apparatus for Joining Members and Assembly Thereof - An apparatus for joining a first member and a second member includes means for joining the first member and the second member, means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the means for joining the first member and the second member, and means for providing a compression preload to the means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member. An assembly includes a first member, a second member, and means for joining the first member and the second member. The assembly further includes means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member separate from the means for joining the first member and the second member and means for providing a compression preload to the means for transferring shear loads between the first member and the second member. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023432 | FERRITIC STAINLESS STEEL EXCELLENT IN CORROSION RESISTANCE AND STRENGTH OF WELD ZONE AND TIG WELDED STRUCTURE - Ferritic stainless steel excellent in corrosion resistance of the weld zone, in particular the corrosion resistance to crevice corrosion, even if eliminating the Ar gas shield at the time of TIG welding and, furthermore, excellent in weld zone strength and a structure of the same are provided. By making the ingredient system one satisfying the following formula (1) in ferritic stainless steel which has predetermined contents of ingredients by mass % under a usual corrosive environment, it is possible to raise the corrosion resistance. Furthermore, under a severely corrosive environment, by making the relationship between the back surface exposed width of the weld bead and the steel sheet thickness satisfy the formula (2) in addition to the relationship of the ingredients prescribed in formula (1), it is possible to obtain a welded structure strong in crevice corrosion. Furthermore, by improving the weld strength by making the contents of Nb and V satisfy formula 3, it is possible to obtain a welded structure with a high weld strength: | 2014-01-23 |
20140023433 | Snap-Fit Joint for Plastic Frame Elements and Frame Formed Thereby - A snap-fit joint for connecting frame members includes a male member having an insertion end, a top portion, and opposite sidewails. A female member has a socket to receive the male member insertion end. The socket includes an upstanding wall that temporarily flexes outwardly. Co-acting surfaces of the upstanding socket wall and the male member sidewall include co-acting surfaces in temporarily contact during insertion of the male member into the female member socket to temporarily outwardly flex the upstanding socket wall and seat the male member. The socket wall terminate in a tab and the male member sidewail surface terminates in a recess. The male member is fully seated in the socket, and the co-acting surfaces are out of contact with each other, the upstanding socket wall returns to an unflexed condition, and the socket tab is received in sidewail to lock the male member within the socket. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023434 | TANK CONNECTOR - A panelized tank, and connectors and transport/stacking lugs therefor include a pair of mating connector halves, a first half with a pair of plates separated by a gap, a second half with a single plate fitting into the gap. Each connector half has openings that align with openings of the other connector half for use of a bolt or rod to further secure the panels together. Lugs are placed on the panels to assist in lifting and/or storage/transport/stacking of the panels. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023435 | Advantageous Detectable Warning Area and Methods of Forming the Same - Detectable warning areas (DWAs) and methods of forming the same are provided. A mat template having one or more holes can be placed over a substrate, and a dome-forming material can be filled in the mat template by pouring the dome-forming material over the mat template and working the dome-forming material into the one or more holes of the mat template. The mat template can remain in place until the dome-forming material is completely cured, and then the mat template can be removed. DWAs formed according to this method display improved properties, including increased bond strength. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023436 | INTEGRATED PAVING SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention relates to a paving machine that includes an auger, a screed, and one or more sensors. The auger is adapted to distribute a paving mix on a paving surface. The screed is adapted to compact the mix on the paving surface to form the pavement. The one or more sensors are adapted to monitor the density of the pavement as it is compacted by the screed and provide output signals corresponding to the density so that the force exerted by the screed on the pavement as it is formed may be adjusted to achieve a desired pavement density. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023437 | Paver Having Dowel Bar Inserter with Automated Dowel Bar Feeder - A paver for laying down a strip of concrete and inserting therein dowel bars parallel to the strip. A dowel bar inserter orients the bars and places them into the concrete. A pair of transport chains transverse to the travel direction extends across a width of the inserter. Pairs of generally L-shaped opposing cups hold the bars so that they can drop downwardly from the cups towards the strip. The chains move in a single direction. A dowel bar holding magazine, above the chains, stores bars, and gravitationally moves the bars towards the chains for pick-up by cups as the chains move the cups past a bar loading station. Elastic bands extend about a bar engaging surface defined by a wheel and resiliently bias the bars moving along the chain turn-around section against the wheel. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023438 | INTEGRATED PAVING SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention relates to machine for distributing and compacting paving mix on a paving surface. The machine includes a mix unloading section, an auger, a screed, a first drive arrangement, and a second drive arrangement. The auger distributes the mix on a paving surface. The screed compacts the mix on a paving surface. The first drive arrangement includes road wheels for self transport at highway speeds. The second drive arrangement includes a track assembly for jobsite transportation during a paving operation. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023439 | CONTAINMENT UNIT AND METHOD OF USING SAME - The present invention generally relates to containment and control of an oil spill caused by a damaged or broken riser in deepwater. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reusable unit that will contain oil spills to a specific location and will also allow oil to be harvested as it flows to the top of the unit while minimizing or even eliminating any environmental clean-up cost. The unit of the present invention is dropped over a damaged or broken riser in a closed positin, the unit is released and stabilized in sections until the surface is reached and the containment unit is completely erected. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023440 | Autonomous Pipeline Buckle Arresting Isolation Tool - A robotic unit for coupling to an internal buckle arresting pipeline isolation tool that is suitable for use in a pipeline that is being laid from a reeled pipeline vessel. The robotic unit having the ability to position the isolation tool either above or below the SAG bend or touchdown point of the pipeline. The robotic unit has first and second ends which are separable from each other and a hydraulic system having a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the robotic unit. The hydraulic system of the robotic unit being operable to returnably separate the first and second end of the robotic unit and to engage the pipeline engaging means with the interior surface of the pipeline. The robotic unit further comprising a control unit in communication with the hydraulic system to control the movement such that the robotic unit propels the isolation tool along the inside of a pipeline. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023441 | SUBMERSIBLE APPARATUS AND METHODS OF INSTALLING ANCHORING EQUIPMENT - The invention relates to a submersible module for anchoring equipment, such as underwater turbines, to the sea bed. The module includes a base member for attaching the equipment thereto and a boundary layer fairing which diverts a boundary layer component of the water flow over the module. This accelerates the boundary layer water flow over the module in order to produce a hydrodynamic anchoring force on the module. Methods of installing the equipment to the sea bed are also provided. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023442 | MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR A PILE - The invention relates to a measuring system for controlling perpendicularity of a pile during driving of the pile, wherein the measurement system comprises;
| 2014-01-23 |
20140023443 | MACHINE AND METHOD FOR FORMING AN IN GROUND GRANULAR COLUMN - A drill assembly for forming in ground granular columns without the need for vibratory compaction, said drill assembly includes a first drill ( | 2014-01-23 |
20140023444 | Stope Fill Barrier - A system for mining includes the use of a stope fill barrier having a fluid-fillable bladder for temporarily filling a portion of a stope void directly adjacent to ore to be mined and creating a barrier between the stope void and adjacent ore. The stope fill barrier is installed and positioned in the stope void from below the adjacent ore. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023445 | POWER TOOL ACCESSORY - A power tool accessory includes a shank member having a first hardness. A conically-shaped body is coupled to the shank member and includes a series of stepped shoulders that increase in diameter from a tip portion to a base portion. A flute extends substantially from the tip portion to the base portion, with cutting edges defined at the intersection of the flute and the shoulders. The body has a second hardness greater than the first hardness. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023446 | HOLE SAW - A hole saw includes a cylindrical body disposed along an axis of rotation with a side wall extending axially from a cap end to a cutting end. The cutting end includes a plurality of cutting teeth. A cap includes a rim portion seated on the cap end and an axially extending portion extending into the cylindrical body from the cap end. The side wall defines an aperture including a first slot portion and a second slot portion disposed closer to the cap end than the first slot portion. A wall of the second slot portion nearest the cap end is between approximately 0.010 inches and approximately 0.120 inches axially offset from the axially extending portion of the cap. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023447 | TOOTHFORM FOR A CUTTING TOOL, SUCH AS A HOLE SAW - A cutting tool includes a generally cylindrical body, a plurality of cutting teeth formed on the generally cylindrical body, a plurality of non-cutting protrusions formed on the generally cylindrical body, and a plurality of gullets formed on the generally cylindrical body. Each gullet is formed between one of the plurality of cutting teeth and one of the plurality of non-cutting protrusions. Each gullet has a base and a gullet depth measured from the base to a tip of a corresponding cutting tooth. Each non-cutting protrusion is located approximately halfway between the tips of two adjacent cutting teeth and has a height that is at most about 75% of the gullet depth. | 2014-01-23 |
20140023448 | DRILL - A drill comprises a drill body that is rotatable on an axis. Chip evacuating flutes, which are open on front flanks of the drill body and are extended rearwards, are formed in a periphery of the drill body on its front side. Cutting edges are formed along ridge lines where the front flanks intersect with wall surfaces of the chip evacuating flutes facing a drill rotating direction. At least first and second front flanks are formed on the front flanks in order of their locations in the drill rotating direction from its leading side to its trailing side. A clearance angle of the second front flank is greater than that of the first front flank. Intersection lines of the first and second front flanks cross the cutting edges. | 2014-01-23 |