35th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 56 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080207323 | GAME APPARATUS, CHARACTER AND VIRTUAL CAMERA CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM AND RECORDING MEDIUM - To apply a certain change to a displayed image while controlling a position and direction of a character and a virtual camera. In changing a direction of a character card without changing its position, when the direction changes slowly a direction of a character changes according to change direction of the character card, and a visual point of a virtual camera moves circularly according to the change direction of the character. When the direction of the character card is changed fast only the visual point moves circularly and the direction of the character does not change. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207324 | GAME APPARATUS, VIRTUAL CAMERA CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM AND RECORDING MEDIUM - When a new character is selected by a game player, the game apparatus changes the visual point and the visual axis corresponding to the newly selected character with preventing camera sickness. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207325 | Control arrangement for operating video game console - In one embodiment a control arrangement for operating a video game console is disclosed. The arrangement includes a mat having foot panels, a matrix scanning circuit, a peripheral warning track, a MCU, a first transceiver module, a foul line crossing sensor module, and a foul line crossing warning module; a wireless controller including a second transceiver module; and a detector including an oscillation circuit, an ultrasonic transmitter, an ultrasonic receiver, and a warning module adapted to make an audible sound when a distance between a user and an obstacle is less than a safe distance. The foul line crossing warning module is adapted to make an audible sound when the warning track is stepped by the foot. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207326 | Method for Conducting Challenges in a Fantasy Simulation - A fantasy simulation allows participants to challenge each other by comparing the performance of one participant's reality-based selection to another participant's reality-based selection. The simulation also allows participants to wager a limited or unlimited amount of simulated funds on the outcome of the challenge. Participants challenge other, individual participants or groups of participants while the simulation measures a reality-based metric associated with all challenge participants' reality-based selection over a period of time. At the conclusion of the period of time, a challenge winner is determined from the change of the metric. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207327 | Virtual Environment with Alerts - A virtual environment in which players are able to receive alerts intended to indicate the occurrence of a given event within the virtual environment. The alerts may be delivered to the player while he is playing the game via an in-game messaging service or other similar device. Alternatively the alerts may be delivered to the player via a real world communication device such as a cell phone, pager, text messaging device, or the like. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207328 | INTERSTITIAL ADVERTISING IN A GAMING ENVIRONMENT - A method of advertising within a game is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The method comprises identifying a frame of the game, wherein the frame is capable of receiving an advertisement. The identified frame can be presented to a player of the game before, during, or after game play. A time when the identified frame is presented to a player of the game is determined. The method further comprises rendering an advertisement over at least a portion of the frame at the determined time. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207329 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF ENABLING COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES USING BRIDGE BETWEEN REAL WORLD AND PROPRIETARY ENVIRONMENTS - The present invention is directed to a system, apparatus, and method for enabling communications and other forms of interaction between participants in a gaming or other form of virtual environment and the real world, or between a participant in one virtual environment and a participant in a second virtual environment. In particular, systems are provided to share presence information between participants, including information relating to their images and commercial activities. The presence information is user information that is used by real-time messaging systems to represent the user's current presence and identity. The presence information of a user is presented to other users to help them to decide when or if to communicate with the user. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207330 | ARTIFICIAL PLAYER CHARACTER FOR MASSIVE MULTI-PLAYER ON-LINE GAME - An artificial intelligence system for autonomous artificial player characters in an on-line game is provided. The artificial player character (APC) makes use of an adaptive neural net wherein the function of the artificial player character at any given time is determined as a composition of other functions defined by one or more of the following: the game designer, the personality preference filters of the artificial player character, the current statistical levels of the artificial player character, the database of historical interactions of the artificial player character, a master database of historical interactions by other artificial player characters, and interactions of the artificial player character with other characters and/or the game environment. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207331 | ARTIFICIAL PLAYER CHARACTER FOR MASSIVE MULTI-PLAYER ON-LINE GAME - An artificial intelligence system for autonomous artificial player characters in an on-line game is provided. The artificial player character (APC) makes use of an adaptive neural net wherein the function of the artificial player character at any given time is determined as a composition of other functions defined by one or more of the following: the game designer, the personality preference filters of the artificial player character, the current statistical levels of the artificial player character, the database of historical interactions of the artificial player character, a master database of historical interactions by other artificial player characters, and interactions of the artificial player character with other characters and/or the game environment. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207332 | Multilevel Online Tournament - A multilevel online tournament is provided. The first tournament round has a single bracket and each subsequent tournament round has a winners bracket and a losers bracket corresponding to a bracket in the previous tournament round. The tournament format allows players to match-up against any other player located within the same bracket. The online tournament format also allows participants to start playing match in a round of the tournament prior to the official start of that round. Thus, players are able to more quickly advance through the tournament and spend less time waiting for a suitable opponent. The tournament format also allows for players to request available tournament byes and to automatically progress when they are unable to connect with other players due to quality of service issues. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207333 | Systems and/or methods for stock portfolio based competitive simulations - The exemplary embodiments described herein relate to systems and/or methods for competitive simulations and, more particularly, to systems and/or methods in which users build stock portfolios that compete against each other, with the performance of each user's stock portfolio being based on one or more stock market related metrics (e.g., price per share, market capitalization, volume of trade, etc.). A user's portfolio may be formed and/or reformed so as to comply with certain predefined criteria (e.g., company traded on a particular exchange, company belonging to a particular market sector, etc.). The performance of each team/portfolio may be depicted using sports-related imagery (e.g., as teams on a football field, a basketball court, around a baseball diamond, etc.). | 2008-08-28 |
20080207334 | METHOD FOR CONFIGURATION VALIDATION - Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems and related methods for validating a download assignment or a validation assignment for one or more electronic gaming machines (EGMs). In one embodiment, the gaming system can schedule downloads and/or configurations for one or more EGMs from a network terminal. Additionally, the network terminal determines whether the download or selected configuration is compatible with the existing physical or software structure of an EGM. In the event the EGM configuration is not compatible with the scheduled download or configuration, a casino operator is notified of the error at the network terminal. Optionally, the gaming system automatically schedules one or more supplemental downloads so that the user-selected download of configuration is executable on the EGMs. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207335 | Automated Locking System - Systems, methods, and gaming machines having an automated locking system are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a gaming cabinet having a frame and a main gaming machine door, and a locking mechanism is configured to secure the main gaming machine door to the gaming cabinet frame. The gaming machine also includes a lock controller operatively connected to the locking mechanism and configured to control the release of the locking mechanism. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207336 | MAGNETIC COUPLING AND CAMERA PLATFORM USING MAGNETIC COUPLING - A coupling configured to transmit rotation of a drive shaft to a driven shaft by magnetic force includes a drive portion configured to rotate integrally with the drive shaft, a driven portion configured to rotate integrally with the driven shaft, and a buffer member located in contact with both the drive portion and the driven portion. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207337 | Joint | 2008-08-28 |
20080207338 | Dual-mass flywheel - A dual-mass flywheel including a primary mass that can be connected to the drive shaft of an internal combustion engine, and a secondary mass that can be connected to the input shaft of a transmission. The masses are positioned in an axial manner in relation to each other, and concentrically by means of at least one positioning device. The masses can be rotated at least in a defining manner counter to the effects of a damping device including energy accumulators. The energy accumulators are arranged in an annular, ring-like chamber that is formed by components of the primary mass and that also contains a viscous medium. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207339 | Sealing Ring for a Universal Joint Bush - The invention relates to a universal joint bush ( | 2008-08-28 |
20080207340 | RETAINED NEEDLE THRUST WASHER - A trunnion of a universal joint cross-shaped member supports a bearing cup, thrust washer, and needle bearing assembly. The thrust washer includes a first surface that faces the bearing cup and a second surface that faces an end face of the trunnion. A first lip extends outwardly from the first surface to contact the bearing cup and a second lip extends outwardly from the second surface to contact the needle bearing assembly. The first and second lips cooperate to hold the bearing cup and needle bearing assembly in a proper installation for final assembly to form a universal joint assembly. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207341 | FASTENER MANUFACTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An assembly line for continuously manufacturing fasteners from a rod with a groove for receiving a wire for retaining the fasteners in a strip includes a receiver for receiving the rod. A die press is arranged to receive the rod from the receiver and includes a piercing member for piercing an aperture in each fastener and a cutting member for cutting each fastener from the rod. A tapping member provides ribs to an inner wall of the aperture formed in the fastener by the piercing member. An inspector inspects the internal rib formed into the inner wall of the aperture disposed in the fastener verifying exactness of the aperture and the rib. A wire inserter inserts the wire into the groove forming a strip of connected fasteners. The inserter receives the fasteners sequentially from the inspector after verification of the exactness of the aperture disposed in each fastener. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207342 | ROTATINGLY DRIVABLE CUTTING HEAD - A rotatingly drivable cutting head with at least one cutting insert, which has a cutting profile tool for radial engagement into a workpiece, the one axis of which is in the rotational axis of the cutting head, wherein cutting head and workpiece are moved axially and in the rotational direction with respect to each other, wherein the cutting insert is detachably attachable on a holding element of the cutting head, wherein further the holding element and with it the cutting insect is radially movable between a working position and a releasing position, and with locking means for positioning the cutting insert in the working position and shifting means for shifting the cutting insert from the working position into the releasing position and vice versa, wherein the cutting insert has an axis which runs parallel to the rotational axis in a distance, the cutting insert is attachable on the holding element in at least two rotational positions in an angular distance when it is rotated around its axis, and in every rotational position, a cutting profile tool is in the working position on the cutting insert. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207343 | Magic trick for enwrapping a solid ring in a solid chain - A magic trick for causing a solid ring to falsely penetrate through a flexible solid chain. A magician suspends a portion of the chain from a first hand, wherein the portion has a generally U-shape. The magician also holds the ring by a second hand to position the ring near the top of the portion. Then, the ring is released from the second hand and caused to rotate with respect to the portion so that the bottom tip of the portion loops around a portion of the ring and thereby a loop for hanging the ring from the chain is formed by a bottom part of the portion. The ring hanging from the chain makes an audience of the magic trick perceive a false impression that the solid ring has passed through the solid chain. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207344 | TUBE SLIDE - A helical tube slide that includes a plurality one-piece half-tube portions that are each substantially dimensionally the same. Two of the plurality of half-tube portions are coupled together to define a first curved tubular segment that defines a first portion of the tube slide. Another two of the plurality of half-tube portions are coupled together to define a second curved tubular segment that defines a second portion of the tube slide. The tube slide further includes a fastener that couples the first curved tubular segment and the second curved tubular segment. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207345 | Removable Insert for a Bowling Ball - A bowling ball thumb insert has a first and second sleeve. The second sleeve is retained in the first sleeve. The first sleeve has a coupling mechanism including a ledge extending radially inward towards the center of the sleeve. A positioning gap is adjacent the ledge. A second sleeve is positioned inside the first sleeve. The second sleeve includes a coupling mechanism. The second sleeve coupling mechanism includes a wing extending radially outward from the outer surface of the second sleeve. The wing passes through the positioning gap. When one of the sleeves is rotated with respect to the other, the sleeves lock together. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207346 | Golf course for practicing shot making and trouble shots - A golf course for practicing shot-making and trouble shots where golf players may intensively practice their weakest shots, shot-making according to each situation and trouble shots is provided. The golf course includes a tee box including a flat ground, an up-hill, a down-hill, a side up-hill and a side down-hill, wherein a play of a hole is started therein; a fairway positioned between the tee box and a green, the fairway being composed of short grass; a bunker including a cross bunker positioned in the fairway, a fairway bunker positioned near the fairway and a green side bunker positioned near the green; a rough positioned on both the right and left sides of the fairway, the rough being composed of grass longer than the grass of the fairway; and the green composed of short grass, wherein a play of the hole is ended therein. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207347 | Golf swing trainer and method of improving a golf swing - The present invention relates to a golf swing trainer. The golf swing trainer includes a body member including a first surface; a first elongated array of light emitting elements arranged in a longitudinal direction on the first surface of the longitudinal body member; and a controller configured actuate the first elongated array of light emitting elements to generate a moving light pattern representing a position of a simulated golf club head during a simulated swing with at least one of the light emitting elements of the first elongated array. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207348 | Golf Club - A golf club head having a body and a strike face for striking a golf ball. The strike face is arranged at the front of the body, and a projection projecting forwardly of the body at one side of the strike face. In use, the projection extends in the same direction as a strike direction of the strike face. The golf club head further comprises an alignment marking which extends along an upper surface of the projection. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207349 | Iron-Type Golf Clubs - A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207350 | V-shaped golf club - The golf club is adapted for chip shots and has an upright shaft having a top grip and a bottom end; and a club head having (a) a hosel portion, (b) a trapezoidal clubface with a predetermined angle of loft, a longer leading edge and a relatively short trailing edge, (c) a sole plate having a similar profile to the clubface and defining a bounce angle with respect to a horizontal plane normal to the axis of the shaft, and (d) two opposite side walls in the shape of isosceles triangles for connecting the respective sets of opposing side edges of the clubface and sole plate with the apexes of the triangular side walls pointing away from each other. The leading edge of the clubface defines two acute angled points diverging forwardly of the club head to neutralize rough elements of sand, weed and other barriers and reach out to hit a nestled ball back to the fairway. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207351 | Strike face insert - A golf club head, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, comprises a metallic striking wall having a striking surface and at least one through score-line opening. At least one complementary component may be disposed rearward of the striking surface such that at least a part of the at least one complementary component extends into only a part of the at least one through score-line opening. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207352 | Choice putter - There is disclosed a golf putter for improving a golfer's putting game. Said putter has a conventional shaft connecting to an improved head. Said head has a relatively flat hitting surface for striking a golf ball, a top surface, a bottom surface, a rounded bottom surface extension, a rear edge or wall, and side edges or walls any of which may be curved to make up or define the body of said golf putter. Within the body of said golf putter is an oval aperture which extends through said top and bottom surfaces. Four threaded set screws are inserted through four bore holes which are laterally bored through each opposite said side wall of said rounded bottom surface extensions and extending into said oval aperture. Said top surface oval opening being smaller than a conventional golf ball and said bottom surface oval opening being larger than said golf ball thus permits said golf balls to be wedged upward toward said smaller top surface oval opening by engaging said set screws which contact said golf balls below their equilateral center line. Said oval aperture can also accept an insert made to exactly fit into said oval aperture. Said insert is made to fit up through said larger bottom surface oval opening, but not fit through said smaller top surface oval opening. Said insert can then be secured within the body of the putter by engaging said set screws to make contact and force upward said insert. The top surface of said insert can be covered by one of many exchangeable visual alignment cards which are compressed between the top of said insert and said smaller top surface oval opening thus making it possible for said alignment cards to be visible through said top surface oval opening. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207353 | Highly-Neutralized Acid Polymers and Their Use in Golf Balls - The present invention is directed to a golf ball having at least one layer which includes a polymer composition containing at least 50 wt % of an acid polymer and at least 0.5 wt % of a polylactic acid, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total polymeric weight of the polymer composition. At least 70% of the acid groups of the acid polymer are neutralized by a cation source or a metal salt thereof. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207354 | Mixed-resin mantle metal-core golf balls and methods of manufacturing same - A golf ball is provided. The golf ball includes a hollow metal core made from a work-hardened metal alloy. The golf also includes a mantle layer enveloping the metal core. The mantle layer may be made from a mixture of long-ball resin and soft-ball resin. The golf ball further includes a cover positioned about the mantle layer to protect the mantle layer. A method of manufacturing the golf ball is also provided. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207355 | GOLF TEE WITH SHAPE MEMORY METAL AND METHOD TO PRODUCE THE SAME - The present invention discloses a golf tee consists of two sections and a shape memory metal that connects the said two sections for a golf tee that lessens impact and improves performance. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207356 | BALL MARKER USED TO ASCERTAIN GRAIN DIRECTION OF A PUTTING SURFACE - A golf ball marker and method of use on a putting surface to ascertain a grain direction of the putting surface. The marker is a compass configured and sized to be used as a ball marker. The compass includes an underlying substrate and indicia to indicate direction relative to compass north as indicated by said compass and may optionally also include an anchoring appendage underlying the substrate. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207357 | COMBINED RANGE AND TAG FINDER - A combined range and tag finder for determining distances to objects in an environment is described. Such a combined range and tag finder includes a system for determining distances to objects on a golf course and for finding golf balls for use with a system for finding golf balls. In the case of one exemplary integrated device, the device has at least two receivers, one to receive an RFID signal from the golf ball, another to receive a signal for positioning of the device location. At least one processor is coupled to both the receivers and can determine at least a direction and/or distance of the device from an object on the golf course. Other embodiments of a combined range and tag finder are also described. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207358 | Batting practice tee - An improved multi-adjustable batting practice tee featuring a base assembly with an improved tube assembly thereby enhancing tube movement and overall batting tee stability is disclosed. The base assembly is configured to have standard dimensions for a “HOME PLATE” in accordance with the rules of Major League baseball. The base assembly includes a continuous channel positioned across the entire horizontal plane of the base assembly that includes an inner-locking guide rail system for enhanced batting tee stability. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207359 | Practice Bat - An improved training bat for training a batter to use a center portion of a bat rather than an off-center portion has a cylindrical handle portion of standard size and a reduced-diameter cylindrical head portion attached to the handle portion for contacting a ball, wherein at least the head portion of the bat is solid material. The bat may also have a handle stop affixed to an end of the handle portion opposite the head portion for retaining a user's hand in position on the bat. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207360 | Footbag game apparatus - An apparatus for playing a game of footbag is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a playing surface, a net, a first side wall, and a second sidewall. The net, together with the first and second sidewalls, divides the playing surface into first and second playing zones. A court boundary provides the rear-most ends of the first and second playing zones. The net is supported in substantially vertical position by a first support post and a second support post. The first and second support posts, together with the first and second sidewalls, are held in place by a series of support brackets and counterweights that are spaced along opposing first and second sides of the court. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207361 | SOCCER GOAL RETAINER - A Soccer Goal Retainer including an enclosure buried in the ground. A bar is mounted in the enclosure and rotates about its longitudinal axis. The bar is located toward the front wall and base of the enclosure. A clamp plate is mounted on the bar by hand bolts which engage threaded openings on the bar. The clamp plate includes a lower member which is secured to the bar. A vertical member extends at right angles from the lower member and an upper member extends from the vertical member generally at right angles remote from the lower member and away from the lower member. A lip extends generally at right angles from the upper member remote from the vertical member toward the lower member. With the vertical member generally positioned vertically, the lip, the upper member and vertical member are placed over the rear rail of a soccer goal and the clamp plate is secured to the bar. The clamp plate is released from the rear rail by loosening the clamp plate from the bar. The clamp plate and the bar are then rotated in a forward manner and downwardly into the enclosure. A cover is placed over the enclosure both when the clamp plate is in use and when it is being stored. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207362 | Spiral-grooved arrow shaft - The present invention is a spirally grooved arrow shaft that imparts axial rotation to an arrow assembly. The shaft has a plurality of substantially identical, helical, longitudinal channels along its outer surface extending down a substantial portion of the arrow shaft along its primary axis. The channels may consist of a plurality of grooves cut into the outer surface of the arrow shaft. Alternatively, the channels may be formed from a plurality of raised-fins or raised members that extend radially outward from the surface of the shaft. The invention is compatible with all contemporary arrowheads and vanes provided that all aerodynamic surfaces present on these devices urge rotation of the arrow assembly in the same direction as the spiral channels. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207363 | Low cost torque vectoring system - A torque vectoring drive system is presented for use in a motor vehicle. The torque vectoring drive system includes a differential unit having an input shaft, a first axle shaft, a second axle shaft, and a carrier, the differential rotatably driving the axle shafts while permitting the axle shafts to have independent speeds of rotation. The system includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having an input shaft driveably coupled to the carrier of the differential and an output shaft driveably coupled to the first axle shaft of the differential. The CVT is operable to variably control the drive torque of the first axle shaft relative to the second axle shaft to provide torque vectoring. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207364 | Driving pulley with vibration damping means - A driving pulley is provided having a pulley rim and a hub which are rotatably supported inside one another, and having spring means which are mounted between the pulley rim and the hub and whose one end is fixed relative to the pulley rim and whose other end is fixed relative to the hub in the direction of rotation, wherein the spring means consist of spiral or helical springs which are effective in opposite directions. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207365 | Hydraulic tensioner - In the check valve of a hydraulic tensioner, a bell-shaped retainer is provided with plural, branched, leg portions which resiliently grip the outer surface of a ball seat. Oil induction slots are formed between adjacent branched leg portions of the retainer to provide oil flow paths that are unimpeded by the plunger-biasing spring of the tensioner. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207366 | TENSIONER - To reduce seizing in a tensioner having a plunger slidable in a plunger-accommodating hole of a tensioner housing and biased in the projecting direction, the tensioner housing is formed of a hyper-eutectic Al—Si series alloy containing Si in the range from 14 to 16 weight % and having a particle diameter of proeutectic Si in the range from 20 to 30 μm. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207367 | TENSIONING DEVICE FOR A BELT DRIVE - A tensioning device for a belt drive is provided, with a lever arm, which is rotatably supported on a base plate with a damping mechanism and on which a pulley and a spring element can be or are mounted. An arrangement is provided to prevent automatic loosening of the screw connection between the lever arm ( | 2008-08-28 |
20080207368 | Plate-link chain - A toothed plate-link chain composed of a plurality of interconnected plates that form chain links. The chain links are hingedly interconnected to adjacent links by transversely-extending hinge pins. A least some of the links include outer guide plates having convexly-curved ends that are so configured that the ends of adjacent guide plates contact each other when the chain is at a predetermined limiting angle of deflection during a swing-back mode, which deflection direction is in a direction opposite to the direction of deflection of the chain as it passes around a toothed wheel. The limitation of chain deflection during a swing-back mode serves to limit the frequency and amplitude of strand oscillations and thereby reduces the noise that would otherwise result from strand oscillations. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207369 | BICYCLE CRANKSET WITH TWO CHAINRINGS - The bicycle crankset includes a bottom bracket axle, two cranks and a chainring carrier bearing first and second different toothed chainrings. The chainring carrier has the shape of a star, of which each arm is provided with a mounting hole aligned with a mounting hole in the first and second chainrings respectively. These holes accommodate elements for fastening chainrings to the chainring carrier, and they are arranged on a first circle with a predetermined diameter. Each arm of the chainring carrier is provided with a second mounting hole arranged on a second circle with a diameter that has been reduced relative to the first circle to match the chainring carrier to two other toothed circular chainrings with a size that is respectively reduced relative to the first and second chainrings and of which the mounting holes are located on the second circle. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207370 | Conveyor Belt Junction Element - A junction for a conveyor belt that includes first and second half-junctions attachable to one end of the conveyor belt. Each of the half-junctions having substantially matching shapes that allow the half-junctions to be interlinked. The half-junctions include a flexible core, and being respectively equipped with cup inserts and bush inserts allowing the passage of an assembly mechanism. Each of the cores extend towards the inside of each half-junction forming a fold at a free edge of each of the half-junctions. The top level of the first half-junction contains the fold and in which a front edge of the bottom level has substantially the same shape as a front edge of the top level, but is shifted towards the rear at least by the distance that separates the front edge of the top level from the cup inserts that are the furthest from the front edge of the top level. The second half-junction has a top level in which the shape of a front edge of the top level matches that of the front edge of the matching first half-junction, and a bottom level containing the fold and the bush inserts. The front edge of the bottom level is shifted towards the front in relation to the front edge of the top level, and its shape matches that of the front edge of the bottom level of the first half-junction. The attachment of the first and second half-junctions with each other is provided by fasteners. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207371 | Power Transmission Belt - The invention relates to a ribbed power transmission belt exhibiting a toothing made of elastomer based on ethylene/α-olefin elastomer, characterized in that at least the sides of the toothing are coated with a film made of at least partially crosslinked thermoplastic comprising at least 30% of at least one low-density polyethylene having a molecular weight of between 50 000 and 200 000 g/mol. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207372 | THREE MODE ELECTRICALLY-VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - An electrically-variable transmission is provided with first and second motor/generators and three planetary gear sets. The planetary gear sets have continuous interconnections, and selective connections via a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms, that provide three forward electrically-variable modes. Preferably, the planetary gear sets are characterized by effective gear ratios such that a substantially equal maximum torque is required from each of the motor/generators during the three forward electrically-variable modes for a given torque on the input member. This allows the first and second motor/generators to be substantially equal in size. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207373 | ELECTRICALLY-VARIABLE TRANSMISSION HAVING TWO FORWARD LOW RANGE ELECTRICALLY-VARIABLE MODES AND A REVERSE ELECTRICALLY-VARIABLE MODE - An electrically-variable transmission is provided with input member and output member, first and second motor/generators, a first planetary gear set and multiple additional planetary gear sets as well as at least four torque-transmitting mechanisms that are selectively engagable alone or in different combinations to establish a reverse electrically-variable operating mode, at least three forward electrically-variable operating modes, including two low range forward electrically-variable modes and a high range forward electrically-variable mode | 2008-08-28 |
20080207374 | Drive apparatus - A hybrid drive unit that includes an input shaft connected to an engine; an output shaft connected to wheels; a first rotary electric machine; a second rotary electric machine connected to the output shaft; a power distribution device that distributes a rotational driving force of the input shaft to the output shaft and to the first rotary electric machine; a second rotary electric machine fixing device that selectively fixes a rotor of the second rotary electric machine; and a transmission cutoff device capable of cutting off transmission of rotation between the output shaft and the second rotary electric machine at least in a state when the rotor of the second rotary electric machine is fixed. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207375 | Hydraulic control apparatus for automatic transmission, and hybrid drive system provided with the same - A hydraulic control apparatus includes a switching device that switches between a hydraulic servo of the plurality of hydraulic servos of the first friction engaging element and a hydraulic servo of the plurality of hydraulic servos of the second friction engaging element so as to supply a control pressure from the one pressure regulating solenoid valve to each of the plurality of hydraulic servos, wherein the switching enables a control of an engagement and disengagement of the first friction engaging element and the second friction engagement element using the one pressure regulating solenoid valve. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207376 | Electric Continuously Variable Transmission and the Driving Method Thereof - Disclosed herein is an electric continuously variable transmission. The transmission of the present invention includes a first rotating plate ( | 2008-08-28 |
20080207377 | Oscillating internally meshing planetary gear system and method for manufacturing eccentric body shaft - The oscillating internally meshing planetary gear system has the configuration of rotating external gears inside an internal gear oscillatingly through the intermediary of eccentric bodies so that a relative rotation between the internal gear and the external gears is taken out through a pair of first and second carriers arranged on both axial sides of the external gears. In this configuration, eccentric body shafts are supported by the first and second carriers through needles. Thrust receiving means for restricting axial movement of the eccentric body shafts are arranged between step portions formed on the eccentric body shafts and the first and second carriers. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207378 | Friction Drive Device - A friction drive device has first and second rollers, in which the ratio of the transmission power and the pressing power is nearly constant regardless of the magnitude of the transmission power. The rollers have center axes that are spaced apart by prescribed radial distance, and arranged relative to an x y coordinate system when the rollers are not under load such that the x y coordinate system has an origin corresponding to the center axis of the first roller, and the y-axis passes through the center axis of the second roller. The cam surface is located in a first quadrant of the x y coordinate system, and has a concave arc with a single radius, such that the concave arc has a cam surface center located in a third quadrant of the x y coordinate system near or on an imaginary are defined by the prescribed radial distance. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207379 | Continuously Variable Transmission - A continuously variable transmission comprises a drive shaft which has first and second drive shafts and is provided with rotational power, a planetary gear unit which is meshed with the first drive gear of the drive shaft and has a sun gear secured to an output shaft, and a transmission which receives a portion of driving force to provide additional output. Interruption of power transmission when shifting is prevented. Also, since the construction of the continuously variable transmission is simplified to minimize the load generated due to a shifting operation, power loss resulting from shifting is reduced, and the manufacturing cost is decreased. In particular, since vibration and noise generated upon shifting are decreased, the continuously variable transmission can be widely applied, from a small power device such as a bicycle or a motorcycle to a large power transmission apparatus such as an industrial machine. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207380 | Wide ratio transmissions with multliple gear ratios - The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes three planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms and two fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The seven torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members and with the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207381 | MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSION - A 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 first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207382 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - [Task] To provide an automatic transmission apparatus for forward 8-speed, which keeps a transmission gear ratio step in good balance. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207383 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - [Object] To provide an automatic transmission capable of providing a sufficient feeling of acceleration with a clear shift feeling at the time of shifting with acceleration by properly allocating step ratios between shift stages. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207384 | Automatic transmission - An automatic transmission that includes two adjacent clutches. Two clutches each include a clutch drum, a piston that structures an operating oil chamber with a portion of the clutch drum used as a cylinder, a plurality of friction plates that engage with the clutch drum, a cancel oil chamber that is arranged on a back surface side of the piston and that cancels a centrifugal oil pressure acting on the operating oil chamber, and a return spring that is provided within the cancel oil chamber and that is structured between a cancel plate and a back surface of the piston and that biases the piston toward the operating oil chamber. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207385 | Automatic transmission - An automatic transmission includes two clutches that are disposed such that they overlap in an axial direction and occupy different positions in a radial direction. Each of the two clutches includes a clutch drum, a piston that forms a working fluid chamber for which a portion of the clutch drum serves as a cylinder, a plurality of friction plates that engage the clutch drum, and a cancel oil chamber that is disposed on a rear face side of the piston and that cancels a centrifugal oil pressure that acts on the working fluid chamber. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207386 | Automatic transmission - An automatic transmission that includes two clutches that are disposed at positions that overlap in an axial direction and are different in a radial direction. The two clutches each include: a clutch drum, a piston that structures a working oil chamber with a portion of the clutch drum used as a cylinder, a plurality of friction plates that engage the clutch drum, and a cancel oil chamber that is disposed on a back surface side of the piston and that cancels a centrifugal hydraulic pressure that acts on the working oil chamber. An inner spline is formed on the clutch drum of one clutch, among the two clutches, that is positioned on an outer diameter side. An outer spline is formed on the clutch drum of the other clutch, among the two clutches, that is positioned on an inner diameter side. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207387 | PLANETARY GEAR TYPE MULTISTAGE TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLE - The transmission | 2008-08-28 |
20080207388 | Lightweight Gearing - A high ratio epicyclic gear assembly comprising two high torque planetary trains through which power flows via two parallel paths in one or other of which is an intermediate star train ( | 2008-08-28 |
20080207389 | Drive hub unit for a wind power generator - A transmission-hub unit ( | 2008-08-28 |
20080207390 | FRICTION DRIVE ACTUATOR - A friction drive actuator, comprising: a vibration member which is configured to be driven to vibrate by expansion and contraction of a piezoelectric displacement portion which is included in the vibration member and driven by a driving signal; a sliding member which is in contact with the vibration member and is driven by the vibration member in a first direction with respect to the vibration member; a pressing member which causes the vibration member and the sliding member to come into a pressure contact therebetween; and a control member which is provided on each of the vibration member and the sliding member at a contact portion therebetween for controlling a relative movement of the sliding member with respect to the vibration member in a direction perpendicular to the first direction when the vibration member and the sliding member are pressedly contacted with each other by the pressing member. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207391 | Vehicle motion control apparatus - A vehicle motion control apparatus includes hydraulic pressure applying means for applying hydraulic pressure to a wheel cylinder side of any of plural solenoid valves, respectively arranged between a master cylinder and plural wheel cylinders, for the corresponding wheel cylinders even when an operator of the vehicle does not operate a brake operation member, motor controlling means for controlling an output of the electric motor to be reduced in accordance with a condition of a road surface when the hydraulic pressure is applied to the wheel cylinder, and valve controlling means for controlling the operation of the solenoid valve to increase an amount of the brake fluid flown by the operation of the solenoid valve before the output of the electric motor is reduced when the output of the electric motor is controlled to be reduced. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207392 | DEVICE FOR ACTUATING A PLURALITY OF HYDRAULIC CONTROL CYLINDERS - A device for actuating a plurality of hydraulic control cylinders having a pressure regulating valve with a first and a second pressure regulating output, a first selector valve connected downline from the pressure regulating outputs, a second selector valve connected downline from the first selector valve, having a plurality of individual pressure outputs, where the second pressure regulating output is optionally assignable through the first and second selector valves to one of the individual pressure outputs, and the particular individual pressure outputs that are not assigned to the second pressure regulating output are assignable to the first pressure regulating output. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207393 | Clutch Controller, Straddle-Type Vehicle, and Method for Controlling Clutch - Appropriate torque is transmitted via a clutch that does not spend too much time on its engaging operation. A clutch controller controls a degree of engagement of the clutch by actuating a clutch actuator based on a difference between actual transmission torque that is transmitted from a drive-side member of a clutch to a driven-side member of the clutch, and target transmission torque that is supposed to be transmitted from the drive-side member to the driven-side member. The clutch controller also determines whether or not a difference in rotational speed between the drive-side member and the driven-side member of the clutch is reduced at an appropriate rate, and depending on the determination result, corrects the target transmission torque. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207394 | Control apparatus for an automatic transmission and related control method - In executing an ETC cooperative downshift operation based on a driver's intent to decelerate, this system executes an engine output increasing control (e.g. a combination of a throttle opening control and a fuel injection restoring control) for increasing the engine output irrespective of driver's accelerator operation. At the timing a reduction amount in an input shaft rotational speed Nt exceeds a predetermined value K after the ETC cooperative downshift control is started, it is presumed that the hydraulic pressure of a to-be-disengaged clutch is already reduced to a hydraulic pressure level equivalent to a predetermined transmission torque capacity that causes no undesirable acceleration or shock even if the engine output increasing control is started. And, under such assumption, the engine output increasing control is started at this timing. Accordingly, the present invention can accurately set the start timing of the engine output increasing control so as to suppress any undesirable acceleration or shock caused by the engine output increasing control. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207395 | Device For Controlling An Internal Combustion Engine - In a device for controlling an internal combustion engine, with a turbo-charger, which carries out a lean combustion of a desired lean air-fuel ratio, an up-shifting of an automatic transmission is prohibited when an opening degree of the throttle valve is equal to or larger than a predetermined opening degree and a boost pressure of said turbo-charger is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207396 | OIL PRESSURE SUPPLY DEVICE - An oil pressure control circuit includes an oil pump for outputting an oil pressure from each of a first port and a second port, a lockup control valve for making a switchover between a state in which a secondary pressure is supplied to an engagement-side oil chamber of a torque converter and a state in which a secondary pressure is supplied to a release-side oil chamber of the torque converter, in accordance with an oil pressure supplied from a first solenoid valve, a garage shift control valve for maintaining a supply source of an oil pressure when an oil pressure is supplied from the first solenoid valve, and a port switchover valve for shutting off the first port of the oil pump from a line-pressure oil passage when an oil pressure is supplied from each of both the first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207397 | Clutch Controller, Method for Controlling Clutch, and Straddle-Type Vehicle - A clutch controller that transmits appropriate torque during engaging operation of a clutch and prevents excessive increase or decrease in engine speed. The clutch controller performs request follow-up control under which a clutch actuator is actuated based on a difference between actual transmission torque that is transmitted from a drive-side member to a driven-side member of a clutch, and request transmission torque that is determined based on a rider's accelerator operation, such that the actual transmission torque approximates the request transmission torque. In an operation range in which engine torque increases as engine speed increases, the clutch controller performs rotational speed induction control, in place of request follow-up control, under which the clutch actuator is actuated such that engine speed increases or decreases to a predetermined engine speed. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207398 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RETARDING AN ENGINE - A method and system for retarding an engine of a machine is provided. The machine has a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a motor driven by the hydraulic pump, and a fan driven by the motor. The method includes sensing the operating speed of the engine with an engine speed sensor. The method also includes operating the motor at a first pressure. The method also includes comparing the operating speed to a trigger speed. The method also includes operating the motor at a second pressure greater than the first pressure if the operating speed of engine exceeds the trigger speed by a predetermined value. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207399 | Gear Change Control Device, Straddle-Type Vehicle, and Method of Controlling Gearbox - Riding comfort of a vehicle is improved by reducing deceleration and acceleration exceeding the expectation of a rider due to gear changes. A gear change control device calculates current torque being transmitted from a drive-side member of a clutch to a driven-side member of the clutch, and calculates post-completion torque estimated to be transmitted from the drive-side member to the driven-side member after the completion of engagement of the clutch. The gear change control device then controls the degree of engagement of the clutch according to the difference between the current torque and the post-completion torque, and receives a next gear change command according to the difference between the current torque and the post-completion torque. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207400 | LOW-IMPACT EXERCISE MACHINE - A low-impact exercise machine has a support device, a rotating device, a drive assembly and a handle assembly. The support device has a base, a pivot pin, a frame bracket, a supporting beam and two slideways. The rotating device is mounted rotatably with the support device and has a pivot post, a rotating panel and two rotating arms. The drive assembly is connected to the support device and the rotating device and has two driven segments. Each driven segment has a linking arm, two lateral beams, an operating shaft, a mounting bracket, a connecting stick and a transmitting shaft. The handle assembly is connected to the drive assembly with two handles. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207401 | GROUP FITNESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A group exercise system may include: a master exercise device including a variable parameter and being operatively associated with a control system; and a servant exercise device including the variable parameter and being in communication with the control system. In some embodiments, the control system may include a exercise control program configured to control the variable parameter in both the master exercise and the servant exercise device. In some embodiments, the control system may be configured to receive communication signals from at least the master exercise device to alter control of the variable parameter in both the master exercise and the servant exercise device from the control by the exercise control program. Some embodiments may involve a group exercise method. Still further embodiments may involve a computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for performing a group exercise method when executed on a computer device. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207402 | Closed-Loop Power Dissipation Control For Cardio-Fitness Equipment - Various embodiments of the present invention provide (a) an inexpensive apparatus enabling the measurement of power dissipated by the rider of a cardio-fitness station (or any other stationary bicycle) that does not depend on manufacturing tolerances or machine condition variations, and (b) a method of using the data measured by such an apparatus to improve the accuracy of exercise condition settings by implementing the invented apparatus into a closed-loop control system which improves the quality of the exercise experience and enhances the adoption of exercise on a cardio-fitness station employing this as a community activity. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207403 | Gymnastic machine - Gymnastic machine ( | 2008-08-28 |
20080207404 | Gymnastic machine - Gymnastic machine ( | 2008-08-28 |
20080207405 | Parallel Bars Instrument For Walking Exercise - A parallel bars instrument for a walking exercise or a gait training is provided for the purpose of enhancing a rehabilitation will of disabled or handicapped persons due to various kinds of diseases or accidents. The parallel bars instrument includes: a bottom portion; rotating plates which are respectively installed into rotating plate insertion portions and rotated; support stands each including a number of height control latches; vertical rods each including a number of height control holes; handle rods; and horizontal rods. The supplementary rotational parallel bars instruments rotate and stop together with rotations of the respective rotating plates. Accordingly, the handicapped person can easily turn back. As a result, the handicapped person can repeatedly perform a reciprocating gait training alone without the help of an assistant, and prevent the safety accident in advance. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207406 | FOLDING STEP EXERCISER - A folding step exerciser includes a base including a front square socket projecting upwardly and including front and rear apertures, a horizontal support extending rearward from the support, and a transverse tube on the support adjacent rear of the socket; left and right handlebars; an upright having a top end adjustably secured to the handlebars; a pivot fixedly secured around a bottom end of the upright, the pivot having a U-shaped cross-section and including a front surface, a cavity on a bottom edge of the front surface, two triangular side surfaces, and a hole at a rear pointed end of either side surface; a bolt adapted to drive through one hole, the tube, and the other hole to pivotably secure the pivot and the socket together by cooperating with a nut, and a fastener adapted to threadably fasten the pivot and the socket together. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207407 | Exercise treadmill for additionally vibrating a user running or walking on a tread belt - In one embodiment, an exercise treadmill includes a tread belt for permitting a user to run or walk thereon, a motor, a wheel and belt assembly for operatively connecting one end of a motor shaft to the tread belt, a sensor proximate the shaft, a controller, and a control panel. The sensor senses a speed change of the shaft in response to an impact on the moving tread belt. In response to the sensing, the controller instructs the motor to increase shaft speed in substantially real time. A user can press a vibration key on the control panel to perform at least one of changing amplitude of a sinusoid and adding same to the shaft speed, changing frequency of the sinusoid and adding same to the shaft speed, and changing the shaft speed via the controller and the motor, thereby vibrating the tread belt. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207408 | Device for Obtaining a Predetermined Substantially Constant Force in Particular for Muscular Training From Nearly Zero to a Maximal Value - A device for obtaining a predetermined linear force, includes a first elastic force elements and a force output elements in the form of a non-elastic, flexible elongated member, a force transformation elements arranged between the first elastic force element and the force output element, such that a pulling of the force output element creates a tension in the first elastic force element. The force transformation element is arranged and designed such that the pulling force required on the force output element decreases with the distance the force output element is pulled. The device includes a second elastic force element and a second force output element attached thereto wherein the pulling force required on the second force output element increases with the distance the force output element is pulled. The two force output elements are connected to each other such as to summarize the forces. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207409 | RESISTANCE-BASED MUSCULAR FORCE EVALUATION AND TRAINING UTILIZING ELASTICITY FOLLOWING ANGULAR CHANGE OF FIRST AND SECOND JOINTS - In an apparatus for resistance-based muscular force evaluation and training, elasticity at the distal end of a robot arm is made to follow changes caused in the force exerted by the muscles of praxis as a result of changes in angle at the first and second joints. Even when the trainee changes his or her position, he or she may be indicated of and may positively comprehend the direction in which he or she is to exert the force. The robot arm have its distal end secured to the distal end of the link mechanism has elasticity variable with directions. The elasticity is varied to follow changes caused in the force exerted on the distal end of the link mechanism by a set of antagonistic mono-articular muscles and a set of antagonistic bi-articular muscles, as a result of changes in angle at the first and second joints. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207410 | Device for Rehabilitation of the Limbs and of the Trunk - The present invention relates to a device for rehabilitation and exercise of the limbs, the joints and the trunk. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207411 | Gymnastic machine - A gymnastic machine ( | 2008-08-28 |
20080207412 | ROTATORY ABDOMINAL CRUNCH MACHINE - A rotatory abdominal crunch machine mainly uses a rotating disc fitted on an eccentric revolution disc to assist the user in swinging his or her waist in circular motion so as to strengthen the abdominal muscles. A rolling element, which is embedded in said rotating disc, drives said rotating disc to rotate in 360 degrees. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207413 | INVERSION DEVICE - An inversion device for inverting and supporting a person for exercise. There are: first and second support frames, spaced one from the other, each frame including: a front leg member and a rear leg member. The front leg members have a curved handle portion near a middle of the front leg member. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, each front leg member has a handle member coupled near a middle of the front leg member, extending outwardly therefrom. The front and rear leg members are coupled together and have a downwardly divergent relationship. The inversion device further includes: a top cross member coupled to each of the first and second support frames; a thigh pad coupled to the top cross member and rotatable about a long axis of the top cross member; and a bottom cross member coupled to a bottom end of each of the front leg members. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207414 | Collapsible and storable apparatus for exercising core muscles - A core muscle exercising apparatus has a support platform that is held off the ground in an operative position by opposed front support legs and opposed rear support legs. A front support leg on one side of the apparatus is pivotally secured to a rear support leg on that same side, and a front support leg on the other side of the apparatus is pivotally secured to the rear support leg on that side. In the operative position, the front support legs hold the support platform in an operative position, generally parallel to a ground surface on which the front and rear support legs stand. In a storable position, the front support legs are pivoted relative to the rear support legs on their respective pivot assemblies, and the support platform further pivots toward the front support legs to provide the apparatus in a collapsed, readily storable position. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207415 | TWISTING EXERCISER - A twisting exerciser includes a base and a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly are respectively connected to the base. A first extension is rotatably connected to the first pivot assembly and a handlebar unit is connected to the first extension. A knee support unit is rotatably connected to the second extension which is rotatably connected to the second pivot assembly. Two support members are connected to the knee support unit. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207416 | Flexible pedal - Described is an exercise apparatus that includes reciprocating foot pedal structures where the pedal structures include various mechanisms for absorbing foot impact or forces on the foot. The pedal structures can also include a mechanism for generating a biasing force generally normal to the upper surface of the foot pedal effective to restore the pedal to its normal position after foot impact. The impact absorbing mechanisms can include resilient members, fluid filled bladders and hinge arrangements. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207417 | Tool magazine for a machine tool - A tool magazine for a machine tool has a magazine wheel ( | 2008-08-28 |
20080207418 | Deflection Compensating Roll - A deflection compensating roller including a rotating roller casing, a rotationally fixed yoke axially extending through the roller casing, at least one hydrostatic support device arranged between the yoke and the roller casing, the at least one hydrostatic support device comprising a pressure compartment and at least one oil pocket that communicates with the pressure compartment via at least one first restricted flow zone and at least one second restricted flow zone, and a fluid comprising at least one of an electrorheological fluid (ERF) and a ferro fluid. A viscosity of the fluid is adapted to be varied by way of one of an electric and magnetic field. This abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207419 | EXPANDER ROLLER - A roller for a web-processing machine has a support core, which is braced in the region of both its ends via a respective bearing arrangement, and an outer covering, which in its axially central region is braced in a radially fixed manner in relation to the support core and in the region of its two ends is braced in a radially displaceable manner in relation to the support core by a respective additional bearing arrangement, whereby the radially extending center plane of both the support core bearing arrangement and the outer covering bearing arrangement lies axially within the outer covering, and the outer covering is displaceable in the region of its two ends respectively by an actuator arranged preferably within the outer covering. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207420 | ROLLING MILL OIL FILM BEARING SLEEVE WITH FILLED KEYWAY - A method of at least partially filling a keyway in the metal sleeve of a rolling mill oil film bearing comprises machining a pocket into the keyway. A metal key is provided with a shape complimentary to that of the pocket, with at least one exterior dimension of the key exceeding a respective internal dimension of the pocket. The key is thermally shrunk to reduce its at least one external dimension to an extent sufficient to accommodate insertion of the key in the pocket. The thermally shrunk key is then inserted in the pocket, and allowed to thermally expand, thereby establishing an interference fit between the key and the pocket. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207421 | System and method for crumpling paper substrates - The present subject matter relates generally to an apparatus for crumpling paper substrates. Specifically, the system provides for the crumpling of paper substrates to form fill material to be utilized in product packaging to fill void space and/or to wrap around products thereby allowing for safe transport of the products. The apparatus includes a feeder for feeding sheeting material, a first roller connected to a drive mechanism, a second roller disposed adjacent said first roller wherein said sheeting material travels between the first roller and the second roller and further wherein the second roller pushes said sheeting material against said first roller to engage the sheeting material with the first roller, and a third roller connected to the drive mechanism for directing said sheeting material out of said apparatus. | 2008-08-28 |
20080207422 | CENTRIFUGE - A centrifuge ( | 2008-08-28 |