50th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 31 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080304848 | FIXING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fixing device includes a pressing member, a belt member which rotates in contact with the pressing member and forms a nip with the pressing member, a first roller member and a second roller member to guide a rotation of the belt member, and a heating member which is mounted in one of the first roller member or the second roller member to heat the belt member, the heating member including at least two heaters to respectively heat at least two areas on the belt member corresponding to at least two width dimensions substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the one of the first roller member and the second roller member, and a sensor member to control a temperature of the belt member. The heating member includes a first heater to heat a central portion of the one of the first roller member and the second roller member, and a second heater to heat opposite ends of the one of the first roller member and the second roller member. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304849 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND SETTING METHOD FOR THE SAME - An image forming apparatus according to the invention includes: a control panel capable of displaying a menu screen; an image forming unit configured to carry out image forming processing under a condition set by the control panel; a reader and writer capable of communicating with a portable storage medium; a first control unit configured to control the reader and writer to write setting information at the time the image forming condition is set, into the storage medium, and to read the setting information stored in the storage medium; and a second control unit configured to control a content of the menu screen in accordance with the setting information read from the storage medium when the control panel is operated to set an image forming condition, and to display plural setting items for condition setting on the menu screen in predetermined order. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304850 | Variable speed printing device with mains overload prevention - An image reproduction device includes a print processing system and a print sheet conveying system that conveys sheets with a continuously variable and dynamically adjustable processing speed. The device lowers the processing speed when the mains connection cannot deliver sufficient power to run at a nominal processing speed and is provided with a current monitor unit for monitoring total electrical current drawn by the device from the mains connection and a control unit connected to the current monitor unit and arranged for dynamically adjusting the processing speed to a lower value when the total electrical current is above a preset maximum value. The control unit regulates the lower processing speed value to make sure that the total electrical current drawn by the device from the mains connection is kept substantially equal to the preset maximum current value until the mains power is again sufficient for running at nominal processing speed. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304851 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A power supply includes a transformer to transform an input voltage into an output driving voltage for one of a plurality of components of an image forming apparatus, and an output converter to detect the driving voltage being output from the transformer, to amplify the detected driving voltage according to a power control signal, and to output the amplified driving voltage to at least one remaining component in the plurality of components of the image forming apparatus. The power supply can not only control high voltage outputs individually, but also reduces the number of switching transformers being used, as it uses at least one shared switching transformer. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304852 | ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE, AND DISCHARGE CONTROL METHOD - An energy storage device is disclosed that includes capacitor cells of a first type having a first internal resistance and 0 capacitor cells of a second type having a second internal resistance which is higher than the first internal resistance. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304853 | Image forming apparatus - An aspect of the invention provides a charging control device of a color image forming apparatus, and the charging control device can properly control a charging potential of an image bearing body such that fog and uneven density are not generated even in a low-temperature environment. The image forming apparatus includes a high-voltage generation circuit | 2008-12-11 |
20080304854 | COOLING MECHANISM OF FIXING DEVICE - In a cooing mechanism for a fixing device according to an embodiment of the invention, a duct that flows outer air taken in by a fan is attached firmly to a slit formed between a bent coil part at an end part of a coil and a magnetic core in an induction heating device. The bent coil part is directly cooled without exerting influence of outer air on a heat roller, and temperature rise in the bent coil part is securely prevented. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304855 | Image forming apparatus with external air circulation chamber - An image forming apparatus capable of minimizing a temperature rise of a cover is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a fusing unit mounted in the main body to fuse an image to paper, a cover mounted to the main body to expose the fusing unit, a heat shielding member mounted proximate to an inner side of the cover to block heat transferred from the fusing unit, an external air circulation chamber formed between the heat shielding member and the cover, in which external air circulates by convection, and at least one external air flow hole, through which the air flows into/out of the external air circulation chamber. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304856 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming device; an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transferring device; a first cleaning member; a second cleaning member; a contacting/separating device; a release-agent applying device; and a controlling unit. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304857 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - When residual toner on the surface of an image carrier belt is removed with an elastic cleaning blade, a blade wear piece which is adhered to a blade edge is removed. When a blade edge of a cleaning blade is brought into sliding contact with a surface of an intermediate transfer belt which runs in a determined direction to remove residual toner on the belt surface, a step section having a predetermined height is provided on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. The step section is able to pass from a rear face side to a front face side of the blade edge while allowing the blade edge to run thereon, when the belt runs in a reverse direction such that the blade edge is in sliding contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. The intermediate transfer belt is moved, with a prescribed timing, in the reverse direction until the step section passes from the rear face side to the front face side of the blade edge at least once in the state that the blade edge is in sliding contact with the belt surface. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304858 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMANUFACTURING IMAGING COMPONENTS - Techniques for attaching a replacement chip to an imaging cartridge are described. a method of replacing a component of an imaging cartridge includes: providing the imaging cartridge including a chip and a chip holding structure holding the chip, the chip holding structure including a left upper flange, a right upper flange, a rear retaining member, bottom supporting rails, a left forward retaining element extending from the left upper flange, and a right forward retaining element extending from the right upper flange; removing at least a portion of the left forward retaining element and the right forward retaining element to form a modified chip holding structure; removing the chip from the cartridge; installing a replacement chip in the modified chip holding structure; and attaching the replacement chip to the imaging cartridge. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304859 | Imaging Cartridge Drive with an External Ramp - Provided is an improved drive mechanism for an imaging machine. At least one external ramp is disposed along the outer perimeter of the drive dog whereby a tooth of the imaging machine drive mechanism is centered and directed into the drive dog seat. The leading edge of the drive dog seat contacts the base of the imaging machine drive mechanism thus making full contact between the drive dog seat and the imaging machine drive mechanism tooth. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304860 | Image Forming Apparatus - In an image forming apparatus, a plurality of process units each including a photoconductor drum are arranged in tandem; a plurality of exposure units configured to expose the photoconductor drum to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon are each disposed above and opposite to the corresponding photoconductor drum; an output tray configured to receive an ejected recording sheet on which an image has been formed is disposed above the plurality of exposure units; and an image reader unit configured to read an image of a source document is disposed above the output tray with a predetermined space provided between the image reader unit and the output tray. At least one of the exposure units and at least a part of the output tray are movable together into the predetermined space, whereby the plurality of process units are allowed to be pulled out in a direction of tandem arrangement thereof. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304861 | Image Forming Device - An image forming device includes a driving mechanism that transmits a driving force to a process cartridge through an input portion of the process cartridge. The driving mechanism includes a drive shaft shifting between a state engaging with the input portion and a state spaced from the input portion, a first cam joined with a door to be rotated with movement of the door, the first cam including a first sliding surface, a translation member including a sliding contact portion which slidably contacts the first sliding surface, the translation member being configured to engage with the drive shaft and shift together with the drive shaft with the sliding contact portion sliding on the first sliding surface with rotation of the first cam, and a second cam including a second sliding surface which slidably contacts the sliding contact portion to face the first sliding surface through the sliding contact portion. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304862 | TANDEM PHOTOSENSITIVE-MEMBER UNIT HAVING GRIP PART - An image-forming device includes a main body and a tandem photosensitive-member unit. The tandem photosensitive-member unit includes a unit frame, a plurality of photosensitive members, a front-side grip part, and a rear-side grip. The unit frame is configured to be slidably installed to and removed from the main body in a predetermined direction. The unit frame has a leading side and a trailing side with respect to the predetermined direction. The plurality of photosensitive members is provided corresponding to a plurality of colors and is supported by the unit frame. The front-side grip part is provided at the leading side of the unit frame. The rear-side grip part is provided at the trailing side of the unit frame. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304863 | OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - An optical scanning device includes a synchronism detecting element for detecting a light beam scanningly deflected by a deflecting surface of an optical deflector, to determine an image-writing start position of the light beam on a scan surface in a main-scan direction, and a synchronism detecting optical element for directing the light beam scanningly deflected by the optical deflector to the synchronism detecting element, wherein the synchronism detecting optical element is comprised of a prism having a plurality of reflecting surfaces being unified and having a power in a sub-scan direction, and wherein, in a sub-scan section, the prism is configured to place the deflecting surface of the optical deflector and a light-receiving surface of the synchronism detecting element in an optically conjugate relationship with each other. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304864 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member in which friction memory does not easily occur, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer has a surface layer having a plurality of depressed portions which are independent from one another, where the minor axis diameter of the depressed portions is Rpc and the depth indicating the distance between the innermost part of a depressed portion and the opening surface thereof is Rdv, the depressed portions have a ratio of depth to minor axis diameter (Rdv/Rpc) on a surface of the photosensitive member of 1.0 or less, and the photosensitive layer has a charge transporting material with an ionization potential of 4.5 eV or more and 5.3 eV or less. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304865 | DRIVE JOINT MECHANISM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A drive joint mechanism includes a drive shaft ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080304866 | CHARGING BRUSH UNIT, CHARGING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A charging brush unit includes a brush and a conductive holder. The brush includes a plurality of flexible conductive fibers. The plurality of flexible conductive fibers is supplied with a charging bias to generate electrical discharge between a top of the plurality of conductive fibers and a latent image carrier across a gap formed between the top of the plurality of conductive fibers and the latent image carrier. The gap is provided with an electrode. The electrode includes a plurality of openings opposing the top of the plurality of conductive fibers and is supplied with a bias different from the charging bias applied to the plurality of conductive fibers. The conductive holder holds the brush. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304867 | Image bearing member, method of manufacturing the same, image formation method, image forming apparatus and process cartridge - An image bearing member including an electroconductive substrate, a photosensitive layer located overlying the electroconductive substrate and a cross linking surface layer comprising a charge transport curing compound and located overlying the photosensitive layer, wherein the charge transport curing compound includes a material including a structure unit represented by the following Chemical formula A: | 2008-12-11 |
20080304868 | DEVELOPER SUPPLYING APPARATUS AND DEVELOPING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A developer supplying apparatus includes a developer lump prevention unit that reduces the aggregation of developer into lumps in the path, which defines the supply passage of developer from the developer cartridge, in which the developer is stored, to the developing cartridge, which houses the developing roller. The developer lump prevention unit includes a developer lump removal member disposed in the path and a driving mechanism to drive the developer lump removal member to move in the path to prevent the developer lumps from forming and/or to break up lumps that had already formed in the path. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304869 | TONER BOTTLE FOR ELECTROSTATIC LATENT IMAGE DEVELOPING - A toner bottle containing a cylindrical toner container having therein a toner comprising at least a resin, a colorant and an external additive, the toner container having a toner discharge port on an end thereof and a rotation axis along the cylindrical toner container, and the toner container being installable in an image forming apparatus, wherein the toner container has plural protrusions which are intermittently provided in an interior of the cylindrical container, the protrusions having a function to convey the toner toward the toner discharge port when the toner container is rotated around the rotation axis; an X-ray intensity ratio of titanium to silicon (Ti/Si) determined via X-ray fluorescence spectrometry of the toner is 1.0 to 3.0; and a conveyance index of the toner is 2.0 to 10.0 mg/sec. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304870 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - If a user is not familiar with the operation for a developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. By increasing a rotation load of a second gear which is in an operable connection with a drive gear member of the developer receiving apparatus by a function of a locking member, the developer supply container mounted to the developer receiving apparatus is rotated toward the supply position. After the developer supply container rotates to the supply position, the locking by the locking member is released, by which the rotation load applied to the second gear is reduced, so that drive transmission, thereafter, to the feeding member for developer supply is smooth. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304871 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - If a user is not familiar with the operation for a developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. By increasing a rotation load of a second gear which is in an operable connection with a drive gear member of the developer receiving apparatus by a function of a locking member, the developer supply container mounted to the developer receiving apparatus is rotated toward the supply position. After the developer supply container rotates to the supply position, the locking by the locking member is released, by which the rotation load applied to the second gear is reduced, so that drive transmission, thereafter, to the feeding member for developer supply is smooth. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304872 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - If a user is not familiar with the operation for a developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. By increasing a rotation load of a second gear which is in an operable connection with a drive gear member of the developer receiving apparatus by a function of a locking member, the developer supply container mounted to the developer receiving apparatus is rotated toward the supply position. After the developer supply container rotates to the supply position, the locking by the locking member is released, by which the rotation load applied to the second gear is reduced, so that drive transmission, thereafter, to the feeding member for developer supply is smooth. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304873 | DEVELOPING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME - A developing unit which forms an image on a photosensitive medium, includes a housing which accommodates a developer, a magnetic cylinder having a catch pole which picks up the developer in the housing by a magnetic force, and a main pole which couples a carrier among the picked-up developer, a sleeve rotatably installed on a circumference of the magnetic cylinder to form a magnetic brush having a predetermined width on the circumference by the developer picked up by the catch pole, and a sealing member provided at opposite end parts in an axial direction of the sleeve to prevent a leak of the developer, wherein a width W | 2008-12-11 |
20080304874 | Developing Roller and Imaging Apparatus Using the Same - There are provided a developing roller capable of making useless a drying line in the formation of a resin layer and using a carbon-based electrically conducting agent for giving an electrical conductivity to the resin layer as well as an imaging apparatus using the same. The developing roller | 2008-12-11 |
20080304875 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, DEVELOPER THEREFOR, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE USING THE DEVELOPING DEVICE - A developing device including a developer bearing member configured to feed a developer to an image bearing member; a developer supplying member, which is contacted with the developer bearing member at a first nip while opposed thereto and which is configured to supply the developer to the developer bearing member; and a developer layer forming member, which is contacted with the developer bearing member at a second nip located on the downstream side from the first nip relative to the rotation direction of the developer bearing member to form the layer of the developer on the developer bearing member, wherein the developer is a nonmagnetic one component developer, and the distance between the front edge of the second nip and the rear edge of the first nip relative to the rotation direction of the image bearing member is greater than 0.8 mm and less than 2.0 mm. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304876 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a first toner-image forming unit that forms a first monochrome toner image, a first intermediate transfer drum onto which the first monochrome toner image is transferred, a first transfer unit that transfers the first monochrome toner image from the first intermediate transfer drum onto first recording paper, a second toner-image forming unit that forms a second monochrome toner image substantially simultaneously and in parallel with the formation of the first toner image, a second intermediate transfer drum onto which the second monochrome toner image is transferred, a second transfer unit that transfers the second monochrome toner image from the second intermediate transfer drum onto second recording paper, and a paper feeding unit that feeds the first recording paper and the second recording paper to the first transfer unit and the second transfer unit, respectively, substantially simultaneously and in parallel with each other. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304877 | Image-forming apparatus equipped with specified intermediate transfer member - An image-forming apparatus comprises an intermediate transfer member having a hard release layer on the surface that receives a primarily transferred toner image from a latent image-supporting member on the hard release layer and secondarily transfers the toner image to an image-receiving medium, wherein,
| 2008-12-11 |
20080304878 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080304879 | Image forming apparatus and method of controlling same - An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of first image carriers on which different color toner images C are respectively formed, a transfer fixing member onto which a multicolor toner image A consisting of the toner images C is transferred, a heater located configured to fuse the toner image A on the transfer fixing member, a pressurizer pressing against the transfer fixing member, an image carrier located upstream of the transfer fixing member in a direction in which the recording medium is transported, on which a toner image B is formed, and a transferer facing the image carrier. The toner image A is transferred from the transfer fixing member and fixed on a recording medium in a nip formed between the transfer fixing member and the pressurizer. The toner image B is transferred from image carrier onto the recording medium before the toner image A is transferred thereonto and fixed thereon. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304880 | TRANSFER APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A transfer apparatus for an image forming apparatus includes a transfer tube to face an image carrier, and a transfer roller disposed inside the transfer tube to cause the transfer tube to rotate. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304881 | ENDLESS BELT, BELT CONVEYOR AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An endless belt is provided with an endless belt body and a meandering prevention member in the form of a flat bar. The belt body includes a folded trace extending in the width direction thereof. The meandering prevention member is attached on one widthwise end of a circumferential surface of the belt body such that one widthwise end of the folded trace is covered thereby and the opposite longitudinal ends of the meandering prevention member abut each other in a rotating direction of the belt body. An abutting portion at the opposite ends of the meandering prevention member is arranged at a position displaced from the folded trace by a specified distance in the rotating direction of the belt body. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304882 | FUSING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A fusing device includes a pressing member, a belt member to rotate in contact with the pressing member, a nip forming member to support the belt member so that nip areas are formed on the pressing member and the belt member at contacting portions thereto, a heating member disposed away from the nip areas, to heat the belt member, and a tension application member to stiffen the belt member so that the heating member is tightly contacted with the belt member. The heating member includes a plate type heating element which is arranged at an upstream side of the nip areas, and to contact an inner circumference of the belt member, in an advancing direction of the fusing belt. The effective width of then nip areas increases, and the increased pressure is exerted to the nip areas, because the fusing belt enters a location where the nip areas are formed in a heated state. Furthermore, heating efficiency of the fusing belt is increased, because the fusing belt is heated while in a tight contact with the heating member. As a result, fusing performance is enhanced. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304883 | FIXING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING METHOD - The fixing apparatus used in an image forming apparatus and fixing an image on a recording medium, the fixing apparatus is provided with: a flash lamp that emits flash light for fixing the image; and a reflection member that has a reflection surface reflecting the flash light emitted from the flash lamp to the recording medium. A shape of the reflection surface is configured so as to be deformable. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304884 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus, including an image carrier, a toner image forming section which forms a toner image on the image carrier, a transfer section which transfers the toner image formed on the image carrier to an intermediate transfer member or a recording sheet, a cleaning section which includes a brush and a blade to remove toner particles remaining on the image carrier after the toner image are transferred by the transfer section, and a control section executes a blade cleaning mode in which toner particles having an opposite polarity against the toner particles adhered onto the blade are sent to the cleaning section while an amount of toner particles to be removed by the brush is changed. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304885 | IMAGE ARRANGING DEVICE AND IMAGE ARRANGING PROGRAM STORAGE MEDIUM - An image arranging device arranging an image in a predetermined region, includes: a regulation obtaining section that obtains an arrangement regulation of the image in the region; and a data obtaining section that obtains print image data which represents a print image to be printed on a print medium and in which a finish size of a printed matter is designated. The device further includes: a protrusion removal section that, regarding the print image represented by the print image data obtained by the data obtaining section, obtains an image portion protruding from the finish size designated by the print image data and removes the obtained image portion; and an image arranging section that, regarding the print image represented by the print image data, arranges an image portion remaining after the removal by the protrusion removal section in the region according to the arrangement regulation obtained by the regulation obtaining section. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304886 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image-forming apparatus includes a body casing having on upper surface thereof a paper ejection tray on which a sheet of paper ejected after formation of an image is stacked; a side cover capable of opening and closing a side surface of the body casing on the downstream side in the direction of ejection of the sheet of paper so as to cover the side surface of the body casing; and an extension tray being attached to an upper portion of the side cover. The extension tray is capable of extending to the downstream side in the direction of ejection of the sheet of paper with respect to the paper ejection tray so as to support an end portion of the sheet of paper. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304887 | CURL CORRECTING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND SHEET FINISHER - Disclosed is a curl correcting device comprising: a first nip forming member conveying a sheet by rotation; and a second nip forming member having pressing members, wherein at least one of the pressing members is opposed to the first nip forming member in a standstill state at a time of curl correcting, presses the first nip forming member to press the sheet, and is capable of being switched between the pressing members. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304888 | WALL-MOUNTABLE PRINTER HAVING A WIRELESS NETWORK INTERFACE - Provided is a wall-mountable printer having a wireless network interface for receiving image data, and a printhead assembly having ink reservoirs and a pagewidth printhead for printing the image data on a sheet of paper. The printer also includes a glue wheel assembly configured to apply glue along an edge of the sheet of paper after printing, and a page binding arrangement configured to bind successive sheets of paper together. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304889 | Holding member and unit using the holding member - A holding member is provided in a gap between a plurality of elements of a unit in a non-usage state to maintain a relative position between the plurality of elements, and is removed from the gap to put the unit into a usage state. The holding member includes an attaching portion, a filament, a panel, and a block. The attaching portion is inserted in the gap between the plurality of elements. The attaching portion includes a first parallel portion, a second parallel portion, and a connecting portion to connect one end of the first parallel portion with one end of the second parallel portion. One end of the filament is attached to the attaching portion. The panel is attached to another end of the filament. The block connects another end of the first parallel portion with another end of the second parallel portion. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304890 | Character input apparatus and method for automatically switching input mode in terminal having touch screen - Provided is a character input method and apparatus for automatically switching an input mode in a terminal having a touch screen. If a press event occurs in one of key regions displayed in the touch screen, it is determined whether a drag event occurs prior to occurrence of a release event. According to whether the drag event occurs, one of a separate input mode for inputting one of characters of a corresponding character group and a text input mode for inputting a word including one of the characters of the character group is executed. Thus, a user can easily input a character by rapidly selecting a desired input mode. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304891 | BARCODE GENERATION SYSTEM, BARCODE GENERATION PROGRAM, AND PRINTING DEVICE - A barcode generation system that generates an appropriate barcode, which satisfies the usage condition of each user, quickly and with a minimum consumption of ink and paper. A test chart is printed on a printing device | 2008-12-11 |
20080304892 | Keyboard for a Handheld Computer Device - A keyboard for a hand held computer device including an array of keys representing characters of an alphabet of a language, wherein the array includes: (a) keys representing frequently used vowel characters of said alphabet arranged together in series; (b) keys representing frequently used consonant characters of said alphabet arranged adjacent to said keys representing vowel characters; and (c) keys representing infrequently used consonant characters of said alphabet arranged in positions remote from said keys representing vowel characters, wherein the keys representing frequently used consonant characters are arranged in alphabetical order around the keys representing the vowel characters. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304893 | Magnetic Tape - A supply of image receiving medium for a label printer, said image receiving medium arranged to receive an image and comprising a magnetic layer, wherein said magnetic layer is anisotropic. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304894 | Tape cassette and tape printing system - A tape cassette includes an ink ribbon provided with a base film coated with an ink layer thereon and a film tape provided with a transparent film with an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof. When an adhesive layer of the film tape and the ink layer of the ink ribbon of the tape cassette into contact at a print position, the ink layer is adhered onto the adhesive layer on condition that the adhesive layer is heated to exhibit self-adhesive properties, and characters and the like are printed on the film tape. Also, an auxiliary sheet medium comes into contact with the adhesive layer. Further, a conveying roller does not come into contact with the adhesive layer. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304895 | PRINTER, PRINTER CONTROL METHOD, AND CONTROL PROGRAM - A printer that uses roll paper as the printing medium and has a manual feed button and an automatic paper cutter detects if the manual feed button was operated. If the manual feed button was operated, the paper is advanced a prescribed length, and the paper is cut by the automatic paper cutter after advancing the paper stops. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304896 | Writing instruments for small children - Crayons are formed of a unitary material with interior distances between surfaces to prevent insertion through the maximum mandibular opening of a child five years of age or younger. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304897 | TUBULAR APPLICATOR FOR SOLID TOILETRY PRODUCT WITH AN INNER TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING NOTCHED HELICAL GROOVES - A natural mineral deodorant stick applicator includes a holder having at least one holder tab extending radially outwardly; an elongated outer tubular member having a longitudinal slot; an elongated inner tubular member rotatably held within the outer tubular member and having a notched helical groove. The tab of the holder is configured for projection through the helical groove and into the elongated slot. The holder is movable relative to the inner and outer tubular members as the inner tubular member is rotated relative to the outer tubular member. The notched helical groove includes a notched lower edge and a smooth upper edge. Each one of the plurality of adjacent inclined sections is set off from another adjacent inclined section by a step. The step forms a backstop which prevents the holder tab from retreating downwardly past the backstop. The step defines an increment of advancement. The holder tab is adapted to glide along the notched lower edge. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304898 | Applicator for Fluid Substances for Medical and/or Cosmetic Use - An applicator ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080304899 | Liquid soap dispensing and scrubbing tool - A liquid soap dispensing and scrubbing tool including an open-topped container for holding a predetermined quantity of liquid soap solution. The container has a circular bottom wall and a cylindrical, side wall that is connected to, and extends upwardly from, the circular bottom wall. The cylindrical, side wall is provided with external, helical threads at its top and a pair of vertically aligned openings. A C-shaped, tubular handle is connected to the first, cylindrical, side wall such that it places the pair of vertically aligned openings in fluid communication with one another. A lid is removably fastened to the top of the container. The lid has a circular, top wall with a number of spaced-apart openings for the passage of liquid soap solution from the container. A second, cylindrical, side wall is connected to, and extends downwardly from, the top wall. The second, cylindrical, side wall is provided with internal, helical threads adapted to screw onto the external, helical threads of the container. A sponge is affixed atop the top wall of the lid so as to cover all of the openings in the top wall. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304900 | Toothbrush with toothpaste autodispenser - An oral hygiene device is disclosed. A toothbrush attached to a case or cartridge that works as a handle and contains toothpaste in its interior. To allow inner, fast and automatic toothpaste flow on the toothbrush bristles, a button (stopcock) located on the top of the case or cartridge has to be pushed down. Upon releasing the stopcock, toothpaste flow stops. The longer the stopcock is held down, the larger amount of toothpaste will flow on the bristles. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304901 | Duplex ring binder - A duplex binder assembly is provided that is comprised of two oppositely facing binders that share a common back cover. In this way, a symmetry is created which is lacking in known designs, which promotes more complimentary vertical storage with typical companion materials such as books. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304902 | Ball joint - An improved ball joint for use in such a motor vehicle steering or suspension system comprises a socket shell having a pair of openings; a bearing disposed in the socket shell; a first ball stud portion and a second ball stud portion disposed in the socket shell, the first ball stud portion defining a first bearing surface and the second stud portion defining a second bearing surface; and ball stud disposed between the bearing and the first and second ball stud portions, the ball stud having an inner surface seated on the first bearing surface of the first ball stud portion and the second bearing surface of the second ball stud portion. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304903 | Latch installable to various positioning holes of different specifications of computer rack without using tool - The invention discloses a latch installable to various positioning holes of different specifications of a computer rack without using a tool. The latch is latched into each positioning hole on both side panels of the computer rack. The latch has a base with a side fixed to a bottom track. The base has at least one horizontally extended hook, first sheath and second sheath engaged with each other, and a manual turning member. During assembling, the hook is latched into the positioning hole, and the manual turning member presses the protruding pillar all the way into the positioning hole to prevent the protruding pillar from being separated from the positioning hole by abutting the hook to the protruding pillar. During dismantling, the manual turning member is returned to its original position, and the first and second sheathes are moved accordingly to separate the protruding pillar from the positioning hole. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304904 | Thread Joint - A thread joint for transmitting percussive forces includes a male thread on a male member and a female thread on a female member. The male member includes a first portion including an outer surface having a maximum first outer cross section, a second portion having a second maximum outer dimension, and a third portion having the male thread formed thereon. The second portion is disposed axially between the first and third portions. The male thread includes a thread start and a thread end. The third portion terminates in an axially facing first end surface. The female member has a recess in which the female thread is formed, the female thread having a mouth defined by a ring-shaped second end surface. The recess includes a cylindrical inner surface disposed between the second end surface and the female thread. The inner surface faces the cylindrical center portion of the male member. The inner surface has a diameter at least as large as the second maximum outer cross-sectional dimension, and smaller than the first maximum cross section. A first imaginary cylinder constituting an axial extension of the inner surface intersects the first portion of the male member, and a second imaginary cylinder constituting an axial extension of an outermost surface of the female member extends outside of the first portion of the male member. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304905 | Arrangement For Assembling Two Parts By Screw-Fastening Using a Screw-Nut System - An arrangement for assembling two parts by screw-fastening, includes a horizontal flat first part including a housing which extends axially along a screw axis contained in the horizontal plane of the first part and which houses the screw and the nut, at least part of which collaborates with a thrust surface of the housing so as to immobilize the nut axially when a tightening force is applied, and a vertical second part orthogonal to the first part including a first and a second bearing surface which bearing surfaces, in the assembled position, collaborate one of them with a reaction surface of the first part and the other with a clamping surface of the screw whose threaded shank passes through the second part in such a way that part of the screw applies an axial clamping force to the second bearing surface in order to immobilize the first and second parts. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304906 | Creep and Corrosion Mitigating Inserts for Bolted Joints - A system for clamping a first member to a second member is disclosed in which an insert is coupled to the first member. The insert is made of a different material than the first member and has a cylindrical through hole with its centerline roughly parallel to the insert's axis. The exterior surface of the insert is roughly cylindrical along the length of the insert except near one or both ends of the insert where the outside diameter increases monotonically in the direction of one or each end of the insert. A bolt passes through the insert coupling with threads disposed in the second member. By making the insert of a material not susceptible to creep, the attachment point is not impaired if the first member suffers from creep. The bolt comes in contact with the insert and not the first member, thereby mitigating corrosion by galvanic action. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304907 | FASTENING APPARATUS WITH TOLERANCE EQUALIZATIONA - Fastening apparatus for fastening a component B to a component A with automatic equalization of tolerances in the separation distance between the component B and the component A, comprising a receiving element and an adjustment element, which can be screwed to the receiving element via a first thread pairing of a first thread direction, and a fastening screw, which can be screwed into the receiving element via a second thread pairing of an opposite thread direction and can be connected with the adjustment element via a detachable drag connection, in order to also turn the adjustment element when the fastening screw is turned and to thereby move for the purpose of tolerance equalization in line with component B, while the receiving element below a flange has at least one radially projecting holding projection so that the receiving element can be immobilized through positive and/or frictional holding of the component A between the flange and the at least one holding projection on the component A. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304908 | Gutter Block Structure, Water Channel Formed by Gutter Block Structures, and Method of Manufacturing Gutter Block Structure - A gutter block structure of the present invention has a configuration in which a vegetable fiber layer made of palm fibers or the like is integrally attached to an inner surface of a water-permeable concrete material, sidewall surfaces which serve as the inner surface are formed into a stepped shape, and a bottom surface which serves as the inner surface is formed into an irregular shape. Further, both the sidewalls are formed into a curved shape or S-shape. Thus, when a water channel is formed by the gutter block structures, the supply and drain of water between the water channel and the surrounding soil is enabled, the flow velocity of water can be reduced, and zones with different flow velocities can be provided. Thus, an environment at the water channel and around the water channel can be closer to a natural condition, and an environment for growing underwater creatures can be brought into a fairly good condition. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304909 | SEMI-PERMANENT BOLLARD - A bollard mounting system mounts a bollard body to a stationary post mounted in the floor or ground. The bollard mounting system includes a plurality of locking protrusions and a key protrusion coupled with or otherwise integral with the post. The bollard mounting system also includes a keyed collar disposed on the bollard body. When the bollard body and the keyed collar are positioned on the post, the locking protrusions and the key protrusion engage the keyed collar locking the bollard body onto the stationary post. Installation of the bollard body only requires sliding the bollard body with the keyed collar into place over the stationary post. The locking protrusions are not externally accessible and not externally visible after the bollard body is locked in position, which reduces the likelihood of theft or damage to the locking mechanism in an aesthetically desirable manner. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304910 | Roadway For Decelerating A Vehicle Including An Aircraft - A method for slowing a vehicle traveling over a movable surface in a direction of travel where the vehicle has a first wheel and at least a second wheel offset from the first wheel in a direction opposite to the direction of travel. The method including: deploying the movable surface to an open position; moving the movable surface to a closed position due to the weight exerted on the movable surface by the first wheel of the vehicle as it travels over the movable surface; locking the movable surface in the closed position to convert at least a portion of a kinetic energy of the vehicle into potential energy to slow the vehicle; and redeploying the movable surface to the open position such that at least the moving can be repeated due to the weight exerted on the movable surface by the second wheel of the vehicle. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304911 | Spill boom - An improved spill boom having an elongated tubular main body filled with water, sand or the like through a filling port, and having an elongated base seal member attached beneath the tubular main body. The base seal member is formed of a flexible, relatively soft polymer material such that the underside surface of the base seal member self-conforms to the surface configuration of the ground or other substrate upon which the spill boom is disposed. Short segments at the ends of the base seal member are not connected to the tubular main body, such that a connector sleeve member can be disposed between the base seal member ends and the ends of the tubular main bodies of two adjoining booms, the connector sleeve member receiving the ends of the tubular main bodies in an abutting manner. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304912 | Marine Pipelaying System and Method for Installing an Offshore Pipeline That Includes One or More Accessories - Marine pipelaying method and system for installing an offshore pipeline ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080304913 | Diver's buoyancy control device with passive dynamic weight system - The weights in a buoyancy compensating device are placed in a pouch or pocket immediately beneath the air cell. The pocket is essentially a non-air holding extension of the buoyancy bag. In this manner, the center of gravity is now moved back, more directly in line with the center of the buoyancy bag. The buoyant forces act to directly counter the forces of the ballast weights. The improved device is more balanced in the water, very comfortable and requires less energy to maintain a diver's selected orientation in the water. The weight holding pockets can be constructed with varying degrees of stiffness relative to the air cell. The weights react to gravity and shift forward or back a few degrees depending upon whether the diver is on his back or on his stomach. The center of gravity shifts to be more in harmony with the diver's desired attitude. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304914 | Artificial islands and method of forming - A structure and method for building offshore, artificial islands employs modular, preformed elongated box members which are built ashore and transported by marine vessel to deepwater, offshore sites. They are sunk into position to form artificial island perimeters of various configurations of choice. The water within the space formed by the perimeter walls is pumped out and filled with stone, dredge spoils, rip-rap, and other solid materials at high rates of speed and relatively low cost by specially modified vessels. A variety of offshore facilities, including nuclear power plants, LNG terminals, and deep water container stations, can be constructed on the islands. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304915 | Method and Device For Attaching a Subsea Cutting Apparatus - A method of and a device for attaching a cutting apparatus, the cutting apparatus comprising a framework structure and a cutting head which can be displaced relative to the framework structure, and where, during the cutting operation, the cutting apparatus is tied in to the seabed by means of at least one attachment. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304916 | PULL-STYLE TENSIONER SYSTEM FOR A TOP-TENSIONED RISER - A tensioner system for a top-tensioned riser in a floating platform includes a hydro-pneumatic tensioner assembly resiliently mounted to the floating platform, and a riser support conductor surrounding the riser coaxially, wherein the support conductor conveys a pull-type tensional force from the hydro-pneumatic tensioner assembly to the riser through a riser conductor coupling assembly that engages the tensioner assembly and the riser support conductor to convey the tensional force. A riser tension joint support assembly conveys the tensional force from the riser support conductor to a riser tension joint on the riser. The tensioner assembly compensates for relative platform motion including pitch, heave, and yaw. Also a reactive load assembly is mounted to the platform and reacts to a two-point dynamic bending moment imposed on the riser support conductor, while resisting riser support conductor rotation. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304917 | HYDRAULIC-FORCED RESONANCE-FREE VIBRATORY SHEET PILING DRIVING AND EXTRACTION MACHINE - An apparatus and method for continuously preloading during installation and removal of steel sheet piles, steel pilings, and casing piles, comprising a telescoping, articulated boom having a free end for creating the downward driving force, a weighted base to provide support and stability for the boom, a connector at the free end of said boom to engage the piling, a modified resonance-free vibratory hammer, and a means for simultaneously vibrating the piling while applying to the piling the continuous downward or upward force. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304918 | REINFORCED-CONCRETE COLUMN IN THE SOIL PIT AND METHOD OF ITS CONSTRUCTION - A reinforced-concrete column contains reinforcing cage and inserts made monolithic with concrete mix and comprises the upper bearing and lower foundation parts. The method of construction of the column includes operations of manufacture of the column reinforcing cage with inserts, placement of concrete in the non-removable casing in the project position in single- or multi-slit pit with the column making monolithic. The column reinforcing cage is loaded vertically into the pit, centered vertically, and the upper part is fixed from horizontal displacements, the lower foundation part of the column and the inner part of the non-removable casing with the closed-type casing in the upper bearing part of the column are made monolithic with concrete from down to top. After making monolithic, the soil base is widened and cemented via the process pipeline placed inside the reinforcing cage; the space between the non-removable casing and the pit walls in the upper bearing part is filled with granular material. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304919 | Adjustable pier/footing cap for creating an adjustable building foundation - I have invented an apparatus for creating an adjustable foundation, for residential and light commercial structures, that are supported on concrete drilled piers or concrete pad footing supports. The apparatus is an adjustable pier/footing cap, added to conventional drilled piers/footings at the time of foundation construction; said drilled piers are commonly used to support a building foundation in expansive soil areas and/or in other areas where upper bearing soils are weak or incompetent. The adjustable pier/footing caps are partially imbedded in the concrete drilled piers/footings when the piers/footings are poured and then into the foundation walls of the building when said foundation walls are poured. Upon settling or upheaval of the foundation, the adjustable pier/footing caps can be adjusted to lower or raise the building without replacing the drilled pier/footing with an expensive remedial piering device, and without substantial excavation around the foundation. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304920 | Resin Anchor With a Compressible Envelope Containing a Curable Product - The resin anchor comprises an apertured tubular envelope designed to be compressed by a traction element, characterized in that it includes, on the inside of the envelope, a resin component and a hardener component that are intended to be mixed together and to cure under the action of the compression of the envelope, in order to fasten the anchor. The traction element is a stud having a threaded rod part that cooperates with a tapped traction element firmly attached to the end of the bushing. The anchor is fastened both mechanically and chemically, for either solid material or hollow material. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304921 | MICRO-CLIMATE CRAWL SPACE SYSTEM - A micro-climate crawl space system having a means for keeping water from entering the crawl space, a means of expelling water that enters the crawl space, a means for keeping water vapor from entering the crawl space, a means of expelling water vapor from the crawl space, and a means for minimizing the deleterious impact of water that is present in the crawl space. The means of expelling water is a durable thermal insulating sealing apparatus, where the apparatus isolates the crawl space; and a supply of conditioned air that is typically drawn from an interior of the building, where the conditioned air is supplied at a rate sufficient to effect a slight positive pressure on the crawl space. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304922 | EXTENDABLE FLUID TRANSPORT APPARATUS - An EXTENDABLE FLUID TRANSPORT APPARATUS for conveyance of a fluid to a remote surface. A rigid fluid tube ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080304923 | TOOL FOR CHIP REMOVING MACHINING AS WELL AS A BASIC BODY THEREFORE - A tool for chip removing machining, including a long narrow basic body having an envelope surface which is concentric with a center axis, and two opposite ends, and a replaceable loose top which is connected to the basic body via a first coupling that includes a first seating formed in one end of the basic body and a first male element formed in one end of the loose top. The basic body includes a primary part body made of a first material having a first modulus of elasticity, and a secondary part body which includes the first seating and is made of a second material having a second modulus of elasticity which is lower than the first modulus of elasticity. The two part bodies of the basic body are interconnected via a second coupling which includes a second seating in the secondary part body as well as a second male element that is formed on the primary part body and has one or more precision machined flank surfaces that are arranged to apply, together with one or more co-operating and precision machined flank surfaces of the second seating, joining axial forces to the part bodies by turning the part bodies in relation to each other. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304924 | Indexable end-milling insert - An indexable end-milling insert including an underside, an upperside and a plurality of cutting edges that are formed between the upperside and a number of clearance sides and that include a chip-removing main edge as well as a surface-wiping wiper edge. The cutting insert has a square basic shape and includes four main edges and four wiper edges that are countersunk to a lower level than the main edges. The wiper edge is included in a lip projecting in relation to a secondary clearance surface and has a tertiary clearance surface, which laterally transforms into a primary clearance surface. The primary clearance surface has a width that decreases from the two opposite ends thereof toward a section having a smallest width therebetween. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304925 | ADJUSTABLE INDEXABLE DRILL - An adjustable drill comprising a drill body having a longitudinal axis, comprising a face surface comprising an aperture extending into the drill body; a directional feature adjacent the aperture extending toward an edge of the drill body; a longitudinal gullet extending from the face surface along at least a portion of the drill body; a cartridge adjacent the face surface and selectively slidable along the directional feature comprising a slot along the directional feature; and a cutting face comprising an insert pocket positioned adjacent the edge of the drill body; a fastener through the slot into the aperture releasably affixing the cartridge to the drill body; and an insert releasably affixed in the insert pocket. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304926 | MILLING CUTTER AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME, AND OTHER MACHINE TOOLS, AND AN ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM THEREFOR - Milling cutter and method of operating same, and other machine tools, and an adjustment mechanism therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304927 | Cutting bit adapted to cut metal and wood and associated method - A cutting bit adapted to cut wood or metal is disclosed. The cutting bit is prepared by a process which includes the step of performing a forming operation on a metal blank so as to create a formed metal part that includes (i) a shaft having a polygonal shaped drive surface and defining an axis, (ii) a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the body being attached to the shaft, the body further having a first shoulder and a second shoulder at the distal end thereof, the first shoulder defining a first cutting edge segment, and the second shoulder defining a second cutting edge segment, the axis extending between the first cutting edge segment and the second cutting edge segment, (iii) a central cutting member extending from the body so that the central cutting member is aligned with the axis, (iv) a first cutting spur extending from the distal end of the body, the first cutting edge segment being interposed between the first cutting spur and the axis, and (v) a second cutting spur extending from the distal end of the body, the second cutting edge segment being interposed between the second cutting spur and the axis. The process of preparing the cutting bit further includes the step of performing a carburization operation on the formed metal part after the first step so as to create the cutting bit. The cutting bit is particularly useful in performing a drilling operation on a metal construction wall stud to form a hole therein. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304928 | Tool for chip removing machining as well as a basic body and an indexable cutting insert therefor - A tool for chip removing machining, including a basic body having a connecting surface included in an insert seat, and an indexable cutting insert mounted in the basic body and having a connecting surface in mechanical engagement with the connecting surface of the basic body, and fixed by a tightening element. The connecting surface of the basic body includes a solitary, polygonal elevation that protrudes from a bottom surrounding the elevation from all sides. The elevation includes two external side support surfaces orientated at an angle to each other. The connecting surface of the cutting insert includes a solitary depression that is wider and deeper than the elevation. The depression is surrounded by a frame in which there are included at least three banks running at an angle to each other and including internal shoulder surfaces, two of which are pressed against the two side support surfaces of the elevation, and lower base surfaces, which are situated in a common plane, three of which rest against the bottom. In addition, the invention relates to a basic body and a cutting insert as such. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304929 | MACHINING MACHINE WITH MEANS FOR ACQUIRING MACHINING PARAMETERS - A machining machine with an upper rotatingly drivable machining disc, the annular machining plane of which has a machining coating and is facing a lower machining plane, wherein the machining planes form a machining gap between each other. Plural rotor discs are arranged in the gap, which accommodate workpieces in recesses and which can be brought into rotation by means of a roll-off device, wherein the workpieces move along a cycloid path, wherein plural sensor elements for acquiring at least one machining parameter are arranged in the upper machining disc, distributed across its cross section, the sensor elements are each one coupled to an active or passive RFID chip and a reading device is assigned to the upper machining disc for reading out the RFID chips. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304930 | Wheel restraint assembly and method - A wheel restraint assembly pivots about a centralized axis for enabling enhanced assembly installation and removal. The wheel restraint assembly comprises a plate assembly and a brace assembly. The plate assembly comprises first and second plates, and certain hinge structure therebetween for effecting a plate-based axis of rotation. The brace assembly comprises certain anchoring structure; first and second links, certain wheel-engaging structure, and a brace lock means for selectively locking the wheel-engaging structure against a wheel via the anchor structure and first and second links. The anchoring structure is attached to the first plate, and the brace lock is attached to the second plate. The first and second plates are rotatable about the plate-based axis for locking and unlocking the plate assembly to and from the grating. The brace-lock prevents translation of the first and second brace-based axes when the wheel-engaging structure engages the wheel. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304931 | OVERRIDEABLE GUIDE AND VERTICAL RESTRAINT FOR AN AIR CARGO SYSTEM - A centerline restraint includes a conventional center guide/restraint and a pair of a overrideable guide/restraint at either end. Each overrideable guide/restraint is lockable into one of three rotational positions about a common axis: a retracted position, an erect position and an overridden position. The overrideable guide/restraint has a yoke-shaped body with a pair of legs rotatably mounted on an axle which, in turn, is mounted on a base of the centerline restraint. Lift handles, each operatively connected to a spring-loaded plunger are used to adjust the overrideable guide/restraint between the three positions. A head of the spring-loaded plunger abuts one or more stops formed on the legs of the overrideable guide/restraint to lock the overrideable guide/restraint in various predetermined positions. Lift handles operatively connected to the plungers, when operated, cause the overrideable guide/restraint to switch between positions. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304932 | Self-Tensioning Tie Down Assembly - A self-tensioning tie down assembly ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080304933 | BOLT HOLDING MEMBER - A bolt temporary fixing nut | 2008-12-11 |
20080304934 | BOOKBINDING APPARATUS AND BOOKBINDING SYSTEM - A bookbinding apparatus which forms a sheet bundle by aligning a plurality of sheets fed from an image forming apparatus and prepares a booklet by applying adhesive on a spine of the sheet bundle, the bookbinding apparatus includes: a storage member for storing the adhesive; a rotating member for rotating in contact with the adhesive in the storage member; a heater for melting the adhesive in the storage member and for heating the adhesive so as to reach a preset temperature; and a control device for controlling the preset temperature, at a termination of the bookbinding job, to switch from a first preset temperature for a time of bookbinding to a second preset temperature which is below the first preset temperature and equal to or above a melting point of the adhesive. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304935 | Robotic exoskeleton for limb movement - This invention relates to a robotic exoskeleton comprising mechanical linkages that couple to one or more selected joints of a limb of a subject. The robotic exoskeleton may be provided with means for obtaining data respecting angular position, torque, and/or acceleration of at least one of the joints or the links of the mechanical linkages, and may be used for assessing, studying, diagnosing a deficit, and/or treating an impairment in sensorimotor function of a limb of a subject. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304936 | SAFETY DEVICE APPLIED TO APPLIANCES FOR LIFTING BOARDS ONTO CEILINGS AND WALLS - A safety device applied to appliances for lifting boards onto ceilings and walls comprises a telescopic mast, an upper part of which accommodates the board holder and traction and safety ropes operated by a manually controlled winch, a component for attaching and fastening the traction rope and safety rope so that they are at the same fastening level, and a mechanism for tensioning the safety rope. The attachment component is fixed in the lower receiving part of the terminal inner section of the telescopic assembly. The tensioning mechanism is external relative to the telescopic mast and situated facing the winch for winding the traction and safety ropes. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304937 | Clothing Managing Apparatus - A clothing managing apparatus is provided. In the clothing managing apparatus, a panel coupling protrusion ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080304938 | Strongback Traveling Clamp - A modified strongback for laying pipeline offshore that utilizes a movable clamp. One end of the strongback is modified to include a travel mechanism. A pipe clamp is mounted on the travel mechanism to allow movement of the clamp as necessary to accommodate different pipe joint lengths. A mechanism for locking the clamp in the desired position is provided on the strongback. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304939 | System for Handling Pipes Between a Pipe Rack and a Derrick, and Also a Device for Assembling and Disassembling Pipe Stands - A system for handling pipes between a pipe rack ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080304940 | Integrated post-exposure bake track - Systems and methods for processing wafers, a combined post expose bake and chill unit, and an interface are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a lithography tool, local track, transfer device, transfer device handler, interface unit, and controller to schedule processing. An exemplary combined post expose bake and chill unit includes an enclosure having an opening in its side, and a bake unit and a chill unit in the enclosure. An exemplary interface includes a plurality of enclosures arranged around robot(s) that transfer wafers among the enclosures, one of the plurality of enclosures being an integrated bake and chill unit. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304941 | Multi-Stage Baking Apparatus for Plasma Display Panel - The present invention intends to provide a baking apparatus for PDP capable of realizing an improvement in productivity while minimizing an increase in a factory space. In a baking furnace | 2008-12-11 |
20080304942 | INDUSTRIAL ROBOT - An industrial robot may include a robot hand structured to mount a transfer object, a multi-joint arm section having at least two arms including a robot hand supporting arm structured to support the robot hand to be rotatable; and a main section structured to support the multi-joint arm section to be rotatable. The robot hand may include a grasping part structured to contact and grasp the transfer object and a biasing member structured to bias the grasping part in a direction for grasping the transfer object. The robot hand supporting arm may include an eccentric member fixed to the robot hand supporting arm at a position being eccentric from a turning center of the robot hand in relation to the supporting arm. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304943 | SUBSTRATE CARRIER AND FACILITY INTERFACE AND APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A carrier comprises an enclosure, a cabinet and at least one substrate holder. The enclosure comprises a door. The cabinet is coupled to the carrier. The cabinet comprises at least one valve and contains at least one reduction fluid. The substrate holder is disposed within the enclosure to support at least one substrate. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304944 | Preventing Contamination in Integrated Circuit Manufacturing Lines - A semiconductor manufacturing line includes an inert environment selected from the group consisting essentially of an inert airtight wafer holder, an inert wafer transport channel, an inert production tool, an inert clean room, and combinations thereof. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304945 | Method and Apparatus for Unloading Material from a Container - An unloader for unloading material from a container. In some embodiments, the unloader can include an unloader arm movable within the container, a first chain coupled to the unloader arm and movable to unload material from the container, and a second chain coupled to the unloader arm and positioned to engage material within the container upon movement of the unloader arm. The unloader can have a sensor adapted to transmit signals indicative of a force applied to the unloader arm, the first chain, and/or the second chain. A controller can receive the signal from the sensor, and can alter an operation of the unloader arm, the first chain, and/or the second chain based upon the signal received from the sensor. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304946 | Parcel delivery truck with lift or hoist unit - A method of and system for delivering parcels or packages utilizing a parcel delivery truck. The method allows both lighter and heavier packages to be delivered by a single driver or operator. The method includes positioning a specially designed lift or hoist unit within a rear compartment of a parcel delivery truck. The left and right portions of the lift unit are mounted to left and right side walls of the rear compartment to provide maximum lifting efficiency and maximum space for heavier parcels carried in the rear compartment. | 2008-12-11 |
20080304947 | Cleanout system for a reciprocating slat conveyor - A sheet member ( | 2008-12-11 |