el Smoking article with flavor delivery system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A flavor delivery release system for a cigarette or cigarette package. The system includes a cigarette, at least one capsule containing a flavorant, the capsule positioned on an external surface of the cigarette; and wherein the flavorant is released upon rupturing the capsule. Full Article
el Method for forming a smoking article capable of delivering flavorant to mainstream smoke when ignited during smoking By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Delivery of additives in a smoking article is provided through thermally degradable, robust immobilized additive inserts. Additives can be immobilized in an elongated device or an insert, wherein the elongated device or the insert is sufficiently robust to allow the elongated device or the insert to be manually or machine inserted into a smoking article while maintaining the structure of the elongated device or the insert. By providing additives in the form of thermally degradable immobilized additive inserts, migration and/or loss of the additives in a smoking article prior to smoking can be reduced. Full Article
el Wireless charging device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wireless charging device comprises an electronic switch and a transmitting coil (L1) electrically connected with a power source in sequence. A control end of the electronic switch is connected with a transmitting control unit. The wireless charging device further comprises a current limiting resistance (R1) connected in serial with the transmitting coil. The wireless charging device further comprises a compensation capacitor (C1) connected in parallel with the transmitting coil. An insert total electromagnetic coupling structure is further employed for charging. Such wireless charging device is particularly suitable for electronic cigarette, with low cost, stable and reliable working status and high efficiency, and specific heat sink is not required. Full Article
el Methods for extracting and isolating constituents of cellulosic material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for extracting and isolating constituents of cellulosic matter, comprising providing cellulosic matter; contacting the cellulosic matter with a supercritical fluid; separating the supercritical fluid from the cellulosic matter, thereby forming an extract and a raffinate; and separating at least one compound present in the extraction medium by distillation. Full Article
el Protective device and method for preventing supply voltage sag of microcontroller from sagin electronic cigarette By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A protective device and method for preventing supply voltage of microcontroller from sag in electronic cigarette is provided, comprising a microcontroller, a power supply module, a field effect transistor, an energy storage circuit, wherein, the energy storage circuit is connected between the microcontroller and the power supply module, the energy storage circuit supplies electric power to the microcontroller when an over current or short circuit occurs, and maintains the supply voltage of the microcontroller not being less than its minimal operating voltage in a certain period of time; the microcontroller processes the over current or short circuit signal and turns off the MOSFET to cut off the current flow in a load circuit. The unstable or uncontrollable phenomena of the microcontroller in the existing technology are resolved. The circuit of the present invention is simple and low cost. Full Article
el Tip charging electronic cigarette and system and method for charging the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tip charging electronic cigarette includes a cigarette body including a shell and a mouthpiece, the shell having a forward portion terminating in a tip. The cigarette body further includes a battery, a charging circuit operatively coupled to the battery, and a cartomizer operatively coupled to a switch assembly. A center charging contact is disposed adjacent the tip, an annular charging contact is disposed adjacent the tip, and the center charging contact and the annular charging contact are operatively coupled to the charging circuit. The center charging contact and the annular charging contact are arranged for connection to cooperating electrical contacts of a charger assembly, wherein the battery is arranged to be charged upon engaging the tip with the charger assembly. Full Article
el Electronic cigarette By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic cigarette is provided, comprising a cigarette rod (100) with smoke liquid and a battery, a cigarette holder (200) and a atomizer (300), the cigarette rod (100), the atomizer (300) and the cigarette holder (200) are connected successively, the battery provides power for the atomizer (300) to heat and atomize the smoke liquid, the atomized smoke liquid is discharged through the cigarette holder (200), wherein, a pressure-regulating valve component (400) is provided between the cigarette rod (100) and the atomizer (300) to adjust the flow of the smoke liquid, the pressure-regulating valve component is installed between the cigarette rod and the atomizer to control the flow of the smoke liquid of the electronic cigarette, enabling to adjust the amount of atomizing smoke liquid inhaled by user, and thus the taste of smoking can be adjusted to satisfy different users' need, and the tobacco bar inflows from the battery and control panel can be prevented to extend the life of the electronic cigarette. Full Article
el Smokeless tobacco composition comprising tobacco-derived material and non-tobacco plant material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A smokeless tobacco product is configured for insertion into the mouth of a user and incorporates materials from Nicotiana species (e.g., tobacco-derived materials) and plant materials from non-Nicotiana species (e.g., non-tobacco plant materials). The tobacco material can have the form of processed tobacco material (e.g., granulated, reconstituted, heat treated, or otherwise processed tobacco laminae and/or stem), tobacco extract (e.g., an extract of water soluble tobacco components obtained by extracting tobacco with water), or a combination thereof. The non-tobacco material can have the form of vegetable pulp (e.g., sugar beet pulp), pulp obtained after removal of water soluble components as a result of water extraction treatment, or a combination thereof. The tobacco product is composed of a mixture of the tobacco material and non-tobacco material components; such as a mixture of tobacco material, tobacco extract and processed non-tobacco material, or a mixture of aqueous tobacco extract and water-extracted vegetable pulp. Full Article
el DEVICE, TELEVISION SYSTEM, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT To provide a novel device, a device with low power consumption, or a versatile device, the device includes a decoder, a driver circuit, and a display portion. The driver circuit includes a plurality of circuits. The display portion includes a plurality of display panels. The decoder has a function of generating a signal corresponding to an image displayed on the display portion. The decoder has a function of determining the necessity of rewriting an image of each of the display panels by detecting a change in the image of each of the display panels. The circuit has a function of outputting a signal to a display panel for which that image rewriting is determined to be necessary. The circuit has a function of stopping output of a signal to a display panel for which image rewriting is determined to be unnecessary. Full Article
el PIXEL ARRAY STRUCTURE, DISPLAY PANEL AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE PIXEL ARRAY STRUCTURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A pixel array structure including a bottom carrier plate, a wire layer, a planarization layer, a pixel unit layer and a conductor structure is provided. The wire layer is disposed on the bottom carrier plate. The planarization layer covers the wire layer and has a flat surface at a side away from the wire layer. The pixel unit layer is disposed on the flat surface of the planarization layer. The pixel unit layer includes a pixel unit including a driving circuit structure and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the driving circuit structure. The conductor structure passes through the planarization layer and is connected between the driving circuit structure and the wire layer. A display panel having the pixel array structure and a method of fabricating the pixel array structure are also provided. Full Article
el SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, DRIVER IC, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device includes first to fourth terminals, a switch circuit, and an integrating circuit. The integrating circuit includes an amplifier circuit having a (−) terminal, a first (+) terminal, and a second (+) terminal. The integrating circuit is configured to integrate an input signal of the (−) terminal using an average voltage of a voltage of the first (+) terminal and a voltage of the second (+) terminal as a reference voltage. The switch circuit is configured to electrically connect the (−) terminal to the second terminal, the first (+) terminal to the first terminal, the second (+) terminal to the third terminal the (−) terminal to the third terminal, the first (+) terminal to the second terminal, and the second (+) terminal to the fourth terminal. The present semiconductor device is used as a semiconductor device sensing a current flowing through a pixel in a display panel. Full Article
el PIXEL, RELATED OPERATING METHOD, AND RELATED DISPLAY DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A pixel may include a light emitting element, a first power supply terminal set, an initialization terminal, a capacitor, a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor, a fifth transistor, and a sixth transistor. The first power supply terminal set is electrically connected through no intervening transistor to each of the fourth transistor and the sixth transistor. The capacitor is electrically connected through no intervening transistor to each of the initialization terminal and the third transistor. Each of the first transistor and the fourth transistor is electrically connected through no intervening transistor to the second transistor. Each of the second transistor and the third transistor is electrically connected through no intervening transistor to the fifth transistor. Each of the fifth transistor and the sixth transistor is electrically through no intervening transistor to the light emitting element. Full Article
el FIELD-SEQUENTIAL DISPLAY PANEL, FIELD-SEQUENTIAL DISPLAY APPARATUS AND DRIVING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A field-sequential display panel, a field-sequential display apparatus and a driving method are provided. The field-sequential display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel and an OLED light source arranged at one side of the liquid crystal display panel where light is incident to provide trichromatic light for pixel cells of the liquid crystal display panel. The OLED light source includes multiple groups of trichromatic light sources, each of the groups of trichromatic light sources includes a first color sub-light source, a second color sub-light source and a third color sub-light source, and each sub-light source includes an anode, a cathode and a light emitting layer between the anode and the cathode. Full Article
el LIQUID CRYSTAL PANELS AND THE DRIVING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A liquid crystal panel and the driving method thereof are disclosed. The liquid crystal panel includes at least one storage electrode, a plurality of scanning lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of pixel areas. Each of the pixel areas includes a pixel electrode, a first TFT and a second TFT. The first TFT drives the corresponding pixel electrode. The gate of the second TFT connects with the previous scanning line, and one of the source and the drain of the second TFT connects to the corresponding pixel electrode within the pixel area, and the other one connects with the storage electrode. In this way, the optimal common voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel when the liquid crystal panel is in a displaying process, and thus the display performance is guaranteed. Full Article
el LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE AND PIXEL INSPECTION METHOD THEREFOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, each pixel of a liquid crystal display device includes: a switch configured to sample subframe data; a storage unit configured to hold the subframe data sampled by the switch, the storage unit and the switch constituting an SRAM cell; and a conductive switch disposed between a liquid crystal display element and an adjacent pixel. A range of a source voltage of NMOS and PMOS transistors constituting each inverter constituting the storage unit of one pixel is configured to be able to be set separately from a range of a source voltage of NMOS and PMOS transistors constituting each inverter constituting the storage unit of another pixel. Full Article
el DRIVER INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR DRIVING DISPLAY PANEL, DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING DRIVER INTEGRATED CIRCUIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A driver IC for driving a display panel, a display device and a method for driving the driver IC are provided. The driver IC is provided with N pins corresponding to N signal transmission lines of the display panel respectively. Each pin is connected to one corresponding signal transmission line through one transmission wire. The N pins include a first pin and a second pin. The transmission wires include a first transmission wire connected to the first pin and a second transmission wire connected to the second pin and having a length less than the first transmission wire. The driver IC includes a signal generation module configured to generate N driving signals. The N driving signals include a first driving signal corresponding to the first pin and a second driving signal corresponding to the second pin and having a current intensity less than the first driving signal. Full Article
el ELECTROOPTIC DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electrooptic device includes a scan line; data lines; a scan line driving circuit that selects the scan line; a data line driving circuit that supplies data signals to the data lines; a TFT that includes a gate electrode receiving gate signals for selecting the data line and has one end connected to the data line and the other end connected to the data line driving circuit; and a TFT that includes a gate electrode receiving gate signals for selecting the data line and has one end connected to the data line and the other end connected to the data line driving circuit. The gate electrode of the TFT overlaps the data line. Full Article
el ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING SMALLER NUMBER OF DRIVE CHIPS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides an electronic device (100) having smaller number of drive chips and including a timing controller (10), a gate and a source drive chips (20, 30), a pixel cells matrix (60) and a multiplexer (40). The multiplexer (40) includes a plurality of first signal outputs connected to the pixel cells matrix (60). The timing controller (10) might generate enable signals for the multiplexer (40). In this way, the multiplexer (40) could output scan signals to the pixel cells matrix by a corresponding signal end. The number of the drive chips could be reduced by the present invention. Full Article
el DISPLAY PANEL DRIVING APPARATUS, A METHOD OF DRIVING A DISPLAY PANEL USING THE DISPLAY PANEL DRIVING APPARATUS AND A DISPLAY APPARATUS INCLUDING THE DISPLAY PANEL DRIVING APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A display panel driving apparatus includes a data processor configured to receive N-th line data of image data. N is a natural number not less than 2. The data processor is further configured to perform a first line delay on the N-th line data to output (N−1)-th line data, to output (N−1)-th line substitution data which is obtained by N-th line substitution data, which is based on the N-th line data and the (N−1)-th line data, and to compensate the N-th line data based on the N-th line data and the (N−1)-th line substitution data to output compensation image data. The display panel driving apparatus further includes a data driver and a gate driver. Full Article
el PROGRAMMABLE LEVEL SHIFTER FOR LCD SYSTEMS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A programmable level shifter for providing upshifted control signals to an active matrix display based on logic-level control signals received from a timing controller. The programmable level shifter includes a programmable state machine, level-shifting output drivers, and a programming interface. The programmable state machine is configured to receive at least one control signal from a timing controller. The state machine generates, based on said at least one control signal, a plurality of outputs for driving gate drivers of the active matrix display. The level-shifting output drivers convert the plurality of outputs generated by the programmable state machine to a higher-magnitude voltage level. The programming interface facilitates the programming of aspects of the programmable state machine. Full Article
el GOA CIRCUIT AND DISPLAY PANEL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A GOA circuit located in a display panel is disclosed. The GOA circuit includes a first thin film transistor, a second thin film transistor, a third thin film transistor, a fourth thin film transistor, a fifth thin film transistor, a sixth thin film transistor, a seventh thin film transistor, an eighth thin film transistor, a ninth thin film transistor, a first boost thin film transistor, a second boost thin film transistor, a boost capacitor, a twelfth thin film transistor, a thirteenth thin film transistor, a fourteenth thin film transistor, and a fifteenth thin film transistor. Through the first boost thin film transistor, the second boost thin film transistor, and the boost capacitor, a voltage level of a gate output signal outputted by a gate of the second thin film transistor is lifted. Full Article
el ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR REPORTING INFORMATION, DISPLAY METHOD THEREFOR, AND RECORDING MEDIUM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A timepiece wrist terminal includes: a setting processing unit; a location information acquisition unit; a related information acquisition unit; a time difference calculation processing unit; and an output control unit. The setting processing unit acquires a first location. The location information acquisition unit acquires a second location that is different from the first location. The related information acquisition unit acquires information related to the first location. The related information acquisition unit also acquires information related to the second location. The time difference calculation processing unit generates differential information in accordance with the information related to the first location and the information related to the second location. The output control unit controls the output unit so as to display an object that represents the differential information, at least one of attributes of the object displayed being continuously varied in accordance with a differential amount representing the differential information. Full Article
el Display Unit, Display Panel and Driving Method Thereof, and Display Device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention discloses a display unit, a display panel and a driving method thereof, wherein the display unit comprises a full color display subunit capable of displaying full color, and at least one black and white display subunit capable of displaying black and white, when the display unit operates in a first display mode, the full color display subunit and all the black and white display subunit(s) in the display unit display one pixel together; and when the display unit operates in a second display mode, the full color display subunit in the display unit displays one color pixel, and each black and white display subunit in the display unit displays one black/white pixel independently. According to the present invention, pixel display information at the boundaries can be increased, that is, display resolution of the display panel is improved, thereby improving display quality of the display panel. Full Article
el ORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES TOUCH DISPLAY PANEL AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An OLED touch display panel capable of detecting and reacting to touches on the display includes a signal sending element emitting ultrasonic signals, a driving layer configured to provide display driving signals, a light-emitting element configured to receive the display driving signals and emit light, and a signal receiving element configured for receiving reflected ultrasonic signals. The light-emitting element includes a plurality of light-emitting units and a plurality of black matrixes. Every two adjacent light-emitting units are separated from each other by one of the black matrixes. The signal receiving element includes a plurality of thin film transistor units arranged in a matrix. Each thin film transistor unit is formed on one of the black matrixes. Full Article
el LEVEL-SHIFT CIRCUIT, DRIVER IC, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A level-shift circuit that operates stably is provided. The level-shift circuit has a function of boosting a first signal having an amplitude voltage between a first voltage and a second voltage to a second signal having an amplitude voltage between a third voltage and the second voltage. The level-shift circuit includes first to eighth transistors. Gates of the third and seventh transistors are electrically connected to a wiring for transmitting a third signal for controlling the amounts of current flowing into one of a source and a drain of the first transistor, one of a source and a drain of the second transistor, one of a source and a drain of the fifth transistor, and one of a source and a drain of the sixth transistor. Full Article
el Cleanable conveyor-belt drive system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hygienic drive system for a belt conveyor. The drive system has a stator rigidly mounted in a housing having an outer bearing surface that is continuous with the outer surface of mounting supports and avoids hard-to-clean nooks. A rotor assembly formed by drive wheels rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the housing or by a magnetic belt wrapped around a portion of the outer surface is rotated by a rotating magnetic wave produced by the stator. The stator and rotor can form an induction motor or a synchronous motor. Full Article
el Microplate handling systems and related computer program products and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems, computer program products, and methods useful for handling or managing microplates are provided. Full Article
el Conveyor system with different applications and isolation of the conveyed product in relation to the drive system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT “CONVEYOR SYSTEM WITH DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS AND ISOLATION OF THE CONVEYED PRODUCT IN RELATION TO THE DRIVE SYSTEM”, is a conveyor for grains, seeds, fruit, granulated and ground products and similar products. The conveyor has different applications and isolates the product conveyed from the drive system. There are two or more tubes, and in each set of tubes there is a swivel with a drive system using roller chain, chain, cable, belt, et cetera. In this manner, the drive system is isolated from the product, avoiding mechanical damages, contamination, and also increasing the performance of the system. Full Article
el Center loading assembly for a conveyor belt By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A center loading assembly for a conveyor belt having a carriage support attached to a belt conveyor main frame and having a carriage within the carriage support. The carriage has a center member with side members extending at an angle therefrom, each having an upward extension. The upward extensions have side rollers and conveyor belt covering skirts and keep the conveyor belt centered between the conveyor belt covering skirts. The carriage support has vertical bearings to support the carriage and side bearings to hold the carriage on the vertical bearings. The carriage and conveyor belt covering skirts follow a trough angle of the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt shifts. Material deposited onto the conveyor belt is deflected to the center portion of the conveyor belt by the conveyor belt covering skirts. Full Article
el Method and apparatus for conveying a cellulosic feedstock By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for preparing a cellulosic feedstock are disclosed. Embodiments of the method comprise passing the cellulosic feedstock out of at least one outlet of a vessel (such as a holding tank) and obtaining at least two streams of cellulosic feedstock wherein each stream may be fed different hydrolysis reactors. Embodiments of the apparatus comprise passing the cellulosic feedstock downwardly through the vessel and withdrawing the feedstock from the vessel in two different lateral directions. Full Article
el Belt tracking system, roller assembly, and image forming apparatus including same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A belt tracking system for adjusting displacement of a movable belt in an axial direction of a plurality of rollers about which the movable belt is entrained includes a slope member and a roller shaft support. The slope member is disposed at least at one end of at least one of the plurality of rollers in the axial direction, to tilt the roller due to movement of the belt. The roller shaft support rotates about a predetermined shaft and includes a shaft recovery member to recover a tilt of the slope member. The shaft recovery member is disposed within a shortest circumference of a closed curve among closed curves within which the slope member and the roller shaft support are disposed in a state in which the roller shaft support is rotated. Full Article
el Belt alignment system with dual rollers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An alignment system for a conveyor having a conveyor belt trained over rollers on a conveyor frame where the system includes a support bracket including a center support and pivoting members each including a torque arm, the pivoting members being pivotally mounted to opposing ends of the support bracket. Two tracking rollers are independently mounted to the support bracket, where each of the tracking rollers includes a shaft with an inner end and an outer end, the outer ends of the shafts being coupled to the pivoting members and the inner ends being coupled to the center support such that pivoting movement of the pivoting members causes the tracking rollers to pivot relative to the center support. A guide control bar having two ends is pivotally connected at each the end to a corresponding torque arm connected to the corresponding pivoting member, where the guide control bar includes guide rollers positioned at both edges of the conveyor belt for lateral control of the belt. Full Article
el Conveyor belt having opposing ends to be connected for endlessing the conveyor belt By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conveyor belt having opposing ends to be connected for endlessing the conveyor belt. The belt includes a belt member, and two planar connector parts provided one at each said end of the belt. Each connector part has, at an edge of the connector part, an edge coil extending over the width of the belt. The belt is configured to be endlessed by bringing the edge coils of the first and second end into a sideways engagement to obtain an overlapping coil area and by inserting a closing wire through the overlapping coil area. Each connector part has a set of splice fingers engaging in correspondingly shaped finger recesses formed in the belt member. Full Article
el Rod belt for a rod belt conveyor for agricultural machinery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Rod belt for rod belt conveyors for agricultural machinery includes rods arranged transversely with respect to the running direction and parallel to one another. At least one of the rods has flattened and perforated end areas with which it rests on tensile stress-resistant, elastic, continuous belts which revolve in parallel to one another, and is connected by rivets or similar fastening elements which pass through the end areas and the belts. The rod belt may be produced with a rod division that differs from, and in particular is smaller than, the division of the fastening points on the belts. This is achieved by providing that at least one additional rod is fixedly connected to the at least one rod which is connected to the belts, and the at least one additional rod is free of contact with the belts. Full Article
el Rod belt for a rod belt conveyor for agricultural machinery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Rod belt for rod belt conveyors for agricultural machinery, having rods arranged transversely with respect to the running direction and parallel to one another. Rods at their ends are each connected to a fastening piece which has a flattened and perforated support area with which fastening piece rests on tensile stress-resistant, elastic, continuous belts extending in parallel and is connected by rivets or similar fastening elements which pass through support area and belts, and support area is formed in one piece with a fastening area for rod ends. The rod belt includes fastening pieces which have a simple design and are cost-effectively manufactured. Fastening pieces are designed as bends having a fastening area which, in relation to the installed position, is bent from the plane of support area toward the bottom side of belt and situated parallel to the inner side of belt. Full Article
el Sortation conveyor with piezoelectric actuation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sortation conveyor for transporting and diverting a plurality of articles includes a first conveying path and a second conveying path angularly positioned relative to the first conveying path. A plurality of pusher elements may be selectively diverted laterally across the first conveying path to divert articles to the second conveying path. A piezoelectric actuated switch assembly positioned adjacent to the second conveying path selectively engages the pusher elements to divert the selected article to the second conveying path. Full Article
el Element of a modular scaffolding system and method for its manufacture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a method for manufacturing an element (8) of a modular scaffolding system, an at least partly galvanized pipe part (10) having a first end (12) and a second end is provided, together with an at least partly galvanized first connection head (40) which is designed to be connected to the first end (12) of the pipe part (10). A weld (24), which connects the first end (12) of the pipe part (10) to the first connection head (40), has an internal weld surface (24b) and an external weld surface (24a). The internal weld surface is proximal to the pipe part (10) and/or the connection head (40), and the external weld surface is proximal to an outside environment (60) of the pipe part (10) and the connecting head (40). A protective layer covers the external weld surface, such that it is screened off from the outside environment (60). Full Article
el Flatbed loading system with self-aligning platforms By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mobile platform has a separate and independent linear actuator pivotally connected near each opposite end of the platform where there is a contact limit switch that when triggered by contact with the side of a flatbed, stops movement of the actuator, and thus stops movement of the platform, toward the side of the flatbed. Because each of the two actuators is pivotally connected to its respective end of the platform and moves independently of the other, each end of the platform can stop moving toward the flatbed before or after, depending on how the flatbed is misaligned, the other end of the platform stops moving toward the flatbed. In this way the platform self-aligns to the alignment of the flatbed and avoids the need to reposition a flatbed that is not precisely aligned parallel to the central axis of the loading bay. Full Article
el Fall restraint traveler device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The fall restraint traveler device has a hollow body structure, two or more spacers, one or more lanyards and a leash. The hollow body structure has a first end and a second end. A safety rope extends passing through both first and second ends. The body structure has an elongated slot extending between the ends. The two or more tubular spacers are placed internal of the body structure with the safety rope passing through each spacer. The one or more lanyards are for attachment to a climber. Each lanyard has at least one locking element. The device is aligned with and free to slide along the safety rope during ascent or descent of the climber and in the event of a fall, the at least one locking element tightens as it pulls on the safety rope pulling the rope out of alignment and thereby cinching to the rope. Full Article
el Ladders, ladder components, ladder accessories, ladder systems and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various embodiments of ladders, ladder components, accessories for ladders, ladder systems and related methods are provided. In one embodiment a ladder and platform system is provided having at least two ladders and a platform or plank. The platform or plank has coupling mechanisms that provide adjustable but secure coupling of the platform to the ladders, either with the top cap or with the rungs. Other embodiments include storage devices and paint trays for use with ladders and ladder systems incorporating such devices. Full Article
el Method for tethering a person to the hull of a vessel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tether device includes a magnetic base; a pole having a first end attached to the magnetic base; and a connector or clip attached at a second end of the pole, for removably connecting the tethering device to a user. Also, a method for tethering a user to a hull of a vessel including the steps of providing a tether device having a magnetic base, a pole having a first end attached to the magnetic base, and a connector or clip attached at a second end of the pole; connecting the connector or clip to the user; and engaging the magnetic base with the hull of the vessel. Full Article
el Helix fire escape structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Improvements in a fire escape having a structure of a Helix/Spiral Cylinder shape. It's a building within a building. It provides a quick and safe evacuation for all fire victims, including the A.D.A., the injured and the elderly. Its spiral design can accommodate a large number of floor levels. It eliminates the hazards acquainted with stairs and elevators. It has the capability of removing some of the smoke from the high-rise fire by way of a metal Ducting System. It draws the smoke into the center smoke shaft. The spiral is a two-way traffic pathway, which offers Fire Department personnel and their equipment a method of upward transportation to any floor-level they need for fighting this fire incident. My design can be retrofitted to any existing building. Full Article
el Ladders, ladder components and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including various embodiments of a combination ladder. In some embodiments, a platform is provided that is fixedly coupled with a rail assembly of a combination ladder. The platform may pivot between a useable position or state and a stowed or stored position or state. The platform may maintain a position relative to certain rungs of the rail assembly while being displaceable relative to other rungs of the rail assembly. A hand rail may be coupled to the rail assembly and a tray may be coupled with the hand rail. The tray and the platform may be configured to maintain a constant distance between one another while the rail assembly is adjusted for height. Full Article
el Aircraft turbojet engine nacelle air intake maintenance trolley By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This maintenance trolley (17) for the air intake (9) of the nacelle of an aircraft turbojet engine is notable in that it comprises a base (19) and a platform (23) cantilever-mounted on this base (19) and designed to enter said air intake (9) without contact therewith. Full Article
el Self-locking bi-foldable load bearing segment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Self-locking bi-foldable load bearing segments are disclosed that can be used in applications such as ladders or ramp. First and second sections of the segment are foldably coupled to transition between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The first and second sections can include rungs pivotally attached to rails that can be further transitioned from the folded configuration to a collapsed configuration, but not transitioned from the open configuration to the collapsed configuration. Openings in the side walls of the rails allow the rungs to pivot in one direction, but not an opposite direction. In the open configuration, the openings of the first and second sections may be oriented opposite, and the direction of allowed rotation of the rungs of the first section and second section are opposite, restricting compression of the rails together. In the folded configuration, the openings of the first and second sections can be oriented the same to allow rotation of the rungs and compression of the rails together. Full Article
el Safety line traveller and support By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A traveller for a fall arrest system including a body having a bore and a slot narrower than the bore linking to the bore to the exterior of the body. A load member is connected to the body for pivotal movement relative to the body and suitable for attachment to fall safety equipment. The body has a center of gravity positioned so that when the traveller is supported on a safety line passing through the bore, the body will be urged by gravity to rotate about the safety line towards a position in which the slot has a predetermined orientation relative to the safety line. Full Article
el Rotatable elevated hunting blinds By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rotatable elevated hunting blind includes a plurality of enclosure support legs; an enclosure base carried by the enclosure support legs, the enclosure base having a stationary base sprocket; a hunting blind enclosure carried by the enclosure base, the hunting blind enclosure rotatable with respect to the enclosure base; a seat assembly having a seat carried by the hunting blind enclosure; and a user-operable blind enclosure rotation mechanism carried by the hunting blind enclosure adjacent to the seat of the seat assembly, the blind enclosure rotation mechanism having a drive sprocket and a chain meshing with the base sprocket of the enclosure base and the pedal sprocket, the blind enclosure rotation mechanism operable to rotate the drive sprocket around the chain as the blind enclosure rotation mechanism revolves around the enclosure base. Full Article
el Hand pump for priming a fuel or filter system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hand pump (16) includes a housing (22) having an inlet (18) and an outlet (26) and an actuating body (32) movably mounted in the housing axially and a membrane (46) with a flexible ring section (48) surrounding the stroke axis (34). During stroke movement, the actuating body (32) is pressed with the membrane (46) against the force of an elastic element (42) from a resting position (I) into the pump housing (22) and into an actuating position, and returned to the resting position (I) by the elastic element (72). Thus, the volume of a pump chamber (20) can be modified. Full Article
el Fuel cell-engine hybrid system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a fuel cell-engine hybrid system formed to effectively utilize an exhaust gas discharged from a process for generating electricity. A fuel cell-engine hybrid system according to the present invention includes: an electricity generating unit including a cathode and an anode interposing an electrolyte membrane therebetween; and an engine unit connected to a rear end of the electricity generating unit and generating power by receiving the exhaust gas discharged from the anode. Full Article
el Electronic throttle control apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic throttle control apparatus has a construction which does not use a mechanical mechanism to restrict an operating angle of an electronic throttle valve, and continues motor control so as to prevent rapid opening and closing of the electronic throttle valve, even if an angle detection unit becomes abnormal. Upon detection of an abnormality, a control unit (1) controls, without using pieces of angle information (θ1, θ2) after the detection of the abnormality, a motor (2) for driving the electronic throttle valve (3) based on angle information (θb) before the angle detection unit (6) becomes abnormal, information of electric power supplied to the motor (2) before the angle detection unit (6) becomes abnormal, a period of time (Tbc) until the abnormality of the angle detection unit (6) is detected, and a preset rate of change of a throttle angle. Full Article