pp Method and apparatus for producing kinetic imagery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for repetitively lifting and lowering objects to create visual patterns having a plurality of units each with a motor, a rotary member, a cord attached at its distal end to the circumferential edge of the rotary member, an attaching mechanism affixed to the proximal end of the cord, and an object removably connected to the attaching mechanism. A computer or microprocessor is provided and programmed to selectively rotate the rotary members to move the objects between selected pre-determined positions along a generally vertical path of travel to establish a geometric pattern of repetitive elements. Full Article
pp Chain release apparatuses and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatuses and methods to release a chain. Apparatuses and methods include an electronic, mechanical, or electro-mechanical actuator system used to rotate a hooking arm. The actuator system includes an extendable piston. In some embodiments, the actuator system is hydraulic. In other embodiments, the actuator system is pneumatic. Full Article
pp Drive assembly and apparatus for hoist By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An assembly includes a motor; a second motor; a planetary transmission coupled to the motor and the second motor, and a spool coupled to the transmission. The spool has an interior volume for receiving the motor, the second motor and the transmission, and the motor and the second motor are disposed or disposable entirely within the spool. The motor and the second motor are capable of being operated such that one of the motors is speed controlled, and the other motor is torque controlled. Full Article
pp Fixing element for locking a hinged hand crank on the input shaft of a support winch for a semi-trailer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a fixing element for locking a hinged hand crank on the input shaft of a support winch for semi-trailers, wherein the hand crank is fastened to the input shaft in an articulated manner and can pivot between at least one folded-in rest position and at least one folded-out usage position. According to the invention, said fixing element has a fastening section for fastening to the hand crank and a spring bar connected to the fastening section on which at least one locking section is formed, wherein the locking section reaches over the end face of the input shaft in a form-fitting manner in a folded-out usage position of the hand crank and is simultaneously pulled against said end face of the input shaft. Full Article
pp Apparatus and method for recovering the core of a sheathed electrical cable By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides an apparatus and method for recovering the core (108) of a subterranean sheathed electrical cable (106), while minimising the impact on the surrounding environment. The apparatus comprises a ram (102) operable to exert a pushing force on the core of a length of the cable, a plurality of linkages, each linkage being configured to be insertable into the cable along its length under the action of the ram to displace the core relative to an outer sheath of the cable, and a puller operable (104) to exert a pulling force on the core to thereby facilitate removal of the displaced core from the outer sheath by action of the pushing/pulling forces. The apparatus and method are found to be particularly suited to the recovery of high-tension copper core cables, while enabling any hydrocarbon (e.g. oil) impregnated inner sheathing to be controllably disposed of without hazard to the environment. Full Article
pp Trenchless ducting apparatus frame By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for moving an elongate component within or through one of a plurality of sidewalls of a pit, including a gripping arrangement for releasably gripping the elongate component, a lever arm comprising a handle at a first end and the gripping arrangement at the second end, and a frame to which the lever arm is attached, wherein during use the frame is positioned substantially above the pit, and the gripping arrangement hangs downwardly from the frame into the pit. Full Article
pp Appliance lift By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device, system, and associated methods for appliance lifts are disclosed. The appliance lift sits on the bottom of a cabinet, rolls forward and rotates forward and up using four rotating bars and a gear with spring and damper linking them together. This system consists of a platform dimensioned of a size and shape to support most kitchen counter-top appliances or any other like sized items. The platform is supported by a series of linkages housed in a frame. The frame is then on a moveable track. The entire structure is sized to fit inside the lower section of a standard kitchen cabinet. Full Article
pp Workpiece elevating support device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A workpiece elevating support device which can be utilized by being installed in a carriage-type conveying apparatus for conveying an automobile body while changing the height thereof in each section in an automobile assembly line. The workpiece elevating support device includes at least two center-folding double link mechanisms arranged in parallel on a base, each of which is composed of a lower parallel link, an intermediate link member, an upper parallel link, and an upper link member. The upper link member is consecutively provided with a workpiece support. There is juxtaposed a lock to hold the center-folding double link mechanisms in an expanding-rising posture, which is taken when the upper link members are vertically raised to a predetermined height. Full Article
pp Aerial roller spacer apparatus and associated methods thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An aerial roller spacer apparatus and related methods thereto are provided. The aerial roller spacer apparatus includes a spacer body. At least one saddle is formed on the spacer body. A spacer arm is connected to the spacer body at a first end, wherein the spacer arm extends away from the spacer body. A roller assembly is positioned proximate to a second end of the spacer arm, wherein the roller assembly has two rotatable roller halves that are removably engagable with one another with at least one fastener. A messenger groove is formed between the two rotatable roller halves. Full Article
pp Tip unit for a cosmetic applicator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tip unit of a cosmetic applicator includes a tube portion connected to a hollow body of the cosmetic applicator, and a tip portion tapering away to a point from the tube portion. The tip portion has a passage space contain liquid cosmetics advanced from the hollow body through the tube portion, and has a plurality of flexible blade segments, a plurality of guiding grooves defined respectively by corresponding adjacent pairs of the blade segments, and a plurality of slits, each communicating the passage space with a respective one of the guiding grooves, and being enlargeable when the tip portion is deformed so as to permit flow of the liquid cosmetics from the passage space to the respective one of the guiding grooves therethrough. Full Article
pp Control surfaces for applicator with moveable applicator head By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cosmetic applicator comprising a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the handle comprises a drive; an applicator head operatively associated with the drive to move at least part of the applicator head relative to the handle; and a control surface disposed at the proximal end of the handle and operatively associated with the drive. The control surface may be rotatable about a control surface axis through a plurality of positions and the control surface axis may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle. The control surface may be moveable through a plurality of positions. The applicator may comprise an additional control surface, such as a second control surface or temporary control surface, which may be operated independently or in combination with the first control surface. Full Article
pp Unit dose breakable vial with integrated brush applicator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A disposable sterile breakable vial includes a handle section and a vial section which are completely separable in response to a manually applied separation force. The vial section includes a sterile void dimensioned to contain a unit dose of a sterile therapeutic topical agent. An elongated member comprises a proximal portion supported by the handle section and a distal portion provided with a sterile applicator element, such as a brush. At least the applicator element is completely enclosed within the vial section with the applicator element immersed within the therapeutic topical agent. A hermetic seal between the handle and vial sections maintains sterility of at least the vial section prior to handle and vial section separation. Complete separation of the handle section and the vial section exposes the elongated member and the applicator element for topical application of the therapeutic agent saturating the applicator element. Full Article
pp Substance applicator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An applicator assembly is provided, the applicator assembly includes a base member, a cap member removably associated with the base member, a container for a substance to be applied; and an applicator member removably associated with the container. The container and applicator member are configured to be received within an interior space defined between the base member and cap member. Full Article
pp Hair protection, retention, and styling apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hair protection, retention and styling apparatus has a triangular shape. The left and right base corners comprise hair protection flaps that extend from either side of a rectangular hair retention channel roll. A top hair retention flap extends from the top thereof to form the top corner. A cylindrical style bar is attached near the top of the triangular body. Once a user places her hair on the channel roll, the hair protection flaps are folded in over the hair, thereby containing, retaining, and protecting the hair. The ends of the user's hair are wrapped around the style bar and the top hair retention roll is wrapped over the bar and the hair and bar are rolled approximately to the user's scalp. First and second wrap ties attach near the top of the triangular body and are used to secure the apparatus to the user's head. Full Article
pp Applicator with tubular, overmolded core element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a cosmetics applicator having a handle section, an applicator element and a shaft section connecting the applicator element and the handle section, wherein the applicator element includes a core element of a first material and a bristle element which at least partially envelops the core element and includes a second material preferably different from the first material with regard to its hardness and/or flexibility. Full Article
pp Hair treatment application system comprising an absorbent substrate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention describes a hair treatment application system, comprising at least one or more hair treatment compositions (15) having a viscosity of from 3,000 cPs to 150,000 cPs and a hair treatment application device (1) comprising a first plate (10) and a second plate (20) positionable in a juxtaposed relationship when said hair treatment application device (1) is in a closed state. The hair treatment application device (1) is characterized by having a first zone comprising at least one absorbent substrate (40) on the internal surface (101) of said at least said first plates (10) and a second zone (50) on said internal surface (101) which is free of said absorbent substrate (40). Said at least one absorbent substrate (40) has a median pore radius of from 300 microns to 3,000 micron. The present invention describes also methods of treating the hair with said hair treatment application system (10) and kit comprising said hair treatment application system. Full Article
pp Nail print apparatus and print control method thereof for fitting first design and second design that is background of first design to nail By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A nail print apparatus, including: a print head which performs printing on a nail region on the basis of image data including a first design and a second design that is a background of the first design; and an image data processing unit which has a second image data processing unit that processes the image data so that the second design covers an entire nail region. Full Article
pp Eyelash curler, mascara applicator, mascara container, and mascara remover By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ergonomic eyelash curler, cosmetic applicator, container, and mascara remover compromising of a grip type device with anatomical features and a fixed ellipsoid curvature tongue at one end. The tongue and grip are shaped to fit the anatomy of the hand to allow free movement of the thumb and index fingers. This device has an ergonomic design that optimizes human wellbeing and overall hand coordination allowing the user to apply precise and natural motion when beautifying and maintaining the eyelashes. The thumb's tactile sense allows the user to apply measured pressure on the eyelash against the curling edge to provide a prolonged and continuous curvature of the eyelash. The thumb and index finger tactile sense allows the user to effectively remove mascara from the eyelash without irritating the eye area. Multiple eyelash beautifying and maintenance functions can be performed with this invention including mascara application. Full Article
pp Device for applying a fluid to keratin fibres By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a device for applying a fluid or pasty product to keratin fibers, comprising an elongate core (1) extending on a longitudinal axis XX. Advantageously, the device additionally comprises at least one pliant and flexible rod (2), which is oriented longitudinally and is embedded, at least at a first and a second point, on said longitudinal core (1), so as to form at least one zone of flexion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis XX; it is made in one piece and preferably from a plastic material. Full Article
pp Method for treating human or animal hair and apparatus for carrying out the method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In order to treat human or animal hair fixedly arranged on a sopport, hair is divided into strands. The divided strands are subjected to a dielectric plasma treatment by drawing an apparatus connected to a high voltage source (8) through the strands. The apparatus can be in the form of tongs or have a comb-like structure. Full Article
pp Method for manufacturing of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMS) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The method includes subjecting the pozzolans in crushed state to a high energetic mechanical processing by grinding in a grinding equipment, whereby the pozzolan particles receive mechanical impulses, and the grinding is carried out for a predetermined time resulting in a compressive strength of a 2 inch side cube of mortar having 80% Portland cement and 20% natural pozzolan in a ratio of 1:2.75 to standard sand and in addition water required to obtain a flow of the mortar according to American standard ASTM C 109, which has been properly compacted under vibration and hardened at +20° C. in sealed condition, which after 28 days is ≧75% of the compressive strength of a 2 inch side cube, treated as the cube, of a mortar having a ratio of Portland cement:sand of 1:2.75 and water corresponding to 48.5% of the weight of Portland cement. Full Article
pp Method of forming opaque layer, recording process, ink set, ink cartridge, and recording apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of forming an opaque layer includes forming a first layer by discharging droplets of an ink composition containing a metallic pigment on a record medium by an ink-jet recording process and forming a second layer by discharging droplets of an ink composition containing a white pigment on the record medium by an ink-jet recording process. The opaque layer is formed on the record medium on the side where the first layer and the second layer are formed in a region where the first layer and the second layer overlap each other. Full Article
pp Coil spring forming apparatus and coil spring formed thereby By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT A coil spring forming apparatus including a core bar 2 which rotates around an axis thereof and on which a wire material W fed from a wire material-feeding means is wound; a clamping portion 22 which rotates integrally with the core bar 2 and grips an end of the wire material W on the core bar 2; and first guide rollers 30 and second guide rollers 40 for guiding the wire material W onto the core bar 2; wherein the first guide rollers 30 and the second guide rollers 40 are provided so as to move independently from each other in parallel with the axis of the core bar 2, and a coil spring formed by the above coil spring forming apparatus. Full Article
pp Tension head for modular steel strapping machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT A self-actuating tension head for a strapping machine includes a body defining a strap path, a drive wheel, a tension wheel a fixed distance from the drive wheel and a pinch wheel. The strap path extends between the tension and pinch wheels. A first link operably connects the drive and tension wheels and defines a first pivot arm that is pivotable about the drive wheel axis of rotation. A second link operably connects the tension and pinch wheels and defines a second pivot arm that is pivotable about the pinch wheel axis and movable along the second pivot arm to move the tension wheel into and out of engagement with the pinch wheel. The first and second pivot arms define an energizing angle therebetween that decreases as the tension wheel is moved into engagement with the pinch wheel and increases as the tension wheel is moved out of engagement with the pinch wheel. Full Article
pp Fastening apparatus and system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT An improved apparatus for holding multiple locking clips and applying a single locking clip to an article resting on a surface in which a pivotable feed detent lever insures that only one clip is provided at a time and the clip has a frangible member that maintains the side members of the clip in an open position until the clip reaches the articles whereupon the frangible link is broken permitting the clip to be locked about the articles. Full Article
pp Method and apparatus for forming wire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is a method and apparatus for forming wire loops using wire looping pliers. In one embodiment of the invention, the pair of wire pliers having a cylindrical jaw and a recessed jaw for accepting the cylindrical jaw allows the user of the tool to make symmetrical wire loops on a consistent basis. Additionally, the width of the recessed jaw can be set such that the user can use the recessed jaw to measure the distance from a particular point where the neck of the wire loop should be broken. The recessed surface of the recessed jaw and the cylindrical jaw mate together in such a manner as to provide uniform pressure around a significant portion of the loop so as to prevent marring of the surface of the wire. Full Article
pp System for preparing pre-assembled hanger supports By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A system for preparing a pre-assembled hanger support. The system includes a bending tool operable to form a bight in the distal end of a structural wire, the bight having a transverse tail extending away from the shaft of the structural wire. The system also includes a wrapping tool having a drive rotor with a clip attachment interface that removably supports a hanger clip and provides selective rotation of the hanger clip and the structural wire, a wire support brace that supports the shaft of the structural wire in substantial alignment with the axis of rotation of the drive rotor, and a tail stop positioned to restrain the rotation of the transverse tail. The hanger clip is supported about the structural wire and positioned within the bight, and together the hanger clip and structural wire are installed onto the clip attachment interface, so that selective rotation of the drive rotor rotates the hanger clip and shaft of the structural wire causing the restrained transverse tail to wrap around the shaft and secure the hanger clip within an eyelet formed in the structural wire, thereby forming the pre-assembled hanger support. Full Article
pp Method and apparatus for manufacturing stator coil for electric rotating machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method of manufacturing a stator coil for an electric rotating machine includes the steps of: (1) forming substantially planar electric wires each of which includes in-slot portions to be received in slots of a stator core and turn portions to be located outside the slots to connect adjacent pairs of the in-slot portions; (2) rolling each of the planar electric wires through plastic deformation into a spiral or circular-arc shape; and (3) assembling the rolled electric wires together to form the stator coil. Further, in the rolling step, each of the planar electric wires is rolled by deforming each of the turn portions of the electric wire while restricting movement of at least one of the in-slot portions of the electric wire which is located closer to a rolling start end of the electric wire than the turn portion is. Full Article
pp Apparatus and method for forming wire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for forming a single strand wire with improved flexibility and a stranded cable from a single strand wire. In one embodiment, the flexible single strand wire has a solid, single strand wire body and at least one helical groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the wire body. The stranded cable includes a plurality of strands. In one embodiment, one of the strands has a planar surface that extends along a longitudinal axis of the cable body. Full Article
pp Method and apparatus for rolling electric wire for stator coil of electric rotating machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is an apparatus for rolling a substantially planar electric wire by more than one turn into a spiral shape. The apparatus includes an inner pressing member having an outer surface, an intermediate pressing member having radially inner and outer surfaces, and an outer pressing member having an inner surface. The inner and intermediate pressing members together press a first part of the electric wire between the outer surface of the inner pressing member and the inner surface of the intermediate pressing member, thereby plastically deforming the first part to extend along the outer surface of the inner pressing member. The intermediate and outer pressing members together press a second part of the electric wire between the outer surface of the intermediate pressing member and the inner surface of the outer pressing member, thereby plastically deforming the second part to extend along the outer surface of the intermediate pressing member. Full Article
pp Wire coloring apparatus includng a roller By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A wire coloring apparatus including a roller is provided to prevent drag of a colorant, which is jetted on an electric wire and not dried yet, the guide roller is arranged at a downstream side of a coloring nozzle, which jets a colorant toward a highest point of an outer surface of the electric wire moving along a lengthwise direction thereof, in a moving direction of the electric wire. The guide roller is formed with a pair of tapered surfaces catching and supporting the electric wire and approaching to each other in accordance with nearing to a rotating axis. When a radius REW of the electric wire 3 is 1.2 mm, an angle θT formed by the pair of tapered surfaces is designed at least 60 degrees and not more than θX degrees. Full Article
pp Apparatus and methods for filament crimping and manufacturing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Apparatus and methods for filament crimping. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a body and a filament crimp element. The filament crimp element comprises a first set of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a first set of features and a second set of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a second set of features. The first and second set cavities are substantially opposite one another. The first set of features are adapted to be placed at least partially within the second set of cavities and the second set of features are adapted to be placed at least partially within the first set of cavities. Methods and apparatus for the manufacture of the device are also disclosed. In addition, methods for automated placement and manufacture of assemblies using the crimp elements are also disclosed. Full Article
pp Wire straightening apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A straightening apparatus for straightening wires comprises an entry-side roll arrangement and an exit-side roll arrangement, which are arranged so that a wire that is to be straightened, viewed in a transport direction, arrives between rolls of the entry-side roll arrangement in the straightening apparatus and, after passing between rolls of the exit-side roll arrangement, leaves the straightening apparatus, a distance between two rolls of the exit-side roll arrangement being settable. Furthermore, a pre-definable force F acts on the wire perpendicular to the transport direction between two rolls of the entry-side roll arrangement. Full Article
pp System for measuring length of a beam extension and detecting support By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST An extendable beam measurement system includes a support; a beam mounted on the support and movable with respect to the support along an axis of movement; a series of sensory points mounted along either the beam or the support in an orientation that is not parallel to the axis of movement of the beam; and a sensor attached to the other of the beam or the support in a direction that crosses the series of sensory points at different positions during movement of the beam along said axis. The sensor generates a first signal varying as the beam is moved along the axis to thereby provide a signal indicating the position of the beam with respect to the support. The system is useful on an outrigger for supporting a crane. Optionally the system can provide a second signal indicative of whether a jack on the outrigger is contacting a support surface and supporting the crane. Alternatively, the system used to optionally generate the second signal can be used by itself to indicate whether a jack is supporting the crane, even if the beam extension is not measured. Full Article
pp Alignment apparatus and method for a boom of a pipe handling system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A pipe handling apparatus has a frame, a boom pivotally connected to the frame so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, a gripper affixed to the end of the arm opposite the boom, a first line having a first end affixed to the boom, a second line interconnected to an opposite end of the first line and connected to the frame, and an actuator interconnected to the first and second lines. The actuator changes an angular relationship of the first and second lines so as to selectively tension the lines. The second line includes a first cable offset from linear alignment with the first line and a second cable extending in angular relationship with the first cable. Full Article
pp Lift apparatus and system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A lifting apparatus for a lift system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a) a motor adapted for providing a lifting force, b) at least one connector operatively connected to the motor, the connector adapted for connecting a load-bearing component to the motor, c) an information receiver for receiving a load limit information about the load-bearing component, d) a motor controller electrically coupled to the motor and the information receiver, wherein the motor controller is adapted to limit the lifting force of the motor based on the load limit information received by the information receiver. Full Article
pp Service apparatus for turbomachine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Various embodiments include a service apparatus for a turbomachine. The service apparatus can include: a frame for coupling to an opening in the turbomachine; a bridge member operably coupled to the frame and spanning a width of the frame, the bridge member being substantially movable along a length of the frame; and a crane member operably coupled to the bridge member, the crane member being substantially movable along the width of the frame, wherein the crane member includes at least one attachment device for attaching to an object within the turbomachine. Full Article
pp Method for handling and/or servicing components of a wind turbine and a gripping apparatus for performing the method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A method and an apparatus for handling and/or servicing components of a wind turbine, such as installing and/or dismantling components into or from a wind turbine nacelle or such as servicing exterior components such as blades, hub, tower and nacelle of the wind turbine are disclosed. The gripping apparatus comprising at least one arm for gripping around the wind turbine tower, the at least one arm capable of forming a gap between gripping elements of the gripping apparatus. The at least one arm extends around the entire outer circumference, seen perpendicular to a horizontal plane, of the wind turbine tower. Full Article
pp Lift and mount apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The present invention provides devices, apparatuses, and systems for lifting and mounting of clinical- and research-related equipment. In particular, the present invention provides a lift and mount system for mass spectrometers (e.g., for time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometers (MS)). Full Article
pp Method of swing stopping control and system of swing stopping control of suspended load of crane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A method of swing stopping control of a suspended load of a crane including a hoist and a trolley solves an equation of motion, given as an equation with respect to the deviation angle of a suspended load from the vertical direction when the trolley travels, for the trolley acceleration to thereby obtain the value of the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley, obtains speed patterns corresponding to the values of the acceleration or deceleration, drives the trolley according to the obtained speed patterns, and carries out control so that the deviation angle of the suspended load from the vertical direction becomes zero at the time when the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley is ended. Thus, even if the length of a rope holding the suspended load up is changed, a required speed pattern is produced to permit highly accurate positioning. Full Article
pp Crane equipped with travelable counterweight unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Disclosed is a crane comprising: a lower body; an upper slewing body; a counterweight unit including a plurality of wheels to travel on the ground in a turning direction equal to a slewing direction of the upper slewing body while being suspended from the upper slewing body; a steering actuator for rotating each of the wheels around a steering-rotation center axis to change the steering angle; and a steering control device for controlling the steering actuator. The steering control device includes: a slewing-identification-signal receiving section which receives a slewing identification signal for identification of the slewing direction of the upper slewing body; and an actuator operating section operates the steering actuator to orient each of the wheels to the inside of a tangent line to an orbit of the wheel at the steering-rotation center axis, based on the identified slewing direction identified from the slewing identification signal. Full Article
pp Hydraulic braking apparatus for a crane drive and crane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic braking apparatus for a crane drive for carrying out crane work, in particular a slewing gear, having at least one hydraulic stopping brake for braking the drive movement of the crane drive in an emergency situation, wherein at least one pressure regulation valve is provided for controlling at least one stopping brake to ensure a time-delayed braking torque build-up. Full Article
pp Hoist apparatus and hoist transporting system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST Disclosed is a hoist apparatus having an improved structure to load an object to be transported in a horizontal direction. The hoist apparatus includes a travel unit to travel along a rail, a carrier unit coupled to the travel unit so as to move in a first direction, and a cart unit coupled to the carrier unit so as to move in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the cart unit includes a body portion, in which an object to be transferred is located, and a drive portion to drive the body portion in the second direction. Full Article
pp Crane apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A crane apparatus includes: a telescopic boom including a plurality of boom members, the telescopic boom performing telescopic motion by moving the plurality of boom members one by one using one telescopic cylinder; a condition input part configured to receive, as input, a condition for a crane operation including at least a weight of goods suspended by the telescopic boom, a height to which suspended goods are lifted, and a moving radius of the suspended goods; and a telescopic pattern selecting part configured to select a telescopic pattern that allows the crane operation under the condition inputted to the condition input part. Full Article
pp Fire suppression circulation system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An arrangement for testing a fire suppression sprinkler system includes a supply conduit for supplying a fire suppression fluid to a plurality of sprinklers. A sensor senses a flow of fire suppression fluid through the supply conduit. A drain conduit drains fire suppression fluid when the fire suppression system is tested. A drain valve controls the flow of the fire suppression fluid so that when the fire suppression system is tested the fire suppression fluid is controlled to enter the drain conduit. A fire suppression fluid collection tank collects the fire suppression fluid which has entered the drain conduit for reintroducing the collected fire suppression fluid to the supply conduit. A circulation valve controls the flow of the fire suppression fluid so that when the fire suppression system is tested the fire suppression fluid enters the fire suppression fluid collection tank. Full Article
pp Liquid supply with circulation via through-passing inner pipes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a liquid supply system wherein liquid, such as for example, a supply of warm water, circulates. Said system consists of thick outer tubes, the inner chamber of said thick outer tubes allowing a liquid to flow through, a thin inner tube is respectively placed inside the outer tube in which the liquid can flow in the direction counter to that in the inner chamber. In the path of at least one outer tube, a first tube branch is introduced enabling the first inner tube to be withdrawn, and in said first branch, at least one functional component, such as a shut-off valve, is introduced into the inner tube and guided to a second tube branch in the path of an outer tube and extends further through said tube branch and then into the inner chamber of the latter outer tube. Full Article
pp Hydraulically powered ball valve lift apparatus and method for downhole pump travelling valves By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The Invention provided is a hydraulic powered down hole reciprocating pump traveling valve component to provided lifting hydraulics on the down stroke using the derived motion and pressure of petroleum liquids and gasses, such as oil, water and natural gas and also utilizing the frictional traveling forces driven by the surface equipment. Designed to utilize the elements within the pumping apparatus to obtain the hydraulic power within and transfer the energy's force to the exposed bottom end of the pressure locked traveling ball valve adjacent within the ball valve containment cage, providing ultimate lifting power to open the ball valve on the initiation of the down stroke. The component consist of a Hollow Hydraulic Power Shaft, Hollow Pressure Motion House, and a Fluid Cavity Power Drag Plunger. Full Article
pp Method and apparatus for condition monitoring of valve By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In the method and apparatus of the invention, the process point is taken into account when the condition and performance of a control valve are monitored. In the condition monitoring of the valve, process measurements are used in addition to measurements inside the valve in such a manner that the process measurements identify the operating point at which the valve operates, and the measurements inside the valve are observed at these operating points to detect changes and to determine the condition of the valve. According to an aspect of the invention, the variables representing the operating point of an industrial process are considered when changes in the friction load of the valve and/or the load factor of the actuator are observed. Full Article
pp Plastic composite spring for vehicle suspension and apparatus and method for manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a corrugated plastic composite spring for a vehicle suspension and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same. The apparatus includes a corrugated extrusion part, a braiding part, and a pultrusion part. The corrugated extrusion part forms a preform having a hollow corrugated structure. The braiding part weaves a three-dimensional woven fabric on the preform. The pultrusion part impregnates the three-dimensional woven fabric with thermosetting resin. Full Article
pp Method and apparatus for braiding micro strands By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for fabricating microbraided structures is provided. A microbraiding device includes first and second carrier members that are movable with respect to each other. Each carrier includes a plurality of shelters. Spool-less strands of microfiber are retained in shuttles that are movable between the first and second shelters under magnetic forces. The microbraid structure is fabricated as the shuttles move between the first shelters, and as the first carrier member moves relative to the second carrier member. Full Article