atus Wear indicator apparatus, system and method for conveyor transfer chutes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A wear indicator apparatus, system and method are provided for allowing wear information from an internal flow surface of a chute to be obtained from outside the chute so as not to require access to the interior thereof for wear inspection purposes. In one form, the wear indicator apparatus has a wear indicator portion that is configured to be fit into a through opening in the chute wall assembly. The wear indicator portion has a layer of wear material that is of the same material as an inner liner of the chute wall assembly, and a mounting portion that is configured to be removably fixed to an exterior surface of the wall assembly. Preferably, the wear indicator apparatus includes a removal mechanism connected to the mounting portion that is operated outside of the chute for retracting the wear indicator portion out from the wall assembly through opening. Full Article
atus Dispensers for coin handling apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A coin dispensing apparatus has a cabinet serving as an apparatus housing for the apparatus. The apparatus further has a module for receiving, optionally validating and optionally sorting coins of different types and at least one dispenser for coins to be dispensed. The apparatus is adapted to dispense a specific composition of coins from the at least one dispenser to a portable coin receptacle. Each dispenser comprises a spout and is shaped such that a plurality of dispensers can be placed in a pattern allowing the spouts to be placed in a row. An effect of this is that the sorted coins can be dispensed in a row above the row of spouts, thus there is no need for an additional complex channel system for leading the sorted coins into the correct dispenser. Full Article
atus Low-pressure process apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A method for disassembling a low-pressure process apparatus. The method provide a transmission device and a low-pressure process apparatus; and moves the housing to a transmission device in a first horizontal direction via the first roller set. Full Article
atus Methods and apparatus to monitor material conditioning machines By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a strip material. A first sensor detects a first distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a first reference location and a second sensor detects a second distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a second reference location. A controller determines a difference value between the first distance and the second distance to detect material curvature of the strip material. Full Article
atus Pressing and stripping apparatus for punch die and push rod thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pressing and stripping apparatus for punch die includes a base, a pressing and striping plate, an A-type pillar, a first bolt, an elastic or pressure element, a stripping bolt, a second bolt, a die-mounting bolt, a B-type pillar, a locating pin, a cylindrical guide column, a third bolt, an outer supporting frame, and a square guide column; wherein the pressing and stripping plate is movably connected to the base via the stripping bolt, wherein the pressing and stripping plate reciprocates along the axial direction of the stripping bolt while working, and the elastic or pressure element is provided between the pressing and stripping plate and the base. The push rod used with the pressing and stripping apparatus for the punch die is a column, one end thereof is a polygonal blind hole, and the other end thereof is a stepped shaft with parallel threads. This arrangement can achieve a common pressing and stripping apparatus, making the punch die easy to be disassembled. Full Article
atus Machine tool, working fluid supply apparatus, and working fluid By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A machine tool (1) for processing a workpiece (2) by relative movement of a tool (18) with respect to the workpiece (2), including a homogenizer (15) into which water and oil are taken to disperse oil homogeneously in water, a working fluid produced in homogenizer (15) being supplied to a work area for processing of the workpiece. Full Article
atus Apparatus and method for shot peening of blade mounting areas on a rotor arrangement disc By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for shot peening blade mounting areas on a disc of a rotor includes a peening nozzle unit which streams shot peening media along a longitudinal axis. The unit includes a nozzle outlet which extends at least partially in a circumferential direction of the unit, and a deflection arrangement with a deflection area for the media. The deflection area is at least partially cone or half-hyperboloid shaped, such that the media passes the nozzle outlet over an angle range in circumferential direction after being deflected by the deflection arrangement. A method for shot peening the blade mounting areas positions the unit in a slot profile of a blade mounting area, and guides the unit along the contour of the slot profile with the nozzle outlet facing the contour of the slot profile to approximately uniformly peen the contour of the slot profile. Full Article
atus Apparatus and method for inserting angle plates and closing duct seams By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method are described for automatically inserting angle plates into duct work and for seaming the duct work. Full Article
atus Green ball grinding method, ceramic sphere fabrication method, and grinding apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A green ball grinding method includes the step of supplying a green ball between a first surface of a first member and a second surface of a second member constituting a grinding apparatus, and the step of grinding the green ball between the first surface and the second surface while the green ball rotates around its own axis and in orbital motion. In the step of grinding the green ball, the step of causing the green ball grinding to proceed while applying load between the green ball and each of the first surface and the second surface, and the step of modifying the rotation axis of the green ball by reducing the load lower than in the step of causing the green ball grinding to proceed are executed alternately. Full Article
atus Manufacturing apparatus of plate-like tooth profile member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT [Problem] To present a manufacturing apparatus of a plate-like tooth profile member capable of forging and forming in one process by using a closed type die, being hardly accompanied by burrs due to plastic changes in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction of the material of the plate-like tooth profile member. [Solving Means] Consisting of an upper die 1 and a lower die 2 of closed type, the lower die 2 is composed of a tooth die 21 for forming a tooth portion in a material W of a plate-like tooth profile member, and movable dies 22, 22 movable relatively in a vertical direction to the tooth die 21 disposed at both sides in the axial direction of the material W of the plate-like tooth profile member of the tooth die 21, a first stroke is executed for confining the circumference at both end portions in the axial direction of the material W of the plate-like tooth profile member by the upper die 1 and the movable dies 22, 22, and a second stroke is executed for forming a tooth portion in the material W of the plate-like tooth profile member by the upper die 1 and the tooth die 21. Full Article
atus Apparatus and method for producing springs By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Using a method for producing a spring from a spring wire, turns of a first spring part are produced, wherein said produced turns move in a first direction. Thereafter, turns of a second spring part are produced, wherein said produced turns move in a second direction which is different from, in particular opposite of, the first direction. Such a method can be used to produce a spring having a plurality of spring parts. Full Article
atus Apparatus for growing carbon nanotube forests, and generating nanotube structures therefrom, and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described. Full Article
atus Fire retardant compositions and methods and apparatuses for making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for producing a textile product generally includes a feeding section for providing a starting material to facilitate producing a textile product derived from the starting material; a drafting section operably coupled to the feeding section for gripping, pulling, stretching and breaking at least one strand of the starting material into at least one continuous and cohesive network of an intermediate product; and a spinning section operably coupled to the drafting section for winding and twisting the at least one continuous and cohesive network of an intermediate product onto a removable receiving member to form the textile product; the feeding section, the drafting section, and the spinning section are configured to form the textile product in a continuous operation. Full Article
atus Cable stranding apparatus employing a hollow-shaft guide member driver By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A cable-stranding apparatus includes a stationary guide, a motor, a driven guide, and a controller electrically coupled to the motor. The stationary guide is configured to guide strand elements in a spaced-apart configuration and to pass a core member. The motor is operatively associated with a guide driver. The driven guide is disposed at least partially within the guide driver so as to rotate therewith. The driven guide is configured to receive the strand elements from the stationary guide, individually guide the strand elements received from the stationary guide, and to further pass the core member. The controller is electrically coupled to the motor and configured to control the rotational speed and direction of the motor. Full Article
atus Yarn-producing apparatus for an air spinning machine with an inset and a spinneret equipped therewith By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A yarn-producing apparatus for an air spinning machine, which is used for producing a yarn from a fiber strand with the assistance of an air flow, has a spinning tip with an inlet opening surrounded by the outer surface of the spinning tip, in the area of which a yarn is able to be produced with the assistance of the air flow. The yarn-producing apparatus has an internal inset with a draw-off conduit adjacent to the inlet opening for the yarn and several air outlets branching off on the side from the draw-off conduit, such that an air flow introduced counter to the direction of spinning (S) in the draw-off conduit can escape in part through the air outlets and in part through the inlet opening. In addition, a spinning unit with a corresponding yarn-producing apparatus is provided. Full Article
atus Fid apparatus and method of using By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fid apparatus includes a first channel formed along one side of the fid and a second channel formed along an opposite side of the fid. The fid further includes an aperture that passes completely through both the first channel and the second channel. This arrangement enables the fid to be able to grasp or clutch a segment of rope during a splicing process. The splicing process involves a method of using the fid apparatus in such a way that the segment of rope is arranged within the first channel, second channel, and aperture of the fid prior to commencing splicing processes. The segment of rope used is determined by the particular form of splicing that is implemented. Full Article
atus Work vehicle having hydraulic apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a work vehicle having a hydraulic apparatus which can reliably prevent erroneous operation of the valve of the hydraulic apparatus even when the operating lever is moved inadvertently. With this hydraulic apparatus, with operations of a single operating lever in two directions, two valves are operated respectively. Two valve operating links for operating the two valves respectively are pivotally supported to a support shaft provided to a pair of frame plates and a lock pin is provided to the frame plates. The two valve operating links form pin holes. When the two valves are at the neutral positions, the lock pin is inserted into the pin holes with a locking operation of a lock operating tool, thus fixing the valve operating links and locking the valves. Full Article
atus Portable vehicle roof snow and ice removal apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved apparatus for removing snow and ice from the roof top of a truck, trailer, bus or similar vehicle is mounted atop a conventional flatbed trailer for ease of relocation from one site to another for use. The addition of a height adjustable scraper or plow blade that is operator controlled to remain in contact with the roof of the vehicle being cleaned is provided with a self-contained front-to-back and side-to-side stabilization mechanism to prevent damage to the tops of vehicles by gouging or tearing the roof top. Full Article
atus Position control apparatus and method for working machine of construction machinery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a position control apparatus for a working machine of a construction machinery, including: a boom driving unit for driving a boom; a bucket driving unit for driving a bucket; a working tool manipulating part for generating a manipulation signal for driving the boom driving unit and the bucket driving unit; a kick-down switch for generating a kick-down signal for lowering a gear stage; and a controller for, if the kick-down signal is generated by the kick-down switch and the manipulation signal is generated by the working tool manipulating part, outputting a control signal to the boom driving unit and the bucket driving unit to move the boom and the bucket to a preset position. Full Article
atus Method for putting into operation a clearing apparatus suitable for picking up ballast By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method puts into operation a clearing apparatus suitable for picking up ballast and is disposed in an endless configuration during employment so as to encircle a railroad track. The clearing apparatus has a horizontal cross-duct which, prior to a start of the employment, is intended to be positioned below the railroad track and connected, on the one hand, to a rising duct and, on the other hand, to a return duct of the clearing apparatus. The method includes displacing ties of the railroad track in a longitudinal direction of the railroad track to create a tie gap; lowering the cross-duct through the tie gap between two rails of the railroad track and transferred, below the ties, into a working position extending crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the railroad track; and connecting the cross-duct to the rising duct and to the return duct. Full Article
atus Apparatus for dispensing moist smokeless tobacco By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for accurately dosing moist smokeless tobacco includes a dosing assembly and a dosing air source. The dosing assembly defines a loading chamber and a dosing chamber for containing a quantity of moist smokeless tobacco material. The dosing assembly also includes a discharge opening communicating with the dosing chamber. The dosing air source communicates with the dosing chamber and is operable to deliver compressed air to the dosing assembly so as to move moist smokeless tobacco material from the dosing chamber to the discharge opening. A method of pouching moist smokeless tobacco includes placing a predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco in a dosing chamber having a predetermined volume, and ejecting the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco to pouching apparatus using compressed air. Full Article
atus Process for shredding a tobacco sheet and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process and apparatus for shredding tobacco sheets, especially tobacco sheets formed of reconstituted tobacco particles with guar and sugar comprises rotating opposing sets of cutter discs in a partially overlapping relation so as to establish a nip. The cutter discs have notches at spaced locations along a peripheral portion of the cutter discs. Adjacent pairs of cutter discs are spaced apart by a spacer disc with a stripper plate interposed between adjacent pairs of spaced apart cutter discs. A tobacco sheet which is fed into the nip of the sets of cutter discs is shredded by the discs. Full Article
atus Sheet material cutting apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cutting apparatus and an associated method for slitting a tobacco sheet material into cut pieces used to form smoking articles are provided. The cutting apparatus includes a rotatable cutter assembly having a drum member configured to rotate about an axis defined thereby. The cutter assembly includes a plurality of knife members disposed about the periphery of the drum member and extending radially therefrom. A fixed counter-knife assembly is disposed adjacent to the periphery of the drum member and is configured to interact with the rotatable cutter assembly during rotation thereof about the axis. The counter-knife assembly includes a ledger member having a plurality of cutting insert members removably engaged therewith. The cutting insert members are configured to interact with the knife members during rotation of the cutter assembly with respect to the counter-knife assembly so as to slit the tobacco sheet material received therebetween into cut pieces. Full Article
atus Flue-curing apparatus and associated method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A flue-curing apparatus and a related method are provided. The flue-curing apparatus includes a circulation chamber and a curing chamber that are separated by a divider wall. An air circulation system includes a blower positioned in the circulation chamber that directs air to a heater device and a lower passage into the curing chamber. The air may be received from one or both of an inlet and an upper passage extending from the curing chamber to the circulation chamber. A humidity control system humidifies the air directed into the curing chamber. A controller may receive signals from wet and dry bulb thermometers to determine the conditions in the curing chamber and the condition of tobacco leaves being cured therein. The controller may adjust various operational parameters to cause the tobacco leaves in the curing chamber to cure at a desired rate. Full Article
atus Air suction device for a smoking apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The various embodiments herein provide an air suction device for a smoking apparatus. The air suction device comprises a cylindrical housing, an impeller, an impeller cover, a motor assembled inside the housing to drive the impeller, a plurality of batteries provided in the housing, a battery cover to enclose the plurality of batteries and a switch provided externally to the cylindrical housing. When the switch is in ON condition, the plurality of batteries supply an electrical power to the motor and the motor converts the electrical power into a mechanical power which in turn causes propulsion of the impeller thereby sucking out the air from a water bowl of the smoking apparatus. The propulsive motion of the impeller sucks out the air from the water bowl until the air inside the water bowl is replaced by condensed smoke. Full Article
atus Inline vapor cooling and filtering apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vapor inhalation device includes a first body portion defining a first chamber and a second body portion defining a second chamber provided at least partially within the first chamber, where the second body portion has at least one aperture placing the second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An intake conduit defines a first air passageway from an exterior of the first body portion to within the second chamber. An output conduit has a proximal end located within the first chamber, a distal end opposite the proximal end and located at the exterior of the first body portion, is physically coupled to the first body portion at a location different from the proximal end of the output conduit, and defines a second air passageway extending from within the first chamber to the exterior of the body portion. Full Article
atus Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods for forming porous masses for smoke filter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for producing porous masses may include a mold cavity disposed along the material path, at least one hopper before at least a portion of the mold cavity for feeding a matrix material to the material path, a heat source in thermal communication with at least a first portion of the material path, and a cutter disposed along the material path after the first portion of the material path. Full Article
atus Method and apparatus for making a custom made cigar using resealable packaging unit or pouch having multiple cigar wrappers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pouch with multiple tear areas is provided. In one embodiment instructions are provided for resealing with heat. In one embodiment a zip-lock type reseal can be used in place of one of the multiple tear areas. Full Article
atus DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING DISPLAY APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An object is to provide a display device of an organic light emitting type suppressing luminance unevenness. The display device includes: a pixel including an organic light emitting element and a pixel circuit that controls a current supplied to the organic light emitting element; a first wiring 41 and a second wiring 42 supplying a first signal used for controlling the pixel circuit to the pixel circuit; and a third wiring 43 suppling a second signal used for controlling the pixel circuit to the pixel circuit. The first wiring 41 to the third wiring 43 are arranged inside an area in which the pixel circuit is arranged in a first direction, and the third wiring 43 is arranged between the first wiring 41 and the second wiring 42. Full Article
atus 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
atus DISPLAY APPARATUS AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A display apparatus includes a display panel, a first data driver, a second data driver, and a first capacitor. The display panel is connected to a plurality of data lines. The first data driver is connected to first data lines among the plurality of data lines, and is configured to perform a first charge sharing for the first data lines. The second data driver is connected to second data lines among the plurality of data lines, and is configured to perform a second charge sharing for the second data lines. The first capacitor is connected to the first data driver and the second data driver. Each of the first and second charge sharings is performed using the first capacitor. Full Article
atus 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
atus 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
atus TOUCH DRIVE CIRCUIT AND DRIVING METHOD THEREFOR, ARRAY SUBSTRATE AND TOUCH DISPLAY APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A touch drive circuit and a driving method therefor, an array substrate and a touch display apparatus relate to a field of display. The driving method includes: during touch scanning time period in one frame, by each of output control unit (2), receiving a touch enable signal, a common voltage signal and a touch scanning signal, and receiving an output signal of an shift register unit connected with the output control unit; and outputting, by each of the output control units, the touch scanning signal to a touch drive electrode connected with the touch control unit in a first time period according to the touch enable signal and the output signal of the shift register unit connected with the output control unit, wherein the first time period is scanning time allocated to the touch drive electrode in one frame of time. Full Article
atus METHOD FOR INPUTTING TEXT AND DISPLAY APPARATUS USING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for inputting a text and a display apparatus using the same are provided, the text input method including: transferring a message for requesting execution of a text input mode to an external device; receiving the text from the external device; and displaying the received text if it is determined that a situation in which a text is to be input occurs. Therefore, if a situation in which a text is to be input occurs, an external device automatically operates in a text input mode, and thus a user more conveniently inputs the text. Full Article
atus Rotary apparatus for transferring bottles or containers in general By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rotary conveyor apparatus, for collecting, transferring and releasing containers, includes: a platform (9) rotating according to a rotation axis (AA);trolleys (3), supported by the platform, and slidable in a corresponding slit extending from the periphery (9B) to the center of rotation through an internal conduit (6), within the trolleys a certain degree of suction is created for a determined rotation angle of the platform through a suction box (4), arranged at the lower part and in contact with the platform, including a suction opening (7) extending along an angular section thereof. The trolleys are movable relative to the rotation of the platform, and are moved from the periphery to the center of rotation and vice versa during a complete rotation of the platform. The movement action is directed by a first guide closed loop-like on the box and a second radial guide integral with the platform. Full Article
atus Transport apparatus with moving trucks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A transport apparatus for transporting goods, wherein a moving truck arrangement having at least two moving truck elements can be displaced along a guide track, wherein great spatial freedom of design of the guide track is made possible. The moving truck arrangement can be moved both in a pulling and in a pushing manner by a drive mechanism and the goods can be transported by the individual moving truck elements. Full Article
atus Specimen transport apparatus, specimen processing apparatus, and specimen transport method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A specimen transport apparatus according to an aspect is provided with a holder which holds a cup-like specimen container accommodating a specimen in an upright position, a chain member disposed along a predetermined transport path, and a supporting portion provided in a predetermined position on the chain member and configured to support the holder. Full Article
atus 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
atus 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
atus Apparatus and methods for assisting in controlling the discharge of material onto a conveyor from a dispenser By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In some embodiments, apparatus useful for assisting in controlling the discharge of material onto a conveyor from a material dispenser includes a carrier, first and second side restrictors extending downwardly from the carrier and at least one wiper extending downwardly from the carrier and transverse to the side restrictors. The side restrictors are configured to assist in preventing at least some material from overflowing off the sides of the conveyor, while the wiper is configured to level the top of at least some of the material dispensed on the conveyor. Full Article
atus Portable window washer anchoring and tethering apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A portable folding support structure for safely tethering an individual comprises a portable cart sized to fit through a residential doorway, having wheels and a motor that actuates at least one of the wheels. A hand-operated throttle and steering device control the cart. The cart comprises an extendable anchoring plate to prevent rolling. A substantially horizontal jib with the cart comprises a harness point for receiving a safety cable to which an individual is attached to allow safe cleaning practices and to minimize fall risk. A foldable outrigger provides stability to the cart and an anchoring pad attaches to a distal region of the outrigger to promote stability. A textile liquid-absorbing surface is positionable about an outer surface of a glass balcony to inhibit cleaning liquids from spilling below the level of the liquid-absorbing surface. Full Article
atus Portable pathway apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A portable pathway apparatus for providing a path over an earthen surface that includes a pliable frame member comprising one or more layers; a row of mating holes disposed on each side of the pliable frame member; a set of independently adjustable steps coupled to the pliable frame member in a first orientation direction; wherein each independently adjustable step comprises an adjustment mechanism, and wherein each independently adjustable step is coupled to the pliable frame member with a mount that aligns with the row of mating holes on each of the corresponding sides of the pliable frame member, whereby each of the independently adjustable steps is also movable along a length of the pliable frame member. Full Article
atus Remote equipment storage apparatus with a downwardly extendable retrieval position By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for facilitating the storage of equipment such as ladders in the upper area, but particularly in the upper area on the outside of emergency vehicles such as trucks which includes a capability of moving the ladder to an extended lower deployed position to facilitate immediate access thereto by emergency workers such as firemen. An outer bracket is connected to an inner housing through a parallel linkage with the inner housing attached to the vehicle and the outer bracket attachable to the equipment. The outer bracket includes a downwardly extendable sliding carriage to facilitate positioning of the equipment at a lower level for aiding in retrieval thereof utilizing a flexible control arm. Full Article
atus Apparatus for receiving shock loading By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fall restraint system includes a cable for attachment to a fall restraint harness assembly of a worker. The cable can be attached to a boom arm cantilevered on a mast carried from the ground or can be stretched between two points on opposed walls. A shock absorber is provided for absorbing at least part of the shock forces so as to reduce the loading applied to the support system. This comprises an elongate member with a movable member or sleeve mounted on it for longitudinal movement. The movement is resisted by a friction brake or a compressible material contained within a tube so that the sleeve moves along the tube in response to loads exceeding the normal load to reduce the loading on the cable while compressing the material in the tube. Full Article
atus Apparatus and method for extinguishing fires in a multi-floored building By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved apparatus for treating a fire in a multi-floored building where the fire is located on an upper floor vertically displaced from a lower floor from which the fire is treated, and where the upper and lower floors each have a selectively openable environmental access along an external wall of the multi-floored building. The improved apparatus includes a tubular structure having an inlet, an intermediate portion, and an outlet and a bracing system. The bracing system has a frame, a first pivot point, and a second pivot point. The frame provides support against a sturdy surface. The tubular structure is supported on the first pivot point and rotates thereon to elevate or hoist the outlet towards the upper floor environmental access. The tubular structure is further supported on a second pivot point and further rotates thereon to elevate the outlet. Full Article
atus Ladder stabilizing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus to secure a ladder to a ferromagnetic work surface, such as a metal storage tank, comprises a pair of brackets removably attached near the top of the ladder. The brackets are hinged to magnet mounts, which each hold a permanent magnet that releasably holds the ladder in place against the work surface. The apparatus prevents the ladder from slipping while a worker is climbing the ladder or while working from the ladder. Full Article
atus Valve timing control apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A valve timing control apparatus includes: a drive-side rotor rotating in synchronization with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; a driven-side rotor arranged to have the same shaft center as the drive-side rotor, rotating in synchronization with a camshaft for opening and closing valves; a fluid pressure chamber formed between the drive-side driven-side rotors; a partitioning portion provided in at least one of the drive-side and driven-side rotors; a timing advance chamber and a timing delay chamber formed by partitioning the fluid pressure chamber by the partitioning portion; a lock mechanism including a lock member and a concave portion a lock release flow path through which operating fluid supplied and discharged to and from the concave portion is circulated; a valve arranged in the middle of the lock release flow path; and a control unit controlling the operation of the valve. Full Article
atus 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
atus Variable valve operating apparatus for internal combustion engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A variable valve operating apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a drive camshaft, and a driven cam lobe that is rotatably supported by the drive camshaft. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes a control sleeve that has a raceway surface, a center of which is eccentric with respect to a center of rotation of its own. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes a link mechanism that is connected to each of the drive camshaft and the driven cam lobe and has a control roller which is in contact with the raceway surface. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes an actuator that drives the control sleeve. The variable valve operating apparatus further includes a control amount of the actuator is controlled to change a moving amount of the raceway surface in the above described plane direction in accordance with an operation condition of an internal combustion engine. Full Article