o Solder joint reflow process for reducing packaging failure rate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a reflow process, a plurality of solder bumps between a first workpiece and a second workpiece is melted. During a solidification stage of the plurality of solder bumps, the plurality of solder bumps is cooled at a first cooling rate. After the solidification stage is finished, the plurality of solder bumps is cooled at a second cooling rate lower than the first cooling rate. Full Article
o Bake hardening steel with excellent surface properties and resistance to secondary work embrittlement, and preparation method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided are a bake hardening steel having a crystalline grain size of ASTM No. 9 or more and a method for preparing the bake hardening steel by controlling the winding, rolling and cooling conditions. The bake hardening steel includes: C:0.0016˜0.0025%, Si:0.02% or less, P:0.01˜0.05%, S:0.01% or less, sol.Al:0.08˜0.12%, N:0.0025% or less, Ti:0.003% or less, Nb:0.003˜0.011%, Mo:0.01˜0.1%, B:0.0005˜0.0015% or less, balance Fe and other inevitable impurities, wherein % is weight %, and Mn and P satisfy the relation of −30(° C.)≧803P−24.4Mn−58. Full Article
o Nickel-chromium-cobalt-molybdenum alloy By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A nickel-chromium-cobalt-molybdenum alloy includes (in weight %) Cr 21-23%, Fe 0.05-1.5%, C 0.05-0.08%, Mn≦0.5%, Si≦0.25%, Co 11-13%, Cu≦0.15%, Mo 8.0-10.0%, Ti 0.3-0.5%, Al 0.8-1.3%, P Full Article
o Magnesium based-alloys for hydrogen storage By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys with addition of transition and rare earth elements were produced by conventional induction melting and by rapid solidification. The magnesium based-alloys of this invention posses reversible hydrogen storage capacities ranging from 3 to over 6 wt. %, and excellent performance on the hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics. Full Article
o Magnesium alloys containing rare earths By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Magnesium alloys containing: Y: 2.0-6.0% by weight Nd: 0-4.0% by weight Gd: 0-5.5% by weight Dy: 0-5.5% by weight Er: 0-5.5% by weight Zr: 0.05-1.0% by weight Zn+Mn: Full Article
o Nickel-based superalloy By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A nickel-base superalloy is characterized by the following chemical composition (details in % by weight): 7.7-8.3 Cr, 5.0-5.25 Co, 2.0-2.1 Mo, 7.8-8.3 W, 5.8-6.1 Ta, 4.9-5.1 Al, 1.0-1.5 Ti, 1.0-2.0 Re, 0.11-0.15 Si, 0.1-0.7 Hf, 0-0.5 Nb, 0.02-0.17 C, 50-400 ppm B, remainder Ni and production-related impurities. The alloy is distinguished by a very high resistance to oxidation, resistance to corrosion and good creep properties at high temperatures. Full Article
o Thin film of copper—nickel—molybdenum alloy and method for manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A Cu—Ni—Mo alloy thin film, including Ni as a solution element and Mo as a diffusion barrier element. Ni and Mo are co-doped with Cu. The enthalpy of mixing between Mo and Cu is +19 kJ/mol, and the enthalpy of mixing between Mo and Ni is −7 kJ/mol. The atomic fraction of Mo/Ni is within the range of 0.06-0.20 or the weight faction of Mo/Ni within the range of 0.10-0.33. The total amount of Ni and Mo additions is within the range of 0.14-1.02 at. % or wt. %. A method for manufacturing the alloy thin film is also provided. Full Article
o Basic zinc cyanurate fine particles, and method for producing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Basic zinc cyanurate fine particles are produced by subjecting a mixed slurry to wet dispersion using a dispersion medium at a temperature in the range of 5 to 55° C., the mixed slurry being formed by blending water, cyanuric acid, and at least one component selected from zinc oxide and basic zinc carbonate such that the cyanuric acid concentration is 0.1 to 10.0 mass % with respect to water. Full Article
o Oxide sintered compact for producing transparent conductive film By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a sputtering target suitable for producing an amorphous transparent conductive film which can be formed without heating a substrate and without feeding water during the sputtering; which is easily crystallized by low-temperature annealing; and which has low resistivity after the crystallization. An oxide sintered compact containing an indium oxide as a main component, while containing tin as a first additive element, and one or more elements selected from germanium, nickel, manganese, and aluminum as a second additive element, with the content of tin which is the first additive element being 2-15 atom % relative to the total content of indium and tin, and the total content of the second additive element being 0.1-2 atom % relative to the total content of indium, tin and the second additive element. Full Article
o Ni-based superalloy, and turbine rotor and stator blades for gas turbine using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An object of the present invention is to provide a Ni-based superalloy, especially for a conventional casting, having a good balance among high temperature strength, corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance, as compared to a conventional material. The Ni-based superalloy comprises Cr, Co, Al, Ti, Ta, W, Mo, Nb, C, B, and inevitable impurities, the balance being Ni, the Ni-based superalloy having a superalloy composition comprising, by mass, 13.1 to 16.0% Cr, 11.1 to 20.0% Co, 2.30 to 3.30% Al, 4.55 to 6.00% Ti, 2.50 to 3.50% Ta, 4.00 to 5.50% W, 0.10 to 1.20% Mo, 0.10 to 0.90% Nb, 0.05 to 0.20% C, and 0.005 to 0.02% B. Full Article
o Heteroleptic (allyl)(pyrroles-2-aldiminate) metal-containing precursors, their synthesis and vapor deposition thereof to deposit metal-containing films By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are metal-containing precursors having the formula Compound (I) wherein: —M is a metal selected from Ni, Co, Mn, Pd; and —each of R-1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are independently selected from H; a C1-C4 linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group; a C1-C4 linear, branched, or cyclic alkylsilyl group (mono, bis, or tris alkyl); a C1-C4 linear, branched, or cyclic alkylamino group; or a C1-C4 linear, branched, or cyclic fluoroalkyl group. Also disclosed are methods of synthesizing and using the disclosed metal-containing precursors to deposit metal-containing films on a substrate via a vapor deposition process. Full Article
o Copper alloy sheet, and method of producing copper alloy sheet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is one aspect of copper alloy sheet containing 4.5% by mass to 12.0% by mass of Zn, 0.40% by mass to 0.90% by mass of Sn, 0.01% by mass to 0.08% by mass of P, as well as 0.005% by mass to 0.08% by mass of Co and/or 0.03% by mass to 0.85% by mass of Ni, the remainder being Cu and unavoidable impurities. The copper alloy sheet satisfies a relationship of 11≦[Zn]+7×[Sn]+15×[P]+12×[Co]+4.5×[Ni]≦17. The one aspect of copper alloy sheet is produced by a production process including a finish cold rolling process at which a copper alloy material is cold-rolled. An average grain size of the copper alloy material is 2.0 μm to 8.0 μm, circular or elliptical precipitates are present in the copper alloy material, and an average particle size of the precipitates is 4.0 nm to 25.0 nm, or a percentage of precipitates having a particle size of 4.0 nm to 25.0 nm makes up 70% or more of the precipitates. Full Article
o Copper-based slide member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a copper-based slide member in which needle-shaped Mn—Si based compounds are dispersed in a brass structure, 50% or more of a total number of the needle-shaped Mn—Si based compounds having lengths of 50 μm or more in a major axis direction are constituted of a plurality of small particles. Thereby, even if the needle-shaped Mn—Si based compounds fall off during sliding, the small particles which constitute the needle-shaped Mn—Si based compounds may fall off. Thus, the frequency of falling off of the coarse needle-shaped Mn—Si based compound which damages a shaft and a bearing is decreased. Therefore, seizure hardly occurs. Full Article
o Gripper assembly for moving device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gripper assembly for use with a moving device is disclosed. The moving device can be a mechanical device such as a robot. The gripper assembly includes a platform and an elongate arm extending from the platform. The elongate arm is in the form of least one elongate member. Each elongate member has a body which has a proximal end and an opposed distal end. A gripping mechanism is rotatably supported relative to the arm, and includes a holder having a pivoting arm pivotably joined to the body in the region of the distal end of the body. An actuator is in operable communication with the pivoting arm to impart pivotable movement to the pivoting arm and rotational movement to said gripping mechanism about a horizontal axis upon actuation of the actuator. The gripper assembly may have a center of mass substantially aligned with a vertical rotation axis of the gripper assembly. Full Article
o Motorized extension pole By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A motorized extension pole including a first hollow pole member having a second hollow pole member telescopically mounted in said first pole member. The second pole member is selectively moved between extended and retracted positions with respect to said first pole member by a battery powered drive motor. Full Article
o Lens holder apparatus and system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for safely retaining an eye implant lens for transport and access for inspection and use in which a holding apparatus has a chamber for holding a lens. In one embodiment the chamber has a pin on which a lens can be placed and a ramp leading to the pin so that a gripping member can slide up the ramp into proper placement to grip the lens and remove it. The gripper can be configured so that after removing the lens from the holding apparatus, it can be used to implant the lens. Also, a system including the apparatus and a bottle assembly that will hold the apparatus in the bottle. A method for holding an eye implant lens in which a lens is placed in the apparatus which can then be placed in a bottle assembly. Full Article
o Single handle post hole digger By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is directed to a single handle post hole digger. The single handle of the post hole digger includes an outer elongated vertical handle and an inner elongated vertical shaft that is located within the outer handle. The post hole digger includes two blades used to cut into the ground and to loosen soil when open and then used to capture and remove soil when closed. The single handle configuration allows for deeper holes as the holes do not have to accommodate the opening action of the handles as in traditional diggers. Full Article
o Removable specimen gripper fingers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for gripper finger release assemblies for specimen gripper units are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention include release elements to enable replacement of gripper fingers without the need of tools or without the need to demount and mount the entire gripper unit for exchange of gripper fingers. A release element may comprise a first sliding element and a second sliding element coupled to a plate such that pressing the second sliding element enables the first sliding element to release a gripper finger coupled to the first sliding element. Full Article
o Blowout preventer lifting apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A blowout preventer (BOP) lifting apparatus has a reinforced frame and a gate for securing a BOP stack. The frame has a central U-shaped recess for securing a collared portion of the BOP stack. The gate pivotally swings between a closed position on the frame and an open position for installation and removal of the lifting apparatus from the BOP stack. An actuator has a first end connected to a top surface of the frame and a second end connected to the gate for actuating the opening and closing of the gate to the frame. When the gate is in the closed position, three locking pins are inserted into three vertical pinning holes located on the frame, which are aligned with three pinning holes located on the gate. The apparatus may be lifted via cables or other lifting mechanisms attached via lifting eyelets located on each corner of the frame. Full Article
o Kebob tongs By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Tongs for manipulating shish-kebob on a barbeque grill, the tongs having two arms, the two arms being in parallel relationship at an insulated handle end which includes the pivot point at one end, the arms diverging at the opposing end of the handle end, to form two opposing spaced apart arms having kebob engaging ends, each end having an aperture there through, the apertures engaging the ends of the skewer, the tongs then being compressed so that the kebob engaging ends engage the outer food items on the skewer preventing their rotation so that the kebob may be either flipped for even cooking on the opposing side, or removed from the grill for consumption without endangering the fingers of the user. Full Article
o Combination support stand and carrying handle for portable electronic devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A combination support stand and carrying handle apparatus for use with an associated tablet device having a generally rectangular conformation with opposite front and back substantially planar surfaces. The apparatus includes a mounting member, a handle member, and a support stand for holding the associated tablet device on surfaces at selected angles for convenience of use of the tablet device. The carrying handle is grippable by the hand of an associated user. The support stand apparatus and carrying handle apparatus may be provided individually without the other. Full Article
o Socket organizer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A socket organizer includes a planar member having a plurality of recessions to receive various sized tool elements, such as sockets. A portion of the planar member is magnetized to enable the device the ability to securely, but removably, retain each socket when placed into an individual recession. The planar member is rotatingly secured to a support stand. A mechanical connection between the planar member and support stand is provided with a series of detents to enable a user to rotate the planar member to a desired position for access to a particular socket held within the device. Full Article
o Cargo strap with handle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cargo strap with carrying handle and mechanism for securing the cargo strap around a load. A first end of the cargo strap is preferably removably anchored to the strap securing mechanism by a clevis pin that permits rapid and easy disconnection of the first end of the cargo strap from the strap securing mechanism. The second end of the cargo strap is retained within the strap securing mechanism and prevented from removal therefrom by a stop proximate the second end of the cargo strap. The stop is preferably constructed as a loop formed in the second end of the cargo strap and sewn to the strap with a strap flap portion intermediate the second end of the cargo strap and the strap securing mechanism. The strap securing mechanism preferably has either a ratchet style mechanism with a reel or a modified cam buckle mechanism. Full Article
o Closure apparatus and method of using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for closing opened packaging includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface, a strap attached to the base, and two complementary handle sections attached to the base. The handle sections extend upwardly from the upper surface of the base, and together form a grippable handle. A space exists between the handle sections to receive the strap therethrough. The handle sections can be releasably attached to each other. Full Article
o Pigging pole By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multi-sectional portable pigging pole configured to retrieve a pig from a pipe. The pigging pole includes a first shaft member and a second shaft member. The first shaft member and the second shaft member are configured to interlock so as to form a shaft. The shaft is configured to extend reach into the pipe to retrieve the pig from therein. Full Article
o Switchable plate manufacturing vacuum tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided to enable a vacuum tool to have a switchable plate, such that a common vacuum tool may be adapted with different plates. A switchable plate may form the entirety of the vacuum tool's material contacting surface or a switchable plate may form a portion of the material contacting surface. The vacuum tool is effective for picking and placing one or more manufacturing parts utilizing a vacuum force. Full Article
o Floating retrieval device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A floating retrieval device that can be either manually launched or automatically launched via a compression spring. Full Article
o Suction gripper and manipulation system for ophthalmic lenses By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A suction gripper for transferring ophthalmic lenses from a storage cup into a centering cup has a suction head with several suction openings and several suction cups, wherein the suction cups are positioned on a convexly rounded surface. At least some of the suction openings are arranged in the suction cups and at least one suction opening is arranged remote from the suction cups on the suction head. The suction gripper is used in a manipulation system for ophthalmic lenses that encompasses ophthalmic lenses, a storage cup, a centering cup and the suction gripper. Full Article
o Apparatus and method for lifting a skimmer well lid and for cleaning and lifting a skimmer basket By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multipurpose tool and method usable to remove debris and/or other retentate from a skimmer basket or a filter associated with a swimming pool, and/or to remove the skimmer well lid and the skimmer basket and/or filter from a skimmer well. The tool comprises two elongate members pivotally connected, each elongate member having a protrusion connected thereto at one end and a handle at the other. Each elongate member can have a scooping element connected thereto. The protrusions can point away from each other and can be adapted to move away from each other in response to the handles being moved towards each other. Full Article
o Household retrieval device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tool for retrieval of dropped and other items includes an elongated rod member having a first end and an opposite second end, with a handle mounted at the first end of the rod and defining a user gripping surface, and a retrieval member mounted at the second end of the rod and defining a lower planar retrieval surface. The retrieval member includes a magnet and the lower planar retrieval member surface defines a sticky surface region, both for attachment and retrieval of dropped and other items. Full Article
o System for lifting, moving and transporting a vehicle via multiple slings connected to a common lifting vertex, and method of retrofitting a vehicle to facilitate lifting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for lifting a vehicle via multiple slings comprises a vehicle not engineered with structural facility to withstand lifting forces, including a frame which unmodified will deform in response to vertically imposed lifting forces, frame reinforcing elements affixed to the frame at selected locations which are subject to lifting deformation, at least two lifting members at spaced-apart forward frame locations, at least two lifting members at spaced-apart rearward frame locations, and a plurality of elongate slings extending respectively between each lifting member and a common lifting vertex. Each lifting member has an enlarged lower base portion rigidly affixed to the frame and an upper lifting portion. The frame reinforcing elements resist deformation of the frame in response to vertically imposed lifting forces. The enlarged base portions of the lifting members apply forces over a correspondingly enlarged area of the frame and the reinforcing elements without deforming the frame. Full Article
o Robot hand, robot device and method of manufacturing robot hand By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A robot hand includes a finger unit that is in contact with an object. The finger unit includes: a first member in which a tip portion and a base portion connected to the tip portion are formed as a single member; and a second member that covers a surface of the first member. Full Article
o Cleaning tool assembly with a disposable cleaning implement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cleaning assembly including a disposable cleaning implement having a cleaning element mounted to a fitment having an elongated post. The cleaning assembly includes an elongated maneuvering wand having a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof. A gripping mechanism is coupled to the wand attachment end, and is configured to releasably grip the fitment post to mount the cleaning implement. The gripping mechanism and the maneuvering wand cooperate to substantially limited pivotal movement of a longitudinal axis of the fitment post, relative a longitudinal axis of the gripping mechanism to not more than about 0 degrees to about 25 degrees when the fitment post is subjected to forces radial to the longitudinal axis of the fitment post. In another aspect, the frictional drag between the sliding components is significantly reduced, enabling a tool assembly with a high axial holding force for the cleaning implement, but with a significantly lower, consumer friendly release force for the Implement during release operation of the tool assembly. Full Article
o Fishing guide for directing a skewed fish in a wellbore By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A guide has an open end and a finger structure preferably of a shape memory alloy. The guide is run in small-diameter configuration through a restriction with a fishing tool, such as an overshot, above it. Once through the restriction, power to heaters on the fingers takes the material past its transition temperature to allow the guide lower end to fan out and surround a skewed fish that is in a slanted position and leaning on a wall of a surrounding tubular that has a larger dimension than the restriction. The bottomhole assembly is then advanced until the fish is captured by the fishing tool and pulled out of the hole. The fingers are forcibly retracted as the assembly is pulled back through the restriction. The guide can use retained fingers with an outward bias to flare out after passing through a restriction, thus acting as a fish guide. Full Article
o Transfer device comprising a gripper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gripper (42) for gripping an object (14), intended for a transfer device includes two jaws (64, 66). Each of the jaws includes: a recess (92), and a first clamping portion (94) and a second locking portion (96). The first clamping portion (94) of each jaw (64, 66) of the gripper (42) includes a supporting surface and, when the gripper (42) is closed around an object (14) occupying a predetermined reference position, the supporting surface is intended to engage with a portion of a bearing surface of a radial collar of the object. Full Article
o Folding reach extender By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tool to grasp objects, and to expand and/or retract while holding the objects, wherein the tool can include at least one handle disposed on a first end of an expandable assembly. At least one handle can be adapted to expand the expandable assembly when actuated or when there are a pair of handles and they are moved towards one another and retract the expandable assembly when they are moved away from one another. A gear assembly can be disposed on a second end of the expandable assembly. The tool can allow users to reach, grasp, move, and release remote objects. Full Article
o Vacuum nozzle having back-pressure release hole By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pick-and-place vacuum nozzle including a a nozzle body, a vacuum chamber within the nozzle body, a cavity formed in a lower surface of the nozzle body below the vacuum chamber, wherein the cavity is shaped to hold a head gimbal assembly, a back pressure relief hole passing through the nozzle body and connected to the vacuum chamber, the back pressure relief hole communicating with an exterior of the nozzle body, wherein a diameter of the back pressure relief hole is between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. The backpressure relief hole prevents light parts from sticking to the nozzle tip after vacuum is no longer applied. Full Article
o Assembling apparatus and production system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT To enable positioning a robot arm and a workpiece with high accuracy while reducing vibrations of a camera. According to the claimed invention for this purpose, a robot station 100 includes a pedestal 103 to which robot arms 101 and 102 are fixed, a camera 106 which images an area including a working area 209 of the pedestal 103, and a booth 104 to which the camera 106 is fixed. The pedestal 103 is fixed to a floor surface, and the booth 104 is fixed to the floor surface without contacting the pedestal 103. The booth 104 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a short side parallel to a workpiece conveying direction T and a long side perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction T in a plan view. In the booth 104, the length of the long side y of the booth 104 is set to not less than the sum of a maximum length by which the robot arms 101 and 102 protrude from the pedestal 103 in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction T and the length in the direction perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction T of the pedestal 103 in a plan view. Full Article
o Rope gaff (collapsible) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fully collapsible, double articulated gaff for retrieving fish when fishing from high bridges, piers and high banks. The device collapses to approximately 5 inches in diameter by 1 inch high to enable it to be carried in a tackle box. It has three double articulated, weighted gaff hooks. The fishing line is threaded thru the overlap in guide mechanism, then lowered to the fishes head gripping it with the gaff hooks, then by pulling up on the rope lifting the device and the fish. Materials and method of construction used to help reduce manufacturing cost. Full Article
o Two handle log and firewood pickup tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tool for lifting and carrying wood of a two opposing pointed arm pivoted construction. A drive handle extends from one arm and an offset carrying handle extends from the other arm. Each arm has a curved free end portion terminating in a wood engagement point. The arms are pivoted together at their distal ends with an arm stop extending therebetween preventing the arms from closing completely. The arms respective end engagement points provide for opposing wood end engagement to grip and hold a single log or firewood piece securely therebetween for lifting and carrying until select release by the user. Full Article
o Method for replacing a transformer in a wind energy installation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of replacing a generator of a wind power installation. The generator is provided in the interior of a pylon of a wind power installation and the pylon has a door opening. An exchanging cross beam is fixed by way of a first fastening point to a crane hook of a mobile crane. A first end of the cross beam is introduced with a second fastening point through the door opening into the pylon. The transformer to be replaced is fixed to the second fastening point of the first end. A compensating weight is fixed at the second fastening point to the second end of the cross beam. The second end of the cross beam is tilted or inclined until the transformer is at the height of the door opening and the crane hook is moved until the transformer to be replaced is outside the door opening. Full Article
o Multi-purpose tactical pendant hook By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multi-purpose helicopter pendant hook assembly is provided. The pendant hook assembly allows cargo load attachment by a ground crewman from positions either on the load itself or standing on the ground next to the load. In both cases, a stand-off from the helicopter improves safety for the ground crewmen. The hook assembly combines the capability to pick up cargo and personnel, or both, simultaneously. This multi-purpose feature reduces the need for more than one helicopter during recovery operations. The pendant has multiple D-rings for attachment of personnel and has a communications link for ground crew to pilot communications. The hook assembly also has a flange and hook configuration which allows release of the cargo load while retaining the cargo net. Full Article
o Chimney tile removal tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tool for lifting a tile from the bore of a chimney or other vertical opening has pivotably connected arms. Jaws at the lower ends of the arms are offset from a lifting point of the tool and optionally, from the pivot point. An actuating mechanism closes the jaws. One mechanism comprises a screw that moves a nut and one or more toggle elements connected thereto. Another mechanism comprises toggle elements which connect to the upper ends of arms and pull on them when upward force is applied at a lifting point. A releasable latch keeps the arms of tool spaced apart while a tile wall is being engaged. At least one jaw is a thin plate; preferably the opposing jaw is pivotable. Both jaws may be angled relative to the principal axis of the tool. Full Article
o Waste scoop containment system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A containment system to safely store a waste scoop includes: an outer receptacle including a bottom surface, at least one side wall, an opening and a first coupling element; an inner receptacle including a bottom surface and at least one side wall housed within the outer receptacle and including an opening, wherein the inner receptacle is removable from the outer receptacle via the opening of the outer receptacle; a scoop assembly including a scoop, a handle, and a lid, wherein the scoop is housed within the inner receptacle and is removable from the inner receptacle via the opening of the inner receptacle; a compartment including a second coupling element for connecting the compartment to the outer receptacle via the first and second coupling elements; and a third and fourth coupling element to secure a planar surface of the lid to cover the opening of the outer receptacle. Full Article
o Disposable finger tongs for handling a food product By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A combination finger fold holder tong and surface texturizing set includes a set of tongs with finger pockets, whereby the pockets are movable towards and away from each other for grasping an article of food; plus a plurality of adhesively adherable sticker substrates having a first texture imparted side and an opposite adhesive bearing side with a release liner, whereby the texture containing adhesively adherable sticker is placed upon the food engaging surface for manual grasping of articles of food. Full Article
o Holding aid for a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device and methods of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A securement device to make it much easier for a user to securely hold onto a personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device such as an electronic reader, a tablet computing device, a cellular phone, a personal data assistant, and a common clipboard, including any of these items that are at least partially contained in protective housings—while minimizing the fatigue and discomfort on the user's hands: A typical device solves this problem by providing a system of one or more finger holds formed with a fabric or pliable material that are disposed on the back side of the personal, hand-held, tablet-shaped device. In many devices, the position and fit of the finger holds are easily adjustable by a user via hook-and-loop schemes. Full Article
o Trash spearing tools with retractable spearing pins By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A trash spearing tool and method are provided. The tool includes a spearing pin, a trigger assembly, an inner tube, and an outer tube. The trigger assembly is movable between a normal position and an activated position. The outer tube is slidable between a storage position and a use position. The spearing pin is operatively coupled to the trigger assembly in such manner that, when the outer tube is in the use position and the trigger assembly is in the normal position, the spearing pin is normally biased to an extended position in which a portion of the spearing pin extends from the outer tube and, when the outer tube is in the storage position and the trigger assembly is in either the normal position or use position, the spearing pin to in a retracted position in which the spearing pin does not extend from the outer tube. Full Article
o Gripper for a contact lens and process for transporting a contact lens By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gripper (1) for a contact lens (CL) includes a gripper head (10) having a bearing surface (11), the bearing surface (11) having at least one opening (110) through which underpressure can be applied in order to suck the contact lens (CL) against the bearing surface (11) and through which overpressure can be applied in order to release the contact lens (CL) from the bearing surface (11). The gripper further includes a detection opening (111) in the bearing surface (11) through which a separate underpressure can be applied. Full Article
o Apparatus and method for collecting and disposing waste By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods for pet waste disposal include using a portable waste collection receptacle disposed on a handle. A heat source is mounted together with the waste collection receptacle, capable of incinerating waste disposed in the waste collection receptacle. Full Article
o Load launching shovel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hand operated shovel system for moving materials that uses spring enhanced human power to increase force during the flinging part of shoveling. A user adds propulsive force to a shovel having a spring located between the handle and the blade. Motion of the handle and blade rotates the spring to store energy expended during the initial acceleration of lifting, and applies the stored energy back into the material during the deposition step, increasing the ballistic trajectory of the material. If material deposition can be accomplished without flinging, the shovel acts as a substantially rigid body for standard shoveling. Full Article