hi Methods and apparatus for establishing electrical connections to a railroad rail By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A method of making an electrical connection to a railroad rail includes fastening a wire bonding assembly to a railroad rail, the wire bonding assembly including first and second spaced apart washer plates contacting the rail and a metal bar supported by the washer plates. The metal bar is electrically connected with the rail with a first conductive lead contacting a selected point on the rail and a selected point on the metal bar. A second conductive lead is connected to another selected point on the metal bar for establishing an electrical connection to the rail from an electrical device. Full Article
hi Toy vehicle track set By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A track set for toy vehicles is provided herein, the track set having: a first track segment coupled to a first curved track segment; a second track segment coupled to a second curved track segment; a third curved track segment having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end being wider than the outlet end, the inlet end being configured to receive the toy vehicles traveling on the first curved track segment and the second curved track segment; and a snare trap mechanism located at the outlet end of the third curved track segment, wherein the snare trap mechanism is configured to capture a first one of the toy vehicles traveling through the outlet end of the third curved track segment. Full Article
hi Automated banking machine that operates responsive to data read from data bearing records By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST Automated banking machines operate to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. Each of the automated banking machines includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. Transactions are authorized responsive at least in part to correspondence between card data and stored data corresponding to authorized users. Entities responsible for operating the automated banking machines may receive messages that include information or update code items for software or firmware usable in the banking machines for which they have operational responsibility. Full Article
hi Surface covering for enabling a surface to be crossed, in particular by vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a surface covering for enabling a surface, e.g. of the uneven, muddy, marshy, or sandy ground type, to be crossed by a vehicle, said surface covering including a double-ply textile core having two covered faces, each covered with at least one polymer layer, and a plurality of through tubular pockets extending substantially transversely through the thickness of the core between the two layers, and enabling respective stiffener bars to be inserted into each tubular pocket so as to make it possible, in particular, to increase the drivability and the load-bearing capacity of the surface when the surface covering is positioned on said surface. Full Article
hi Self opening bags with attaching features By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A self opening bag includes front and real walls joined at their respective first and second side and bottom edges. The bag is folded at least once parallel to its side edges. At least one attaching feature is located on the outer surface of the bag adjacent the upper end and between the folded walls. The bag is releasably attached to a subsequent bag. The at least one attaching feature causes the bag to open as the bag is pulled from the subsequent bag. The once folded bag may be sealed at the bottom edges after folding to form a star-sealed bag bottom. The bags may be removably attached to each other at a perforation line and wound onto a compact roll for use with a bag dispenser. The bags may have an upper seam, a U-shaped cut and a pair of bag handles. The bags may be corona treated. Full Article
hi Fill behind zipper and fill through the flange zipper By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The method and apparatus relates to providing a slit, perforation, line of weakness or similar structure in a flange of a zipper for a reclosable package or bag, including a high-capacity zipper. The slit, perforation, line of weakness or similar structure provides an opening for filling the reclosable package or bag without the need to separate the zipper profiles from each other. After filling, the opening is sealed and the cosmetic appearance of the reclosable package or bag is maintained. Full Article
hi Machine main body and operating machine provided with same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A first panel includes an engaging section configured to engage with an engaged section so as to allow displacement of the engaged section according to swinging of a hood between a closed position and an open position and restrict the swinging of the hood in a state where an opening section is opened. The engaging section engages with the engaged section such that the engaged section is detachable by being displaced in a predetermined first direction. The machine main body further includes an auxiliary supporting section provided in a machine room and configured to restrict, by detachably supporting the engaged section detached from the engaging section, the swinging of the hood in a state where the opening section is opened. Full Article
hi Intuitive control system for power assisted vehicle doors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A heavy vehicle door or ramp is opened and closed using an intuitive control system. The door includes a latch assembly, a lock assembly, and a power unit to assist in opening and closing the door. The door includes an interior joy stick handle and an exterior lever handle. From outside the vehicle, the door is opened and closed by pivoting the lever handle downwardly and upwardly, respectively. From the interior of the vehicle, the joy stick handle is pulled inwardly to close the door and pushed outwardly to open the door. Pivoting the joystick handle forwardly engages the blast locks, while pivoting the joystick handle rearwardly unlatches the latch assembly and disengages the blast locks. The power assist unit is actuated by pivotal movement of the outside door handle and lateral pivotal movement of the interior joystick handle. Full Article
hi Safety arrangement for a vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to a safety arrangement for a vehicle. The safety arrangement comprises a bonnet being displaceable between a closed position, an open position, permitting access to an engine compartment of the vehicle, and a deployed position, in which position there is a gap between the bonnet and the engine compartment. The bonnet is displaceable from the closed position to the deployed position, which is located upwards and rearwards as compared to the closed position. Further, the bonnet is directly openable to the open position both from the closed position and from the deployed position. Full Article
hi Handle for an openable body section of a vehicle, including a safety device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a handle (2) for an openable body section of a vehicle, including: an actuator (20) such as a lever, which is movably mounted between an inoperative position of the actuator and a position for unlocking the openable body section, and a locking member (36), such as a lock bolt, which is designed to occupy an inoperative position in which same locks the actuator (20) in the inoperative position of the actuator. Full Article
hi Actuator arrangement for a vehicle door latch By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An actuator arrangement is disclosed herein for an electronically actuatable door latch that controls a door of a vehicle. The actuator arrangement includes, but is not limited to, an actuating member that is connected to the door and that is operatively coupled to the electronically actuatable door latch. The actuating member is configured to actuate the electronically actuatable door latch when the actuating member is pushed in an outboard direction. The actuator arrangement further includes a bracing member that is mounted to the door proximate the actuating member at a position that is inboard of the actuating member. The bracing member permits a user to brace against the bracing member when pushing the actuating member in an outboard direction. Full Article
hi Cap assembly for vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cap assembly for a vehicle includes a base and a cap pivotally mounted to the base. The base can define a recess for receiving a component therein to be captured by the cap. The cap is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cap includes a locking feature that maintains the cap in the locked position and urges the cap to the locked position when nearly in the locked position. When the cap is in the locked position, the component is locked within the recess. When the cap is in the unlocked position, the component is removable from the recess. Full Article
hi Striker device for a motor vehicle door lock and a motor vehicle equipped with such striker device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A striker device for a motor vehicle door lock having a striker and an element made of a plastic material and equipped with a plate, which is suitable for being placed against a wall of the motor vehicle and is coupled to the striker in fixed relative position; the element has a plurality of tongues, which protrude from the plate in the opposite direction to the striker and are arranged in positions so as to engage, in use, the edges of two apertures in the wall of the motor vehicle, to keep the plate in a fixed reference position during a first fitting step; the tongues are breakable to enable changing the position of the striker device with respect to the wall of the motor vehicle in a possible second fitting step. Full Article
hi Impact sensitive latch actuation link for vehicle door By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus may include a latch mechanism, an actuator, and an actuation link. The latch mechanism may be movable to allow and restrict movement of a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame. The actuator may be configured to be movable by a user to cause corresponding movement of the latch mechanism. The actuation link may interconnect the latch mechanism and the actuator. The actuation link may include a portion that is laterally compliant to absorb a lateral force and axially rigid to transmit motion of the actuator to the latch mechanism. Full Article
hi Delayed unlatching mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In various embodiments an apparatus is presented for securing a structure such as a door, window, hatch, or gate that moves between an open and a closed position relative to a fixed structure to provide or deny access to a compartment, a room, an outdoor area, or a facility. Various embodiments provide a delay in opening the closure of sufficient duration to frustrate a rapid activation that might be desired by a person who is attempting to pass through the closure for some illicit purpose. Typically, hydraulics are used to activate the apparatus and no electrical energy or electronic signals are employed. In one embodiment, a plurality of actuations of a hand lever operates a hydraulic pump that moves a locking bolt from a first position in which a locking bolt is engaged with a recess in the fixed structure (preventing opening of a gate) to a second position in which the locking bolt is disengaged from the recess to permit opening of the gate. Full Article
hi Door handle device for vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A door handle device for a vehicle includes a door handle configured to be supported by a door panel, the door handle including a first handle case arranged to have a void relative to the door panel, a second handle case fixed to the first handle case at a side opposite from the door panel, and a lock command detection sensor including a lock detection signal processing circuit fixed to an inner side of the first handle case, a circuit connection portion electrically connected to the lock detection signal processing circuit, and a lock detection electrode assembled on the second handle case in a state to be arranged along an inner surface of the second handle case, the lock detection electrode being electrically connected to the circuit connection portion in a state where the second handle case is fixed to the first handle case. Full Article
hi Door opening preventing apparatus for a vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A door opening preventing apparatus for a vehicle includes an outer door handle mounted on an outer surface of a door panel, a door opening lever mounted on an interior of the door panel to angularly rotate and interlocking with the outer door handle when the outer door handle is opened, and a latch cable connected to the door opening lever, wherein a separate balance weight is disposed at an upper end of the door opening lever to contact the door opening lever, and the door opening lever is pushed by the balance weight outward due to a forward inertial force during a side collision of a vehicle, and only the balance weight is angularly rotated inward by a reverse inertial force. Full Article
hi Locking mechanism for a vehicle seat By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A locking mechanism (1) for a vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle seat, includes a latch that is to be interlocked with an opposite element (B) and is mounted to be pivotable about a first bearing bolt (13), at least one securing element (25, 31) that secures the latch (11) in the locked state, and a lock housing (5) which supports the latch (11) and the securing element (25, 31). The lock housing (5) has an integrated first stop (5a) for the opposite element (B). The stop (5a) has a damping effect when the opposite element (B) rests against the lock housing (5). Full Article
hi Machine tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A machine tool re-machines a workpiece after positioning drive motors, a hob and the workpiece by stopping the drive motors with the rotational positions of the drive motors, the hob and the workpiece corresponding to their respective zero positions. For this purpose, a drive control section recognizes, based on the rotational-speed ratio of the drive motor corresponding to the hob and the hob and/or the rotational-speed ratio of the drive motor corresponding to the workpiece to the workpiece, and detection signals from detection sensors detecting that the rotational positions of the drive motors are at their respective zero positions, detections signals when the rotational positions of the drive motors and the rotational positions of the hob and the workpiece correspond to their respective zero positions, and stops the drive motors with the rotational positions of the drive motors, the hob and the workpiece corresponding to their respective zero positions. Full Article
hi Machine tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST The table on which a workpiece is put can travel on a guide rail mechanism relative to a working head with a cutting tool mounted thereon. The table is connected through a nut to a ball screw part to move in an axial direction thereof as the ball screw part rotates. One end of the ball screw part is supported by a bearing and the other end is connected to a servomotor to be rotationally driven. A hollow part is provided in the table to receive therein a damper mechanism part, which comprises a spring, a damper, and a weight, the table and the weight being arranged to enable traveling separately on guide rails. Thereby, even when the workpiece is heavy, the weight can move relative to the table to effectively damp vibrations of the table in a feed direction. Full Article
hi Pallet changing device for a machine tool and machine tool comprising a pallet changing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pallet changing device (40) for changing pallets on a machine tool comprises a changing device (15) including connecting elements (26, 28) for releasably connecting the pallet changing device (40) to pallets (7, 8), a rotational drive (19) for rotating the changing device (15) in a working plane (18), and a lifting device (20) for raising and lowering the changing device (15) and thus the working plane (18) within a workspace (21). The rotational drive (19) is arranged outside the workspace (21). Full Article
hi Cutting machine for gears, splines, and other shapes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cutting machine for gear shaping or the like is provided. The cutting machine includes a gear shaping head. The gear shaping head has a ram that is guided by and reciprocates along a linear guide mounted between a saddle of the gear shaping head and the ram. At least one linear motor reciprocates the ram along a stroke axis relative to the saddle. The ram also carries a rotary drive and a spindle that reciprocate in unison with the ram. The rotary drive directly drives the spindle to journal the spindle through incremental angular positions during gear shaping. Full Article
hi Key duplication machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank. Full Article
hi Machine tool system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The machine tool system includes a machine tool, a loader and a support frame structure. The machine tool includes a bed and a processing equipment disposed above the bed to process a work. The loader includes a guide unit disposed above the machine tool and a movable body movable along the guide unit to load and unload the work relative to the processing equipment. The support frame structure includes left and right stands installed on a floor surface at left and right sides of the bed to support the guide unit from below and a reinforcement member inserted in a throughhole, which is provided in the bed so as to extend in a leftward and rightward direction, in a non-contact fashion without contacting an inner face of the throughhole, with left and right ends thereof connected to vertically halfway portions of the associated stands. Full Article
hi Multi-key duplication, identification and cutting machine with clamp By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A key duplication system comprising a key duplication housing wherein at least one key receiving aperture on a first side of the housing sized to receive a key blade and at least one key clamp adjacent to the at least one key receiving aperture, the clamp comprising a first clamp arm with a surface topography corresponding to a first key blade surface topography and a second clamp arm with a surface topography corresponding to a second key blade different from the first key blade. Full Article
hi Chip collection system for a key cutting machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A chip and shaving collection system for a key cutting machine has a trough with a linear first trough drawer rail located on a trough first side and a linear second trough drawer rail located on a trough second side. The trough further has a linear first trough support rail having a general shape of a triangular prism located on a trough first side and a linear second trough support rail having a general shape of a triangular prism located on a trough second side. The system has a plurality of linear support beams located on the support rails. The system has a rigid planar grid member spanning the trough top located on the linear support beams. The system has a drawer that is fluidly sealed located in the trough. The system has a key cutting machine located on the grid member. Full Article
hi Rotary joint device, method of machining rotary joint device, and main shaft driving apparatus for machine tool including rotary joint device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rotary joint device includes attachment grooves formed at positions in an outer peripheral surface of an outer cylinder, each attachment groove being formed so as to straddle a pair of adjacent cylindrical blocks and so as to be exposed from the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, each attachment groove having a bottom surface that is machined to form a flat surface in a state in which the cylindrical blocks are combined, and positioning blocks corresponding to the attachment grooves on a one-to-one basis and each having an attachment phase that is uniquely set to a corresponding one of the attachment grooves in the axial direction and in a circumferential direction of the outer cylinder, each positioning block having an attachment surface corresponding to the bottom surface of a corresponding one of the attachment grooves, the attachment surface being machined so as to form a flat surface. Full Article
hi Machine tool comprising a machine spindle, a tool holder and a contact point for electric current or data transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A machine tool having a motor-driven machine spindle which can be rotated about a spindle axis. The machine spindle has a tool holder arranged at the face. A tool is exchangeably arranged on the machine spindle. The tool has a coupling element which is compatible with the tool holder of the machine spindle. The coupling element has a rear surface pointing toward the machine spindle. The machine tool has at least one galvanic contact point for the electric current or data transmission, the point being arranged between the machine spindle and the tool and rotating together with the machine spindle. The galvanic contact point has a contact element which is arranged at the face of the tool holder on the spindle side, and a contact element which is arranged on the rear surface of the coupling element on the tool side. Full Article
hi Machining apparatus for grinding, milling, polishing or the like of a dental workpiece By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A machining apparatus for grinding, milling, polishing or the like of a dental workpiece. The machining apparatus contains a machining tool, a housing to which the machining tool is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation relative to the housing, and a holding device to which the housing is fixed. The housing is mounted yieldingly movably to the holding device in dependence on forces exerted on the machining tool. Full Article
hi Vibration suppressing method and vibration suppressing device for us in machine tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a machine tool having a rotary shaft for use in rotating a tool or a workpiece, a plurality of stable rotation speeds at which the chatter vibrations are expected to be suppressed, and at least one switching rotation speed across which a dynamic characteristic of a rotary shaft system changes are stored. The plurality of stable rotation speeds may be determined from chatter vibrations detected using a vibration detection unit. Optimum rotation speed that is a rotation speed to which a rotation speed of the rotary shaft is changeable without crossing the switching rotation speed is selected from the plurality of stable rotation speeds, and the rotation speed of the rotary shaft is changed to the optimum rotation speed. Thus, chatter vibrations generated during rotation of the rotary shaft can be suppressed effectively. Full Article
hi Ram guiding apparatus of machine tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ram guiding apparatus 1 of a machine tool is incorporated in a portal type machine tool 2 and provided with a cross saddle 5 that is cross-like in shape, as seen in a side view of the machine tool 2, provided so as to be freely movable in the horizontal direction along a horizontal cross beam 4. The cross saddle 5 has a box 18, both upper and lower faces thereof being open, in a front side of a horizontal part, wherein a first linear guide 21, a second linear guide 22, and a third linear guide 23, respectively serving as linear guides in the box 18 for a ram vertical movement, guide the ram 9 so as to be freely movable only in the vertical direction. Full Article
hi Coning and threading machine for high-pressure tubing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A machine permits an end of a thick-walled, high-pressure tubing to be chucked in a collet one time, coned, faced and threaded, using a coning head and threading head which are mounted on a carriage which can be translated laterally between three positions and the coning and threading heads parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece to complete the coning and threading operations. Full Article
hi Translocation-simulating loading apparatus for gear grinding machine with shaped grinding wheel and detection method for stiffness distribution By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A translocation-simulating loading apparatus for the gear grinding machine with the shaped grinding wheel is provided. The apparatus includes a load-receiving test piece disposed on the gear grinding machine with the shaped grinding wheel and a load-exerting component for use in loading simulation. The gear grinding machine enables linear movements along the X, Y, and Z axes, a rotary movement around the Y axis, a rotary movement C around the Z axis, and a rotary movement A around the X axis. An angle α is formed between the axis L of a ball seat of the load-exerting component and the X axis direction of a Y axis component and an angle formed between the normal line of a load receiving face a and the X direction of the coordinate system of the machine tool is α. A detection method for static stiffness distribution is provided. Full Article
hi System for compensating for the ram drop in a machine-tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a compensation system for compensating for the drop of the ram in a machine tool, comprising a vertical translation carriage (1) incorporating the application ram, at least one and preferably two perforated plates (2) being arranged on said carriage (1), on each of which there is incorporated a fixed sliding block (3) and movable sliding blocks (4), which blocks are linked with a guide for the transverse movement of the ram, such that the drop of the ram is compensated for by means of the controlled bending of the plates (2). Full Article
hi Culinary whisk By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a culinary whisk comprising a body including a handle portion and a utility portion connected to the handle portion. The utility portion has a number of loops formed from a plurality of wires, wherein at least one of the wires is provided with a first portion having a non-circular cross section. Full Article
hi Turbomachine blade By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turbomachine including securing means that extend between the pressure wall and the suction surface and which includes an energy absorbing portion for absorbing energy after impact to the blade by a foreign object. The energy absorbing portion has a catch that provides the blade with an improved resistance to bursting. Full Article
hi Turbomachine blade or vane having complementary asymmetrical geometry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turbomachine blade or vane is made of composite material including fiber reinforcement obtained by three-dimensional weaving of yarns and densified by a matrix. The blade or vane includes a first portion constituting at least an airfoil exhibiting two faces each connecting a leading edge to a trailing edge, the first portion forming a single part with at least one second portion present only on one of the faces of the airfoil, the second portion constituting a portion of at least one of the following elements: a flowpath delimiting outer portion of an inner platform, an inner portion of an inner platform, a flowpath delimiting inner portion of an outer platform, and an outer portion of an outer platform, the portions of the fiber reinforcement corresponding to the first and the second portions of the blade being at least partially mutually imbricated, with yarns of the first portion of the fiber reinforcement penetrating into the second portion of the fiber reinforcement. Full Article
hi Method, arrangement, and computer program product for efficient production of tomographic images By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is provided for constructing a tomographic reconstruction through the application of statistical inversion. Unknowns associated with points of a reconstruction grid are represented with components of a vector-valued variable. A next version of the vector-valued variable is repeatedly created by drawing for each component a value from a conditional distribution. The components of a so generated version of the vector-valued variable are used as the tomographic reconstruction. The components are divided into sets, so that components in a set represent unknowns associated with mutually independent points of the reconstruction grid, or into independent collections. For at least two components of a set or at least two collections, the drawing of values from a conditional distribution is performed in parallel in a computer-implemented process. Full Article
hi Radio tomographic image generation method and device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A radio tomographic image generation device includes a reconstruction unit for generating a plurality of reconstructed images of different iteration numbers by a successive approximation process; a region segmentation unit for obtaining information about structure based on radiographic image signals, and segmenting, based on the information about structure, a region, of which the tomographic image is generated, into a plurality of segmented regions having different information about structure; and an image combining unit for generating partial tomographic images by using the reconstructed images of different iteration numbers for the individual segmented regions based on the information about structure of the individual segmented regions, and generating a tomographic image of a subject by using the generated partial tomographic images for the individual segmented regions. Full Article
hi Press plate and radiographic imaging apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A press plate that includes: a plate shaped press portion that is capable of resilient deformation; a first slit that is provided to a first wall portion of a support body with length direction along a first edge portion of the press portion, and that penetrates the first wall portion; second slits that are provided to a second wall portions of the support body with length direction along second edge portions of the press portion, and that penetrate the second wall portions; and a first corner portion slit that is provided straddling a corner portion between the first wall portion and the second wall portion and penetrating the corner portion, that is connected to the first slit, and that is disposed at a separation to the second slit. Full Article
hi System and method for measuring the thickness of a zinc layer on steel and for measuring the iron concentration in a zinc layer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A Compton radiation detection device for determining of Compton radiation of iron, includes a sensor and a filter arrangement. The filter arrangement is adapted such that the radiation emitted by a test object due to Compton scattering passes a nickel layer and an iron layer before being detected by the sensor. A dispersive ionization chamber includes an ionization chamber having a plurality off ionization volumes and a window. Each ionization volume includes an electrode. Radiation can enter through the window. The ionization volumes are arranged in a beam propagation direction behind each other. Radiation having lower energy is statistically absorbed in ionization volumes located more proximal to the window. Radiation having higher energy is statistically absorbed in the ionization volumes located more distal from the window. Full Article
hi Dual mode X-ray vehicle scanning system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A variable mode X-ray transmission system is provided that can be operated in low or high dose rate modes depending upon the area or portion of the vehicle to be screened. In one embodiment, variable dose rate is achieved by use of a novel collimator. The systems disclosed in this application enable the scanning of a vehicle cab portion (occupied by people, such as a driver) at low dose rate, which is safe for human beings, while allowing the scanning of the cargo portion (unoccupied by people) at a high dose rate. Rapid switching from low dose rate to high dose rate operating mode is provided, while striking a balance between high material penetration for cargo portion and low intensity exposure that is safe for occupants in the cab portion of the inspected vehicle. Full Article
hi High-voltage apparatus, and radiation source and radioscopic apparatus having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a high-voltage apparatus according to this invention, a predetermined voltage is applied to a rotating anode after waiting until the number of rotations increases to such an extent that the rotating anode is not damaged. That is, X-rays of desired intensity are already outputted from a point of time when the voltage is applied to the rotating anode. Therefore, diagnosis can be performed immediately after the voltage is applied to the rotating anode. That is, unlike the prior art, there is no need to wait until X-ray intensity becomes suitable for diagnosis after X-ray emission is started, and there is no need to irradiate the patient with unnecessary X-rays. Therefore, the patient can be inhibited from being irradiated with excessive X-rays (with an improvement made in a response from when the operator gives instructions for starting fluoroscopy until emission of X-rays suitable for diagnosis). Full Article
hi Radiographing system, method of controlling automatic exposure in radiographing system, and radiological image detection device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A compensation circuit 76 of an AEC unit 67 of an electronic cassette 13 defines the detection signal of a detection pixel 65 of the electronic cassette 13 as a detection signal corresponding to the detection signal of an old AEC sensor 25. The compensation circuit 76 performs compensation so as to exclude the influence on the detection signal due to a difference in the configuration of an intermediate member disposed between an X-ray source 10 and an FPD 35 of the electronic cassette 13 when the detection pixel 65 is used as an AEC sensor instead of the old AEC sensor 25. The detection signal is transmitted from a detection signal I/F 80 to a detection signal I/F 26 of a source control device 11 as it is (instantaneous value) or as an accumulated value obtained using an integration circuit 77. Full Article
hi Beam lighting unit for radiographic apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method for limiting an X-ray beam, wherein the X-ray beam is limited by a limiting unit comprising a couple of blades approaching each other or moving away from each other to adjust the width of a space between the blades the two blades being driven by an actuator (12) linked to both blades. The position of a symmetry axis (S) of the space between the blades is set in a shifting step by changing the distance between the blades and by impeding the motion of one blade in comparison with the motion of the other blade resulting in an asymmetric motion of the blades with respect to an initial position of the symmetry axis (S). The desired width (W) of the space between the blades is set in an adjustment step by an unimpeded symmetric motion of the blades with respect to the position of the symmetry axis (S) set in the shifting step. Full Article
hi High-contrast soap film magnification device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A surfactant film viewing apparatus having a chassis, film wand, and film wand positioning means. The chassis is opaque and has a magnifying lens and a light aperture to allow ambient light into the interior of the chassis. The chassis, with the exception of the light aperture and the magnifying lens, forms an substantially closed surface. The film wand has a hoop suitable for supporting a surfactant film across its span. The apparatus includes a means for positioning of said hoop in said interior of said chassis such that the position of said hoop relative to the magnifying lens is stable but manually adjustable so the surfactant film can be positioned for viewing by said magnifying lens. The apparatus may include a reservoir for the surfactant/water mixture, and the means for positioning may also include a means for dipping the hoop in the surfactant/water mixture. In an alternate embodiment the wand has multiple hoops each of which is capable of supporting a surfactant film, rotation of the wand bringing the surfactant films sequentially into view. Full Article
hi Cognitive assessment and treatment platform utilizing a distributed tangible-graphical user interface device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cognitive disorder diagnostic system that employs cognitive cubes, gameplay associate with the cognitive cubes, and a data gathering as statistical analysis base device that may be a computer, that communicates the gathered data to a web server host according to a unique ID associated with particular cognitive cubes and further associated with a particular player. Using the statistical data gathered using the gameplay, various cognitive disorders may be successfully diagnosed and treated with higher reliability. Full Article
hi System and method for teaching injection techniques of the human head and face By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An anatomical model assembly of the human head for use in teaching medical personnel. The anatomical model has an inner base that is shaped as part of the human skull. A first layer of material covers the base. The first layer of material provides a visual indication of at least some muscle groups contained within a human head. A second layer of material is provided that covers the first layer. The second layer of material has an exterior that is shaped with at least some human facial features. The second layer of material and the first layer of material are separate, unattached layers. The material selected for the first layer mimics the suppleness of muscle. The material selected for the top second layer mimics the feel and elasticity of skin. The result is an anatomical model that can be used to accurately teach, plan and practice medical procedures. Full Article
hi Educational game for teaching addition and subtraction of whole numbers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An educational game for teaching addition and subtraction of whole numbers includes a carpet/game board including ten positively numbered spaces from +1 to +10 inclusive a 0 space and negatively numbered spaces from −1 to −10 inclusive and wherein said positive numbered spaces proceed upwardly in a generally zigzag direction from 0 to plus 10 and the negatively numbered spaces proceed downwardly from 0 to minus 10 and an extra space above the plus 10 and an extra space below the minus 10 wherein the extra space above the plus 10 is a win space and the space below the minus 10 is a lose space. The game also includes a single cube shaped die having six faces with an indication of plus 2, minus 2 and no movement on three of the faces and a plus 1, minus 1 and plus 1 plus and additional turn on the sixth face. Further, the game includes six game pieces of separate distinct colors. Full Article
hi Target device for determining received hits in a light based weapons simulation system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A target device is usable with a simulation system which includes a weapon simulator having a trigger, a chamber for firing a blank cartridge in response to the trigger, and a transmitter arranged to emit a light signal defining one or more activation codes of prescribed duration in response to the trigger. The target device includes a sensor array of photodiodes and a processor receiving output signals from the photodiodes. The processor determines that the sensor array has been hit by the weapon simulator in response to a first portion of one activation code being received by one of the photodiodes and at least one second portion of the same activation code being received by the same or a different one of the photodiodes when the first portion and the at least one second portion correspond to an entirety of one activation code within the respective prescribed duration. Full Article