Selected U.S. Patent Abstracts

Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge for an airbag cover, having a planar textile element as a hinge between the cover of the airbag and an adjacent airbag cover region, for example in the interior of a motor vehicle, and to a region of the planar textile element which faces a carrier of the airbag cover and is embedded in a matrix which is connected to the cover, and a region of the planar textile element which is not embedded in the matrix.

Abstract: A multifunctional foot switch is disclosed. The foot switch has two or more actuation elements, arranged such that the operator of the foot switch may select various devices functionally connected to the foot switch merely be repositioning the foot.

Abstract: Saw mill for machine vision detection of undesirable features in the wood in shingles being cut from billets and automated optimized saw operation are disclosed. The saw mill includes a transport system that carries the billet through a butt-trimming saw, past a machine vision station, into an transition station for changing direction of travel of the billet and aligning the billet for travel into the subsequent gang rip saw station. The machine vision station determines any defects in the billet, grades the billet according to order-specific parameters, determines the optimal saw cut to maximize the value of the shingle, and sends control data to the gang rip saw controller, to position the saw blades for the optimal saw cut(s) for the shingle. A sorting system receives instructions from the visual imaging system and automatically shunts the product coming from the gang rip saw station into the appropriate container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-shell structural unit and system of attaching the units to form an outer layer in the construction of a steep embankment formed from several layers, this outer layer being suitable for greening. The structural unit is formed by a front element, a spacer element, and a rear-wall element. The front and rear-wall elements have a flexurally rigid lattice structure. The rear-wall element is a planar element that is either a flat element or has a shape defined by a polygonal curve. The spacer element has a stepped form on at least one side and has mounts for frictional joints with geosynthetics. Connector pieces permit positive and frictional joining of the elements of the unit. The structural unit is intended for use as an independent support system to continuously resist horizontal loads exerted by a backfilled embankment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag cover hinge having a textile hinge that can be connected both to the airbag cover and to a carrier part surrounding the airbag cover, wherein the hinge comprises two different systems absorbing forces, which is to say one textile surface structure as a system that is combined to a second system with further warp threads, wherein the warp threads tear under a tensile load on the airbag cover hinge as a first force absorbing system.

Abstract: Impact shock absorbing material to be incorporated into protective gear or clothing. The impact shock absorbing material is a laminated material, having a shear-thickening layer and a shock absorbing layer, that is a honeycomb material. The laminated material is incorporated into protective headgear, sports gear, clothing, and a host of other articles that are worn for protection against impact shock. The shear-thickening layer shunts the local impact forces over a greater area of the underlying shock absorbing layer, thereby reducing the force at the point of impact. The vertical walls of the honeycomb layer buckle under the incoming force, thereby diffusing the direction of force away from direct alignment with the body wearing the impact-shock-absorbing material. Protective gear made of the impact shock absorbing material significantly reduces forces imparted to the body as a result of a fall, blow, or other sudden impact.

Abstract: The ornamental design for pliers, as shown and described.

Abstract: The ornamental design for pliers, as shown and described.

Abstract: The ornamental design for pliers, as shown and described.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting content from unstructured sources is disclosed. The method includes analyzing web pages of a website, storing text and image data for each web page of the website, extracting a plurality of entities from the web page data, scoring each entity of the plurality of entities to provide an overall score for each entity, and defining a product based on the plurality of entities and the overall score for each entity.

Abstract: Process data mining system and method. The system analyzes data from complex process plants or systems and operates in open-book and closed-book modes. In closed-book mode, the system monitors incoming data sets against pre-defined clusters of data values and generates reports, indicating whether incoming data is a match or a no-match with the pre-defined clusters. In open-book mode, the system generates initial clusters, without having a-priori knowledge of the component or process, and also creates clusters "on the fly", thereby fine-tuning the analysis. A knowledge base encompasses a combination of parameters for a particular component. Clusters are defined within the knowledge base, each cluster representing a particular operating condition. The system expands clusters, within pre-defined limits, or creates new clusters, as needed, in order to accommodate incoming data values. Newly created clusters are then named, so as to indicate the particular operating conditions.

Abstract: A device for filtering a liquid synthetic material. The device has a housing, a feed channel, a discharge channel, and backflow channels. The feed duct is subdivided into split-feed channels (2A, 2B). The cross-section of the orifice of the split-feed channels, where they open into the filter chambers, is smaller than the normal cross-section of the feed channels.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and a device for filtering a fluid, particularly for plastic processing plants, wherein the pressure drop, or the flow rate reduction, created by the withdrawal of material from the process is sensitively balanced in that pressure constancy and flow rate constancy are achieved at the discharge duct (3).

Abstract: A load measuring system for measuring the loads on a foundation for wind turbines is disclosed. A load measuring device is mounted on a rock anchor pad for a turbine and measures the loads on the anchor. Signals from the load measuring device are transmitted to a remote location. The load measuring device is installed on selected rock anchor pads, distributed evenly about the foundation pad. The signals from the load measuring are transmitted to a control station at a remote location, thereby enabling continuous monitoring of the loading conditions on the rock anchors. The signals from a plurality of load measuring systems may be transmitted to the control station, so as to allow monitoring of a group of wind turbine foundation pads at a single location.

Abstract: A leaf grapple for grabbing and lifting a pile of leaves or other loose debris is disclosed. The leaf grapple includes a basket at the end of a handle. The basket has multiple sections, each section being movably attached at the top to a first spider and, some distance away from the top, pivotably attached to a second spider. An actuating rod is assembled in the handle. The first spider is attached to the end of the actuating rod; the second spider is attached to the end of the handle. Pushing on the handle forces the first spider downward, which forces the top portions of the grapple sections downward. The grapple sections pivot about the lower ends of the second spider, which causes the grapple sections to open. Pulling up on the actuating rod forces the grapple sections to close.

Abstract: A knee pad with a support frame, a pad, and a boot. The pad is assembled on the support frame to provide a cushioning surface between the support frame and the wearer's leg. The pad has ears in the knee section and in the ankle section, which serve to maintain the support frame and pad in proper alignment on the leg. The boot provides a non-slip, non-marring surface against the floor, when the wearer is working in a kneeling position. A moisture-absorbent liner, which is easily removed for cleaning or replaceable, may also be fitted on top of the pad, to provide an absorbent layer between the pad and the wearer's leg.

Abstract: Assembly aid for installing or replacing keys on a telephone or other device with a key pad. The assembly aid has a retainer with recesses or apertures for holding keys. The keys are held in the retainer by means of an interference fit. The arrangement of keys on the retainer corresponds in layout to the layout of keys on the key pad. The retainer is placed against the inside surface of the face plate of the key pad, with the keys aligned with their appropriate apertures in the face plate. The keys are released from the retainer into the apertures simply by applying pressure against the key from the rear side of the retainer.

Abstract: A method of generating a pick packet for use by a web browser. The pick packet has secondary string buffer that assigns a unique token to each unique object or unique combination of objects and a primary string buffer that associates a token with each pixel in the source image. A description or legend is associated with the tokens in the secondary string buffer. When a pointer device hovers over a pixel in the source image, the browser looks in the primary buffer for the toke associated with that pixel, then retrieves the legend associated with that token, if any, from the secondary buffer.

Abstract: A method for cutting an industrial-size roll of paper or other sheet material into two or more rolls is disclosed. The method enables sections to be cut from the roll, without first having to remove a previously cut section from the roll. The roll is supported on two parallel rollers. A circular saw is mounted in a saw frame that travels along a carriage and positions the saw blade at any desired cutting position on the roll. The saw blade has a radius large enough to cut through such a roll in a single cut, leaving press-ready rolls that require no finish-trimming on the ends.

Abstract: Camera system and methods to capture panoramic imagery from a camera mounted on a moving platform, using low-cost digital image sensors. The panoramic imagery appears seamless and natural to the eye. The panoramic imaging system and methods are specifically designed to accommodate the long acquisition times of low-cost digital image sensors, despite the motion of the camera during image capture. Pairs of cameras are arranged about an axis and a pairwise firing sequence enables capturing a series of adjacent images without gap or overlap. Additionally, when combined with suitable supplemental sensors, the image data provide location information about objects in the image for use in elementary photogrammetry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a junction box for solar panels, with which the heat produced in the protecting diodes, MOSFETs or other corresponding power semiconductors of a solar panel can be reliably dissipated. In the junction box, the electronic components are pressed against the housing (1) or into recesses (3) corresponding to the geometry of the components by means of pressure elements, and electrical isolation, preferably a thermally conductive silicone rubber, is provided between the housing (1) and the components.

Abstract: Shoe sole that promotes a natural walking gait by promoting the natural step motion of a barefoot person walking in sand. The shoe sole has is a single-shot injection molded sole that has a continuously, irregularly curved lower surface and a multi-contoured upper surface. The lower surface has a radius of curvature in the heel area that is smaller than the radius of curvature in the toe area. The upper surface has an arch support, a depression for cradling the ball of the foot, and flex zones that promote flexing of the shoe sole in the longitudinal and transverse direction.