ng FREE-STANDING REFLECTOR USABLE IN HEAT ASSISTED MAGNETIC RECORDING TECHNOLOGY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Mar 2017 08:00:00 EDT A heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus is described. The HAMR write apparatus is coupled with a laser that provides energy. The HAMR writer has a media-facing surface (MFS) and a laser-facing surface. The HAMR write apparatus includes a free-standing reflector and at least one waveguide. The free-standing reflector resides on the laser-facing surface and has a concave reflective surface oriented to receive the energy from the laser. The waveguide(s) are optically coupled with the free-standing reflector and direct energy from the laser toward the MFS. Full Article
ng LASER ADJUSTMENT DURING FIELD OPERATION OF A HEAT-ASSISTED MAGNETIC RECORDING DATA STORAGE DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Mar 2017 08:00:00 EDT During field operation of a heat-assisted magnetic recording data storage device, a laser adjustment procedure is performed. The laser adjustment procedure involves writing on a recording medium at least three tracks. If a bit error rate of a middle tracks has increased, the laser current is swept while recording test tracks to determine a new laser current that results in a minimum bit error rate. The new laser current is used for subsequent write operations. Full Article
ng METHOD FOR DISPLAYING STATUS ASSOCIATED WITH A STORAGE DEVICE, COMPUTER SYSTEM AND STATUS-MONITORING DEVICE THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 30 Mar 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method implemented by a status-monitoring device connected between a storage device and a corresponding output unit includes: a) determining presence of a storage device according to a first packet from the storage device; b) when it is determined that the storage device is present, generating a pulse signal according to a second packet from the storage device; c) generating a driving signal indicating a status associated with the storage device according to at least a logic level of the pulse signal; and d) sending the driving signal to the output unit for driving the output unit to output an output signal indicating the status. Full Article
ng DISK DRIVE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY HAVING A PARTIALLY FLANGELESS LOAD POINT DIMPLE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 06 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element. Full Article
ng OPTICAL-INFORMATION RECORDING/REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND OPTICAL-INFORMATION RECORDING/REPRODUCING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 06 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT An optical-information recording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention is capable of carrying out position detection of a reproduction image even if reproduction image data with incomplete alignment marks (markers) is obtained. A relative correlation value is calculated from a first correlation value retained by a first correlation-value retaining unit and a second correlation value retained by a second correlation-value retaining unit, and pass/fail of a position detection result of the marker is judged according to the relative correlation value. The pass/fail of the position detection result is judged by mutually comparing the detection positions of the markers judged as passes by the relative correlation-value judgement, the positions of the markers judged as fail by the relative correlation-value judgement or the mutual position judgement is complemented, and the position of two-dimensional data is detected based on the pass-judged markers and the complemented markers. Full Article
ng RECORDING CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD, DRIVE CONTROLLING CONTROLLER AND METHOD, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND PROGRAM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present technology relates to a recording control apparatus, a recording control method, a drive controlling controller, a drive controlling method, a recording medium, and a program capable of reading information more reliably. A manager generates DMSs as management information for managing user data areas and spare areas of an optical disc. Further, the manager records the generated DMS in a DMA area of DS0 of the optical disc, and, in addition, records the generated DMS in a DMA mirror area of the DS1 surface of the optical disc. As described above, since DMSs as management information are recorded in the different areas of the optical disc, even if DMS cannot be read from one area, DMS can be read from the other area. The present technology is applicable to a recording and reproducing apparatus. Full Article
ng OPTICAL DISK, OPTICAL DISK RECORDING METHOD, OPTICAL DISK RECORDING DEVICE, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT There are provided an optical disk and an optical disk recording method which are capable of stable data reading in a case where a recording linear density is increased. According to an optical disk of the present disclosure, a run-in pattern recorded in a groove track and a run-in pattern recorded in a land track are made different patterns so that no great change is caused in the amplitude of an acquired signal due to interference between adjacent recording patterns, and thus, data may be stably read. Full Article
ng CHANGING CHARACTERISTICS OF SIGNAL PATTERNS TO REDUCE ADJACENT TRACK INTERFERENCE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT First and second signal patterns are used to write corresponding portions of first and second adjacent tracks to a magnetic storage medium. A characteristic of the first signal pattern is changed based on the second signal pattern, the changing of the characteristic reducing an adjacent track interference affecting the second track. Full Article
ng DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING PITCH AND ROLL TORQUES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 20 Apr 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention provide a device for measuring pitch and roll torques. The device comprises a sensor plate having a horizontal cross member, a vertical cross member and a surrounding member connecting ends of the horizontal and vertical cross members, wherein the horizontal cross member and the vertical cross member intersect each other at a centre region of the sensor plate; a VCM coil attached to the sensor plate and configured to generate a pitch and a roll torque when an electrical current is applied to the VCM coil; a first strain gauge attached to a surface of the horizontal cross member and configured to detect a horizontal strain caused by the pitch and roll torques; and a second strain gauge attached to a surface of the vertical cross member and configured to detect a vertical strain caused by the pitch and roll torques. Full Article
ng DEVICES INCLUDING A MULTILAYER GAS BARRIER LAYER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Devices that include a near field transducer (NFT); a multilayer gas barrier layer positioned on at least a portion of the NFT, the multilayer gas barrier layer including at least a first and a second sublayer, where the second gas barrier sublayer is positioned on the first gas barrier sublayer, the first gas barrier sublayer is positioned adjacent the NFT and the second gas barrier sublayer is positioned adjacent the wear resistant layer, the first and second sublayers independently have thicknesses from 0.01 nm to 5 nm; and a wear resistance layer positioned on at least a portion of the gas barrier layer. Full Article
ng ANGLED NEAR-FIELD TRANSDUCER AND WAVEGUIDE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus comprises a waveguide having an input end that receives energy in a transverse electric (TE00) mode from an energy source along a substrate-parallel plane. The apparatus also includes a near-field transducer located proximate an output end of the waveguide that receives the energy in the TE00 mode. The output end of the waveguide is at an oblique angle to a cross-track line at an intersection of a media-facing surface and the substrate-parallel plane. The near-field transducer includes an enlarged portion at the oblique angle to the cross-track line. Full Article
ng ENCODING, DISTRIBUTION AND REPRODUCTION OF AUDIO MEDIA USING MECHANICAL IMAGE DIGITIZATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The system and corresponding process includes a system for producing a mechanical image of original audio source media and a system for encoding the mechanical image information into a digital file. A processing system recovers the mechanical image information from the digital file at a receiving end. Audio processing is used to produce the original audio source material without the standard losses associated with digital encoding of audio material Full Article
ng STORAGE DEVICE CARRIER AND MOUNTING APPARATUS FOR STORAGE DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A storage device carrier includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame includes two opposite sidewalls. Two through holes are defined in each of the sidewalls, for allowing screws to extend therethrough. The second frame is detachably mounted in the first frame. The second frame includes two opposite side plates. Each side plate defines two through slots for allowing screws and unthreaded fasteners to extend therethrough. When the second frame is mounted in the first frame, the side plates of the second frame respectively abut against the sidewalls of the first frame, and the through slots of the side plates respectively align with the through holes of the sidewalls. A mounting apparatus having the storage device is also provided. Full Article
ng OPTICAL INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM AND OPTICAL INFORMATION RECORDING MEDIUM REPRODUCING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an optical information recording medium including: a continuously wobbling groove formed in advance by a CAV or a zone CAV. Information is allowed to be recorded on the groove and a land adjacent to the groove, address information is recorded by modulating the wobble, the address information includes a sync pattern indicating a position of the address information and address data, and the sync pattern includes a plurality of first wobble patterns and a second wobble pattern between the first wobble patterns, and at least part of intervals of the first wobble patterns are set to unequal intervals. Full Article
ng DEVICE AND RECORDING APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A combination of a semiconductor member and a metal member is selected appropriately from a view point of increasing an enhancement factor of a near-field light. A device (1) has a semiconductor member (101) and a metal member (102), a near-field light is generated at the metal member when an energy is supplied to the semiconductor member, the metal member is made of an alloy including a first metal and a second metal, a condition of Rm1 Full Article
ng DATA READOUT DEVICE FOR READING OUT DATA FROM A DATA CARRIER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A data readout device (114) for reading out data from at least one data carrier (112) having data modules (116) located at least two different depths within the at least one data carrier (112) is disclosed. The data readout device (114) comprises: —at least one illumination source (122) for directing at least one light beam (124) onto the data carrier (112); -at least one detector (130) adapted for detecting at least one modified light beam modified by at least one of the data modules (116), the detector (130) having at least one optical sensor (132), wherein the optical sensor (132)has at least one sensor region (134), wherein the optical sensor (132)is designed to generate at least one sensor signal in a manner dependent on an illumination of the sensor region (134)by the modified light beam, wherein the sensor signal, given the same total power of the illumination,is dependent on a beam cross-section of the modified light beam in the sensor region (134); and -at least one evaluation device (136) adapted for evaluating the at least one sensor signal and for deriving data stored in the at least one data carrier (112) from the sensor signal. Further, a data storage system (110), a method for reading out data from at least one data carrier (112) and a use of an optical sensor (132) for reading out data are disclosed. Full Article
ng Servo Processor Receiving Photodetector Signals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT An optical disk drive and a digital servo method for the optical disk drive includes controlling functions of the optical disk drive with a microprocessor. Low-pass filtered and gain adjusted versions of individual photodetector output signals resulting from an illumination of an optical disk are received. Versions of the individual photodetector output signals are digitized to produce digital signals. A focus control signal and/or a tracking control signal is determined through at least one servo algorithm executed by a digital signal processor based on a focus error and/or tracking error, respectively, determined from the digital signals. The digital signal processor is an integrated circuit structured and arranged for manipulation of digital signals in accordance with programmed commands, and in a manner that operates faster than the microprocessor. Full Article
ng MAGNETIC DISK DEVICE AND READING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, when an access destination of a reading request is a second region, a controller performs a first retry reading process by use of a second reading condition in first parameter information. The second region is adjacent to a first region, which is adjacent to a defect region and has a particular width, and is present as a region other than the defect region on a magnetic disk. When the access destination of the reading request is the first region, the controller performs a second retry reading process by use of a fourth reading condition in second parameter information. The second parameter information is set such that a grown defect is registered at an earlier time in the second retry reading process, as compared with that in the first retry reading process. Full Article
ng MONITORING HEAD WEAR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A computer system for monitoring head wear includes reading from a cartridge a high frequency pattern and a low frequency pattern, determining a first read amplitude corresponding to the high frequency pattern and a second read amplitude corresponding to the low frequency pattern, and determining a head wear metric according to the first read amplitude and the second read amplitude. Full Article
ng APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SETTING SLIDER SURFACE POTENTIAL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus includes a slider body of a disk drive. The slider body is electrically coupled to a plurality of end bond pads. A voltage applied to one more of the end bond pads sets a surface potential of the slider body. Full Article
ng INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND PROGRAM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present technology relates to an information processing device and method, a recording medium, and a program, which can improve a data transfer speed. In the recording medium, a recording area is divided into a plurality of simulated zones and a set of the plurality of simulated zones composes a simulated zone group. Then, an address is set to each area in the simulated zones so that the addresses are interleaved between the simulated zones composing the simulated zone group. By interleaving the addresses between the simulated zones in this manner, a local seek operation or a rotational delay can be reduced and the data transfer speed can be improved when recording or reproducing data to the recording medium in more than one channel at the same time. The present technology can be applied to an optical disk. Full Article
ng LASER MODE HOPPING DETECTION FOR HEAT-ASSISTED MAGNETIC RECORDING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatuses for detecting mode hopping in a laser diode or other optical energy source in heat-assisted magnetic recording. An output power of the laser diode or other optical energy source is measured and the output power is differentiated over time to determine a rate of change. If it is determined that the rate of change exceeds a threshold value, a fault signal is asserted indicating a potential mode hopping event. Full Article
ng USING HEAD AND/OR DRIVE PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FOR PREDICTING AND/OR ASCERTAINING FAILURES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: collecting performance data corresponding to a tape drive and/or a magnetic tape head, storing the performance data in memory, and using the data to perform problem analysis. The performance data includes a resistance of the tape drive and/or magnetic tape head and a resolution of the tape drive and/or the magnetic tape head. Moreover, performing the problem analysis includes: determining a condition of the tape drive and/or the magnetic tape head, wherein the condition is selected from a group consisting of: wear, corrosion, defective leads and wire bonds. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments. Full Article
ng OPTICAL INFORMATION RECORDING/REPRODUCING APPARATUS, OPTICAL INFORMATION RECORDING/REPRODUCING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An optical information recording/reproducing apparatus and method thereof which compensate for the effect of mechanical instability on holographic data storage. A time dependent deviation profile of an optical beam during recording is determined. The time dependent deviation profile is related to a phase profile to be applied to a reference beam during recording or reproduction of a hologram, and the related phase profile is applied to the reference beam during recording or reproduction of the hologram. Full Article
ng NEAR FIELD TRANSDUCER HAVING AN ADHESION LAYER COUPLED THERETO By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus, according to one embodiment, comprises a near field transducer; an adhesion layer on a media facing side of the near field transducer, the adhesion layer comprising Ni and Cr; and a protective layer on a media facing side of the adhesion layer. Other apparatuses, systems and methods are described in additional embodiments. Full Article
ng Light Information Device and Light Information Processing Method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a light information device, and the like, that records header information on an information recording medium, after preventing screen burn of a spatial light modulator. One example of the solution in the present invention is a light information device that records two-dimensional page data on an information recording medium and is provided with a first information generation unit, a second information generation unit that generates a second bit string on the basis of a first bit string, and a spatial light modulation unit that displays a pattern corresponding to the second bit string. The second information generation unit: performs a first processing, on the first bit string corresponding to first identification information, that inverts each bit at a prescribed cycle; generates the second bit string corresponding to the first identification information; performs a second processing, different from the first processing, on the first bit string corresponding to second identification information that includes bits which are switched at the same cycle as the prescribed cycle; and generates the second bit string corresponding to the second identification information. Full Article
ng REPRODUCING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A reproducing device (100) includes (i) an optical pickup (6) for irradiating, with reproduction light, an optical disk (1) which is a super-resolution medium, (ii) an RF signal processing circuit (9) for converting, into a reproduction signal, light which reflected off optical disk (1), (iii) an i-MLSE detecting section (141) for evaluating quality of the reproduction signal, and (iv) a spherical aberration correcting section (142) for correcting a spherical aberration by using a result of evaluation of the quality of the reproduction signal. Full Article
ng Panel attachment system and a method of using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A panel attachment system comprises a panel and a casing. The panel has a fixed mount bracket, and a sliding mount bracket. The casing has a first fixed mount boss, and a sliding mount boss. When the panel attachment system is in use, the fixed mount bracket is fixedly secured to the first fixed mount boss, and the sliding mount bracket is slidingly engaged with the sliding mount boss. This enables the panel to be detachably connected to the casing, such that any relative in-plane thermal expansion between the panel and the casing is accommodated by corresponding relative movement between the sliding mount bracket and the sliding mount bosses. Full Article
ng Vehicle side door structure and method of making and using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In an embodiment, a side door for a vehicle can comprise: a structure comprising a plastic inner shell comprising a fiber strip, and a plastic outer shell comprising an outer shell support beam positioned across a width of the outer shell. The outer shell support beam can comprise a fiber strip with ≧50 wt. % fibers oriented at an angle of less than or equal to ±45° to a main axis. In an embodiment, a method for making the side door for a vehicle can comprise: flow molding a fiber-reinforced polymer over a fiber strip to form a plastic inner shell; flow molding a fiber-reinforced polymer over a fiber strip deposited to form a plastic outer shell, wherein the outer shell comprises an outer shell support beam positioned across a width of the outer shell; and joining the inner shell and the outer shell together to form a composite structure. Full Article
ng Control device for operating an electric window lifter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a control device for carrying out an operating method for an electric window lifter for moving a rear pane (3) in a motor vehicle, in which the rear pane (3) is moved in a lowering direction (−z) along an approximately s-shaped path of movement. In the case of trapping, the movement of the rear pane (3) in the lowering direction (−z) is stopped and the rear pane (3) is moved in the lifting direction (+z). Full Article
ng Method and apparatus for controlling a movable barrier system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a method conducted by a movable barrier gateway device is disclosed for controlling a movable barrier, comprising receiving, by a communication interface, a remote command from a remote control device to move the movable barrier, the remote command sent over a network, delaying transmission of a signal to a movable barrier controller to move the movable barrier, by a processor, for a predetermined time period after the remote command is received, detecting movement of the movable barrier within the predetermined time period by a barrier movement detector, and ignoring the remote command by the processor in response to detecting movement of the movable barrier within the predetermined time period. Full Article
ng Hinged rail for barrier operators By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A movable barrier system wherein the trolley system comprises at least two guiding rail portions. At least one of the guiding rail portions is supported by a support member secured to the headroom area of the building support structure. The trolley traverses the at least two guiding rail portions by a hinged coupling device. Full Article
ng Opening and closing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An opening and closing apparatus includes: a drive unit provided in an opening and closing body which is openably and closeably attached to a main body, and opening and closing the opening and closing body with respect to the main body by driving the opening and closing body using electric power; a secondary energy storage device provided in the opening and closing body and electrically connected to the drive unit in such a manner that the secondary energy storage device can be inductively charged and can supply electric power to the drive unit; and an electric power receiving coil provided in the opening and closing body so as to be capable of facing an electric power transmitting coil which is provided on the main body, and is electrically connected to a primary energy storage device installed on the main body, and electrically connected to the secondary energy storage device. Full Article
ng Two-stage interlocked sliding door for machining tank of electric discharge machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A door for attachment on the front of a machining tank of an electric discharge machine includes a door frame and first and second lifting doors that move up and down with respect to the door frame. When the first lifting door is lifted, pulleys attached on the first lifting door also move up, causing a belt wound around the pulleys and fixed to the door frame via a first belt-attaching member to rotate. As a result, the second lifting door, fixed to the belt via a second belt-attaching member, moves up with respect to the first lifting door. Full Article
ng Pinch-relief hinged assemblies and children's products including pinch-relief hinged assemblies By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Hinged assemblies, and children's products including at least one hinged assembly, include a base member and a hinged member operatively and pivotally coupled to the base member to define a hinge. The hinge is configured to release if an obstruction is positioned between the hinged member and the base member while the hinged member is being closed and if a closing torque is greater than or equal to a release torque. The hinge also may be configured to not release when an opening torque is applied when the hinged member is in its open position even when the opening torque is greater than the release torque. Full Article
ng Storm panel locking device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A universal locking device for securing flat or corrugated hurricane storm panels in place to avoid unauthorized removal and entry into a building. The locking device includes a combination of brackets removably secured between the building and the storm panels, and an adjustable locking bar locking these elements securely together. Full Article
ng Modifiable slider glass assemblies for utility cabs and vehicles, and/or methods of making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Certain example embodiments relate to a sliding window assembly (e.g., of the type found in utility cabs or other vehicles), and methods of making the same. A slidable window panel includes at least one top pin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto. A single fixed window panel includes a hole being defined therein for receiving the slidable panel. Elongated upper and lower rails connected to the fixed panel include upper and lower rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one top and bottom pin attached to the slidable panel. Forward and rear end details are provided to each of the upper and lower rails proximate to the hole for slidingly receiving, in respective channels formed therein, the at least one top and bottom pins. The slidable panel is laterally movable when being opened via the respective rail channels provided to the upper and lower rails. The channels in the forward and rear end details are formed so that the slidable panel is movable slightly outwardly towards the hole when the slidable window is being closed and slightly inwardly away from the hole when the slidable window is being opened. Full Article
ng Sliding door By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a sliding door with a door panel supported by a carriage disposed on a guide rail so as to foe movable between spaced door stops, the door stops include shock absorbers and the carriage has contact elements for contact with the shock absorbers. The shock absorbers further include return springs which are compressed by the engagement of the sliding door panel, the sliding door panel being lockable in its end positions by a locking arrangement for retaining it in an end position. Full Article
ng Sealing member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sealing member for a vehicle opening includes a first co-extrusion layer formed from a first elastomeric composition, a second co-extrusion layer formed from a second elastomeric composition, and a third co-extrusion layer formed from a thermoplastic vulcanizate composition. The first co-extrusion layer defines a mounting channel, a window channel, and a front face spaced from the mounting channel and the window channel. The second co-extrusion layer has a portion disposed on the front face of the first co-extrusion layer and a sealing lip disposed on the first co-extrusion layer abutting the portion and extending away from the first co-extrusion layer towards a distal end. The third co-extrusion layer is disposed on the portion and the sealing lip of the second co-extrusion layer for covering segments of the second co-extrusion layer that are visible from an exterior of the vehicle. Full Article
ng Method of producing vehicle door frame By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A door frame and a frame body including a glass opposing portion, a design portion positioned on one side of the glass opposing portion on the vehicle exterior side, a tubular portion positioned on the other side of the glass opposing portion on the vehicle interior side, and a glass guide portion having a concave cross section surrounding the edge of the door glass. All portions are collectively structured as a single member who is continuous and uniform from the upper sash portion to the side sash portion. A corner portion is created by a bending process at a boundary between the upper sash portion and the side sash portion. The width of the design portion of the frame varies in at least one area along the length thereof and the design portion of the frame body is covered with an exterior member. Full Article
ng Window covering system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A window covering assembly, including a generally convex panel defining a perimeter. The panel further includes structural outer and inner layers and an impact absorbing layer disposed between the structural outer layer and the structural inner layer. A flange portion is connected to the generally convex panel and has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. A plurality of fasteners are extendable through the apertures for engaging a structure. Full Article
ng Sliding door and pivoting door for demountable wall system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A demountable modular wall system including a series of individual wall panels that can be positioned adjacent to each other. The demountable wall system includes a doorway defined by a pair of spaced vertical posts and a horizontal header. In one embodiment, a sliding glass door is movable along a sliding door track mounted to the horizontal header. A lower trim assembly mounted to the bottom end of the sliding glass door adjusts the overall height of the door. The doorway can also include a pivoting glass door. The pivoting glass door includes a bottom pivot assembly having a bottom clamp adjustably positioned along a bottom end of the pivoting glass door. The adjustable bottom clamp can be moved along the bottom end of the pivoting glass door and receives a pivot pin supported on the floor. A top pivot assembly includes a movable plunger that defines a portion of the pivot axis for the pivoting glass door. Full Article
ng Seal with primary and secondary sealing lobes for use in roll-up door applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A roll-up door seal that may be monolithically formed from a single material of uniform density. The seal is sized and adapted to assemble to a standard roll-up door frame without a separate or dedicated frame structure. The seal provides redundant sealing surfaces, positioned to cooperate with both the door and door frame, which ensure an effective and durable fluid tight seal between the cargo space enclosed by the roll-up door and the ambient environment. The seal may be produced by extrusion from a flexible, weather resistant material such as EPDM, thereby providing a low cost solution for sealing roll-up doors having industry standard door frame constructions. The seal is firmly engageable with the door frame, such that the seal may be installed with little or no secondary fixation. Full Article
ng Apparatus for controlling slats of sash By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An adjusting apparatus is provided in a sash to turn slats automatically while the sash is being opened. The adjusting apparatus includes a plurality of first engaging members, a driven unit, and a driving unit. The first engaging members are connected to the slats respectively. The driven unit is connected to the frame of the sash for reciprocation, and has a second engaging member, wherein all the first engaging members are engaged with the second engaging member. The driving unit is connected to the carrier and the driven unit respectively to drive the driven unit to move while the sash is being opened. The first engaging members are turned by the second engaging member when the driven unit is moved by the driving unit to turn the slats from the first position to the second position. Full Article
ng Self-balancing double-hung window apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mechanism is provided for balancing and positioning a sash of a self-balancing double-hung window assembly. The mechanism may include a fixed length cable, a pulley, first and second brackets and an adjustment member. The fixed length cable may include first and second ends. The pulley may support the cable. The first bracket may include one or more attachment points relative to the first end of the cable and may include an upper end and a lower end. The second bracket may be movable relative to the first bracket and may be configured to support the sash. The adjustment member may engage and extend through the lower end of the first bracket and may be movable relative to the first bracket to cause corresponding movement of the second bracket relative to the first end of the cable. Full Article
ng Method by which existing motorized commercial automatic sliding door systems can be adapted for use on new or existing residential (patio) sliding glass or sliding screen doors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An automatic patio sliding door for residential (home) use is created using an existing motorized automatic system which is now in use in commercial, industrial, and public building entrances. A method incorporating a bracket system is used to apply the commercial (hanging track type) automatic door system to existing residential patio sliding doors or to new patio sliding doors. The purpose is to provide hands free opening and closing of patio glass or screen doors (single or double panels). This allows for ease of use of sliding doors when hands are full, guarantees the closing of screen doors or glass doors behind the person to prevent insects getting into the house or loss of air conditioning in the house, and provides an easy access door system in the home for the physically handicapped. Full Article
ng Image forming apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image forming apparatus includes a cover and a supporting member. The cover includes a connecting portion, the supporting member has a first path which guides the connecting portion and a second path which is bifurcated from the first path. When the connecting portion is located at an end of the first path, the cover is supported at a first opening angle, and when the connecting portion is located at an end of the second path, the cover is supported at a second opening angle which is larger than the first opening angle. When the supporting member upwardly rotates in a state where the cover is supported at the first opening angle, the cover rotates so as to interwork with the rotation of the supporting member, the connecting portion moves from the first path to the second path by its own weight of the cover. Full Article
ng Window lifter comprising a holder for fastening a cable between two ends of first and second guide rails By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT A window lifter is provided. The window lifter having: first and second guide rails; first and second sliders for driving a window, the first and second sliders being guided in translation by the first guide rail and the second guide rail, respectively; a cable system for driving the sliders along the first and second guide rails, the cable system comprising a cable extending between the first and second guide rails for connecting to corresponding ends of the first and second guide rails, respectively, the first guide rail comprising a holder for fastening the cable between the two corresponding ends of the first and second guide rails that the cable connects. Full Article
ng Water-Free Surface Sizing Composition and Method for Treating a Paper Substrate with Same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Water-free compositions suitable for application as a surface size to a cellulosic substrate, and methods of applying the water-free compositions to the surface of a cellulosic substrate. Full Article
ng METHOD FOR FINISHING A SURFACE USING A GROUTING PAN By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus are provided for finishing a composite floor. The apparatus includes a grouting pan configured to be affixed to the rotating head of a finishing machine. The grouting pan has a planar bottom surface and a curved sidewall. Grouting pans are rotated over a prepped surface such that the curved sidewalls trowel the mortar onto the rough composite surface and the bottom surface which is in contact with the prepped floor forces the mortar into the surface voids such that a grouted surface. Full Article