ar Basket form apparatus and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 08:00:00 EDT A method of constructing an interwoven basket using a collapsible basket form apparatus is disclosed. The present invention permits the construction of an interwoven basket including a solid bottom surface and upwardly converging woven side walls that define a top opening which is relatively smaller than the largest diameter of the basket. The present collapsible basket form apparatus permits construction of a basket from which a unitary basket form of the same shape could not otherwise be removed upon completion of the basket. The present basket form apparatus is adaptable to construction of baskets of many different sizes and shapes by the use of interchangeable rib components which function to define the basket contours. Full Article
ar System and method of fastenerless construction of a decorative article By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Dec 2005 08:00:00 EST A system and method of constructing a substantially decorative article without the need for fasteners. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the decorative article is a woven basket. One or more retainers are provided to retain the material used to construct the outer surface of the decorative article. Each retainer is provided with a channel for receiving one end of the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article. The channels are able to retain the ends of the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article without the need for fasteners. If the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article is sufficiently rigid, the decorative article will be self-supporting. If the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article is not sufficiently self-supporting, supports may be located between the retainers. The channels may be oriented at an angle, or may be provided with a texture, to assist in retaining the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article. Full Article
ar Apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels. In particular, the present invention relates to reconditioning used wine barrels by shaving the inside surface to a predetermined depth, ready for re-crozering, toasting, and re-use. Conventional shaving methods typically involve routing the internal surface by hand, but this technique is problematic in that it is a very slow process, the quality of the wood is often adversely affected, and there is no way of ensuring that the surface will be shaved to the same depth across the entire surface. Therefore, the resultant internal dimensions of the barrel are not reflective, relatively, of the original barrel surface. The apparatus of the present invention includes a scanning device adapted to scan the internal dimensions of the barrel, and a cutting device adapted to shave the internal surface to a predetermined depth relative to the scanned internal dimensions. Full Article
ar Machine and method for the selection and the arrangement of staves By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to a machine and method for selecting and organizing staves for making barrels. The machine includes an input unit, including a stave-measuring station, a storage assembly for storing the staves awaiting allocation and receiving the staves from the input and measuring unit, a calculation unit able to select staves from those measured in such a way as to form a collection of staves ready to assemble into a barrel, and an output unit, in relation with the storage assembly, equipped with a stave-reorientation system. Staves used by the machine and in the method may be asymmetric about a horizontal axis. The staves selected by the calculation unit are advantageously delivered to the output unit in an order and a configuration that make for easy assembly of the barrel. Full Article
ar Method for shaving the inside of barrels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels. In particular, the present invention relates to reconditioning used wine barrels by shaving the inside surface to a predetermined depth, ready for re-crozering, toasting, and re-use. Conventional shaving methods typically involve routing the internal surface by hand, but this technique is problematic in that it is a very slow process, the quality of the wood is often adversely affected, and there is no way of ensuring that the surface will be shaved to the same depth across the entire surface. Therefore, the resultant internal dimensions of the barrel are not reflective, relatively, of the original barrel surface. The apparatus of the present invention includes a scanning device adapted to scan the internal dimensions of the barrel, and a cutting device adapted to shave the internal surface to a predetermined depth relative to the scanned internal dimensions. Full Article
ar Apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for shaving the inside of barrels. The invention relates to reconditioning used wine barrels by shaving the inside surface to a predetermined depth, ready for re-crozering, toasting, and re-use. Conventional shaving methods typically involve routing the internal surface by hand, but this technique is problematic in that it is a very slow process, the quality of the wood is often adversely affected, and there is no way of ensuring that the surface will be shaved to the same depth across the entire surface. The resultant internal dimensions of the barrel are not reflective, relatively, of the original barrel surface. The invention includes a scanning device to scan the internal dimensions of the barrel, and a cutting device to shave the internal surface to a predetermined depth relative to the scanned internal dimensions and where the scanning device and the cutting device may be supported by different robotic arms. Full Article
ar Portable crozer for barrels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a portable crozer adapted to be mounted above a new or used barrel for firstly creating a groove or “croze” along an inside surface to accommodate a barrel head, and secondly, for creating a bevelled top edge. In the case of used barrels, the croze is formed a short distance below the existing croze, and a new bevelled edge is formed to compensate for the lowered barrel head position. Conventional crozers are not adapted to be used on used barrels and have a number of inherent problems which are overcome by the present invention. In particular, conventional crozers are not portable which means they are not able to be used in mobile barrel reconditioning services, the time taken for each croze is significant, and they are generally in the form of bulky, quite expensive machinery. Full Article
ar Barrel construction By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST A barrel includes a plurality of wood slats that have an inner face, an outer face and side edges, grooves formed in the edges of the slats and keys that join the slats by engaging grooves in the side edges of adjacent slats. Full Article
ar Apparatus and method for producing barrel staves By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present invention therefore provides an improved apparatus and integrated method for producing barrel staves. The apparatus measures the profile of unfinished stave workpieces and based on the width and shape of the stave, as well as other parameters such as the type of barrel that is required, the edges of the stave are trimmed accordingly. This ensures fewer rejected staves, less waste in that the width of the unfinished stave is continuously measured across its entire length with minimum depth of cut required, and most importantly, barrel staves having extremely accurate jointed edges ensuring superior finished barrels have an internal surface that is free from undesirable spacing between the staves, utilizing less labor than hitherto known apparatus. Full Article
ar Hydraulic regeneration apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hydraulic motor/pump regenerator system for recovering energy from the moving vehicle having high efficiency and precise control, thereby allowing the maximum amount of energy to be recovered and reused, is described. Three, fixed-displacement pump/motors are used to enable the system to recover and reapply energy at efficiencies expected to be above 70% in most circumstances. The invention is not limited to the use of three fixed displacement hydraulic units since using more units may in some drive cycles further improve efficiency. By selecting an appropriate combination of pump/motor units for providing the driveshaft torque required by the driver, embodiments of the present invention generate high recovery efficiency at any speed. Full Article
ar Exercise device with a linear drive mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An exercise device (20) includes a frame (22) and a drive mechanism (100) attached to the frame. The drive mechanism includes a first shaft (122) having a first fixed gear (128) and a second shaft (124) having a second fixed gear (130). The first fixed gear and the second fixed gear are mechanically linked to cause the first shaft to rotate in an opposite direction than the second shaft. A first linear input is mechanically linked to the first shaft and a second linear input is mechanically linked to the second shaft. Full Article
ar Robotic apparatus for minimally invasive surgery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A robotic arm especially suited for laparoscopic surgery, having a torsional joint and a flexural joint forming serially arranged joints is described. The joints provide respective degrees of freedom for the arm, which further receives drive means for such joints. The robotic arm also has transmission means placed between the drive means have and the joints. The transmission means a first and a second assembly of three gear wheels, preferably conical gear wheels, and a train of three additional gear wheels, preferably straight-cut gear wheels, which couple the first and second assembly to form a differential mechanism. Full Article
ar Dual clutch transmission designed as reduction gearing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A dual clutch transmission designed as a reduction gearing which has concentric central and hollow transmission shafts, exactly one layshaft, and two power shift elements. A hollow shaft is provided coaxially on the layshaft, which can be rotatably fixed to the layshaft, via one shift device, and to which at least two gears of the gear stages are rotatably fixed. A further hollow shaft is provided coaxially on either the central or the hollow transmission shaft, which can be connected, via one of the shift devices, with the central or the hollow transmission shaft and to which at least two further gears of the gear stages are rotatably fixed. At least three transmission ratios are obtainable as a result of engaging the shift element into the power flow in three of the gear stages, by which one transmission ratio results from engaging only one shift element into the power flow. Full Article
ar Bevel gear transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A bevel gear drive (1) comprises a spur bevel gear (2) and a pinion which both mesh with one another. The spur bevel gear and the pinion are arranged within a housing (3). An abutment plate (4) is provided so as to avoid displacement of the spur bevel gear (2), under high operating loads. The abutment plate (4) is integrated in the housing (3) and supports the spur bevel gear (2) when forces, that can cause displacement of the spur bevel gear (2), act upon the spur bevel gear (2). Full Article
ar Locating beam and robot linear motion unit having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A locating beam and a robot linear motion unit having the same, wherein the locating beam comprises a first support beam and a second support beam which are parallel to each other, a crossbeam connected between the first support beam and the second support beam and is vertical to the beams, and a joints between the crossbeam and the beams is provided with a right-angle connecting piece. The robot linear motion unit includes a motion track and a transmission mechanism arranged along the extension direction of the motion track, and the motion track is arranged on a surface of the locating beam. Arranging the crossbeam and right-angle connecting pieces between the first support beam and the second support beam in the locating beam, improves the mechanical structure strength, reduces deflection deformation and twist deformation of the locating beam, and improves the impact resistance of the robot linear motion unit. Full Article
ar Securing element, steering bearing with a securing element and steering column with a steering bearing and a securing element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A securing element (1) with an annular body (3, 12a, 26) and with holding tongues (4) which emerge from the annular body (3, 12a, 26) and end at a hole (6) in the securing element (1), which hole is centered with respect to the center axis (5) of the securing element (1), wherein the hole (6) leads axially in the same direction as the center axis (5) through the securing element (1) and, at the radial narrowest points of the hole (6), is bounded at least by end edges (7) formed on the end sides of the holding tongues (4), and wherein in each case at least two surfaces (8, 9) bounding part of the holding tongue (4) meet and end at the respective end edge (7), and of which one of the surfaces (8) is formed on the front side of the holding tongue (4). Full Article
ar Device for preventing inward shifting of brake pedal during collision By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for preventing an inward shifting of a brake pedal during a collision. The device includes a mounting bracket. A pedal housing is combined with the mounting bracket such that the pedal housing is movable in a rearwards direction from the mounting bracket. A pedal arm is hinge-coupled at upper and middle parts thereof with the pedal housing and a push rod, respectively. A unit for preventing the inward shifting of the pedal arm has a separating plate which, as the pedal housing is moved rearwards, presses against a fixing pin to decouple the fixing pin from the pedal arm, enabling the pedal arm to turn outwards about a hinge point at the middle part. Full Article
ar Clutch arrangement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A clutch arrangement, in particular for use in the drive train of a motor vehicle, including a flywheel which is arranged on the drive side and is coupled via a spring arrangement to a secondary disk and is part, with said secondary disk, of a two-mass flywheel. The secondary disk has at least one centrifugal force pendulum, and a threaded sleeve is screwed with an outer thread into an inner thread of the secondary disk, and a clutch housing is screwed to an inner thread of the threaded sleeve via a fastener. Full Article
ar Tilt or tilt and telescopic steering apparatus for vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a tilt or tilt and telescopic steering apparatus for use in a vehicle. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a conventional structure, which should be provided with both of tilting fixing gears and telescopic fixing gears for locking after a tilt or tilt and telescopic operation, is improved in such a manner that the tilt or tilt and telescopic operation may be locked by a locking member and a linear protruding portion. As a result, an improper tooth-engagement phenomenon (tooth-on-tooth phenomenon) between gear teeth can be prevented, the tilt operation and the telescopic operation can be simultaneously locked, and required components can be reduced such that material costs can be reduced. Full Article
ar Linear actuator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT At least a rotor fixing portion and a bearing fitting portion are combined to form a hollow rotary shaft. The rotor of a rotary motor portion is fixed on the rotor fixing portion. A thrust radial bearing is fitted on the outer periphery of the bearing fitting portion and a screw nut is fitted to the bearing fitting portion. The rotor fixing portion and the bearing fitting portion are coupled with screw member(s) which are inserted into the hollow rotary shaft from one axial end of the hollow rotary shaft and axially extend inside the bearing fitting portion and the rotor fixing portion. A flange portion of the screw nut is fixed on an abutment portion of the bearing fitting portion in abutment with an end surface of an inner race of the thrust radial bearing that is located on the one axial end side. Full Article
ar Injection-molded resin face gear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An injection-molded resin face gear that can suppress deterioration of gear accuracy caused by shrinkage of resin material after injection molding and allow accurate and smooth rotation transmission is provided. An injection-molded resin face gear 1 includes a boss 3, a disk-shaped web 4, and a teeth section 5. The boss 3 has an axis hole 2. The web 4 is formed on an outer circumferential side of the boss in an outward radial direction. The teeth section 5 is formed on an outer circumferential edge of the web 4. The teeth section 5 includes a cylindrical section 13, a disk-shaped section 14, and a plurality of teeth 15. The cylindrical section 13 is connected to the outer circumferential edge of the web 4. The disk-shaped section 14 is formed on one end side of the cylindrical section 13 in the outward radial direction. The teeth 15 are formed evenly spaced on an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical section 13 such that one side surface of the disk-shaped section 14 is a bottom land 16. The web 4, the cylindrical section 13, and the disk-shaped section 14 have almost the same thicknesses. The outer circumferential edge of the web 4 is connected between an end surface 19 and an end surface 22 of the cylindrical section 13, in almost the center in a direction along a rotational center axis CL. Full Article
ar Method of repositioning bearing wear in an industrial eccentric weight vibrator via power inversion and vibrator therefore By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vibratory device comprises a rotor and an eccentric weight. The eccentric weight is mounted to the shaft and has a center of mass that is offset from the shaft axis. The vibratory device is configured such that the eccentric weight is in a first rotational orientation relative to the shaft and rotates with the shaft when the shaft rotates in a first direction about the shaft axis and such that the eccentric weight is in a second rotational orientation relative to the shaft when the shaft rotates in an opposite second direction about the shaft axis. The vibratory device is further configured such that the eccentric weight automatically transitions from the first rotational orientation to the second rotational orientation when the shaft is switched from rotating in the first direction to rotating in the second direction. Full Article
ar Hydraulic arrangement for actuating a plurality of shift rails By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hydraulic arrangement by which a plurality of shift rails of a transmission are actuated, including one double acting cylinder per shift rail by which the respective shift rail can be moved back and forth. A first hydraulic valve is connected upstream of the plurality of shift rails and has a first output and a second output, by which a first shift pressure and a second shift pressure for actuating the shift rails can be provided. A second hydraulic valve is connected between the first hydraulic valve and two of the shift rails, and by which it is selectively possible for the first output of the first hydraulic valve to be associated with one of the double acting cylinders of the two shift rails, and the second output of the first hydraulic valve to be associated with the other double acting cylinder of the two shift rails. Full Article
ar Vehicle-operating apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle driving apparatus where brake and acceleration functions are combined with a single stick includes: a lever moving to an acceleration position, an idle position, or a brake position as rotating forward and rearward about a shaft fixed to a vehicle body at a predetermined angle; a hand acceleration means opening an engine throttle to cause a vehicle to be accelerated; a hand brake means pushing a booster rod of a brake booster so that a brake operates to cause the vehicle to be stopped; a guide means installed on the left and right sides of the lever to prevent the lever from being shaken leftward and rightward; a hand brake locking means allowing the hand brake to be continuously applied; and a cruise control means allowing the lever to stay in the acceleration position even if the driver takes his hand off the lever. Full Article
ar Steering apparatus for vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a main housing formed in a box form provided with a pair of side walls extending in an axial direction of the main housing with an opening between the pair of side walls, and provided with opening portions at opposing ends in the axial direction. The steering apparatus also includes a movable column member formed in a tubular form accommodated in the main housing through one of the opening portions at the opposing ends of the main housing in the axial direction. The steering apparatus further includes a resilient member, which is a plate spring, formed in one piece configured to fix to the main housing at the pair of fixing portions in a state where the pair of thrust portions, via thrust members, are thrusting the movable column member. Full Article
ar Pedal apparatus for vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pedal apparatus for a vehicle may include a pad, a bracket which may be disposed below the pad, wherein the bracket may be coupled to the pad and a pedal arm at each opposite end of the pad and the pedal arm, respectively, a link section which may be disposed in the bracket, wherein the link section may be coupled to a lower portion of the pad and an intermediate portion of the bracket, respectively, such that the bracket may be movable in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a hinge-adjusting section which may be disposed above the link section such that an angle of the pad may be adjusted as the link section moves in the longitudinal direction thereof. Full Article
ar Opening and closing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided an opening and closing apparatus for a fuel lid, including: a pushrod configured to shift between a locking posture and an unlocking posture and to reciprocate between a pushed-in position and a pushed-out position; a follower assembled to the pushrod so as to rotate relatively to the pushrod about the center line and to move together with the pushrod in the axial directions; and a case supporting the pushrod, the follower and a biasing member. The case includes a rod cam portion for rotating the pushrod and a follower cam portion for rotating the follower. The follower cam portion includes a plurality of follower securing portions for securing the follower so as to hold the pushrod in the pushed-in position against biasing force exerted by the biasing member. Full Article
ar System and method for continuously variable motorized adjustment of motorcycle handlebars By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An arrangement for adjusting the position of handlebars on a vehicle including a first mechanism for effecting rotation of the handlebars about a first axis in response to a first control signal; a second mechanism for effecting translation of the handlebars along a longitudinal axis in response to a second control signal; and a control system for providing the first and second control signals. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive system includes a first support secured to the vehicle; a second support operationally coupled to the first support and adapted for rotational movement about a first axis; a first actuator for rotating the second support over an angular extent about the first axis; a third support coupled to the second support for translational movement along a second axis, the second axis being coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the third support and transverse to the first axis; a second actuator for effecting movement of the third support relative to the second support; and a control system for driving the first and second actuators. Full Article
ar Bicycle handle assembly for handlebar By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A bicycle handle assembly for a handlebar contains a body including a peripheral fringe and a side fringe connected together to define a receiving space. The receiving space includes a first side and a second side. The peripheral fringe includes a first engaging portion, a first connecting portion and a fixing portion connected with two ends of the first engaging portion. A movable retaining member is installed in the receiving space and includes a second engaging portion, a second connecting portion and a moving portion connected with two ends of the second engaging portion. The second connecting portion is used to connect with the first connecting portion of the body. A locking element is used to force the moving portion toward the fixing portion of the body, so that the external fence of the handlebar is retained tightly between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. Full Article
ar Control interface activated restraining system to secure a rider's footwear to a foot support By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A restraining system is configured to secure and release a rider's footwear to a vehicle footrest in response to inputs to a control interface. The vehicle is typically a motorcycle or bicycle. In the case of a motorcycle, a rider's boot is restrained to a motorcycle foot peg by the action of a restraining device. Exemplary restraining device embodiments include an electromagnet or a mechanical latch. The control interface may be located on the motorcycle handlebar or on the rider's helmet. The rider can provide the inputs directly to the control interface. Alternatively, the inputs may be received from a wireless source. Full Article
ar Planetary roller gear drive By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A planetary roller gear drive with a spindle nut (1) that is arranged on a threaded spindle (2) and with planets (3) that are arranged distributed around the periphery and are in rolling engagement with the spindle nut (1) and the threaded spindle (2). The planets (3) revolve on planetary orbits (P) that are arranged perpendicular to the spindle axis and the planets (3) are each divided into multiple planet parts arranged one behind the other in the axial direction. Full Article
ar Starter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a starter, an output shaft is supported by a main tube body according to a direct contacting structure that outer surfaces other than a male helical spline and inner surfaces other than a female helical spline of a pinion tube contact directly. Thereby, the output shaft can be supported by the pinion tube without other parts. As a result, a clearance that occurs in a radial direction can be limited to a clearance in the radial direction formed between an outer surfaces of the output shaft and an inner surfaces of the pinion tube regarding a support of the output shaft by the pinion tube, and since an inclination of the pinion tube and the pinion relative to the output shaft can be suppressed, a life improvement effect of the starter can be enhanced. Full Article
ar Method for evaluating mounting stability of articulated arm coordinate measurement machine using inclinometers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine can include a base, a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, an electronic circuit that receives the position signals from the transducers, a first inclinometer coupled to the base, wherein the inclinometer is configured to produce a first electrical signal responsive to an angle of tilt of the base and an electrical system configured to record a first reading of the first inclinometer and a second reading of the first inclinometer, wherein the first reading is in response to at least one of a first force applied to the base and a third force applied to the mounting structure, wherein the second reading is in response to at least one of a second force applied to the base and a fourth force applied to the mounting structure. Full Article
ar Centerline marker holder used for marking rounded and bull nose vertical and horizontal wall corners By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A centerline marker holder used for engaging and sliding along a portion of two intersecting walls and sliding along an exterior or interior rounded or bull nose corner between the walls. The marker holder uses a pencil for drawing a centerline along a length of the corner. The marker holder includes a flat, first wall engaging member attached at an angle to a flat, second wall engaging member. Along a length of an intersection of the first and second wall engaging members is a centerline hole. The centerline hole is dimensioned to receive the pencil therethrough for marking the centerline. The marker holder also includes a plurality of offset holes from the centerline hole for drawing parallel offset lines at a selected distance from the centerline. Full Article
ar Jig for firearm lower receiver manufacture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A machining tool assembly for manufacturing a firearm lower receiver includes a first and second side jig which are configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the firearm lower receiver and configured to removably attach to one another securing the firearm lower receiver therebetween. A drill block jig is removably attachable to the first and second side jigs disposed above the top surface of the firearm lower receiver, wherein the drill block jig comprises a plurality of through holes. A template spacer jig is removably attachable to the first and second side jigs disposed above the top surface of the firearm lower receiver, wherein the template spacer jig comprises a spacer aperture disposed through a template spacer thickness. A first and second pocket templates are removably attachable and disposed onto the template spacer jig. A router support plate is disposed onto either the first or second pocket templates. Full Article
ar Information notification apparatus that notifies information of data of motion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A data comparison apparatus 1 includes: an image acquisition unit 42 that acquires data of a plurality of motions; an interval identification unit 45 that identifies a predetermined interval that is common in data of the plurality of motions; a time period comparison unit 47 that compares the plurality of motions in the identified predetermined interval; and a notification unit 50 that notifies information corresponding to a comparison result of the time period comparison unit 47. Full Article
ar Apparatus for measuring the shape and area of a ship block By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an apparatus for measuring a shape and area of a ship block, which may accurately recognize a piling location of a ship block by measuring a shape and area of the ship block piled up in a yard. The apparatus for measuring a shape and area of a ship block includes a direction angle sensor, a range finder, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader and a block shape and area measuring system. The block shape and area measuring system includes a block shape and area measuring server, a vector calculating module, a coordinate calculating module, a shape and area extraction module and a memory module. Full Article
ar Detection of planar targets under steep angles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems, apparatus and methods to create a database by a device (such as a server) and to use the database by a mobile device for detecting a planar target are presented. The database allows recognition of a planar target by a mobile device from steeper angles with minimum impact on runtime. The database is created from at least one warped view of the planar target. For example, a database may contain keypoints and descriptors from a non-warped view and also from one or more warped views. The database may be pruned by removing keypoints and corresponding descriptors of one image (e.g., a warped image) overlapping with similar or identical keypoints and descriptors of another image (e.g., a non-warped image). Full Article
ar Mechanical drawing board By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for securing and drawing upon a piece of paper, includes a board having a drawing surface sized to receive the paper. The drawing surface is bounded along its perimeter by a border region. An array of border pieces is fastened securely to the border region, each border piece being aligned relative to the others to establish a precisely sized drawing surface area to accommodate the paper. Each border piece has a length shorter than that of the corresponding edge of the drawing surface. Full Article
ar Autonomous system and method for determining information representative of the movement of an articulated chain By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an autonomous system for determining items of information representative of the movement of an articulated chain (CA—1, CA—2, CA—3) comprising at least two solid elements (ES1—1, ES2—1, ES1—2, ES2—2, ES3—2, ES1—3, ES2—3, ES3—3, ES4—3) and at least one articulation (ART1—1, ART1—2, ART2—2, ART1—3, ART2—3, ART3—3) connecting said two elements. The system comprises at least two devices (DISP1—1, DISP2—1, DISP1—2, DISP2—2, DISP3—2, DISP1—3, DISP2—3, DISP3—3, DISP4—3) for measuring inter-device distances, mounted fixedly on two distinct elements of said articulated chain and suitable for transmitting the measurements made. Moreover, the system comprises means for determining at least one distance separating two measuring devices based on at least one measurement supplied by a measuring device, and calculation means (CALC), mounted on said articulated chain, suitable for calculating items of information representative of the movement of said articulated chain based on the measurements transmitted by said devices for measuring inter-device distances. Full Article
ar Pipe fitter square By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A measuring tool for determining angles at two points of interest, including an elongate arm and two protractors, one protractor rotatably mounted at each end of the arm. Each protractor includes a flat for positioning the protractor against one of the two points of interest. The angle at each point of interest is the angular measurement between the arm and the two flats, respectively. The arm may include two attachment sections, one each of the two attachment sections rotatably connected to one each of the two protractors, respectively, and an L-shaped guide having three connection points for selectively receiving and retaining the two attachment sections in various configurations as desired. Full Article
ar Position encoder apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A scanning device for a position encoder is provided that comprises a plurality of sensor elements for generating a plurality of sensor signals. A summation unit is also provided for generating at least a first summation signal and a second summation signal that provide information on the relative alignment of the scanning device and an associated scale. The first summation signal is generated from a first subset of the plurality of sensor signals and the second summation signal is generated from a second subset of the plurality of sensor signals. The plurality of sensor elements are substantially evenly spaced apart from one another N and sensor elements are provided per period of an associated scale, wherein N is an integer value and a multiple of three and four. In this manner, the third harmonic contribution to the summation signals is suppressed. Full Article
ar Method and device for inspecting a threading of a tubular connection used in the oil industry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device and method for inspecting a width of thread roots of a tubular component for exploration or working of hydrocarbon wells, the device including two arms each including a first and a second end, the first ends being connected together by a deformable portion allowing an angular displacement between the second ends, the second ends each carrying a contact element and a mechanism determining the angular displacement. Full Article
ar Method and apparatus for repositioning a tandem axle assembly of a trailer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A portable device is used to aid a semi-truck driver in the repositioning of a tandem axle assembly of a trailer. The portable device may be easily attached and removed from the trailer's sub-frame during operation. The device will signal the driver visually when reaching the desired position during adjustment of the tandem axle assembly to a new location. The device may reduce time and increase safety for the driver during the tandem axle assembly repositioning operation. The device may be positioned at or near the desired tandem axle assembly position. A flap may pivotally hang in a position where a tire from the tandem axle assembly may deflect and pivot the flap when the tandem axle assembly reaches its desired position. A driver may see this flap deflection and know, with certainty, that they have achieved the desired tandem axle assembly position. Full Article
ar Transparent measuring device with enhanced viewing windows By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tool for measuring, marking, or cutting material, the tool formed of a rigid sheet of transparent material having a plurality of lines formed thereon, and a plurality of windows formed in the lines to enable viewing of material underlying the tool. The windows can be outlined in opaque lines, and alternating windows can be filled with contrasting transparent colors. Full Article
ar Physiological measurement device or wearable device interface simulator and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A physiological measurement device or wearable device simulator includes a frame and a plurality of surfaces distributed within the frame. For each surface, a surface actuator links the surface of the frame. At least one of: i) force or position imparted by the surface on a physiological feature of a subject by the surface actuator; and ii) the force imparted by the physiological feature of the subject on the surface, can be employed to modulate the positions of the surfaces relative to each other independently of the forces imparted by or on those surfaces, thereby measuring the physiological feature of the subject or simulating a wearable device interface. Full Article
ar Encoder readhead apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to an encoder readhead. The readhead includes a housing having an opening for capturing an encoder scale including an elongate rod having a substantially circular cross-section, the opening defining an axial direction along which a captured encoder scale can slide back and forth. A scale reader, which may include an array of Hall sensors, is provided for reading a portion of an encoder scale located in the opening. The housing includes an access portion that allows the encoder scale to be inserted into, and/or removed from, the opening by a relative movement between the housing and the encoder scale in a direction other than the axial direction. Full Article
ar Femoral condylar radius gage By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An instrument and method for determining the location of the anatomical epicondylar axis between the condyles of a femur is provided. The instrument includes first and second gauges each for measuring a radius of a femoral condyle and a frame. At least one of the gauges is movably connected to the frame. The method includes positioning the measuring end of each gauge against a separate condyle of a femur, actuating a pivoting member of each gauge to determine the radius of each condyle, measuring the distance between the condyles, and determining the location of the anatomical epicondylar axis of the femur. A measurement can be taken from a measuring scale provided on the gauge and from another scale provided on the frame. Determining the location of the axis can further include performing a calculation utilizing the radii of the condyles and the distance between the condyles. Full Article
ar Apparatus for aligning a wind turbine generator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for aligning a wind turbine generator is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least, but is not limited to, a support flange engaging a securement stud via a securement aperture, and a force displacement plate contacting the support flange. The preferred apparatus further includes an indexing means attached to the securement stud and force displacement plate, the indexing means configured to translate a rotational force to linear force capable of moving the support flange in relation to the securement stud. Full Article
ar Bore gage system for setting and measuring large diameter bores By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A large bore measuring system includes a modular and extendable bore gage with analog and digital readouts, also includes a settable set-master. The modular bore gage is designed to measure two sets of large bore diameters. A first set of large bores is accomplished by using a modular bore gage design described in this disclosure. The second set of larger bores is accomplished by adding attachments therein extending the gage for the larger range of bore diameters. A set-master is used for both sets of large bores. Full Article