Famous Patents
3M employee and church chorister Art Fry needed something to temporarily mark pages in his hymnal. He was in luck because his colleague, Spencer Silver, accidentally developed a glue that was too weak for other purposes. After initially discouraging consumer response, Post-it Notes became a hit in 1979.
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8136415 | Traction apparatus and traction force control method for traction apparatus A traction force control method for a traction apparatus according to the present invention that impresses a desired traction force on an object to be hauled via a traction mechanism is provided. The method includes measuring, in a zero traction state in which an im... | 03/20/2012 |
| 8028590 | Traction apparatus and traction force control method of traction apparatus In the traction apparatus, a control circuit has the following traction control process portions. First, a first traction control process portion winds up the slack portion of a wire by a motor to eliminate the slack of the wire connected to a body to be pulled. Nex... | 10/04/2011 |
| 7520185 | Sensor handle assembly A sensor assembly for use in a surgical procedure is described. The assembly can includes a sensor for implantation into a body part, a sensor cord attached to and extending from the sensor and a handle fastened to the sensor cord. The handle is fastened so that a f... | 04/21/2009 |
| 7441471 | Ground anchor load testing system and method A ground anchor load testing system includes a ground anchoring unit having a bare upper drill shaft portion along and around which a reaction anchor with its hollow shaft is temporary installed. During test loading of the installed ground anchoring unit, a test loa... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7437956 | Pull testing mechanism A pull testing mechanism. A first fixed member and a second fixed member are disposed on a base and oppose each other. A first movable member and a second movable member are movably connected to the first and second fixed members, respectively. A first rotating memb... | 10/21/2008 |
| 7424831 | Fishing reel clutch setting device An apparatus, such as spring scale, including graduations for percentages of line test values (e.g., 25% and 33%) for a plurality fishing line tests for use with a fishing rod/reel in order to set the reel drag without the need to conduct any calculations. An electr... | 09/16/2008 |
| 7347108 | Seat belt tension sensor A seat belt tension sensor for measuring the amount of tension in a vehicle seat belt. The seat belt tension sensor has a housing and an anchor plate that is mounted in the housing. The housing moves relative to the anchor plate. A magnet is held by the anchor plate... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7337674 | Pressure detector for fluid circuits A pressure measurement device usable for monitoring pressure of fluids such as blood, waste, and replacement fluid in a blood treatment system provides a reliable signal and other benefits by virtue of a number of features of the various embodiments disclosed. The p... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7313975 | Apparatus and method for measuring tension in guy wires An apparatus for measuring tension in guy wire systems wherein the lower end of the guy wire has a thimble adjoined by a connection pin to a yoke or clevis of a turnbuckle shackle bolt connected to an earth anchor. A block assembly is removably received beneath the ... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7273231 | Seat belt device A seat belt device including an anchor connecting member configured to be connected to the vehicle body, a webbing connecting member connected to the seat belt, and a webbing passing through an opening the webbing connecting member. The webbing located in the openin... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7272979 | Seat belt tension sensor having an integral connector A seat belt tension sensor for measuring the amount of tension in a vehicle seat belt. The seat belt tension sensor has a housing and an anchor plate that is mounted in the housing. The housing moves relative to the anchor plate. A magnet is affixed to the anchor pl... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7263906 | Seat belt tension sensor A seat belt tension sensor for measuring the amount of tension in a vehicle seat belt. The seat belt tension sensor has a housing and an anchor plate. A lever is mounted in the housing. The lever holds a magnet. A sensor is mounted to the housing. The sensor generat... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7240569 | Load test apparatus for shipping containers Load test apparatus for shipping containers comprising a horizontal beam (200), the beam having pivotal plate assemblies (210) attached to lifting eyes (330) or other feature of a container by cables (130) or similar means, extending from... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7237442 | Seat weight measuring apparatus A seat weight measuring device reduces the temperature difference generated between the resistances of measuring gauges, even when a sudden ambient temperature change occurs. Heat due to ambient temperature is transferred through a column. As a washer interposed bet... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7234729 | Seat belt force sensor system A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secu... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7233239 | Method and apparatus for detecting improper installation of child seat in a vehicle A method and apparatus for detecting an improperly installed auxiliary child seat of the type that is secured in a motor vehicle by the seatbelt, and providing an alert to a vehicle operator in the case of improper installation. A seat occupancy sensor, a seatbelt b... | 06/19/2007 |
| 7228746 | Strain-measuring device The invention relates to a miniature, integrated strain-measuring device with a simple and economical design which can be mass produced at least cost and comprising reliable, reproducible and tamperproof settings. The inventive device can be quickly installed on the... | 06/12/2007 |
| 7226037 | System for assuring engagement of a hydromatic brake on a drilling or well service rig The present invention provides an automatic system for engaging the hydromatic brake on a drilling rig or a service rig. This system monitors both the hook load and traveling block velocity, and uses an electrical solenoid to activates the hydromatic when either the... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7222540 | Wireline extensometer A new and useful wireline extensometer is provided that uses a tensioned cable extending between a supply spool and an anchor (e.g. of a type connected to a slope mass), measures movement of the cable to reflect movement of the anchor (e.g. due to movement of the sl... | 05/29/2007 |
| 7216553 | Apparatus and method for setting the drag of a fishing reel An apparatus and method of reliably and consistently setting the drag of a fishing reel for a specified strength of fishing line. The invention utilizes a resilient member that can be moved between a resting position and a stressed position. The fishing line is coup... | 05/15/2007 |
| 7160001 | Focus assembly for a track light A focus assembly for a luminaire includes a socket, having wires extending therefrom, for receiving a lamp; a mounting cup for securing the socket to the luminaire; a socket focusing mechanism for axially translating the mounting cup relative to a stationary reflect... | 01/09/2007 |
| 7155987 | Method and apparatus for testing the structural integrity of offshore lifting containers An apparatus and method for load testing lifting containers and their related cable slings using a hydraulic jacking arrangement located within the container itself for equalized stress loading of the container and its cable slings and lifting eyes or points under v... | 01/02/2007 |
| 7131340 | Device for low-vibration force measurement in rapid dynamic tensile experiments on material samples A device for force measurement in dynamic tensile experiments on material samples is disclosed. The device includes a force measurement cell in which at least one force measurement sensor is integrated. The force measurement cell has at least one one-piece connectin... | 11/07/2006 |
| 7124650 | Method and system for determining automotive convertible top operating characteristics A system for measuring an automotive convertible top operating parameter, such as the amount of force required to operate the convertible top, includes a pulldown actuator for moving a convertible top from an open position into a closed position. The pulldown actuat... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7126462 | Tool and method for measuring force associated with engaging a child restraint anchorage A tool for measuring force associated with engaging an anchorage of a child restraint anchorage system of a motor vehicle. The tool includes a force measuring device, an engagement arm having a slot, and a guide mechanism. The engagement arm transmits force to the m... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7100944 | Method of attaching a seat belt to a seat belt tension sensor A webbing of a seat belt engages an opening of a seat belt tension sensor. In one embodiment, the webbing is bunched or folded so as to prevent rubbing against the sides of the opening in the housing and anchor plate, or an outer surface of the seat belt tension sen... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7055400 | Seat belt force sensor system A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secu... | 06/06/2006 |
| 7048085 | Weight classification system A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the veh... | 05/23/2006 |
| 7032929 | Seat belt device A webbing of a seat belt engages an opening of a seat belt tension sensor. In one embodiment, the webbing is bunched or folded so as to prevent rubbing against the sides of the opening in the housing and anchor plate, or an outer surface of the seat belt tension sen... | 04/25/2006 |
| 7014005 | Seat belt latch sensor assembly A seat belt tension sensor assembly includes a housing and a slider slidably received within the housing, the slider is configured for movement between a first position and a second position within the housing. A first and second magnets is associated with the slide... | 03/21/2006 |
| 7007976 | Seatbelt lock casing with an integrated force-sensing device Seatbelt lock casing with an integrated force-sensing device for measuring a belt tensile force acting on a seatbelt lock, containing a moving anchor that protrudes through an opening formed in a front wall of the casing and has a stop that restricts the movement of... | 03/07/2006 |
| 7000873 | Microscope stand having balancing device The invention relates to a stand having a pivotable support arm (2) and a balance weight (AG), in which the balance weight (AG) acts via a cable pull (24) for the weight compensation of the load (G), the balance weight (AG) being arranged in the area o... | 02/21/2006 |
| 7000488 | Force-sensing unit for measuring a belt tensile force acting on a seatbelt lock Force-sensing unit for measuring a belt tensile force acting on a seatbelt lock, including a casing with an opening formed in a front side, and further including a moving anchor which is located in the casing and which protrudes through the opening and which has a s... | 02/21/2006 |
| 6978687 | Seat belt tension sensor A seat belt tension sensor for sensing tension in a seat belt. The sensor includes a main plate and a travel member moveable relative to the main plate against a spring force. A sensor provides an output in response to the relative movement indicative of the tension... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6962089 | Device for monitoring cables of a lift A cable slackness monitoring device has a pull cord to detect movement of support pins associated with the cables. In the case of a slack cable the support pin moves downwardly relative to a carrier frame. Fixedly clamped between a nut and a locknut is a trigger ele... | 11/08/2005 |
| 6959779 | Belt force sensor An occupant restraint assembly and for a motor vehicle operates to sense the tension forces on a seat belt to detect the presence of a human occupant or a child restraint seat. A sensor attached to the seat belt measures tension forces. The sensor is mounted in line... | 11/01/2005 |
| 6935196 | Method and apparatus for testing the structural integrity of offshore lifting containers An apparatus and method for load testing lifting containers and their related cable slings using a hydraulic jacking arrangement located within the container itself for equalized stress loading of the container and its cable slings and lifting eyes under various pre... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6932835 | Suture securing tool The present invention relates to a suture securing tool for securing a suture against body tissue with a suture retainer. The tool includes first, second, and third force application assemblies. The first force application assembly is connectable with at least one e... | 08/23/2005 |
| 6901818 | Tension measuring device for mooring line A device for measuring tension in a line for mooring a ship to a dock or an anchor. The device includes three pulleys secured to rigid frames or springs. Sensors are placed on rigid frames, springs or shafts for securing the pulleys. Portions of the mooring line ext... | 06/07/2005 |
| 6857326 | Device for measuring force acting upon a seat belt A device for measuring a belt force acting upon a vehicle seat belt has at least one spring that is connected indirectly to a bearing member of the belt buckle that can be secured to the vehicle structure. A measuring element is connected to the spring, and can be c... | 02/22/2005 |
