Patents Examined by Brian Nash
  • Patent number: 7980442
    Abstract: A clinch positioning mechanism of a stapler is provided. The clinch positioning mechanism includes a driver unit and a clincher unit. The driver unit includes a driver for driving out a staple, and a guide piece. The clincher unit includes a clincher for bending and clinching a leg portion of the staple, and a guide hole for engaging with the guide piece. The clincher unit is arranged being opposed to the driver. At least one of the driver unit and the clincher unit is movably arranged, and the driver and the clincher are aligned with each other by engaging the guide piece in the guide hole at the latest when clinching the leg portion of the staple by the clincher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Futoshi Kameda
  • Patent number: 7431190
    Abstract: A surgical stapler comprising including an elongated handle portion having a longitudinal axis extending between a distal end and a proximal end. The stapler includes an end effector disposed at the distal end of the handle having a staple cartridge housing, and an anvil. The end effector has an open position wherein the staple cartridge and the anvil are spaced apart, and a closed position wherein the staple cartridge and anvil are closely adjacent to each other. The stapler also includes an elongated trigger. The distal end of the trigger being pivotably attached to the handle between the handle's distal and proximal end. The trigger has an open position wherein the proximal end of the trigger is spaced apart from the handle, and a closed position wherein the proximal end of the trigger is closely adjacent the handle. The trigger is linked to the end effector such that moving the trigger from its open to its closed position moves the end effector from its open to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas B. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7413030
    Abstract: A pneumatic hammer drill includes a handle body, a pneumatic cylinder, a piston, a tool, and a damping member. The handle body has an upper part that defines a front cavity and that has a rear end. The pneumatic cylinder has a cylinder rear end fitted in the front cavity, a front tool-connecting end, and a pressure chamber. The piston is disposed slidably in the pressure chamber. The tool is inserted into the pressure chamber through the front tool-connecting end. The damping member is made of a vibration-damping material, and is attached to the rear end of the handle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Shun Tai Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hao Chen, Yueh-Pei Liu
  • Patent number: 7392638
    Abstract: An inventive method, system and apparatus are provided for syringe handling, and more particularly, for syringe labeling, filling and capping operations. To facilitate syringe handling, an inventive apparatus includes a plurality of syringe bodies interconnected in a predetermined orientation by a belt. Such belt may be of pliable construction and may define a predetermined spacing in between adjacent ones of the syringe bodies. The syringe handling apparatus may provide for the placement of contents-related information on belt segments between adjacent syringe bodies and for separating the belt segments, wherein a flap is left interconnected to each syringe body. The syringe handling apparatus may provide for automated filling of the syringe bodies wherein cap removal, filling and cap replacement operations are completed free from manual handling. An improved cap and method for capping medical male luer fittings is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Baxa Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Eugene Baldwin, Joseph V. Ranalletta
  • Patent number: 7328829
    Abstract: Palm-size staplers for surgical procedures are proposed. The staplers include cartridge and slider assemblies with the cartridge assembly containing staples. As the slider assembly advances step-wise incrementally it provides a staple ejection force causing ejection of staples. Optionally, a blade element may be included for cutting. An anvil member is operable in closed and open positions with respect to the cartridge assembly. When in a closed position, the anvil member holds a portion of tissue against the cartridge assembly, ejected staples passing through the held tissue. Actuation of the staplers is effected by a lever member. A locking mechanism, when in its locked position, holds the anvil member adjacent to the cartridge assembly allowing closure of the staple to occur. The devices are intended for one hand use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: NiTi Medical Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Arad, Boaz Harari, Amir Perle, Dror Rosner
  • Patent number: 7316341
    Abstract: An adjustable exhaust assembly for a pneumatic fastener includes a base, which includes a base plate and a protrusion protruding from the base plate. The protrusion is centrally hollow and includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The base plate includes an inlet opening and an exhaust opening defined therethrough. The inlet opening is interconnected with a channel defined by the inner surface of the protrusion. A cap is coupled to and supported by the base and includes an exit opening. A quick connector coupler is positioned inside the channel defined by the inner surface of the protrusion. When coupled to a pneumatic fastener, the quick connector coupler is suitable for connecting to an air supply hose to input compressed air to the pneumatic fastener via the channel defined by the inner surface of the protrusion and the inlet opening, and exhaust from the pneumatic fastener may exit through the exhaust opening and the exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Schnell, Daniel Paxton Wall, Daniel U. Goodwin, Barbara A. Rose
  • Patent number: 7306047
    Abstract: An impact hammer drill capable of performing drilling operation at a high speed with low noise and without requiring a large thrust. The drill includes a main shaft rotatable by an output shaft of a motor, and a spindle having an impact-receiving section and disposed over the main shaft slidably in its axial direction and rotatable together with the rotation of the main shaft. A piston is reciprocatingly slidably disposed over the main shaft for impacting against the impact-receiving section. A piston drive unit is disposed for driving the piston with a compressed fluid. A compressed fluid supplying unit is disposed for supplying the compressed fluid to the piston drive unit. A drill bit is attachable to the spindle. When performing drilling operation, the drill bit is imparted with a combined rotational motion and the reciprocal impact motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Oda, Yukio Terunuma, Masayuki Ogura
  • Patent number: 7303028
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power tool comprising: a housing and a handle engaged with the housing, wherein the rear portion of the housing is provided with an arcuate track. The handle is provided with an engaging portion which is engageable with the arcuate track so that the engaging portion of said handle can slide along the track. In this manner, the position of the handle is adjustable relative to the housing. The handle is simple in construction and convenient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hai-Quan Wu
  • Patent number: 7257935
    Abstract: A system for providing dunnage to packages as the packages are formed is disclosed. The system includes a dunnage forming machine having a work station for inflating and sealing plastic pouches to form dunnage units. An accumulator is positioned below the station for receiving and collecting such units as they are formed. The accumulator includes an outlet opening laterally offset from the station. A pair of counter rotating brushes having axes journaled in spaced relationship are mounted at the outlet. Each of the brushes includes circumferentially spaced bristle sets defining unit receiving spaces between adjacent sets. A motor drive is operably connected to the brushes for causing counter rotation. A unit volume sensor is provided for emitting a machine start signal when the volume of units in the accumulator reaches a predetermined low volume. A process for providing dunnage in packages being formed is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Steven Wehrmann
  • Patent number: 7240819
    Abstract: A stapling device includes a housing pivotally attached to a base member and having a channel for receiving staples, a staple drive plate slidably received in the housing and movable to drive the staples, a staple pushing device includes a casing slidably engaged in the channel of the housing and a pusher for forcing the staples forwardly toward the staple drive plate, and an actuating device for actuating the staple drive plate to drive the staples. The staple pushing device may be easily and readily assembled into the housing, and includes a projection or protrusion for detachably anchoring the staple pushing device to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: Chun Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 7234621
    Abstract: A safety mechanism to prevent unintended ejection of a staple or fastener in a stapler or fastening tool. A low-start version of the stapler has a handle that when pressed pivots a lever which lifts a striker and energizes a power spring. At the release point, the striker is released and accelerated under spring bias into a staple, ejecting the staple by impact blow. A high-start version has the striker stationary in the upper position as the power spring is energized. In the safety mechanism, a movable hook or arm selectively prevents the striker, and linked components thereto, from completing an operational cycle. In one embodiment the safety mechanism includes a working surface sensing button bar operating in conjunction with the hook that latches the striker. The safety mechanism can also be a pivoting lock bar that engages the working surface, which surface pivots the lock bar into engaging the power spring, handle, and/or striker thereby preventing such components from reaching the release point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Worktools, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Marks
  • Patent number: 7228997
    Abstract: An apparatus nails a plurality of cross members to an underlying stringer to produce a pallet. The carriage moves in a continuous motion without stopping over the cross members until the cross members are nailed to the stringer. The carriage includes at least one nailing gun for driving nails and a hydraulic accumulator mounted on the carriage in hydraulic communication with the at least one nailing gun for supplying hydraulic fluid to provide a force to the nailing gun to nail the cross members to the stringer. The nailing gun may be pivotally secured to the carriage wherein the nailing gun pivots with respect to the carriage while driving a nail into the cross member and the underlying stringer. The nail gun is also positioned into a nail driving position pneumatically and when in the nail driving position the hydraulic cylinder is actuated to drive the nail into the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Engineering Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Thompson
  • Patent number: 7225884
    Abstract: A hand power tool has a tool spindle rotatable by a drive train, a cam device located in the drive train and having two cam discs in engagement with one another for transmitting axial percussion motions to the tool spindle, an overloading coupling located in the drive train and having two coupling parts which are in engagement with one another and are overloadable counter to an axially exerted force, a blocking device which upon its activation blocks a relative rotation of the coupling parts of the overloading coupling to one another, and an operating mode setting device for setting “percussion drilling”, “drilling” and “screw driving” operating modes, and also a magnitude of an overlocking moment upon screwdriving and having one torque adjusting ring for setting the “drilling” operating mode and the “screwdriving” operating mode, with preselection of the magnitude of the overlocking moment, and another adjusting the “percussion drilling” operating mode on and off, and in “on” position overrides any operating
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Bruno Aeberhard
  • Patent number: 7213735
    Abstract: A staple-driving gun includes a hollow housing configured with first and second air chambers separated by a partition. A piston unit includes an operating member connected fixedly to a sleeve disposed movably in the first air chamber, and a piston rod disposed movably in the sleeve. The operating member is operable so as to move a valve end portion of the sleeve away from the partition. Hence, compressed air flows from the first air chamber into the second air chamber via a valve hole in the partition, and an air-excluding passage constituted by a gap between the valve end portion of the sleeve and an annular flange of a seal washer mounted on the valve end portion of the sleeve, and an air-excluding hole in the valve end portion of the sleeve so as to urge the piston rod to move toward a staple-discharging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Panrex Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Ho Ou
  • Patent number: 7213734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic tool drive system, comprising a portable pressure source, a valve assembly, a regulating assembly, and a pneumatic assembly. The pneumatic assembly can be any conventional pneumatic device. The pneumatic assembly may be a pneumatic tool, such as, but not limited to, a nail gun, a power sprayer, a torque wrench, and the like. The pneumatic tool drive system gives the operator the freedom to move about his work space free of cumbersome hoses and compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: John C. Atcheson
  • Patent number: 7210609
    Abstract: Stapler, in particular for hemorrhoidal use, includes a body, an elongate, fixed jaw part connected to the body and including a curved anvil defining staple-forming pockets and a curved portion defining an opening bound on lateral and longitudinal sides, an actuating jaw part including a curved staple driver and optionally a cutting knife, a trigger coupled to the body for actuating the actuating jaw part and an adjustment mechanism for moving the actuating jaw part to vary a longitudinal dimension of the opening defined between a staple cartridge and the anvil. When the actuating jaw part is actuated by the trigger, the staple driver forces staple blanks in the staple cartridge into staple-forming pockets of the anvil to form staples in tissue retained in the opening, while the cutting knife, when present, amputates the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Tools for Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Arnold R. Leiboff, Joseph Zipper, Robert Farrish, Jay Leiboff
  • Patent number: 7207472
    Abstract: A surgical instrument adapted for applying a plurality of surgical fasteners to body tissue includes a cartridge module having a cartridge housing containing a plurality of surgical fasteners and a knife. The cartridge module includes a driver disposed to push surgical fasteners out of the cartridge housing. The instrument also includes a firing mechanism associated with the cartridge housing for ejecting the surgical fasteners and the knife from the cartridge housing. The knife includes a detent disposed to contact a mating detent of the cartridge module during longitudinal travel of the knife thereby preventing undesired forward and rearward motion of the knife. The driver includes a detent disposed to contact at least one mating detent formed on the cartridge module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Michael Wukusick, Richard F. Schwemberger
  • Patent number: 7207394
    Abstract: A flow guide configured for insertion in a cavity defined between an outer housing and a nested inner motor housing of a fluid driven tool. The flow guide defines a longitudinal axis and includes at least two longitudinal portions disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis and defining a longitudinal channel therebetween, and a rib being substantially circumferential and connecting the longitudinal portions at points defining a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. The rib defines a recess that permits fluid communication in the longitudinal channel across the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: James R. Young, Douglas E. Pyles, Michael A. Youhouse, Brian R. Roache
  • Patent number: 7207393
    Abstract: A shaft comprises an input portion and a tang. The tang has a first section, a second section, and a radial bore. The second section is disposed between the first section and the input portion along an axis. A radial cross section of the first section is less than a radial cross section of the second section. The radial bore is disposed on the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Eastway Fair Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Weldon H. Clark, Jr., Elton Lee Watson
  • Patent number: RE39841
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprises a frame having a body portion and a handle. A staple fastening assembly is provided in the distal region of the instrument and includes a cartridge device, which comprises at least one closed row (10, 12) of staples, and an anvil. The anvil is movable relative to the cartridge device and is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge device for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge device. A knife, which has a closed cutting edge, is contained within the cartridge device and is positioned such that there is at least one closed row (10, 12) of staples on the outside of the cutting edge. It can be moved towards the anvil. The line along which the closed row (10, 12) of staples is arranged has a stepped shape, leaving a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the staple fastening assembly, such that this line has a larger total length than the projection of this line onto this plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Federico Bilotti, Mark A. Neurohr, Laszlo Csiky, Todd P. Omaits