Patents Examined by David B. Jones
  • Patent number: 10357812
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a continuous strip of material positioned between an entry and an exit of an apparatus. A sensor is positioned downstream from the exit of the apparatus. The sensor measures a first distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a predetermined reference. The sensor measures a second distance between the upper surface of the strip material and the predetermined reference. The first and second distances is measured at at least one of two different locations or two different instances in time as the strip material exits the apparatus. A controller compares the first distance and the second distance to detect material curvature or longbow in the strip material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: THE BRADBURY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Smith, Clarence B. Cox, III
  • Patent number: 10350661
    Abstract: The invention relates to a production plant (1) comprising a brake press (3) having press beams (13, 16), slot-shaped tool holders (19, 20) disposed and/or arranged on the press beams (13, 16), bending tools (4), a tool magazine (31) for at least one bending tool (4), a first manipulation device (30) for transporting the bending tool (4) between the tool magazine (31) and the tool holders (19, 20), and a second manipulation device (33) for positioning the bending tool (4) in the tool holder (19, 20). The second manipulation device (33) comprises at least one traction means (37) guided via two deflection means (35, 36), on which traction means (37) at least one pusher element (38) is disposed. The bending tool (5, 6) has a slot (46) extending in a direction (48) parallel with a bending edge (47) through which the at least one traction means (37) is run. The at least one slot (46) is further dimensioned such that the at least one pusher element (38) cannot be run through the slot (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Denkmeier
  • Patent number: 10350665
    Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing a metal vessel may include providing a preform being formed of work hardened aluminum. The preform may have an open portion, a closed portion, and body portion. A multiple segment mold may be closed around the preform. The multiple segment mold may include at least one projecting portion operative to partially deform the preform while closing the mold. The preform may be blow molded by causing a step-like change in pressure within the preform to cause the preform to take a shape defined by the mold when the mold is in the closed position. The molded preform may be removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: John Adams, Rajesh Gopalaswamy
  • Patent number: 10342303
    Abstract: A band comprised of a plurality of link members connected to each other to be able to pivot by pivot shafts, in the band, at least one of the plurality of link members has a sheet member and a wrapped member around which the sheet member is wrapped, the wrapped member has a side part facing an adjoining link member, and at least one end part of the sheet member is arranged between a top end part and bottom end part of the side part in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jindai Yamakawa, Takuya Shoji
  • Patent number: 10344824
    Abstract: A block lock for connecting two chain ends is disclosed including two opposing block lock halves extending in the longitudinal direction when the block lock is in the locked state, which interlockingly engage in each other, and which lock to form at least one receiving opening for receiving a chain link. The block lock halves are pivotably coupled together in the region of a pivoting end such that the block lock halves can be shifted into an open position or locked position by performing the pivoting movement. In the locked position, the block lock halves integrally engage in one another at an opposite locking end and can be locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: THIELE GmbH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Eugeniusz Brodziak
  • Patent number: 10335844
    Abstract: A bending device for forming a corrugation in a metal sheet, the bending device having a frame, a die having two die elements, each having a concave half-impression, mounted able to slide on the frame; a punch having a head able to engage inside the impression of the die so as to press the metal sheet; and two side clamps mounted sliding and able to move vertically with respect to the lower frame so as to clamp the metal sheet against the bearing surfaces of the die elements. During the displacement of the punch into its bending position, the metal sheet transmits a traction force to the die elements and to the side clamps so as to displace them into their near position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GAZTRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ
    Inventors: Olivier Perrot, Mohamed Sassi, Charles Gimbert, Thomas Conejero
  • Patent number: 10328476
    Abstract: A bending machine has a main spindle which supports a die. There are two counter dies each mounted on a working arm which rotate about the main spindle. The working arms are driven by link arms which are acted on by a translational drive. There is versatile three-point bending caused by three die points, two on the working arms and one on the die support shaft. The working arm drive includes a translational component which extends through the die support shaft, and which is connected to the link arms. This achieves excellent symmetry and compactness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Mark Keeling
  • Patent number: 10328480
    Abstract: To provide a clamp apparatus including swinging fulcrums on a side of a swinging body, in which the clamp apparatus swings about the swinging fulcrum at the time of opening a channel mouth and at an initial stage to start clamping of the channel mouth, and as swinging for the clamping progresses, the clamp apparatus shifts to other swinging fulcrum located at an upper part of a clamping point to complete clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: AMADA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seishiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10329641
    Abstract: One embodiment of the laser processing apparatus is for surface treatment by supplying liquid to a surface of the target member and irradiating pulsed laser light to the surface of the target member via the liquid. The apparatus includes a laser oscillator and a liquid supply. The laser oscillator irradiates the laser light to the surface through the liquid via an optical window. The liquid supply is configured to supply the liquid to the surface of the target member via a flow path passing on an outer surface of the optical window. When the liquid is in contact with a laser light emission surface of the optical window, the laser light emission surface transmits the laser light. When the liquid is not in contact with the laser light emission surface, the laser light emission surface reflects the laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kota Nomura, Itaru Chida, Katsunori Shiihara, Hiroya Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10307810
    Abstract: A component forming tool for forming a component from a blank includes a die forming shell for forming the component from the blank. A first shell portion of the die forming shell is disposed at a first set of support elements and a second shell portion is disposed at a second set of support elements. The tool includes at least one induction heating coil for induction heating of a workpiece disposed within a cavity formed by the first and second shell portions. The first set of support elements may be configured to detachably engage with respective base support elements of the component forming tool, with the first set of support elements keyed to engage the base support elements to limit lateral movement of the first shell portion at the base support elements. The first set of support elements may include at least two layers of different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Temper IP, LLC
    Inventor: William C. Dykstra
  • Patent number: 10307812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer device (1) for a workpiece (11), said transfer device including a frame (2) as well as a first pivot arm (3). The first pivot arm (3) is connected to the frame (2) so as to be pivotable by means of a first rotational axis (6). Furthermore, a first slide (9) is mounted so as to be linearly displaceable on the first pivot arm (3). The transfer device (1) further includes a holding device (10) for a workpiece (11) which is connected to the first slide (9) so as to be rotatable relative to the pivot arm (3) by means of a third rotational axis (12). The first pivot arm (3) is connected to the frame (2) so as to be rotatable in a second region by means of a second rotational axis (13) which is mounted on the frame (2) so as to be displaceable substantially in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: GUEDEL GROUP AG
    Inventors: Walter Zulauf, Dominique Schaer, Markus Gerber
  • Patent number: 10307887
    Abstract: Systems and method for tool path approximation may comprise approximating the outer surface of a part to be worked. The outer surface may be approximated by a plurality of airfoils. Moreover, the system and methods approximate a tool path based on a cutting tool and convert the tool path to accommodate a non-cutting processing tool. The tool path may be implemented on a computer numerically controlled machine that is configured to control a flexible fork peening tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Raja Kountanya
  • Patent number: 10307250
    Abstract: A device for crimping a radially expandable and collapsible prosthetic valve comprises a coiled wire frame having a longitudinal opening extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The opening has a first state and a second state, the opening in the first state having a first diameter dimensioned to receive the prosthetic valve in an expanded or partially crimped configuration therein, and the opening in the second state having a second diameter dimensioned to receive the prosthetic valve in a crimped configuration. The coiled wire frame has a first end coupled to a first member and a second end coupled to a second member. The first member is movable relative to the second member to convert the coiled wire frame from the first state to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: David Maimon, Ron Sharoni, Tamir S. Levi, Emil Karapetian, Tri D. Tran, Tung T. Le
  • Patent number: 10309488
    Abstract: An energy chain device includes at least one energy chain for guiding lines, cables, hoses or the like between a fixed and a movable connection region so as to form a curved region between a moved strand and a stationary strand. Each energy chain has a number of links which are connected to one another in a flexible manner and are formed by link plates which are arranged parallel to one another and transverse webs which connect the link plates. The energy chain device further includes at least one drive device which is operatively connected to the moved strand, and a control unit which is connected to the drive device so as to transmit signals and is connectable so as to transmit signals to a control device of a device which is connectable to the movable connection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Tsubaki Kabelschlepp GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Kemper, Jochen Bensberg, Dirk Schöler
  • Patent number: 10307811
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for protectively hold an elongated object during bending and stretching of the elongated object. The apparatus includes a shell, sleds and roller sets. The shell includes a wall, support portions longitudinally extending on an internal face of the wall, and grooves separated from one another by the support portions. Each of the sleds is inserted in a corresponding one of the grooves. Each of the roller sets includes rollers attached to a corresponding one of the sleds. Each of the rollers includes a tread. The treads together provide an axial tunnel. A surface of the elongated object is in contact with the concave treads of the rollers when the elongated object is rolled in the axial tunnel during bending or stretching of the elongated object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: INDUSTRO INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuo-Chan Huang
  • Patent number: 10300518
    Abstract: Tool holder designs are described. In some cases, the tool holder has a clamp assembly that can be used with tools having different tang styles. The tool holder in some cases has at least two differing tolerance areas provided therein, wherein the tolerance areas provide complementary tolerance to the design. In some cases, the tool holder can have a mechanically actuatable mechanism that functions with one or more internal components that limit adjustment of the mechanism to prevent damage to one or more of tool and the tool holder when securing the tool therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Wilson Tool International Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10300522
    Abstract: A forming method for a disk-shaped component includes: mounting a heated material on a table; applying a load to the material with a forming roll while rotating the table; forming the material into a disk shape using roll forging; and suppressing decrease in temperature of the material during forming using a heat retaining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yujiro Watanabe, Nobuyori Yagi, Atsushi Kawasaki, Ken Ishii, Kazutoshi Yokoo
  • Patent number: 10300580
    Abstract: A hanging section is installed at an upper side of a cabinet, and an autorotation mechanism rotates the hanging section around an axis of the hanging section in upward/downward directions of a device. In addition, a hanger unit hanging from the hanging section is installed in a cabinet, and a pair of frame sections is parallelly installed in series to match opening directions. Then, projection machines project a shot media toward the hanger unit. In addition, a loading/unloading device installed outside the cabinet is configured such that arm constituting a part thereof can be inserted into an opening section of the frame section of the hanger unit, and a tray on which a workpiece is placed can be conveyed. The loading/unloading device loads/unloads the tray with respect to the hanger unit by advancing and retracting the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10300519
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a press-formed article includes arranging a member to be pressed between first and second dies, and relatively moving the first and second dies so as to approach each other, thereby press forming to a portion to be pressed so that a height of the portion to be pressed decreases. In the press forming step, while first bent portions in a pair each bent in a protruded shape toward the second die on the portion to be pressed are held by groove-shaped holding portions in a pair separated from each other on the second die, a second bent portion bent in a protruded shape from a position between the first bent portions toward the first die on the portion to be pressed is pressed and deformed by a pressing portion of the first die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Sakamoto, Yasuhiro Hayashida, Kenichi Watanabe, Junya Naitou, Kensuke Funada, Takayuki Kimura, Jiro Iwaya
  • Patent number: 10293393
    Abstract: A deck anchor assembly a deck leverage anchor body configured to engage a frame deck and a first coupler yoke configured to couple a second coupler yoke assembly thereto. The second coupler yoke assembly comprises a base portion having second yoke extensions extending therefrom and a swivel post extending from the base portion opposite the second yoke extensions. The swivel post is mounted to the first coupler yoke using a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Michael J. Marx