Patents Examined by Mahdi H Nejad
  • Patent number: 11975953
    Abstract: A lifting column includes a drive unit, a lifting tube, and a transmission assembly. The lifting tube includes a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, a fourth tube, and a fifth tube. The transmission assembly includes a first screw rod, a second screw rod, a third screw rod, and a fourth screw rod. The drive unit is in transmission fit with the first screw rod and drives the first screw rod to rotate. A lower end of the second screw rod has a first nut in transmission with the first screw rod, a lower end of the third screw rod has a second nut in transmission with the second screw rod, a lower end of the fourth screw rod has a third nut in transmission with the third screw rod, and a lower end of the first tube has a fourth nut in transmission with the fourth screw rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG JIECANG LINEAR MOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Renchang Hu, Xiaojian Lu, Jian Pan
  • Patent number: 11972971
    Abstract: A wafer lift pin system is capable of dynamically modulating or adjusting the flow of gas into and out of lift pins of the wafer lift pin system to achieve and maintain a consistent pressure in supply lines that supply the gas to the lift pins. This enables the wafer lift pin system to precisely control the speed, acceleration, and deceleration of the lift pins to achieve consistent and repeatable lift pin rise times and fall times. A controller and various sensors and valves may control the gas pressures in the wafer lift pin system based on various factors, such as historic rise times, historic fall times, and/or the condition of the lift pins. This enables smoother and more controlled automatic operation of the lift pins, which reduces and/or minimizes wafer shifting and wafer instability, which may reduce processing defects and maintain or improve processing yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chen Chen, Yi-Fam Shiu, Cheng-Lung Wu, Yang-Ann Chu, Jiun-Rong Pai
  • Patent number: 11964854
    Abstract: A fulcrum prybar includes a shaft portion extending along a first axis, a curved prying portion affixed to a first end of the shaft portion, and a fulcrum portion affixed to the curved prying portion. The fulcrum portion includes two rectangular portions fused together to form an obtuse angle or a right angle cross section. One of the two rectangular portions is oriented such that it is flush with a horizontal surface while the prybar has partially raised an object from the same or another horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Polytex Concrete LLC
    Inventors: David Butler, Jamie Ross
  • Patent number: 11964638
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle jack assembly includes a plurality of scissor jacks that is each mounted to a bottom side of a vehicle. Each of the scissor jacks is positioned adjacent to a respective one of a plurality of wheels on the vehicle for lifting the respective wheel upwardly from a support surface. Conversely, each of the scissor jacks is actuatable into a retracted position thereby facilitating the respective wheel to roll along the support surface. A control panel is positioned within a cab of the vehicle such that the control panel is accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The control panel is in communication with each of the scissor jacks thereby facilitating the control panel to independently or simultaneously actuate each of the scissor jacks between the extended position or the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventor: Delbert Fairchild
  • Patent number: 11953144
    Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a linear actuator, including maintaining the linear actuator in equilibrium when supporting a first load, determining application of a second load on the linear actuator, and selectively actuating the linear actuator in response to application of the second load on the linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jason Kerestes
  • Patent number: 11945680
    Abstract: A pallet and method for supporting a spool for transport or use includes an elongated frame having two opposite ends and two opposite sides which extend between the two opposite ends. The frame includes a support surface within which a spool can be cradled so that the spool rests across the support surface and the barrel of the item is oriented substantially horizontally and normal to the longitudinal axis of the frame. A pair of cooperating members are arranged adjacent the sides of the frame and are cooperable with the spool barrel for placing a spool in condition to be lifted from the support surface. Jack assemblies are interposed between the cooperating members and the frame for lifting the spool from the support surface by way of the jack assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: iTool Equipment Holding LLC
    Inventors: David S. Jordan, Michael C. Jordan, Scott M. Jordan
  • Patent number: 11948824
    Abstract: A pellicle removal tool including a stage that holds a photomask and an associated pellicle, two or more arms positioned around the stage and configured to engage pellicle side wells of the pellicle, and two or more actuators each configured to adjust at least a vertical position of a corresponding one of the two or more arms so as to apply a lifting force to the pellicle for removal of the pellicle from the photomask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: PHOTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Hilario Ar-Miguel Alvarez, Spencer Allen Mullens, Jesse Eugene Williams, II
  • Patent number: 11945078
    Abstract: The invention relates to vise pivotal jaws for holding irregular shaped objects and that are modular to work on various sized prior art vises. Also relates to pivotal jaws having aid to return back to a neutral center position. The design allows ease of disassembly for cleaning and reassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Steven James Lindsay
  • Patent number: 11942356
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a clipping mechanism for fastening a substrate for a surface treatment of the substrate, a clipping module for holding a substrate for a surface treatment of the substrate and a method for assembling a clipping mechanism for fastening a substrate for a surface treatment of the substrate. The clipping mechanism for fastening a substrate for a surface treatment of the substrate comprises a clipping bracket and an actuation unit. The clipping bracket comprises in a cross-section a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is moveable relative to the second arm to a receiving position for the substrate with a receiving distance between the first arm and the second arm. The first arm is moveable relative to the second arm to a fastening position for the substrate with a fastening distance between the first arm and the second arm. The fastening distance is smaller than the receiving distance. The actuation unit is at least partially surrounded by the clipping bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SEMSYSCO GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Gleissner, Ulrich Tschinderle
  • Patent number: 11926513
    Abstract: An up-and-down driving device allows an up-and-down driving unit to move while supporting an object's load, in a support module in which the up-and-down driving unit is movably inserted into an inner space of a fixed housing. The up-and-down driving device includes: a driving means for moving the up-and-down driving unit in an up-and-down direction; a fixed-position compression spring main module including a fixed-position compression spring having one side fixed to a lower end of the housing and the other side supporting the up-and-down driving unit and mounted in a motion direction of the up-and-down driving unit; and a variable-position compression spring supplemental module including a variable-position compression spring having one side mounted rotatably to a side of the housing and the other side fastened rotatably to the up-and-down driving unit and configured to rotate while making a predetermined angle with the motion direction of the up-and-down driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: HUVITZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Sung Kim, Young Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 11923231
    Abstract: A substrate table is provided. The substrate table includes a main body having a surface and a plurality of burls extending from the surface. The burls are configured to support a substrate on the main body. The substrate table further includes a number of vacuum channels provided in the burls to apply a vacuum to the substrate. The vacuum channels are distributed throughout the main body and arranged in a grid pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Cheng Wu, Chi-Hung Liao
  • Patent number: 11919757
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a scissor jack comprising four arms hingedly arranged to provide two opposite elbows between a base and a load support. A pair of trunnions are provided with an outer trunnion at one outer elbow and a threaded trunnion at another outer elbow opposite to the one outer elbow connected through a threaded shaft. The inner third trunnion is connected to two rods to form a yoke. The yoke is configured to slideably pass through the outer trunnion of the one outer elbow to extend beyond the one outer elbow. A pair of levers are provided which are configured to be secured to the inner third trunnion. The scissor jack further comprises springs or any other retaining mechanism attached to a pair of levers, to ensure that the pair of levers return to their original location or position when the scissor jack is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Derek John Gordon
  • Patent number: 11912547
    Abstract: A system includes a platform to support a vehicle on a first side of the platform and a passive motion device arranged on a second side of the platform, opposite the first side, to move upon actuation. A mechanical actuator actuates the passive motion device based on movement of one or more wheels of the vehicle to change a position of the vehicle. The position of the vehicle relative to the platform is unchanged and the passive motion device is actuated by only the movement of the one or more wheels of the vehicle to change the position of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James W. Wells, Michael R. Kaphengst, Alfred Manser, Barry L. Farmer, Seog-Chan Oh
  • Patent number: 11915964
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate, includes a stage including a through-hole vertically penetrating the stage, a pin inserted into the through-hole, and a support member configured to support the pin. The pin has a protrusion configured to protrude from the upper surface of the stage through the through-hole, and a large diameter portion located below the protrusion and formed thicker than the protrusion. The stage further includes a lateral hole formed to extend from a side surface of the stage so as to intersect with the through-hole. The support member is inserted into the lateral hole. The support member is configured to support the pin by an engagement with the large diameter portion while the support member is inserted into the lateral hole. An upper opening end of the through-hole is thinner than the large diameter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuichiro Wagatsuma, Masahisa Watanabe, Mayuko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11897740
    Abstract: An expandable car jack includes a vehicle lifting assembly with an upper lifting member, a lower lifting member mechanically coupled to the upper lifting member, and a lifting mechanism capable of moving the upper lifting member to a plurality of raised height positions. A base is coupled to the vehicle lifting assembly and includes a first base support member, a second base support member, and a base support coupler that is operable to selectively couple the first base support member to the second base support member in at least a first coupling position and a second coupling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: CROSSJACK LLC
    Inventor: James Alford Flippin
  • Patent number: 11901711
    Abstract: An electric transmission line support structure. A crossarm depending perpendicularly from a vertical shaft has a first and a second mounting point. A central support depends from the crossarm between the first and the second mounting point. A first conductor bundle is attached to the first mounting point by a first structural string and to the central support by a second structural string. A second conductor bundle is connected to the central support by a third structural string and to the second mounting point by a fourth structural string. A fifth structural string, perpendicular to the crossarm and extending between the first conductor bundle and the second conductor bundle, connects the central mounting point to a third conductor bundle that is further from the crossarm than the first conductor bundle and the second conductor bundle. A sixth structural string connects the vertical shaft to the third conductor bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Inventus Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip S. Givens, Chung Jerry Wong, Robert K. Dunn, Jerry W. Hutcheson, Jose R. F. Ribeiro, Keith E. Lindsey, Miguel A. Flores, Thomas R. Koegel, Erica Souza Nogueira Bretas
  • Patent number: 11898623
    Abstract: A linear drive has a linear unit for carrying out a linear movement, a motor for the motorized driving of the linear unit, and a drive connection which extends from the motor as far as the linear unit. In order to ensure reliable operation even in the event of a power failure, it is proposed that the linear drive have a centrifugal brake which is rotationally coupled to the drive connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SKF Motion Technologies AB
    Inventor: Marcel Soltermann
  • Patent number: 11884525
    Abstract: A lift device includes a lift assembly, a platform, and a controller. The lift assembly is configured to be driven to increase or decrease in length by extension and retraction of one or more actuators. The platform is coupled at an upper end of the lift assembly. The controller is configured to receive a value of a pitch angle and a roll angle of the lift device from an orientation sensor. The controller is further configured to determine a maximum allowable elevation of the platform based on at least one of the value of the roll angle and the value of the pitch angle of the lift device. The controller is further configured to limit operation of the lift assembly based on the maximum allowable elevation of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Shashank Bhatia, Aaron Powers, Michael W. Stouffer
  • Patent number: 11884526
    Abstract: An improved vehicle jack includes a motorized lift plate that either raises or lowers a vehicle when the motor is operated in one of two directions. The jack also includes a lug-nut removal tool formed of a telescoping, pivotal shaft having an adjustable head at an upper end. A plurality of motorized, magnetized sockets are positioned on the head for tightening and loosening lug nuts. Accordingly, the lift plate is activated to raise the vehicle, and the sockets are properly positioned to automatically remove, retain, and reinstall the wheel's lug nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: Earnest Sanders, Curtis B. Sanders
  • Patent number: 11865272
    Abstract: The present application is related to devices, systems, and methods for controlling active drive systems. In one embodiment, the drive system may include a first surface and a second surface for engaging an elongate member. The first and second surfaces may be attached to a drive mechanism to move the elongate member. The first surface may be slidable relative to the drive mechanism and may have a clearance between the drive mechanism and an end of the first surface during movement of the elongate member in a non-slip condition. A sensor may be associated with the first surface and may be configured to detect movement of the first surface in a slip condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Arkady Kokish, Sean P. Walker, Kamini Balaji, Francis Macnamara