Patents Examined by Robert Long
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Patent number: 9797486Abstract: A surgical device adapter for coupling an end effector to a handle assembly is disclosed. The surgical device adapter includes: a housing; a drive mechanism disposed within the housing and couplable to the handle assembly and the end effector; and a drive coupling assembly coupled to the surgical device adapter and selectively couplable to the handle assembly, the drive coupling assembly including a retraction assembly selectively couplable to the drive mechanism such that rotation of the drive coupling assembly about a longitudinal axis defined by the surgical device adapter and relative to the housing actuates the drive mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Earl Zergiebel, Ramiro Cabrera, Paul Richard, David Chowaniec, Ryan Williams, Anand Subramanian
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Patent number: 9795380Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for facilitating closing and clamping of an end effector of a surgical device. In general, the devices and methods can be configured to increase a moment arm of the end effector, thereby increasing a closure force of the end effector. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical device can include a closure mechanism configured to provide an increased moment arm at the device's end effector, such as at a proximal end thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Emily A. Schellin, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Jason L. Harris
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Patent number: 9795383Abstract: A tissue thickness compensator comprising at least one woven lattice can be positioned in the end effector of a surgical instrument. A fastener cartridge that is positioned in the end effector can comprise at least one cavity configured to receive a fastener. The fastener can be moveable between an initial position, wherein the fastener is at least partially position in a cavity, and a fired position, wherein the fastener is configured to compress a woven lattice of the tissue thickness compensator. The woven lattice can comprise a resilient material such that compression of the woven lattice generates a restoring force. The woven lattice can also comprise an axis that can laterally traverse the fastener cartridge, diagonally traverse the fastener cartridge, or intersect a deck surface of the fastener cartridge. The woven lattice can comprise a hydrophilic substance, which can expand when the woven lattice is severed by a cutting element.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Chunlin Yang, Charles J. Scheib, Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Joseph H. Contiliano, Michael S. Cropper, Eugene L. Timperman, Cortney E. Henderson, Katherine J. Schmid, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 9789598Abstract: A handheld power tool is disclosed. The tool has a housing, a hammer mechanism and a torque coupling. The hammer mechanism includes a beater which is movably guided along the working axis in the guide tube. The guide tube is mounted in a suspension attached to the housing so that it is movable along the working axis. The torque coupling is mounted on the guide tube and is supported on the suspension in the impact direction. The guide tube is supported on the torque coupling in the impact direction. The guide tube may be shifted with respect to the housing in the impact direction such that the torque coupling is shifted relative to the housing through the guide tube in a positively guided manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellschaftInventors: Rainer Ontl, Christoph Dieing, Christian Rehekampff, Damir Cehajic
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Patent number: 9789578Abstract: A counterforce mechanism is arranged to exert a force on an object to maintain the object at a desired position. The mechanism comprises a driven body, a drive for moving the driven body, and a resilient coupling arrangement for coupling the driven body to a portion of an object. A control arrangement is arranged to output a drive signal to the driven body drive to move the driven body to a location where it exerts a force on the object via the coupling arrangement, such that the force counteracts an opposing force acting on the object and the mechanism holds the portion of the object at the desired position. A machine axis and a machine tool incorporating such a counterforce mechanism are also described, together with methods of operation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Fives Landis LimitedInventors: Michael Pierse, Trevor Stolber
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Patent number: 9782170Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a housing, an elongated member, an end effector, and a staple formation circuit. The elongated member extends from the housing. The end effector is disposed on an end of the elongated member and has first and second jaws. The first jaw includes a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples. Each of the staples has first and second legs. The second jaw has a plurality of staple forming pockets. The staple formation circuit may be disposed on the second jaw. The staple formation circuit communicates a signal to a controller coupled to the staple formation circuit. The signal is representative of one or more of a formation, a malformation, and a nonformation of one or both of the first and second legs of one or more of the staples within one or more of the staple forming pockets.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Adam Ross, Russell Pribanic, Ryan Williams
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Patent number: 9782881Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transmitting energy to a fastener, with a reaction chamber, an energy-transmission element that can move in a fastening direction for transmitting energy released in the reaction chamber to a fastener, a first supply channel opening into the reaction chamber for feeding a first reagent to the reaction chamber, wherein the first supply channel comprises a feeder device for feeding the first reagent into the reaction chamber and a controllable closing device for a time-wise closing of the first supply channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: HILTI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Iwan Wolf, Mario Zahner, Rolf Erhardt
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Patent number: 9782882Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transmitting energy to a fastener, with a reaction chamber, an energy-transmission element that can move in a fastening direction for transmitting energy released in the reaction chamber to a fastener, a first supply channel opening into the reaction chamber for feeding a first reagent to the reaction chamber, wherein the first supply channel comprises a feeder device with a rotor and a feeder element for feeding the first reagent into the reaction chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: HILTI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Iwan Wolf, Mario Zahner, Rolf Erhardt, Peter Goepfert
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Patent number: 9782885Abstract: Reciprocating power tool is provided which is improved in vibration isolation of the handle. The reciprocating power tool has a tool body and a handle connected to the tool body. When an axial direction of a tool bit is defined as a longitudinal direction, the handle extends in a vertical direction crossing the longitudinal direction. Further, an upper region of the handle is connected to the tool body via an elastic member and a lower region of the handle is connected to the tool body via a support shaft that it can rotate around an axis of the support shaft in a transverse direction crossing both the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction with respect to the tool body. When the handle rotates around the support shaft with respect to the tool body, the elastic member reduces vibration which is caused in the tool body and transmitted to the handle.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Kiyonobu Yoshikane, Yoshitaka Machida
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Patent number: 9782171Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a shell assembly and an anvil assembly. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The shell assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The anvil assembly includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue-contacting surface of the anvil assembly is configured to align with the tissue-contacting surface of the shell assembly when the anvil assembly and shell assembly are in the approximated position.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Frank Viola
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Patent number: 9777459Abstract: Disclosed herein is an attachment and vehicle that includes a left loader arm, a right loader arm, and a boom arm operatively attached to the left loader arm and the right loader arm. The boom arm extends in substantially the same direction that both the left loader arm and the right loader arm extends, is positioned between the left loader arm and the right loader arm, and includes a rotating mechanism at a first end for attaching and rotating a vertical column for installation in the ground. The attachment includes a first hydraulic cylinder attaching the left loader arm with the boom arm and a second hydraulic cylinder attaching the right loader arm with the boom arm. The first and second hydraulic cylinders exact rotation on the boom arm, and the first and second hydraulic cylinders extend at least substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the boom arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: SOLAR FOUNDATIONS USA, INCInventor: Michael Zuritis
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Patent number: 9777453Abstract: A hydraulic pole tamper with an extended ergonomic handle including a frame and hose clamps to extend the life of the hose by securing the hoses to the frame and to improve the handle, orientation, and usability of the pole tamper. The pole tamper is used to tamp or compact the dirt around a pole which has been set into a hole in the ground to fixedly secure the pole vertically in the ground.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TH Welding & Hydraulics, LLCInventor: Timothy Hamilton
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Patent number: 9777725Abstract: The invention relates to a high pressure water pump and a steam powered nailing gun having the high pressure water pump. In certain embodiments, high pressure water pump includes: an upper pump body, a lower pump body, a water discharge valve, a water intake valve, a plunger, a guide sleeve, a hammering cap, an adjustment knob, and an evacuation valve. Both upper and lower pump body are connected by connecting bolts. A sealing ring is disposed between upper and lower pump body and a sealing element is disposed between the upper pump body and plunger. Plunger is sheathed in upper pump body. The hammering cap is threadedly connected to the plunger. The adjustment knob is connected to an upper end of upper pump body. The hammering cap is moveably connected to the adjustment knob through the plunger. A plunger reset spring is disposed between hammering cap and adjustment knob.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TAIZHOU DAJIANG IND. CO., LTD.Inventors: Gui-Wen Liu, Ming-Jun Yang, Jin-Quan Huang
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Patent number: 9776296Abstract: A power tool assembly includes a hand-held power tool, a dust collector removably coupled to the power tool, and first and second power tool battery packs each of which is interchangeably coupled with the power tool and the dust collector for separately powering the power tool and the dust collector, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Michael R. Brewster, Tsz Kin Wong, Chin Hung Lam, Brian P. Wattenbach, Brandon L. Verbrugge, Ming Cong Chen
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Patent number: 9776314Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid hammer tool with two separate fluid hammers in separate sections of the tool. The tool includes an upper poppet valve assembly along one fluid flow path, and a lower poppet valve assembly along a separate outer flow path. Both fluid flow paths are fed from an upper sub and both exit through a lower sub. Both poppet valves include spring return mechanisms. Sealing of each poppet valve propagates an upstream shock wave. The lower poppet valve assembly encounters greater fluid flow and generates a larger shock wave. In the period when the upper poppet valve is closed, the lower poppet valve cannot open.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Inventor: Jason Swinford
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Patent number: 9770818Abstract: A fastener driver tool powered by a pressurized power source having a supply of compressed fluid includes a magazine associated with the tool for storing and supplying fasteners to a tool nose. A cylinder in the tool has a reciprocating piston associated with a driver blade sequentially engaging fasteners from the magazine as they are fed into tool nose. A control system is configured for directly electrically controlling a flow of compressed fluid for driving the piston.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Marc Largo
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Patent number: 9770052Abstract: A filter rod for a cigarette or other smoking article comprising a filter plug having a a plurality of threads extending though at least part of the filter plug, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing such a filter rod.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITEDInventors: Andy Davis, William David Lewis, Edward Awty, Paulo Oliveira
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Patent number: 9770243Abstract: A handle for an electric surgical stapler. The electric surgical stapler includes an end effector. The handle includes a casing, a linear motor, a power transmission mechanism, and a quick change interface. The linear motor is disposed in the casing and configured to supply linear motion. The power transmission mechanism transmits the linear motion from the linear motor to the end effector. The quick change interface is connected to the end effector.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: B. J. ZH. F. PANTHER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Shuxin Wang, Jianchen Wang, Xuejun Li, Qing Liu
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Patent number: 9771690Abstract: A fastener driving workhead unit is provided for performing an operation on spikes of a railroad track having a plurality of ties, and includes a hammer housing configured for accommodating a hammer, the housing being attached to a hammer bushing having a hammer bushing clamp. Also included in the workhead unit is an anvil assembly having an anvil and an extension coupler, the extension coupler being releasably secured to the hammer bushing by fastening the hammer bushing clamp. Further, the workhead unit includes a jaw assembly having a jaw block, the jaw block having at least one jaw block clamp for releasably securing a guide rod to the jaw block by the jaw block clamp, such that the anvil freely reciprocates in the hammer housing for driving the spikes into the plurality of ties.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: NORDCO INC.Inventor: Daniel Mark Henke
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Patent number: 9770242Abstract: A surgical stapler including a safety apparatus, including: a stapler part, a fixed handle, a safety apparatus, a transmission assembly, a propulsion assembly, and a trigger handle. The safety apparatus includes a safety piece and a fixing block. The propulsion assembly includes an ejector sleeve. The safety apparatus is fixed on the propulsion assembly and contacts with a surface of the transmission assembly. The safety piece is disposed inside the fixing block. At least one spring is disposed inside the fixing block to ensure elasticity of the safety piece.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: B. J. ZH. F. PANTHER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Xuejun Li, Qing Liu