Patents Examined by Ronald Jarrett
  • Patent number: 9974216
    Abstract: A supply head of a die supply apparatus is detachably held by a head holding unit of a head moving mechanism. The supply head held by the head holding unit is replaceable with a supply head having the same number of nozzles as the number of nozzles of a mounting head of a component mounting machine. A nozzle arrangement of the supply head of the die supply apparatus has the same arrangement as a nozzle arrangement of the mounting head of the component mounting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI MACHINE MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyasu Takamiya, Yukinori Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9908703
    Abstract: A robotic storage assembly includes a safe that may a plurality of items. A drawer is slidably coupled to the safe. A control is coupled to the safe and the control may be manipulated. A storage unit is positioned within the safe to contain the plurality of items. The storage unit includes a plurality of trays. A spacing unit is positioned within the safe and the spacing unit engages the plurality of trays. The spacing unit selectively spaces the trays apart from each other. A retrieval unit is positioned within the safe. The retrieval unit is selectively positioned between the trays when the trays are spaced apart. Thus, the retrieval unit retrieves the items in the storage unit. The retrieval unit is selectively aligned with the drawer to deposit the items in the drawer. Thus, the items may be removed from the safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: Brandon Andrews, Steve Andrews
  • Patent number: 9896277
    Abstract: A component supply device is arranged adjacent to a mounter which mounts components on a board and supplies components to the mounter. This component supply device includes a replenishment section provided with a magazine which houses a component carrying member on which multiple components are arranged on a base material, and a conveyance section which conveys a component carrying member housed in the magazine and which is equipped with side surface number one to which the replenishment section is attached and side surface number two which is arranged adjacent to the mounter. The replenishment section is slidably attached with respect to side surface number one of the conveyance section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI MACHINE MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshinori Shimizu, Hiroyasu Ohashi, Toshihiko Yamasaki, Masaki Murai
  • Patent number: 9889567
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to semiconductor process equipment used to transfer semiconductor substrates between process chambers. More specifically, embodiments described herein are related to systems and methods used to transfer, or swap, semiconductor substrates between process chambers using a transport device that employs at least two blades for the concurrent transfer of substrates between processing chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Dale R. Du Bois, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Karthik Janakiraman, Hari K. Ponnekanti, Sanjeev Baluja, Prajeeth Wilton
  • Patent number: 9856095
    Abstract: A precision machining/measurement device and a robot that conveys a workpiece to the device are covered by a cover, and a space covered by the cover is partitioned by a partition cover into a space where the precision machining/measurement device is installed and a space where the robot is installed. When a temperature inside the space where the robot is installed falls within a predetermined temperature range, a door provided in the partition cover is opened, and the robot supplies the workpiece to the precision machining/measurement device through the opened door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzo Ebihara, Takayuki Oda
  • Patent number: 9850640
    Abstract: A working machine comprising a ground engaging structure and an undercarriage connected to the ground engaging structure. A superstructure is rotatably mounted to the undercarriage so as to be rotatable relative to the undercarriage about a first generally upright axis, an operator's cab is rotatably mounted on the superstructure so as to be rotatable relative to the superstructure about a second generally upright axis, and a working arm is rotatably mounted to the superstructure so as to be moveable up and down about a generally horizontal axis. A drive arrangement is provided for driving the ground engaging structure to propel the working machine. The drive arrangement includes an engine and transmission that are housed within the undercarriage, and a majority of the engine is positioned below a level coincident with a lower extent of the superstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: J. C. Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Lyle, John Griffin, Peter Jowett
  • Patent number: 9834423
    Abstract: A lift truck comprises a chassis (1) movable on wheels (2) and a rotating platform (3) which supports an operating arm (4); stabilizing means are provided for resting on the ground and positioned at the front as well as at the back. The stabilizing means consist of two pairs of two telescopically extensible arms (5), each one comprising a first segment (6) and a second segment (7). The arms (5) have their ends hinged to opposite sides of the chassis (1), so as to swivel about parallel axes, and have the opposite free ends intended to lean against the ground by means of plates or stabilizing feet (8). The two arms (5) of each pair are arranged side by side at a short distance from each other on parallel planes and are individually bound to the chassis (1) by means of hydraulic cylinders (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: C.M.C. S.R.L.—SOCIETA UNIPERSONALE
    Inventor: Riccardo Magni
  • Patent number: 9796495
    Abstract: A robotic material handling apparatus comprises a packing head using vacuum to lift bottles, and a robot arm including two four-bar linkages. The four-bar linkages include a tubular structural member forming a rigid link with an internal passageway extending along the robot arm. A vacuum source is connected by hoses to the internal passageways and to the packing head as a way in integrating the vacuum lines into the robot arm. The packing head has bottle-lifting stations using vacuum to lift bottles, each including a seal shaped to sealingly engage a shoulder on the bottle. A vacuum source is connected to the seal for suctionally gripping the bottle using the shoulder to lift the bottle, regardless of whether a bottle cap is present or is missing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Integrated Packaging Machinery, LLC
    Inventors: William Boden, Larry Keech, Paul Lamb, Alex Hastings
  • Patent number: 9796092
    Abstract: This multi-articulated manipulator is rich in reliability and follow-up property in medical applications. The multi-articulated manipulator is composed of more than one hollow outer shell, joint members to connect the outer shells each other, a grasping member fastened for rocking movement to the foremost outer shell, and a power transmission shaft to actuate the grasping member and the outer shell in a bending manner independently from each other. The power transmission shaft is composed of a universal join allowed to bend independently from each other and transmit the rotating torque, and a transmission shaft capable of making expansion and shrinkage and able to transmit rotating torque. The power transmission shaft at the foremost end thereof has male threads mating with the nut made at the boss portion inside the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Tetsuya Sakai
  • Patent number: 9783962
    Abstract: A front loader comprises an arm, a work implement supported to a tip portion of the arm, and an angle display device. The angle display device includes a gauge member, an indicator, a shaft member, and a conversion mechanism. The gauge member has a scale indicating an angle of the work implement relative to the arm. The indicator is movable relative to the gauge member according to variations of the angle of the work implement. The shaft member is movable along the arm according to variations of the angle of the work implement. The conversion mechanism changes a relative position of the gauge member and the indicator according to the movement of the shaft member. The conversion mechanism is configured so as to cause the indicator to rotate relative to the gauge member around a rotation axis being parallel to an axis of the shaft member in one direction or another direction according to the movement of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daniel Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 9764465
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus includes a base, a first holder, a second holder offset from the first holder in a first direction, and a movement mechanism for moving the first holder and the second holder relative to the base in a plane parallel to the first direction. The movement mechanism includes a swing member, a first link arm and a second link arm. The swing member is pivotally supported on the base. The first link arm is pivotally connected to the first holder. The first link arm is also connected to the swing member for pivoting about a first intermediate axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second link arm is pivotally connected to the second holder. The second link arm is also connected to the swing member for pivoting about a second intermediate axis extending in the second direction. The first intermediate axis is offset from the second intermediate axis in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: DAIHEN Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Iura
  • Patent number: 9745717
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine having a plurality of equipment units and a structural body supporting the equipment units, restricting height of each of the equipment units supported by the structural body with no considerable decrease in the strength of the structural body and no considerable restriction on the height dimension of the equipment units. The construction machine includes a structural body having a plurality of beam members, a first equipment unit placed on the structural body, and a second equipment unit which is other than the first equipment unit and placed on the structural body. The plurality of beam members includes a first beam member having a first placement surface on which the first equipment unit is placed and a second beam member having a second placement surface on which the second equipment unit is placed, the second placement surface being lower than the first placement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Sakata, Seiji Saiki
  • Patent number: 9739030
    Abstract: An undercarriage frame is supported by driven tracks. An upper frame is pivotally connected to the carriage frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. Left and right booms are attached to the carriage frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The operator's enclosure is mounted on the carriage frame between rear boom portions. Front portions of the booms are offset toward each other to enter a trench. A forked stick includes a tube coaxial with a stick pivot axis. A stick tine is attached to each end of the tube. A stick portion fixed to the tube between the tines extends away from the tines. Left and right trunnions with center passages are journaled in boom bores and received in the tube. A stick shaft passes through the central passages and fix the trunnions to the tube. Stick and boom cylinders pivot the booms and the stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Emery J. Sova
  • Patent number: 9725257
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for loading/unloading stackable cargo units (101) such as boxes (101) from a cargo space, such as a sea container (102). Such a device (100) comprises a movable arm (104) with a head (110), comprising an array with downwardly directed gripping bodies (e.g. suction cups (211)). According to the invention there is a second grip section (220) with which the cargo units (101) can be gripped at the sides thereof. Hereby also cargo units (101) of a top row can be unloaded quickly. The invention also relates to a method for the loading/unloading of a cargo space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Copal Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Jozef Gerhardus Henricus Maria Schenning
  • Patent number: 9724834
    Abstract: A substrate-transporting robot apparatus is disclosed. The robot apparatus may include an upper arm, a forearm independently rotatable relative to the upper arm, a wrist member independently rotatable relative to the forearm, and an end effector adapted to carry a substrate. In some aspects, the independent rotation is provided by a robot drive assembly having a second driving pulley mounted for rotation on a first driving pulley. In another aspect, robot drive assemblies including base-mounted and web-mounted pulleys are disclosed. Robot drive assemblies and operational methods are provided, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Izya Kremerman
  • Patent number: 9719231
    Abstract: An implement system is adapted for use with a machine including an implement and a fork assembly. The fork assembly having one or more loading members includes a first upright portion, a second upright portion, and a crimped portion. Further, the crimped portion interconnects the first upright portion and the second upright portion. A mounting device is configured to support the implement and the fork assembly. Further, the mounting device includes a first side plate and a second side plate. A first transverse member is disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate. A second transverse member is disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate, such that the one or more loading members of the fork assembly are pivotally connected to the second transverse member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: James White
  • Patent number: 9713835
    Abstract: The invention is a transfer arrangement for transporting and/or positioning and/or aligning a workpiece and is used in particular in presses or press lines. A cross member can be moved and/or pivoted in a plurality of directions in space. The movement of the cross member is controlled or regulated by means of a control unit and by means of a corresponding number of axial drives. A servomotor is located on the cross member. A base support can be coupled to the cross member and a drivable shaft is arranged on the base support. A coupling arrangement of the cross member interacts with a mating connecting means on the base support to establish the mechanical fastening. A coupling means interacts with a mating coupling means to establish a rotational connection between the servomotor and the drivable shaft. A workpiece gripping arrangement is present on the base support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Gebhard
  • Patent number: 9708166
    Abstract: The invention describes a self-propelled trolley for handling a wind-turbine blade, which trolley comprises a driving device for propelling the trolley between locations; and a lifting device, which lifting device is realised to raise and lower the wind-turbine blade. The invention also describes a method of handling a wind-turbine blade, which method comprises the steps of positioning a self-propelled trolley according to any of the preceding claims at a point underneath the wind-turbine blade; actuating a lifting device of the self-propelled trolley to raise or lower the wind-turbine blade; and controlling a driving device of the self-propelled trolley to propel the trolley between locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignees: BLUE WATER SHIPPING A/S, SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Soeren Messmann, Jan Emil Westergaard
  • Patent number: 9687985
    Abstract: The robot hand of the present invention comprises: a first abutting part which projects from a main body part in Z-direction, and has a first abutting surface against which a first surface of the workpiece abuts; second and third abutting parts which extend from the main body part, and against which the second and third surfaces of the workpiece abut respectively; and a suction member which is attached to the main body part so as to hold by suction the first surface. The suction member is deformable into an elongated shape where the suction surface is located in front of the first abutting surface in Z-direction, and into a contracted shape where the suction surface is located in back of the first abutting surface in Z-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Takanobu Ueno, Takashi Itsukaichi
  • Patent number: 9682848
    Abstract: A modular lifting system, including an enclosable lifting device support structure. The enclosable lifting device support structure includes a deployable top, a plurality of lateral sides, a base coupled to the plurality of lateral sides, and a plurality of extension arms. The deployable top is configured to support a lifting device on a first side of the deployable top. The plurality of extension arms are configured to extend and support the deployable top when the deployable top is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Core Laboratories LP
    Inventors: Ted J. Griffin, Jr., Jason M. Ashby, Jeremy M. Bland, Derek R. Beckett