Patents by Inventor Lee E. Stephens

Lee E. Stephens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Drive and actuation mechanism for a component insertion machine
    Patent number: 6161443
    Abstract: A drive and actuation mechanism for a component insertion machine having a lead screw mounted to a housing by a ball nut and a spline nut so as to be movable longitudinally and rotationally. The lead screw has a hollow shaft in which a push rod is disposed. An arm support is mounted to the lead screw so as to move vertically with the lead screw. An actuation arm is connected at a first bearing point to the push rod and connected at a second bearing point to the arm support. The actuation arm is driven by a crank motor, which is connected to the actuation arm at a third bearing point, to move the push rod. The ball nut and spline nut are also driven by motors to move the lead screw vertically and rotationally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Biesecker, Charles G. Speicher, Lee E. Stephens, Gary R. Thomas