Patents by Inventor William L. Johns

William L. Johns 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).

  • Split rail parallel gripper
    Patent number: 4707013
    Abstract: A wide-throw parallel-action gripper of the split-rail design is disclosed. The gripper includes a pair of preloaded linear bearings which engage the outward surfaces of each rail and two roller bearings spaced on either side of a pinion, all mounted onto a pinion shaft, which engage the inward sides of each rail. A single finger is mounted at opposed ends of each rail and an actuator is connected either to one of the rails or to the central pinion. The actuators can include a pneumatic cylinder of electrical stepping motors or D.C. servo motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: John M. Vranish, Wayne R. Bunch, William L. Johns