Power Driven Patents (Class 108/20)
  • Patent number: 8342055
    Abstract: This invention provides a precise positioning platform by using of toggle type principle, wherein the positioning platform can be single toggle type, double toggle type, or combination with multi-link to enhance positioning platform precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Wang, Yu-Ding Chen
  • Patent number: 8336722
    Abstract: A pallet rack and method for use of same are disclosed. Three panel frames interconnected by two parallel cross members define two lower pallet receiving areas and two upper pallet receiving areas. A catch tray is disposed beneath the two upper pallet receiving areas to catch and redirect fluid and debris to prevent cross-contamination between pallets. The catch tray includes a primary tray and a slidable dependent tray extendably coupled to the primary tray. The slidable dependent tray extends from a retracted position within the primary tray to an extended position having a general decline from the first panel frame to the second panel frame to furnish a slanted surface therebetween. Retraction of the dependent tray provides clearance for fork lift tines to access the rear upper pallet receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventors: Steven A. Cardwell, James C. Rutledge
  • Publication number: 20120318178
    Abstract: A folding platform assembly for the top deck of motor vehicle carrier trucks. The platform features a grate, whereupon a person may safely and comfortably walk along the length of the truck. The platform also features a safety net system affixed to the grate to catch a person in the event of a slip, trip, or fall from the grate. The grate has an access panel for easy ingress and egress to the platform from a ladder or set of steps. When storing or transporting the platform, a folding mechanism pushes the platform into its closed, substantially-vertical position. This same mechanism pulls the platform into its open position when it is ready for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher Hanks, Gilbert Hanks
  • Patent number: 8316776
    Abstract: A rotary table device includes a hollow motor drive source, a table rotated thereby, and a rotary bearing supporting the table. The rotary bearing is provided an outer race having an inner surface to which a rolling surface is formed, an inner race having an outer peripheral surface to which a rolling surface opposing to the rolling surface of the outer race is formed, and a plurality of rolling members disposed in a rolling passage formed by the rolling surface of the outer race and the rolling surface of the inner race, and a cooling medium passage (?, ?) is formed so as to be adjacent to either one of the inner race and outer race constituting a rotational driving side. According to the structure mentioned above, a rotary bearing and a rotary table device capable of achieving suitable cooling effect can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Taniguchi, Toshiya Tanaka, Toshiyuki Aso
  • Patent number: 8276525
    Abstract: A fast height-adjustable equipment stand, particularly for a notebook or for a monitor with a keyboard, which can be placed on a table and a support surface of which can be raised or lowered so low that a keyboard situated on the support surface can be operated without difficulty while sitting. To this end, at any height the equipment present thereon is held in a horizontal or defined oblique position such that the support surface is guided by at least two folding brackets, which cause a parallel guidance of the support surface relative to the base surface in that the edges thereof are fastened non-parallel to each other to the support surface in an articulating manner, and that the support surface can be locked in one or more heights to prevent accidental lowering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Rainer Janssen
  • Patent number: 8272334
    Abstract: A three-link toggle type positioning platform comprises a first motor, a first ballscrew coupled to said first motor, a first linkage attached to the ballscrew a second linkage attached to the first linkage, and a third linkage attached to the second linkage. The ballscrew drives the first linkage, and then the first linkage drives the second linkage, and then the second linkage drives the third linkage, which drives a platform in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Sheng-Wei Wang, Kuen-An Hsie, Liang-Zheng Huang, Shih-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 8256735
    Abstract: The invention is in particular a supporting device for relative supporting loads with respect to a base comprising a load side part, a base side part, and an intermediate part giving support to the load side part, and thus defining a supporting direction with reference to the base and the load side, including a pressure chamber bounded by chamber walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Integrated Dynamics Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Heiland
  • Patent number: 8240257
    Abstract: The invention relates to an article of furniture, such as a sitting/standing table, wherein an adjustable element, such as a table top, may be adjusted by a drive unit (8) based on an electric motor. An electrical control unit (6) has a plurality of externally accessible gates and is arranged so as to meet a number of requirements for services and/or optional special functions which may be modified, activated or deactivated with a plurality of external modules (5) configured with a plug (11) when said plug is inserted into a gate (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: John H. Frost
  • Publication number: 20120189422
    Abstract: A cargo platform system which can be uncoupled from a vehicle frame and lowered to a ground surface using a self-contained jack system after the vehicle has been removed from beneath the platform. The cargo platform system may comprise a sub-frame having deck-rails for attachment to a vehicle frame, a platform having deck-rails for removably coupling to the sub-frame, and a jack system comprising a first jack, a second jack, a third jack, and a fourth jack removably attached to a left front corner, a right front corner, a left rear corner, and a right rear corner respectively. All four jacks of the jack system are in communication together such that extension and retraction of the jacks are simultaneous and electric motors atop each jack are removable for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: James Learned
  • Publication number: 20120180704
    Abstract: A pallet lifter for raising and lowering a pallet. The pallet lifter includes a pallet platform, a lifting frame that supports the pallet platform, and a movement mechanism that controllably causes the pallet platform to raise and lower. The pallet platform includes a top surface designed to support a pallet, two side walls and a back wall. The lifting frame includes two sets of legs. One end of one or both of the two legs of each set of legs is moveable along a longitudinal axis of the pallet platform as the pallet platform is raised and lowered. The movement mechanism includes a motor and a threaded rod. The electric motor is designed to cause the threaded rod to rotate in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction to cause said pallet platform to raise and lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Curtis TAYLOR, Aaron MISENER
  • Patent number: 8215732
    Abstract: Provided are a refrigerator and a refrigerator shelf apparatus configured with a shelf detachably mounted to a drive unit, and the drive unit capable of driving the shelf upward and downward according to electronic controlling by a controller provided on the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyeon Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8215241
    Abstract: A vertical linear actuator mechanism for positioning a load at a desired elevation above a support surface is described. The vertical linear actuator mechanism in one aspect thereof comprises an electric motor having a drivable shaft. The drivable shaft is coupled to a linear extendable mechanism having a load connector at a top end thereof. A potentiometer detects the position of the load connector relative to the support surface and provides position signals to a motor controller circuit which monitors the position of the load connector and controls the operation of the electric motor. In another aspect thereof the vertical linear actuator is comprised by a pair of gas spring cylinders interconnected together. The vertical linear actuator mechanism is secured inside a telescopic pedestal and extends and retracts the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: MSB Design
    Inventors: François Garneau, Matthieu Angers, Christian Rivard
  • Patent number: 8186280
    Abstract: A load bearing robotic turntable includes a first rotating sine table, a second rotating sine table, and a rotating and tilting workpiece table. A motor rotates the first rotating sine table. The second rotating sine table is rotatable with respect to the first rotating sine table to change a tilt of a top surface of the second rotating sine table. The workpiece table is rotatable with respect to the second rotating table to present different faces of a workpiece mounted to the workpiece table. A first actuator cooperates with the second sine table to change the tilt of the top surface of the second sine table with respect to the horizontal. A second actuator cooperates with the workpiece table to rotate the workpiece about a tilted axis. Rotation and changes to the tilt are obtained solely by positions of the actuators and rotation of the first sine table by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Dean Stoops
  • Publication number: 20120118208
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a winch and an autonomous mobile apparatus including the winch. The winch can include: a driving motor; a driving axle configured to rotate by having a driving force transferred from the driving motor; a wire drum installed on the driving axle in such a way that the wire drum is rotated by the driving axle and can move along the driving axle, a first screw part formed on an external circumferential surface of lengthwise end thereof; and a guide part arranged to be parallel to the driving axle and having a second screw part formed on a lateral side that faces the driving axle, the second screw part being extended in a lengthwise direction of the driving axle and engaged with the first screw part. The wire drum can move along the guide part in such a way that the length of a wire being wound or unwound for one rotation of the wire drum is constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Heavy Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Whee Kim, Seong Ho Kim, Hyun Goo Kim, Young Jun Park, Ki Soo Cho
  • Patent number: 8157108
    Abstract: A motorized pull-out, drop-down, closet storage shelf system is herein disclosed. The shelf system provides a track system and a series of roller slides which propel a shelf forward and downward from its conventional stowed position to a lowered position by simply pressing a button. The access position allows comfortable access for someone sitting in a wheelchair, for a child, or for someone unable to reach the shelf without assistance. The shelf system is capable of transporting heavy loads of up to fifty (50) pounds. When shelf access is complete, the motorized mechanism returns the shelf to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: John E. Waldrop
  • Publication number: 20120085267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to computer tables. In particular, computer tables capable of automatically adjusting to accommodate the requirements of an individual user are provided. Preferred embodiments include: automatic alteration of the height of a computer table support surface relative to a ground surface; automatic alteration of the height of a computer monitor support bracket relative to the computer table support surface; and indication to the user the required height adjustment of an associated chair so as to accord to a user's preferred height settings when the user enters identifier information into an associated programmable logic unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Dean Kenny
  • Patent number: 8141499
    Abstract: A wireless actuator includes a track rail, a slide member movable along the track rail, a driver which is mounted on the slide member and which allows the slide member to travel with respect to the track rail, a radio receiver portion which is mounted on the slide member and which receives a drive control signal for the driver, a control unit which generates the drive control signal and transmits the drive control signal to the radio receiver portion, and a non-contact power supply which includes a primary side member provided to the track rail and a secondary side member provided to the slide member and supplies electric power from a side of the track rail to the driver and the radio receiver portion which are mounted on the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Shoda, Tomoyuki Oizumi
  • Publication number: 20120048150
    Abstract: A handicap accessible laboratory table is disclosed for use in lectures and laboratory experiments. The table has a base suitable for wheelchair access, a generally planar countertop mounted on at least three telescoping legs, a motor to raise and lower the countertop without requiring locking the legs into position, and a fixed-height sink mounted adjacent to the edge of the countertop and providing clearance for a wheelchair to fit beneath the sink. Optionally, the table can also have a marine edge to control spills, a two-depth sink to allow for handicap access which can have a faucet or a sprayer, a finger guard to protect children's fingers when the countertop is in motion, a storage area for rods, and a key-activated switch or remote for controlling the countertop height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SHELDON LABORATORY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Roger Moore
  • Publication number: 20120048151
    Abstract: A desk is disclosed for use by teachers. The desk has a fixed-height portion which remains stationary as well as an adjustable-height portion which can be raised and lowered as needed to allow students to view objects on the desk such as experiments being performed when the adjustable-height portion is in a raised position and to see the space behind the desk, which may contain a blackboard, white board, or other object which students would wan to view, when the adjustable-height portion is in a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SHELDON LABORATORY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Roger Moore
  • Publication number: 20120048152
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a winch and an autonomous mobile apparatus including the winch. The winch can include: a driving motor; a drum driving axle configured to be rotated the driving motor; a wire drum configured to be rotated by the drum driving axle; a roller driving axle arranged to be parallel to the drum driving axle and configured to be rotated in different direction from that of the drum driving axle by the driving motor; a roller connected with the roller driving axle and configured to support a wire wound on or unwound from the wire drum; and a one way clutch installed in the roller driving axle in such a way that a driving force transferred to the roller by the roller driving axle is cut off when the wire drum rotates in a direction of winding the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG HEAVY IND. CO. LTD
    Inventors: Sang-Whee Kim, Seong Ho Cho, Hyun Goo Kim, Young Jun Park, Ki Soo Cho
  • Publication number: 20110219989
    Abstract: A linear motor includes a field magnet unit, an armature unit, and a connecting unit. The field magnet unit includes a first field magnet yoke and a second field magnet yoke each of which has an odd number of permanent magnets arranged thereon in a longitudinal direction such that polarities of the permanent magnets are alternately different, where the first field magnet yoke and the second field magnet yoke are arranged such that respective permanent magnets are opposite to each other and that polarities of the opposite permanent magnets are different from each other. The armature unit is wound with a winding and is arranged between the first field magnet yoke and the second field magnet yoke. The connecting unit is configured by a magnetic substance and connects the first field magnet yoke and the second field magnet yoke. One of the field magnet unit and the armature unit moves relatively to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Kazuya YUGAWA, Atsushi Kawahara, Seigo Nagamatsu
  • Publication number: 20110219990
    Abstract: In an alignment stage, a top table 4a, which holds a work piece on which a moving load acts, is disposed above a base 1, and a supporting unit 13 each having three degrees of freedom of X, Y, and ? and driving units 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D, each having a one-axis direction ball screw linear motion mechanism 9 in addition to the same configuration as that of the supporting unit 13, are interposed between the base 1 and the top table 4a to be disposed at locations corresponding to the center and four corner portions of the top table 4a, which are disposed in a zigzag fashion in a load movement direction L. The ball screw linear motion mechanisms 9 of the driving units 14A and 14B of diagonal positions on one side and the ball screw linear motion mechanisms 9 of the driving units 14C and 14D of diagonal positions on the other side are disposed to be at right angles to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Hiroshi Saito
  • Publication number: 20110214592
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a rotating structure. An outer ring is placed on a first surface of a trench in a foundation having a ground surface. An inner ring is positioned inside the outer ring on the first surface. A bar assembly is positioned between the outer ring and the inner ring. A plurality of rollers supports the bar assembly. A plurality of motors engages to the bar assembly to cause the bar assembly to rotate when activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Eric Holt
  • Patent number: 7953509
    Abstract: In a control method for a power assist apparatus, a pressing force acting on a workpiece held by a workpiece holding apparatus is detected, a determination is made as to whether or not the detected pressing force exceeds a preset threshold, a determination is made as to whether or not a dead man switch provided on the workpiece holding apparatus is ON, and a determination as to whether or not to release a rotation restriction applied to a joint portion for connecting the workpiece holding apparatus rotatably to an arm is made in accordance with a result of the determination as to whether or not the detected pressing force exceeds the preset threshold and a result of the determination as to whether or not the dead mean switch is ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Murayama
  • Publication number: 20110120351
    Abstract: An ergonomic radiology work station has front and back tables or work platforms that can be raised or lowered electrically to adjust for optimum posture and comfort of the user. Video monitors on the rear platform displays medical images. Interface equipment, e.g., keyboard and mouse, are situated on the front work platform. A pull-out sanitizer hood irradiates the keyboard and other interface devices with ultraviolet radiation after a radiology work session. An interlock arrangement ensures that the work platforms cannot be moved up or down when the hood is pulled out, and ensures that UV lamps in the hood are disabled when the hood is pushed back in to its home or withdrawn position. The hood with slide(s) and interlock(s) may be provided as a kit to retrofit an existing work station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Norman A. Shoenfeld
  • Patent number: 7930952
    Abstract: A toggle-type positioning platform including a first platform, a motor, a screw rod, a second platform and a linkage is provided. The motor and the screw rod are disposed on the first platform; the motor is coupled to the screw rod and suitable for driving the screw rod to rotate. The second platform is above the first platform and is suitable for moving back and forth alternately along a predetermined path, wherein an included angle exists between an extended direction of the predetermined path and the screw rod. The linkage is disposed between the first platform and the second platform, and is connected between the second platform and the screw rod. The linkage is driven by the rotation of the screw rod, to drive the second platform to move along he predetermined path. Accordingly, the positioning precision of the toggle-type positioning platform is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Wang, Chih-Peng Yang
  • Publication number: 20110061570
    Abstract: A linear actuator (8) in which a squeeze protection device is arranged, where the device is located in connection with the rear fixture (17) on the motor (10). The squeeze protection device is based on a piezo element (23), which as a module (22) is built into the actuator (8), so that it is passed through by the forces, exerted by the actuator (8). The piezo element (23) is equipped with cables (30), which are connected to a printed circuit board (31) in the actuator (8), where the connections for the actuator (8) are collected, so that the signal from the squeeze protection in an easy manner may be communicated to a control device (6), which can stop the motor (10) or briefly reverse the direction of the movement and thus release a trapped object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Norbert Klinke, Søren Lolk
  • Patent number: 7886629
    Abstract: A machine tool comprises a first travelling assembly (10) which carries in its turn a second travelling assembly (22). The first assembly (10) is adapted to position the second assembly (22) in a relatively wide space (S1) and with movements at relatively low speeds and accelerations. The second assembly (22) carries in its turn a tool which is provided with actuators for positioning the tool in a relatively narrow space (S2) and with movements at relatively high speeds and accelerations. The machine includes means for controlling the movements of the two assemblies (10, 22) which are so arranged to obtain s global movement of the tool without solutions of continuity in all the space of movement (S1) of the first assembly (10). The invention also relates to a manipulator device which can be used independently or be installed as a second assembly (22) on a travelling structure of a machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Franco Sartorio
  • Publication number: 20100319588
    Abstract: A table apparatus for a vehicle seat comprising a table, having at least one table leaf, and a table support mechanism, wherein the table support mechanism enables translational movement of the table between a substantially horizontal stowed configuration and a deployed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: J THOMPSON SOLUTIONS LTD
    Inventors: Jason Kyle Hanna, Philip Gordon, James Thompson
  • Patent number: 7823516
    Abstract: A very practical table apparatus is provided that can be made smaller and thinner without the need to stack a first table that moves in a first direction and a second table that moves in a second direction as in prior art. The table apparatus has a table (1) on which work is disposed, a first actuator (4) for moving the table (1) in the first direction a, and a second actuator (7) that is disposed on substantially the same plane as the first actuator, and that moves the table (1) in the second direction b, thereby allowing a single table (1) to be moved in the first direction a and second direction b without the need to stack two tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Bearing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Yamazaki, Toyoshi Kazama, Yusuke Ueki
  • Patent number: 7821632
    Abstract: A sample traveling stage is used for inspection equipment or precision processing equipment for semiconductors or FPDs, (Flat Panel Displays). The sample traveling stage includes a moving part in which a first slide, which is mounted on a base frame and moves along a first guide block, and a second slide, which is mounted on the first slide and moves along a second guide block, is installed in a mutually crossing direction. A traveling part that travels sample through the sample table is installed by a flexure mechanism module formed on the second slide and measures displacement through the X, Y bar mirror installed at the above sample table in a mutually vertical direction. A measuring part includes a laser head, a beam divider, and an interferometer installed at the operating path of the moving part forms the output into a displacement signal by receiving the input beam interference signal reflected by the X, Y bar mirror from receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignees: Soonhan Engineering Corp., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hun Taek Jung, Dae Gab Gweon, Jung Jae Kim, Young-Man Choi, Da Hoon Ahn
  • Patent number: 7798071
    Abstract: A rotary table system having high axial and radial run-out accuracy, high resolution, and thin and medium- or large-sized system. The rotary table system includes a guide apparatus and a rotary table mounted on the guide apparatus. The guide apparatus includes a ring-shaped integrated rail having no discontinuity in the travel direction thereof, and a plurality of guide blocks assembled to the rail from the direction of their surfaces opposing the rail. The surface of the rail opposite to the surface thereof opposing the guide blocks and the underside of the rotary table are joined together. The rail has an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration formed from a vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending from the upper end of the vertical portion in the radial direction of the rotary table. A tape scale that is detected by a detecting mechanism is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: THK Co., Ltd., THK Intechs Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ishikawa, Shunji Matsutomi, Tsutomu Hasegawa, Mitsuteru Nanba
  • Publication number: 20100175592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of furniture (10a-10f) comprising a furniture base part (13a-13f), in particular a furniture frame, and a furniture part (11) movable relative thereto, in particular a table top (12), with an adjusting gear (20a-20f) for driving the furniture part (11) and with an actuating mechanism (30a-30f) for the rotary actuation of a drive shaft (36a-36f) of the adjusting gear (20a-20f). In the piece of furniture (10a-10f), it is provided that the actuating mechanism (30a-30f) for the rotary actuation of the adjusting gear (20a-20f) comprises a manually operated cable- or belt-type pulling element (31a-31f) which is wrapped around a wrapping section (51a-51f) coupled for rotation with the drive shaft (36a-36f) at least during an actuation of the actuating mechanism (30a-30f) and which, when pulled, causes the drive shaft (36a-36f) to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Hans Looser
  • Publication number: 20100123111
    Abstract: An extendable railcar work platform includes one or more work platform sections each including a set of wheels, a locking mechanism associated with each wheel and a guide system. The system enables workers to safely work above an electrified third rail such as in a subway or railway tunnel. The platform may be in a first retracted position for transit or in a laterally extended or vertically extended position to enable a worker to access and work on a tunnel wall. The platform may be extended to both sides of the railcar and, if the platform includes more than one section, the individual sections may be simultaneously extended to opposite sides of the railcar. Each work platform section includes a floor or base and safety rails around all four sides of the section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Sam Warren, Alan Wonder
  • Patent number: 7654207
    Abstract: An XY stage comprises a base, a movable table which is disposed on the base so as to be movable in an X direction and a Y direction in an X-Y plane, and a work member which is provided on the movable table. The XY stage further comprises: a first linear motor for giving a driving force in the X direction to the movable table at the same height as the center of gravity of a movable section composed of the movable table and the work member; and a second linear motor for giving a driving force in the Y direction to the movable table at the same height as the center of gravity of the movable section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Maho Shoji, Noriyuki Kubota, Junichiro Oishi
  • Publication number: 20090320721
    Abstract: An X-Y table includes a platform and a frame which has an X and Y-truck trough. An X-drive motor interfaced to an X-drive gear. A Y-drive motor interfaced to a Y-drive gear. Both motors are affixed to the platform. An X-drive linear gear slideably held within an X-direction slot communicates with the X-drive gear whereas rotation of the X-drive gear results in linear movement of the X-drive linear gear. A Y-drive linear gear, slideably held within a Y-direction slot communicates with the Y-drive gear. An X-plane truck attached to the X-drive linear gear is slideably held in the X-truck trough. A Y-plane truck attached to the Y-drive linear gear is slideably held in the Y-truck trough. The frame moves in an X-direction responsive to rotation of the X-drive motor and in a Y-direction responsive to rotation of the Y-drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: QEM, INC.
    Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
  • Publication number: 20090056594
    Abstract: A planar stage moving apparatus for a machine includes: first to fourth linear motors for applying, between a base, i.e. a fixed body and a table, i.e. a movable body, a movement force to the table, each linear motor including a stator core on which a coil is wound and which is fixed to the base and a mover core to which a permanent magnet is attached and which is fixed to the table; an air bearing unit provided between the base and the table to move the table under the influence of magnet fields when currents are applied to the coils of the linear motors; and a linear encoder installed on one side of the table to measure movement of the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Seung-Kook RO, Jong-Kweon PARK
  • Patent number: 7478601
    Abstract: A robotic turntable includes a first rotating table, a second rotating table, and a workpiece table. A motor rotates the first rotating table. The second rotating table is coaxial with the first rotating table and rotationally positionable relative to the first rotating table. The workpiece table is rotationally fixed with respect to the second rotating table and is tiltably positionable with respect to the second rotating table. A first actuator cooperates with the second table to change the rotational position of the second table with respect to the first table. A second actuator cooperates with a lever attached to the first table to change the tilt of the workpiece table. Changes to rotation and tilt are obtained solely by the positions of the actuators and rotation of the first table by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventor: Dean Stoops
  • Publication number: 20090012634
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electrically adjustable item of furniture having at least one electric drive motor, at least one control device for operating the drive motor, and a display unit, characterized in that the control device is able to encode operating status data into a status code, and the display device is capable of displaying the status code, so that this can be transmitted to an evaluation unit for servicing purposes. The invention moreover concerns methods for servicing an electrically adjustable item of furniture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Logicdata Electronic & Software Entwicklungs GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Koch
  • Publication number: 20080289544
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device and a method for recognizing collision of automatically moveable parts of furniture with obstacles by detecting a change in bend or a change in acceleration. This is carried out by a device for recognizing collisions of automatically moveable parts of furniture with obstacles, comprising a piece of furniture with at least one moveable part (1, 2, 31), wherein this part is a adapted to be moved relatively to the rest of the furniture in a non-manual manner, an automatic driving mechanism adapted to move the moveable part, a controller adapted to control the automatic driving mechanism, and a sensor (4) adapted to detect a collision with an obstacle during the movement of the moveable part and to transmit the collision to the controller, wherein the sensor is adapted to detect a change in bend or a change in acceleration of the moveable part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: KESSEBOHMER PRODUKTIONS GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Buitmann, Michael Koder, Thomas Strothmann
  • Patent number: 7451710
    Abstract: In order to achieve miniaturization and high accuracy in movement, an actuator comprises a stationary shaft extending in a predetermined direction, a needle movable along the stationary shaft, one of the stationary shaft and the needle having a permanent magnet, and the other of the stationary shaft and the needle comprising a linear motor having a coil, a guide rail extending in parallel to the stationary shaft and interposing the needle inside to guide the same, and a pair of support means interposed between the guide rail and the needle to movably support the needle, points of action of the pair of support means and an axis of the stationary shaft being consistent with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Shigehiro Arai
  • Patent number: 7444945
    Abstract: An adjustable table for a cutting tool adjustable table includes a guide track, a table surface movably mounted on the guide track and having a bottom face formed with a guide channel movably mounted on the guide track, and a plurality of lubricating members each mounted between the guide track and the table surface to function as a lubricating medium between the guide track and the table surface. Thus, the guide track is made of metallic material and each of the lubricating members is made of plastic material, so that when the guide track touches the lubricating members, the noise produced by friction between the guide track and each of the lubricating members is reduced largely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Mao Shan Machinery Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wang Tien Wang
  • Patent number: 7444072
    Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a Y-direction movable member supported on, and parallel to, the stationary support plate so as to be relatively movable in a Y-direction, the Y-direction movable member including a Y-direction rod portion and a pair of X-direction rod portions, wherein the Y-direction rod portion extends in the Y-direction, and the pair of X-direction rod portions are joined to the Y-direction rod portion to extend in an X-direction both parallel to the stationary support plate and perpendicular to the Y-direction; and an X-direction movable member supported by the pair of X-direction rod portions to be movable in the X-direction relative to the Y-direction movable member. At least one of the pair of X-direction rod portions is rotatable about an axis of the Y-direction rod portion relative to the Y-direction rod portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Shuzo Seo
  • Patent number: 7440687
    Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a Y-direction moving member including a Y-direction rod portion and an X-direction rod portion connected thereto parallel with the stationary support plate, the Y-direction moving member being supported by the stationary support plate so as to relatively move in the Y-direction; an X-direction moving member supported by the X-direction rod portion so as to relatively move in the X-direction. One of the X-direction moving member and the stationary support plate is provided with a projection, and the other of the X-direction moving member and the stationary support plate is provided with a rotation restriction support portion supporting the projection to move in a plane parallel with the stationary support plate relative to the other of the X-direction moving member and the stationary support plate and which prevents rotation of the X-direction moving member about the X-direction rod portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Shuzo Seo
  • Publication number: 20080196631
    Abstract: A split axis stage architecture is implemented as a multiple stage positioning system that is capable of vibrationally and thermally stable material transport at high speed and rates of acceleration. A split axis design decouples stage motion along two perpendicular axes lying in separate, parallel planes. A dimensionally stable substrate in the form of a granite, or other stone slab, or of ceramic material or cast iron, is used as the base for lower and upper stages. The substrate is precisely cut (“lapped”) such that its upper and lower stage surface portions are flat and parallel to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Mark T. Kosmowski, Kelly Bruland
  • Publication number: 20080173218
    Abstract: A subject loading system is provided for moving a subject disposed in an isolation zone into and out of a diagnostic system disposed outside the isolation zone. A tube extends away from the isolation zone. The tube has an inner volume open to the isolation zone and operatively coupled with the diagnostic system. An elongated subject support pallet is disposed in the isolation zone and dimensioned to fit into the tube. A base including a mechanical drive is disposed in the isolation zone and is configured to align the elongated subject support pallet with the tube and to move the elongated subject support pallet into and out of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Zhengyan WANG, Steven J. PLUMMER, Jacin C. BARNES, Matthew D. FLEISCHHAUER, Michael G. AMBROSIA, Dennis K. EVERETT, Robert G. HENDERSON
  • Publication number: 20080110376
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a table slidably supported on a carrier and movable relative to the carrier by a driving device, a telescopic covering device having two or more cover members telescopically slide relative to each other in response to a sliding movement between the table and the carrier. A connecting device includes a tubular member attached to the inner cover member, and a rod attached to the carrier and movable into and out of the tubular member when the inner cover member is moved relative to the carrier for guiding the table to smoothly slide relative to the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Tom Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20080101737
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for preventing displacement of a retainer in a rolling guide by making use of the property of the retainer of moving half the distance of a moving object, such as a table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: TAKANOBU AKIYAMA
  • Patent number: 7351943
    Abstract: An automated microwave cooking device turntable assembly includes an anchor member nested to a bottom surface of a microwave cooking device and extending upwardly within a cavity thereof. A drive gear is journaled about the anchor member and rotatable along a counter clockwise direction, and a body is seated on the drive gear and coupled thereto. A mechanism rotates the drive gear such that the annular body terminates at a position that insures that an item placed on the body remains identically oriented at a beginning and an ending of the cooking time. The rotating mechanism includes a peg that protrudes upwardly from the drive gear and is positioned along an outer edge thereof. A motor is coupled to the drive gear, and a switch is coupled to the motor and a power supply source respectively. An actuating arm is coupled to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth Kubler
  • Publication number: 20080043325
    Abstract: A motorized table apparatus comprises: a support unit for supporting a movement table so as to allow it to move in a single axis direction relative to a stationary unit which is fixed to the movement table; a slide member which is equipped on the movement table and which has a length equivalent to, or more than, a moving range of the movement table; an ultrasonic oscillators which is equipped on the stationary unit, which moves the movement table, and which comprises a single piezoelectric body and two drive elements; and a pressure application unit for supporting so that the two drive elements of the ultrasonic oscillator and the slide member are pressed by a constant force, wherein a plurality of the ultrasonic oscillators are equipped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ue, Yasuaki Kasai, Katsuji Horiuchi