Alternately Usable Patents (Class 226/110)
  • Patent number: 11943871
    Abstract: A component mounter for mounting electronic components includes a mounting head with at least two suction nozzles in the multiple suction nozzles are lowered simultaneously so as to pick up at least two electronic components simultaneously. A control device, which is configured to control electronic component pickup and mounting operations, causes the mounting head to move so as to position the at least two suction nozzles that are lowered simultaneously in an electronic component pickup operation step to be located individually on at least two trays on the pallet, causes the at least two suction nozzles to be lowered simultaneously, and causes electronic components on the at least two trays to be picked up simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukinori Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11888373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a linear motor system, in particular a transport system, e.g. a multi-carrier, having a plurality of or for a plurality of carriers, and having a guide track for the carriers, wherein, at the guide track, a first magnetic sensor for determining a magnetic field with respect to a first spatial direction and for outputting a first sensor signal and a second magnetic sensor for determining a magnetic field with respect to a second spatial direction and for outputting a second sensor signal are provided, wherein the control device is configured to determine position information relating to a carrier on the basis of the first sensor signal and to determine identification information relating to a carrier on the basis of the second sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Guillaume Geoffroy, Frank Klöser, Frank Brechtefeld
  • Patent number: 11590557
    Abstract: A wire forming apparatus 1 comprises a rotary table 22 that is rotatably supported by a table body 21, a slide tool unit 100A that is attached to the rotary table 22 and supports a slide tool T1 capable of sliding toward a wire guide, and a tool slide mechanism 60 that is supported by the table body 21 and transmits a driving force for sliding the slide tool T1 to the slide tool unit 100A. The tool slide mechanism 60 has a single motive power transmission member 61 that is rotatably supported by the table body 21, and a driving force generated by a rotation of the motive power transmission member 61 is transmitted, in common, to a plurality of slide tools T1 attached to the rotary table 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA ITAYA SEISAKU SHO
    Inventors: Kenji Kanazawa, Takashi Ando
  • Patent number: 11521766
    Abstract: A wire harness electric wire length correcting device, which corrects a design value of an electric wire length of an electric wire included in a wire harness, includes an electric wire identifying means including an identification mark, which is attached to an end portion of the electric wire, and which is to be cut off from the electric wire when the wire harness is installed on an installation target object, so as to use the identification mark to identify which electric wire an end cut off from the electric wire has been cut off from, a measuring means for measuring a length of the cut off end, and a correcting means for, for the electric wire identified by the electric wire identifying means, correcting the design value of the electric wire length of that electric wire, based on the length of the cut off end measured by the measuring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Kawase, Raifu Yamamoto, Katsuju Aoki, Takumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11322277
    Abstract: A cable changer includes a cable guide for retaining a plurality of cables at different heights, and a cable feed apparatus for feeding one of the cables to a cable processing machine, the height of the cable guide being adjustable relative to the cable feed apparatus, such that the cable feed apparatus can feed different cables of the cable guide to the cable processing machine depending on the height of the cable guide relative to the cable feed apparatus. The cable guide has height alignment elements and the cable feed apparatus has height determination elements that are complementary to the height alignment elements, the height alignment elements and the height determination elements locking the cable guide at one of a plurality of specified heights relative to the cable feed apparatus when the height determination elements are connected to some of the height alignment elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: KOMAX HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Markus Kiser, Adrian Gisler, Martin Stocker
  • Patent number: 9823612
    Abstract: A printing device includes a first ejector that ejects a recording medium to an exterior, a second ejector that enhances a rigidity of the recording medium more than by the first ejector, and ejects the recording medium to the exterior, and an ejector selector that selects either the first ejector or the second ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Numazu, Toshio Nagasaka, Toshiaki Yajima
  • Patent number: 9695878
    Abstract: A plug-in constant velocity (CV) joint is assembled to a powertrain component using a power tool. The CV joint and powertrain component connect via a splined shaft coupling with a snap ring interlock. External bi-directional thrust features on the joint and component engage first and second arms of the power tool after the splined shaft coupling is partially inserted by hand. The arms are relatively movable along a longitudinal direction, and an actuator selectively applies a compression force to the bi-directional thrust features adapted to fully insert the splined shaft coupling and engage the snap ring interlock. The power tool monitors the compression force to detect the full insertion. The actuator automatically applies a predetermined expansion force to the bi-directional thrust features to verify engagement of the snap ring interlock, wherein the predetermined expansion force is less than a force sufficient to disengage the snap ring interlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chris P. Nicholas, Scott L. Wilson, Scott D. Denny, Martin Smets
  • Patent number: 9434566
    Abstract: A packaging machine (10) includes a machine foundation (22) and a variable-width belt system (24). The variable-width belt system (24) is moved relative to the packaging machine and configured to establish a belt pocket (26). A product is admitted into the belt pocket and rolled onto itself to establish a rolled product (16) as the belt moves relative to the machine foundation (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Knauf Insulation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon W. Pereira, Anthony D. Bryant, James D. Haaser, Steven A. Zetts
  • Patent number: 8196294
    Abstract: A method of mounting supply components includes the step of inserting dish-like members into a base. Each dish-like member holds components. One dish-like member can stay inserted in the base while the other dish-like member is removed from the base and refilled with components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kino, Takeyuki Kawase, Tomio Tanaka, Yuji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7850040
    Abstract: Provided is a component tape feeder apparatus comprising a single output module, a single component exposure module, operably connected to the single output module, and, a plurality of input modules, wherein each input module of the plurality of input modules is operably connected to the single exposure module. A corresponding method of feeding electronic components includes supplying a plurality of component tapes housing electronic components to the single exposure module, wherein the supplying involves receiving and forwarding of the plurality of component tapes by the plurality of input modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hover-Davis, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Davis, Dean Tarrant, Michael Summers
  • Patent number: 7637211
    Abstract: At least one unit of a web-machinery, or a web-processing machine is pre-adjusted in a method which influences a longitudinal register. An adjustment value is derived for that at least one unit based on previously-obtained data. The adjustment value is stored in a machine control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heiko Heinz Berberich, Burkard Otto Herbert, Matthias Willi Horn, Stefan Wander
  • Patent number: 7584876
    Abstract: A wire injector apparatus for impelling wire or injecting wire is provided. The wire injector has a motorized pulley system connected to a drive wheels for moving the wire laterally through the apparatus. Further, upper and lower idler wheels are arranged about the drive wheels to engage the wire with the drive wheels. A clamp connects the upper idler wheels to the lower idler wheels such that a single actuated lever can control and position multiple upper and/or lower idler wheels. Wire line paths for moving the wire are provided intermediate to the drive wheels and the idler wheels. The arrangement of the components of the wire injector allows for customizing the number of idler wheels and drive wheels to, in turn, provide any number of wire line paths for impelling or injecting any number of wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: ESM Group Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Waitlevertch, Ronald L. Downard, Frank A. Sokolowski
  • Patent number: 7566136
    Abstract: A device for conveying a motion picture film has at least one uniformly distributed row of perforations. An unwinding toothed reel, which continuously unwinds the motion picture film from a film supply reel, a winding toothed reel that continuously winds the motion picture film onto a film winding reel, and a film feeding mechanism, which intermittently conveys the motion picture film, engage inside said perforations. In order to switch the film conveyance from three to four perforation holes per film frame, the rotational speed of the film conveying motor connected to the winding toothed reel and to the unwinding toothed reel, is increased by 4:3, whereas the multiplication of the film feeding mechanism, of the movement gearing or of a movement gearing element can be altered by three or four perforation holes per film frame in order to adapt to the conveyance of the motion picture film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Klemens Kehrer
  • Patent number: 7296718
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of production and an arrangement for feeding and guiding web materials in laterally separate paths from a web supply to a machine for producing packing blanks. More specifically a web guide is disclosed, capable of controlling web materials in laterally separate paths from a side by side storage to be advanced in parallel paths through the machine and to be separately or simultaneously processed into packing blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Emsize AB
    Inventors: Niklas Pettersson, Hanko Kiessner
  • Patent number: 7100811
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of production and an arrangement for feeding and guiding web materials in laterally separate paths from a web supply to a machine for producing packing blanks. More specifically a web guide is disclosed, capable of controlling web materials in laterally separate paths from a side by side storage to be advanced in parallel paths through the machine and to be separately or simultaneously processed into packing blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Emsize AB
    Inventors: Niklas Pettersson, Hanko Kiessner
  • Patent number: 7073695
    Abstract: A multi-end strand tension controller has an overfeed roll and an underfeed roll with strand engagement surfaces. Depending on the outgoing tension, the strand positioner selectively apply the strand against one of the underfeed rollers to adjust the tension and the output of the tension controller. The underfeed roller is fed at a speed slower than the speed of the strand while the overfeed roller is fed at a speed greater than the speed of the feed of the strand. Multiple strands forming the web can be provided utilizing a controller and different predetermined tensions may be applied to each of the individual strands based upon loading of individual strand positioners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Manufacturing Designs & Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Haselwander
  • Patent number: 6910360
    Abstract: An apparatus for making mattress and upholstery spring coils. The apparatus has a wire feeding device and a wire guide adapted to support first and second wires of different diameters. The wire guide is movable to first and second positions to align the first and second wires, respectively, with the wire feeding device. A spring coiling machine is positioned adjacent the wire feeding device. When the wire guide is in the first position, the spring coiling machine receives the first wire of one diameter from the wire feeding device; and the spring coiling machine bends the first wire into a spring coil of a desired diameter and pitch and having a first stiffness. When the wire guide is in the second position, the spring coiling machine receives the second wire of another diameter from the wire feeding device; and the spring coiling machine bends the second wire into a spring coil of the desired diameter and pitch but having a second stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Hresc Stjepan, Gecic Josip, Duras Branko
  • Patent number: 6857546
    Abstract: In a double type tape feeder in which two tape feed mechanisms that pitch-feed carrier tapes holding electronic components are arranged in parallel and two carrier tapes can be simultaneously supplied, sprockets in the tape pitch feed mechanisms are arranged so that they hold a shaft axis in common, and directions of respective rotary shafts of motors are coincided with each other toward the shaft axis, so that the motors are arranged in radial pattern. Hereby, an overlap of widthwise sizes of the motors in plane arrangement is permitted. Therefore, the whole width size is reduced and a compact tape feeder is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidehiro Saho
  • Patent number: 6739489
    Abstract: A segmented vacuum roll comprising an inner assembly on which a plurality of cylindrical sleeve tubes (2a, 2b, 2c) having apertures over their circumference are rotatably and coaxially mounted side by side, each of said sleeve tubes being individually rotatable and one or several first chambers (9a, 9b, 9c) formed in said inner assembly and partly defined by a first portion of circumference of said sleeve tubes, said inner assembly comprising linking channels (6a, 6b, 6c) for linking a vacuum source to said chambers so that said first portion of circumference of said sleeve tubes may be submitted to vacuum. Said inner assembly comprises an inner tube (3), at least one outer tube (5a, 5b, 5c) surrounding said inner tube and a plurality of longitudinal walls extending between said inner tube and said outer tube so as to form longitudinal channels (6a, 6b, 6c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: DuPont Teijin Films U.S.
    Inventors: Luc Marie Hubert Andre Nicolai, Gilles Petitjean, Jos Marnach
  • Patent number: 6665928
    Abstract: A method of mounting electronic components on a circuit substrate using an electronic component mounting device. The electronic component mounting device is operatively associated with (1) a component-supply table which includes a displaceable table and a plurality of component-supply units on the displaceable table and (2) a table displacing device which displaces the displaceable table in a desired direction and which positions the component-supply portion of each component-supply unit at a predetermined component-supply position. The electric component mounting device includes a plurality of component holders which are positioned at a component received position opposed to the component supply position. The method includes causing the component holder to receive, at the component receive position, an electric component from the component-supply portion of each component-supply unit which is positioned at the component-supply position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg., Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Suhara
  • Patent number: 6662987
    Abstract: In a cable processing equipment a cable changer stands perpendicularly relative to a base plate, at which a straightening unit and a cable transport unit are arranged. The cable changer is movable upwardly or downwardly and consists of a frame with horizontal frame members and vertical frame members. Cable guides are arranged at the vertical frame members. Cable guides which are at the inlet side as seen in cable transport direction are provided with clamping/retracting units, and cable guides at the outlet side are provided with clamping units. The clamping/retracting units at the inlet side are switchable by means of a first actuating device arranged at the base plate. The clamping units at the outlet side are switchable by means of a second actuating device arranged at the base plate. Cables which are not at the moment transported in the cable transport direction, are clamped by the clamping/retracting units and the clamping units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Komax Holding AG
    Inventor: Benedikt Erni
  • Patent number: 6546619
    Abstract: An electronic device mounting apparatus prevents an error at the setup time prior to startup of the apparatus and enables mounting of proper electronic devices without a mistake. A cartridge and a lane of a cartridge mounting rack have a cartridge side connector (upper electrode portion, connection plug, lower electrode portion) and a lane side connector (fixed plug) which are electrically connected when the cartridge is installed on the lane. An error detecting circuit is formed by employing these connectors as part thereof. The error detecting circuit determines whether or not the installation position of the cartridge is appropriate depending on the conductive state or non-conductive state from a power supply to a warning buzzer when the connectors are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takahisa Shichi, Hirokazu Usui
  • Patent number: 6494353
    Abstract: A supply of continuous thin wall tubing which is drawn by a pair of opposed conveyor belts frictionally engaging the outside surfaces of the tubing first through a tube straightening device before the tube walls become engaged with the aforesaid conveyor belts so that straightened tubing is always subjected to engagement with the surfaces on the conveyor belts. The conveyor belts effect a longitudinal driving movement of the tubing into and through a tube cutting device and thence into a tube length control for accurately positioning the tube relative to the tube cutters in the tube cutting device and before the tube is cut. Once the tube length detection circuitry in the tube length control has been satisfied by the positioning of the tubing, the tube cutters in the tube cutting device is activated to sever the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Burr Oak Tool and Guage Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Derrick S. Small, Eric Nielson, Arthur E. Givens, Sean Peterson, Douglas L. Sagarsee
  • Patent number: 6419217
    Abstract: A paper web is drawn into a printing and can be guided along a selected one of several paths. The paper web is weakened along a line of separation and is then held by a retaining system that can move the web in a conveying direction along a first path. The web is fed to a different conveying path and is separated ot torn along the line of separation. This line of separation or weakening is formed at an angle to the production direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Wolfgang Hartmann, Horst Bernhard Michalik
  • Patent number: 6398993
    Abstract: A film production process having a film tentering step and a recovering step, characterized by detecting the side edge positions of the film running toward the recovering step, transferring the film running direction based on the detected information, and controlling the clamp start position of the film arriving at a tenter in the tentering step by clamp means, in the transverse direction of the film. A film production process having a film tentering step, characterized by controlling the clamp start position of a film arriving at a tenter by clamp means, in the range from 5 mm to 1,000 mm from the tip of the film in the longitudinal direction of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Haruhisa Yushio, Takanori Nishida, Koji Hayashi, Hidetoshi Okashiro, Tatsu Iinuma
  • Patent number: 6394024
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for applying a coating on to a photographic media. The apparatus includes a coating section for applying a coating on to a photosensitive media having an entrance and an exit. A first supply assembly is provided for supplying a first media of a first format adjacent the entrance. A retractable second retractable supply assembly and a retractable taking-up assembly is provided for supplying and taking up a second media of a second format, the second format being different from the first format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr., Kevin H. Blakely
  • Publication number: 20010025870
    Abstract: A first guide guides a wire at a first position. A second guide guides the wire at a second position. A feeder feeds the wire from the first position to the second position. A length examiner examines the wire to be fed in length between the first and second positions and at downstream of the feeder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20010013564
    Abstract: A web of paper, having segments such as pages, can be processed for normal storage on a rewind roll or folder, or selected segments diverted from this normal or primary path by a deflector at the exit end of the processing device. Alternative storage for the diverted web segment or segments is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: RICHARD P. LAMOTHE
  • Patent number: 6270334
    Abstract: This device ensures insertion of a film into the entrance of a transverse drawing machine, leaving a longitudinal drawing machine. This device includes a fixed cylinder with an axis perpendicular to the travel axis of the film, located upstream of the entrance to the transverse drawing machine, whose lower generatrix is located in the film travel plane in the transverse drawing machine, a chest whose axis is perpendicular to the travel axis of the film, mounted on a movable support, so that it can be displaced between a retracted position and a position in which the chest is located between the fixed cylinder and the entrance to the transverse drawing machine, the upper surface of the chest then being disposed substantially in the plane in which the film travels in the transverse drawing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Darlet Marchante Technologies S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Cozian
  • Patent number: 6260260
    Abstract: A method of supplying electric components (“ECs”) with an EC supplying apparatus including an EC-supply table including a displaceable table displaceable in a reference direction, and EC-supply units provided on the displaceable table such that respective EC-supply portions of the units are arranged along a line parallel to the reference direction, each of the EC-supply units including a driven member and a carrier-tape feeding device which feeds, based on the driven member being driven, a carrier tape carrying the ECS at a EC-carry pitch, at a tape-feed pitch equal to a quotient obtained by dividing the EC-carry pitch by an integral number, so that the ECs are positioned, one by one, at the EC-supply portion of each unit, a table displacing device which displaces the displaceable table and positions the EC-supply portion of each EC-supply unit, at an EC-supply position, a drive member which is provided near the EC-supply position, and a drive device which drives the drive member which in turn dri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Suhara
  • Patent number: 6227731
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a media supply section and a media take-up section. Each section is capable of accepting a plurality of cassettes. On the supply section side, the cassettes can contain a roll of photosensitive material that is to be processed through a printing section. The cassettes on the take-up sections are initially empty and are designed to receive the web of photosensitive material after the web has been conveyed through the printing section. The cassettes can be provided at a plurality of locations and can be angularly positioned with respect to each other. A single transport assembly can be provided at each of the supply section and take-up section, and can be rotatable about a rotatable point so as to accept or discharge media to each of the appropriate cassettes. A splicer is provided on the transport assembly in the supply section, for splicing the end of the material from an empty cassette, and is also rotatable with the transport assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, John G. Weigand, Michael J. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6199738
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving component supplying units, each of which carries electric components, along a reference line along which respective component-supply portions of the component supplying units are arranged so as to sequentially position a respective component-supply portion at a component-supply position. The method and apparatus also causes an external drive device to operate a drive member thereof to drive a member of a feeding device of each component supplying unit to perform a component feeding action and a component feeding preparing action and thereby feed the electric components of each unit one by one to the component-supply portion of each unit. The component-feeding action causing one of the electric components of each unit to be fed to the component-supply portion of each unit with the component-feeding preparing action causing the feeding device to be prepared for the component feeding action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kondo, Toshikatsu Terashima, Mamoru Tsuda
  • Patent number: 6047874
    Abstract: A system is provided for supplying circuit components, including tape holding devices which hold carrier tapes, respectively. Each of the tape holding devices carries circuit components at a predetermined pitch in a lengthwise direction thereof. Tape feeding devices each of which includes a component-supply portion and each of which draws a corresponding one of the carrier tapes from a corresponding one of the tape holding devices, feeds the one carrier tape at the same pitch as the predetermined pitch, and supplies each of the circuit components of the one carrier tape from the component-supply portion thereof. A first support member which supports the tape feeding devices such that the respective component-supply portions thereof, are located along a reference line. A second support member which is separate from the first support member supports the tape holding devices such that the each tape feeding device can draw the one carrier tape from the one tape holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Asai, Shinsuke Suhara
  • Patent number: 6045023
    Abstract: Apparatus for feeding a machine with a wire selected from a plurality of wires includes wire guides for supplying wires to a receiver device, a wire distributor for selecting one of the wires and moving the selected wire through an output guide to a machine, such as an electroerosion cutting device. The distributor includes shears for cutting the selected wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Trefimetaux
    Inventor: Laurent Michard
  • Patent number: 6041991
    Abstract: This cable conveying unit serves for the precise feeding of a given length of a cable into a cable processing station between at least two conveying rollers or bands driven in counterrotation and capable of being placed against the outside of such a cable.For this purpose the two conveying rollers or bands disposed on either side of the cable passing through and each associated with a drive unit are driven, mechanically separated from one another in terms of drive, by a respective speed-controlled electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Komax Holding AG
    Inventors: Urs Mehri, Claudio Meisser, Alois Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 5947361
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and for conveying fabrics, individual articles and other material, in particular for feeding web-shaped material into a machine which processes it, for example a paper web into a printing machine, with at least one conveyor element formed for engagement with the material, a guide rail, in and/or along which the conveyor element(s) can move, and a drive device comprising the conveyor element in order to convey the material into and/or through the machine via the conveyor element, wherein the drive device is formed by an electric linear motor whose secondary part or rotor device comprises and/or bears the conveyor element(s) and whose primary part or stator device is mounted in a stationary manner on the guide rail, and the guide rail is formed from a non-magnetic and non-conducting or electrically insulating material, preferably a plastics material, and comprises therein one or more electrical conductor strands to which the stator device is coupled and/or connected so as to be ene
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: EMO Elektromotorenwerk Kamenz GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Berger, Waldemar Strohmer, Detlef Nimz, Peter Kreisfeld
  • Patent number: 5918084
    Abstract: A paper feed device includes first and second paper feeders operable to feed paper from respective first and second paper supplies, and a driver that is selectively operable in first and second directions. A transmission is connected between the driver and the first and second paper feeders. The transmission operates to transmit operation of the driver in the first direction to operate the first paper feeder, and is operable to transmit operation of the driver in the opposite second direction to operate the second paper feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norikazu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 5899373
    Abstract: An electrical wire length measuring apparatus is capable of minimizing any error of the wire feed amount of respective wire per each measurement cycle and can realize more accurate length measurement of the wires. The measuring apparatus includes a plurality of wire length measuring roller assemblies that are arranged in parallel arrangement to each other, but extend perpendicular to the wire feed direction. Each of the wire length measuring roller assemblies feed a single wire independent of each other. Each of the wire length measuring roller assemblies are driven by a corresponding toothed belt which in turn is driven by an associated motor. The arrangement of the motors permits the wire measuring roller assemblies to be positioned nearer the outlet end of the apparatus to minimize feeding error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Kazuaki Kamei
  • Patent number: 5752642
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping an individual thread out of a plurality of threads, which are guided in side-by-side relationship, includes a transport unit with a drivable transport shaft and a rotatable contact pressure shaft. A thread is guided between the shafts. A clamping unit with an abutment and a clamping pin acting thereagainst is used for clamping a respective thread. Between the clamping pin and one of the functional parts of the transport unit, there is an operative connection. Increasing the clamping of a thread in the clamping unit causes an increasing release of the thread in the transport unit and vice-versa. The operative connection can adopt a central position in which the thread is loose both in the transport unit and in the clamping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Saxonia Unformtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Gert Bucher
  • Patent number: 5603462
    Abstract: A sewing machine is provided for splicing together two different threads. The machine includes a thread tree with a number of thread spools with each thread thereof being inserted through flexible plastic tubing. A movable carriage assembly locates the new thread to be spliced relative to a splicing device passageway that receives the new thread to be spliced along with the old thread. The splicing device includes a front air inlet for drawing the new thread into the passageway of the splicing device and a rear air inlet for creating air turbulence during the splicing operation. Also used in moving the new thread through the passageway is an insertion drive roller connected to a pivotal rocker. A thread clamp cover connected to the rocker cooperates with the trimmer blades to trim the old thread. A thread clamp and a thread clamp magnet cooperate to hold the old thread in a desired position during the insertion of the new thread into the splicing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Melco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Conrad, Luther Stoddard, Michael G. Weir, Samuel Padgett, Dean Pearson, Karl Kott, Kurt L. Bolldorf
  • Patent number: 5511743
    Abstract: A method and apparatus automatically switches from one web media type to another, using a single drive roller to access and drive one of two web media supply cassettes mounted within an imaging system. A gear motor and eccentric shaft position and load the drive roller against either of two driven rollers. The media is nipped between the drive roller and one of the driven rollers and is advanced by the drive roller into the imaging system as needed. To switch media supply cassettes, the media is cut beyond the drive roller. The media is then drawn back into the supply cassette to free the media path for the alternate media to advance from the other of the two media supply cassettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Miles, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Kozlowsky, Joseph R. Lyons, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5499073
    Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing a web-like item such as a photographic film comprises a plurality of processing stations (2,3,4,5) and means (16,17,18,19) for conveying the web-like item through the apparatus along a predetermined path between the processing stations (2,3,4,5). Opposed regions of the apparatus define channels (13,14) which receive opposed longitudinal edges of the web-like item, the channels (13,14) defining the predetermined path. At least part (30) of each channel is defined by elements (27) releasably mounted upon the apparatus, the releasable mounting of the elements (27) on the apparatus permitting ready removal of the elements (27) and replacement by different elements (27) in order to vary the predetermined path along which the web-like item is conveyed as it passes through the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Leslie J. H. Pummell
  • Patent number: 5469636
    Abstract: A device for treating material webs includes first and second neighboring drying cylinders separated by an intermediate space. The intermediate space has a length substantially equal to about twice the diameter of the largest of the first and second cylinders. The device includes at least a first deflecting roll disposed in the intermediate space and in a path of a material web conveyed through the device. The device further includes at least a second deflecting roll disposed below a coating device and above the intermediate space. The second deflecting roll is adapted to feed a web of material upwardly into the coating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: J.M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Plomer
  • Patent number: 5450777
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing chopped fibers from essentially continuous tows, each consisting of individual strands, comprises selectively feeding at least two tows to a venturi pump and associated cutter mechanism where the tows are cut or chopped into relatively short lengths to form chopped fibers. The apparatus includes sensors for monitoring the movement of each of the tows to the pump and cutter mechanism, and a controller which adjusts the feed rate of the tows and the rate of operation of the cutter mechanism in the event movement of one of the tows varies from a predetermined feed rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Julius J. Molnar, Gregory Alaimo, John M. Raterman
  • Patent number: 5370291
    Abstract: The transport device (10, 10a) for web-shaped recording substrates (3, 3a, 3b) includes transport devices (13, 13a, 15, 15a, 15b) driven by an electromotor, wherein the transport devices (13, 13a, 15, 15a, 15b) transport back and forth and asynchronously the recording substrate (3, 3a, 3b) from a starting position (IP, IP1, SP, SP1) to a target position (PP, PP1, TP, TP1). A gear coupling (16, 16a, 16b) is in addition coordinated to the transport devices (13, 13a, 15, 15a, 15b), wherein the gear coupling (16, 16a, 16b) controls automatically the tension of the recording substrate (3, 3a, 3b) tensioned between the transport devices (13, 13a, 15, 15a, 15b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Kusmierz, Hans Taubenberger
  • Patent number: 5335837
    Abstract: An automatic document feeder for use with an electrophotographic copier, digital copier or similar image recorder capable of transporting ordinary documents in the form of separate sheets and a continuous document in the form of computer form (CF) paper which is formed with equally spaced sprocket holes, as desired. A sprocket hole sensor is disposed on an imaginary line along which the sprocket holes of the CF paper are moved. A control device reversibly controls the transport of the CF paper to a predetermined reference position on a glass platen in association with the number of sprocket holes being counted. The document feeder is capable of not only copying a desired page of the CF paper but also implementing jam recovery in the event when a paper sheet jams the image recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shirou Saeki, Yukitaka Nakazato, Kenji Hashimoto, Tadashi Ikoma
  • Patent number: 5295616
    Abstract: An automatic document feeder for use with an electrophotographic copier, digital copier or similar image recorder capable of transporting ordinary documents in the form of separate sheets and a continuous document in the form of computer form (CF) paper which is formed with equally spaced sprocket holes, as desired. A sprocket hole sensor is disposed on an imaginary line along which the sprocket holes of the CF paper are moved. A control device reversibly controls the transport of the CF paper to a predetermined reference position on a glass platen in association with the number of sprocket holes being counted. The document feeder is capable of not only copying a desired page of the CF paper but also implementing jam recovery in the event when a paper sheet jams the image recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shirou Saeki, Yukitaka Nakazato, Kenji Hashimoto, Tadashi Ikoma
  • Patent number: 5279453
    Abstract: An automatic document feeder (ADF) for use with an electrophotographic copier, digital copier or similar image recorder for selectively feeding ordinary documents in the form of separates sheets and a continuous document in the form of computer form (CF) paper. Sprocket holes formed through the CF paper are sensed to controllably transport and stop the CF paper on the basis of the number of sensed holes. Even when the first print area of the CF paper is set on a platen by hand, the paper can be surely transported and stopped page by page to the last print area. Regarding the last print area, the stop position is determined on the basis of the number of sprocket holes having been counted until the trailing edge thereof has moved away from a sensor. Hence, whatever the deviation of a print area relative to the CF paper may be, all the print areas including the last print area can be accurately set on the platen to reproduce complete images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5241906
    Abstract: A feeder apparatus for a web rotary press includes a pair of web supporting arms mounted on a main shaft supported on left and right frames and independently movable along the main shaft by interpositioning of an elongated key and by meshing of a rack provided along the main shaft and pinions provided in boss sections of respective arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventor: Toshio Kansaku
  • Patent number: 5222989
    Abstract: A tape feeder for at least two tapes (8,11) which can be taken from a stock is arranged on a sewing machine. The tape feeder has a controlled feed-in device (12) which is arranged transversely to the workpiece feed direction (16), in such a way that it can move, and which has a motor driven shaft (13), which transports tape as desired to the presser foot (6) on the sewing machine. A cutting device (14) arranged on the feed device (12) enables the tapes to be cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Union Special GmbH
    Inventor: Bohumil Hyca