Specific Means For Wear, Strain, Protection, Assembly Patents (Class 269/285)
  • Patent number: 10966572
    Abstract: Surfaces suitable for cutting boards, cheese boards or other food preparation activities. In certain embodiments, the surfaces are wood that has been subjected to torrefaction. In certain embodiments, the surfaces are substantially planar, and include one or more pegs that have antimicrobial activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Lawrence Berndt
  • Patent number: 10588464
    Abstract: The invention relates to cutting board employable on two sides comprising a board body with two mutually opposing main sides and feet for supporting the board body, wherein a first cutting surface is located on one main side of the board body and a second cutting surface on the other main side of the board body. The feet are variably adjustable such that they alternatively support the board body in upwardly direction either with the first cutting surface or with the second cutting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Ziad Assassa
  • Patent number: 9821426
    Abstract: An apparatus for adding an additional rotational axis in a multi-axis tooling machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base unit, an indexer disk, a securement mechanism, and a pointer mechanism. The base unit is supported by the tooling machine, and the indexer disk is supported by the base unit. The indexer disk includes a periphery with a plurality of grooves spaced at radial angles with respect to a rotation axis of the indexer disk. The securement mechanism is adjustable to a fixed state in which it prevents the indexer disk from rotating, and to a released state in which the securement mechanism releases the indexer disk for rotation. The pointer mechanism is disposed at the periphery of the indexer disk for releasable engagement with the plurality of grooves. A method for adding an additional rotation axis to a multi-axis tooling machine is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CADILLAXIS, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Art Coleman, Brian Joseph Underwood
  • Patent number: 9188158
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for manufacturing bearing assemblies. In accordance with one embodiment, a fixture is provided for use in brazing bearing elements to a bearing ring. The fixture comprises a substantially annular body and at least one or more force-applying mechanism associated with the annular body. The force applying mechanisms include a push rod disposed within a channel that is formed in the annular body, the push rod being displaceable within the channel. A biasing member is configured to bias the push rod in a radial direction relative to the annular body. In one embodiment, a plurality of force-applying mechanisms are circumferentially spaced about the substantially annular body. In one embodiment, the push rods extend radially inwardly from a peripheral surface of the body, while in another embodiment the push rods extend radially outwardly from peripheral surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy N. Sexton, John Corradini
  • Patent number: 8997351
    Abstract: An assembly used in performing a manufacturing process on a turbine engine component includes a turbine engine component and a fixture including an opening shaped to receive a portion of the turbine engine component. The assembly includes a non-metallic cover placed over at least a portion of an external surface of the fixture. The non-metallic cover is visible when positioned over the at least a portion of the external surface of the fixture and is visible when the turbine engine component is received in the fixture opening of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk D. Hlavaty, Stephen V. Glynn, Gordon Miller Reed
  • Publication number: 20150076758
    Abstract: A replaceable ring shaped member for a clamp foot air jet apparatus for a clamp foot for clamping a plate for a cutting tool, includes a clamp foot assembly having an outer ring shaped member fluidly and supportably connectable to the removably ring shaped member. The inner ring shaped member includes a central aperture for the cutting of a plate to be located. An outer curved edge surface of the inner ring shaped member includes at least one abutting surface to sealingly abut a curved edge of the outer ring member includes a groove for directing air from the outer ring member and through at least one hole in the inner member, whereby a fluid can be directed through each hole to the central aperture, and whereby at least one fluid jet can be formed to move coolant and/or waste from the cutting location with respect to the clamp foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Eigen Systems, Limited
    Inventor: Murray Houlton Forlong
  • Patent number: 8931771
    Abstract: When, while a resin-made clamping block molded to cover a part of a turbine blade is placed on a seat part, paired sliders disposed on opposite sides of the seat part are made to move closer to the resin-made clamping block, paired wedge members provided respectively on the paired sliders engage with notches formed respectively in paired side surfaces, opposed to each other, of the resin-made clamping block to generate cracks. Accordingly, it is possible to divide the resin-made clamping block into at least two pieces and to reliably remove the resin-made clamping block from the turbine blade. Furthermore, since the resin-made clamping block is not broken by a mechanical strike, there is no fear that the turbine blade might be damaged due to an erroneous setting of the strike force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Morioka, Takayuki Nodomi, Kazuya Kuwabara, Masahiro Kigure
  • Patent number: 8833749
    Abstract: A holder for a spot welder tip dresser with an adjustable cutting rate is disclosed. The holder includes a cutter to cut a spot welder tip, a holder body provided at both ends thereof with a pair of guide surfaces to guide the spot welder tip, an adjusting liner configured to come into close contact with the cutter and which adjusts a protruding length of the cutter, and a clamp to fix the adjusting liner and the cutter to the holder body. A cutting rate of the spot welder tip is adjusted according to a thickness of the adjusting liner. Accordingly, reduced maintenance costs are accomplished by maintaining a constant cutting rate of a tip and forming an even welding spot at the tip, and reduced overall welding time and improved welding quality are accomplished owing to rapid tip cutting and formation of an even nugget at the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Hea-Man Park
  • Patent number: 8827255
    Abstract: A lever-operated clamp having a base, a clamp arm pivotally mounted to the base, and a lever which, upon pivoting, moves the clamp arm in a clamping direction of movement. An internally threaded bolt retainer is mounted to the clamp arm and threadably receives a bolt so that the rotational position of the bolt relative to the bolt retainer varies the position of the bolt relative to the clamp arm. A jam nut or internally threaded knob locks the bolt at its adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Raymond Woods
  • Publication number: 20130187322
    Abstract: A lever-operated clamp having a base, a clamp arm pivotally mounted to the base, and a lever which, upon pivoting, moves the clamp arm in a clamping direction of movement. An internally threaded bolt retainer is mounted to the clamp arm and threadably receives a bolt so that the rotational position of the bolt relative to the bolt retainer varies the position of the bolt relative to the clamp arm. A jam nut or internally threaded knob locks the bolt at its adjusted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: Raymond Woods
  • Publication number: 20120256362
    Abstract: A master jaw assembly used in a vise including a locking jaw, a detachable jaw and a clamping device disposed in the locking jaw, securely clamping the detachable jaw to the locking jaw. The locking jaw has a groove extending along an inner surface of the locking jaw defined by a first and second edge. The second edge is tapered inward and downward toward the base. The detachable jaw has a dovetail protrusion along one side surface thereof. The clamping device includes a plurality of specially-shaped nuts having a downwardly tapered edge, said nuts designed to receive one end of a double-ended threaded stud. The detachable jaw becomes fixed to the locking jaw by inserting the protrusion into the groove and torquing the studs to tighten the nuts downward against the protrusion such that the protrusion is clamped between the taper of the second edge and the nuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: BELLATEX INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: William J. Ehnstrom
  • Publication number: 20120126471
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tip dresser for a welder with a new structure capable of automatically correcting a repeated-position tolerance and a setting error of an industrial robot so that a tip center of a spot welder mounted at the robot coincides with a bite center of the tip dresser in an initial state, and further preventing a bite from being separated by slight force during operation in a state in which the bite is securely fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Hea-Man Park
  • Patent number: 8182469
    Abstract: A surgical accessory clamp, method of use, and a robotic surgical system including the clamp are disclosed. A surgical accessory may be attached and removed from a manipulator arm during a surgical procedure without requiring the use of an intermediate sterile accessory clamp, thus removing the need for a detachable accessory mount or adaptor that needs cleaning and sterilization and allowing for greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The accessory clamp further allows for easy removal and attachment of instruments, tools, or accessories to the robotic surgical system without breach of sterility. In one embodiment, an accessory clamp includes a base for coupling to a distal end of a manipulator arm; two clamp jaws adapted to receive a surgical accessory, each of the clamp jaws rotatably coupled to the base and configured to pivot relative to one another; a sterile drape portion over the two clamp jaws; and a lever portion capable of actuating the two clamp jaws into an open position or a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Anderson, Thomas G Cooper, Bruce Schena, William Burbank, Margaret M Nixon, Alan Loh
  • Patent number: 8181949
    Abstract: A micro-adjustable parallel bench vise includes a slide holder having a top dovetail rail, a vise body having a bottom dovetail groove coupled to the dovetail rail of the slide holder and holding a fixed jaw member, a screw holder slidably mounted in the top side of the vise body, a screw rod threaded into the screw holder and rotatable to move the screw holder relative to the vise body. When multiple vise bodies are mounted on the slide holder in parallel, they are micro-adjustable to hold a workpiece or multiple workpieces precisely in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Yi-Po Hung
  • Patent number: 8151458
    Abstract: An assembly includes a fixture including an opening shaped to receive a portion of a turbine engine component. A non-metallic cover is placed over at least a portion of the fixture. The cover facilitates reducing metal to metal contact of the fixture and the turbine engine component when the turbine engine component is installed in the fixture, and facilitates reducing scratching of the turbine engine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk D. Hlavaty, Stephen V. Glynn, Gordon Miller Reed
  • Patent number: 8141860
    Abstract: A versatile, foldable and disposable cutting board (1) for preparing food is made of a thin, resiliently flexible sheet of propylene, stainless steel or other cut-resistant material. The board has a triangular section (11) projecting away from the user to form a distal pouring funnel and spout when the board is folded along its middle by grabbing both sides (4) and moving them toward each other. A narrow fence (6) extending upwardly from the periphery of the board converges at the apex (9) of the triangular section. A rigidizing flange (15) extends outwardly from the upper rim of the fence but is interrupted (16) near the apex. The fence is interrupted along an offset portion (20) of the proximal edge (2) in order to provide clearance for the blade and handle of a chopping or mincing instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Ivan Goldman
  • Publication number: 20120001375
    Abstract: When, while a resin-made clamping block molded to cover a part of a turbine blade is placed on a seat part, paired sliders disposed on opposite sides of the seat part are made to move closer to the resin-made clamping block, paired wedge members provided respectively on the paired sliders engage with notches formed respectively in paired side surfaces, opposed to each other, of the resin-made clamping block to generate cracks. Accordingly, it is possible to divide the resin-made clamping block into at least two pieces and to reliably remove the resin-made clamping block from the turbine blade. Furthermore, since the resin-made clamping block is not broken by a mechanical strike, there is no fear that the turbine blade might be damaged due to an erroneous setting of the strike force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Morioka, Takayuki Nodomi, Kazuya Kuwabara, Masahiro Kigure
  • Publication number: 20110316212
    Abstract: Vises utilizing a threaded screw and nut to translate rotary motion of the screw into linear relative movement of vise components. The nut may be a half-nut urged into contact with the screw by a cam that may be operated by a lever located near the handle for turning the screw. A tail vise embodiment may be mounted to the underside of a workbench without signification bench modification and positions the screw near the front edge of the bench top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Lee Valley Tools, Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven K. Jones, Brent K. Hyde, Brian Ebbinghaus, Paul Roach
  • Publication number: 20110227269
    Abstract: A bar clamp includes a slide bar; a housing mounted on the slide bar; a rear handgrip extending from the housing; a forward trigger handle extending from the housing, a sliding block releasably mounted on the slide bar in front of the housing; a fixed jaw carrier having an adaptable first jaw at one end; a moveable jaw carrier having an adaptable second jaw at one end; a first coupling mechanism for releasably securing the housing to the fixed jaw carrier; and a second coupling mechanism for releasably securing the sliding block to the moveable jaw carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Bo Ren Zheng
  • Publication number: 20100295227
    Abstract: A micro-adjustable parallel bench vise includes a slide holder having a top dovetail rail, a vise body having a bottom dovetail groove coupled to the dovetail rail of the slide holder and holding a fixed jaw member, a screw holder slidably mounted in the top side of the vise body, a screw rod threaded into the screw holder and rotatable to move the screw holder relative to the vise body. When multiple vise bodies are mounted on the slide holder in parallel, they are micro-adjustable to hold a workpiece or multiple workpieces precisely in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Yi-Po Hung
  • Patent number: 7806394
    Abstract: An automatic clamping device is disclosed for holding planar workpieces such as: doors, windows, panels, plasterboard, etc. The planar workpiece is held in an upright position by clamping bars actuated by the weight of the workpiece. Automatic clamping is accomplished by placing the workpiece through a slot at the top of the clamping device and lowering it onto a flexible strap connected to movable bars which, under the weight of the workpiece, move laterally towards and clamp the workpiece. The workpiece is released by simply lifting it up through the slot and an elastic member will automatically return the bars to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Matthew Wayne Wuerthner
  • Publication number: 20100059916
    Abstract: Clamp for key cutting machines, of the type comprising a pair of jaws (6, 10) mounted on a single pin (2) fixed to the machine structure and associated with a knob (22) screwable on a threaded portion of said pin (2) and acting in the sense of causing said jaws to forcedly approach each other, against the elastic reaction of a spring (14) tending to repel them, and to retain a key positioned between them, characterised by comprising a friction type overload clutch (18, 20, 30) interposed between said knob (22) and said pin (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Giorgio Pigatti
  • Publication number: 20090211091
    Abstract: An assembly includes a fixture including an opening shaped to receive a portion of a turbine engine component. A non-metallic cover is placed over at least a portion of the fixture. The cover facilitates reducing metal to metal contact of the fixture and the turbine engine component when the turbine engine component is installed in the fixture, and facilitates reducing scratching of the turbine engine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Kirk D. Hlavaty, Stephen V. Glynn, Gordon Miller Reed
  • Publication number: 20090184450
    Abstract: An automatic clamping device is disclosed for holding planar workpieces such as: doors, windows, panels, plasterboard, etc. The planar workpiece is held in an upright position by clamping jaws actuated by the weight of the workpiece. Automatic clamping is accomplished by placing the workpiece through a slot at the top of the clamping device and lowering it onto a flexible strap connected to movable jaws which, under the weight of the workpiece, move laterally towards and clamp the workpiece. The workpiece is released by simply lifting it up through the slot and coil springs will automatically return the jaws to an open position. The device also provides support for holding planar workpieces on an incline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Matthew Wayne Wuerthner
  • Publication number: 20080237957
    Abstract: A fluid-driven actuator includes a chamber having a first stop and a second stop, a member that is extendable and retractable from the chamber, and a piston that is moveable toward the first stop to extend the member from the chamber and toward the second stop to retract the member into the chamber. The first stop is adjustable to vary a distance between the first stop and the second stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Conrad Earl Waldorf
  • Patent number: 7055813
    Abstract: An auxiliary mechanism for a vise called a Vise Mate. This device features extender jaws to enable a person to hold larger than normal objects in a common shop vise. These extender jaws featured with a stabilizer bar permit a person to quickly expand the physical capacity of the shop vise with only the auxiliary vise mate and no additional set-up tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Vearl Patrick Hexamer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7048268
    Abstract: In order to detect accurately a seating of clamped body and a clamping force at a seating, the workpiece supporting device has plural seating mechanisms 40. Each of the seating mechanisms 40 includes a load sensing element 45 receiving a clamping force or a fixing force. The load sensing element 45 consists of a material having a characteristic that said load sensing element is not substantially deformed by an applied load, especially it consists of a composite material dispersing a material having a pressure resistance effect or a magnetic resistance effect in a matrix of an electric insulation ceramics material. An abnormal clamping or fixing of the clamped body and an abnormal overload are detected by detecting an output from plural load sensing elements 45 supporting the clamped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Arai, Mitsuyoshi Taniguchi, Yasuo Niino, Kiyotaka Kinoshita, Kunimichi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 6910685
    Abstract: An elevated, portable non-slip cutting board for use in cutting and supporting foodstuffs, household and miscellaneous items comprising a rigid, planar base board to which is fixed numerous non-skid projections downwardly directed, spaced apart projections of such a height, width, and spatial arrangement as to provide support, stability, and the free flow of fluid underneath the cutting board and which provides enhanced traction to retard slippage of the cutting board during the cutting or support process, which may be formed by having a thermoplastic elastomer bonded to pre-molded convex protrusions supplied by pre-molded channels in the base of the cutting board. The board bottom can be molded with projections and supply channels for bonding with the non-skid material to reduce the expense of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: Kathleen R. Sellers
  • Patent number: 6820553
    Abstract: A holder is provided for holding an article in a machine for decorating articles, the holder including a base member, a format plate arranged releasably above the base member with an opening in the format plate for receiving the article, and an intermediate plate between the base member and the format plate. On its side facing the format plate the intermediate plate has a layer of soft material, such as a plastic film, to support the article. The intermediate plate and the format plate are easily releasably mounted on the base member. To replace the film, the intermediate plate with film can be removed from the holder and replaced by another intermediate plate carrying a fresh film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Werner Kammann Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Steffen, Markus Dauwe
  • Patent number: 6736386
    Abstract: A covered photomask holder and a method of using the covered photomask holder are disclosed. A photomask holder includes a gripping mechanism to engage and retain a component with the photomask holder. A handle is coupled to the gripping mechanism that manipulates the gripping mechanism. A protective cover is associated with the gripping mechanism that encloses the component while engaged within the photomask holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: DuPont Photomasks, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Parker
  • Patent number: 6702273
    Abstract: A wooden cutting board for cutting vegetables, bread and other food stuffs, especially useful on a dry or wet countertop for providing improved traction for the cutting board, comprising a wooden cutting board body having a plurality of traction plates, one attached substantially in each corner, each of said traction plates having a plurality of non-skid projections for increasing the surface area between the cutting board and the countertop surface, all of which are spaced apart to permit liquid to flow in between each of said traction plates attached to apertures in the cutting board through a plurality of legs that have circular attachment disks mounted therein for firm attachment of the traction plates to the cutting board surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Kathleen R. Sellers
  • Patent number: 6478292
    Abstract: A elevated, portable non-slip cutting board for use in cutting and supporting foodstuffs, household and miscellaneous items comprising a rigid, planar baseboard to which is fixed a traction means having at least 13 downwardly directed, spaced apart projections of such a height, width, and spatial arrangement as to provide support, stability, and the free flow of fluid underneath the cutting board and which provides enhanced traction to retard slippage of the cutting board during the cutting or support process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Kathleen R. Sellers
  • Patent number: 6471199
    Abstract: A gear mechanism has a first gear which is coaxially connected to a drive shaft of a rotary driving source, a second gear which is meshed with the first gear, and a third gear which is meshed with the second gear and which is integrally interlocked with a ball screw nut. Diameters of the first to third gears are set to be smaller than a dimension of an upper body in a widthwise direction and a dimension of a lower body in the widthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Akio Saitoh, Hiroshi Yumiba
  • Patent number: 6409163
    Abstract: A fixturing device for holding a workpiece for processing by an induction hardening machine includes a first subassembly constructed and arranged to be attached to an induction coil subassembly which is movable into and out of position around the workpiece. A second subassembly, virtually identical in construction to the first subassembly, is attached to the induction coil assembly and the two subassemblies are spaced apart so as to face one another and so as to define therebetween a workpiece-receiving region. Each subassembly includes an L-shaped bracket with one leg configured for attachment to the induction coil assembly and the other leg configured with connecting rods for attachment to a holding block. There are three connecting rods, two in the form of cylindrical pins, and one, the center connecting rod, being externally threaded for connecting a holding block to the L-shaped bracket. The two cylindrical pins receive coil springs so as to spring bias the holding block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Contour Hardening, Inc.
    Inventor: Max E. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6364302
    Abstract: The a modular system for locating and clamping a workpiece in space is provided that includes positioning blade including a riser mount having a plurality of first mounting-bores and a plurality of first positioning-bores. A clamp mount is provided on the blade that includes a plurality of second mounting-bores and a plurality of second positioning-bores. The first positioning-bores have a predetermined positional relationship to the second positioning-bores. A locator arm is also provided on the blade, and has a plurality of third positioning-bores where the third positioning-bores comprise a predetermined position relative to the first positioning-bores and the second positioning-bores. A system for positioning and clamping a workpiece is also provided that includes in combination the foregoing positioning blade mounted on structure for elevating the workpiece, e.g., a riser, and structure for clamping the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Ultimate Standard Tooling International LLC
    Inventor: John S. Ausilio
  • Patent number: 6354580
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric clamp apparatus comprising a rotary driving section for making rotary driving in accordance with an electric signal; a gear mechanism for transmitting rotary driving force of the rotary driving section; a ball screw mechanism for converting rotary motion transmitted by the gear mechanism into rectilinear motion; and a toggle link mechanism for converting the rectilinear motion transmitted by the ball screw mechanism into rotary action of a clamp arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Hiroshi Yumiba, Akio Saitoh
  • Patent number: 6264184
    Abstract: A combined door carrier and hanging device for transporting and hanging a door panel is provided. The combined device is generally defined by an elongated carrier structure having a first end and a second end, and includes a wheel supporting chassis to which a pair of beams are mounted and spaced apart to define an elongated slot. The chassis further supports a plurality of floor engaging foot members at the second end, a vise mechanism at the second end, and an axle having a plurality of floor engaging wheels at the first end. More specifically, the elongated slot is adapted to closely receive a door panel across its thickness, wherein one of the pair of beams is rigidly attached the chassis at the first end, but is free to flex at the second end to facilitate clamping of a door panel in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: David Armstrong, Michael Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6260250
    Abstract: A bending plate for use in adjusting a lie and/or loft of a golf club head. The bending plate comprises means for minimizing or reducing mechanical stresses within a face region and face insert plate of the golf club head, when the golf club head is placed in a clamping apparatus. Thus, the bending plate protects the face insert plate of the club head during a lie and/or loft adjustment of the club head. The bending plate also includes means for establishing proper positioning of the bending plate over the face insert plate and/or face region of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: J. Neil Hall, Ronald K. Hettinger
  • Patent number: 6254076
    Abstract: A device to protect apparatus has a movable section moved alternately by drive means housed in a fixed casing of said apparatus, this alternating motion relative to the fixed casing creating an opening that expands and contracts in a lengthwise direction. The protection device comprises: a plurality of protection elements each having at least one covering portion designed to transversally close said opening and extending lengthwise; means for fixing one end of the protection device to the apparatus; and means for fixing the opposite end of the protection device to the movable part of the apparatus, retaining means also being envisaged for connecting adjacent protection elements to one another and designed to allow the plurality of protection elements to telescopically extend and retract so as to close off said opening lengthwise as the opening expands and contracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: P.E.I. Protezioni Elaborazioni Industriali S.r.l.
    Inventor: Walter Goldin
  • Patent number: 6241230
    Abstract: A guide apparatus having a dustproof structure comprises: a linear guide device; an outer cover mounted to the linear guide device so as to cover the linear guide device and provided with an opening, the linear guide device including a movable member having a side lug portions projecting outward through the opening formed to the outer cover and the movable member being movable along the opening; and a sealing structure having a plurality of seal members each in shape of belt and having flexibility. The seal members are applied to edge portions of the opening of the outer cover so as to be overlapped to each other thereby to substantially keep a sealed state inside the linear guide device. The sealed seal members are separated and pushed aside by a guide structure formed to the movable member at a time of the advancing motion thereof with the sealed state inside the linear guide device being substantially maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: THK Co., LTD
    Inventor: Takahiro Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 6196534
    Abstract: A work bench includes a frame, a bench surface on the frame with the bench surface including at least two members, one of which is movable along the frame for clamping a workpiece between the members. A mechanism for moving the member includes two screws coupled with the members. The two screws are spaced with the member for moving the member upon rotation of the screws. A sprocket is coupled with each of the screws. A transmission belt or chain is coupled with the sprockets. At least one handle is coupled with one of the screws to rotate the screws. At least one clutch is coupled with the at least one screw to limit clamping pressure on the workpiece. The clutch enables rotation of one screw with respect to the other screw so that workpieces may be clamped between the members and clamping of the workpiece may be accomplished by rotation of the screws with one hand of the operator. Also, a guard may be present which covers the transmission belt or chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Marc A. Fortin, Murray D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 6175999
    Abstract: A universal fixture for a pre-assembly of computer components includes a base and a support plate adjustably mounted on the base for movement to various inclined positions. At least one support arm interconnects the base and the support plate for securing the support plate in an inclined position. A fixture is rotatably mounted on the support plate and includes various positioning stops and an adjustable slide for properly positioning various computer components for attaching chassis mounting devices to the components. The adjustment of the support plate and rotation of the fixture provide ergonomic advantages to the assembler performing the pre-assembly operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Sloan, Mark Manley
  • Patent number: 6173947
    Abstract: Apparatus for securing an automobile bumper during painting and repair. The apparatus includes a base support structure. A frame is coupled to the base support structure. A mechanism is provided for securing the bumper to the frame. Further, a mechanism is provided for adjusting the frame relative to the base support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Innovative Tools & Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6109600
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a workpiece, such as an automobile bumper, comprising a support base, a top frame attached thereto, a crossbar mounted to the top frame for supporting the workpiece and a stabilizing device for securing the workpiece to the apparatus. The top frame further comprises a central portion and a plurality of arms extending therefrom. The plurality of arms may further comprise a first pair of spaced apart arms each having a first end attached to the support base and a free second end opposite the first end. A crossbar is attached to each of the free second ends of the pair of spaced apart arms. The apparatus further includes a stabilizing device attached to the apparatus for stabilizing the workpiece positioned thereon. The apparatus may include an adjustment mechanism comprising a rod having spaced apart ends received within a pair of aligned bores, and a retainer positioned intermediate the ends for positioning the top frame in a plurality of user selectable orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Brian P. Yost
    Inventors: Brian P. Yost, Robert J. Budesa
  • Patent number: 6042097
    Abstract: An apparatus for precisely, speedy positioning a table on which a work piece is mounted. The apparatus has a moving mechanism in which a linear motion rolling guide unit is employed to convert the horizontal movement of a moving body by a linear motor to the vertical movement. Upon the moving body being horizontally moved with respect to the bed along first track rails through first sliding elements by mean of the linear motor, the working table moves vertically by the action of a second sliding element which moves along a second track rail on an inclined plane of the moving body. The vertical movement of the working table is controlled through third sliding elements so as to be guided along third track rails secured to a cylindrical member on the bed. The working table may make the vertical movement relative to the bed with high accuracy and high speed, irrespectively of loads variable in acting direction and magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kikuo Ikawa, Yukio Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6036184
    Abstract: A clamping device is described with a body, which has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and at least one slide which can be shifted in the body by a screw spindle and which has at its upper side a plurality of fixing recesses arranged along the slide longitudinal direction with a mutual centre-to-centre spacing for selective engagement of a corresponding fixing projection of a jaw which can be repositioned and a plurality of threaded bores for fixing screws of the jaws. A plurality of cover sheets are provided on the upper side of the slide and they are slidably guided on the slide in its longitudinal direction and have a length which corresponds to the centre-to-centre spacing (pitch) of adjacent fixing recesses. The number of cover sheets corresponds to the number or centre-to-centre spacings (t) and the cover sheets can slide over the region of the currently unused fixing recesses and threaded bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Gressel AG
    Inventor: Adolf Wurthele
  • Patent number: 6024352
    Abstract: A machine vise has lateral cuttings outlets (10). Two wipers are provided on the slide (6). The first wiper (7) cooperates with the surface of a cylindrical region (2) of the spindle (1). The second wiper (8) clears the cuttings from the thread (4) of the spindle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Saurer-Allma GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Albrecht
  • Patent number: 6012210
    Abstract: An LED jig for securing a plurality of individual light emitting diodes to a circuit board module. The LED jig comprises a disk shaped structure having a plurality of openings in which the light emitting diodes are positioned. Flanges on each end of the openings serve to secure the light emitting diodes therein. The LED jig also comprises structures which protect the light emitting diodes from possible damage, structures which serve to secure the LED jig to the circuit board module, structures which serve as guides for properly mounting the LED jig to the circuit board, and structures which serve to offset the LED jig from the circuit board module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Skyline
    Inventors: Robert Charles Stadjuhar, Jr., Allan Clarkson Greist
  • Patent number: 6012711
    Abstract: An alignment device for establishing alignment between the surfaces of abutting components. A rotary table supports a base plate for rotation in a plane. An air bearing connected to the base plate in turn supports a support plate. The air bearing includes an upper spherical protrusion supported in a spherical cavity coupled to an air passageway in the base plate. Compressed air enters the air passageway and establishes an air interface between the upper and lower bearing components. The support plate is stabilized with respect to the base plate by a series of spring adjustments. The component support of the base plate is free to change planarity in response to an abutting surface of another component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Mario Cipolla
  • Patent number: 5820120
    Abstract: This invention provides a portable system for adjustably grasping and cradling a model train engine or other car (especially Garden Scale) without damaging it and presenting the desired portion of such engine or car for repair or maintenance. The device used includes: a rectangular longitudinal plywood base plate having in its upper surface a pair of transverse upside-down T-slots with sloppy-fit nut members captured in the T-slots; and a pair of longitudinal plywood vertical side plates, each fitted with vertical bolt members tightenable in the corresponding nut members. When the piece to be worked on is placed between the side plates, with appropriate cushioning, the sloppy fits permit the side plates to be pushed into snug position before tightening. The device also provides a cover with a handle for portability between uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Charles W. Anderson