Expandable Mandrel Patents (Class 269/48.1)
  • Patent number: 11547120
    Abstract: A holding apparatus for holding a gutted poultry body/part during processing has a support body supporting the body/part, a fastening body for holding the support body and fastening the holding apparatus to a circulatingly driven transport unit, and a clamping device for securing the body/part to the support body. The clamping device has a hook for penetrating into soft parts and a clamping lever. The lever has a clamping jaw for clamping parts of the body/part against the hook lower side directed towards the support body. The hook lower side is spaced apart from the support body to form a free space for receiving the parts to be clamped. The clamping lever is movable, against a spring force, from a standby position into a clamping position, and back. The clamping lever also has a centring shoulder projecting into the free space when the clamping lever is in the standby position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NORDISCHER MASCHINENBAU RUD. BAADER GMBH + CO.KG
    Inventors: Lasse Riggert, Andreas Landt, Valentin Fischer
  • Patent number: 10935358
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pipe flange standard identification tool and a system. In one aspect, the valve identification tool includes a pair of spaced-apart apertures and bears information identifying a valve having a pair of adjacent flange bolts with a spacing therebetween, which matches the spacing between the apertures. Also disclosed is a set of the above-described valve measurement tools, and a kit having a plurality of the tool sets. In one form, each of the tools in a given set corresponds with a valve listed in a common standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: PROMET VALVES AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventor: Zeljko Ilicic
  • Patent number: 10875600
    Abstract: In traditional bicycle pedals, the mechanism that maintains a pedal's rocking synchronicity with the rotating crank consists of a spindle that extends in the interior of the pedal's cylindrical housing that is typically furnished with ball bearings, a washer, and a nut at the endmost part of the pedal to secure all of its axle components in place. To attach to the crank arm, the right side pedal spindle typically has a right-hand thread and removes counterclockwise while installs clockwise, and the left side pedal spindle has a left-hand thread that removes clockwise and installs counterclockwise. The present invention facilitates the mounting of bicycle pedals by using a square end (i.e. the four flat sides to the mounting end of the spindle) and a ball-lock mechanism to secure the pedal to the crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Mario Alfredo Lopez
  • Patent number: 10717160
    Abstract: A system for enabling replacement of a properly aligned, full floating, tubular rear spindle on an existing truck and trailer axle for welding without machining. The improvement of this system uses a first alignment plate for positioning about and partially beyond the beveled cut edge of the truck trailer axle with a plurality of spaced outrigger assembly clamps and a plurality of hold down fixture clamps. It uses an improved rocket ship jig having a recessed inner plate for positioning over the plurality of axial spacer sleeves, at least one of said spacer sleeves including a brake bolt. The system (and related methods) enable better three-dimensional positioning and centering up of replacement parts before welding. New outriggers using studs and nuts enable tilt movements, both up-and-down and axial (in-and-out) movements before welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: William J. Ferrari
  • Patent number: 10300566
    Abstract: Internal clamping of a weld-neck fitting to a pipe in preparation for precision tack welding of the fitting to the pipe is established by a pair of alignment and clamping wedge members, each having alignment and gripping members and angulated reaction surfaces which are positioned within the pipe and weld-neck fitting with the angulated reaction surfaces in relatively moveable engagement. One of the alignment and clamping wedge members is moved linearly, causing the angulated reaction surfaces to translate the linear movement to lateral movement, forcing the alignment and gripping members laterally against the internal surfaces of the pipe and fitting and supporting the fitting in precision aligned relation with the pipe to facilitate tack welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventor: Richard Brantley
  • Patent number: 10286508
    Abstract: A machining fixture, comprising a base, an air cylinder, an air cylinder piston and connecting rod, a supporting guide sleeve, a sliding supporting seat, a thrust ball bearing holder and spherical bead, a floating platform, a first connecting screw, a compression block, a pin shaft, a push rod pin, a second connecting screw, a center positioning shaft, a third connecting screw, a guide sleeve, a supporting plate, an oil cylinder piston and connecting rod and a one-way oil cylinder. The floating centering self-clamping machining fixture is for machining flange-type, which improves positioning accuracy and machining precision. The fixture has an automatic returning floating platform, achieving the automatic alignment of the parts; after the alignment, a floating support moves down and is changed to a rigid support, improving stability; and a positioning rod continues to move down, such that a workpiece is automatically clamped by an ejector rod oscillating arm mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD
    Inventor: Tieshi Zhao
  • Patent number: 10195706
    Abstract: An object fastening device which can prevent foreign matter from ending up damaging an object when confirming the object is properly seated, which object fastening device is provided with a receiving part, a pushing part which pushes the object against the receiving part, a first drive part which makes the pushing part generate a first force, a second drive part which is provided separate from the first drive part and makes the pushing part generate a second force which is smaller than the first force, and a foreign matter detecting part which detects foreign matter which is interposed between the object and receiving part while the second drive part is being used to cause the pushing part to push the object against the receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10124449
    Abstract: A method and temporary fastener for substantially simultaneously clamping a drill jig and a plurality of layers. The temporary fastener may comprise a first system and a second system. The first system may be configured to secure the temporary fastener to a drill jig. The second system may be configured to secure the temporary fastener to a plurality of layers of material beneath the drill jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charlie E. Branyon, III, Nicholas Wayne Fudela
  • Patent number: 10103046
    Abstract: Buffer chamber including robots, a carousel and at least one heating module for use with a batch processing chamber are described. Robot configurations for rapid and repeatable movement of wafers into and out of the buffer chamber and cluster tools incorporating the buffer chambers and robots are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: William T. Weaver, Jason M. Schaller, Robert Brent Vopat, David Blahnik, Benjamin B. Riordon, Paul E. Pergande
  • Patent number: 10058358
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the spacer has axial and radial dimensions for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The systems include one or more spacers and a mechanical actuation means for delivering and deploying the spacer. The methods involve the implantation of one or more spacers within the interspinous space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Moti Altarac, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 9393126
    Abstract: A spinal prosthesis for insertion bilaterally into an annulotomy hole created laterally in a spinal disc between two abutting vertebrae that is composed of a first elongated member having first threading at one end and an end cap at its other end, a second elongated member having an end cap with a threaded hole fixed to one end of a hollow tube open-ended at its other end. The members are telescoped together with the threading of the first member mated with the threaded hole of the second member and the open end of said hollow tube disengageably engaged with the end cap of the first member for rotation together. A method for bilaterally implanting the members of the prosthesis using a wire, and then telescopically mating them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Peter L. Mayer
  • Patent number: 9364339
    Abstract: An expandable spinal prosthesis is provided for insertion unilaterally into an annulotomy hole created laterally in a spinal disc between two abutting vertebrae. The prosthesis is composed of an elongated rod having first threading at one end and second threading at its other end. A first member is threaded on the threading at one end of the rod. A second member is threaded on the threading at the other end of the rod. The members are disengageably engaged for rotation together. The first member has a plurality of resilient bands extending longitudinally between the two members, which are dependent on the spacing between the two members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Peter L. Mayer
  • Patent number: 9346106
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus includes a base, a support mechanism mounted on the base, and a plurality of retaining mechanisms mounted on the base. A wheel rim is mounted on the support mechanism of the clamping apparatus to be worked by a wheel rim working machine. Thus, each of the retaining mechanisms of the clamping apparatus presses the inner wall of the wheel rim to position the wheel rim in place when the wheel rim is worked by the wheel rim working machine, so that the wheel rim is positioned by the clamping apparatus, and will not slip or detach from the clamping apparatus due to the high speed operation of the wheel rim working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Ming-Che Ku
  • Patent number: 9074449
    Abstract: A production apparatus for use with a subsea wellhead has a tubing head spool and a vertical tree. The tubing head spool has an end suitable for connection to the wellhead. The tubing head spool has a production bore extending therethrough and a tubing hanger arranged therein. The vertical tree has a tree connector at a lower end thereof. The vertical tree has flowline extending therethrough. The tree connector is affixed to a tubing head mandrel of the tubing head spool. The flowline is in valved communication with the production bore of the tubing head spool. The flowline extends outwardly of a vertical tree so as to allow a flow of production fluids outwardly of the vertical tree. The tubing head spool is a horizontal Christmas tree with master flow line and the annulus line sealed closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: TRENDSETTER ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Mario R. Lugo, David Older
  • Patent number: 8973304
    Abstract: A holding jig (1, 2, 3) for a thin cylindrical work (W) includes a holding member (10, 10A, 10B) which holds the work (W) from an inner peripheral side and a diameter changing unit (25, 27) which changes a diameter of the holding member (10, 10A, 10B). The holding member (10, 10A, 10B) is made of metal and has a cylindrical shape and an elastically expandable or contractible diameter. The holding member (10, 10A, 10B) is configured with an outside diameter of the holding member (10, 10A, 10B) being held smaller than an inside diameter of the work (W) at the time of insertion into an inner periphery of the work (W) and being expanded after inserted into the inner periphery of the work (W) to hold the work (W) from an inner peripheral side of the work (W) with an outer peripheral surface in close contact with an entire inner peripheral surface of the work (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayoshi Sano, Tadamasa Furuya
  • Patent number: 8920063
    Abstract: A blind fastener for securing a workpiece to a machining fixture includes an externally threaded housing, a pusher member and translating elements. The pusher member translates relative to the housing from an extended position to a retracted position. As the pusher member retracts, it urges the translating elements from an inboard position to an outboard position. The fixture has a closed ended tool hole that is threaded to receive the blind fastener. The workpiece has a corresponding tool hole with a radial groove. The workpiece tool hole receives the upper end of the blind fastener and the radial groove receives the translating elements when they extend. When the blind fastener is threaded into the fixture tool hole, the pusher member retracts and causes the translating elements to extend. The translating elements engage the radial groove of the workpiece tool hole and clamp the workpiece to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mitee-Bite Products, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Daniel Easley
  • Patent number: 8800997
    Abstract: A stepped collet includes a first section of generally hollow cylindrical shape having a first outer diameter and an inner diameter, a wall extending radially inwardly from an outboard end of the first section, and a second section of generally split cylindrical shape cantilevered from the wall and having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hydra-Lock Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond L. Smith, John V. Bartolone, Dan J. O'Lear
  • Patent number: 8784939
    Abstract: A shoe platen to securely hold a shoe so that graphics, including custom graphics, can be printed on the shoe automatically. The platen comprises a shoe plate 102 configured to receive shoes such as high-top shoes or low top shoes. Adjusters 104, 106 can also be used to accommodate shoes of various styles and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Pics on Kicks, LLC
    Inventors: Nick Romero, Fernando Padilla
  • Patent number: 8770565
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a jig for surface treatment, which is used for fixing a metal plate having a bearing for surface treatment. The jig for surface treatment according to the present disclosure passes a hanging rod through the metal plate. Thereby, the jig for surface treatment will not contact with a processed surface of the metal plate and hence making no apparent flaws on the processed surface and maintaining completeness processed surface. In addition, the jig for surface treatment can load a plurality of metal plates at a time, performing surface treatment on the plurality of metal plates simultaneously, and thus improving productivity and practicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Huai-Gang Liu, Chih-Peng Chen
  • Publication number: 20140145387
    Abstract: A holding portion includes at least three pressing members which are operable to press an inner peripheral of a hole formed on the medium. The pressing members are movable between first positions where the pressing members do not come in contact with the inner peripheral and second positions where the pressing members come in contact with and press the inner peripheral. Each of the pressing members is adapted to interlockingly move with each other when moving toward the first positions and to press the inner peripheral independently from the other members when positioning the second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Nebashi
  • Patent number: 8720874
    Abstract: A lock pin assembly used for clamping two plates together, that have aligning bores for receiving the lock pin assembly. The lock pin assembly includes radially extending pins that can be forced outwardly from the center of a lock pin housing forming a part of the lock pin assembly. The actuator pins are forced outwardly and cooperate with a tapered surface on a bottom plate to create a clamping force relative to an end of the lock pin housing supportable on a top plate. The lock pin housing has cam tracks on an outer side thereof, and an actuator ring surrounds and supports the pin and carries cam followers sliding in the cam tracks. The cam tracks are made such that relative rotation of the lock pin housing and the actuator ring changes the axial location of the actuator ring along the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kurt Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Tschida, David L. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20140117604
    Abstract: A manufacturing device having a clamp unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a workpiece disposed on a frame, a clamp unit configured to fix the workpiece on the frame, and a spindle configured to a torque transferred from a motor to cut the workpiece or operates the clamp unit to make the clamp unit fix the workpiece on the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Dong Sich Lim, Seung Chan Lee, Hong Sik Min, Hyun Jung Chang
  • Patent number: 8708271
    Abstract: There is proposed a clamping mandrel for a rotationally symmetrical hollow body in the form of a beverage can integrally comprising a body portion and a bottom. Accurate coupling and precise control of the movement of the mandrel is to be transmitted to the hollow body. For that purpose there are provided a plurality of clamping segments forming an outwardly facing cylindrical clamping surface for engaging an inside surface of the hollow body. The clamping segments are radially movably guided. A force-transmission device arranged in the interior of the clamping mandrel is provided for synchronous control of the radial movement of the clamping segments. That provides for controlled precision movement of a hollow body clamped by the clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ball Packaging Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Noll, Helmut Thate
  • Patent number: 8613432
    Abstract: A fixture includes a holding apparatus, a receiving block, and an attachment rod. The holding apparatus defines a through hole. The receiving block is mounted on the holding apparatus. A receiving opening is defined in the receiving block. The receiving opening is aligned with the through hole. An attachment rod includes a body which includes ferromagnetic materials. The body is configured to be received in the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Lung Chou, Hung-Chieh Chang, Chi-Chung Huang, Li-Ping Chen
  • Publication number: 20130328256
    Abstract: A clamping device is adjustable and capable of transmitting high torques, with little material and cost outlay. A clamping sleeve has an outer contour which can be adjusted, with an elastic change in shape, by radially adjustable rolling bodies disposed in the interior of the clamping sleeve. The outer contour has a nominal shape in an expanded state of the clamping sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: ADOLF PHILLIP GREINER, JOSEF SCHELL, MICHAEL THOME, HERIBERT WILLE
  • Patent number: 8602401
    Abstract: A bladder-type jig which is suitably used for manufacturing a stiffened panel structure using a hat stringer, and improves durability of the jig to enable repeated use of the jig. A body which is a body of a bladder has a hollow pipe-shape inside thereof. One end portion of the body is sealed by a terminal metal member, and the interior of body is in an air-tight condition. An insertion portion of the terminal metal member is inserted into a hollow space of the end portion of the body. A plurality of band-shaped groove portions are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion such that the groove portions are wound around the outer peripheral surface. The band-shaped groove portions form a plurality of annular adhesive layers between the inner surface of the body and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion. This makes it possible to enhance an adhesive state between the body and the terminal metal member and air tightness in the interior of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshikazu Sana, Yasuo Hanafusa, Tomoya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8550326
    Abstract: A mandrel that provides a counter-force to the pressure exerted on the outside of a pipe or other arcuate surface by a friction stir welding tool, wherein the mandrel is expandable through the use of a wedge, and wherein the mandrel enables multiple friction stir welding heads to simultaneously perform welding on the arcuate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: MegaStir Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Scott M. Packer, Jonathan A. Babb, Russell J Steel, Steve W. Larsen, Paul T. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20130249156
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus comprises a guide member with a top wall and a circumferential wall that protrude above a housing and are inserted into a hole of a work. The guide member is inserted into the housing to be movable downward against an advancing unit that pushes the guide member upward, within a locking stroke of downward movement. Through the circumferential wall, a plurality of guide grooves are made at predetermined intervals in circumferential directions. A locking member inserted into each guide groove is biased radially inward by an annular elastic member which is a thin strip. A clamp rod has wedge surfaces engaging with the respective locking members from above, and is clamp-driven downward and unclamp-driven upward by a piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: KOSMEK LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Haruna, Gaku Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20130240759
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for holding and cooling substrates during processing. A substrate clamp has an engagement portion for engaging a substrate about the inside diameter as well as a portion of the substrate surface immediately adjacent to the inside diameter. The clamp has a retracted position which enables the engagement portion to fit through the substrate ID, and an expanded position which enables the engagement portion to engage the substrate ID and the substrate surface immediately adjacent to the inside diameter. The clamp can include a conformal coating to enhance engagement between the substrate and the engagement portion. The clamp can also include an energy absorbing coating on one or more surfaces to maximize the absorption of radiative energy emitted from the substrate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Krampert, Richard J. Hertel, John Robert Fairhurst
  • Publication number: 20130214467
    Abstract: In a clamping fixture (1) for clamping a workpiece (10), wherein the clamping fixture has at least one clamping device (4) and at least one guiding device working together with the clamping device, wherein the clamping device can be moved axially along the guiding device, wherein the clamping device has a radial profiling (6), wherein the guiding device has an opposing profiling (7), corresponding to the radial profiling of the clamping device, and wherein, when there is an axial movement of the profiling of the clamping device along the opposing profiling of the guiding device, the clamping device is forced in a substantially radial direction, and thereby clamps the workpiece in place, less susceptibility to wear, and consequently a longer operational service life, is obtained by the clamping device being formed in at least two parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicants: Prazisionsmechanik Heyn GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Heyn, Jean-Claude Montandon
  • Patent number: 8511133
    Abstract: An expander includes a first head member, a rotating portion, a plurality of expanding members, and a tightening structure. The first head member and the rotating portion have conical faces corresponding to each other. The rotating portion has a threaded rod section which is screwed with the first head member. The expanding members are arranged around the two conical faces, and the expanding members tend to approach each other due to the tightening structure. When the rotating portion is rotated to approach the first head member, the expanding members are pushed outward to radially expand a tubular element. In addition, a plurality of restriction slots are formed on the conical face of the first head member, and each expanding member forms a corresponding rib slidably disposed in the restriction slot to improve stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Jun Fan Chen
  • Patent number: 8459628
    Abstract: A work piece support device that includes a body and at least two portions of high-grip material on opposite sides of the body is provided. The body may have a flowable media stored therein to provide a lowered center of gravity depending on the orientation of the work piece support device. The work piece support device may include mating projections and recesses for coupling a plurality of work piece support devices together. Further, the projection can be in the form of a cone such that the work piece support device may function as a support cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nomis LLC
    Inventor: Edward D. Adkins
  • Patent number: 8448929
    Abstract: The invention relates to a riveting tack (50) to be introduced into coaxial openings of at least two elements to be assembled, and comprising a hollow cylindrical body (51), a rod (53) passing through the hollow body and partially provided with an external thread (52a), a nut (54) mounted on the threaded end (53a), two half-clips (56) fixed to the rod (53) and comprising hooking lips (57) on the ends thereof, and a spacer (58) arranged between the two half-clips (56), the rod/half-clip set being axially mobile along the spacer (58) between a first position wherein the hooking lips (57) are radially close, and a second position wherein the two half-clips (56) are retracted inside the hollow body (51) and radially distanced from each other. The invention is characterized in that the set formed by the half-clips (56) and the spacer (58) is, in the cross-section thereof, in the form of a near-perfect circle having a diameter identical to the inner diameter of the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Lisi Aerospace
    Inventors: Philippe Prot, Marc Roussy
  • Publication number: 20130113146
    Abstract: A grip member is inserted into an insertion hole of a cylindrical clamp body and is capable of extending outwards to grip the inner circumferential surface of an aperture of an article. A clamp rod is engaged with the grip member; a driving mechanism capable of driving the clamp rod forwards and backwards; a seating surface formed at the top end of the cylindrical clamp body; a case member supporting the cylindrical clamp body movably forwards and backwards; a driving mechanism capable of raising an lowering the cylindrical clamp body; and a lock mechanism having a cylindrical member into which the cylindrical clamp body is inserted so as to slide freely and capable of locking the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical clamp body by elastically deforming the cylindrical member so as to reduce its diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8369098
    Abstract: A bracket is used to support a motherboard. The bracket includes a framework, a first supporting element, and a second supporting element. The framework includes a front bar, a back bar, and two side bars, corporately bounding a receiving space. The first and second supporting elements are received in the receiving space and connected to the two side bars. A number of through holes corresponding to a number of through holes of the motherboard are defined in the framework, the first supporting element, and the second supporting elements to fix the motherboard on the bracket via a plurality of screw pillars extending through the plurality of through holes of the bracket and the plurality of through holes of the motherboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fa-Sheng Huang
  • Patent number: 8333388
    Abstract: This is a mandrel used to fabricate seamless belts including those used in electrophotographic marking systems. The mandrel has a center core unit with two circular caps on each side. In between the caps is sandwiched a deformable O-ring which is outwardly deformed upon tightening of the two caps together. Once a tubular sheet is placed over the mandrel, the elastomeric O-ring will hold the sheet in place for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin H Taft, Sandra L Schmitt, Karen E Halliley
  • Patent number: 8256751
    Abstract: An exemplary manipulator includes a main body, a plurality of holding devices, and a supporting arm. The main body includes four connecting surfaces. The holding devices are connected to the connecting surfaces of the main body. The holding devices are configured to seize and release grasping members. Each of the grasping members defines four latching holes. The holding devices are capable of abutting inner surfaces of the latching holes. The supporting arm is fixed to the main body, and configured to rotate with the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Hsien Yeh
  • Patent number: 8220114
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pull-down fastening device for objects having bores, with a fastening unit which includes a fastening element. A pull-down fastening device is disclosed, with which the various fastening processes can, when necessary, be performed. For this purpose, the pull-down fastening device features a modular interchangeable fastening insert which insert includes a fastening element. Such pull-down fastening devices engage into bores of, for example, pallets or workpieces to be processed, for the purpose of interior fastening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ludwig Ehrhardt GmbH
    Inventors: Hendric Matzat, Klaus Richter
  • Publication number: 20120098180
    Abstract: A clamp device has a gripping member which is expandable and contractible and is inserted into an aperture in a workpiece and grips the aperture, a clamp rod including a tapered shaft portion that fits into the gripping member, and a drive means for driving the clamp rod forwards and backwards. Provided is a support mechanism that supports the gripping member by fluid pressure when the gripping member is radially expanded, and a fluid pressure release means that releases the fluid pressure of the support mechanism after radial expansion of the gripping member when the clamp rod is driven by the drive means to perform clamping. The support mechanism has an annular pressure reception member that supports the gripping member, and a supporting fluid chamber that causes fluid pressure in the direction opposite to the clamping direction to be received on the annular pressure reception member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8118291
    Abstract: The invention relates to a workpiece positioning device (1) comprising at least one positioning axis (35, 39) and a modular machine frame (3) on which at least one workpiece receiving element (8, 9) is arranged. At least one frame part (4, 5, 6, 7) comprises at least one frame module (15) provided, in turn, with a long carrier element (16) and at least one connection element (17, 18, 18?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Nuchter, Erich Wiessensz, Jurgen Krass
  • Patent number: 8104157
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus is provided to fix a cylindrical object. The fixing apparatus includes a support board, a rotating member rotatably mounted to the support board, a moving member, and a number of positioning members. The rotating member defines a receiving space, and a number of receiving slots communicating with the receiving space. The moving member includes a taper-shaped pushing portion, and the pushing portion is slidably received in the receiving space. The number of positioning members are slidably received in the corresponding receiving slots. Each positioning member includes a slanting surface resisting against a circumference of the pushing portion, and a sliding surface to resist against an intrados of the cylindrical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bing-Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8025276
    Abstract: A mandrel 1 includes a top support 10, a first edge support 20, a bottom support 30, and a second edge support 40. The top support and first edge support make-up a first support section. The bottom support and second edge support make-up a second support section. The first support section and the second support section are disposed relative to one another so as to form an outer circumference. A jack 50 is coupled to the first and second support sections and is configured to move the first and second support sections relative to one another so as to adjust the outer circumference of the mandrel. A locking element 60 removably is coupled to the first and second support sections to selectively prevent relative movement between the first and second support sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Dale Madard Fisher, Jr., Elizabeth Mary Sturdevant, Wenchao Wang
  • Publication number: 20110209518
    Abstract: Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 8006966
    Abstract: A glass support pin for supporting a glass substrate for use with a liquid crystal display device is provided. In one embodiment, the glass support pin includes a plurality of branch pins, and one or more elastic members. The plurality of branch pins is structured to have top ends. The top ends of the branch pins are spread outwardly in the radial direction. The one or more elastic members are attached to the branch pins. The glass support pin is open by pulling the top ends of the branch pins outwardly according to a longitudinal movement of the glass support pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: O Jun Kwon
  • Patent number: 7891076
    Abstract: The process provides an expandable chuck with a variable diameter bulb having a variable wall thickness, the chuck being operatively designed to stretch the bulb to reduce its diameter for insertion into a photoreceptor pipe and upon relaxation to the compress the bulb so as to increase its diameter. The design provides a universal chuck to reduce the cost of changing to different diameter chucks in accommodating different size photoreceptors during the coating and drying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Peter J. Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20110031670
    Abstract: A clamp device includes a support mechanism that supports a grip member when expanding the diameter thereof, a clamping hydraulic cylinder that can drive the grip member and a clamp rod axially forwards and backwards (up and down), and a main body member to which the grip member, the clamp rod, the support mechanism, and the clamping hydraulic cylinder are mounted, with the grip member, the clamp rod, and the support mechanism being positioned at one end portion of the body member, and with the common axis of the grip member and the clamp rod being offset from the axis of the clamping hydraulic cylinder in a direction orthogonal to the clamp rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20100327505
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clamp that includes a bolt, a spacer, a shank, an expander and a blocking means. The bolt includes a non-threaded undercut that permits the bolt to rotate in an internally threaded portion of the spacer without threaded engagement between the bolt and the spacer. When used as a clamp, the spacer, shank, expander and blocking means cooperate to deform the expander into a blind side flange and to clamp a work piece between the flange and the spacer. To remove the clamp, the bolt is moved away from the spacer while rotating the bolt in the expander to bring the external threads of the expander into threaded engagement with the internal threads of the spacer. This permits the extraction of the bolt from the blind side expander by maintaining rotational restraint of the expander with the spacer. In several embodiments, a compression spring is positioned between the head of the bolt and the spacer to automatically move the bolt when it is rotated in a loosening direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20100327503
    Abstract: A clamp device includes an annular grip member capable of being inserted into an hole in a workpiece and of gripping the inner circumferential surface of the hole, a clamp rod having a tapered shaft portion fitted inside the grip member and engaged therewith, a hydraulic cylinder capable of axially advancing and retracting the grip member and the clamp rod, and a clamp main body member. The clamp device is provided with seating surfaces formed upon the clamp main body member, on which the workpiece is seated, and a poor clamping detection mechanism that detects poor clamping, in the state in which the grip member is driven in its clamping direction by the hydraulic cylinder via the clamp rod, and the workpiece is in its state of being seated upon the seating surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Pascal Egineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20100320664
    Abstract: A clamp device includes a grip member, a clamp rod, and a hydraulic cylinder, and, by the grip member being inserted into an hole in a workpiece, it can grip the inner circumferential surface of the hole. The clamp device is provided with: a main body member; seating surfaces formed upon the main body member, upon which the workpiece is seated; a seating sensor that includes a pressurized air ejection hole opening to the seating surfaces; and a workpiece mounting surface that can receive and stop a workpiece at a position that is more advanced than the seating surfaces when the grip member is at an advanced position (its unclamped state), and that shifts together with the grip member during clamp operation when the grip member and the clamp rod shift towards retraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20100276857
    Abstract: A sleeve is positioned over a radially-expandable rod assembly and a stent is positioned over the sleeve. A mandrel is inserted into the rod assembly to thereby press the sleeve against the inner surface of the stent and expand the stent. A coating (such as a solvent, a polymer and/or a therapeutic substance) is then applied to the outer (abluminal) surfaces of the stent, by spraying, for example. The sleeve advantageously prevents the coating material from being applied to inner (luminal) surfaces of the stent and also allows the coating material to be efficiently applied to the abluminal surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Yung Ming Chen, Jeff H. Smith, Celenia Gutierrez