Patents Examined by Brendan Tighe
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Patent number: 9624649Abstract: A lower traveling structure (2) having front wheels (16) and rear wheels (17) provided on a chassis (12) extending in a front and rear direction, an upper revolving structure (4) rotatably mounted on the chassis (12), and a working mechanism (11) provided on a front side of the upper revolving structure (4) and at an intermediate position in a left and right direction are provided. On the other hand, a towing through hole (14J, 14K) bored through an upper side position on both left and right sides and in a front and rear direction and used for mounting a cable in towing is provided on a front attachment mounting plate (14) provided on a front side position of the chassis (12) constituting the upper revolving structure (4).Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Oota, Hiroshi Tsukui, Yuuichi Todokoro
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Patent number: 9623531Abstract: Workpieces are unloaded from a workpiece support of a sheet metal workpiece processing apparatus by positioning a blank sheet metal workpiece over a processed workpiece supported on a workpiece support, with the blank workpiece releasably held by a workpiece loader, activating a workpiece fixing device to engage an edge of the processed workpiece, and performing a relative sweeping movement between the workpiece fixing device and the workpiece support whereby the engaged processed workpiece is prevented from remaining on the workpiece support and is thereby unloaded. The workpiece fixing device is moved relative to the processed workpiece while the blank sheet metal workpiece is positioned over the processed workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Trumpf CorporationInventors: Peter Bytow, Katsuya Enomoto
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Patent number: 9616580Abstract: An end effector for a robotic arm is disclosed. The end effector includes a grasping apparatus having a gripping member and an appendage extending from the gripping member forming a channel between the griping member and the appendage. The channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an article, such as a latch for a container, to be manipulated by the end effector.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Sarcos LCInventors: Fraser M. Smith, Michael Morrison, Glenn Colvin, Jr., Wayco Scroggin
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Patent number: 9611616Abstract: A bucket attaching structure of a construction machine and a construction machine including a fixed jaw portion attached to a distal end portion of an operation arm and a movable jaw portion attached to a distal end portion of a piston through a bucket link. The fixed jaw portion and the movable jaw portion are each partially open and each include a semicircular arc-shaped engagement portion that corresponds to an outer peripheral surface of a corresponding bucket connecting pin. The bucket attaching structure of a construction machine and the construction machine include semicircular arc-shaped closure portions that each support the bucket connecting pins together with the semicircular arc-shaped engagement portions by, after engaging each semicircular arc-shaped engagement portion with the corresponding connecting pin, closing a partially open side of the corresponding semicircular arc-shaped engagement portion of the fixed jaw portion and that of the movable jaw portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha MYCInventor: Shun Maruyama
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Patent number: 9607872Abstract: An inline system including a first apparatus having a first processing unit for processing a workpiece and an unloading area for unloading the workpiece processed by the first processing unit, a second apparatus having a loading area for loading the workpiece unloaded from the unloading area and a second processing unit for processing the workpiece loaded to the loading area, a transfer unit for transferring the workpiece from the unloading area to the loading area, and a position detecting unit for imaging the unloading area to detect the position of the unloading area and also imaging the loading area to detect the position of the loading area. The transfer unit transfers the workpiece from the unloading area to the loading area according to the position of the unloading area and the position of the loading area detected by the position detecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: DISCO CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuma Sekiya
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Patent number: 9586325Abstract: A pick-and-place head for picking a plurality of work-pieces from at least one first location and for placing the plurality of work-pieces at least one second location is disclosed. The pick-and-place head exhibits a plurality of nozzles, wherein each nozzle is configured to engage one of the work-pieces by action of a vacuum. At least one nozzle has an individual vacuum supply and at least two further nozzles have a shared vacuum supply. A corresponding method is also disclosed, the method including the steps of approaching at least one of the plurality of work-pieces with a respective nozzle and then starting generation of a vacuum at each respective nozzle. The generation of vacuum in at least one nozzle is achieved by an individual vacuum supply, and generation of vacuum in at least two further nozzles is achieved by a shared vacuum supply of the at least two further nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: KLA-Tencor CorporationInventor: Carl Truyens
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Patent number: 9579804Abstract: Described herein is a conveyance robot. In certain aspects, a conveyance robot can include a first link member configured to be rotatable about a first axis, a second link member configured to be rotatable about a second axis positioned at a predetermined distance relative to the first axis, a holding member configured to be capable of holding an article and rotating about a third axis positioned at a predetermined distance relative to the second axis, an ascending and descending drive unit for driving at least the holding member to ascend and descend. In certain aspects, an arm link mechanism can be included. The arm link mechanism can be constituted by connecting the first link member, the second link member, and the holding member in this order, and the ascending and descending drive unit is placed between the first link member and the holding member so as to form a part of the arm link mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Isao Kato, Shigeki Ono
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Patent number: 9573235Abstract: A transfer unit of a test handler includes a base frame, a floating assembly, and an arm part. The base frame includes an inserted portion having a penetration hole. The inserted portion including an upper inserted portion disposed near an upper surface of the inserted portion, a lower portion disposed near a lower portion of the inserted portion and a middle inserted portion disposed between the upper inserted portion and the lower inserted portion. The floating assembly is inserted in the penetration hole of the base frame. The floating assembly includes a floating part, an elastic element, and a coupling element. The floating assembly moves back and forth, to left and right sides, and up and down, or flows within a predetermined angle range in the penetration hole.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jong-An Lee, Bum-Sic Kim, Young-Gil Lee, Chea-Geun Lim
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Patent number: 9562340Abstract: An excavating bucket includes a bottom surface section, a bucket body having a rear surface section and a side surface section, a lip section, a bracket, and teeth. The lip section is fixed to an edge portion of the bucket body at an opposite side to the rear surface section. The bracket has a hole through which a coupling pin for attaching to the arm passes. When the length of a virtual line S1 linking the center of the hole and the front end of the lip section is set as a wrist radius V, a length of the longest line segment perpendicular to the virtual line S1 from the virtual line S1 to the bottom surface section is set as a bucket depth D, and the angle formed between the lip section and the virtual line S1 is set as a lip angle ?, 62°???72° and 0.7?D/V?0.8.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yoshida, Tatsuo Aira, Daijiroh Tanaka
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Patent number: 9550329Abstract: A universal loading station for a 3D printer includes a knob, a ball screw, a telescopic connecting ring, a telescopic connecting rod, and a loading plate. The top of the ball screw ball screw and the bottom of the knob are connected by a threaded connection. The ball screw is below the knob and includes an outer sleeve which includes a spring. A fixed connection sleeve surrounds the outer sleeve of the spring. A connecting arm is connected to a side of the fixed connection sleeve. The bottom of the ball screw is connected to the telescopic connecting ring. The bottom of the telescopic connecting ring includes a first hemispherical recess, and the center of the first hemispherical recess includes a first hole. The telescopic connecting ring is placed onto the ball screw through the first hole.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Jiangsu Rich-Opto Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yin Wu
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Patent number: 9540196Abstract: Devices and methods for handling workpieces, in particular workpieces in the form of processing products of a metal sheet processing operation, are described. The devices include one or more retention members that are movably supported by a retention member bearing and a transverse guide device. If the transverse guide device is moved relative to the retention member along a lifting axis out of a non-operative lifting position into an operative lifting position or out of an operative lifting position into a non-operative lifting position on a fixed retention member bearing, the retention member is thereby moved from a non-operative position into an operative position or out of an operative position into a non-operative position. In the operative position, the retention member can engage behind an edge of a workpiece, but cannot do so in the non-operative position.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: TRUMPF Sachsen GmbHInventors: Heiko Bauch, Christoph Protze
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Patent number: 9533612Abstract: A rotating lift system and method for transporting oversized agricultural implements. The rotating lift system includes a rotator arm, a rotator arm guide, and an arcuate rotation track all mounted on a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the rotator arm and is movable between lowered and raised positions and is adapted for connecting to a load. The rotator arm is pivotally connected to the trailer frame and rotates about a vertical axis. The rotator arm guide is connected to the opposing end of the rotator arm and engages the rotation track. The rotating lift system and method are adapted for engaging, lifting and rotating an implement and moving the implement between perpendicularly opposed field use and transport positions. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Bestway, Inc.Inventors: Don Patrick Meenen, David C. Benson, Michael A. Brainard
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Patent number: 9524892Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention discloses cleaned storage processes and systems for high level cleanliness articles, such as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticle carriers. A decontamination chamber can be used to clean the stored workpieces. A purge gas system can be used to prevent contamination of the articles stored within the workpieces. A robot can be used to detect the condition of the storage compartment before delivering the workpiece. A monitor device can be used to monitor the conditions of the stocker.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventor: Lutz Rebstock
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Patent number: 9505126Abstract: An industrial robot includes a parallel kinematics mechanism that provides three degrees of freedom to a ring structure while maintaining the ring structure substantially in a fixed orientation relative to a reference plane established by a stationary base plate. A pivot sleeve is suspended within the stationary base plate and may pivot on two perpendicular axes of an intermediate gimbal. An elongate boom is mounted within the pivot sleeve and extends from an upper end through the pivot sleeve to a lower end. An end effector is mounted at the lower end of the elongate boom and is arranged for carrying a work element. Gimbal rings are located at the upper and lower ends of the elongate boom and are interconnected by a control linkage to maintain the end effector substantially parallel to the ring structure during movement of the end effector through a three-dimensional work envelope.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Inventor: Michele D'Egidio
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Patent number: 9505137Abstract: A tip end part of a main arm member of a Scott Russell mechanism is enabled to be brought close to a base end part of a sub arm member. A Scott Russell mechanism device is formed into a boomerang-like shape such that a main arm member coupled to a sub arm member is curved to detour a coupling position. Thus, when the coupling angle is changed so that a base end part of the main arm member and a base end part of the sub arm member are most separated from each other, a tip end part of the main arm member can be moved close to right beside the base end part of the sub arm member. With the Scott Russell mechanism device, a moving range of the tip end side of the main arm member can be enlarged.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: SQUSE Inc.Inventors: Hiromichi Sasaki, Mikio Shimizu, Yasunori Ichikawa
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Patent number: 9437469Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus for a processing tool. The apparatus has a drive section, a movable arm, and an end effector. The arm is operably connected to the drive section. The end effector is connected to the movable arm for holding and transporting the substrate in the processing tool. The apparatus has a substrate inertial capture edge grip connected to the end effector and arranged so that the grip effects capture and centering of the substrate onto the end effector from substrate inertia.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony V. DiBella, Dennis Poole, William Fosnight
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Patent number: 9427876Abstract: A robotic joint assembly includes a first structural member, a second structural member, and a rolling flexure joint joining the first structural member to the second structural member to provide at least one degree of freedom between the first and second structural members. The rolling flexure joint includes first and second flexible hinge members each having one end secured to the first structural member and an opposing end secured to the second structural member. The first and second flexible hinge members cross one another between the first and second structural members.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Annan Michael Mozeika, Mark Robert Claffee, Martin Buehler
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Patent number: 9428293Abstract: A box packing device includes a dropping part configured to drops a laterally opened cardboard box in the state in which the lateral flaps of the cardboard box are open before and after dropping. The dropping part has an upper guide mechanism and a lower guide mechanism. The upper guide mechanism includes first upper guide portions that oppose front faces of the flaps and second upper guide portions that oppose rear faces of the flaps. The lower guide mechanism includes a first lower movable guide portion and a first lower fixed guide portion that oppose the front faces of the flaps, second lower guide portions that oppose the rear faces of the flaps, and a first drive unit for driving the second lower guide portions towards the first lower guide portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuji Yokota, Atsushi Takahashi, Hiroaki Tokura, Takeshi Noguchi, Seisaku Iwasa
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Patent number: 9404235Abstract: A coupling arrangement for fluid coupling a work tool to a machine comprising a plurality of coupler assemblies slideably mounted in a plurality of corresponding cavities for coupling a machine fluid circuit and a work tool fluid circuit, the coupler assembles partitioning the cavities to form chambers; and a rail circuit connecting the chambers.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Work Tools B.V.Inventors: Cornelius Antonius Maria Van Hooft, Dirk Jacobus Luyendijk, Holger Jongebloed
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Patent number: 9387592Abstract: There is provided a gas-pressure type gravity compensation elevator for ascending/descending a load object, which includes a control part. The control part is adapted to selectively connect a constant-pressure gas cylinder maintained at a constant pressure according to the grasping state, to a gas cylinder for exerting a driving force in the direction of ascent on an elevating mechanism. Further, the control part is adapted to control a sum of a volumes in the gas cylinder and the constant-pressure gas cylinder such that it equals to a sum of their average volumes, every time the grasping state is changed.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Katsuhiko Asai