Patents Examined by Brian R Slawski
  • Structural integrated repair method and system tool device for repairing delaminated composite structures
    Patent number: 9434139
    Abstract: A system for repair of damaged holes in composite structures incorporates a repair system tool device having a sleeve sized to be closely received in a hole in a composite structure. The sleeve has a central bore for receiving parent resin and an array of orifices for radial expulsion of the parent resin into the hole. A caul plate seals the central bore and a vacuum bag covering the caul plate is sealed to the surface of the composite structure. Introduction of vacuum in the vacuum bag provides a differential pressure for infusion of resin from the orifices in the sleeve into delaminations extending from the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Eugene Dan-Jumbo
  • Masking plug
    Patent number: 9415411
    Abstract: A masking plug may including a retainer having a longitudinal axis, the retainer including a central portion and an axially aligned anchor portion, the anchor portion being outwardly biased relative to the longitudinal axis, and a plug body disposed around the central portion, wherein the anchor portion is configured to exert an axial force upon the plug body when inserted within an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric E. Deck, Carl Dekker
  • Hybrid structure and methods for forming the same
    Patent number: 9393761
    Abstract: A method for forming a hybrid structure is provided. The method includes applying a sealant to a first component fabricated from a first material, coupling an isolation sheet to the sealant, and coupling a second component to the isolation sheet. The isolation sheet and the second component are fabricated from a second material that is different than the first material to facilitate preventing formation of a galvanic cell within the hybrid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Marcus Alexander Erickson
  • Patching device
    Patent number: 9387634
    Abstract: The present system, method and apparatus are adapted for the quick and easy patching of inflatable devices. More specifically, the system, apparatus and methods comprise a tip, a body portion, an adhesive, a patch and a probe, wherein the tip and body portion are inserted into the inflatable device so as to apply the adhesive and patch to the interior of the device to create an air-tight seal. The disclosure thus provides an improved patching system, apparatus and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CAVU01, LLC
    Inventor: William Woodruff
  • Methods of underwater seaming
    Patent number: 9388592
    Abstract: A method of seaming together two fiberglass pool components can include providing a first fiberglass pool component having a first edge. The method can also include providing a second fiberglass pool component having a second edge. A first tongue can extend from the first edge. A second tongue can extend from the second edge. The method can also include applying a first adhesive to a top surface of the first tongue and positioning a bottom surface of the second tongue on the first adhesive. A second adhesive can be applied on a top surface of the second tongue. A tile or tiles can be positioned on the second adhesive. A silicone sealant or a silicone grout can be applied between the tile and the first edge; and between the tile and the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Latham Pool Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore F. Baudendistel, Richard E. Black, Jr.
  • Method for manufacturing a head assembly comprising a tube head and a barrier insert
    Patent number: 9370911
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a head assembly comprising a tube head and a metal barrier insert, said method comprising steps of: providing a barrier insert comprising an intermediate metal layer being a disc having an inner opening, defining an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner edge and an outer edge, an upper layer made of plastic material covering said upper surface of the intermediate metal layer, and a lower layer made of plastic material covering said lower surface of the intermediate metal layer, heating at least one of said upper and lower layers, so that said upper or lower layer melts and the plastic material flows and covers at least the inner edge or the outer edge of the intermediate metal layer, attaching said barrier insert to the inner side of the shoulder of a plastic tube head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ALBEA SERVICES
    Inventor: Thierry Maurice
  • Method of repairing composite material and composite material
    Patent number: 9365282
    Abstract: A method of repairing a composite material is provided in which a frustum-shaped portion of a composite material is removed, and the composite material and a repair material are bonded with each other while evacuating. The repair method includes step S2 of removing a damaged part 11 from the front side so as to pass through in the thickness direction while leaving a support wall protruding inward in the radial direction from the periphery of the top face of the frustum-shaped portion; step S3 of sealing the back side by placing a sealing plate, which is inserted from the front side into a through hole formed by the removing step, on the support wall; step S5 of placing the repair material through an adhesive on the composite material where the frustum-shaped portion has been removed; and step S6 of evacuating in a state in which the front side is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshikazu Shigetomi, Masayoshi Suhara, Morimasa Ishida, Shuhei Muto
  • Method and system for tensioning park brake cables
    Patent number: 9347482
    Abstract: A method of tensioning a park brake system of a vehicle includes providing an adjustment mechanism having a nut in threaded engagement with a rod that defines a signal to noise ratio therebetween. The nut is advanced on the rod to remove slack until torque applied to the nut indicates that the park cables include a tension equal to an offset tension level. The nut is then retracted on the rod to introduce slack into the park cables and reduce the tension in the park cables to a target slack tension level. A signal to noise ratio between the nut and the rod is improved so that the cable tension may be predicted by the torque required to turn the nut on the rod, thereby allowing a torque indicating tool to measure the tension in the park cables my measuring the torque required to turn the nut on the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sapienza, Robbie D. Cannon
  • Method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber with a tensile element
    Patent number: 9339080
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber with a tensile element includes manufacturing a tensile element and incorporating the tensile element into a chamber. A first material layer, a second material layer, and a spacing structure having a plurality of support portions and a plurality of gaps may be stacked. The material layers may be located on either side of the spacing structure or on one side of the spacing structure. A strand may be stitched through the gaps to join the material layers and to form the tensile element. The spacing structure may be removed, and the first material layer may be spaced from the second material layer such that segments of the strand extend between the material layers. The tensile element may then be secured to opposite interior surfaces of an outer barrier, and the outer barrier may be pressurized to place the strand in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle L. Taylor, James C. Meschter
  • Double-sided fasteners
    Patent number: 9339085
    Abstract: A method for forming a double-sided loop strap includes: receiving a continuous longitudinal strip of loop material including a strip-form base bearing a field of upstanding loops on a fastening side of the strip bounded by opposite longitudinal edges, folding each of the longitudinal edges away from the fastening side, such that the base overlaps itself, and securing the folded edges in place by permanently bonding together overlapped areas of the base to form the double-sided loop strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Velcro BVBA
    Inventors: Mary L. Watts, James T. Grady, Andrew Collins
  • Repair patch for an elastomer component, in particular for a vehicle tire, having increased adhesive strength
    Patent number: 9321223
    Abstract: A repair patch for an elastomer component, in particular for a vehicle tire, includes a cover layer, a connecting layer for contacting a wall of the elastomer component and at least one intermediate layer arranged between the connecting layer and the cover layer. The connecting layer has such a initial tack before vulcanization with the elastomer component that a connection between the repair patch and the elastomer component transmits at least the own weight of the repair patch and the connecting layer has a separation value of at least 5 N/mm after vulcanization with the elastomer component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: REMA TIP TOP GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Casper, Christian Rauch, Patric Scheungraber
  • Elastomeric bladder system
    Patent number: 9308704
    Abstract: A method for and apparatus for forming a bladder system. A bladder with an open end is formed. The open end of the bladder is placed into an interior of a fitting. The open end of the bladder is connected to the interior of the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles William Thomas, David Allen Hahs
  • Method and apparatus for assembly of a satellite antenna
    Patent number: 9308713
    Abstract: A method of assembling a satellite antenna including placing a first layer PCB including an alignment hole on an assembly fixture including an alignment pole, placing a solid foam spacer including an alignment hole on the assembly fixture, pressing the solid foam spacer onto the first layer PCB to adhere the solid foam spacer to the first layer PCB, removing an adhesive carrier film from a reflector patch of a reflector patch sheet including an alignment hole, placing the reflector patch sheet on the assembly feature, pressing the reflector patch sheet onto the solid foam spacer to adhere the reflector patch to the solid foam spacer, and removing a release liner from the top of the reflector patch sheet to remove excess material from the reflector patch sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hughes Network Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Aicsa Becerril, Alex Toh, Alfred Ebrahim, Ming Sun
  • Adhesive height setting
    Patent number: 9311955
    Abstract: Methods for adhering parts together using part gap spacers are provided herein. Part gap spacers are formed in a selected pattern and a selected height on a surface of at least one surface of two parts to be oppositely disposed. When disposed opposite each other, at least some of the part gap spacers contact the opposite surface, and establish a standoff distance that is generally uniform, and thereby creating voids. Adhesive is disposed in at least some of the voids to adhere the part surfaces to each other. Further methods comprise forming part gap spacers on multiple sides of a third part to be disposed intermediate two surfaces. The part gap spacers can be formed in a variety of shapes, including bumps, tapers, ribs, and flange edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Paco Flores, Anthony J. Aiello, Klaus D. Kloeppel, Reid E. Berry
  • High heat-radiant optical device substrate and manufacturing method thereof
    Patent number: 9306142
    Abstract: The manufacturing of an optical device substrate is achieved by anodizing the surface of a metal plate, coating an insulative liquid bonding agent, having a viscosity which can permeate into an anodized film of the metal plate, on the metal plate, and alternately layering, pressing, and heat treating the metal plate coated with the liquid bonding agent and an insulative film bonding agent before the liquid bonding agent becomes solid so that bonding force between the metal plate and an insulation layer is strengthened, bubbles formation in the liquid bonding agent is inhibited, the fragile nature of the liquid bonding agent after the solidification is reduced producing an optical device substrate with improved mechanical strength and an insulation layer of precisely controlled thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Point Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki Myung Nam, Tae Hwan Song, Young Chul Jun
  • Tool for removing sealant around a seal cap
    Patent number: 9295367
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a fastener element. A structure may be positioned over a seal cap that has been adhered and sealed to the fastener element. A number of projections associated with the structure may be moved along an interface formed between the seal cap and an object in which the fastener element has been installed such that the number of projections removes at least a portion of excess material around the seal cap while moving along the interface between the seal cap and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jesse Randal Wiseman, Roger A. Gage, Matthew Gregory Kesterson, Stephan Joel Favilla
  • Stitching apparatus and method of use
    Patent number: 9290870
    Abstract: The present invention is a stitching apparatus and method of use wherein large spools of material can be used and driven into position in a sewing, embroidery or other stitching machine, thereby decreasing the complexity of the stitching process and reducing breakage and thread depletion. The apparatus generally comprises an upper thread feeding assembly, a lower thread feeding assembly, a stitching surface area and an activation assembly, wherein the activation assembly bonds the upper thread to the lower thread at the stitching surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Geoff McCue
  • Method for handling adhesive laminate sections
    Patent number: 9289968
    Abstract: A method of handling an adhesive laminate, wherein the adhesive laminate is provided releasably adhered to a first web, comprising a plurality of cut or punched sections and wherein adjacent sections of the adhesive laminate remain joined to one another in the longitudinal direction of the web through one or more tie points. A first supporting structure and a second supporting structure adjacent to the first supporting structure are provided. The first web is led over the first supporting structure. A second web is provided and led over the second supporting structure, wherein the second web is oriented such that the release surface of the second web faces the first supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John M. Sever, Gordon P. Knutson
  • Fluid conveyance safety devices, methods, and systems
    Patent number: 9283320
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a structure and method for making a dual-lumen needle from single lumen needles to take advantage of the much higher economies of scale. Variations include two needles joined by a flow junction and one needle and a single cannula joined by a flow junction. In addition disclosed are methods of using a dual-lumen needle in a two needle access for blood treatment is disclosed in which at least venous flow is provided through a dual-lumen needle with arterial flow just sufficient to provide air infiltration detection in the event of withdrawal of the dual-lumen needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, Jeffery H. Burbank
  • Method of fabricating crystal unit, crystal unit fabrication mask, and crystal unit package
    Patent number: 9287843
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a crystal unit fills an adhesive from a first opening in a front surface of a mask of each of penetration holes in the mask in a state in which the mask is set on a base, into each penetration hole, and heats, by a heating element, a sidewall region defining a second opening in a back surface of the mask, in order to cure a sidewall part of the adhesive in the sidewall region defining each penetration hole in contact with the adhesive filling each penetration hole. A crystal blank is bonded on the base using the adhesive in order to form the crystal unit, after removing the mask from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hajime Kubota, Masayuki Itoh, Masakazu Kishi