Patents Examined by Christopher Besler
  • Punch rivet and method for the attachment of individual components to one another of which at least one component is formed by a workpiece of composite material
    Patent number: 9700933
    Abstract: A punch rivet for fastening individual components to one another of which at least one component is formed by a workpiece, with the punch rivet having a flange of larger diameter, a rivet section of smaller diameter and a ring-like component contact surface at the side of the flange adjacent the rivet section and surrounding the rivet section, with the rivet section having at its free end a ring surface for the piercing of the two workpieces which stands at least substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the punch rivet and an inner concave ring surface which forms the transition from the end of the punch rivet into the hollow internal space of the rivet section. Ribs extending parallel to the longitudinal axis are provided at the generally cylindrical outer surface of the rivet section and extend up to the free end face of the rivet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Diehl, Richard Humpert, Andreas Lembach
  • Guidewire insertion tool
    Patent number: 9700703
    Abstract: A guidewire insertion tool includes a sidewall defining a passageway having a first open end and a second open end and a neck therebetween. The passageway tapers from the first and second open ends to the neck. The sidewall has a slit extending longitudinally along the sidewall. A tab is adjacent one of the first or second open ends for removing the tool from a guidewire through the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Coeur, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Cude
  • Seal structure of fluid device
    Patent number: 9695939
    Abstract: A seal structure includes: first and second members defining a hollow internal area of a fluid device; and a seal member fixed to the first member for sealing a gap between the first and second members. The seal member includes a sliding contact member being in sliding contact with a surface of the second member and formed of a resin. The second member includes a resin layer and a resin layer holding structure. The resin layer is formed by sliding the second member on the sliding contact member to transfer the resin forming the sliding contact member onto a sliding contact portion of the surface of the second member at which the second member comes into contact with the sliding contact member. The resin layer holding structure is a porous film formed by electric discharge surface treatment and holds the resin layer in the sliding contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Hifumi Tabata, Nobuhiko Yunoki, Mitsutoshi Watanabe, Hiroyuki Ochiai, Eiji Hosoi
  • Method and apparatus for physical confinement of a liquid meniscus over a semiconductor wafer
    Patent number: 9694453
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems for physically confining a liquid medium applied over a semiconductor wafer include a chemical head. The chemical head including multiple first return conduits formed from a first flat region in a head surface and multiple second return conduits formed from a second flat region in the head surface. The second flat region being disposed immediately adjacent to the first flat region and the second flat region being in a plane substantially parallel to and offset from the first flat region. At least one of the first return conduits and the second return conduits being formed at a first angle relative to the head surface and the first angle being greater than about 20 degrees to a meniscus plane normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Enrico Magni, Eric Lenz
  • Burnishing head
    Patent number: 9694471
    Abstract: This invention concerns a burnishing head for smooth rolling of the ring-shaped flat end faces (3, 4) at the thrust bearing of crankshafts by means of two cylindrical burnishing rollers (1, 2) which are arranged to be rotated and are side by side in parallel to each other within a burnishing head housing (12) that is pivotable about its longitudinal axis (20) to reach its the working position. Each burnishing roller (1, 2) is pivoted in a cage (10, 11) which is provided in the burnishing head housing (12) with low play (13) and lateral relocatability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hegenschneidt-MFD GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alfred Heimann
  • In-ear monitors and methods of manufacturing
    Patent number: 9693158
    Abstract: An in-ear monitor and a method for manufacturing the in-ear monitor from a block of solid medium made from a combination of wood and acrylic and finished with an acrylic coating. The manufacturing process utilizes computerized numerical control techniques to subtractively manufacture the in-ear monitor from the block of solid medium. Acrylic pieces are embedded into the wood randomly or in a desired pattern so that each block has a unique design pattern. Each in-ear monitor is manufactured from a block of solid medium, will therefore, have a unique design pattern as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: WIZARD AUDIO INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Moulton, Brannan Mason
  • Method and device for assembling at least one seat into an airplane
    Patent number: 9688420
    Abstract: A seat assembling method for assembling at least one seat into an airplane, the method having the steps of position a seat installing device at a predetermined assembly position in the airplane, convey the at least one seat into the interior of the airplane to the seat installing device by means of a seat conveying device, transfer the seat from the seat conveying device to the seat installing device, and install the seat by means of the seat installing device which is positioned at the assembly position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: EADS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Patrick Rollfink, Daniel Meister
  • Mat systems and methods
    Patent number: 9687100
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe anti-fatigue mat systems and methods configured to provide a seamless transition between a first position allowing a user to sit on a chair positioned in front of a workstation and a second position allowing the user to stand on an upper mat positioned in front of the work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: LET'S GEL INC.
    Inventor: Robert L McMahan
  • Key ring method and apparatus
    Patent number: 9681712
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a fashion ring from a key is presented. The method includes supporting the key on first and second surfaces, forcing the key into a shaping aperture between the first and second surfaces with a round form, wrapping a first portion of the key around the round form with a first die, wrapping a second portion of the key around the round form with a second die, removing the wrapped key from the round form, and applying a finishing process to the wrapped key to form a fashion ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: JoJo Rings, LLC
    Inventor: Jordan Nicole Dudden
  • Method for producing a heat exchanger and heat exchanger obtained by said method, swage and tube expansion device for implementing said method
    Patent number: 9669455
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle, a method whereby fluid circulation tubes (3) are inserted into through holes in heat exchange fins (4) and the fluid circulation tubes (3) are subjected to expansion in such a way as to expand a contour (22) of the tubes (3) to ensure contact with the fins (4) at the through holes and, additionally, for at least one of the tubes (3), to deform a concave portion (24) of the contour (22) of the tube or tubes (3), in such a way as to correspondingly deform the through holes. A device for implementing the method and an exchanger obtained by the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Patrick Boisselle, Samuel Bry
  • Stent delivery system having dynamic deployment and methods of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 9668898
    Abstract: A stent delivery system for dynamic deployment of a stent loaded thereon and a method of manufacturing the system. The stent delivery system includes a balloon catheter with a balloon in a spirally twisted delivery configuration on which a stent is crimped or otherwise loaded. The stent is made from a single, continuous strand of wire formed into a sinusoidal waveform that is wrapped into a helical pattern and joined at selected crowns. Upon inflation of the spirally twisted balloon of the stent delivery system, the stent undergoes dynamic deployment such that the stent in a deployed or expanded configuration has crowns with obtuse deployment angles and crowns with acute deployment angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Wong
  • One piece inlet lip skin design
    Patent number: 9664113
    Abstract: An aircraft engine inlet incorporates a lip skin having a skin web with a plurality of stiffeners integrally extending from the skin web. An aft edge land integrally extends from the skin web at an outer rim and an inner edge land integrally extends from the skin web at an inner rim. A central land integrally extends from the skin web with the plurality of stiffeners extending between said aft edge land and the central land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ronnie Wilson, Alan D. Stemple
  • Device and method for electromechanically-assisted roller burnishing
    Patent number: 9662765
    Abstract: A device for electromechanically assisted roller burnishing (EMRB) may comprise: a roller burnishing tool with exactly one current-leading roller burnishing element for burnishing a workpiece, wherein the roller burnishing element represents a first electrical contact element for electrically contacting first location of the workpiece, and a second electrical contact element for electrically contacting second location of the workpiece; wherein the first and the second electrical contact elements can be positioned at a settable spatial distance to one another, so that on moving the roller burnishing element on the workpiece, a current path in the workpiece between the first and the second contact elements is always a constant length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Technische Universität Berlin
    Inventors: Holger Hüning, Jens König, Eckart Uhlmann, Christoph König
  • Cushion restoration method
    Patent number: 9661935
    Abstract: Steps for using an insert to restore sagging sofa cushions are provided. Over time, the cushion develops a depression on a sitting surface of a deformable member and an elevation on a base surface of the deformable member. The cushion also suffers from reduced elasticity in the deformable member. Positioning the insert between a cushion casing and deformable member of the cushion allows for sagging areas of the cushion to be fixed. The cushion restoring insert thus addresses both aforementioned issues. An elongated elastic member with similar elasticity to the original cushion provides a like-new level of elasticity for the cushion. The cushion restoring insert also increases volume within the cushion casing, causing tension in combination with the cushion casing. This tension counteracts the depression and elevation, helping to return the cushion to a like new state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventors: Belinda A. Maggard, James S. Maggard
  • Method and fixture for attaching a sanding disc to a hand sander
    Patent number: 9656364
    Abstract: A hand sander and sanding disc fixture for attaching a sanding disc to a hand sander includes a table having a top with a sander storage station and an application station thereon. The storage station has a holder capable of holding a hand sander having a sander pad on the top of the table. The application station has at least two datum pegs extending from the top of the table that are capable of passing through two corresponding datum holes in the sanding disc. The at least two datum pegs having datum surfaces configured to be received in datum notches in an outer diameter of the sander pad. The datum pegs are capable of aligning the sander pad with the sanding disc when the sander pad is pressed against an attaching side of the sanding disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Tool Technologies by Van Dyke, LLC, Starcke Abrasives USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl Ann Ryan, Anthony Mudd, Steven Ray Van Dyke, Jerry Douglas Horn
  • Dummy shaft, apparatus for assembling differential unit using dummy shaft, and method for manufacturing differential unit
    Patent number: 9657830
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dummy shaft which prevents washers from falling off. In addition, disclosed are an apparatus for assembling a differential unit using the dummy shaft, and a method for manufacturing the differential unit. Specifically disclosed is a dummy shaft for temporarily assembling a differential unit by being inserted into a pinion gear, and a washer in contact with an outer surface of the pinion gear, including a body portion, and a movable portion slidable in a direction toward or away from the body portion. The movable portion has a receiving groove for catching the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahisa Masuyama, Kenichi Saho
  • Multi-surface object end manual filing tool
    Patent number: 9649706
    Abstract: A device for filing and/or abrading the multiple surfaces and/or edges of an object end so that they are less sharp, rough, dangerous, or so that they better conform to a desired shape. Embodiments of the device may comprise filing surfaces for filing the multiple object surfaces and/or edges thereof without requiring substantial repositioning of either the device or the object with surfaces and/or edges being filed. Moreover, embodiments of the device may be useful for filing sets of both the inner and outer object surfaces and/or edges thereof without requiring substantial repositioning of either the device or the object, and therefore in a more efficient and less dangerous manner. It is anticipated that some embodiments may comprise filing surfaces arranged in a manner configured to file the surfaces and/or edges of a strut end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Taras Ursuliak
  • System and method for removing and/or installing a rotor blade of a wind turbine
    Patent number: 9651021
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for lifting and/or removing a rotor blade to and from a wind turbine. In one embodiment, the system includes an up-tower pulley mounted on an up-tower location of the wind turbine, first and second ground winches, a pulley cable from the first ground winch over the up-tower pulley and attached to the rotor blade, a guide line attached between an up-tower location of the wind turbine and the second ground winch, a guide pulley mounted on the guide line, and a guide cable from the guide line over the guide pulley to the rotor blade. Thus, the guide pulley is configured to move along the guide line during lifting and removing of the rotor blade so that the guide cable can control an orientation of the rotor blade relative to the tower during lifting and removing of the rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ulrich Werner Neumann, Brent Hamilton Holloway, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Michael R. Johnson, Forrest Christopher Hach, Kevin Costain, Stephanie Willman
  • Heat exchange reactor using thin plate provided with flow path therein and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9643288
    Abstract: Disclosed are a heat exchange reactor and a method of manufacturing the same, and a method of manufacturing a heat exchange reactor includes: preparing lateral plates provided with a plurality of slits formed in parallel in a longitudinal direction; disposing two lateral plates to be spaced apart from each other while facing each other in a vertical direction; forming a plurality of flow path channels by inserting flow path partition plates into one or more slits of the two lateral plates in a horizontal direction; forming a plurality of flow path channels by inserting printed circuit heat exchange plates, which autonomously include one or more heat exchange flow paths therein, into one or more slits of the two lateral plates in a horizontal direction; and bonding the lateral plates, the flow path partition plates, and the printed circuit heat exchange plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Dong Joo Seo, Wang Lai Yoon, Woohyun Kim, Un Ho Jung, Kee Young Koo, Sang Ho Park, Young Jae Hwang
  • Method for positioning counter entraining means of a shaft door of a lift installation
    Patent number: 9643821
    Abstract: A method for positioning counter entraining means which are provided on a shaft door of a lift installation, with respect to entraining means provided on a lift cage door of a lift cage of the lift installation, wherein the shaft door and the lift cage door can be coupled to each other by the entraining means acting upon the counter entraining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR AG
    Inventors: Petros Burutjis, Gerald Steinz, Maurizio Esposito