Patents Examined by Christopher Koehler
  • Patent number: 7996977
    Abstract: A stack arrangement has a first plate-shaped workpiece (12), at least one another plate-shaped workpiece, and an eyelet (14; 34) that connects the first workpiece (12) and the at least one another workpiece (13), with material of the first workpiece (12) being drawn through a through-opening (15) in the at least one another workpiece (13), and with a rim (17) of the through-opening (15) of the at least one another workpiece (13) conically narrowing in a direction of the first workpiece (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Armin Herb
  • Patent number: 7992275
    Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for lifting thrusters on vessels enabling for on vessel maintenance at sea. The method can include engaging a thruster mounting flange with a thruster well bottom flange; installing alignment guide plates to provide a rough alignment; positioning a seal to provide a connection; installing fasteners to secure the flanges; actuating clamps to secure the flanges while compressing the seal; raising the thruster out of the thruster well; transporting the thruster to a deck of the floating vessel; actuating clamps to hold the flanges; removing the fasteners; flowing water into the thruster well; disengaging the clamps; and lifting the thruster with the lifting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc.
    Inventors: Joannes Raymond Mari Bekker, Sammy Russell Moore