Patents Examined by Christopher M. Koehler
  • Patent number: 11564816
    Abstract: A multi-element, vascular stent may be used to maintain or enhance patency of a blood vessel. The stent may be used in peripheral blood vessels, which may be long and/or tortuous. By using multiple, separate stent elements that are balloon expandable, the multi-element stent may be stronger than a traditional self-expanding stent but may also be more flexible, due to its multiple-element configuration, than a traditional balloon-expandable stent. The distance between stent elements may be based on characteristics of the stent and the target vessel location such that the stent elements do not touch one another during skeletal movement. Thus, the multi-element, vascular stent described herein may be particularly advantageous for treating long lesions in tortuous peripheral blood vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: EFEMORAL MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jayson Delos Santos, Christopher Haig, Lewis B Schwartz
  • Patent number: 11565357
    Abstract: In one aspect there is provided a pipe spinner and lifter for supporting and rotating a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis. The pipe spinner and lifter comprises a pair of jaws that pivot about a pivot member, to allow the pipe spinner and lifter to actuate between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A plurality of rollers are mounted on the jaws, each rotatable about a rolling axis. When the pipe spinner and lifter is in the closed configuration, the cylindrical member can be rotatably captured by the pipe spinner and lifter, allowing the cylindrical member to rotate about its longitudinal axis. Preferably, the plurality of rollers are arranged in a substantially mirrored arrangement on the jaws. More preferably, the rolling axis of each of the rollers is substantially parallel to the cylindrical member's longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Precision Fiberglass Piping Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Twerdocleb, Nathan Ristau
  • Patent number: 11524524
    Abstract: Methods and devices and clamps for separating a hub from a rotor of a rotor/hub assembly, including a platform having a top portion to receive the rotor and an opening to allow a pusher from a jack or press to pass through the opening, and a set of clamps configured to hold the rotor in a fixed position with respect to the platform while the pusher pushes through the opening to contact the hub to separate the hub from the rotor. The clamps are generally C-shaped and devoid of moving parts and slip inwardly upon the platform to hold the rotor while the pusher pushes upward to release the hub from the rotor, and the clamps have a slot to allow the clamps to rotate and store out of position in a non-use mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: F.A.S. Engineered Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Scot Niebuhr, Forrest Niebuhr, Robert Gadow, Edward Hilstad
  • Patent number: 11505219
    Abstract: A device for connecting a cross member for receiving pivot pins on two lower longitudinal members of a car body for a rail vehicle. The cross member has a transversal part that connects the two longitudinal members to each other in the region of the connection, and a longitudinal part that extends to the closest car front. The lower longitudinal members extend over the complete length of the car body and consist of multi-chamber hollow profiles made of a fibre composite material. The number of chambers of the multi-chamber hollow profile of each longitudinal member is reduced in the region of the connection such that the wall material of at least one chamber was removed in such a way that the webs to the adjacent chambers are exposed. At these places, load-introducing elements engage, to which load-introducing elements the cross member is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG CO., LTD., CG RAIL—CHINESISCH-DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGS- UND ENTWICKLUNGSZENTRUM FÜR BAHN- UND VERKEHRSTECHNIK DREDEN GMBH
    Inventors: Jianying Liang, Chongcheng Zhong, Jiajie He, Junhai Liang, Jian Du, Dawei Ruan, Werner Hufenbach, Andreas Ulbricht
  • Patent number: 11498358
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a lug nut. The apparatus includes a base (150), a barrel (140), a lug nut engagement assembly (130), a plunger and a cam guide (170). The barrel (140) is coupled with the base (152) in a manner allowing the barrel (140) to move upwardly or downwardly within the base (150). The barrel (140) has an internal cam track portion (145). The lug nut engagement assembly (130) includes retractable fingers (132). The lug nut engagement assembly (130) is removeably affixed to the barrel (140). The plunger (160) is disposed within a portion of the lug nut engagement assembly (130), the barrel (140) and the cam guide (170). The plunger (160) has a tip for engagement with the retractable fingers (132). The cam guide (170) is disposed and moveable within a bottom portion of the barrel (140). The cam guide (170) has longitudinal rails (172) for engagement with the internal cam track (145) of the barrel (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: RoboTire, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Mica, Victor Darolfi
  • Patent number: 11485519
    Abstract: A wing panel assembly system includes a wing build station, a stringer staging station, and an overhead gantry sub-system including stringer lifting assemblies having lifting mechanisms and end effectors. The end effector has a stringer holder engaging and holding a stringer. The end effector has an actuator operable to move the stringer holder in at least one direction relative to the lifting mechanism. Each stringer lifting assembly is configured to move the stringer from the stringer staging station to the wing build station located relative to a surface of a skin of the wing panel to place the stringer onto the skin of the wing panel in a determined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Dennis Michael Weller, Thomas Gee Wittenberg, Manuel Torres Martinez
  • Patent number: 11457992
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storage assembly for at least a medical device, an insert and tray assembly comprising such storage assembly, and a manufacturing method for such storage assembly. The storage assembly comprises a sheet material. The sheet material comprises at least a recess in a planar portion of the sheet metal and at least a holding structure. The recess is configured to surround the medical device to be stored. The holding structure protrudes into the direction of the recess and is bent out of the sheet material planar portion to extend below the sheet material planar portion, so that the holding structure is configured to hold the medical device to be received from above relative to the sheet material planar portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Andreas Heede
  • Patent number: 11445863
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a bathtub that can include a U-shaped step saddle associated with a door assembly. The door assembly can include a hinge coupled with the U-shaped step saddle such that the door assembly can be transitioned between an open position and a closed position. The door assembly can include a catch and a latch to secure the door in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Safeway Safety Step, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Stafford, Michael Anthony Serraino, Bruce R. Slattery
  • Patent number: 11421442
    Abstract: A fence includes a plurality of posts, and fence panels having rails which extend across the plurality of posts, and are secured thereto. Jambs may be formed onto the fence system, and one or more gates may be hung to the jambs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Guardiar USA LLC
    Inventor: John F. Payne
  • Patent number: 11415467
    Abstract: A sleeving apparatus includes a worm gear. The worm gear has a plurality of threads, the worm gear receptive of a bead between adjacent threads of the plurality of threads. A plurality of flexible diaphragms are positioned along the worm gear. Each diaphragm of the plurality of diaphragms is configured to position a wire in alignment with a central bead opening of the bead. With rotation of the worm gear about a worm gear axis, the bead advances onto the wire with the wire passing into the central bead opening. The plurality of diaphragms are configured to allow passage of the bead through each diaphragm of the plurality of diaphragms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Stanley Rogers, Daniel James Galway
  • Patent number: 11391315
    Abstract: A precision threaded locator fastener bushing includes a driver portion, an exterior precision locating surface, an interior precision locating surface, and an exterior threaded portion. The precision threaded locator fastener bushing allows various fastening and precision locating devices to be precisely located relative to a fixture plate. The driver portion includes a ten-point driver configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Elijah Tooling, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard V. Miller
  • Patent number: 11391359
    Abstract: A tool assists with maintenance of a belted sheave system. The sheave system includes a belt, a support structure, and a rotational component including a housing detachably engaged to the support structure and a sheave mounted for rotation to the housing and about an axis. The tool includes a rod constructed and arranged to rigidly mount to the support structure with a centerline disposed substantially parallel to the axis. A bracket of the tool is constructed and arranged to be engaged to the housing and is in sliding contact with the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ludovic Lanuzel, Cyril Menard
  • Patent number: 11384810
    Abstract: A shock absorber pressure tube defining a working chamber is provided. A piston assembly coupled to a piston rod is slidably disposed in the pressure tube and divides the working chamber into upper and lower working chambers. A reserve tube surrounds the pressure tube to define a reserve chamber. A base valve assembly, position at one end of the pressure tube, controls fluid flow between the lower working chamber and the reserve chamber. The reserve tube comprises first and second open shells that are joined together at longitudinal seams to create a substantially cylindrical shape. The first and second open shells may be made from patchwork blanks, tailor welded blanks, tailor rolled blanks, or tailor heat treated blanks to give different portions of the first and second open shells different thicknesses, strengths, properties, or characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Amirahmad Mohammadi
  • Patent number: 11371630
    Abstract: A pipe coupling can comprise a first segment comprising a first end and a second end distal to the first end; a second segment comprising a first end and a second end distal to the first end; a first tightening element configured to draw the second end of the first segment towards the first end of the second segment; a second tightening element configured to draw the first end of the first segment towards the second end of the second segment; and a pivot clip between the second end of the first segment and the first end of the second segment, the pivot clip configured to maintain a separation distance between the second end of the first segment and the first end of the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ASC Engineered Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Cameron Belen, Jeffrey Brian Shaffer, Matthew William McNamara, Stephen Eric Scott
  • Patent number: 11352907
    Abstract: A device for assembling and disassembling a component of a gas turbine, having a rail system with at least two running rails. A carriage which can be pushed on the running rails along a specified movement axis is provided on the running rails, and the carriage has a securing device which is designed to secure a fitting section of a first carriage insert in a force-fitting manner such that the first carriage insert is moved together with the carriage when the carriage is moved on the running rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Müller, Christian Kowalzik
  • Patent number: 11345485
    Abstract: An aircraft fuselage assembling jig is a horizontal-type jig on which an aircraft fuselage panel is placed in a laid-down state, and includes: a base with a plurality of frame indexes for positioning both ends of a plurality of aircraft fuselage frames; a plurality of header plates, each of which protrudes from the base to extend along the panel, the header plates being arranged in parallel in an axial direction of the panel; a plurality of electric cylinders radially provided on each plate, the electric cylinders moving respective receiving members in a radial direction of the panel, the receiving members contacting a skin included in the panel; and air lifting devices provided on the respective receiving members and that, when supplied with air pressure, lift the skin from receiving surfaces of the respective receiving members and support the aircraft fuselage panel such that the aircraft fuselage panel is slidable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Kasahara, Shuhei Segawa
  • Patent number: 11331772
    Abstract: A method of connecting a first component having a first hole with a second component having a second hole includes the acts of placing together the two components so that the holes are situated above one another, and fixing the two components on one another. The fixing occurs by pushing a connection element projecting beyond the two components through the two components, the connection element having at least one clamping head which projects beyond a side of the first component facing away from the second component, and clipping a clamping element onto the clamping head, so that the clamping element is supported on a side of the first component facing away from the second component and exercises a clamping force onto the connection element which clamps together the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Herzinger, Sonja Wolf, Johann van Niekerk, Matthias Berger
  • Patent number: 11325291
    Abstract: A tool for driving a threaded fastener includes a driver head, a motor, and an injector. The driver head includes a spindle rotatable about an axis. A distal end of the spindle defines a plurality of drive surfaces configured to engage mating drive surfaces on the fastener to rotate the fastener about the axis. The driver head defines a fluid passage having an outlet proximate to the distal end of the spindle. The motor is drivingly coupled to the spindle to rotate the spindle about the axis. The injector is coupled to an inlet of the fluid passage and configured to feed a liquid insulator through the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christopher William Coyne, Samuel Jeffrey Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 11304535
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a bedding foundation having spring modules and a frame includes a support configured to receive the frame, a bridge disposed over the support, and staplers movably coupled to the bridge and positioned over the support, each stapler configured to staple a spring module to the frame. The apparatus also includes cameras coupled to the bridge and positioned over the support. Each stapler is operatively associated with one of the cameras and each camera is positioned to provide a field of view toward the support. The apparatus also includes a driver configured to move the frame relative to the support and a controller in communication with the cameras and the driver, the controller configured to receive vision guidance signals from one of the cameras to direct movement of the driver and of the stapler operatively associated with the one of the cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: L&P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Jefferson W. Myers, Travis L. Brummett, Joshua A. Carrier, Richard L. McCune, Franklin H. Rawlings
  • Patent number: 11298785
    Abstract: A method of servicing a pipe bundle or riser bundle employs a specially configured hoist having a rail that supports multiple lifts. A selected satellite pipe/conduit of the pipe bundle is both lifted and pulled horizontally in order to remove it from a plurality of supports that hold the satellite pipes together in spaced apart positions. During removal of a satellite pipe, the lifts elevate, then travel with and hold the pipe as it moves horizontally away from the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Coastal Cargo Company, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Don M. Zemo, Jr.