Patents Examined by Christopher W. Fulton
  • Patent number: 11454486
    Abstract: A measurement device can include a plurality of wheel support modules. Each of the wheel support modules can be configured to attach to a different type of vehicle wheel and to provide for rotation of the vehicle wheel about an axis. An arm can be removably attached to the first wheel support module. A measurement element that measures deformation of the vehicle wheel can be moveably attached to the arm. The different configuration of each of the wheel support modules allows for various types of vehicle wheels to be measured for deformation using the same measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Claude Lawrence
  • Patent number: 11446954
    Abstract: A kit for making a sign utilizing a router includes a plurality of interlocking templates that can be utilized to form the letters for a sign. The kit includes two or more templates that are positioned in the same location on a board in a sequence to form a single letter, number or symbol with an island with an uninterrupted perimeter. The kit also includes a guide bushing that is secured to the router bit to prevent the router bit from gouging into the templates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Rockler Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve D. Krohmer, Daniel P. Banasik
  • Patent number: 11440338
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an artist tool for capturing relationships between features comprises: a first transparent blade; and a second transparent blade, the first and the second transparent blade each having a length extending from a first to a second distal end, and a width extending from a first to a second edge, each having a fastener hole offset from a center point; a fastener that penetrates through the fastener holes of the first and second blades such that the first blade is rotatably coupled to the second blade by the fastener. At least one of the first or second blades comprise a first linear slit that extends along a center axis between the first distal end and the fastener hole. Either blade may include a second linear slit that extends between the second distal end and the fastener hole. The center axis passing through a center of the fastening hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Martha Christine Heppard
  • Patent number: 11439431
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an auto-tensioning feature. The handle assembly includes a body and a plunger. The shaft assembly includes an external sheath that is fixed to the handle body and an interior shaft that is coupled to the plunger. The interior shaft is slidable relative to the external sheath. The end effector is configured to encompass a bodily lumen and includes a flexible member extending distally from the interior shaft. A first coupling element is fixed to the distal tip of the flexible member. A second coupling element is fixed to the external sheath. The first and second coupling elements are magnetically attracted to each other and are biased toward each other such that the flexible member defines an adjustable loop. The auto-tensioning feature is configured to bias the plunger portion proximally relative to the handle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Lauren E. Flakne, Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Kyle P. Taylor, Celeste L. Huster, Jerome K. Grudem, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11435181
    Abstract: A laser level system including a laser level, the laser level projecting at least one laser line. The system also includes a bracket on which the laser level is mounted and a battery pack. The bracket includes a battery pack receptacle into which the battery pack is removably coupled. The battery pack powers the laser level. The battery pack has a maximum initial battery pack voltage (measured without a workload) of at least 18 volts. The system also includes at least one electrical conductor which delivers power from the battery pack in the battery pack receptacle to the laser level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Bahauddin Khan, Kun Chang, Wei Chen, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 11419522
    Abstract: A device for measuring a dimension includes: an electronic tape measure including: a portable casing including an opening having a Y axis; a winder in the casing having an X axis; a tape passing through the casing opening and including an end fixed on the winder and a free end outside the casing; a module for measuring a measurement relating to said outer section; a trigger for generating a signal by the trigger activation; and an interpretation module for controlling inputting of the measurement when the trigger signal is received, in which device the free end of the outer section includes a fastener, and the casing includes a fastening region allowing the fastener to be fixed, the length of the surface of the casing that extends between the fastening region and the opening of the casing being less than 4 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: LABORATOIRES INNOTHERA
    Inventors: Sophie Bassez, Amina Ouchene, Jean-Christophe Lourme, David Renout
  • Patent number: 11414985
    Abstract: Tools and methods are described to measure dimensions of wellbores. Downhole caliper tools include a downhole collar and an uphole collar having a running position and a sensing position. The uphole collar is farther from the downhole collar in the running position than in the sensing position. A caliper sensor assembly includes: a sensor module defining tracks extending parallel to an axis of the caliper tool, the sensor module positioned towards an uphole end of the caliper tool relative to the uphole collar; and a caliper disposed between the downhole collar and the uphole collar including: a flexible mesh extending from the downhole collar to the uphole collar. Movement of the uphole collar from the running position to the sensing position axially compresses and radially expands the flexible mesh. The annular sensor module can measure dimensions of the flexible mesh relative to the axis of the caliper tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Bandar S. Al-Malki, Bodong Li, Guodong Zhan, Timothy Eric Moellendick
  • Patent number: 11415412
    Abstract: A measurement probe is described that includes a probe body, a stylus that is deflectable relative to the probe body, and a plurality of sensor elements for generating a sensor signal indicative of stylus deflection. An analyser is provided, optionally as part of a trigger unit, to analyse the sensor signals and issues a trigger signal to indicate the stylus has contacted an object. The analyser is arranged to combine a plurality of the sensor signals to generate a resultant deflection signal for comparison to a deflection threshold and is also arranged to detect oscillatory motion of the stylus by analysing at least one of the sensor signals. The analyser only issues a trigger signal when the resultant deflection signal crosses the deflection threshold and no oscillatory motion of the stylus is detected. The measurement probe may be used on a machine tool or other coordinate positioning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Jamie John Buckingham, Michael John Wooldridge, Ben Richard Holden, Stephen Peter Ewen
  • Patent number: 11415415
    Abstract: An effective inexpensive, compact and easy-to-use self-leveling laser level capable of projecting at least two laser beams at any desired angle dialed on a 360-degree format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: David Uribe
  • Patent number: 11408184
    Abstract: A tile spacing device and accompanying system and method are disclosed for spacing multiple tiles. In one embodiment, a central body has four arms extending therefrom with a releasably frangible connection. Each of the four arms has a cellular sheet structure defined by multiple cells, including at least one hexagonal cell. The central body and the four arms provide a four-tile engagement configuration. By selectively breaking and removing an arm, a three-tile engagement configuration may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Acufloor, LLC
    Inventors: Clinton D. Bunch, Joshua A. Bunch
  • Patent number: 11397063
    Abstract: An improved jig for manufacturing a firearm lower receiver is comprised of a power tool mount; an adapter; a guide plate with plate screws; a rear support with mounting screws; a front support; and at least one of a carriages with at least one locating pin. A guide plate is disposed below the top surface of a lower receiver in conjunction with an adapter. The jig is a universal fitment and includes a bearing to support a rotary tool and at least one guiding feature can be used to facilitate in the guidance of the rotary tool without placing the rotary tool in direct contact with any of the guidance features. A removable locating pin is situated a long the front and rear takedown pin holes of a firearm receiver that is not threaded and is provided with at least one of a pull, string or other handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: BlackHawk Manufacturing Group Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne R. Partington
  • Patent number: 11391565
    Abstract: Provided are a marker that enables, within a smaller area size, measurement of the position or the attitude of an object, and a marker manufacturing method. The marker is provided with a variable moire pattern 3 that includes a striped pattern 9 which is formed on a two-dimensional plane and a lens array 7 in which a plurality of lenses are arranged on the two-dimensional plane on which the striped pattern 9 is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Hideyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11385040
    Abstract: Portable shaft wear measurement devices for, and methods of, measuring gage wear of driving elements, e.g., splines or keyways, on drive shafts, having at least one standard having a profile matching the profile of the driving element, the device being capable of disposing over the shaft when it is still attached to the machine that provides the driving force, so that when the device is installed over the shaft, the standard is capable of some angular rotation around a central axis, the degree of angular rotation being limited by the amount of wear of the driving elements, an indicator mechanism magnifying the amount of indication of wear by disposing the indicator radially outwardly of the central axis. A method of measurement using such a device, and a method of statistical regression analysis of wear of a shaft over time alerts when the shaft requires replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Baker Verdin Gregory
  • Patent number: 11385052
    Abstract: There is provided a surveying instrument including a tripod which is installed on an installation surface and a surveying instrument main body which is provided on the tripod and laterally rotatable around a longitudinal axis, wherein the tripod includes a reference leg has a known relationship between a lower end of the reference leg and a machine reference point which is a machine center of the surveying instrument main body, and two auxiliary legs, the reference leg is installed in such a manner that a lower end of the reference leg coincides with a reference point, wherein the surveying instrument main body calculates a position of the machine reference point with respect to the reference point based on the positional relationship between the lower end of the reference leg and the machine reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TOPCON Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Nishita, Fumio Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 11385055
    Abstract: Various aspects of a laser level interfacing with a modular storage system are shown. The laser level couples to a storage unit and/or a stand that itself couples to the storage unit. The stand extends past the front of the storage unit and permits the laser level to emit line in the downward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher R. Millane
  • Patent number: 11378379
    Abstract: A tool cutting edge measuring device that is mounted on a horizontal lathe and multitasking machine includes contact type sensors and an arm. The sensors are configured to measure cutting edge positions of tools in a machining chamber and the arm is movable between an advance position and a retracted position. The arm advances into the machining chamber at the advance position and retracts from the machining chamber at the retracted position. The arm has distal ends provided with two branching units branched into the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction at the advance position and the sensors are mounted to the respective branching units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Naruse
  • Patent number: 11378374
    Abstract: An inspection and measurement device includes a body defining a first planar face within a first bounded area, a first reference feature disposed on the first planar face within the first bounded area and corresponding with a first measurable parameter, and at least a second reference feature disposed on the first planar face within the first bounded area and corresponding with a second measurable parameter. The first and second reference features are positioned within the first bounded area for placement adjacent an element bearing the respective one of the first and second measurable parameters. The first and second reference features overlap within the first bounded area in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Gregory E. Lowitz
  • Patent number: 11378395
    Abstract: An electro-optical level employs a bubble tube with opposite first and second ends. First and second light emitters are disposed respectively beyond the first and second axial ends of the tube and direct light toward the ends of the bubble in the tube. Electro-optical detectors are aligned substantially parallel to the axis of the tube and are spaced from the tube. First and second beams from the respective first and second light emitters scatter as the beams impinge upon the bubble. However, the scattered light from each light emitter will form a bright spot on the respective electro-optical detector at a point corresponding to the end of the bubble. The locations of the bright spots are detected by the electro-optical detectors and precisely determine the locations of the opposite ends of the bubble regardless of dimensional changes of the tube or the bubble due to temperature variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Hamar Laser Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin R. Hamar, Carlos Araujo
  • Patent number: 11371820
    Abstract: The present invention relates measuring tapes and methods for making thereof. In particular, the measuring tape of the present invention contains a wipe mechanism for cleaning the tape as it retracts into its housing. The wipe mechanism contains a top wipe and a bottom wipe for removing debris from the top and bottom surfaces of the tape, respectively, when it is retracted after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: MUCKTAPE LLC
    Inventor: Joseph P. Zelenack, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11371821
    Abstract: A method for extracting a gear tooth profile edge based on an engagement-pixel image edge tracking method includes defining a transmission ratio relationship between a cutter and an envelope tooth profile, setting a cutter profile step size and an envelope step size, acquiring instantaneous contact images at different engaging times, and performing a binarization processing on each curve envelope cluster image; sweeping a boundary of an envelope curve cluster, acquiring pixel points of the edge; preliminarily tracking a tooth profile edge, and then performing a secondary extraction and compensation on the pixel points; calibrating coordinates of a cutter profile; extracting a pixel coordinate of an instantaneous engaging point; converting the pixel points among different instantaneous engaging images; extracting a final tooth profile coordinate of the gear, and performing a tooth shape error analysis and a contact line error analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: XIAMEN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bin Yao, Zhiqin Cai, Binqiang Chen