Patents Examined by Christopher W. Fulton
  • Patent number: 11366447
    Abstract: A spatial accuracy correction apparatus performs a spatial accuracy correction of a positioner displacing a displacer to a predetermined set of spatial coordinates using a measurable length value measured by an interferometer and a measurable value of the set of spatial coordinates of the displacement body that is measured by the positioner. The measured length value and the measured value for each measurement point are acquired by displacing the displacement body to a plurality of measurement points in order, one or more repeated measurements are conducted for at least one of the plurality of measurement points being measured after conducting measurement of the measured length value and the measured value for each of the plurality of measurement points, and the plurality of points are measured again when a repeat error of the measured length value is equal to or greater than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichiro Yanaka, Masayuki Nara
  • Patent number: 11366448
    Abstract: A method that corrects an error in positioning in a positioning mechanism by using a measurable length value measured by a laser interferometer and a measured value for spatial coordinates measured by the positioning mechanism. The method includes a measurement step in which a retroreflector affixed to a displacer is displaced to a plurality of measurement points, and the measured length value and the measured value at each of the measurement points is acquired; and a parameter calculation step in which a correction parameter is calculated based on the measured value, the measured length value, and the coordinates of a rotation center of the tracking-type laser interferometer. A first correction constant is applied to the measured length value for each measurement line, and a second correction constant different from the first correction constant is applied to the coordinates of the rotation center of the interferometer for each measurement line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichiro Yanaka, Masayuki Nara
  • Patent number: 11359906
    Abstract: A system and a method for uniformed surface measurement are provided, in which a sensor is provided to perform measurements on a carrier in a polishing machine, and a measuring trajectory of the sensor on the carrier is adjusted by controlling the pivoting of a sensor carrier carrying the sensor and the rotation of a rotating platform in the polishing machine in order to achieve uniformed surface measurements of the carrier and real-time constructions of the surface topography. This allows the polishing state of the carrier to be monitored in real time, thereby improving the efficiency of the polishing process. A sensing apparatus for uniformed surface measurement is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TA LIANG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chao-Chang Chen, Jen-Chieh Li, Yong-Jie Ciou, Hsien-Ming Lee, Jian-Shian Lin, Chun-Chen Chen, Ching-Tang Hsueh
  • Patent number: 11360494
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of cleaning tubes of a heat exchanger or a tube bundle that includes disengaging the heat exchanger or bundle from a use-position in a process or a plant; moving the heat exchanger or bundle to a cleaning station remote from the use-position; positioning the heat exchanger or tube bundle in front of a cleaning apparatus; providing water jet cleaning equipment on the cleaning apparatus; responding to programming in a computing device and controlling the water jet cleaning equipment and a cleaning operation; providing a pattern of tube openings defined in an end plate of the heat exchanger or bundle to the computing device; actuating the water jet cleaning equipment with the computing device; and manually or automatically performing a cleaning operation with the water jet cleaning equipment under control of the programming of the computing device and by following the provided pattern of tube openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TERYDON, INC.
    Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Terry D. Gromes, Jr., Kristen E. Griffin, Jon M. Shockey, Jr., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11357222
    Abstract: A fish measurement device including a hinged rigid bump board in combination with a slidably engageable cradle and a method for verification of fish measurement when using the device. The device having a QR tag used during the verification method authenticating fish size during a Catch, Photo, Release fishing tournament using a Tournament Management System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ketch Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Weskamp, Eric Peterson
  • Patent number: 11353310
    Abstract: A tile square includes a right isosceles triangular substantially rigid transparent sheet with ruler indicia adjacent to the hypotenuse and one of the equal sides. A fence is provided along the other equal side. A plurality of templates are formed in the sheet between the sides and hypotenuse. The templates include a plurality of holes for a range of pipe sizes and a series of arcs defining peripheral boundaries of a closet or toilet flange. The equal sides of the tool are at least 18 inches in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Ashton Travis Johnson
  • Patent number: 11353325
    Abstract: A tool, such as a digital level, includes displays on top and side surfaces of the level. The top surface display provides an additional visual means to communicate the orientation of the level by emitting any of several visual signals. A processor in the level determines a measured orientation of the level and sends a communication signal to the top surface display to emit a selected visual signal based on the measured orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth J. Mueckl, Eric Mackey
  • Patent number: 11346647
    Abstract: A shape measurement device includes a stylus configured to contact an object to be measured; a measurement arm that supports the stylus to allow the stylus to contact the object to be measured; a measurement arm part that supports the measurement arm; and a measurement arm support that supports the measurement arm part to allow the stylus to move along an outer shape of the object to be measured. The measurement arm support includes a support body provided with a movement rail formed on a top surface thereof. A body coupling block is coupled to the movement rail to move along the movement rail and is detachably coupled to the measurement arm part. The measurement arm portion includes a body provided with a block accommodation groove to accommodate the body coupling block and a position-fixing member coupled to a lower surface of the body defining the block accommodation groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Jae Eun Hwang
  • Patent number: 11333477
    Abstract: A tape measure device and attachment for measuring and cutting drywall that includes a tape measure with an anchoring member disposed at the rear end of the housing and having a rear surface defining a rear aperture and a rear plane thereon and an upper surface opposing the rear surface of the anchoring member, with an anchor placement member coupled to the anchoring member, having a distal end, and operably configured to have an anchoring position with the distal end displaced a length outwardly away from the rear surface of the anchoring member, and being operably configured to have a first position along an anchoring member translation path with the rear plane non-co-planar with the bottom plane and a second position along the anchoring member translation path with the rear plane co-planar with the bottom plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: DRYWALL DEVIL, LLC
    Inventor: Edward Deutscher
  • Patent number: 11333497
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring and/or stake out device can be designed for being hand-held (one-handed), free carriage and movement by a user. A position giving means is for determination of an actual translational position of the device using an external position reference and an orientation giving means for determination of an actual rotational position of the device, such that the actual position of the device with respect to all six degrees of freedom of the device can be determined. A radiation source is for generation of a radiation beam as measuring and/or marking beam for measuring and/or visually marking of an object point. A beam steerer is for automatic steering of an alignment of the beam, whereby the beam which differ in the manner of automatic steering the beam alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Stefan Eisenreich, Philipp Lukas Rüst, Matteo Carrera, Ismail Roman Celebi, Patrik Titus Töngi, Stefan Petkov, Josef Müller, Markus Geser, Hannes Maar
  • Patent number: 11333478
    Abstract: A marking device holder for use with a tape measure has a body with a curved cavity defined in it for receiving and holding the tape of the tape measure and a second cavity for receiving and holding a marking device generally orthogonal to the tape. The marking device holder can be placed on the tape at any desired location to enable the marking device to mark a work piece adjacent to the tape. The marking devise holder may be provided with a rectangular cavity for receiving a lath in order to make repetitive measurements of the same length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Chris Patrick Porter
  • Patent number: 11324285
    Abstract: Systems and processes for measuring and sizing a foot are provided. In one exemplary process, at least one image of a foot and a horizontal reference object from a first point of view is captured. A portion of the foot may be disposed against a vertical reference object. The at least one image may be displayed, where one or more camera guides are overlaid on the at least one displayed image. In response to aligning the one or more camera guides with one or more of the horizontal reference object and the vertical reference object, a measurement of the foot based on the at least one captured image from the first point of view is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Hei, Vivian Chiang, Jason Warren
  • Patent number: 11326358
    Abstract: A hardboard installation support apparatus for mounting hardboard for board and batten siding installations includes a support bracket having a bracket front side, a bracket back side, a bracket top edge, a bracket bottom edge, a bracket left edge, and a bracket right edge. The supper bracket has a pair of mounting apertures extending from the bracket front side through the bracket back side. The pair of mounting apertures receives hardware to engage a building. A measurement indicator is coupled to the bracket front side and indicates a vertical distance from the bracket bottom edge. A support lip is coupled to the support bracket. The support lip is coupled to the bracket bottom edge and extends away from the bracket front side. The support lip and the bracket front side form an angle between 90° and 100°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Jason Turner
  • Patent number: 11327511
    Abstract: A system and method for cleaning of heat exchanger tubes including an assembly, an indexer and a communication device provided with specialized software and programming. The indexer includes orthogonally arranged first and second arms. A trolley and sensors are provided on the indexer arms. One or more lances are provided on the trolley to deliver water jets into the openings. Sensors measure displacement as the trolley is moved relative to the heat exchanger's face plate. An operator controls the system from a distance away using the communication device. During setup, the pattern of the face plate is learned and mapped utilizing information from the sensors as one of the inputs. This information is utilized to help navigate the face plate during a subsequent cleaning operation. A kit for retrofitting existing X-Y indexers is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TERYDON, INC.
    Inventors: Terry D. Gromes, Sr., Terry D. Gromes, Jr., Kristen E. Gromes, Jon M. Shockey, Jr., Gordon W. East, William C. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11320263
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laser level system. The laser level system includes a mount, a laser secured to the mount and a remove input device. The mount includes a rotating portion to which the laser level is secured. The remote input device controls rotation of the rotating portion. The laser level is secured to the rotating portion of the mount such that when the rotating portion rotates, the laser level rotates concurrently along with the rotating portion of the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Eidinger, Kun Chang
  • Patent number: 11320264
    Abstract: A plumb-bob device has an enclosure with three lasers projecting from one end, one of which projects a horizontal lane, one in a vertical plane, and one with crossed planes from a laser that is suspended to swing but not rotate about an axis. The device may be attached to an object to be leveled or plumbed, and moving the object until the lasers coincide accomplishes plumbing the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Joeseph Samuel Melton
  • Patent number: 11313660
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more probes, a tip, a pin, and a measurement device. The one or more probes may be configured for insertion through an aperture in a component. The tip may be slidably engaged with the one or more probes and include a first end configured to contact a first surface of the component. The first end of the tip may be conically shaped. The pin may be slidably engaged with the one or more probes and include a first end configured for insertion into the aperture in the component such that the one or more probes are configured to contact a second surface of the component. The pin may be configured to move between a first position and a second position. An axis of the pin may be substantially aligned with an axis of the tip. The measurement device may be coupled to the tip and configured to measure a value indicating a grip length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Olson, Tyler Martin Rup, Philip Michael Chovanec, Matthew Timothy McKee, Alondra Renee Guevara, Carl Bargainer, Glynn Bartlett, Thomas E. Lyons, Jr., J. Mark Major, Ryan McBee, Paul Wood, Stephen L. Wiedmann
  • Patent number: 11311871
    Abstract: Misalignment of intersecting devices on a diagnostic instrument may be detected and remediated using a system comprising components such as an accelerometer, a plurality of strain gauges and a device comprising a processor and a memory (e.g., a computer). In such a system, the accelerometer may be adapted to detect movement of the diagnostic instrument. The device comprising the processor and the memory may be configured to, for each of the structural elements of the diagnostic instrument, determine whether an alignment change has taken place in that structural element based on analyzing measurements made by the plurality of strain gauges. The device comprising the processor and the memory may also be configured to, for each structural element where an alignment change is determined to have taken place, trigger a remediation for each device from a set of devices impacted by the alignment change of that structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Littman, Pradeep Pasumarthy
  • Patent number: 11307030
    Abstract: A laser detector mounting device to mount a laser detector to a grade rod, the laser detector mounting device including a handle assembly to facilitate gripping thereof, a clamp assembly disposed on at least a portion of the handle assembly to squeeze the grade rod in a first position, and release the grade rod in a second position, a clamp trigger disposed on and within at least a portion of the handle assembly to at least partially tighten the clamp assembly in response to squeezing the clamp trigger, and a clamp release disposed on and within at least a portion of the handle assembly to at least partially loosen the clamp assembly in response to depressing the clamp release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Joseph Michaud
  • Patent number: 11307016
    Abstract: A device and a method can be utilized to measure concentricity of an internal toothing of a component. Such a device may include a determination segment, which can determine a concentricity deviation, that includes a spindle unit comprising a tapping spindle with a gauge gear wheel arranged thereon and intended for tapping the concentricity of the internal toothing, and an output spindle for transmitting the tapped concentricity from the tapping spindle to a measuring unit. The output spindle may be arranged directly or indirectly on the tapping spindle. A spindle holder may hold and position the tapping spindle, the output spindle, or the spindle unit. An adjusting element may position the gauge gear wheel, and the measuring unit may compare the tapped concentricity with reference values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA TECCENTER AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Voss Gernot