Patents Examined by Daniel Shanley
  • Patent number: 6691391
    Abstract: A concentric alignment assembly device for assembly of a first component and a second component. The concentric alignment assembly device includes a first base and a second base for receiving the first component and the second component. The first base has a pedestal and an adjusting portion, in which the adjusting portion is movably and rotatably coupled to the pedestal, and has a first platform for receiving the first component. The second base is provided on a side of the first base, and is movable within a fixed range and direction in relation to the first platform. When the second base moves toward the first base, the adjusting portion adjusts radial displacement and axial deviation of the first component in order to assemble the first component and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Tung-Lung Lin
  • Patent number: 6687967
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved vehicle wheel idle station tooling apparatus. The vehicle wheel idle station tooling apparatus includes a center pilot and at least one rim block. The center pilot is adapted to be secured to a component of the vehicle wheel idle station tooling apparatus and defines an outer diameter which is slightly less than an inner diameter defined by a pilot hole of a vehicle wheel so as to pilot the vehicle wheel on the center pilot. The rim block is adapted to be secured to a component of the vehicle wheel idle station tooling apparatus and includes a surface which is operative to engage an outer surface of a flange of the vehicle wheel so as to support the vehicle wheel thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6685178
    Abstract: There is provided a linear guiding apparatus for a machine tool, the system having both of rapid characteristics of a rolling guide which does not deteriorate the precision of movement, and damping characteristics of a sliding guide which is hardly influenced by the load of a movable body. The feed guiding system includes: rolling guides 14a, 14b, 15a and 15b for guiding a horizontal movement while receiving the load of a movable body 12 on a bed 11; a sliding guide including sliding guide ways 16a and 16b, which extend in parallel to the rolling guides and in vertical directions, and slider portions 18a and 18b which slide on the sliding guide ways; and frictional force setting parts for changing the frictional force between the slider portions and the sliding guide ways, to set the magnitude of the frictional force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shiba, Takao Date
  • Patent number: 6685169
    Abstract: A motor-operated jack for vehicles includes a lifting unit, which includes a spiral lifting ram having an internal thread limitedly formed at a lower portion of the spiral lifting ram, and a pin held in a horizontal groove formed at the top end of a primary screw. This pin is slightly projected into two longitudinal holes symmetrically formed at the top portion of a secondary screw. There is also a coil spring, a spring cover and a snap ring sequentially laid on the top of the pin. There is also a support ram, having a top support and an external thread, movably fitted in a gap between the secondary screw and the spiral lifting ram while engaging with an internal thread of the spiral lifting ram at the external thread, thus allowing a user to control the moving stroke of the lifting unit as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Jong-Uk Shim
  • Patent number: 6685179
    Abstract: A positioning device for determining the position of an object includes an anchoring surface, a first movable carriage on which the object is loaded and which has a means for suctioning onto the anchoring surface, a second movable carriage which has a drive assembly and which is connected with the first movable carriage as needed, and a connecting means which controls the connection of the first and second movable carriages. The first and second movable carriages are connected by the drive assembly and the first movable carriage is conveyed to a predetermined position on the anchoring surface and is suctioned and anchored on the anchoring surface at this position by a means for breaking the connection between the first and second movable carriages and for performing the suctioning to position the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshiki Kita
  • Patent number: 6681464
    Abstract: A modular tooling apparatus for performing a metalworking operation on a workpiece, having a base comprising an attachment surface having a locating feature, a removable insert separably secured to the attachment surface, having a locating feature and a workpiece support feature on a surface thereof, and an extraction/locking device movable between a first position wherein the insert is secured to the attachment surface, whereby the locating feature of the insert associates with the locating feature of the attachment surface, and a second position wherein the insert is at least partially extracted from the attachment surface. The extraction/locking device alternately secures an insert to the base and assists in extracting the insert from the base. The device provides for ease of removal of an insert when the upper portion does not provide convenient surfaces for a technician to grab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christian Dupuis, Robert Allan Ahti, Larisa Alexandra Elman
  • Patent number: 6678932
    Abstract: In instruments such as Wien filters, electrostatic and/or magnetic pole pieces must be mounted on and secured to a supporting structure with a very high degree of dimensional precision, usually by brazing. To that end, a fixture is provided for holding the parts to be assembled in precise relationship and to press the pole pieces into engagement with the supporting structure while the securing operation is being carried out. The pressing is accomplished by a gravity-produced force which is, therefore, independent of positional accuracies caused by very high temperatures, such as are encountered during brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Duval, Vladimir Vayner
  • Patent number: 6678930
    Abstract: The retainer or snap-ring tool of this invention includes a pair of jaws with only one of the jaws attached to a single handle. The jaws are disposed to be spread apart one from the other by a jaw positioning device. The lower end of each jaw is equipped with a tip to interface with the free ends of various types of snap-rings. The tips force the ring to extend or contract when placing the ring on a shaft or within a cylindrical bore of a body. The jaw positioning device comprises a threaded shaft having a positioning wheel formed integral with the shaft to rotate the shaft and move the pair of tips at the ends of the jaws with respect to one another. The tips remain a fixed distance from one another without gripping the handle. The universal tool of this invention works equally well for internally and externally applied snap-rings without any changing or modification of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Greg J. Owoc
  • Patent number: 6669172
    Abstract: A post puller is provided which is useable with a front end loader to pull a post out of the ground in a manner described herein. The post puller includes a pipe and a pair of tooth members integrally connected to the interior surface of the pipe at opposing ends thereof. The tooth members are transversely opposite one another in the pipe so as to be on opposite sides of the pipe. A mounting member is integrally connected to the exterior surface of the pipe, and a connection mechanism fixedly but removably connects the mounting member to a bucket of the front end loader to thereby fixedly mount the pipe to the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Paul B. Bearden
  • Patent number: 6669185
    Abstract: A wafer loading system positioning method and device, comprising a loading system, having a base and a rear plate for docking on a positioning frame of a production equipment. The main characteristic thereof is that the loading system in an upper part of the rear plate has a holding seat and the positioning frame in an upper part of a front side has an upward extending positioning element. Two eccentric cams on the holding seat and the positioning element allow to adjust a relative position of the holding seat with respect to the positioning element. A lifting mechanism enables raising of the loading system for lifting said holding seat above said positioning element, so as to enable said holding seat to engage with said positioning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wu-Lang Lin, Kuan-Chou Chen, Ping-Yu Hu, Muh-Wang Liang, Kuei-Jung Chen, Tzong-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 6666434
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for retrieving a cable that has become stuck or wedged during the process of installation of the cable in an underground conduit. A projectile is sent down the opposite end of the conduit by pressurized air to engage a receiver attached to the leading edge of the stuck cable. After engagement of the projectile and the receiver the two are latched together. A retrieval line attached to the projectile can then be pulled from the open end of the conduit to free the wedged cable and extract the cable from the open end of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Martin A. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 6665918
    Abstract: A tool for removal of a pulley from a shaft includes articulated arms mounted on a hub with a thrust bolt provided to drive the hub and attached arms outwardly from a shaft on which the pulley is mounted. The arms comprise jaw members which in combination with wedge members ensure maintenance of the jaw members in mechanical contact with the pulley to thereby effect its removal from a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventor: Danny Williams
  • Patent number: 6666441
    Abstract: A jig (40) for locating anchor bolts in concrete standards of outdoor lighting installations comprises four complementary corner members (42) that can be interconnected and then secured together with fasteners (45) in the desired pattern. A second embodiment (70) comprised of male and female members (72, 74) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Mark S. Grendahl
  • Patent number: 6663095
    Abstract: A universal manifold holding fixture for holding intake manifolds from v-type engines that establishes and maintains a centerline alignment With respect to the intake manifold and a centering shaft; said centering shaft is configured to be receivable into various machining tools. The fixture is adjustable in three axes and configurable to accommodate intake manifolds from various manufacturers. The fixture also maintains the intake manifold in isometric tension thus simulating actual service conditions. The fixture provides engine machinists with a solution to handling, large, heavy, and unwieldy intake manifolds while machining the manifold surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Ladd Fowler
  • Patent number: 6658713
    Abstract: An assembly tool for insertion of engine piston/rod assemblies into an engine cylinder includes a frame, a support arm pivotally carried on the frame, an insertion cylinder carried by the support arm and including an extendable insertion rod having an end adapted to engage a piston in position for insertion; a positioner for positioning the support arm in an insertion position with the rod end engaging a piston; and a control for actuating the insertion rod to insert a piston/rod assembly into the cylinder. Various additional features of an exemplary embodiment are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Wittum, Christopher W. Zwolensky, Gary C. Spence
  • Patent number: 6659439
    Abstract: A rapidly adjustable multi-clamping device with at least one clamping module, which is adjustable along the base and can be locked in place thereon, wherein teeth for positioning the clamping modules are provided on the base and on the clamping modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Triag AG
    Inventors: Beat Baumgartner, Eduard Zängerle
  • Patent number: 6655673
    Abstract: A power clamp apparatus, comprised of, a single metal body with an interior cavity running there through, a unit assembly which is inserted into said interior cavity, and said unit assembly including, a piston for slidable back and forth movement within said cavity, a lower portion of said cavity acting as a chamber for said piston, a piston rod connected to said piston, a floating head member on the piston rod, a link mechanism connected proximate to an upper end of said piston rod, a lower cap member which closes off said cavity near a bottom end of said metal body, an upper cap member which closes off the metal body proximate to a top end thereof after said unit assembly is inserted into said cavity, a drive shaft inserted through apertures in a generally transverse position through said metal body, with a central portion of said drive shaft inside the metal body being connected to an end of said link mechanism, a clamp arm attached to said drive shaft on the outside of said metal body, and wherein when sa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas D. Colby
  • Patent number: 6651967
    Abstract: A clamp for aligning the confronting ends of two or more workpieces, preparatory to their permanent joining. This clamp utilizes a chain of cruciform cross-section, and one or more alignment apparatuses, to encompass and secure the first workpiece, and align the remaining connecting workpiece(s). The chain may be fitted to the first workpiece, using color coding to select added chain-link sections for larger workpieces. Each alignment apparatus is slid on the chain, and secured by a spring-biased detent. The chain is then secured about the first workpiece. The alignment apparatus overlies the connecting workpieces, which are then aligned for joining, using one or more adjustable fasteners mounted on the alignment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Franklin R. Barber
  • Patent number: 6651968
    Abstract: A portable, collapsible engine support apparatus. The device is attachable to the fender or firewall of the vehicle and is mountable either transversely or longitudinally above the engine compartment. A pair of primary load bearing metal angles are secured on opposite sides of the open engine compartment on either the fender or firewall. A pair of upstanding posts approximately centrally positioned on the upward facing surface of the angle, each of the upstanding posts including connection means adapted to lockingly receive horizontal support bars. A central connector allows for adjustment of the spacing between the metal angles. A flexible, adjustable attachment means depends from the central connector, the attachment means adaptable for engagement with the main engine hold. Adjustment of the attachment means to a desired tension ensures a high degree of positional stability of the engine when performing major repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Alfred D. Reyes
  • Patent number: 6651970
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a cutting board having multiple cutting surfaces 20, 48, and 66 for use in different applications. A porous cutting surface 20 is used when working with any food product that tends to purge fluids 46. This top allows the natural juices from the food product 14 to pass through the cutting board 20 via holes 22 and into a holding container 30, rather than running off the sides. A trap door cutting surface 48 is for general use with a wide variety of purposes. The trap door 50 allows the user to quickly remove products from the cutting surface via hole 56 and send directly into the holding container 30. A cold cutting surface 66 comprises a cutting surface 66 with a thin metal conductor plate 68 within it, that when placed over a provided ice gel pack 70 contains a cool temperature while being worked on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Scott