Patents Examined by David P. Bryant
  • Patent number: 11484392
    Abstract: An abutment is provided with a screw access hole and a slot in its sidewall adapted to allow a driver to access a screw in the screw access hole at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the screw. The abutment may include a screw seat and may be connected to an implant via a screw in the screw seat. A prosthesis, which may include a driver access channel that has a diameter less than the outer diameter of the drive portion of the screw, may be placed over the abutment. Methods of making a dental prosthesis and methods of attaching and removing the dental prosthesis from the implant are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Implant Direct Sybron International LLC
    Inventor: Ines Aravena
  • Patent number: 11471928
    Abstract: A positioning device for hot stamping includes a pilot pin and a driving mechanism for driving the pilot pin. Before a plate material is placed into a press die, when the driving mechanism positions the pilot pin at a predetermined projecting position, a tip portion of the pilot pin projects from a pin guide hole and a body portion of the pilot pin formed further toward a base end side than the tip portion projects from the pin guide hole. Before a process in which the press die removes heat from the plate material after having been press-formed by the press die, when the driving mechanism positions the pilot pin at a predetermined immersed position, the body portion of the pilot pin is immersed in the pin guide hole while only the tip portion of the pilot pin projects from the pin guide hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TOPRE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Fujimoto, Shu Kato
  • Patent number: 11458071
    Abstract: A torque enhancement device having one or more torque enhancement member(s) with each having an exterior (preferably bi-symmetric or essentially bi-symmetric) surface configuration with parallel, longer side walls extending in a Y-axis direction and shorter side walls extending in an X-axis direction and corner recesses positioned between ends of adjacent longer and shorter side walls, and with some embodiments of the invention featuring a torque enhancement device having a hole extending in a Z-axis direction. A fastener assembly is also provided that includes one or more torque enhancement devices as well as methods for utilization of the torque enhancement device or utilization or assemblage of an assembly including a torque enhancement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SCALPAL LLC
    Inventors: Eliot Robert Gitman, Tuvia Gitman
  • Patent number: 11462976
    Abstract: To automate a sub-process during the production of a component, which is to be equipped with coils, of an electric machine, a wire end shaping device is used, which is equipped with coils, of an electric machine, for shaping wire ends which protrude from an annular housing of the component, comprising a bending device for bending wire ends in a circumferential direction, a relative movement device for moving the housing and the bending device in a relative manner in an axial direction, and a controller. The receiving and rotating units, which receive the wire ends, of the bending device are held to be axially static relative to one another, wherein differences in length compensation and/or in a turning angle of the wire ends are handled by means of different movement profiles of the rotational movements of the receiving and rotating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Grob-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johannes Binder, Ralf Rauscher
  • Patent number: 11454338
    Abstract: An improved anti-rotation device and connector assembly designed to prevent rotation of a first threaded portion of the connector assembly with respect to a second threaded portion of the connector assembly is provided. The anti-rotation device and connector assembly include features that guide and smooth the transition of the anti-rotation device into a position extending through the first and second threaded portions. The anti-rotation device may extend through a tab/groove interface between the first and second threaded portions, or the anti-rotation device may engage opposing interfacing edges of the first and second threaded portions along the length of the anti-rotation device. Once the anti-rotation device is installed through the first and second threaded portions, the anti-rotation device may prevent rotation of the threaded portions relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventor: Blake T. DeBerry
  • Patent number: 11447228
    Abstract: A method includes providing a frame sheet. The method also includes elevating a temperature of the frame sheet to at or above an elevated target temperature. Further the method includes, at or above the elevated target temperature, forming the frame sheet to provide a frame defining a web and at least one flange. Also, the method includes machining at least one of the web or the at least one flange to reduce a thickness of the at least one of the web or the at least on flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jared L. Bolin, Christopher Tyler
  • Patent number: 11389175
    Abstract: An occlusion clip comprising: (a) a first elongated occlusion arm; (b) a second elongated occlusion arm; (c) a first elongated biasing arm coupled to a distal portion of the first elongated occlusion arm; (d) a second elongated biasing arm coupled to a distal portion of the second elongated occlusion arm, where a proximal portion of the first elongated biasing arm is coupled to a proximal portion of the second elongated biasing arm, where the first elongated occlusion arm extends parallel to the first elongated bias arm along a majority of its length, and where the second elongated occlusion arm extends parallel to the second elongated bias arm along a majority of its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank M. Fago, Kimberly Gray
  • Patent number: 11383887
    Abstract: Methods and systems for integrating multiple portions of a container are provided. The method and system are specifically designed for integrating multiple shell portions with ear lobe-shaped tabs. The method comprises: providing a first set of retention structures to be associated with a plurality of inter-connecting features formed on an edge of a first shell part, wherein the first set of retention structures comprise at least a lead-in feature and a retention feature; providing a second set of retention structures to be associated with a plurality of inter-connecting features formed on an edge of a second shell part, wherein the second set of retention structures comprise at least a deflection feature and a retention feature; and engaging the two shell parts with aid of the retention structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ECO.LOGIC BRANDS INC.
    Inventors: Julie Corbett, Gregory Rodrigues, Romeo Graham, Robert Watters, Philip Streets, Luc Boucher
  • Patent number: 11358259
    Abstract: A driver tool for insertion and removal of a first part configured for threaded engagement in a corresponding threaded bore in a second part has a driving end portion of polygonal shape with multiple flats configured for engagement in a recess in the first part having a corresponding polygonal shape. Some or all of the flats have a respective grabbing feature or edge designed to grab or grip into the opposing surface of the recess to allow a greater amount of torque to be applied to the first part when the tool is rotated in the unthreading direction than when it is rotated in the opposite threading or insertion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: ZEST IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: James I. Johnson, Evan A. Cook
  • Patent number: 11313673
    Abstract: A method of making a component with an integral strain indicator includes forming the component from a first material, where the component has an outer surface and an internal volume; and directly depositing a plurality of fiducial markers on a portion of the outer surface. The fiducial markers are formed from a second material that is compatible with the first material, and the portion of the outer surface defines an analysis region on the outer surface of the component. The analysis region defines a gage length, and each fiducial marker of the plurality of fiducial markers has a maximum diameter of between one-tenth and one-twentieth of the gage length. Periodic measurement of the fiducial marker positions is performed to monitor component strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Lee Hovis, Lacey Lynn Schwab, William F. Ranson, Paul Stephen DiMascio
  • Patent number: 11311924
    Abstract: An automatic production equipment includes a strip-material feeding device set, a continual stamping die set and a rivet providing mechanism. The strip-material feeding device set feeds a strip material. The continual stamping die set includes a upper stamping die group and a lower stamping die group. The lower stamping die group includes a lower die plate, a strip receiving groove formed on the lower die plate for receiving the strip material, a sliding block slidable on the strip receiving groove, and a guide groove formed on the sliding block to connect to the strip receiving groove. The upper stamping die group includes an upper clamping plate, a pushing lever and a riveting punch. The pushing lever and the riveting punch are located on the upper clamping plate. The rivet providing mechanism is connected to the sliding block, and feeds rivets into the guide groove in order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventor: Shu-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 11247349
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying cables to robots at non-static locations. A work platform for supporting one or more humans is positioned above a base platform for supporting one or more are robots independently of the work platform. A cable carrier system for providing cables to the robots is positioned underneath the work platform and above the base platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Eric Miller, Dennis R. Mathis
  • Patent number: 11215166
    Abstract: An assembly assisting device for assisting an assembling of at least two wind turbine components of a wind turbine is provided. The assembly assisting device includes at least one bolt magazine with at least one bolt magazine store unit for storing bolts for the assembling and at least one bolt magazine attaching unit for attaching the bolt magazine to at least one attaching structure of at least one of the wind turbine components. In addition, a method for assembling at least two wind turbine components of the wind turbine with following steps is provided: a) providing of the wind turbine components and providing of at least one assembly assisting device including bolts and b) assembling of the wind turbine components with the aid of the bolts of the bolt magazine store unit of the assembly assisting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventors: Joergen Klitgaard, Christian Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11217978
    Abstract: A grommet includes a body portion defining a first aperture and a second aperture. A hollow channel extends between the first aperture and the second aperture. The channel is defined by an interior surface of the body portion. One or more engagement structures are defined by the interior surface of the grommet body portion, and are configured to engage one or more corresponding engagement structures provided about an exterior surface of a mounting structure engaged about and elongated member that is positioned within the hollow channel of the grommet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: William Gronowicz, Jr., Jeffrey Edward Malotke, II, Richard Joseph Exenberger
  • Patent number: 11214469
    Abstract: The present inventions provides a lifting device 101 comprising a main body 105 being of a generally elongate form, said main body 105 having at one end thereof a transport means 102, 120 to allow said device to translate relative to the ground, a boom portion 103 cooperating with said main body 105 and adapted to support a load at its end, a motive power means 115 to lift or lower said load, said main body 105 being able to be pivoted by a user with respect to a fulcrum 102, 120 formed by either said transport means 102, 120 and a ground location or said transport means 102, 120, around an axis generally parallel to the ground, to transfer or arcuately move a load carried by said boom portion 103, thereby providing a functionally variable horizontal reach 1013 to said device 101.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MAKINEX IP PTY LTD
    Inventors: James David Francis West, Rory Campbell Kennard
  • Patent number: 11208767
    Abstract: A portable railroad spike remover comprises an extractor that is shaped to engage and secure a railroad spike previously installed into a rail tie. A drive shaft is connected to the extractor such that as the drive shaft is rotated, the extractor is vertically raised and lowered within a main column. The extractor may have an opening extending through at least one side to engage the railroad spike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Focused Technology Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Benjamin, Kristopher Andre Alonzo, Mir Mohamed Atiqullah, Trevor Lee-Michael Barnby, Samuel Horace Gantt, Jonathan Hawkins, Alexander Hood, Timothy K. Lawler, Laura Ann Ruhala, Daniel Richard Scott, Zachary Tonsmeire, Kyle D. Wise
  • Patent number: 11198520
    Abstract: The object is to provide an aircraft component positioning device, an aircraft assembly system, and an aircraft assembly method with which it is possible to precisely dispose components on a planar member of an aircraft without using a positioning jig. A positioning device (2) includes a detection unit (5) that detects positions of a plurality of first components installed on a planar member of an aircraft, a virtual position creation unit (6) that creates a virtual position between the plurality of first components on the basis of the positions of the plurality of first components that are detected, and a position determination unit (7) that, on the basis of the virtual position that is created, determines an installation position of a second component, different from the plurality of first components, that is installed on the planar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Goto, Tsuyoshi Kaneko, Hiroto Mori, Michinobu Takahagi, Hideyuki Suzuki, Junichi Takeshita, Jiro Wada, Katsumi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11198202
    Abstract: A fixture for supporting a workpiece during a machining operation is disclosed. The fixture may include a seat configured to receive the workpiece. The fixture may further include a quick release lever mounted to the fixture and configured to displace the workpiece from the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Butler, Kenneth L. Mask, Steve B. Barnett, Joey R. Bain
  • Patent number: 11199278
    Abstract: A cable management assembly includes a cleat assembly and a bracket assembly insertable through the cleat assembly to secure the cleat assembly to a ladder rung. The cleat assembly has an upper shell, a lower shell rotatably coupled to the upper shell, and a first fastener to secure the upper and lower shells. The bracket assembly has a C-shaped bracket having a first leg and a second leg extending parallel to the first leg. The first leg includes a longitudinal slot and the second leg includes a flange and a longitudinal slot extending through the second leg and the flange. A second fastener extends through the slot in the second leg and is movable between an open position in which the fastener is spaced apart from the first leg and a closed position in which the fastener is positioned within the slot in the first leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Shaun P. Brouwer, Surendra C. Babu, Mateusz Kruzel, Rodney G. Rouleau
  • Patent number: 11192194
    Abstract: A tool holder comprising a base element, a deformable receiver for clamping a tool and at least one locking element configured for preventing an axial extraction of the tool from the tool holder through engaging a corresponding opposite element at the tool, wherein the at least one locking element is integrally configured in one piece with the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Franz Haimer Maschinenbau KG
    Inventor: Franz Haimer