Patents Examined by Dean J. Kramer
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Patent number: 11602859Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus, system and method for providing an end effector. The end effector may be capable of accommodating semiconductor wafers of varying sizes, and may include: a wafer support; a bearing arm capable of interfacing with at least one robotic element, and at least partially bearing the wafer support at one end thereof; a plurality of support pads on the wafer support for physically interfacing with a one of the semiconductor wafers; and a low friction moving clamp driven bi-directionally along a plane at least partially provided by the bearing arm, wherein the low friction moving clamp retractably applies force to a proximal edge of the semiconductor wafer.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: JABIL INC.Inventors: Jeroen Bosboom, Babak Naderi, Richard Munro, Tatiana Pankova Major
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Patent number: 11589690Abstract: An indirect touch apparatus for belongings may includes a housing (110) having a draw-in/out guide path (20) recessed in a longitudinal direction; a touch part (120) that is slidably provided in the draw-in/out guide path (20) and is curvatured out in one direction so that one side part is in contact with a touch object; a pressing knob (130) for drawing the touch part (120) into and out of the housing (110); and a mounting portion (140) for providing the housing (110) on one side of the rear surface of the belongings (200).Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Inventor: Soonil Kim
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Patent number: 11595073Abstract: A support system which allows for the use and mounting of a smart phone, or similar electronic device, in a variety of ways. The support system may be adapted to function as a hand grip while supporting the smart phone during image acquisition, or while watching images on the smart phone. In another configuration, the support system may be adapted to attach to the user's belt. In another configuration, the support system may function as a support stand. In another configuration, the support system may be mounted on a tripod. The support system may include a kit of parts which allow for the modification of support accessories to allow for different configurations. The support system may include a removable shutter which may actuate the camera functions via wireless communication.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Vitec Imaging Solutions S.P.A.Inventor: Noah Balmer
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Patent number: 11590667Abstract: A material handling tool having a support member, a magnet, a magnet control, a power source, and a magnet coupling. The support member may be made of two or more support member portions that allow for interchangeable support members of various lengths to be used in order to adjust the length of the material handling tool. The magnets used with the material handling tool may also be interchangeable in order to use magnets of different strengths. A magnet coupling may be used that provides angular and/or rotational movement of the magnet with respect to the support member. The magnet may be an electromagnet, which may have a magnetic field that can be adjusted. As such, a magnet control and/or power source may be used to adjust the magnetic field by turning the magnetic field on or off or adjusting the strength of the magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventor: Eric Ray Rayburn
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Patent number: 11584003Abstract: A method for controlling an aerial vehicle including a compliant arm mechanism is disclosed. A propulsion system of the aerial vehicle is controlled to fly the aerial vehicle to an area proximate to a surface. One or more of the propulsion system and the compliant arm mechanism are controlled such that the compliant arm mechanism contacts the surface. The compliant arm mechanism is configured to extend laterally beyond a perimeter of the propulsion system. One or more sensor signals indicating contact of the compliant arm mechanism against the surface are received via a sensor. A force at which the aerial vehicle presses against the surface is determined based on the one or more sensor signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES CORPORATION, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: William Robert Bosworth
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Patent number: 11577408Abstract: A suction cup for engaging and lifting an object is disclosed, comprising a lip, a bellows, and an upper portion sealingly connected to the bellows for connecting an inner volume of the suction cup to a source of vacuum, which cup, in an operative state, is capable of being locked in an at least partly compressed state of the lip and/or bellows. Locking is accomplished by air entrapped in a sealed exterior volume formed between the lip and bellows and/or between one or more segments of the bellows in an operative state being evacuated through one or more through open holes provided in the lip and/or bellows when vacuum is connected to the suction cup. A corresponding lip and a corresponding bellows for use in the suction cup are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: PIAB AktiebolagInventor: Johan Moberg
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Patent number: 11577919Abstract: A system for handling sheets of flexible material. The system comprises a first roller (5.2) which comprises a plurality of first releasable connectors (3.2) and a second roller (5.3) which comprises a plurality of second releasable connectors. The system further comprises an array of third releasable connectors (2.1) which is displaceable between at least the first and second rollers (5.2, 5.3). The first, second and third releasable connectors releasably attach to a sheet of flexible material in use.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Loop Technology LtdInventor: Alun Reece
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Patent number: 11577406Abstract: A vacuum sucker is installed on a robotic arm to suck an object. The robotic arm includes a body and a tip axis. The tip axis is disposed with an adapter plate. The vacuum sucker includes a housing, an actuator, and a flexible suction cup. The actuator passes through the housing and includes a main part, a thrust rod, and an elastic element. The main part has a first end and a hollow slot. The flexible suction cup is sleeved on the first end and is formed with an air chamber. When the thrust rod is located at the first position, the air chamber and the hollow slot are not intercommunicated with each other. When the thrust rod is driven by the adapter plate to move to a second position, the air chamber and the hollow slot are intercommunicated with each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: SYNCMOLD ENTERPRISE CORP.Inventors: Yen-Chang Su, Chien-Cheng Yeh, Ching-Hui Yen
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Patent number: 11564531Abstract: A device for automatically hand-swaying beverage cups is disclosed, comprising a robotic arm and a cover, wherein the robotic arm has a plurality of movable arms and a plurality of joints that pivotally connect each of the movable arms to each other, and at the extreme end of such movable arms there install a pair of symmetrical clamping components and a clamping controller, and also includes a host computer electrically connected to each of the movable arms, each of the joints and the clamping controller, respectively; in addition, the cover respectively has a conical surface on the outside, an inner hole is openly configured on the bottom surface of the cover, and each of the clamping components can collectively clamp the cover and the cup thus facilitating the hand-swaying operations of the cup with the robotic arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: O-VIEW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Chia-l Pan
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Patent number: 11565914Abstract: A hand lifting device and a projection apparatus are provided. The hand lifting device is adapted to carry an object, and includes a support pad and a carrying strap. The support pad has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and has two first connecting portions. The carrying strap has two end portions, and the two end portions respectively have a second connecting portion. The carrying strap is configured to partially surround the object, such that the second connecting portions of the carrying strap are respectively detachably connected to the first connecting portions of the support pad. The projection apparatus comprises the above hand lifting device and a projector.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Coretronic CorporationInventors: Chang-Ching Li, Ning Hsieh
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Patent number: 11559906Abstract: Embodiments of an active object mounting system secure an object of interest to a surface of a secured-to object using one or more vacuum mounting modules, wherein each vacuum mounting module comprises at least one vacuum pump controllably coupled to a microcontroller, a vacuum cup fluidly coupled to the at least one vacuum pump, and a transceiver that receives an instruction corresponding to one of a vacuum cup actuation signal or a vacuum cup release signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2022Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Inventor: Neil Buttermore
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Patent number: 11559880Abstract: An adjustment tool for adjusting a height of an upper bar of a gymnastics uneven bars apparatus. The adjustment tool is comprised of a shaft having a handle at one end and a horizontally-facing hook at an opposed end. In another embodiment, the hook faces upwards. The hook is sized and shaped to receive the upper bar, and is formed with a pair of outwardly flaring lips to allow the hook to be guided onto the bar without causing damage thereto. The handle is typically formed into a hook resembling that of a cane. A shaft length in an adjustable embodiment is comprised of two or more telescoping members mating with one another to establish and maintain desired shaft length.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Inventor: David C Sedgwick
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Patent number: 11554505Abstract: A vacuum cup is disclosed for use in a programmable motion device. The vacuum cup includes an open inlet for coupling to a vacuum source, and a vacuum cup lip on a portion of the vacuum cup that generally surrounds the open inlet. The vacuum cup lip includes an inner surface that defines the open outlet through which a vacuum may be provided, and includes noise mitigation features on an outer surface of the vacuum cup lip.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc.Inventor: Bretton Anderson
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Patent number: 11547040Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a device having a pivot hoop affixed to the rear side of a shaft from a hand tool such as a fork, weed lifter, or shovel. The pivot hoop provides additional leverage during operation of the tool. Disclosed embodiments provide an improved hand tool that reduces fatigue and risk of injury during use.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Inventor: Neil Joseph Bevilacqua
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Patent number: 11541554Abstract: A non-contact transport device includes a deflector having a flange portion provided with a plurality of nozzle grooves extending radially outward and arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction. The nozzle grooves are each formed to be hollowed with respect to an upper surface of the flange portion so as to have an arc-shaped cross section, and constitute lead-out channels together with a flat surface of a hollow of a body. A pressure fluid is supplied through a first port of the body into the body and flows through the plurality of nozzle grooves to a workpiece holding surface along first and second curved surfaces of the hollow. As a result, the pressure fluid flowing at high speed between the workpiece holding surface and a workpiece generates a suction force exerted toward the body side, whereby the workpiece is suctioned.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: SMC CORPORATIONInventors: Toru Nakayama, Toru Sugiyama, Masaru Saitoh, Hiroaki Saka
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Patent number: 11542102Abstract: A suction transfer device suction-holds a bag-like article with a suction component and moves the suction component suction-holding the article to thereby transfer the article. The suction component has a negative pressure chamber, one or more suction openings, and a first surface. The negative pressure chamber forms a negative pressure space inside when a negative pressure generator is driven. The suction openings communicate with the negative pressure chamber. The first surface is disposed around the suction openings and opposes an article subjected to suction. An area of the first surface is from 0.5 times to 2 times an area of a sucked surface, which opposes the first surface, of the article subjected to suction.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuya Iwasa, Yuji Yokota, Satoshi Nishitsuji, Fumitaka Tokuda
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Patent number: 11542674Abstract: A manually operated scooping device for moving bulk items such as snow that includes a foot operated lifting mechanism that causes the scoop to pivot forward to eject the contents of the scoop, the scoop configured to gather and push the bulk items along a surface area until it reaches a dumping area, at which point a user may use the lifting mechanism to pivot the scoop and dump the materials.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Inventor: Michael Lee Lyons
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Patent number: 11534925Abstract: Techniques for a conformal gripping end effector such as a gripping finger are provided. In an example, a conformal finger mechanism can include a proximal link, a connecting link, a distal link, a finger link coupling and a spring. The proximal link can be coupled via a proximal link pivot to an actuator housing and the connecting link can be coupled to an actuator rod of the actuator and the distal link. The distal link can be coupled to the connecting link and the proximal link. The spring can be coupled to an offset portion of a proximal end of the proximal link.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: RE2, Inc.Inventor: Mario Campagna
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Patent number: 11534928Abstract: A suction apparatus includes a suction unit, a negative pressure detection unit, a suction abnormality determination unit, and a notification unit. The suction unit suctions and holds merchandise with a negative pressure. The negative pressure detection unit detects a negative pressure value in the suction unit whenever the suction unit suctions the merchandise. The suction abnormality determination unit determines that the suction unit is abnormal in a case where the detected negative pressure value is lower in negative pressure degree than a predetermined suction determination negative pressure value continuously by a predetermined number of times of determination or more. The notification unit provides a notification in a case where the suction unit is determined to be abnormal.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.Inventors: Kousuke Watanabe, Daisuke Kudo
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Patent number: 11534927Abstract: An object gripping mechanism is provided for use with a robotic arm. A robotic arm and method of manufacturing an object gripping mechanism are also provided. The object gripping mechanism includes an attachment modular configured to connect the object gripping mechanism to the robotic arm. The object gripping mechanism also includes a plurality of retractable arms each pivotably connected with the attachment modular. The object gripping mechanism also includes one or more movement mechanisms collectively configured to pivot the plurality of retractable arms to a desired position. The object gripping mechanism further includes a drive mechanism positioned within each of the plurality of retractable arms and configured to pivot the object engagement feature using a gear and timing belt configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLCInventor: Grant Repke Jeremiah
