Patents Examined by Dean Kramer
  • Push-pull tool
    Patent number: 9486916
    Abstract: A push-pull tool is described that can assist a user with the pushing and pulling of objects, such as when loading, unloading, and moving objects in vehicle cargo areas. The tool includes a handle that is detachably connectable to various interchangeable components for pushing and pulling such objects. By using a suitable component of the push-pull tool, the user can easily and quickly push and pull many types of objects, including those that are unwieldy, heavy, or large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Wyman
  • Extendable viewing system and kit allowing for assembly of extendable viewing system
    Patent number: 9482386
    Abstract: An extendable viewing system which allows for the suspension of a camera, or a video recorder, at a distance from the user. The viewing system may have a camera mount which may be rotated by the user. The camera mount may be on a far end of a mounting rod, with the user holding the close end of the mounting rod. The user may rotate a handle to rotate the camera mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Daymen US, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah Balmer
  • Gripping assembly
    Patent number: 9475197
    Abstract: A gripping assembly for removing a credit card from a wallet includes a housing that may be gripped. A gripping unit is slidably positioned within the housing. The gripping unit is selectively extendable outwardly from the housing. Thus, the gripping unit may grip a credit card thereby facilitating the credit card to be removed from a wallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Gabriel McAuley
  • Gripping tools
    Patent number: 9475640
    Abstract: A tool for selective attachment to pipe or other elongated objects. The tool includes a handgrip for gripping the tool by hand, which is attached to a base. The tool includes a flexible fastener or strap for wrapping around the pipe, and a tensioner for exerting tension on the fastener to clamp the pipe between the fastener and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ridge Tool Company
    Inventors: Josh Sooy, Harald Krondorfer, Prasad Patil, Richard R. Bowles
  • Articulated mechanism, finger, and hand
    Patent number: 9468540
    Abstract: An articulated mechanism system includes a plurality of fingers (articulated mechanisms) arranged in parallel, each of which has a mounting member, a first digital part rotatably connected to the mounting member by a first connecting part, a second digital part rotatably connected to the first digital part by a second connecting part, and a first driving part rotatably connected to the second digital part by a fourth connecting part and connected to a third connecting part. By extruding the third connecting part toward the fourth connecting part, the first digital part and the second digital part are integrally rotated about the first connecting part, or the second digital part is rotated about the second connecting part when the rotation of the first digital part is blocked. The third connecting parts are driven by a single driving mechanism for the same distance and in the same direction at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Nagatsuka, Yoshimasa Endo
  • Animal waste handling system
    Patent number: 9469951
    Abstract: A system for facilitating removal of an object, such as animal waste, may include an elongated shaft having a first end and a second opposing end, a handle associated with the first end, a collection device associated with the second end, an actuator associated with the handle and operably coupled to the collection device. A method for removal of animal waste may include using a system for facilitating removal of animal waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Lai Qi
  • Wall panel construction accessories
    Patent number: 9469510
    Abstract: Lumber construction tools that facilitate lifting and manipulating wall sections and discrete structures of the lumber assembly. One of the construction tools discloses a wall lifting appliance or device for raising timber framed wall structures from a horizontal to a vertical position without unduly interfering with placement of sheathing on the framed wall sections. A construction lumber biasing tool is also disclosed that includes a handle portion and a offset portion that cooperate with one another and the lumber members to facilitate deflection or deformation of warped or curved lumber members to achieve the desired orientation of the lumber relative to adjacent members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Wall Ace, LLC
    Inventor: Kristopher Phillip
  • Lifting hook and safety latch for lifting hook
    Patent number: 9463960
    Abstract: A lifting hook includes a hook body with a hook stem; a tip; a safety latch with a fastening end and a free latch end, the fastening end being pivotally fastened close to the stem for movement between an open and a closed position, the safety latch being in the open position substantially against the inside of the hook body in a position that leaves the hook jaw open while in a closed position the latch end extends across the hook jaw to the tip of the hook, closing the jaw from the inside; and an actuator of the safety latch arranged between the safety latch and the hook stem, the actuator of the safety latch including a delay mechanism configured to return the safety latch from the open position to the closed position in a delayed manner. A safety latch of a lifting hook is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: KONECRANES GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ville Pantsar, Risto Vilppo, Pekka Helenius
  • Adjustable module lift frame assembly
    Patent number: 9463959
    Abstract: A module lift assembly includes first and second multipoint adapter plates separated by a horizontal transverse spreader bar; a lift frame having first and second longitudinal lift beams separated by horizontal transverse bracing; a plurality of slings of adjustable length connecting the first multipoint adapter plate to the first lift beam and connecting the second multipoint adapter plate to the second lift beam; and a plurality of slider assemblies each slidingly affixed to the first and second lift beams, and a lift shackle for attaching to a module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: PCL INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT INC.
    Inventors: Ulrich (Rick) Hermann, Jacek Olearczyk
  • Pipe carrying device
    Patent number: 9457957
    Abstract: A pipe carrying device for effectively gripping and transporting a pipe between a pair of users. The pipe includes a pair of elongated rods extending along a rod axis and a bend defined by the rod extending downwardly away from the rod axis. The rods are pivotally coupled at an outboard hinge located at the bend. The hinge includes a hinge axis round which the rods are configured to pivot. Each rod further includes at least one associated hemispheric clamp, the clamps forming a cylinder when the device is in a gripping position. The cylinder has a clamp axis extending parallel to the hinge axis and perpendicular to the rod axis. The device is biased towards the gripping position via the upward rotation of the rods, urging the clamps towards each other for securely holding and carrying the pipe within the cylinder when oriented therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Inventors: Scott Blood, Kevin Drake
  • Edge grip substrate handler
    Patent number: 9460953
    Abstract: A mechanism for handling substrates such as semiconductor wafers is disclosed. The mechanism supports the substrate in a tilted orientation to ensure that undesirable contact between a bowed substrate and the mechanism does not occur. The structure that supports the substrate in a tilted orientation may be fixed or adjustable. A sensor may be provided to measure and/or monitor a distance between a substrate and the mechanism. Alternatively, a sensor for determining contact between the substrate and the mechanism may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Isao Sato, Hiroki Ueno, Yasutoshi Ito, Masataka Ryu, Troy Palm
  • Lanyard assembly for lifting a rescue apparatus
    Patent number: 9452910
    Abstract: A lanyard assembly for lifting a rescue stretcher, includes a lifting gear with a lower fastening arrangement to be fixed at different fastening points of the stretcher, and a rope assembly to connect the lifting gear with a lifting device, wherein the rope assembly includes a set of rope sections, each rope section having a fixed length and a first end being connectable to the lifting device and an opposite second end being connectable to the first end of any other rope section or to the lifting gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: IVECO MAGIRUS AG
    Inventor: Alexander Huehn
  • Adjustable fixture for holding a part on a hoist/crane
    Patent number: 9452911
    Abstract: An angularly adjustable and reversible saddle that replaceably, angularly, and reversibly attaches to a ground-based hoist including a boom having a free distal end with a lateral through bore, and replaceably supports a component. For example, when applied to the automotive industry, the ground-based hoist can be a motor hoist and the component can be any component requiring positioning from below the automobile, such as, a transmission, a gas tank, a rear end, etc. The angularly adjustable and reversible saddle includes a receiver and a mounting apparatus. The receiver replaceably supports the component. The mounting apparatus depends from the receiver and replaceably, angularly adjustably, and reversibly attaches to the ground-based hoist via the lateral through bore of the free distal end of the boom of the ground-based hoist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Michael J. Tipton
  • Robotic grippers including finger webbing for improved grasping
    Patent number: 9446513
    Abstract: A robotic gripper includes a gripper palm, a first pair of adjacent fingers extending from the palm, each finger in the first pair of fingers including a first link coupled to a second link by a rotatable joint, and a second pair of adjacent fingers extending from the palm, each finger in the second pair of fingers including a first link coupled to a second link by a rotatable joint. A web member is attached to the first pair of adjacent fingers, the web member having a web portion having a gripping face, the web portion disposed between a first one of the first pair of adjacent fingers and a second one of the second pair of adjacent fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Ekas
  • Dog feces collecting device
    Patent number: 9439398
    Abstract: A dog feces collecting device, comprising: four crescent arms, arranged in a line of two pairs in such a way that in the middle of the line is generated a cylindrical space in which a cylindrical feces collecting container can be placed; a longitudinal axle, for pivotally connecting each of the pair of arms from a top side thereof, thereby allowing rotationally drawing away the arms of each of the pairs from each other, and vice versa; linearly drawing away each of the pair of arms from each other, and vice versa; a mechanism for carrying out the rotational movement; a mechanism for carrying out the linear movement; a mechanism in the arms for grasping the container; wherein the cylindrical container has a longitudinal cut or separatable lane. The container may be based on a cardboard kernel tube of a toilet roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Leonid Vainer
  • Holding device to be mounted on a carrier and the use of such a device
    Patent number: 9440828
    Abstract: A holding device for lifting and/or moving an article including at least one substantially planar outer surface is designed for mounting on an implement carrier, which includes a carrier part. The holding device can be mounted on, and released from, the implement carrier. At least one holding unit can come into contact with the article and can grip the article by surface contact between the at least one holding unit and one outer surface of the article to be lifted and/or moved. The carrier part includes at least one backstop against which the article can rest when the article is to be released from the at least one holding unit while the at least one holding unit is movably mounted to the carrier part. The holding device also includes at least one actuator for moving the at least one holding unit relative to the at least one backstop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ugland & Lauvdal AS
    Inventor: Olav Lauvdal
  • Potato chip lifter
    Patent number: 9439540
    Abstract: A potato chip lifting apparatus has a elongated handle with a front side and a back side, the back side having a plurality of catching mechanisms extending from the back side of the elongated handle and away from the elongated handle, the catching mechanisms configured to engage a can in which potato chips are stored. A foot portion is removably and rotatably attached to a bottom portion of the elongated handle, the foot portion movable between a first position and a second position, in the second position the foot portion extends in a direction away from the front side of the handle and generally orthogonal to the elongated handle and the front side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Donald P. Berry
  • Flag-maneuvering tool
    Patent number: 9434066
    Abstract: The flag-maneuvering tool is a device that is used to aid in installation or removal of a flagpole with respect to a flagpole bracket. The flag-maneuvering tool is ideally installed onto a first pole, and which is then manually maneuvered to engage the flagpole for insertion into or removal of the flagpole with respect to the flagpole bracket. The flag-maneuvering tool is further defined with a handle tube that is able to receive a first pole. The handle tube is acutely oriented with respect to a flagpole member. The flagpole member is ideally constructed of a piece of angle iron. A first distal end of the flagpole member includes a holding sleeve thereon, and which works in concert with the flagpole member to adaptively secure onto a flagpole. The flagpole member being a piece of angle iron is open from above, and rigidly affixed to the handle tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Donald Hedgecock
  • Rack apparatus
    Patent number: 9434584
    Abstract: A rack apparatus for tire rings includes a base having a rigid frame coupled thereto. The base includes a plurality of spaced apart members configured to receive manipulating components of a material handling device for transportation to a desired location. The frame is coupled to the base and includes a plurality of receiving members configured to removably receive at least one tire ring thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Parrish Products, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Eugene Parrish
  • Pet waste scoop assembly
    Patent number: 9428873
    Abstract: A pet scoop assembly and method of use is provided. The assembly includes a scoop member; a receptacle detachably engageable with the scoop member; and a door disposed intermediate the two. A disposable bag may line the receptacle and be clamped in place between the receptacle and scoop member. The door opens inwardly into the receptacle. When the scoop assembly is turned into a vertical orientation, the door opens by gravity or by the weight of gathered pet waste sliding onto the door. A region of the scoop member adjacent the door is angled to allow pet waste to slide readily from the scoop member into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Towerstar Pets, LLC
    Inventors: Fernando Becattini, Jr., Fernando Becattini, Sr., Jacquelyn N. Becattini, Steve A. Copeland, Mitchell Thompson