Patents Examined by Donald W. Underwood
  • Patent number: 7018160
    Abstract: A handling device for repositioning parts having a pivot arm able to be pivoted about a first pivot axis and a handling part adapted to bear a gripper and able to be pivoted with respect to a second pivot axis. The handling part is furthermore carried so that it may be radially moved in relation to the second pivot axis and cooperate by way of a cam follower with a path setting cam having two linear terminal sections. During operation of the device the handling part may move along a handling path, which has two linear terminal sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Feyrer, Gerhard Thorwart, Rainer Armbruster
  • Patent number: 7018162
    Abstract: A carrying device carries a semiconductor wafer above a base disposed in a transfer chamber or the like. The carrying device comprises pick for holding the object, a main arm mechanism adapted to bend and stretch in a horizontal operating plane, and an auxiliary arm mechanism adapted to bend and stretch in a vertical operating plane. The main arm mechanism includes a proximal end supported by the base, and distal end connected to the pick, respectively. The auxiliary arm mechanism includes a main arm and an arm linkage. The main arm has a proximal end supported by the base, and distal end. The arm linkage has a proximal end connected to the distal end of the main arm and a distal end connected to the pick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Keisuke Kondoh
  • Patent number: 7014412
    Abstract: A fork and jaw grapple having two forks and a jaw for wedging under, prying up, gripping, moving and handling materials. The forks have tips with angles for prying between and under materials. The jaw being a hydraulically actuated upper jaw that moves about a pivot point via a cylinder for grabbing, gripping and holding materials during pick-up, transport and place down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Daniel Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy E. Daniel
  • Patent number: 7014411
    Abstract: A front end loader is provided according to the invention. The front end loader includes a forward bracket assembly and a rear bracket assembly, a tower that attaches to the rear bracket assembly, and a tower subframe that attaches to the forward bracket assembly. The tower has a first tower end and a second tower end. The second tower end includes a shoe area for attaching to a shoe-receiving region provided on the first bracket assembly. The tower subframe has a first tower subframe end and a second tower subframe end. The first tower subframe end is attached to the tower, and the second tower subframe end is constructed for attachment to the second bracket assembly. A spring can be provided as part of the rear bracket assembly to reduce rattling between the tower and the rear bracket assembly. The rear bracket assembly can be referred to as the first bracket assembly, and the forward bracket assembly can be referred to as the second bracket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld, Mitch Gibler
  • Patent number: 7011488
    Abstract: A slide arm for a work implement is provided, which is simply structured to obtain improved assembling precision thereby ensuring smooth operation. To this end, the slide arm is such that a plurality of tubular structural bodies (i.e., outer and inner tubes), each of which is formed by bending a one-piece plate into a shape having a substantially triangular cross-section and circular vertex portions, are telescoped one within the other with sliding members (i.e., plain bearing units and slide block pieces) interposed between them at the vertex portions and such that a sliding mechanism is disposed for sliding the tubular structural bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignees: Komatsu Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Muroto Tekkosho
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Masumoto, Tatsushi Itoh, Toshihiko Sakashita
  • Patent number: 7011489
    Abstract: An industrial robot for movement of an object in space comprising a stationary platform, a movable platform adapted for supporting the object, and a first, a second and a third arm to which the platforms are joined. The first arm comprises a first actuator, a first supporting arm influenced by the first actuator and rotatable around a first axis, and a first linkage. The second arm comprises a second actuator, a second supporting arm influenced by the second actuator and rotatable around a second axis, and a second linkage. The third arm comprises a third actuator, a third supporting arm influenced by the third actuator and rotatable around a third axis, and a third linkage. The second supporting arm is freely mounted around a cross-beam that is arranged at right angles to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Torgny Brogårdh, Daniel Wäppling, Feng Xialong, Bo Holmgren
  • Patent number: 7008168
    Abstract: An implement attachment interface is described, that is used for the coupling of operating implements to a utility vehicle, and that contains six double-acting hydraulic cylinders, that are adjustable in length and which are arranged in the manner of a hexapod between the utility vehicle and a coupling frame. This contains two upper hydraulic cylinders that are arranged alongside each other and extend in a direction converging towards each other, two lower hydraulic cylinders arranged alongside each other and converging towards each other as well as two hydraulic cylinders at the sides. According to the invention means are provided that for a pendulous movement to the right the lower right hydraulic cylinder and the upper left hydraulic cylinder extend synchronously and the lower left hydraulic cylinder and the upper right hydraulic cylinder are retracted synchronously. For a pendulous movement to the left the hydraulic cylinders operate in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gerd Bernhardt, Sergiy Fedotov, Ruslan Rudik
  • Patent number: 7008165
    Abstract: A door lifting apparatus includes a frame and a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism includes a slide assembly and a lever assembly. The slide assembly includes a vertical bar, a door support beam supporting a plurality of door holders, and a horizontal bar that are movable together vertically up and down relative to the frame as the lever assembly is moved between a lifted position, an intermediate position, and a lowered position. The vertical bar is associated with a cam plate secured to the frame such that the vertical bar, and the door support beam and door secured thereto, pivots as the lever assembly is moved between the lifted and the lower position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Grimes
  • Patent number: 7008162
    Abstract: A bale lift device is provided by the invention. The bale lift device includes a back frame, a spear member, and rotation axis. The back frame includes a first end, a second end, and at least one extension separating the first end from the second end. The back frame includes a first area for attaching to the loader hydraulic cylinder of a front end loader. The back frame includes a second area for attaching to the loader arm of a front end loader. The spear member includes at least one spear having a first end for penetrating a bale and a second end attached to the back frame. The rotation axis allows the spear member to rotate relative to the back frame. A front end loader having a bale lift device and a method for transporting a bale are provided. A method of assisting the removal of a bale lifting device from a bale without additional levers or hydraulic controls or hydraulic cylinders is provided. The method can utilize the controls already existing in the operational functions of the loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 7004708
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for wafer processin. A wafer processing apparatus includes: a first wafer transporter; a process station coupled to the first wafer transporter, the process station including: a first plurality of wafer processing stacks, each of the plurality of wafer processing stacks including a plurality of wafer processing modules, and a second wafer transporter coupled to the plurality of wafer processing modules, each of the plurality of wafer processing modules adjacent, and accessible by, the second wafer transporter; and a third wafer transporter coupled to the process station, wherein any of the plurality of wafer processing modules in any of the plurality of wafer processing stacks can be accessed by at least two adjacent wafer transporters from among the first, second and third wafer transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventor: Jae Heon Park
  • Patent number: 7004714
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically loading socks on forms (1) comprises a suction unit (20) at an inlet, a carousel (10) with several stations (2, 3, 4, 5), a positioning unit (30) of the sock (S), a tucking-up unit (40) and a pick-up robot (50). The carousel has intermediate supports (12) onto which can be put, partially or completely, the socks (S). The carousel (10) brings the intermediate supports (12) through successive stations (2, 3, 4, 5) up to a pick-up station (5), where an arm (52) is connected pivotally (55a) to a carriage sliding on an upright (53). Means are provided for translating (53a) vertically the carriage vertically upwards or downwards, along the upright (53), and for rotating (55a) integrally the arm (52) about said horizontal axis (55). Pick-up fingers (56) are provided at a first end (52b) of said arm (52) associated to means for opening (56a) and closing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Santoni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Bagni
  • Patent number: 7004715
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transferring and loading a reticle onto a receiving station (for example, a reticle exposure stage). The reticle is first retrieved from a storage facility with an end effector having an reticle plate coupled to a mounting plate. The mounting plate connects the end effector to a robotic arm. The reticle is aligned in an out-of-plane position in an off-line alignment station. The alignment is in compliance with the alignment requirement at the receiving station. The reticle is mounted onto the reticle plate after undergoing the alignment at the off-line alignment station. The reticle is then transferred from the off-line alignment station to the receiving station while maintaining the previous alignment at the off-line alignment station. The apparatus further provides rigidity of the mounted reticle to ensure compliance with the alignment requirement at the receiving station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Friedman, Peter Kochersperger, Joseph Laganza
  • Patent number: 7004713
    Abstract: A bucket loader apparatus for scooping, filling, transporting and placing a plurality of bags used in constructing barriers. The bucket loader includes a universal mounting attachment for attachment to a loading vehicle whereby the loading vehicle manipulates the bucket loader between a range of dispositions. In a scooping disposition, the loading vehicle directs the bucket loader to scoop a flowable, granular material. In a loading disposition, the flowable granular material is directed through a plurality of integral funnels and into a plurality of bags, each funnel having a bag retained proximally to the funnel. After filling the bags, the bucket loader is transported to a point of use whereby the loading vehicle manipulates the loader bucket to an unloading disposition allowing placement of the filled bags. The bucket loader further includes a bag attachment assembly for selectively retaining empty bags and releasing filled bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Roger Sweningson
  • Patent number: 7004712
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for exchangeably fastening an add-on, for example an excavator shovel (2), to an excavator boom (3), whereby retaining bolts (4, 5) spaced apart (A) in parallel are disposed on the excavator shovel (2). Said retaining bolts (4, 5) can be gripped by grippers (6, 7) mounted on the excavator shovel (3) that can be hydraulically adjusted relative to each other. Said grippers (6, 7) have open insertion openings (8, 9) for the retaining bolts (4, 5) in directions facing away from each other. The longitudinal axis (10) of the hydraulic drive (11) for adjusting the grippers (6, 7), the center axis (12, 13) of the retaining bolts (4, 5) and the center axis (14, 15) of the insertion openings (8, 9) on the grippers (6, 7) are at least approximately arranged in one plane (16). One gripper (6) is retained in parallel to the axis of the drive (11) in a guide (17) and can be linearly displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Dietmar Martin
  • Patent number: 7004716
    Abstract: The invention relates to a simple and cost-effective method for aligning substrates. In order to achieve this, the invention provides a device for aligning disc-shaped substrates, in particular semiconductor wafers, comprising an alignment detection unit, at least one first support for receiving the substrate, which forms an oblique plane in relation to the horizontal, a stop against which the substrate can be displaced as a result of the oblique angle and a rotational device for rotating the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Steag RTP Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ottmar Graf, Paul Mantz
  • Patent number: 7001133
    Abstract: A working vehicle with a front-end loader comprises: a vehicle body; a right and left pair of support decks each extending transversely of the vehicle body and fixed at an inward end thereof to the vehicle body; boom supporting members each erected on an outward end of one of the support decks; a boom pivotably connected at one end thereof to upper positions of the boom supporting members and having a working implement attached to the other end thereof; a boom cylinder extending between one of the boom supporting members and the boom for swinging the boom; mounting elements each provided for one of the boom supporting members and partially protruding outward from the one of the boom supporting members; and connecting frames each fixed at one end thereof to the vehicle body, and fixed at the other end thereof to one of the mounting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Naoya Muramoto
  • Patent number: 7001137
    Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for the securing of an implement to a lifting arm, particularly to a front loader, where the implement and the lifting arm can be fastened to each other by a movable locking bar, which can be moved between a locking position and an unlocking position, and can be brought from the locking position into the unlocking position by a remotely actuated hydraulic cylinder. It is proposed that the locking bar can be arrested automatically in the unlocking position, with it then being possible for the hydraulic cylinder to be deactivated. The locking bar is located such that it can be brought into the locking position from its arrested position by moving the implement by another remotely actuated hydraulic cylinder such that the locking bar engages the lifting arm and is moved to a non-arrested position from where it is automatically biased back into its locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Laurent Perrin, Emmanuel Berthod, Sebastien Portet, Philippe Ostermann
  • Patent number: 7001134
    Abstract: A reinforcing frame construction having ROPS and a rear axle casing projecting to the right and left from a tractor vehicle body. The construction includes a pair of right and left loader attaching members for detachably attaching a front loader, the loader attaching members being connected to an intermediate portion of the vehicle body and projecting therefrom to the lateral sides, a pair of right and left rear supporting members provided in the rear axle casing for supporting right and left legs of the ROPS, and a pair of right and left connecting members to which a rear implement is connected, the connecting members being fitted into the rear axle casing and being detachably connected to the rear supporting members. Extension portions of the connecting members extending forwardly therefrom are detachably connected to the loader attaching members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Aoki, Eiji Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7001139
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a robot arm mechanism comprising a first arm link mechanism and a second arm link mechanism, a robot arm driving mechanism for driving the first arm link mechanism and the second arm link mechanism, and a link retaining mechanism for pivotably retaining the first arm link mechanism and the second arm link mechanism, in which a third arm link and a fourth arm link of the first arm link mechanism are kept forward in a first rotation direction, in which the first arm link mechanism and the second arm link mechanism are extended, thereby enabling to prevent the quadric crank chain constituting the robot arm mechanism from being flattened out while the first arm link mechanism and the second arm link mechanism are extended, and improving resistance to deformation, in comparison with the conventional robot arm mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Mori, Tetsuya Watanabe, Chohei Okuno
  • Patent number: 7001136
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for attaching an implement to a lifting unit, in particular, to a front-end loader, wherein the implement and the lifting unit can be connected to one another by a movable bar that can be displaced from a locking position into an unlocking position by an externally activated actuator. The actuator is coupled to the bar by a coupling device designed such that a driving connection between the actuator and the bar is only produced when the actuator is activated. This makes it possible to displace the bar manually, as well as in an actuator-operated fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Laurent Perrin, Emmanuel Berthod