Patents Examined by Essama Omgba
  • Patent number: 9486855
    Abstract: A caliper body of a floating-type disk brake includes a cylinder-part constituent part including a cylinder bore into which a piston pressing brake pads against a disk rotor is disposed, a bridge part extending from the cylinder-part constituent part and including a through-hole, and a claw-part constituent part formed on a leading end side of the bridge part and disposed so as to be opposite to the cylinder-part constituent part. In a method of manufacturing the caliper body of the floating-type disk brake, a mold in which sprues are provided in at least two places spaced apart from each other in a disk rotor circumferential direction on a region corresponding to the claw-part constituent part is prepared. Molten metal is poured from the sprues of the at least two places of the mold, and starts to solidify from a side of the cylinder-part constituent part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Suzuki, Kimiyasu Kono, Yasuhisa Omata
  • Patent number: 9475126
    Abstract: In a chucking device and a chucking method for a machine tool which grip a workpiece that serves as a target object to be processed by the machine tool, a first cylinder and a second cylinder are controlled based on the position of a piston of the first cylinder detected by a length measuring sensor, and the position of a piston of the second cylinder detected by a length measuring sensor. In this manner, the workpiece is gripped by respective gripping members at a predetermined position, i.e., the axial center, of a chuck main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Fujiwara, Junji Nishino
  • Patent number: 9474339
    Abstract: A connecting device for manufacturing a peeling-stress-resistant connection between two components. The connecting device includes a carrier, which has a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. The connecting device further includes a plurality of hook and loop elements which extend both from the first and the second surface of the carrier and each have at their free ends facing away from the first or the second surface of the carrier a hook and loop head, which is arranged to enter into a hook and loop connection with a component comprising a fiber-reinforced composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Soeffker, Hermann Benthien
  • Patent number: 9470102
    Abstract: A gas turbine vane containment cap is attached to an inboard surface of the vane inner shroud by penetrating flat weld filler, formed in a root gap between the cap and inner shroud. A semi-circular bead weld filler is formed outboard the penetrating weld filler closer to the vane exterior. Vane containment caps so welded are more resistant to in-service cracking along weldments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Mrinal Munshi, Shivashankar Vinay Amatiganahally, Eric L. Roach, Todd F. Young
  • Patent number: 9457443
    Abstract: A locator pin according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure includes an elongated body that extends from a base along an axis, the elongated body deflectable off the axis relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Miller, Thomas J. Butrum
  • Patent number: 9453964
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stripping tight-buffered optical fibers are disclosed. The apparatus is configured to perform one or more of the functions of stripping a tight buffer layer, removing a coating layer, and cleaving the fiber, in a single motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Andrew Barnes, Joshua Douglas Raker, Kevin Lee Strause
  • Patent number: 9447628
    Abstract: Elongated, flexible polymer gasket include a tubular flexible polymer material body, a hollow chamber within the body extending uniformly the length of the body, and a plurality of individual openings through the sidewall forming the body and spaced apart from one another along its length. Each further includes a plurality of individual spring clip fasteners, each a length of metal wire bent to form an elongated, generally planar base portion with opposing major sides and an elongated, engagement portion extending transversely away from one of the opposing major sides. The maximum width dimensions of the base and engagement portions being greater than a maximum nominal dimension of the opening whereby the each individual spring clip member is captured in a separate one of the openings with the base portion within the hollow chamber and the engagement portion projecting traversely away from the base portion and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: Changzhou Sanyou Dior Insulation Materials Manufacturing Co., Ltd, Davlyn International Group, Ltd, Allied Century Limited
    Inventors: Mi Qiang, Gary L. Flasher
  • Patent number: 9440319
    Abstract: A seal assembling method of a master cylinder for assembling a cup seal for sealing a piston slidably moving in a bottomed-tubular cylinder main body to a seal groove formed in the cylinder main body in an annular shape includes inserting the cup seal into the cylinder main body while inclining the cup seal with respect to an axial direction of the cylinder main body, and assembling the cup seal to the seal groove by moving the cup seal to the seal groove in a state that a position of a center cored bar tool for defining an insertion limit of the cup seal with respect to the cylinder main body is aligned with the seal groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Masatake Yamanaka, Hideki Hosaka
  • Patent number: 9437334
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically loading a fuel pellet for manufacturing a nuclear fuel rod is provided. The apparatus includes a tray transfer unit that horizontally transfers the tray, a fuel pellet alignment unit that aligns fuel pellets arranged in the tray, a measurement unit that measures an entire length of the fuel pellets arranged in a row on the tray, a controller that compares an accumulated measured length with a set length, a waiting table located adjacent to the tray transfer unit to store a redundancy fuel pellet, and a fuel pellet movement unit that is driven by the controller and moves the fuel pellets between the tray and the waiting table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: KEPCO NUCLEAR FUEL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Se Yong Shin, Chang Hwan Hwang, Hung Soon Chang, Tae Hyung Na, Bong Sik Moon, Young Seok Yoon
  • Patent number: 9422958
    Abstract: Fasteners are generally described. In some examples, a fastener can be configured to releasably connect a first member to a second member. The fastener can comprise an element that is able to be arranged with respect to the first member. The element can comprise a latching region that is able to assume a latching orientation. The fastener can also comprise a latch that is able to be arranged with respect to the second member. The latch can comprise a latching portion that is able to latch with the latching region when in the latching orientation to connect the first member to the second member. The fastener can be configured such that the element is movable relative to the latch so that, when moved relative to the latch, the element urges the latching portion out of the latching region to enable disconnection of the first member from the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Peter Vullings
  • Patent number: 9421149
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a fluid collection bag comprises an inlet opening adapted to receive an inlet tube located on a first side of the fluid collection bag. The fluid collection bag has a length greater than the height. The first side of the fluid collection bag is generally parallel with a length of the fluid collection bag. The fluid collection bag further comprises an outlet opening located on a second side of the fluid collection bag. The fluid collection bag may be reversible such that a first surface or a second opposing surface of the fluid collection bag may face a support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Burgess, Kenneth S. Chua, Joseph B. Dunn, Dale F. Greeson, Jr., Jack E. Maze, Alberto C. Savage, Arlene A. Siavelis, Jennifer E. Tomes, Earl D. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9422016
    Abstract: A method for mounting side doors on motor-vehicle bodies involves detecting—by means of optoelectronic systems—a plurality of dimensions measured along coordinates X, Y, Z, on the body and on the door units, with the aid of the proper references, for qualifying the geometric conditions of the coupling between the doors and the cooperating door receiving seats. On the basis of the detected dimensions, the method determines the mounting positions of each pair of hinge elements to be secured to the body and to the doors for accurate fit. The method involves mounting the hinge elements on the body in the determined positions, and mounting the doors on the body by connecting the body hinge elements and the door hinge elements to each other by simultaneously inserting articulation pins in seats, without requiring further operations for adjusting and recording geometrical settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignees: C.R.F. SOCIETÀ CONSORTILE PER AZIONI, COMAU S.P.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Mangiarino
  • Patent number: 9414919
    Abstract: An annuloplasty ring comprising an elongate tube of suturable material formed into a ring. A stiffener configured to prevent axial compression and radial deformation of the ring is received in the tube in a first circumferential segment of the ring. An axial support configured to prevent axial compression of the ring and to permit radial deformation of the ring is received in the tube in a second circumferential segment of the ring. The first circumferential segment of the ring may correspond to a posterior portion of a mitral valve annulus with the first circumferential portion configured to extend between the right and the left fibrous trigones of the mitral valve annulus upon installation. The second circumferential segment of the ring may correspond to an anterior portion of a mitral valve annulus and the second circumferential segment is configured to extend between the right and left fibrous trigones of the mitral valve annulus upon installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. M. Wright
  • Patent number: 9393608
    Abstract: A hemming device (2) and a hemming method are provided in which the hemming device (2) has a hemming bed (14) for a workpiece (3) and multiple hemming robots (8, 9) with hemming tools (20). The hemming device (2) is designed to hem inner and outer lock seams (5, 6) on both sides of the workpiece (3). The hemming robots (8, 9) lie on different sides of the hemming bed (14), and the hemming bed (14) is further designed and arranged for accessing inner and outer lock seams (5, 6) on both sides of the workpiece (3) from front and rear sides (15, 16). For this purpose, the hemming bed can have a section (19) for a rearward access to an inner lock seam (5) and a bedding for inner and outer lock seams (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Kraus, Wolfgang Fischer
  • Patent number: 9389009
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for overcoming known plating deficiencies in evaporator assemblies in ice making machine. One embodiment joins the vertical and horizontal partitions together at their intersections so that all surfaces are susceptible for increased soldering/brazing by eliminating the “voids” by changing the location and design of the “weep holes” in the vertical and/or horizontal partitions. This provides more complete capillary path at the joint between the vertical and horizontal partitions and the evaporator pan allowing improved flow via capillary action of solder/brazing alloy during the joining of the assembled vertical and horizontal partition grid to the evaporator pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, LLC
    Inventors: William Eugene Olson, Jr., Gerald William Wendt, Raymond Randy Haack, John-Paul James Ishioye
  • Patent number: 9382768
    Abstract: A modular system and process for connecting a first and second tubular. The system may comprise a skid, a tong assembly operatively associated with the skid, a hydraulic power unit, operatively positioned on said skid, a spring assembly that includes spring stands, a frame containing the tong assembly, springs, rods disposed within the spring, and lanyards attached to the rods on a first end and attached to the base on a second end so that vibratory and displacement forces created during torqueing of the first tubular onto the second tubular are absorbed. The system may also include a sensor, operatively positioned on the skid, for sensing an applied torque to the first and second tubular, and generating a sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Offshore Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Russell Garber, Kevin Michael Guidry, Dennis Penisson
  • Patent number: 9375749
    Abstract: A hub nut caulking apparatus docked on an axle assembly includes a position setting guider to set a caulking position of a hub nut when the hub nut caulking apparatus is docked on the axle assembly, a caulking unit pressing the caulking position of the hub nut, a driving unit driving a piston rod forward using driving air pressure to provide pressing force to the caulking unit, and a driving control unit controlling the driving unit to drive the piston rod forward only if the setting of the caulking position has been finished by the position setting guider. The convenience, safety, and efficiency of a caulking work are improved, and the configuration is simplified, so that productivity is greatly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: TOSYS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang-Pill Kim
  • Patent number: 9377274
    Abstract: A system for coupling various types of firearm accessories to a firearm having an accessory rail may include a coupling member. The coupling member may include a head and a threaded body. The head may have a diameter that fits through a first region of an accessory rail of a firearm but not through a second region. A method of coupling a firearm accessory to a firearm may include inserting the head of the coupling member through the first region of the accessory rail and moving the threaded body into the second region of the accessory rail. The method may further include driving the threaded body into the threaded hole such that the coupling member and firearm accessory are compressed against the accessory rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Bravo Company USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Stephen Kincel
  • Patent number: 9370858
    Abstract: A high pressure tool assembly includes a tool and a hand control valve connected to the tool. A hydraulic manifold is fluidly connected to the hand control valve. An intensifier is fluidly connected to the hydraulic manifold and to the tool. The intensifier increases the pressure of a first operating fluid supplied to the tool. A first fluid circuit is formed between the hand control valve, the hydraulic manifold and the intensifier. The first fluid circuit operates at a first pressure. A second fluid circuit is formed between the intensifier and the tool and operates at a second pressure. The second pressure is larger than the first pressure. The second fluid circuit is isolated from the first fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: John D. Lefavour, Thomas R. Faucher, William L. Benedict, Henry A. Maxwell, James Del Bonis
  • Patent number: 9370898
    Abstract: A method for connecting at least a first component (2) and a second component (3) together, wherein each component (2, 3) comprises at least one key arrangement extending along the component (2, 3) and keys (5, 6) of the key arrangement are spaced apart from one another. The method comprises the steps of: aligning the key arrangements of the components (2, 3) such that aligned keys (5, 6) of the key arrangements extend generally in line with a common axis (15) or ensuring alignment of the key arrangements such that aligned keys (5, 6) of the key arrangements extend generally in line with a common axis (15); and extending a key connector (4) comprising at least one longitudinal keyway passage (8) over the aligned keys (5, 6) generally in line with the common axis (15) so that the keys (5, 6) extend within the keyway passage (8), are retained by the key connector (4), and the first and second components (2, 3) are clamped together to form an assembly (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: JOINLOCK PTY LTD.
    Inventors: John Hamish Alexander Pettigrew, Thomas David Percy