Patents Examined by G. Bradley Bennett
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Patent number: 9689167Abstract: A tile leveler contains a pressing seat, a retainer, and a direction changing unit. The pressing seat includes a protruded post extending upwardly from a top thereof, a threaded orifice defined in the protruded post, and a rotary extension extending outwardly from the protruded post. The retainer includes a connecting column formed on a top thereof, a connection rod defined on a middle section thereof, an inserting plate arranged on a bottom thereof, and two retaining portions, wherein each retaining portion is formed on each of two sides of a top of the inserting plate. The direction changing unit includes a first direction changer and a second direction changer which contact with each other. The first direction changer has a first recess, a first slot, and first outer threads. The second direction changer has a second recess, a second slot, and second outer threads.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Inventor: Ching-Tien Teng
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Patent number: 9687941Abstract: An alignment tool for positioning and aligning the adjacent ends of pipes in optimum desired relation for joining the tubular sections by welding. The alignment tool comprises a first and second annularly shaped clamping rings and a plurality of swivel assemblies connecting and circumferentially spaced about the first and second clamping rings, wherein the swivel assemblies adjust the distance between the first and second clamping rings and adjust the first and second clamping rings transversely and axially with respect to each other. Each swivel assembly comprises a first swivel portion connected to the first clamping ring, a second swivel portion connected to the second clamping ring, and a threaded bolt extending through the first swivel portion and the second swivel portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: WALHONDE TOOLS, INC.Inventor: Matthew McClure
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Patent number: 9683828Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring machine and a method for automated measurement of an object and detection of differences between a feature of the object and CAD data of the object. The measuring machine comprises a probe head, a probe system comprising a probe and measurement functionality for determining three-dimensional coordinates of a feature of the object, a local computer terminal, an assigned memory unit, and an assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring machine. The stored CAD data of the object comprise typical dimensions and tolerances of the features, and the assigned set of measurement software programs comprises an optimization algorithm for the measurement of each feature which algorithm is designed to automatically select measuring parameters of the measuring machine and/or a measurement software program from the set of measurement software programs.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Benedikt Zebhauser
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Patent number: 9683914Abstract: A crank bearing face measuring device for measuring the faces of crank bearings of a crankshaft has a base body and a device for rotating the crankshaft about a main axis of rotation. The main axis of rotation is defined by the main bearings of the crankshaft. Measuring device also has a measuring head which has a probe prism for placing against a crank pin of the crankshaft, and at least one measuring probe, for placing against a face of the crank bearing to be measured. The measuring head is configured for and connected to the base body in such a way that the measuring head follows an orbital rotation of the crank pin during rotation of the crankshaft about the main axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: JENOPTIK Industrial Metrology Germany GmbHInventors: Guido Dietz, Michael Hauptmannl
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Patent number: 9677867Abstract: Squaring tape apparatus and kits for converting a conventional measuring tape into a squaring tape apparatus are described herein. The squaring tape apparatus and kits described herein provide a measuring tape that is capable of accurately measuring diagonal distances across a window or door frame from inside corner to inside corner.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: ANDERSEN CORPORATIONInventor: Kurt Dalquist
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Patent number: 9669680Abstract: An alignment adjustment device includes an actuator that is fixed to a vehicle body side support member and that is connected to an outer peripheral surface of a hub carrier so as to rotate the hub carrier. An intersection between a first axis and a second axis and an intersection of a universal joint are both positioned inside a wheel, and the intersection of the universal joint is inside the hub carrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Yuta, Tetsu Ogawa, Yutaka Hozumi, Takashi Yanagi
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Patent number: 9671315Abstract: An apparatus comprises an outer shell, a gauge ring, and a spring. The gauge ring is configured to rotate to a first position as a nut passes through an opening of the outer shell and contacts a bottom surface of the gauge ring, the first position permitting the nut to pass through the gauge ring and into a socket by aligning one or more gauge ring lobe slits with one or more outer shell lobe slits and one or more deformable lobes of the nut. The spring is configured to rotate the gauge ring to the second position after the nut passes through the gauge ring and into the socket, the second position preventing the nut from exiting the socket by preventing alignment of the one or more gauge ring lobe slits with the one or more outer shell lobe slits.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Jamie M. Smith, Eric Grabow, Douglas Howard McKay, Matthew Timothy McKee, Russell Miller, René Jean Robért
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Patent number: 9656154Abstract: A sports field marking system that is operable to measure and provide the location required on a field where a football must be advanced to in order to achieve a first down during play of a conventional football game. The sports field marking system includes a first down marker pole placed on a sideline of a football field with a second first down marker pole being placed in axial alignment with the first down marker pole on the opposing sideline. The first down marker pole and second down marker pole include laser emitters operable to project a visible light beam across the surface of the field of play. A down display marker pole is provided and is placed in axial alignment with the first down marker pole on the same sideline. A first laser rangefinder and a second laser rangefinder are mounted to the down display marker pole.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Inventor: Martin Rodriguez
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Patent number: 9658062Abstract: A target holder that can be secured within a central aperture of a vehicle wheel includes a base defining a central axis of the target holder. The base has a first end configured to receive a target and an opposing second end. A retainer is coupled to the second end of the base. The retainer is insertable into the central aperture and engageable with the vehicle wheel to secure the target holder to the vehicle wheel. A plunger is disposed in the retainer. A lever is pivotably coupled to the base and operatively coupled to the plunger. With the retainer inserted into the central aperture, the lever is actuateable to move the plunger toward the retainer to urge a terminal end portion of the retainer to expand radially outward from the central axis of the target holder to engage an inner wall of the vehicle wheel defining the central aperture.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Douglas J. Duff, Thomas W. Kara
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Patent number: 9658048Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine has a base for supporting an object, a movable assembly having a probe for measuring the object, and a rail movably guiding the movable assembly along its length. The rail includes carbon fiber and has a rail CTE. The coordinate measuring machine also has an air bearing member circumscribing the rail and fixedly coupled with the movable assembly. The air bearing member has a member CTE, which is about equal to the rail engineered CTE.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Hexagon Metrology, Inc.Inventors: Gurpreet Singh, John Langlais, Jie Zheng, Joseph G. Spanedda
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Patent number: 9651352Abstract: The invention discloses a method for roundness measurement, which includes the steps of, mounting and rotating an object on a rotary table; driving two measuring surfaces of two measurement units to respectively abut against two opposite sides of the object, wherein the two measurement units are disposed on two opposite sides of the rotary table and the two measuring surfaces are parallel to each other and perpendicular to a to surface of the rotary table; during rotation of the rotary table, measuring intermittently a shortest straight line distance between the two measuring surfaces and generating a variation data and after the rotary table completes a full-circle rotation, a processing unit receiving the variation data and generating measured data. The present invention also discloses a device for roundness measurement.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: 3DFAMILY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Kuang-Chao Fan, Chih-Chin Hsu
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Patent number: 9651372Abstract: An apparatus for leveling piping systems during installation. The piping leveling assembly can also determine an exact direct of travel for future runs of pipe to complete the installation.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Inventors: Jose Antonio Lopez, Maria Bernarda Duarte
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Patent number: 9651351Abstract: A gap assessment tool includes a base and an edge probe. The base fits to an exterior exhaust element of a vehicle, and includes the first of a pair of defined measurement locations. The edge probe is supported by the base for movement to an extended position in which, with the base fitted to the exterior exhaust element, the edge probe contacts an edge of an exterior body panel of the vehicle spaced from the exterior exhaust element, and includes the second of the pair of defined measurement locations. With the base fitted to the exterior exhaust element, and with the edge probe moved to the extended position and contacting the edge of the exterior body panel, a measurement between the pair of defined measurement locations is indicative of a part of a gap between the exterior exhaust element and the edge of the exterior body panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey D. Lambert
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Patent number: 9651370Abstract: A manual measuring system (an articulated three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine or a gantry three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine) allows a measuring probe to be manually moved while enabling a user to focus on making measurements and allows the user to manually move the measuring probe in order to facilitate and accelerate measurements. The manual measuring system includes a sub-monitor (portable terminal) that is mounted near the tip of the measuring probe. It is possible to display on the sub-monitor a guided route for the measuring probe to a measurement point or to indicate on the sub-monitor that the measuring probe has entered a measurement allowable range or to allow the user to direct by means of the sub-monitor to obtain a measurement value by the measuring probe.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventors: Shinsaku Abe, Kozaburo Suzuki
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Patent number: 9644933Abstract: The invention relates to a folding rule (G) which comprises at least four sections (1, 2, 3, 4) that are hinged together, at least the fourth section (4) having two scales (SK1, SK2) for angle measurement and the first section (1) having at least one reading mark (M). The first scale (SK1) for angle measurement and the reading mark (M) are located on the respective section (4, 1) such that the reading mark (M) points to the value of the first scale (SK1), which corresponds to the angle (?) to be measured between the sides (O1, O2) that rest on the second section (2) or on the fourth section (4) when the first section (1) and the fourth section (4) are aligned in parallel and a first lateral edge (1.1) or a second lateral edge (1.2) of the first section (1) rests on a first lateral edge (4.1) of the fourth section (4).Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Inventor: Mario Neugärtner
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Patent number: 9644373Abstract: A tool for facilitating the cutting of shingles having a base plate and a tubular member. The tubular member comprises a slot on the horizontal surface of the tubular member that extends the entire length of the tubular member and that is offset from the center of the tubular member. The base plate comprises a semicircular cutout with a terminal point that coincides with the center point on the first side edge of the tubular member. The first side of the tubular member is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base plate so that the tubular member is off-center on the base plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Inventor: Philip John Southland
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Patent number: 9638506Abstract: A wrench selector system for efficiently selecting a wrench based on the head size of a fastener or nut. The wrench selector system generally includes: a housing including a display unit; first and second prongs protruding from said housing, wherein first and second grippings are adjoined to said first and second prongs, respectively; and a control button positioned on said first gripping to allow for holding and computing of at least one of a head size of a fastener or nut; wherein said computing is displayed on said display unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Inventor: Zane Z. Zuther
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Patent number: 9630303Abstract: A bicycle alignment device can be used to align the nose of the bicycle seat with the top tube of the bicycle frame. In addition, the same device can be used to align the handlebar stem with the front tire of the bicycle. The device can use a pointing device, such as a pin or a laser pointer, to align the seat to the top tube. The device can be easily broken down into its components for easy and convenient storage when not in use.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Inventor: Jeffrey Hamilton
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Patent number: 9631912Abstract: A vernier caliper is a measuring instrument provided with a main scale and a slider that is slidably provided along a longitudinal direction of the main scale. The slider is provided with an operating part for a user to put his/her finger thereon so as to operate the same. The operating part is provided with a haptic notification means that notifies, through a haptic sense of the finger, that a predetermined measuring pressure has been reached by generating a resistance with respect to the finger by moving in association with the operation of the finger and by causing the resistance to change at a predetermined movement position.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventor: Osamu Saito
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Patent number: 9631925Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the horizontal position uses a gas bubble in a bubble level. The gas bubble is in a cylindrical sealed housing that is partially filled with liquid. At least two light-emitting devices are used to illuminate the gas bubble and an inner bottom surface of the bubble level. A corresponding number of receiving devices are used to receive the light that is either reflected by the inner bottom surface or is reflected and refracted by the gas bubble. The amount of light received is translated into an electrical signal and is sent to a processing unit to calculate the position of the gas bubble. The light-emitting devices and the receiving devices are disposed in an alternating manner at the periphery of the cylindrical sealed housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbHInventors: Changlin Wang, Fanfeng Zu, Hong Zhu, Xiping Sheng, Bing He
