Patents Examined by G. Bradley Bennett
  • Patent number: 9488476
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting errors in a bearing cartridge used in a portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) is provided. The method includes providing a cartridge having a first bearing and a second bearing arranged in a fixed relationship to define an axis, the cartridge further including an angle measurement device configured to measure a rotation of a portion of the cartridge about the axis. A plurality of angles is measured with the angle measurement device. A first plurality of displacements is determined at a first position along the axis, each of the first plurality of displacements being associated with one of the plurality of angles. Compensation values are determined based at least in part on the plurality of angles and the first plurality of displacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, Raymond Sullivan, Eric J. Moy, Michael J. Hale
  • Patent number: 9482598
    Abstract: An axle alignment sensor assembly, which includes an enclosure, an oscillator, a frequency detector, an output switch driver, a ferrite component, and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection component, is disclosed. The oscillator is positioned at the sensing end and is configured to generate a magnetic field. The frequency detector is positioned at the sensing end and is configured to detect the magnetic field. The output switch driver is in communication with the frequency detector and is configured to generate and deliver an output based on detection by the frequency detector. The ferrite component is positioned proximal to the connecting end and is configured to prevent electromagnetic interference. The ESD protection component is configured to protect the axle alignment sensor assembly in overvoltage conditions. The oscillator, the frequency detector, the output switch driver, the ferrite component, and the ESD protection component are encased within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Sudale
  • Patent number: 9475188
    Abstract: An extensible apparatus for locating attachment points includes a first end piece, a main track fixed at its proximal end to the first end piece and extending from the first end piece to its distal end, an auxiliary track extending along and extensible distally from the main track, and a auxiliary end piece fixed to the distal end of the auxiliary track. The first end piece has a flat rearward face for placement against a wall. The tracks extend in parallel with the flat rearward face of the first end piece. A main shuttle is slidably movable along the main track, and an auxiliary shuttle is slidably movable along the auxiliary track. Each shuttle includes a rearwardly protruding marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Friends Marketing International SEZC Ltd.
    Inventor: Garold C. Miller
  • Patent number: 9476687
    Abstract: A tape rule accessory with a receiving slot that is shaped conformally to the curvature of a tape rule for receiving a tape rule side edge into the receiving slot. The upper flange has a window with opposed and aligned alignment pointers for aligning to demarcations on the tape rule when the tape rule is installed in the receiving slot. The alignment pointers are positioned an integer number of units of length (for example, inches or centimeters) from an end of the accessory. Exterior marking guides are aligned to the alignment pointers. One or more level indicators, such as spirit levels, may be attached, preferably by being snap fit into housings. Friction ridges may be used within the receiving slot to prevent accidental movement while maintaining ease of use. A thermally bonded, two-part embodiment is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Scott Higginbotham
  • Patent number: 9476949
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided with a substrate including a main surface and a back surface that face in opposite directions to each other in a thickness direction, and first, second and third direction sensor elements having different detection reference axes from each other. The substrate is formed with a recessed portion that is recessed from the main surface toward the back surface side. The first direction sensor element is disposed at least partially within the recessed portion. The second direction sensor element is disposed so as to overlap with the main surface as viewed in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taro Nishioka, Mamoru Yamagami
  • Patent number: 9470500
    Abstract: An improved tape measure apparatus which includes a catch that is both slidable and rotatable relative to the rule blade in a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rule blade when the rule blade is extended from the tape casing. In one embodiment the catch can both rotate and slide relative to the rule blade when frictional forces exceed a predefined minimum or are within a predefined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Ricalde
  • Patent number: 9468415
    Abstract: First and second equipment units are connected to a coupling unit configured with angle and/or position sensors in order to determine thereby, for example, a relative position of a first equipment unit in relation to a second equipment unit. In this manner alignment of the first and second equipment units is expedited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rainer Graumann
  • Patent number: 9464869
    Abstract: A hybrid bracket assembly for mounting an archery sight or other accessory to an archery bow includes a core and a frame. The core has a plate constructed of a material having a first stiffness. The plate has a first side, an opposing second side, and a peripheral edge located between the first and second sides, and at least one set of mounting holes extending through a thickness of the plate for mounting the hybrid bracket assembly to the archery bow. The frame includes a moldable material with a second stiffness less than the first stiffness. The moldable material extends around at least a segment of the peripheral edge and overlaps an area of the first and second sides of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TruGlo, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul LoRocco, John Estridge, Alvin R. Wirthlin
  • Patent number: 9464877
    Abstract: A calculator includes a first filter, a second filter, and an adding device. The first filter outputs, as a first corrected value, a value in which displacement of a displacement table detected by a scale has been corrected based on first frequency transfer characteristics from a scale to a measured object station. The second filter outputs, as a second corrected value, a value in which the first corrected value is corrected based on second frequency transfer characteristics from a ball tip to a ball tip displacement detector. The adding device adds the second corrected value and displacement of the ball tip detected by the ball tip displacement detector to calculate a measured value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Nakagawa, Nobuhiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9459083
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method contemplating a goniometer stage having a base, and a roller bearing having a first annular race supported by the base and a concentric second annular race. A rotor plate is configured to support a workpiece, and defines a bearing surface contacting the second annular race throughout a selective movement of the rotor plate with respect to the base along an arc defining an axis of rotation that is spaced apart from the rotor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Grant Hester, Phil Gooras
  • Patent number: 9453724
    Abstract: A detection device for determining the orientation of a first and a second wheel of a vehicle, the wheels being arranged on a first side of the vehicle with respect to a longitudinal axis thereof. The device is set laterally with respect to the vehicle on the first side, between the first and second wheels, and has a first and a second image-acquisition elements located on a base support having a respective viewing area for acquiring images of a first and a second target coupled to the first and second wheels. A displacement unit is operatively coupled to the first and second image acquisition elements for rotating them simultaneously through the same angle of rotation so as to adapt their viewing area to the position of the first and second targets. The detection device comprises additional alignment sensors located on the base support for measuring calibration parameters of the base support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SPACE S.R.L. CON UNICO SOCIO
    Inventors: Piero Cerruti, Fausto Manganelli
  • Patent number: 9448036
    Abstract: Provided are devices for determining the correct aiming point of a low velocity projectile and methods and systems for using the devices. For example, the devices can be attached to a bow and used to improve accuracy for hunting game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Mark A. Samuels, Richard L. Fowler
  • Patent number: 9441932
    Abstract: A tape measure is described that has a finger recess in a housing, with at least a portion of the underside of a tape blade exposed in the finger recess. Pressing a finger against the underside of the tape allows the user to create a drag brake that acts against the retraction spring to slow and/or stop the retraction of the tape blade. The lateral edges of the tape blade, for that portion of the tape blade disposed in the finger recess, are protected by the housing. This arrangement results in a compact yet versatile and safe overall tape measure with good tactile feedback during finger-braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: APEX BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: Tobias McKay Bridges, Jonathan S. Beckwith
  • Patent number: 9441937
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring thickness of an object is provided. The apparatus includes a compression control system which further includes a movable platform, a compression sensor, and a switching device operatively coupled to the compression sensor. The apparatus also includes a measurement system operatively coupled to the switching device for receiving a signal representative of a toggle event at the switching device and configured to measure a gradient. The apparatus also includes a processing circuit operatively coupled to the switching device and the measurement system for measuring a thickness of the object upon receiving the signal representative of the toggle event at the switching device by using the gradient and a communication circuit for transmitting a measured thickness of the object to a remote database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yakov Polishchuk, Robert William Tait, William Judson Hendrix, Jr., Michael Francis Strong
  • Patent number: 9441934
    Abstract: A protractor, the protractor comprising: a protractor first element and a protractor second element mountable to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other about a rotation axis; the protractor first and second elements being mountable to each other in an unlocked configuration and in a locked configuration, wherein, in the unlocked configuration, the protractor first and second elements are removable from each other, and, in the locked configuration, the protractor first and second elements remain mounted to each other unless the unlocked configuration is achieved; wherein, in the locked configuration, the protractor first and second elements are biased towards each other to create a predetermined frictional force therebetween resisting a rotation of the protractor first and second elements relative to each other about the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Raymond Berthiaume
  • Patent number: 9441962
    Abstract: A sounding device for measuring the thickness of sediments at the base of dry or wet drilled shaft excavations for the assessment of drilled shaft bottom cleaning operations. The sounding device provides a simple and reliable means to quantitatively evaluate drilled shaft bottom cleanliness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Steve Wilhelm Fung
  • Patent number: 9435627
    Abstract: A wheel alignment device (10) is disclosed having a base crossbar (12), a top crossbar (14), a right stanchion (15) and a left stanchion (16) coupled to the base and top crossbar, and a stabilizing rod (17) to maintain the stanchions parallel to each other. The base crossbar has two lower rim engaging posts (22) and oppositely disposed ends (25) each having an inwardly extending tape measure holding slot (26). The top crossbar has two upper rim engaging posts (33). The right and left stanchions each an elongated top mounting slot (41) therethrough through which a threaded post (46) of an upper fastening knob (47) passes to slidably coupled the top crossbar to the stanchions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Alignment Simple Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Gann
  • Patent number: 9435130
    Abstract: A layout tool may have a length and several marking areas or sections by which the headers, footers, and studs of a wall can be marked and subsequently assembled. The layout tool has a bend at about a right angle along the length of the layout tool allowing it to lay over multiple pieces of building material at once. Once marked, the building materials can be assembled quickly and with limited or no human error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: JB Builders LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Briganti
  • Patent number: 9427798
    Abstract: A template (1) for centering rollers at the foot of an ingot mold, the ingot mold being provided with a round section crystallizer into which the template can be inserted passing therethrough from a first end to a second end, the template comprising a round section tubular frame (5), defining a longitudinal axis (X) and having a plurality of longitudinal slots (6) arranged at an equal angular distance from one another; a plurality of longitudinal plates (7) configured so that each longitudinal plate is inserted into a respective longitudinal slot (6) and can move in radial direction through said respective longitudinal slot; at least one inflatable chamber (8, 8?), housed into the tubular frame (5) and at least partially covering the longitudinal extension of a frame stretch adapted to remain inside the crystallizer when the template is inserted into said crystallizer, said at least one inflatable chamber being adapted to expand so as to move said longitudinal plates outwards in radial direction to adhere the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea De Luca, Marco Ansoldi, Alfredo Poloni
  • Patent number: 9423215
    Abstract: An optical device has a post and a reference. A knob is rotatably connected to the optical device and has see-though portions and a gear pivotably disposed therein. The gear has a ring engagement member and a receiver for receiving the post and an inner ring is disposed within the housing. The inner ring includes a first indicia and second indicia. The first indicia are aligned with the plurality of see-through portions when the gear is in a first position. The second indicia are aligned with the plurality of see-through portions when the gear is in a second position. Each of the first and second indicia is associated with a single specific rotated position of the housing relative to the reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: BURRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Travis White, Seth Alan Feinberg, Matthew David Joyner