Patents Examined by G. Bradley Bennett
  • Patent number: 9752427
    Abstract: A stator bore gage comprises a detector assembly comprising a wheel configured to engage an inside surface and to transduce the varying surface diameters into electrical or optical signals representative of the condition of the inside surface as the detector traverses the inside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: GAGEMAKER, LP
    Inventors: James R. Douglas, Kris L. Dawson, Craig Cloud
  • Patent number: 9746304
    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: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, Raymond Sullivan, Eric J. Moy, Michael J. Hale
  • Patent number: 9746302
    Abstract: A method of placing a work piece on a measuring device in which a work piece is placed on a table of a measuring device is provided. The method includes: using a retainer capable of holding the work piece above the table and a lifting/lowering device lifting and lowering a top surface of the table; holding the work piece above the table with the retainer; lifting the top surface of the table with the lifting/lowering device to bring the top surface of the table into contact with a bottom surface of the work piece; and, after a load of the work piece is borne by the table, releasing the hold of the retainer on the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kotaro Hirano, Ryousuke Watanabe, Hisayoshi Sakai
  • Patent number: 9746325
    Abstract: An electronic device may have electrical components mounted in alignment with an electronic device housing. A compass in the electronic device housing may potentially be misaligned with respect to the electrical components and the electronic device housing. Reference devices having compasses may be used to gather compass data while one or more electrical components in the reference devices are controlled to generate magnetic fields that are detected by the compasses. An electronic device may be calibrated in a factory or in the field using calibration data produced by comparing compass readings gathered from the compass in the device while controlling electrical components in the device to compass data from the reference devices. Calibration data may be applied to compass readings in real time to correct for misalignment between the compass and the electronic device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan J. Garrone
  • Patent number: 9746308
    Abstract: A system is provided for communicating between a 3D metrology instrument and a portable computing device via near field communications. In one embodiment, the metrology device is an articulated coordinate measurement machine (AACMM), a laser tracker, a laser scanner or a triangulation scanner, and the portable communications device is a cellular phone or a tablet. The portable device may use the NFC to retrieve data stored on a circuit associated with an object to be inspected and use the data to perform an inspection on the object using the metrology device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Yu Gong
  • Patent number: 9739591
    Abstract: A system is provided for communicating between a 3D metrology instrument and a portable computing device via near field communications. In one embodiment, the metrology device is an articulated coordinate measurement machine (AACMM), a laser tracker, a laser scanner or a triangulation scanner, and the portable communications device is a cellular phone or a tablet. The portable device may use the NFC to establish longer range communications modules, to change or establish settings and parameters or control the metrology device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Yu Gong
  • Patent number: 9739590
    Abstract: A plate flatness measurement device, including a support frame including a center area, the center area including a through-hole in a center of the center area, and a peripheral area surrounding the center area, the peripheral area having a plate with protrusions on a bottom surface of the plate mounted to the peripheral area; and a sensor module in the support frame, the sensor module at least partially protruding above the support frame to contact the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jeong Won Han
  • Patent number: 9739588
    Abstract: A book alignment device engages a back side of objects that are misaligned on a plane and applies a transverse force against the back side of the objects to align the objects on the plane. The device aligns the separate, misaligned objects into a single aligned set of objects. In this manner, the objects are not only aligned, but compacted into a stronger, unitary configuration that forms a single set of objects. An alignment rod forms an elongated member having a substantially straight configuration and a pair of free ends. The alignment rod engages a back side of the objects to pull them forward into alignment. A pair of lateral bars extend from the free ends of the alignment rod. The lateral bars have a distal end that perpendicularly joins the free ends of the alignment rod, and a proximal end that enables manipulation of the alignment rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Frederick R. Marken
  • Patent number: 9731730
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, system, and method of using the same for connecting and spacing grating and the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to connecting and spacing wire gratings, for example wire gratings used as vehicle tire support material or for mounting wheel chocks thereon in the transportation of automobiles. Even more specifically, the present invention may be used to connect a plurality of wire gratings together and to space in a first direction the plurality of gratings apart from each other at multiple selectable distances in one configuration. In a second configuration, the present invention may be used to space in a second direction the plurality of gratings from other objects, such as a wall or guard rail. The second configuration may be used in multiple orientations in order to provide multiple different spacing distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Holland LP
    Inventor: Alexander Stiles
  • Patent number: 9733056
    Abstract: A method for compensating a measurement error related to a measurement of a desired measuring point at an object to be measured with a coordinate measuring machine is disclosed. Some embodiments include a touch probe. Some embodiments include a method that includes providing a three dimensional reference body of known shape and dimension at a known position in the measuring volume of the coordinate measuring machine, defining multiple reference points to be measured at the reference body, touching the reference body with the touch probe in defined touching directions according to the multiple reference points and thereby determining positions for the multiple reference points, and deriving a lobing error information for the touch probe based on the known shape and dimensions of the reference body and the determined positions of the reference points, the lobing error information providing error values related to respective touching directions for the touch probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Pascal Jordil
  • Patent number: 9733077
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a leveling apparatus, methods of using the leveling apparatus, and kits that include the leveling apparatus. The leveling apparatus is useful in various applications, including, without limitation, those applications that involve positioning a planar object (e.g., a wall stencil) against a substantially vertical surface (e.g., a wall) at a desired angle relative to horizontal (e.g., relative to the floor or ceiling).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE ART CONCEPTS, LLC
    Inventors: John G. Swisher, Janna Makaeva
  • Patent number: 9733057
    Abstract: An adjustable template includes a template base member defining at least one opening which extends through the template base member. The adjustable template further includes a locater guide member associated with the at least one opening, wherein a width dimension of the locater guide member is smaller than a width dimension of the at least one opening permitting the locater guide member to move within the at least one opening. An opening defined by the locater guide member extends through the locater guide member wherein a central axis of the opening extends in a direction parallel to and offset from a central axis of the locater guide member. A method of locating a position in alignment of a blind hole defined by a first member is also included. The method includes the steps of positioning a template base member and positioning a locater guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Rod M. Mackenzie
  • Patent number: 9733082
    Abstract: The invention provides a tilt detecting system comprising, a surveying instrument having a distance measuring function and a line laser projecting unit installed as horizontally rotatable for projecting a vertical line laser, and a photodetection device having at least two photodetection units provided at a known interval, a target with a retro-reflectivity and an arithmetic unit, wherein the line laser projecting unit is rotated, each of the photodetection units are made to scan the line laser and the arithmetic unit detects a tilting angle of the photodetection device based on a deviation between a photodetection time moment of each photodetection unit and the distance measurement result of the target of the surveying instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Kaoru Kumagai, Fumio Ohtomo
  • Patent number: 9719779
    Abstract: A form measuring machine includes: a scanning probe including a stylus with a tip ball and a probe body attached with the stylus; a movable slider supporting the scanning probe; a scale detecting a slider displacement of the slider; a tip ball displacement detector detecting a tip ball displacement of the tip ball; and an arithmetic unit calculating a measurement value based on the slider displacement, the tip ball displacement and a correction filter and comprising a correction filter setting section that: calculates a correction matrix diagonal component from the slider displacement and the tip ball displacement detected by calibration of the scanning probe; and calculates a correction factor of the correction filter from the correction matrix diagonal component to set the correction filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ishikawa, Hideyuki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9718202
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring a protrusion length of a protrusion portion on each side of sheet after cutting even when there is variation in positions of cords embedded in the sheet, apparatus with imaging unit that images cross-sectional profile in width direction of sheet including protrusion portions, and generates waveform data from imaging of cross-sectional profile, detect maximum height-positions of crests and of troughs of waveform data, set, based on waveform data, a maximum height-position of crest closest to width end of sheet as maximum height-position of end crest, set a position corresponding to an edge of protrusion portion of sheet, located on more width end side than maximum height-position of end crest, as minimum height-position of a terminal trough, detect distance in width direction of sheet between maximum height-position of end crest and of the terminal trough, and measure protrusion length of protrusion portion based on detected distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hisashi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9721589
    Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a method comprising emitting light at a plurality of locations across a surface of a recording head, detecting light output from a diffraction grating axis with a detector, and determining a target position for mounting a light source on the surface of the recording head by analyzing the detected light output corresponding to one or more of the plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Ralph Kevin Smith
  • Patent number: 9719767
    Abstract: A device for inspecting a profiled work pieces has a toothing, the profile metrologically detectable by the probe element of a profile probe. The profile and the profile probe are moved relative to one another and at right angles or tangentially to the measuring plane of the profile probe. The device measures work pieces having different numbers of teeth, modules and widths, directly after processing, on site and quickly, for accuracy and deviations, without special profiles for the toothing. The probe element of the profile probe can be applied to the profile of the work piece, can be applied to the profile edge of the work piece that is moving away from the probe element by the probe radius of the probe element, and subsequently, by the lateral surface of the probe element facing the profile edge opposite thereof, is configured so the probe element can be displaced from the profile gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Horst Knäbel
  • Patent number: 9714156
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a positioning unit and an alignment unit. The positioning unit extends across the elevator shaft in a second direction and comprises at each end a first attachment mechanism movable in the second direction for supporting the positioning unit on opposite wall structures in the elevator shaft. The alignment unit extends across the elevator shaft in the second direction and is supported with support parts on each end portion of the positioning unit. Each end portion of the alignment unit is individually movable in relation to the positioning unit in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction. The alignment unit includes further at each end a second attachment mechanism movable in the second direction for supporting the alignment unit on opposite guide rails in the shaft. The second attachment mechanism includes a gripper for gripping on the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peetu Valkama, Harri Mäkinen, Mikael Haag, Antti Mertala
  • Patent number: 9696196
    Abstract: The present embodiments include assemblies and methods for releasably sealing a dipstick tube with a piston valve assembly in a sealable engine fluid measurement probe assembly. In an embodiment, the piston valve assembly is integrated in a handle portion of the sealable engine fluid measurement probe assembly. The seal may be established with an o-ring positioned on an outer diameter of a portion of the sealable engine fluid measurement probe assembly that is configured to be inserted into the dipstick tube. A port or opening on either side of the o-ring is coupled to the piston valve, or other equivalent valve assembly, for allowing air or other gases to bypass the o-ring, thereby releasing the seal between the sealable engine fluid measurement probe assembly and the dipstick tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: William S. Nachefski
  • Patent number: 9689652
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handheld measurement instrument and a configurator forming a measurement kit. The measuring instrument and the configurator are provided each with an interface, enabling communication between the measuring instrument and the configurator. The handheld measurement instrument further comprises a measuring unit for measuring distances or angles of an object by contacting physically distinct points of said object; and a circuit unit applying a function of a functionality on electronic signals/electronic measurement results delivered from the measuring unit in order to deliver the measuring results in a desired form to the user by output means. The form the results should be presented can be selected by the user using input means of the measuring instrument. The circuit unit is configurable by the user using the configurator in order to determine, with which functionality the circuit unit and the input means, respectively should be equipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventor: Pascal Jordil