Patents Examined by George B Bennett
  • Patent number: 11255651
    Abstract: A device includes a ruler, a leveling device attached to the ruler and a plurality of pins. The device only requires one person to hang level pictures, paintings, frames and other wall hanging objects. The ruler is a made from a rigid material and has a plurality of holes therein where the pins are inserted. The ruler has a fixed length or has a telescopic structure. The plurality of holes formed in the ruler are spaced apart from one another and the spacing is uniform or variable spacing. The leveling device is a bubble leveler including three bubble levels where one bubble level is horizontally positioned, another bubble level is vertically positioned, and the third bubble level has an angle relative to the horizontally positioned bubble level. The plurality of pins include a threaded pointed screw with a knob attached to one end of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventors: Donald Arthur Medina, Nelson O. Broce, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11255652
    Abstract: Apparatus can comprise a probe movable in a direction along a probe axis that intersects a determination axis and a clamping pin can be movable along a clamping pin axis that intersects a product support area of a base. In some embodiments, methods of determining a height of an edge portion of a product can comprise aligning the edge portion of the product along a determination axis and clamping the product to a base at a clamping location of the product positioned over a product support area. Methods can further comprise extending a probe to contact a location of the edge portion of the product while the product is clamped to the base. Methods can further comprise determining a height of the edge portion of the product based on the position of the probe contacting the edge portion of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Xiaorui Jin, Ping Ni, Shixian Tian
  • Patent number: 11255668
    Abstract: Detailed herein is a level device having a body having a first face, an opposing second face, and a perimeter extending between the first and second faces. The perimeter includes first, second, third, and fourth sides, where a first reference surface extends along the third side and a second reference surface extends along the fourth side orthogonal to the first reference surface. A third reference surface may be between the first and second reference surfaces disposed at a 45-degree angle relative to each of the first and second reference surfaces. A first bubble vial having a first longitudinal axis parallel to the first reference surface is received in a first recess defined along the first side, and a second bubble vial having a second longitudinal axis parallel to the second reference surface is received in a second recess defined along the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Joseph J. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 11255653
    Abstract: A method for operating a surface measuring apparatus for measuring a surface of a workpiece. Method includes operating surface measuring apparatus having a probe that includes a probe arm that is deflectable by an angle about a swivel axis, and that on its end facing away from the swivel axis bears a probe element. Probe is movable relative to a base body of surface measuring apparatus along a linear axis. In method, a workpiece is contacted by moving the probe along the linear axis by use of the probe element, and after workpiece is contacted, probe arm is moved by a specified travel distance along the linear axis. The resulting angular deflection of the probe arm about the swivel axis is measured, and based on the specified travel distance and measured angular deflection of the probe arm, the probe arm is classified with regard to its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: JENOPTIK Industrial Metrology Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Adelbert Leber
  • Patent number: 11255666
    Abstract: A level that is attached to the drill bit. It is on a bar that allows the level to be offset from the drill bit so that it is visible by the operator. The bar has a bearing in it that allows the bit to spin freely while holding the level in a set position. The level has a ball that centers in a ring when it is level and plumb. To use the device, after it is installed in a drill, the operator adjusts the position of the drill until the ball is in the center of the ring. Then, the drill bit is plumb and the hold will be true. The operator merely has to watch the level and adjust the drill as needed to maintain plumb to ensure a true hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Michael O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11248898
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a horizontal plate. The horizontal plate includes a first plate end, a second plate end disposed away from the first plate end in a longitudinal direction, a first plate surface extending between the first plate end and the second plate end, and a second plate surface extending between the first plate end and the second plate end. The second plate surface is disposed away from the first plate surface in a normal direction. A first support member extends from the first plate end longitudinally toward the second plate end and protrudes in a direction normally away from the second plate surface. A second support member extends from the first plate end longitudinally toward the second plate end and protrudes in a direction normally away from the second plate surface. A measurement bar contacts the first support member and the second support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Van L. Gough, Edmond S. Smith
  • Patent number: 11243062
    Abstract: A position measurement method includes, acquiring a sensing position of a distal end of a reference tool, measuring and acquiring a position of a machined surface, The method further includes measuring a position of a reference block disposed on a side of the tool sensor and calculating a relative position of the reference block to the sensing position from the sensing position and the position of the reference block, mounting the position measurement sensor to the main spindle and measuring a position of the reference block, calculating a length direction correction value of the position measurement sensor from the position of the reference block measured in the mounting of the position measurement sensor and the relative position, and measuring the object by the position measurement sensor and correcting a measurement position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Reiji Kanbe
  • Patent number: 11236983
    Abstract: A method of producing a measuring tape may include providing a tape measure blade having a first end configured to extend from a housing and a second end configured to be wound on a reel assembly, defining a first non-critical region from the first end to a start of a critical region, defining a second non-critical region from the second end to an end of the critical region, and modifying a mass per unit length of a portion of the blade such that a mass per unit length of the first and second non-critical regions is less than a mass per unit length of the critical region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Apex Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Vlad Petru Patrangenaru
  • Patent number: 11236998
    Abstract: An alignment device for aligning a pair of substrates includes a second bar rotationally engaged by a first terminus to a second end of a first bar. A spirit level engaged to a first end of the first bar extends bidirectionally therefrom. A fastener rotationally engaged to the first and second bars is positioned to selectively fix the first bar relative to the second bar. With the second bar positioned on a mating surface of a first substrate, a user can rotate the first bar relative to the second bar so that the spirit level indicates horizontal and then engage the fastener. Upon positioning the second bar on a mating face of a second substrate, the user is positioned to orient the second substrate so that the spirit level indicates horizontal, wherein the mating face of the second substrate is aligned with the mating surface of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: John Winningham
  • Patent number: 11231273
    Abstract: A system and method of calibrating a measuring instrument is provided. The system includes a support system for quickly and easily securing a low thermal expansion length reference bar in position. The reference bar is coupled to the support beam using a kinematic mounting system that is designed to reduce or eliminate errors associated with over-constraining the reference bar. The system is optimized for field calibration of certain measuring instruments, such as measuring instruments having articulating arms. Opposed first and second ends of the reference bar include respective first and second retroflectors and/or first and second probe receivers at known distances relative to each other, thereby facilitating calibration of the measuring instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: BRUNSON INSTRUMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Mark J. Meuret
  • Patent number: 11231263
    Abstract: Wearable coordinate measurement devices are described. The wearable coordinate measurement devices include a wearable member and a measurement portion attached to the wearable member. The measurement portion includes a first rotary measurement device, a first probe linkage having a first probe tip on an end thereof, and a second probe linkage having a second probe tip on an end thereof. The first rotary measurement device is configured to detect a separation distance between the first probe tip and the second probe tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James P. Phipps, Chad Crisostomo, Fabiano Kovalski, Nicholas Nicou, Jeremy W. Mares, Dragos Stanescu, Kishore Lankalapalli
  • Patent number: 11231274
    Abstract: A leveling device is disclosed herein. The leveling device includes a body having a body having front surface, bottom surface, side surface and a rear mounting support, the side surface having an aperture configurated to receive a spirt level and a front surface having an aperture therein for viewing the sprit level in the body and the rear mounting support having a first mounting surface configured to be at an angle relative to a plane of the bottom surface, and a second mounting surface orthogonal to the first mounting surface, each of the first and second mounting surfaces having at least one aperture formed therein to receive a magnetic coupling element, whereby, the body containing the sprit level may be magnetically coupled to a vehicle to indicate whether the vehicle remains level during a jacking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Bago, James Perdue, Patrick Leonard
  • Patent number: 11226608
    Abstract: A system for machining a workpiece, comprising a hand-held power tool having a drive motor, a tool holder, which can be driven by the drive motor, for a working tool for machining the workpiece, and a guide element with a guide surface for guiding the hand-held power tool on the workpiece, having a marker detection device for detecting coordinate data of at least one workpiece marker of the workpiece, wherein the hand-held power tool has guide means for guiding the working tool along the workpiece according to the coordinate data of the at least one workpiece marker. The marker detection device has an optical and/or mechanical reference which can be positioned on and/or directly next to the at least one workpiece marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: FESTOOL GMBH
    Inventors: Marc Rusch, Matthias Kübeler
  • Patent number: 11215442
    Abstract: A multi-mode coordinate measuring machine system can be configured to measure coordinates in a variety of ways with a certain set of components. For example, an articulated arm coordinate measuring machine can measure coordinates on an object using a contact probe or a non-contact measuring device mounted on the articulated arm. Then, a user can remove the non-contact measuring device from the articulated arm coordinate measuring machine, and take additional measurements of the object that can be aligned with measurements taken by the articulated arm and devices attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Hexagon Metrology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Ferrari, Hyun Kwon Jung
  • Patent number: 11215435
    Abstract: A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user's finger engages the measuring tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Wade F. Burch, Scott R. Fischer, Michael S. Steele, Abhijeet A. Khangar
  • Patent number: 11209258
    Abstract: A touch trigger probe interface for a machine tool is described that includes a probe communication portion for receiving probe event information from a touch trigger probe. A machine tool communication portion is also provided for outputting probe event information to a numerical controller of the machine tool. The machine tool communication portion outputs the probe event information as digital data packets, for example over a digital data bus. The digital data packets may include a time stamp and/or the touch trigger probe interface may receive timing information from the machine tool. A touch trigger probing system and a machine tool system including the probe interface are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: John Anthony Styles, Paul Anthony Taylor, Derek Marshall
  • Patent number: 11209270
    Abstract: A leveling tool is provided that includes an elongated base member having a first set of opposing sides, the first set of opposing sides having a smooth, even edge. The leveling tool also includes a clamp that has at least one level detecting element disposed thereon, is flexible, and fits snugly around a second set of opposing sides of the elongated base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: The RU LLC
    Inventor: Luke Rudick
  • Patent number: 11204237
    Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a shape measuring apparatus that relatively moves a probe and a workpiece with a translation movement mechanism and a rotary drive mechanism to perform scanning measurement on the workpiece by moving the probe along a scanning path set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shota Sakakibara, Hiroshi Kamitani
  • Patent number: 11203223
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a reel-to-reel chalk line comprising a first housing comprising a first reel, a first rotatable crank mechanism connected to the first reel, and a first chalk bin comprising apertures for allowing the passage of a continuous impregnable chalk line. The apparatus further comprises an opposed second housing comprising a second rotatable reel, a second crank mechanism connected to the second reel, and a second chalk bin comprising apertures for allowing passage of the continuous impregnable chalk line. The continuous impregnable chalk line is reeled about the first and second reels as the respective crank mechanisms are alternately rotated forward and backward. The chalk may include a variety of substances including powders, reactive powders, liquids, dyes, glass, minerals, plastics, ceramics, metals, and fibers. The continuous chalk line may comprise interconnected impregnable chalk lines joined by mechanical or chemical means forming the continuous impregnable chalk line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 11204231
    Abstract: A tool for finding a point on the ground that is directly below the bottom dead center of a rotatable drum. The tool includes magnetic wheels that support the weight of the tool as the tool is rolled along the bottom of the drum and a level that indicates when the tool is in the proper position to direct a pointer downwardly to define the point on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Industrial Kiln & Dryer Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Patrick