Patents Examined by George B Bennett
  • Patent number: 11680783
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to employ with a retractable tape measure including a flexible measuring tape. The apparatus includes an electronic system including a laser receiver and a body configured to house the electronic system therein. The laser receiver is configured to detect a laser projected in at least one of a red wavelength and a green wavelength. The body includes an arcuate-shaped cavity configured to receive the flexible measuring tape in a sliding engagement, and a top surface oriented to face in a direction from which the flexible measuring tape is read with the flexible measuring tape received in the cavity. The top surface includes a port configured to align with the laser receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Thumbline, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Gage Pabst
  • Patent number: 11680795
    Abstract: The grade-leveling tool is a measurement device. The grade-leveling tool forms a vertical barometer. The grade-leveling tool measures the difference between: a) a desired elevation from the ground at a specific location; and, b) the existing elevation of the ground. The grade-leveling tool is used to create a bed of level ground used for supporting a structure. The grade-leveling tool comprises a base structure, a reservoir structure, and a hose structure. The hose structure and the reservoir structure attach to the base structure. A fluidic connection is formed between the reservoir structure and the hose structure. The base structure elevates the reservoir structure and the hose structure above the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Clifford Johnson
  • Patent number: 11673257
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first component including an arm having a first end and a second end, a plurality of nuts positioned within an interior of the arm, a yoke cap, a plurality of fasteners threadably coupled with the plurality of nuts to affix the yoke cap to the first end of the arm, and a second component positioned between the first end of the arm and the yoke cap. The second component is rotatable about an axis relative to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Phipps, Dragos M. Stanescu
  • Patent number: 11673256
    Abstract: A coordinate positioning machine that includes: a structure moveable within a working volume of the machine, a hexapod metrology arrangement for measuring the position of the structure within the working volume, and a non-hexapod drive arrangement for moving the structure around the working volume. Also, a coordinate positioning machine including a structure moveable within a working volume of the machine, a drive arrangement for moving the structure around the working volume in fewer than six degrees of freedom, and a metrology arrangement for measuring the position of the structure within the working volume in more degrees of freedom than the drive arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventor: Stephen Mark Angood
  • Patent number: 11675026
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for a self-locating compass for use in navigation are disclosed. The self-locating compass is operable to provide position and/or velocity without information from a global positioning system (GPS) device. The self-locating compass includes a direction finder and a Lorentz force detector. The method includes determining orientation with respect to Earth's magnetic field, measuring a Lorentz force proportional to rate of change of location with respect to the field, determining a change in location, and updating location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ARCHAIUS INC.
    Inventor: Frederick Vosburgh
  • Patent number: 11674789
    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: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: John Anthony Styles, Paul Anthony Taylor, Derek Marshall
  • Patent number: 11674788
    Abstract: A valve clearance measuring assembly includes a panel having a first side, a second side, a forward edge and a rearward edge. The forward edge is extendable between a valve tip and a rocker arm. The first and second sides of the panel each are planar and orientated planar with respect to each other. A head includes a central member and a pair of arms. The arms extend in a generally same direction with respect to each other to define a space between the arms. The panel is attached to the arms and traverses the space. The forward edge is in static communication with the arms such that the forward edge is in a linear configuration as the forward edge traverses the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Monte Lutz
  • Patent number: 11662202
    Abstract: An extendible or adjustable length level is provided. The level includes a locking mechanism allowing the user to fix the level at a selected or desired level. The locking system allows the user to lock the level at the desired length and provides more effective and robust locking than conventional expanding levels. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism is designed such that translational movement of the user-actuated control (as opposed to rotational motion) is used to move the locking mechanism into the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Kenneth Dorscheid, Michael John Caelwaerts, Samuel A. Gould
  • Patent number: 11656069
    Abstract: An apparatus to grade a surface is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated member with a straight edge to grade a surface. In addition, the apparatus includes a height gauge to attach to an end of the elongated member. The height gauge is to engage a border of the surface. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a connector to connect the height gauge to the elongated member. The apparatus also includes a first surface on the height gauge. The first surface is to engage a side wall of the border to grade the surface proximate to the side wall. The apparatus further includes a second surface on the height gauge offset from the straight edge by a distance. The second surface is to engage a top surface of the border such that the straight edge is to grade the surface at the distance below the top of the border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Massimo Conte, Angelo Conte
  • Patent number: 11656074
    Abstract: A calibration method includes: measuring, with a CMM, a ball-to-ball distance of a plurality of edges of an inspection gauge installed in a first posture, a second posture and a third posture, and calculating a calibration value calibrating a ball-to-ball distance between two balls at respective ends of a plurality of edges of the inspection gauge by solving simultaneous equations including the ball-to-ball distance of the plurality of edges of the inspection gauge installed in the first posture, the ball-to-ball distance of the plurality of edges of the inspection gauge installed in the second posture, the ball-to-ball distance of the plurality of edges of the inspection gauge installed in the third posture, and a measurement error of the CMM at the measurement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuto Inoue, Masayuki Nara
  • Patent number: 11650039
    Abstract: A head-measuring device is disclosed and includes a support frame. The head-measuring device also includes a plurality of movable arms comprising a first set of movable arms and a second set of movable arms. The first set includes a first outermost arm, the second set includes a second outermost arm opposite the first outermost arm, and each movable arm is movable between a first position and a second position. The head-measuring device also includes a stationary arm coupled to the support frame such that the stationary arm is approximately equidistant between the outermost arms as the outermost arms are moved between the first and second positions. The plurality of movable arms are parallel to each other and to the stationary arm. The first and second sets of movable arms are mechanically linked such that the first set moves synchronously with the second set between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Julieta Kevorkian Hughes
  • Patent number: 11650053
    Abstract: An extendible or adjustable length level is provided. The level includes a frame, a slidable member, and a bushing. The slidable member is coupled to the frame and extends and retracts along the frame. The bushing is coupled to one of the frame or the slidable member and couples the frame and slidable member together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Haoming Tang, Samuel J. Howard, Anthony S. Graykowski, Daniel L. Block
  • Patent number: 11650038
    Abstract: A measurement device and/or system for measuring a material length, such as for a human-operated cutting device, includes an elongate band located in a band housing. The elongate band can be extended from the band housing under tension in response to a catch attached to an end of the elongate band grabbing onto an end of a material that is extended beyond an opening at which the catch is located. A computing unit can calculate a length of the material using length data acquired by one or more length acquisition devices, and a measurement interface can provide a user with information corresponding to the calculated length in order to assist the user with accurately cutting the material at a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher R. Fisher
  • Patent number: 11644299
    Abstract: A scanning probe for a coordinate measuring machine with inductive position sensor signal gain control is provided. The scanning probe includes a stylus position detection portion with field generating and sensing coils, and for which corresponding output signals are indicative of a position of the probe tip of the stylus. Signal processing and control circuitry is configured to implement different operating regions, such as a central high gain operating region which corresponds to a central probe tip position range, as well as other lower gain operating regions, and for which transition operations may be performed for adjusting the gain. In various implementations, transition operations for adjusting a gain may include operations such as: adjusting power to a field generating coil configuration; adjusting a gain of a front end amplifier; altering characteristics of sensing coils; adjusting an input range of an analog to digital converter, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Hamner, Scott Allen Harsila, Scott Ellis Hemmings, Andrew Michael Patzwald
  • Patent number: 11644309
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for determining a direction to a geodetic target from a geodetic instrument. The method includes emitting an optical pulse from the geodetic target, capturing a first image and a second image of the geodetic target using a camera arranged at the geodetic instrument, obtaining a difference image between the first image and the second image, and determining a direction to the geodetic target from the geodetic instrument based on the position of the optical pulse in the difference image. The method further includes synchronizing the geodetic instrument and the geodetic target for emitting the optical pulse concurrently with the capturing of the first image and nonconcurrently with the capturing of the second image. The present disclosure also provides a geodetic instrument, a geodetic target and a geodetic surveying system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble AB
    Inventors: Johan Carlén, Mikael Nordenfelt, Christian Grässer
  • Patent number: 11644296
    Abstract: A 3D measuring equipment and a 3D measuring method are provided. The 3D measuring equipment includes a base, a fixture, a measuring device, and a controller. The fixture is disposed on the base for an object to be measured to be disposed thereon. The fixture has a plurality of rods. The heights of the rods are adjustable. The measuring device is installed on the base and is movable relative to the fixture. The controller is connected to the measuring device and the fixture and configured to perform the following. The heights of the rods are adjusted according to 3D model data of the object to be measured to support the object to be measured. The measuring device is driven to move relative to the fixture to measure the object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chin-Chia Chang, Chia-Ching Lin, Yi-Tong Liu, Chia-Ming Tsai
  • Patent number: 11644293
    Abstract: A tool for identifying a correct belt for a system of pulleys from a plurality of prefabricated belts having different lengths is disclosed. The tool may include a belt track attached to a first end portion of a measurement belt. The measurement belt may be wrapped around the system of pulleys. An opposed second end portion of the measurement belt may be disposed adjacent to the belt track which may include a reference indicator. The reference indicator will be aligned to one of a plurality of measurement markings on the second end portion which indicates the correct belt to order from among the plurality of prefabricated belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ZPE LICENSING INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Jason Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11642749
    Abstract: A machine-tool including a machining module equipped with a tool-holder and a work-holder, and an optical measuring device-for the three-dimensional measurement of the relative position between the tool-holder and the work-holder. The optical measuring device includes an optical system mounted on the work-holder and a target mounted on the tool-holder. The target includes a useful face forming a positioning reference that can be placed in the optical axis of the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: LDI FINANCES
    Inventors: Philippe Jacot, Sebastien Laporte, Frederic Perret
  • Patent number: 11639851
    Abstract: A leveling rod attachment including a first telescopic assembly, a second telescopic assembly and a clamper assembly is disclosed herein. The first telescopic assembly includes vertical rods being slidably connected one to each other. Each of the vertical rods has measurement indicia. The second telescopic assembly includes horizontal rods being slidably connected one to each other. Each of the horizontal rods has measurement indicia. One of the horizontal rods has a bubble level mounted thereon. the clamper assembly includes a clamper and latches. The clamper is attached to the second telescopic assembly. The damper slidably mounts the second telescopic assembly to the first telescopic assembly. The latches secure length of the first telescopic assembly and length of the second telescopic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin Holder, Aaron Robertson
  • Patent number: 11635292
    Abstract: Disclosed is a digital measurement apparatus including a mounting part on which a measurement object is placed; and a measuring part for measuring the length of the measurement object and providing the measurement value of the measured measurement object as a reference value for adjusting the length of a new measurement object, wherein the measuring part measures the length of the measurement object using any one selected from among a moving method of converting a distance moved due to interference with the measurement object placed on the mounting part; a radiation method of radiating a measurement signal toward the measurement object and converting information of the detected measurement signal into the length of the measurement object; and a scanning method of scanning the measurement object. With this configuration, accuracy in measuring the length of a measurement object may be improved using a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: B&L BIOTECH, INC.
    Inventor: In Whan Lee