Patents Examined by J. Stephen Taylor
  • Patent number: 11198207
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wafer polishing apparatus, including: a surface plate having a polishing pad attached on an upper surface thereof; a slurry injection nozzle configured to inject slurry toward the polishing pad; at least one polishing head configured to accommodate a wafer and rotate at an upper portion of the surface plate; an index configured to support so as to connect the at least one polishing head at an upper portion thereof; and a particle suction part coupled to the index and configured to suck particles generated during polishing of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SK Siltron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 11192171
    Abstract: A pneumatic riveter may include a jaw assembly (110) configured to extend around a portion of an object through which a fastener is to be driven, a lever (222) configured to be actuated to initiate rivet driving, a valve assembly portion (230) comprising a piston configured to enable progressive control of rivet driving responsive to actuation of the lever, and an unlocking assembly. The unlocking assembly may be configured to selectively inhibit operation of the lever responsive to positioning of a button (240) of the unlocking assembly in a locked position, and enable operation of the lever responsive to positioning of the button in an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Apex Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Christophe Dugenne
  • Patent number: 11192216
    Abstract: A polishing method of polishing a substrate while preventing coarse particles from being discharged onto a polishing pad is disclosed. In this polishing method, a substrate is brought into sliding contact with a polishing pad while a polishing liquid, which has passed through a filter, is supplied onto the polishing pad. The polishing method includes: passing the polishing liquid through the filter while increasing a physical quantity of the polishing liquid until the physical quantity reaches a predetermined set value, the physical quantity being one of flow rate and pressure of the polishing liquid; and polishing the substrate W on the polishing pad while supplying the polishing liquid that has passed through the filter onto the polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Watanabe, Kuniaki Yamaguchi, Itsuki Kobata, Yutaka Wada
  • Patent number: 11161208
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing, tapering, cutting and dispensing preform layers of material includes a device for storing coiled lengths of the preform layers of material and a mechanism for receiving coiled lengths of the preform layers of material. The mechanism includes a grinding mechanism to grind portions of the preform layers of material and a cutter to cut the grinded portions of material. A programmable controller is configured to control the operations of at least one of the device and mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel E. Upton, Joel D. Gruhn
  • Patent number: 11123829
    Abstract: Fixtures including supports for holding various components are disclosed. The fixtures may include a first member including two opposing side rails positioned opposite and parallel to one another, and at least two supports extending between each of the two opposing side rails. The at least two supports may contact removable features formed on the component. The fixture may also include a second member contacting the first member. The second member may include two opposing side rails positioned opposite and parallel to one another. The two opposing side rails of the second member may be positioned on and may contact the two opposing side rails of the first member. The second member may also include at least one support extending between the two opposing side rails of the second member. The at least one support may contact removable features formed on the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward James Balaschak, Robert Peter Hanet
  • Patent number: 11117238
    Abstract: A belt grinding apparatus for grinding the tips of rotor blades supported on a rotating rotor. A casing contains the rotatable rotor. An opening in the casing permits access of a grinding belt into the casing where the belt grinds the tips of the blades rotating past. The belt grinding apparatus being attached at the opening at a parting line in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Alexander Genz, Samuel Liedtke, Florian Lohse
  • Patent number: 11105124
    Abstract: A locking assembly for locking a portable electronic device to a work surface. The locking assembly comprises a clamp assembly including an elongated bar that extends between a first end and a second end. The clamp assembly further includes a first jaw and a second jaw moveable along the elongated bar for clamping to a work surface between the first and second jaws. A connector extends from a first connector end that is pivotally connected to the locking assembly to a second end that can be connected to the portable electronic device. The connector securing the portable electronic device to the work surface while permitting it to pivot with respect to the locking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TECHLOK SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Angott, Paul G. Angott, Michael A. Latcha
  • Patent number: 11072059
    Abstract: A slide and pull hammer device includes three major components, namely, a guide sleeve, a drive bar and an impact head. The drive bar is inserted within the guide sleeve. The impact head is secured within the distal end of the guide sleeve, and has a portion which protrudes beyond the guide sleeve distal end. The drive bar is operable to impact both a distal end and a proximal end of the guide sleeve to apply force to objects in at least two opposite force directions. One force applied by the device includes a hammering or compression force, and another force applied by the device includes a tension or withdrawing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: ANEROB, LLC
    Inventor: R J Patterson
  • Patent number: 11065739
    Abstract: A system for retaining a vehicular component for painting includes a magnetic fixturing element configured to detachably attach at the vehicular component that is to be painted. The magnetic fixturing element comprises a magnetic element. A fixture includes metallic structure that is configured to engage the magnetic fixturing element. With the fixture engaged with the magnetic fixturing element, the component is magnetically retained at the fixture for painting. With the fixture engaged with the magnetic fixturing element, the component is painted by a painting device of the system. After the component that is magnetically retained at the fixture is painted, the magnetic fixturing element is removable from the component and reusable on other components to be magnetically retained at the fixture and painted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Steven E. Dawdy, Loren G. Ulrey, Aaron R. Slupe
  • Patent number: 11065736
    Abstract: Plumbers are often required to carry out various tasks on water pipes including measuring, cutting, bending, threading, joining, soldering and marking positions on pipes. Each of these activities requires the pipe to be held securely by the plumber (for instance in one hand, or under one foot, while the task itself is carried out using the free hand(s). The present invention is a tote tray provided with a clamp 15 connected to the open-top box, the clamp configured for releasably gripping a pipe 17. In this way, a plumber may place a pipe 17 within the clamp 15 and securely grip it therein, and may then carry out various types of work on the pipe 17 without the need to hold the pipe 17 manually in position. Once work on the pipe 17 has been completed, the user may release the clamp's grip on the pipe 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: NAP TOOLS LIMITED
    Inventor: Ryan Napper
  • Patent number: 11054005
    Abstract: A retractable component actuator that comprises a first portion, fixable to a fixed component and comprising a first engagement feature, and a second portion, fixable to a retractable component and comprising a second engagement feature releasably supportable on the first engagement feature. The retractable component actuator further comprises an automated drive mechanism operable to move the first engagement feature upward and downward relative to the fixed component when the first portion is fixed to the fixed component. Downward movement of the second engagement feature relative to the first engagement feature is constrained by the first engagement feature. Upward movement of the second engagement feature relative to the first engagement feature is unconstrained by the first engagement feature. The second engagement feature is upwardly and downwardly co-movable, relative to the fixed component, with the first engagement feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Burghdoff, Rex E. Estes
  • Patent number: 11045932
    Abstract: A tool for mounting a muffler on a vehicle includes a tool body having a tool support member with mounting holes and walls with an external peripheral surface configured to connectively receive a muffler hanger stay. The walls define an interior recessed region configured to connectively receive a muffler hanger. A tool handle member extends from the tool support member to facilitate manual alignment and mounting of the muffler hanger and the muffler hanger stay on the muffler and the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Orlando Otero Solivan
  • Patent number: 11040434
    Abstract: An adjustable dual-range wrench including an elongate handle and a fixed jaw carried by the handle. The fixed jaw includes multiple teeth disposed linearly along the jaw. A hook jaw is pivotably coupled to the handle opposite the fixed jaw. A toothed lobe is adjustably positioned along the fixed jaw between an outer engagement region sized to engage a first range of sizes and an inner engagement region sized to engage a second range of sizes. The hook jaw comprises a first set of teeth associated with the outer engagement region and a second set of teeth associated with the inner engagement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Gary Werner
  • Patent number: 11034464
    Abstract: An object is to provide a holding fixture fixing apparatus which can ensure positioning accuracy and shape accuracy of a moving holding fixture, thus allowing an aircraft panel to be assembled with high accuracy. A holding fixture fixing apparatus includes a plurality of fixing units configured to support and fix a holding fixture, which holds a fuselage panel having a curved shape in cross section, from a lower surface of the holding fixture, the fixing units being provided on an installation surface, wherein the plurality of fixing units are provided corresponding to at least four corners of the lower surface of the holding fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Hirai, Hiroki Azuma, Michinobu Takahagi
  • Patent number: 11000902
    Abstract: A composite machining tool includes a tool body with at least one cutting edge and at least one grinding region. The grinding region is located adjacent to the cutting edge such that there is a gap between the grinding region and the cutting edge and such that when the tool performs a machining action the cutting edge and the grinding region act together on a material surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF NORTHUMBRIA AT NEWCASTLE
    Inventor: Islam Shyha
  • Patent number: 11000936
    Abstract: The invention relates to implement the sealing, porosity and sweeping functions, combined. For this purpose, the present invention proposes to confine the waste and to suction the waste at the ejection head by means of a sufficiently flexible connection, such as to remain in contact with the machining area. According to an embodiment, a portable machining machine (1) operated by a pressurized jet (112) includes a waste recovery system (5), an injection head (11) which is provided with a nozzle (111) having an axis (A1) that is substantially perpendicular to the surface to be machined (4a) and which is driven by a digitally controlled two-axle guide system, the ejection head (11) being extended by an enclosure (12) to the surface area to be machined (4a). In addition, the enclosure (12) comprises a tubular portion (121) consisting of two walls (12a, 12b) which slide coaxially along the axis (A1) and a double-pivot articulation device (123).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Jedo Technologies
    Inventors: Michel Deleris, François Cenac, Pascal Benezech
  • Patent number: 10988358
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a piston, an input cavity, a first actuating shaft, a first output cavity, and a second output cavity. The housing comprises an input port, a first output port, a second output port, a first end, a second end, a first wide wall having a first internal surface, and a chamber at least partially defined by the first end and the first internal surface. The piston is able to actuate along the first internal surface of the first side wall. The input cavity is in fluid communication with the input port. The first output cavity is in fluid communication with the first output port. The second output cavity is in fluid communication with the second output port. The first actuating shaft is fixed to the piston and helps fluidly isolate the first output port from the second output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steven H. Taylor, Brian E. Kelley, Kevin S. Katerberg, Austin Deuerling
  • Patent number: 10991613
    Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus is provided, which includes a top ring main body to which an elastic film having a surface that can suck a substrate can be attached, a first line communicating with a first area of the plurality of areas, a second line communicating with a second area different from the first area of the plurality of areas, a pressure adjuster that can pressurize the first area by feeding fluid into the first area through the first line and can generate negative pressure in the second area through the second line, and a determiner that performs determination of whether or not the substrate is sucked to the elastic film based on a volume of the fluid fed into the first area or a measurement value corresponding to pressure in the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Nabeya, Satoru Yamaki, Makoto Fukushima
  • Patent number: 10981256
    Abstract: A polishing method and a polishing film are provided for automatically performing multi-stage batch polishing on an end surface of a workpiece. An end surface of a workpiece and a polishing plate are moved relative to each other while bringing the end surface of the workpiece into contact with a polishing film of the polishing plate. The end surface is moved in a circular motion with a diameter 2 R relative to the polishing film; the center of the circular motion is moved linearly by a distance S on the polishing film; the polishing film is provided with first, second, and third polishing surfaces; and the polishing film is further provided with cleaning surfaces between the polishing surfaces so that the range of the distance S in which one rotation in the circular motion crosses over different polishing surfaces is reduced, or does not cross over different polishing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignees: NTT Advanced Technology Corporation, Mipox Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Aoki, Naoki Sugita, Toshihiro Igawa, Mitsunobu Shishido
  • Patent number: 10935746
    Abstract: A method of conveying a fiber optic cable through a conduit having an inside diameter involves connecting an interior pig assembly to a far end of the fiber optic cable, the interior pig assembly having an outside diameter smaller than the conduit inside diameter, and inserting the interior pig assembly into the conduit. To convey the fiber optic cable through the conduit, the interior pig assembly may be magnetic, and an exterior assembly including a magnet outside the conduit may be used to pull the interior pig assembly pig through the conduit. In addition or alternatively, a gas may be injected into the conduit to push the pig assembly through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Melnychuk, Nathan Frederick