Patents Examined by James W. Keenan
-
Patent number: 7077616Abstract: A latch assembly is provided for selectively maintaining a ramp of a trailer in a storage position. The latch assembly includes a mounting tube mounted to the underside of the trailer and a clamp tube operatively connected to the mounting tube by a plurality of link arms. The clamp tube is vertically movable between an interfering position wherein the clamp tube is vertically spaced from the mounting tube and interfering portions of the link arm intersect the plane in which the ramp of the trailer lies and a non-interfering position where the clamp tube is adjacent the mounting tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Triton CorporationInventor: Larry K. Wagner
-
Patent number: 7070379Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication apparatus, located in an apparatus installation area, includes a front-opening unified pod (FOUP) index, a plate, a first transfer device, a second transfer device, and an engineering FOUP index and multiple processing chambers. The FOUP index can be located in a line, vertically, horizontally, on top, and on bottom. The engineering FOUP index is used for manually locating the FOUP thereon in case of processing irregular single wafers that are not stored in a lot. As the FOUP index is located in the semiconductor fabrication apparatus installed in the apparatus installation area, dead space between the apparatus and air eddies generated above and below the FOUP index can be eliminated to increase the efficiency of working area and improve the environment in fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Samsung Elctronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ki-Sang Kim
-
Patent number: 7066705Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a chassis and a storage container that is detachably mounted on the chassis. The storage container has a rear wall with an opening therein and a sweep panel that is mounted in the rear wall. The sweep panel is movable between an open position which exposes the opening in the rear wall of the container and a closed position which covers the opening in the rear wall of the container. The refuse collection vehicle also includes a rear tailgate assembly that has a hopper which is adapted to receive refuse and a packer assembly which is adapted to cooperate with the sweep panel to move refuse from the hopper of the tailgate assembly into the storage. A method for loading refuse in a storage container and a storage container that is useful in practicing such method are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: The Heil CompanyInventors: Mark A. Keller, Bobby McKinney, Marcel G. Stragier, Gary Flerchinger, Henry M. Hund, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7063496Abstract: A dolly device for loading and unloading a container which comprises a control frame that pivots among a plurality of operational positions such that the control frame facilitates the loading or unloading of the container and supports the container while being transported from location to location.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Jackson, Dwayne Mattox, Randy L. Spangler
-
Patent number: 7063494Abstract: The present invention is directed to a specialized truck bed wherein the bed is divided into two areas or deck sections connected by a transverse hinge. The invention is also directed to a winch system for use on a vehicle. The invention is further directed to an improved locking post or post assembly for use with the specialized truck bed of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Up-N-Atom, Inc.Inventor: Raymond Smith, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7059818Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for distributing a lumpy bulk material, in particular iron ore which has been at least partially prereduced, onto an extensive surface, in particular onto a fixed bed, this surface extending within a reactor or vessel used in physical or chemical process technology, in particular in a reactor used in a metallurgical plant to produce pig iron or primary steel products, and the lumpy bulk material being charged via at least one charging apparatus, which has at least two, in particular rotationally symmetrical, chutes, which are preferably arranged at the same distance from the vertical longitudinal axis of the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2001Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH & Co.Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Johann Wurm, Franz Berner
-
Patent number: 7059817Abstract: A high-speed wafer-processing apparatus and method that employs a vacuum chamber having at least two wafer transport robots and a process station. The vacuum chamber interfaces with a number of single-wafer load locks that are loaded and unloaded one wafer at a time by a robot in atmosphere. Four load locks are sized to allow for a gentle vacuum cycling of each wafer without significant pumpdown delays. The robots in the vacuum chamber move wafers sequentially from one of the load locks to a process station for processing and then to another one of the load locks for unloading by the atmospheric robot.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Manny Sieradzki, Nicholas R. White
-
Patent number: 7056078Abstract: A clamp for handling stacked loads of different sizes has a hydraulic circuit capable of selectively causing closing movement of a pair of clamp arms in synchronized unison with each other and thereafter, automatically in response to resistance to closing movement by one but not the other of the pair of clamp arms, causing unsynchronized closing movement of the other clamp arm. Subsequently, upon opening of the clamp, the hydraulic circuit initially causes opening movement of the previously unsynchronized clamp arm and thereafter, automatically in response to the attainment of synchronized clamp arm positions, causes opening movement of the pair of clamp arms in synchronized unison with each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Cascade CorporationInventor: Richard D. Seaberg
-
Patent number: 7056077Abstract: A truck restraint has a carriage movable in a vertical direction along a track between a first lowered position and a second operative position. A fluid actuator moves the carriage along the track between the first and second positions. The actuator is operable, with the hook in the first position, to cause relative rotation between the hook and the track so that the hook is moved from a downwardly inclined position to a generally horizontal position, prior to movement from the first position.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Pentalift Equipment CorporationInventors: Paul Pedersen, Jason Fowler, Mike Tikal
-
Patent number: 7056081Abstract: An improved freight container for use in intermodal freight transportation systems that includes lift castings having a top lift aperture located on the lift casting at an outboard position, such that when other containers are stacked on top of the improved container, loads are properly distributed through reinforcement beams of the improved container, thereby substantially reducing bending stresses in the improved container, substantially reducing the possibility fatigue failure of the improved container, and reducing the costs of maintenance and inspection of the improved container.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: BNSF Railway CompanyInventor: Thomas P. Kelly
-
Patent number: 7037062Abstract: A truck has an extendable and retractable truck bed for receiving removable and replacing truck boxes of different lengths. The truck bed can be extended or retracted to fit the size of the truck box. The truck bed has movable supports that can be extended or retracted from inside or outside a cab to support the appropriate length of the truck box. The movable supports also act as guide means to guide the truck box onto or off of the truck bed. In a method of extending or retracting the truck bed, a single truck can be used to mount or remove truck boxes of different sizes.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: On-Trux LimitedInventor: Craig Leslie Oliver
-
Patent number: 7025554Abstract: A vacuum process system comprises: a load port on which an object to be processed is set; a common transfer chamber disposed adjacent to the load port, having an internal space set at an atmospheric pressure level, and including a first transfer device that is movable and transfers the object into/from the load port, the first transfer device being disposed within the internal space; and a process unit having one process chamber for subjecting the object to a predetermined process, and a vacuum transfer chamber connected to the process chamber, having an internal space set at a vacuum pressure level, and including a second transfer device for transferring the object into/from the process chamber, the second transfer device being disposed within the internal space. The process units are individually connected to the common transfer chamber such that the process units are substantially parallel to each other. The vacuum chamber of each process unit is connected to the common transfer chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Jun Ozawa, Jun Hirose, Masaki Narushima
-
Patent number: 7018159Abstract: A fluid power load-clamping system includes at least one fluid valve for variably regulating the maximum fluid pressure causing closure of the clamp. Preferably the valve increases the maximum fluid pressure automatically in relation to the measured magnitude of the weight of the load to regulate the load-gripping force. A controller causes the valve to permit a relatively high maximum fluid pressure as the clamp closes toward the load to enable high initial clamp closure speed. Thereafter the valve automatically reduces the maximum pressure as the clamping surfaces close into a predetermined relationship with the load, and then increases the maximum pressure to regulate the gripping force. Other preferable features include continuous weight-responsive automatic regulation of the gripping pressure while the load is supported by the clamp, and compensation of the weight measurement for the longitudinally-extensible position of the lifting mechanism, to maximize the accuracy of the load-weight measurement.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Cascade CorporationInventors: Dean Clark Jordan, Richard D. Seaberg
-
Patent number: 7011487Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes a hollow transfer device (20), a side translating assembly (40), and a lift mast assembly (90). The transfer device has at least one substantially open end and a longitudinal opening intersecting the substantial open end. The lift mast assembly is cooperatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially vertically, and the side translating assembly is also operatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially horizontally between at least one side of the vehicle and a center of the vehicle. The invention contemplates use in a newsprint roll handling apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Jervis B. Webb CompanyInventors: Alfred J. Kafka, Harry E. Smith, Wallace I. Miller, Jr., Keith Westphal, Jon L. Coveyou
-
Patent number: 7004483Abstract: The Invention is a cart for moving slabs of stone, such as marble and granite. In a first embodiment, main wheel support the weight of the slabs while front and rear end wheel prevent tipping of the cart. A hydraulic system withdraws the wheels, rendering the cart stationary. In a second embodiment, a main wheel carriage is clamped directly to a slab and bears its weight while smaller front and rear end wheel carriages clamped to the slab prevent tipping of the slab. The wheel arrangement of both embodiments allows the heavy slabs of stone to be readily maneuvered and rotated.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Marble Crafters, Inc.Inventor: Stephen McEntee
-
Patent number: 7001130Abstract: Robotic rack loading apparatus and method include features and loading steps that provide essentially damage free rack loading of automotive panel assemblies into a specially designed rack. The rack includes dunnage elements containing sets of slots with lead-in upper edge angles and sensing holes associated with the slots. The robot carries a modified end of arm tool including a sensor to sense the location of a sensing hole to position a panel for loading into a corresponding set of slots. Another sensor preferably senses objects or structure in the rack to position the tool in a preload position. A compliant device allows lateral and longitudinal compliance of the end of arm tool to allow assemblies to be funneled into position in the slots without encountering damaging stress. A programmed robot can thus automatically load panel assemblies into the rack without damage.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Lance T. Ransom
-
Patent number: 6997665Abstract: A storage lift has at least one chain drive (14, 15) used for loading and unloading storage goods carriers (4). Each chain drive has two chains (16, 17) that are laterally and vertically offset from each other and are interconnected by coupling members (22, 23). The chains propel drivers (27) fixed to extension arms (24, 25) of the coupling members (22, 23) and are used to transfer the storage goods carriers (4) to a vertical conveyor (1) and to hold them in a position in which the vertical conveyor is movable upwardly and downwardly. The chains (16, 17) of the chain drive or drives (14, 15) are located between the front edges of the storage goods carriers (4), which lie opposite one another in storage columns (2, 3), to enable the vertical conveyor (1) to have a relatively narrow construction.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Bellheimer Metallwerke GmbHInventors: Norbert Bouche, Hubert Doser, Rolf Süss
-
Patent number: 6997664Abstract: The present invention proposes an apparatus for loading and unloading wafers to and from the semiconductor fabrication equipment. The present invention uses two U-shaped port plate supporters of high rigidity to respectively join with drive devices such as lead screws, shaft bearings, and a lead device, and then join with components such as a port plate, a port door, and a base. The assembly is driven by a motor via timing pulleys, timing belts, idle wheels, a pair of lead screws, shaft bearings, and a lead device. An encoder is matched for feedback control. Thereby, accurate positioning of the main mechanism of the wafer pod responsible for upward and downward movement can be achieved so as to increase the accuracy and reliability of positioning transfer of wafers. Secondarily, the contamination of particles resulted from the motion of the main mechanism can be reduced by using an intake filtering system.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2000Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Muh-Wang Liang, Chun-Kai Huang, Jiann-Cherng Chen, Tzong-Ming Wu, Ping-Yu Hu, Kuan-Chou Chen
-
Patent number: 6991417Abstract: A spare tire handling device mounted on a vehicle and adapted for moving a spare tire between a stored and an accessible position relative to the vehicle, and including a winch and a flexible member attached to the winch at one end and the other end to the spare tire. The device includes a tire carrier with a housing and one extending portion pivotally connected to the housing. The extending portion being movable from a retracted to an extended position. Additionally a biasing member urges the extending portion to an extended position. A secondary lock assembly and a rim spacer are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Jason Reznar
-
Patent number: 6991420Abstract: A tool (7) for handling a semiconductor material wafer (100) is designed to be used in an epitaxial growth station; the tool (7) comprises a disk (20) having an upper side (21) and a lower side (22), the lower side (22) being so shaped as to get in contact with the wafer (100) only along its edge (103); the disk (20) is provided internally with a suction chamber (24) that is in communication with the outside of the disk (20) through one or more suction holes (25) and in communication with a suction duct of an arm of a robot through a suction port (26); the disk (20) entirely covers the wafer (100) and the suction holes (25) open to the lower side (22)of the disk (20), whereby, when the wafer (100) is in contact with the lower side (22) of the disk (20), it can be held by the tool (7) through suction.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: LPE SpAInventors: Franco Preti, Vincenzo Ogliari