Patents Examined by Jermie Cozart
  • Patent number: 9308852
    Abstract: A trailer and method of manufacturing a trailer are provided. The trailer has a storage vessel which may include hoppers and which is partially formed from a plurality of top wall segments having peaks. The peaks or other components may be angled relative to one another to provide improved aerodynamics. A jig is provided to facilitate the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: MAC TRAILER MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Scott A. Kibler, Denis Gosselin
  • Patent number: 9308568
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a caulked assembly that is capable of manufacturing the caulked assembly at a low cost, preventing reduction of the strength of a columnar body caused by a circumferential groove, preventing deformation of the columnar body, and assembling a slimmer columnar body with a plate-like body. A mounting hole 10 for inserting and assembling a columnar body 2 is provided in a metallic plate-like body 1, and a thick portion 11 is formed along an inner circumferential edge of the mounting hole 10. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1(a), the columnar body 2 is inserted into the mounting hole 10 of the plate-like body 1 so that the plate-like body 1 is set in an assembly position on an outer circumferential surface of the columnar body 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: APS JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Watanabe, Hisanori Kawasaki, Hiroyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9302631
    Abstract: A serviceable safety clip for retaining an automotive trim panel to an inner panel. The serviceable safety clip includes a pin secured to the trim panel, wherein the pin includes a plurality of blades that each include a low retention detent and a high retention detent. The serviceable safety clip also includes a receiver that is secured to the inner panel, wherein the receiver includes an angled face to facilitate insertion of the pin detents and a holding face that retains the pin detents. Insertion of the blades into the receiver includes pushing the pin to flex the blades inward and thereby move the high retention detent beyond the holding face and pushing the pin further to again flex the blades inward and to move the low retention detent into engagement with the holding face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yun Shin Lee
  • Patent number: 9295807
    Abstract: A medical device for advancement over a guidewire includes a number of lumens therein including a working channel lumen, one or more control wire lumens, and a guidewire lumen. A flexible support within the device includes number of interlocking elements that resist longitudinal compression, transfer rotational torque, and can bend side to side. The flexible support also includes a slot that is aligned with the guidewire lumen. An outer jacket includes a perforation, slot, slit, or thinned area that is aligned with the slot in the support member and the guidewire lumen in order to allow a device such as a guidewire to be removed from the guidewire lumen and through the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Yem Chin, John B. Golden, Paul M. Scopton, Robert B. DeVries, John O. McWeeney
  • Patent number: 9297771
    Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating platelets of a monochromator for X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are disclosed. For example, a method of fabricating a platelet of a monochromator for X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy involves placing a crystal on a stage of an X-ray measuring apparatus, the crystal having a top surface. The method also involves measuring, by X-ray reflection, an orientation of a crystal plane of the crystal, the crystal plane beneath the top surface of the crystal and having a primary axis. The method also involves measuring a surface angle of the top surface of the crystal by measuring a light beam reflected from the top surface of the crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ReVera, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Fanton, Rodney Smedt, Bruno W. Schueler, David A. Reed
  • Patent number: 9291303
    Abstract: A fastening apparatus having a base part (4) for fastening and/or adjusting a light grid housing (1) having a partly round housing cross-section (34) in a housing section at an assembly body (12), wherein the base part (4) has an open receiver (24) for the light grid housing (1), wherein the receiver (24) forms a circular section (30) in cross-section and the circular section (30) has an angle (?) of more than 180 degrees, wherein the receiver (24) of the base part (4) is slightly smaller than the partly round housing cross-section (34) of the housing section, wherein the light grid housing (1) is arranged in the receiver (24) and is held by the receiver (24) by force transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Ralf Friedrich, Christof J. Meyer, Christian Klingelhofer
  • Patent number: 9283885
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lighting device comprising a body of headlamp or rear light of a motor vehicle that comprises a housing enclosing a transparent cover wherein: 1) the body is clamped in a fixture and a set of actual positions of control points of the cover or housing are measured; 2) the measured actual positions of the control points are compared in a three-dimensional model with a respective calculated tolerance space of control points bounded by permissible deviations from nominal positions; 3) if the actual positions of all the control points do not match up within the respective calculated tolerance space of control points, a set of corrected positions is identified and selected; 4) determining corresponding corrected positions of the associated locating elements for attachment of the lighting device from the corrected positions of the control points; and 5) joining the locating elements in the corrected positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS, S.R.O.
    Inventors: Petr Mecner, Jindrich Chylek, Daniel Martincik, Dieter Niessen, David Janecek
  • Patent number: 9284778
    Abstract: A method to horizontally support substantially parallel railed ladder (3) with box (4) against vertical surface (17), with ladder footed (5) on horizontal ground (6). Box substantially has front side (32) open, facing ladder. Ladder top end (2) supports against box uppermost portions (36), ladder lower upper portion (94) supports against box bottom wall front portions (13), and box back side (11b) supports substantially flat against the vertical surface. Box top wall (10) and bottom wall (12) are both substantially perpendicular to the box back side. Ladder leans at a substantial angle, substantially at 4-up-to-to-1-out angle (U to O angle). Box on ladder can: provide two platforms to place supplies laddertop; distance ladder from the vertical surface; and improve ladder utility and user safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Jean V. Rittmann
  • Patent number: 9278462
    Abstract: A method of machining a component including a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface defining at least one interior space includes: disposing a distributed medium having a plurality of irregularly shaped particles in the interior space and forming at least one hole in the substrate, while the distributed medium is disposed within the interior space, such that the distributed medium provides backstrike protection for an opposing wall during the formation of the hole(s). Each hole extends through the substrate to provide fluid communication with the respective interior space; and the method further includes removing the distributed medium from the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Niblock, Paul H. Tacheron, Steven J. Craigen, Mohamed A. Hashish, Ronald Scott Bunker, Andrew Lee Trimmer
  • Patent number: 9272373
    Abstract: A positioning device for assembling parts on a structure is disclosed. More specifically, the positioning device is designed for assembling fixed brackets to an aircraft structure. A laser projector is fastened directly on the rigid aircraft structure; its position is therefore stable in relation to the latter, even if the structure undergoes slight deformations. The position of the projector is determined accurately by utilizing targets, which are also fastened to the primary structure. A method for implementing the positioning device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Cedric Meyer, David Bourbon
  • Patent number: 9265896
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a puncture needle, which causes no significant pain during use such as when pierced. The method for producing the puncture needle includes the step of processing a pipe-like metallic base material having at one end a grinding surface obtained by machine work with plasma generated in an atmosphere filled with a mixed gas mainly including a main gas and a reaction gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: SHINMAYWA INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kensuke Uemura, G. Alexey Remnev, V. Konstantin Shalnov
  • Patent number: 9257873
    Abstract: An intercoupled stator core is separated from a non-vertically oriented (including horizontal) generator frame by decoupling the stator core and frame coupling members and interposing a slidable member between them. Thereafter they are separated relative to each other on the sliding member. The sliding or slidable member may comprise a rail, or alternatively a roller adapted for rolling contact with one of the opposed stator core or generator structures and an engagement surface in contact with the other structure. A system for separating the stator core from a non-vertically oriented generator frame includes first and second raising end plates adapted coupled to axial ends of the stator core. The end plates project outwardly from the generator frame ends, for coupling to a raise mechanism. After the raise mechanism raises the stator core the slidable member is interposed between the stator core and generator frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis John Vitello, David Thomas Allen, Benjamin T. Humphries
  • Patent number: 9248921
    Abstract: An assembly and method for attaching an engine pylon to an aircraft wing. The method may include attaching a first forward wing-mounted fitting to the pylon at a first side of the pylon between upper and lower spars of the pylon and attaching a second forward wing-mounted fitting to the pylon at a second side of the pylon between the upper and lower spars of the pylon. The second side of the pylon is located opposite of the first side of the pylon. Mechanical attachment devices may be inserted through holes on the sides of the pylon aligned with holes formed through the forward wing-mounted fittings. The mechanical attachment devices may be made of steel and the forward wing-mounted fittings may be made of composite or aluminum material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Ray West
  • Patent number: 9248533
    Abstract: In a production system general-purpose cell for general-purpose use in processing and transportation of a received workpiece in a production system of processing and delivering the workpiece, the production system general-purpose cell includes a base unit having a planar shape of quadrangle and supporting at least a robot for use in transportation of the workpiece such that the robot is movable on the planar area of quadrangle, a parts supply unit for supplying parts of the workpiece to the robot supported by the base unit, and a processing area extending outside the base unit. The robot supported by the base unit having a motion range set in a range from inside to outside the base unit in a form including at least part of the processing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Ono, Christoph Meyerhoff
  • Patent number: 9249816
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle and a method of making an assembly including more than three panels stacked together and joined by self-piercing rivets or by clinch joints. A first panel and a second panel are joined together at a first attachment point. A third panel and the first panel are joined together at a second attachment point. A fourth panel and the third panel are joined together at a third attachment point. The first, second and third attachment points are spaced apart to avoid interference between the self-piercing rivets or the clinch joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Douglas Scott, Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Amanda Kay Freis
  • Patent number: 9243742
    Abstract: A suspension connector system configured for use with suspended scaffold systems and related methods of installation, assembly and use are disclosed herein. In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, methods of using a suspension connector system, for example, in relation to a structure, is disclosed. Suspension connector systems, as disclosed herein, can be affixed or otherwise connected to a structure so as to permit hanging of a suspended scaffold system, which can include work platform assemblies and access systems. Further in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of suspension connector systems can be connected to a structure, for example, in a predetermined pattern or an array, to support, or be combined with, a suspended scaffold system of the kinds disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Safway Services, LLC
    Inventors: Mathieu Grumberg, Roy Scrafford
  • Patent number: 9241448
    Abstract: A cutting tool for use with a stump cutting apparatus of the type utilizing a cutting wheel or drum rotating about a rotational axis wherein the cutting tool is removably attached to the cutting wheel or drum. The cutting tool includes a tool holder removably secured to the cutting wheel typically through a plurality of fasteners extending through a plurality of apertures located in the base portion of the tool holder. The tool holder includes a tool portion having a boss and a neck extending from the base portion of the tool holder to the boss. The boss being a generally annular member having an aperture extending between first and second ends wherein a cutting tool is secured within the aperture. The cutting tool generally includes a head portion, a shank and a cutting tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Green Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. Green
  • Patent number: 9243342
    Abstract: A method for creating an improved coiled tubing is provided, comprising cleaning a sheet metal workpiece using an electroplasma process to remove oxide scale and other contaminants on surfaces of the workpiece; applying a first metal coating to the workpiece using the electroplasma process; forming the sheet metal workpiece into a tube having abutting edges to form a seam; welding the seam to complete the formation of the tube; grinding the seam to establish a smooth exterior surface on the seam; applying a second metal coating to the seam of the tube using the electroplasma process; and coiling the tube around a spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CAP Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward O. Daigle, Pratheesh George
  • Patent number: 9242471
    Abstract: A compression member is used to press a first outer surface of a negative pressure generating member which contacts a surface of a partition wall and to press a second outer surface of the negative pressure generating member which contacts an inner surface of a first recessed portion located opposite the partition wall. The negative pressure generating member is placed in the first recessed portion with releasing the pressure exerted on the first outer surface while maintaining the pressure exerted on the second outer surface. After the negative pressure generating member is placed in the first recessed portion, the pressure exerted on the outer surface of the negative pressure generating member is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Isamu Yoneda, Akira Shiba, Ryota Yamada
  • Patent number: 9242679
    Abstract: A securing arrangement and method for securing a first vehicle component having a generally nonmetallic body to a second metallic vehicle component includes the first vehicle component having at least one magnet fixably secured thereto. An adhesive is applied and one or both of the first and second vehicle components are positioned relative the other of the first and second vehicle components for connecting the first and second vehicle components with the adhesive. The at least one magnet prevents relative movement between the first and second vehicle components while the adhesive cures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Hutter, Matthew Paul Horbaly, James Paul Ryan