Patents Examined by Michael W. Talbot
  • Patent number: 7326008
    Abstract: A servo motor in die tapping unit provides built in shock protection for the motor by fixing a shock plate to the servo motor and floatingly mounting the shock plate to a base structure attachable to a stripper plate in a press. Sets of opposing springs allow movement of the shock plate relative the base plate to relieve shock loads when the press is operated, the shock plate guided on dowel pins fixed to the base structure. The shock plate, and tapping unit and base structure form a self contained assembly for mounting together in the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Danly IEM, LLC
    Inventors: Victor L. Chun, Frank Madej, Alexander B. Leibman
  • Patent number: 7325811
    Abstract: A chuck (2) for a hand-held power tool (4), which is connected with a motor-driven spindle (6) of the power tool for joint rotation therewith, includes a locking device for securing a shaft section of an exchangeable working tool and having a circular cross-section in the chuck (2) without a possibility of axial displacement and rotation relative to the chuck (2), with the locking device having a clamping element (12; 34) for securing the shaft section (8), and an element (18) for transmitting rotation to the shaft section (8) and rotationally separated from the clamping element (12; 34) by a rotary bearing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Hartmann, Martin Noser, Guenther Sanchen
  • Patent number: 7316404
    Abstract: A drill/driver chuck has a cylindrical member (2) with a central axial bore (4). A plurality of further bores (6) slanted with respect to the axis of the cylindrical member (4). A jaw actuator (10) is coupled to each jaw (8) and moves them within their respective bores (6). The jaw actuator (10) has a conical shape with the walls of the cone having a plurality of slots (12) formed therein to co-operate with each respective jaw (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Walker
  • Patent number: 7311312
    Abstract: A chuck body is made up of axially movable plungers and jaws, in which the jaw has a master jaw body obliquely arranged with respect to an axis of the chuck body, the jaw also has a front face of the master jaw body and a rear end face of a master jaw head for restricting a position of the jaw with respect to the chuck body, a plunger receives a bushing which acts as a wedge means cooperating with the master jaw body, a driver at a rear end of the master jaw body being restricted in a backward movement within a range of a gap ?, and a wedge having a structure of canceling a moment applied to the jaw as a result of clamping, the driver providing a reactant force to the master jaw body for canceling a drawing force applied to a plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kitagawa Tekkosho
    Inventors: Tamio Nishimiya, Satoshi Isohisa, Naoyuki Masatsugu, Toshihito Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7311480
    Abstract: The invention describes a drill plate with a clamping attachment in a rotatably driven base body, which on one of its end faces forms a centering groove that is open towards the top. A clamping slot extending into the material of the base body is arranged at the bottom of the centering groove. The centering groove is bounded by at least two opposing mounting jaws, with at least two diametrically opposing stop faces arranged in the region of the clamping jaws for providing centering contact with the drill plate. The clamping attachment is formed by a mounting screw which clamps the drill plate in the centering groove. To improve transfer of the operating torque from the drill plate to the base body and to facilitate handling, at least two centering fins that are diametrically opposed with respect to the transverse center axis are arranged on the drill plate. The centering fins contact corresponding stop faces disposed on the corresponding clamping jaws of the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ulf Heule
    Inventors: Heinrich Heule, Harry Studer
  • Patent number: 7296804
    Abstract: A surgical instrument holder has a shank having a coupling end, a handle attached to an opposite end of the shank, a coupling device, and a locking mechanism. The coupling end has an interface thereon for receiving an instrument. The locking mechanism has an annular locking component, a spring, a ring which slides on the shank, and a locking device. The annular locking component is mounted so as to slide along the shank. The locking device cooperates with the locking component so as to lock the instrument onto the interface. The spring biases the locking component in a locking direction and bears on the ring. The ring is disengageably lockable to the shank via a connection device so as to enable quick disassembly for cleaning and component sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Precimed S.A.
    Inventors: André Lechot, Philippe Fehlbaum
  • Patent number: 7287938
    Abstract: A machine tool has a rotatable tool holder formed with an outwardly open seat having an outwardly directed floor and a cartridge engaged in the seat, carrying a cutting insert, and formed with an inwardly open groove defining a groove axis and having a surface confronting and extending at a small acute angle to the seat floor. An adjustment wedge axially shiftable in the groove has a formation extending transversely of the axis and bears radially outward on the groove surface and radially inward on the seat floor so that axial shifting of the adjustment wedge radially shifts the cartridge in the groove. An eccentric pin set in the cartridge engages the formation of the adjustment wedge for axially shifting the adjustment wedge in the groove and thereby radially displacing the cartridge in the seat on rotation of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kennametal Widia GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Raab
  • Patent number: 7284760
    Abstract: Semiconductor technology requires the use of object holders, which are capable of holding wafers securely, also during rotation. In order to save time and expense, such holders should be suitable for integration directly into a processing facility, wherever possible. According to the invention it is proposed to provide centrally mounted holders which comprise support surfaces for the wafer and pivotable gripper fingers, in which the gripper fingers are pretensioned by means of at least one pretension element in the holding position and are actuated through one opening mechanism, in which at least one opening mechanism and at least one pretension element are integrated in the central clamping arm fixture and/or in the clamping arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Nanophotonics AG
    Inventors: Sönke Siebert, Michael Schweiger, Andreas Lang
  • Patent number: 7281886
    Abstract: A suction device that is used with a power drilling tool for aspirating material removable during operation of the drilling tool, and which includes a suction head (20) displaceable relative to the drilling tool (2) in a direction opposite a drilling direction (B) of the drilling tool (2), and an aeration device (22) fixedly connected by a suction conduit with the suction head (20) for joint displacement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorsten Stoerig
  • Patent number: 7273333
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for counterbalanced manufacturing operations are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for supporting a tool relative to a surface of a workpiece includes a base adapted to be attached to the workpiece, a tool support coupled to the base, and a biasing device coupled to both the base and the tool support. The tool support is moveable relative to the base along a translation axis, and the biasing device is biasable along a biasing axis that is at least partially along the translation axis. The biasing device is adapted to at least partially counterbalance a force (e.g. a gravitational force) exerted on the tool support along the translation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James N. Buttrick, Jr., Roger A. Gage, Lyle M. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7273214
    Abstract: A chuck to this disclosed which has a central body for including a nose section 6 and a tail section 8. A central portend is formed through the chuck to and a plurality of passageways 12 are angled thereto. Jaws 14 may move through the passageways 12 in response to rotation of a rotatable nut 20 which is in screw thread engagement with the jaws 14. A bearing member 36 is disclosed which sits in a tapered portion between the body for and the nut 20 so that radial displacement of the bearing 36 causes the chuck to be locked against release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: David Harris
  • Patent number: 7273332
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a through-hole in a building structure includes selecting a first location on a first side of the building structure that will define a first opening of the through-hole; disposing a magnet at the first location; selecting a second location on a second side opposite the first side via a magnetic pointer magnetically pointing to the magnet; and drilling the through-hole from the second side through the building structure in a direction indicated by the magnetic pointer creating the through-hole defined by the first and second openings on the first and second sides, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T BLS Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Rivers, Frederick Diggle, III
  • Patent number: 7270503
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting tool for rotating and drilling into solid blocks, comprising a drill shank (1) and a cutting head (2) on one end. The cutting head (2) has a straight, front-face cutting edge (4) extending approximately crosswise in relation to the drill axis (3). The cutting head (2) also comprises a section (8) protruding from the shank of the drill (1) at a height (h) ranging from at least 5% to a maximum of 40% of the diameter (d) of the drill and at a width (b) ranging from at least 5% to a maximum of 40% of the diameter (d) of the drill. The section (8) comprises a straight, lateral cutting edge (5) which merges into a straight, rear-sided cutting edge (7) extending in an approximately parallel manner in relation to the front-faced cutting edge (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ceratizit Austria GES. m.b.H.
    Inventors: Dietmar Berger, Rudolf Rofner, Remus Venturini
  • Patent number: 7267514
    Abstract: An elongate drill bit (20) with a longitudinal axis (X-X) has a shank (28), a working end (24), and a fluted section (26) between the shank and the working end. The shank, the working end and the fluted section are all formed integrally in the drill bit. The working end has an outer cutting portion (34) and a central pilot tip (36) which extends axially ahead of the outer cutting portion. The pilot tip is formed with at least one pair of minor cutting edges (40, 42; 44, 46) arranged on opposite sides of the axis. The outer cutting portion is formed with a pair of major cutting edges (70, 72) arranged on opposite sides of the axis. The outer cutting portion has a major diameter (D) defined by the pair of major cutting edges. The pilot tip has a minor diameter (d) defined by the at least one pair of minor cutting edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Alfons Wetzl, Markus Rompel
  • Patent number: 7264426
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for servo-controlled manufacturing operations are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a base member, a drive platform spaced apart from the base member by a separation distance, and a plurality of guide members extending between the drive platform and the base member. At least one of the drive platform and the base member are moveable along the guide members to increase or decrease the separation distance. The apparatus also includes a drive member operatively coupled between the drive platform and the base member, and a servo motor operatively coupled to the drive member. As the servo motor drives the drive member, the separation distance is varied. In an alternate embodiment, a manufacturing tool may be coupled to at least one of the drive platform and the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James N. Buttrick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7264429
    Abstract: A collet assembly, for selectively attaching a tool accessory to a tool, having a collet nut rotatably connectable to the tool, a collet compressible by the collet nut, and a torque application feature movably connected with the tool. The torque application feature is cammingly actuated to engage the collet nut for compressing and loosening the collet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Miller
  • Patent number: 7261499
    Abstract: An adjustable drill microstop apparatus is employed with a drill and a drill bit to limit the depth of a hole drilled into an object surface by the drill bit. The apparatus has a housing and a nose piece that is mounted for reciprocating axial movement in accordance with a plurality of user selectable depths of cut. The nose piece projects from one end of the housing and is positioned adjacent the object surface to receive the drilled hole. The nose piece has an opening into which the drill bit is inserted, and an engagement surface that engages with the object surface during the drilling operation. During the drilling operation, the drill pushes the nose piece into the housing as the drill bit performs the drilling operation. A pre-selected distance that the nose piece reciprocates in the housing limits the depth of the hole drilled by the drill bit into the object surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dennis R. Mathis, Theodore K. Vogt
  • Patent number: 7261302
    Abstract: A collet and lock nut assembly includes a collet for receiving a cutting tool shank and a lock nut for creating a gripping force between the collet and the shank. The collet has a nose portion and a body portion separated by an annular groove. The lock nut has a plurality of retention tabs and a corresponding number of clear portions. The collet and lock nut assembly can be easily assembled by inserting at least one retention tab within the groove of the collet, and then applying pressure to the collet such that the remaining retention tabs of the lock nut are received within the groove of the collet to place the assembly in a locked position. The collet and cutting tool shank can be drawn from the tool holder by applying rotational torque to the lock nut. The collet is easily removed from the lock nut by applying pressure in any circumferential, lateral direction against the collet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Oshnock, Michael R. McCormick, Robert A. Erickson, Keith Wiggins
  • Patent number: 7258350
    Abstract: A chuck for receiving a working tool (2) rotable about a longitudinal axis (A) includes a receiving sleeve (3) having a guide surface (12) extending along the longitudinal axis (A) and at least three, axially extending, up to a free end surface (4) of the chuck (1), entraining grooves (5) located in front of the guide surface (12), arranged radially outside of the radial dimension (R) at angles of 0°, 120°, and 240°, and each having a central angle (?) defined with respect to the radial dimension (R) and amounting to at least 40°; and at least one locking member (6) radially displaceable over the radial dimension (R) and arranged between two circumferentially adjacent entraining grooves (5) and diametrically opposite a third entraining groove (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Kleine, Werner Britten
  • Patent number: 7258351
    Abstract: A quick-action chuck, in particular for a power tool, has an actuating element (20) and a control device which includes at least one mechanism (12, 22, 36, 42, 50) for controlling at least one locking device (10) that serves to absorb a chucking reinforcement force via the locking device (10) that is controllable by the control device, a positive-engagement connection can be brought about for absorbing the chucking reinforcement force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Erhard Hoffmann, Joachim Hecht, Siegfried Keusch