Patents Examined by Paul T. Chin
  • Lifting device for lifting a semi-precast beam and lifting method using the same
    Patent number: 11161720
    Abstract: A lifting device comprises a main body, a clasping assembly, a first shaft and a second shaft. The main body comprises a first through hole, a second through hole and a third through hole therein. The clasping assembly comprises a closed-loop structure configured to be engaged with the third through hole. The first shaft is adapted to be inserted into the first through hole of the main body, and the second shaft is adapted to be inserted into the second through hole of the main body. The main body comprises positioning slots therein and the first and the second shafts have positioning elements thereon. The positioning slots collaborate with the positioning elements to prevent the first and the second shafts from falling out of the first and the second through holes of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: RUENTEX ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jui-Chen Wang, Shao Kuo Lu, Kuen-Lung Chang
  • Wheelchair joystick retriever
    Patent number: 11154129
    Abstract: A retractable retrieval device comprising a lanyard, a retractable element, a retractable cord and a connecting element. The retractable element comprises a first end coupled to the lanyard and a retractable cord coupled to the connecting element is coupled to the retractable cord. The connecting element of the retractable retrieval device may be coupled to a reach extender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CREATIVE TOUCH SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventor: Phoenix Harlee
  • Lifting assembly for lifting heavy loads
    Patent number: 11155445
    Abstract: Provided is a lifting assembly for lifting a load, including an upper part and a number of independent lower parts, wherein the upper part includes a lifting beam, a suspension arrangement for suspending the lifting beam from a crane hook, and a locking assembly including an actuator arrangement realized to engage the upper part to a lower part; and wherein a lower part includes a lifting tool realized for connection to a load, and a locking interface realized to engage with the locking assembly of the upper part. A method of lifting a load using such a lifting assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventors: Jens Hald Jensen, Jesper Bjerre Pedersen, Jeppe Soee
  • Remote release shackle for choker hitch
    Patent number: 11148910
    Abstract: A shackle for a choker hitch includes a shackle body having a first end portion and a second end portion, a stabilizer portion positioned therebetween, a first leg and a second leg fixedly spaced apart by, and connected to, the stabilizer. The body includes a load-facing surface with a gripping surface extending from the first to the second end portion. A rod is removably positioned across the first end portion, and rigidly and removably connects the first leg to the second leg at the first end portion. A remotely releasable pin device includes a pin removably positioned across the second end portion and releasably connecting the first leg to the second leg at the second end portion. The load-facing surface may be curved or flat. The pin may be at 90 degrees for horizontal lifts, or less, e.g., 80 degrees, to the shackle body for vertical lifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Kowalevich, Melissa Kowalevich
  • Lifting beam and method for lifting object suspended vertically from lifting beam
    Patent number: 11136224
    Abstract: A lifting beam for suspending an object to be lifted in a vertical direction has a lower end surface extending in a longitudinal direction of the lifting beam on a vertical lower side in a state where the object is suspended. The lower end surface includes a first lower end portion, a second lower end portion positioned away from the first lower end portion to a first side in the longitudinal direction, and a third lower end portion positioned away from the first lower end portion to a second side in the longitudinal direction, on the opposite side of the first lower end portion from the second lower end portion. The second lower end portion is positioned higher than the first lower end portion, and the third lower end portion is positioned lower than the second lower end portion when the object is suspended from the lifting beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasunori Nishioka, Shinya Hashimoto, Takuro Kameda
  • Catch bag
    Patent number: 11129365
    Abstract: An article of manufacture for providing a waste disposal bag for collecting pet waste within a self-contained bag is disclosed. The Catch Bag is an invention to address the process of animal feces collection and disposal. It is a flat sheet designed with drawstrings that are used to cinch the sheet, forming a bag to contain the fecal matter, eliminating direct or indirect contact with the waste and thereby removing any need to handle the waste by glove or other commonly used barrier. The sheet is positioned to catch the excrement prior to the animal defecating. After which, the drawstrings are pulled to form the bag around the waste. The bag is closed and then can be tied and easily thrown away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Heather Ann Gregson
  • Medical tube holder
    Patent number: 11129967
    Abstract: A medical tube holder includes: a holder body having a through hole therein through which a medical tube is passed; and an elastically deformable protruding member provided in the holder body in a direction of narrowing a width of the through hole to increase a frictional force with an outer circumferential surface of the medical tube, wherein the elastically deformable protruding member is brought into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the medical tube passed through the through hole, such that the holder body is fitted over the medical tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: SMHERS
    Inventor: Se Hee Her
  • Finger mechanism and humanoid hand incorporating same finger mechanism
    Patent number: 11123879
    Abstract: A finger mechanism for a robot, an artificial hand, and the like, wherein a fourth bone member (14) of the bone members of the finger mechanism and corresponding to the distal phalanx comprises: a support portion (15) that is rotatably coupled to a third bone member corresponding to the middle phalanx by a rotational shaft (g5); and a nail portion (16). The nail portion (16) can freely rotate about a shaft (g7) at a right angle or a near right angle to the rotational shaft (g5), and a return mechanism (17) to return the rotated nail portion (16) to a reference position is provided between the support portion (15) and the nail portion (16). In this manner, in response to the amount of force applied to the fourth bone member (14), it is possible for only the nail portion (16) to rotate in a direction to easily grasp an object to be held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Preferred Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki Fukaya
  • Method for handling a workpiece with the aid of a removal tool and machine for carrying out the method
    Patent number: 11123862
    Abstract: A method handles a workpiece with a removal tool. The method includes: generating at least one parameter for the removal tool; determining at least one characteristic variable from the at least one parameter and at least one item of workpiece information; creating a removal prediction taking into account the characteristic variable and at least one removal result from a removal result store; assessing the removal prediction; removing the workpiece in the event of a positive removal prediction; detecting the removal result; and storing the removal result in the removal result store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TRUMPF WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Jens Ottnad, Christoph Bloemker
  • Lifting assembly and method
    Patent number: 11111112
    Abstract: A lifting assembly (10) having a structure (11) with three or more receptacles and a two or more connectors (1). The structure comprises one or more receptacles (12). Each receptacle comprises one or more circumferential grooves (17) in its inside surface. The connector comprises a male element (4) for insertion into a receptacle, an attachment point (2), and one or more locking elements (6) provided on the outside surface of the male element for engaging with the or each groove in the inside surface of the or each receptacle so as to rotatably mount the attachment point relative to the structure. The connectors may be rotationally positioned within the receptacles to permit different lifting configurations to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BALLTEC LIMITED
    Inventors: Jonathan Jackson, Marco Teixeira
  • Shortening hook with coupling connection
    Patent number: 11111110
    Abstract: A shortening hook with a coupling connection for shortening sling chains in hangers, having a hook body which comprises an eyelet at the top for coupling to a suspension ring and at the bottom a coupling connection with a coupling slot which is delimited by two parallel side wings and is downwardly open for the suspension of a chain and in its central region comprises a hooking-in region, which realizes an upwardly open, rectilinearly extending shortening slot and on which a chain, which is coupled to the coupling connection, is hookable by way of its free end region. In each case, only a coupling slot and a shortening slot are realized on the hook body and, when the shortening hook is seen in side view, are mounted offset laterally with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: pewag austria GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Oswald, Rene Zettler
  • Lifting device and methods for pulling up overturned vehicles and other structures
    Patent number: 11111111
    Abstract: Lifting devices include a tube with a first slot and a second slot. The devices also include an insert with a first insert projection connected to a second insert projection by a central portion. The first insert projection extends through the first slot and the second insert projection extends through the second slot. A first plate and a second plate are each connected to the central portion of the insert. Additionally provided are methods of lifting a tanker truck or other structures using the disclosed lifting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: B/A Products Co.
    Inventors: John D. Collins, Mark Bailey
  • Workpiece gripping hand, hand system, and robot system
    Patent number: 11104010
    Abstract: A workpiece gripping hand includes a first movable member and a second movable member which cooperate with each other to grip an object, a first drive unit which linearly moves the first movable member, a support unit which rotatably supports the second movable member, a link member which is linked to the first movable member and the second movable member, and which rotates the second movable member by transmitting a linear motion of the first movable member to the second movable member, and a second drive unit which moves the support unit to change a position of a center of rotation of the second movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Dohi
  • Sifting waste scooper
    Patent number: 11096372
    Abstract: A sifting waste scooper including a rod assembly and a basket assembly is disclosed herein. The rod assembly includes a telescoping rod and a battery. The battery is located at the bottom portion of the telescoping rod. The rod assembly further includes an LED attachment disposed at top portion of the elongated rod. The basket assembly is located the distal top portion of the elongated rod. Furthermore, the basket assembly includes a grated basket having a plurality of holes to allow soil and sand to sift through the basket while collecting waste. The basket assembly further includes a scraper along the outer portion of the grated basket to allow a user to pick up animal waste. The shifting waste scooper allows a user to pick up small objects of waste in soil or sand without having to carry the soil or sand into a waste container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Pedro Cruz
  • Robotic gripper member
    Patent number: 11097430
    Abstract: A soft bodied robotic member has the appearance of a finger and has a deformable rubber elongated body surrounding an array of rigid ribs interconnected by a perpendicular constraint. The plates form a series of parallel protrusions extending from opposed sides of the body and have a serrated, sawtooth or wavelike appearance. A tether runs through each row of protrusions and draws the corresponding protrusions together in a compressive manner to bend or dispose the finger toward the compressed side. Gaps between the protrusion allow movement of the protrusion towards adjacent protrusions to dispose the body in an arcuate shape. The constraint is a planar sheet that bends with the arc along its width, but resists lateral twisting, thus limiting movement outside a plane defined by the arc and the tether. Multiple finger members may be placed in close geometric proximity for gripping a common object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Cagdas D. Onal, Onder Ondemir, Weijia Tao
  • Connector to facilitate lifting of wear parts
    Patent number: 11097926
    Abstract: A lifting connector to facilitate the lifting of wear parts used on earthmoving equipment is mechanically secured to a hole in the wear part. The wear part has a latching formation to maintain the head of the connector in a preferred orientation so that it is in the proper service position for connecting the lifting connector to a lifting device. The wear part can be safely maneuvered onto and off of the earthmoving equipment while secured to the lifting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ESCO GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Scott H. Zenier, Christopher M. Carpenter, Kevin S. Stangeland
  • Adjustable pet waste scoop
    Patent number: 11096377
    Abstract: An adjustable pet waste scoop includes a handle shaft and a scoop shaft connected in a telescopic configuration, such that the overall length of the device is adjustable. A scoop is connected to a lower end of the scoop shaft. The scoop includes an open-ended front portion extending in a first direction perpendicular to the scoop shaft and an open-ended rear portion extending in an opposing second direction at an upward angle with respect to the front portion. The scoop may include one or more clips for securing a pet waste bag to the scoop and may further include annular grooves that receive clamps or other fasteners for further securing the pet waste bag. The open-ended configuration and fasteners allow a pet waste bag to be attached to the scoop in multiple configurations according to user preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Rogers
  • Robotic toolset and gripper
    Patent number: 11090816
    Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Dexterity, Inc.
    Inventors: Samir Menon, Zhouwen Sun, Robert Hegdahl
  • Spill saver tray
    Patent number: 11089896
    Abstract: A tray for carrying items, such as food and beverages. In particular, the tray, provided with grips, can be carried, in a relatively stable manner, with one hand. The tray is particularly useful for individuals working in the hospitality industry, such as waiting staff (waiters).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Damian Damiani
  • End-of-arm tool having concentric suction cups, and related systems and methods
    Patent number: 11084175
    Abstract: An end-of-arm tool for attachment to a robotic arm, includes a housing, an outer suction cup assembly that includes an outer suction cup located at the distal end of the housing, and an inner suction cup assembly that extends centrally through the outer suction cup assembly. The inner suction cup assembly includes a lower suction tube, an inner suction cup that is positioned at a distal end of the lower suction tube and is in fluid communication with the lower suction tube. The inner suction cup is concentrically located relative to the outer suction cup. The tool includes an actuator configured to selectively extend and retract the lower suction tube with respect to the outer suction cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Felipe De Arruda Camargo Polido, Ulf Hartmann