Patents Examined by Paul T. Chin
  • Hand intended to equip a humanoid robot
    Patent number: 11376746
    Abstract: A hand intended to equip a humanoid robot, the hand includes a palm and at least one finger extending along a first axis, the hand being capable of picking up an object, the finger comprising a first phalanx linked to the palm by a first motorized pivot link and a second phalanx consecutive to the first phalanx linked to the first phalanx by a second pivot link. The finger comprises a first mechanism linking the palm to the second phalanx configured such that the rotation of the first phalanx about the second axis causes the second phalanx to rotate about the third axis, and a second mechanism linking the palm to each of the phalanges configured to actuate the finger in such a way that the finger wraps around the object to be picked up, and the second mechanism is configured to deform the first mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: SOFTBANK ROBOTICS EUROPE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Giulio Cerruti, Damien Chablat, Vincent Clerc, David Gouaillier
  • Collapsible carry cot
    Patent number: 11369210
    Abstract: A collapsible carry cot includes a base member; first and second frame members, wherein the first and second frame members together at least partially define a side or end wall of the carry cot, and wherein the first and second frame members are pivotally coupled together such that pivoting the first and second frame members relative to one another changes a height of the side or end wall of the carry cot, and wherein the first frame member is pivotally movable relatively to the base member and the second frame member is pivotally and slidably movable relative to the base member; and a securing mechanism, the securing mechanism to releasable secure the second frame member relative to the base member, such that sliding of the second frame member relative to the base member is restricted, thereby restricting pivoting of the first frame member relative to the second frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Mamas & Papas Limited
    Inventors: Peter Neil Smith, Graham John Martin
  • Gripper for spools
    Patent number: 11364628
    Abstract: A gripper for finding, clamping and releasing spools having a circular grip part such as a flange or a bore hole as well as a method to operate such gripper. The gripper has a driveable clamp that is provided with a scanning system comprising ‘presence-absence detectors’ that detect the presence or the absence of the circular grip part. The gripper is slowly moved over the flange of the spool and by means of the detectors and some calculation the centre of the grip part is identified followed by the gripping of the spool. The gripper has the advantage that no back-and-forth movement is needed in order to locate the circular grip part and that the superfluous motion of the gripper is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: NV BEKAERT SA
    Inventor: Johan Hugelier
  • Automatic end-of-arm tool changers for automated robotic systems
    Patent number: 11364640
    Abstract: Presented are automatic end-of-arm tool changing devices, methods for making/using such tool changing devices, and automated robotic systems with such tool changing devices. A tool changing device for an automated robotic system includes a quick-change (QC) interlock subassembly that attaches to an end effector. The QC subassembly includes a housing, one or more locking pins movable on the QC housing, and one or more anchor pins projecting from the QC housing. A finger block (FB) subassembly, which performs a task on a target object, includes a housing, a robot tool mounted to the FB housing, and one or more key slots and one or more pin holes in the FB housing. Each key slot receives an anchor pin; once the anchor pin is slid to a locking end of the key slot, each locking pin automatically slides into a pin hole to thereby lock together the QC and FB subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Sirius Automation Group Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Markus, Justin Lu
  • Reversing unit and substrate treating apparatus including the same
    Patent number: 11365069
    Abstract: The inventive concept provides an apparatus for supporting a substrate. An apparatus for treating a substrate includes a process chamber that performs a predetermined process on the substrate and a reversing unit that reverses the substrate. The reverse unit includes a grip unit that grips the substrate and a drive unit that rotates the grip unit to reverse the substrate gripped by the grip unit. The grip unit includes a first body that supports one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the substrate and a second body that supports the other surface of the substrate. Each of the first body and the second body includes a support protrusion that is brought into contact with the substrate when the grip unit grips the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong Hyun Yun, Jung Hwan Lee, Jinseok Ham
  • System and method for controlling the lifting and handling of a load
    Patent number: 11358838
    Abstract: Described is a system for connecting a lifting device to a load to be lifted. The system includes a first connector member and a second connector member. The first connector member includes at least one pin. The second connector member includes an indexer mechanism defining a track that includes at least one track opening. At least a portion of the second connector is receivable in at least a portion of the first connector. At least a portion of the at least one pin is receivable in the track via the at least one track opening. The first connector member is reversibly coupleable to the second connector member via the pin and the indexer mechanism in response to a first series of longitudinal movements of the first or second connector members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Helmerich & Payne Technologies UK Limited
    Inventor: Angus Lamberton Jamieson
  • Picking apparatus capable of picking up target micro-elements
    Patent number: 11357145
    Abstract: A picking apparatus is configured to pick up a plurality of micro elements. The picking apparatus includes a main body and a plurality of picking portions. The picking portions connect with and protrude from the main body. Each of the picking portions has a first surface. The first surfaces are away from the main body and configured to pick up the micro elements. The main body has a second surface at least partially located between the picking portions. Each of the first surfaces has a first viscosity. The second surface has a second viscosity. The second viscosity is less than the first viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Lextar Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Wei Liu, Fu-Hsin Chen, Yu-Chun Lee
  • Pole mounted device and method for hanging decorative lights
    Patent number: 11353197
    Abstract: A string hanging device for hanging a continuous ornamental string on a physical object having a portion elevated above the upward reach of a user, is disclosed. The string hanging device includes a tubular member having an arcuately curved interior passageway configured for receiving the ornamental string. The passageway includes an entry port and an exit port. A pole member is included that has a proximal end and a distal end, and a coupler portion disposed at the distal end. A coupler is provided for removably coupling the tubular member to the coupler portion of the distal end of the pole. A hook member includes a coupler for removably coupling the hook member to the coupler portion of the distal end of the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Moonlight Concepts LLC
    Inventor: Mark F. Lingelbach
  • Bag gripping device
    Patent number: 11350727
    Abstract: A bag gripping device includes a flexible bag gripping member having a top end portion, a bottom end portion, and first and second side end portions. The flexible bag gripping member includes first and second primary surfaces. The device includes a flexible hand-strap member having first and second end portions. The first end portion is coupled to the first primary surface at the first side end portion. The second end portion is coupled to the first primary surface at the second side end portion. The device includes a first hook-and-loop portion that is coupled to the first primary surface at the bottom end portion. The device includes a second hook-and-loop portion that is coupled to the second primary surface at the top end portion and is removably coupled to the first hook-and-loop portion such that the flexible bag gripping member holds a handle of a bag thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: John J. Schantz
  • Flexible underwater robot, control method and device
    Patent number: 11352110
    Abstract: A flexible underwater robot, a control method and a device is provided with at least one movable joint and a control module. A flexible joint module of the movable joint comprises a first connecting plate, a second connecting plate, a first spring, several second springs, several third springs, several first pulling ropes, several second pulling ropes and a pulling module. The first spring, the second springs and the third springs are arranged from inside to outside in sequence with gradually decreased rigidities correspondingly to form a gradual rigidity structure, so that it is more flexible to adjust a posture. When the robot is impacted, it may absorb and release energy to ensure the integrity of the flexible joint module, so that the stability is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: GUANGZHOU UNIVERSITY, GUANGDONG RONGJUN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING TESTING CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Airong Liu, Jiaqiao Liang, Junda Chen, Jiyang Fu, Bingcong Chen, Wengao Xie, Yixiao Zhang, Weicai Li, Pengcheng Su
  • Attachment to be mounted to distal end of work vehicle arm, work vehicle equipped with attachment, and brake for attachment
    Patent number: 11352238
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a safe device with which, by forcibly braking the rotation of a grapple by means of an external force, it is possible even for an unskilled operator to bring the rotation to a halt and further to prevent accidents due to such rotation. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide such a device at lower cost. According to the present invention, a grapple has a lower frame that has claws for gripping timber and an upper frame that rotatably holds the lower frame, and is provided with a rotation braking means that applies a brake on the rotation of the lower frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: YUUGENGAISHA UESUTO KOUGYOU YAZU
    Inventor: Kenichi Ono
  • Carry handle for child carrier
    Patent number: 11350766
    Abstract: A carrying device includes an object to be carried and an object carrier coupled to the object to be used in carrying the object. The object carrier includes a handle connected with at least one end to the object and movable between a retracted position to a carrying position. The object may be an infant seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Olfers, Robért Sjang Josine Van Dijk
  • Gripping unit and component as well as releasable connection of both
    Patent number: 11345046
    Abstract: A gripping unit for the automated assembly of a component having at least one holding region may include at least one assembly gripper configured to grip the component in the at least one holding region. The at least one assembly gripper may include two gripping fingers that may be axially adjustable towards one another into a gripping position where the component is securable between the two gripping fingers, and that may be axially adjustable away from one another into a released position where the component is releasable from the two gripping fingers. The two gripping fingers may include a first gripping finger having a first gripping contour and a second gripping finger having a second gripping contour. The first gripping contour and the second gripping contour may be structured complimentary to the at least one holding region of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Ralf Berndt, Anabel Gaule, Nico Held, Frank Nastoll, Jochen Schaudt
  • Clamping device for lifting and transfer objects
    Patent number: 11345575
    Abstract: A clamping device for lifting and transferring objects can employ slanting interfaces to convert a pulling action on the clamping device to a clamping action on the object. A pulling element in the form of a triangle can be disposed between a jaw and a jaw support of the clamping device. When the pulling element is pulled up, the base of the triangle shape pulling element can exert a force on the jaw against the jaw support, for securing a gripping action on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Hoa Nhon Nguyen
  • Grasping mechanism, robot and grasping device
    Patent number: 11345049
    Abstract: A grasping mechanism includes a base and at least two linkage grasping assemblies. Each linkage grasping assembly includes a grasping member, a first rod and a second rod. The grasping member includes a grasping portion and a connecting portion. The first rod has a first end rotatably connected to the connecting portion and a second end rotatably connected to the base. The second rod has a first end rotatably connected to the connecting portion and a second end rotatably connected to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignees: SHANGHAI FLEXIV ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., FLEXIV LTD.
    Inventors: Ran An, Shiquan Wang
  • Articulating gripper tooling
    Patent number: 11345050
    Abstract: A gripping device for gripping a workpiece. The gripping device includes at least one gripping element configured for contacting the workpiece, at least one articulating finger jaw, and a mounting block connecting the shaft of the at least one gripping element to the at least one articulating finger jaw. The mounting block includes an articulation stop having a first stopping surface and a second stopping surface. The gripping device further includes a stopping member connected to the shaft. The stopping member is configured for contacting one of the first stopping surface and the second stopping surface to limit a rotation of the shaft relative to the mounting block. The stopping member is in the form of one of a pin and a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventor: Tod A. Gunder
  • Swirl-flow forming body
    Patent number: 11339010
    Abstract: A swirl-flow forming body includes a through-hole; a jetting port that is formed on an inner periphery facing the through-hole; a fluid passage that allows fluid to be discharged into the through-hole via the jetting port so as to form a swirl flow that generates negative pressure for applying suction to a target object; and a flange portion that is formed so as to protrude from the inner periphery, the flange portion allowing passage of fluid to which suction is applied by the negative pressure while preventing the fluid discharged via the jetting port from flowing out of the through-hole towards the target object. The inner periphery is formed so as to guide the fluid discharged via the jetting port, in a direction away from the target object, to be discharged from the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: HARMOTEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Tokunaga, Katsuhiro Koshiishi, Hidemitsu Tanaka, Hitoshi Iwasaka
  • Coupling for suspended load control apparatus, system, and method
    Patent number: 11339034
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a load control system for use on or with respect to a main load bearing line, carrier hook, and or head block of a crane, wherein the load control system may maintain tension on the load via a winch control line and a winch, wherein the tension may allow improved control over the load by the load control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: VITA INCLINATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Derek Sikora, Logan Goodrich
  • Robotic palm and finger device thereof
    Patent number: 11331811
    Abstract: A finger device including a finger segment, a finger base, a first steering control mechanism, a first actuator, a second steering control mechanism, a universal joint and a second actuator is provided. The finger base is connected to one end of the finger segment, and the first steering control mechanism is disposed on the finger base. The first actuator is configured to provide a first moment to the first steering control mechanism, so that the finger segment and the finger base have a degree of freedom in a first moving direction. The second steering control mechanism is disposed on the finger base. The second actuator is configured to provide a second moment to the universal joint. The universal joint is rotatably connected between the second actuator and the second steering control mechanism, so that the finger segment has a degree of freedom in a second moving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Shu-Yen Lo, Kai-Jen Pai
  • Tendon-driven robotic hand
    Patent number: 11325264
    Abstract: A robotic hand includes a baseplate, a finger having multiple phalanges that are rotatably coupled to one another, a first of the phalanges having a first end rotatably coupled to the baseplate and a second end and a second of the phalanges rotatably coupled to the second end about an axis of rotation, an actuating mechanism mounted on the baseplate, the actuating mechanism configured to actuate rotation of the plurality of phalanges, and a tendon having opposite ends that are respectively attached to the second of the phalanges and the baseplate. The second of the phalanges has an engagement portion arranged around the axis of rotation, and the tendon is wrapped around a portion of the engagement portion to generate a force acting on the second end of the first of the phalanges, causing the first of the phalanges to rotate from a flexed state to an extended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: UBTECH NORTH AMERICA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER CORP, UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP LTD
    Inventors: Won Suk You, Chengkun Zhang, Huan Tan, Youjun Xiong