Patents Examined by Randy Gibson
  • Patent number: 9598269
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. A power sensor measures an amount of current drawn and/or voltage supplied to the motor as the motor applies torque to the line. A processor calculates an amount of weight that is attached to the line based on the amount of power consumed by the motor. Alternatively, if the motor is operated in generator mode, a current sensor may measure an amount of current generated by the motor and the processor may calculate an amount of weight that is attached to the line based at least partly on an amount of current that is generated by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Patent number: 9599503
    Abstract: A checkweighing device, checkweighing systems employing one or more checkweighing devices, and methods of operation thereof. The checkweighing devices are designed for installation between parallel, spaced apart and vertically offset infeed and outfeed conveyors. Each checkweighing device includes a weighing cell with a weighing platform; a slide chute and at least one sorting gate for directing items either to the outfeed conveyor or to a discard receiver; and a power-actuated rake for sweeping incoming items from the infeed conveyor to the weighing platform, and sweeping weighed items from the weighing platform to the slide chute. While in no way limited to such a use, exemplary checkweighing device, system and method embodiments are well-suited for automatically checking the individual weights of small articles of high value, and/or other items that need to be weighed with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Troisi, Eric A. Inglin
  • Patent number: 9581487
    Abstract: Transport rail system capable of detecting a weight of a rail vehicle, includes one or more rails, and one or more sensors for measuring a magnetic property. At least one of the sensors is adapted to measure a change of a magnetic property in order to determine a weight bearing on one or more of the rails, the change of the magnetic property being caused by stress exerted on the rail by the weight, and one or more of the sensors are adapted to measure the change of a magnetic property of the rail itself and/or that one or more of the sensors are adapted to measure the change of a magnetic property of a supporting structure of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: BAYERN ENGINEERING GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Volker Warzecha, Erich Kuehbandner
  • Patent number: 9574932
    Abstract: A device (14) allows a door of a balance draft shield enclosure (12) to be activated by a carrier fork (4) of a robot (5). The vertically movable draft shield door (13) sets open an access opening in a raised position and closes the opening in a lowered position. A door-lifter with a force-application element (41) is connected to the draft shield door for application of an upward-directed vertical force. A transmitting mechanism (15), standing clear of the balance (11) includes a force-receiving element (20, 21, 26, 27) that is moved vertically by the carrier fork, between upper and lower end positions. It further includes at least one direction-reversing element (22, 23, 24, 25, 29), coupled to the force-receiving element for coupling to the force-application element, a return spring (28), and a spring-biased locking latch (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventor: René Weber
  • Patent number: 9567195
    Abstract: A system includes multiple lifting devices, where each lifting device includes a drum to draw in or let out a line, and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. A grouping module groups the lifting devices for synchronized operation in lifting a shared load. A load distribution management module monitors an amount of weight carried by each of the grouped lifting devices and provides feedback to a user to enable more optimal distribution of the shared load amongst the grouped lifting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Patent number: 7214891
    Abstract: A weighing scale which includes a label printer for printing labels having a detachable portion. A label cassette is easily inserted or removed from the weighing scale. The label cassette is changed depending on the type of label to be printed. Standard labels can be printed, or labels having detachable portions along one side can be printed. The detachable portion can have merchandising information printed thereon including coupon information, advertising information, discounts, specials, and product information. The information on the label and detachable portions is easily edited by an operator at a control panel of the weighing scale. A conversational display is provided which allows easy editing and also allows specials, recipes, etc., to be displayed. A molded cover is provided to prevent moisture from entering the weighing scale without interfering with the operation of the weighing scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard C. W. Hewitt, Michael J. Rawlings, Joseph Sielski
  • Patent number: 7155834
    Abstract: Laser alignment methods and apparatus are disclosed whereby pipe and similar materials may be aligned. The methods and apparatus are adapted to be utilized on the end of pipe or other material and thereby using as a reference point that pipe or other material with the reference beam generated by the laser providing a center reference point from the pipe on which the laser is mounted. In a preferred embodiment, the laser apparatus mounting is threaded so as to be used in mating relationship with the ends of complementarily threaded pipes. A preferred embodiment has a mounting adaptor for the laser that either has tapered steps or is shaped like a tapered cone so that a single adaptor can be friction fitted into pipes of different diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: Charles E. Palumbo, III, Edwin A. Ohl
  • Patent number: 6992952
    Abstract: The wrist watch with internal tag according to the present invention includes a watch case 12 which includes a ring shaped case 12a and a rear lid 12c, a drive section 13 which is housed in the watch case, a display section 14 which is housed in the watch case 12, is driven by the drive section 13, and displays a time instant, and an RFID tag (18) which is housed in the watch case 12 and includes an antenna 16 and an IC chip 17. The antenna includes a rod shaped magnetic core member 16a which is provided to follow around the inner surface of the rear lid 12c between the ring shaped case 12a and the drive section 13, and a coil 16b which is wound in a helical shape around the magnetic core member 16a. And the magnetic core member 16a is shaped so as to bend around following the inner surface of the ring shaped case (12a), and is made from a layered amorphous foil material or a composite material so as to have a certain flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Endo, Seirou Yahata, Takashi Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 6985361
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly has a first object created and separated from a host substrate. The first object has a first electrical circuitry therein. A carrier substrate is coupled to the first object wherein the first object is being recessed below a surface of the carrier substrate. The carrier substrate further includes a first carrier connection pad and a second carrier connection pad that interconnect with the first object using metal connectors. A receiving substrate, which is substantially planar, including a second electrical circuitry, a first receiving connection pad, and a second receiving connection pad that interconnect with the second electrical circuitry using the metal connectors. The carrier substrate is coupled to the receiving substrate using the connection pads mentioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Alien Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Lloyd Credelle, Glenn Gengel, Roger Green Stewart, William Hill Joseph
  • Patent number: 6977822
    Abstract: The position of a connector 36 in the forward direction (Ya direction) is determined by having front end surfaces 36f1, 36g1 of protrusions 36f, 36g of the connector that protrude from the left side surface and the right side surface of the connector, respectively, contacting vertical wall portions 72a1, 74a1 of positioning concave portions 72a, 74a of supporting plates 72, 74 of a housing of the shield case. The position of the connector in the backward direction (Yb direction) is determined by having a back surface 36h of the connector 36 contacting a protrusion 70a of a dividing plate 70. The motion of the connector in the right-and-left directions (Xa-Xb directions) is controlled by having the left side surface and the right side surface of the connector facing the supporting plates, respectively, in close proximity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Otani, Yutaka Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6973716
    Abstract: A method for making an electronic circuit arrangement comprises providing a substrate having an electrical conductor thereon, wherein the electrical conductor includes two contacts spaced apart substantially a predetermined distance; providing an electronic jumper having two contacts spaced apart substantially the predetermined distance; mounting an electronic device on the electronic circuit jumper and having two contacts respectively connected to the two contacts of the electronic circuit jumper and then mounting the electronic circuit jumper on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Amerasia International Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Kwong-Tai Chung, William Lewis Sked
  • Patent number: 6970399
    Abstract: A thermoelectric power generating timepiece (1) comprises a dial (30), a movement (40), and a heat conduction sheet (50), provided within an enclosed space, defined by a case (10) made of metal, with a glass (20) fixedly attached thereto, and a case back (70), and further comprises a thermoelectric element (60), housed in a gap between the heat conduction sheet (50) and the case back (70). The case back 70 is made of two kinds of materials each having a thermal conductivity differing from that of the other. The case back (70) is made up of a heat conducting part (71) made of material, such as metal, and the like, having a high thermal conductivity, and formed in a shape larger in outer size than the thermoelectric element (60), so as to be disposed opposite to the thermoelectric element (60), and a heat insulating part (72) made of material having a low thermal conductivity such as plastics, and the like, and formed so as to be disposed on the outside of the heat conducting part (71).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Watanabe, Atsushi Murakami, Yumiko Sakamaki
  • Patent number: 6967849
    Abstract: A system module including a case constituting a body of the one system module; power pins and signal pins disposed adjacent to three edges on a surface of the case in a manner such that substantially a U-shaped arrangement is obtained; a power board located inside the case and electrically connected with the power pins; and a signal board located inside the case and electrically connected with the signal pins. At least two corner portions among four corner portions of the case, which two corner portions are opposite to each other in a diagonal direction, are defined with engaging holes, respectively, through which the case and a heat sink are coupled with each other. Connecting pins and inserting holes through which the connecting pins are inserted, respectively, are complementarily formed and defined on and in the power board and the signal board, so as to electrically connect the power board and the signal board with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Min-Kyu Hwang, Jae-Chun Lee, Sang-Kyun Lee
  • Patent number: 6965544
    Abstract: To effectively prevent positional deviation of a battery. A hook-shaped member of a spring electrode terminal, and hook-shaped members of a spring electrode terminal are arranged in respective apices of a regular triangle to restrict movements of a battery in a direction along a cross section against the bias of a spring electrode terminal, which abuts against a negative surface of the battery. Battery abutments are arranged in respective apices of a substantially regular triangle to permit the bias of the respective spring electrode terminals to bias the battery toward the battery abutment, thus restricting positional deviation of the battery in a horizontal plane. When the battery is to be removed, a battery removal tool arranged near the hook-shaped member is inserted into a tool insertion portion to remove the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Mamoru Watanabe, Yuichi Shino, Tamotsu Ono, Kei Hirano
  • Patent number: 6963034
    Abstract: An inductor device having plural spiral-shaped interconnection structures connected to each other and extending in plural power source layers, the power source layers being in different levels of a multilayer printed board. The printed board having first and second current loops. The loops share part of a common current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Mizuki Iwanami
  • Patent number: 6963492
    Abstract: A lockable retractable locating frame of a BGA on-top test socket includes a push-and-lock mechanism that further comprises an accommodation room, a slider, and a sliding slot for riding the slider. The slider further includes a driving portion for receiving foreign input, a tongue portion nested in the accommodation room for protruding into a stroke space formed between the retractable locating frame and a base of the test socket, and a connection portion bridging the driving portion and the tongue portion for forming a slide pair with the sliding slot. By protruding the tongue portion into the stroke space to form a stop for avoiding movement of the retractable locating frame with respect to the base, the spacing between the base and the retractable locating frame can be thus kept and the electronic device mounted on the test socket can be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: D. Hung Wang
  • Patent number: 6961248
    Abstract: A chassis for an electronics assembly comprises: (i) a frame (1); and (ii) a panel (31) located on a face of the frame, the panel comprising a plurality of cooling fans (22) and a holder (30) for the fans. The panel allows removal of individual fans from the panel and replacement of any fans while the panel is located on the frame, and the frame allows removal of the panel therefrom and replacement of the panel. The chassis thus allows replacement of any fans without the assembly being shut down, and also reduces downtime of the assembly if all the fans need replacing, for example for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Hunt Vincent, Jay Kevin Osborn
  • Patent number: 6952349
    Abstract: There is described a motion control device for preventing free-fall of electronics modules during vertical movement into or out of a supporting structure. The system comprises a rotatable element on the module or structure engageable with surface on the structure or module, respectively, for rolling movement therealong. The rotatable element is provided with a clutch or brake to provide resistance to rotation at least when the module is moving downward relative to the structure. The rotatable element may be a gear engageable with a toothed rack, or a friction roller engageable with a friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Ronald Gough, James Robert Kitchen, Jay K. Osborn, Stephen David Sparkes, Sean Conor Wrycraft
  • Patent number: 6950315
    Abstract: In a high-frequency module mounting structure according to the present invention, a circuit board includes a reinforcing electrode on the lower surface thereof for increasing a mounting strength of the first and second electrode groups in a state of being in close proximity, a motherboard includes a reinforcing lands corresponding to the reinforcing electrodes in a state of being in close proximity to the lands, and the electrodes and the lands, and the reinforcing electrodes and the reinforcing lands are soldered. Therefore, soldering of the high-frequency module with respect to the motherboard is enhanced, and thus a reliable high-frequency module mounting structure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Ujiie, Atsushi Murata, Daijo Shibata, Kiminori Terashima
  • Patent number: 6947295
    Abstract: A ball grid array package includes a chip having a substrate with a bottom surface, a plurality of solder bumps projecting outwardly from the bottom surface of the substrate, and an electromagnetic shield including a housing that defines an inner space which receives the chip and the solder bumps therein, and a bottom opening for access into the inner space. The solder bumps project outwardly of the inner space through the bottom opening in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Hsieh