Patents Examined by Shantese McDonald
  • Laminated flat mophead
    Patent number: 9161672
    Abstract: A laminated flat mop head which includes a flat foam layer laminated with a fabric material without using glue or adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Foamted International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fred Pisacane
  • Method and apparatus for CMP conditioning
    Patent number: 9162344
    Abstract: A polishing pad conditioning apparatus includes a laser beam generating unit for providing a laser beam, a fluid delivery system for providing a fluid stream and a vacuum line for removing debris. The laser beam may directly impinge on a surface of a polishing pad thereby creating cutting action, while an atomized fluid stream provides cooling and pad debris along with fluid are removed thru the vacuum line. Alternatively, the laser beam may be combined with the atomized fluid stream in a region above the pad surface to substantially impart part of its energy to the fluid stream, generating high energy droplets which provide “cool” cutting action on the pad surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Rajeev Bajaj
  • Disc spindle with flexible cap clamping
    Patent number: 9156139
    Abstract: A hub for holding media during manufacturing processes, such as inspection, includes a flexible cap at an end that has a cylindrical profile for engaging with the central void in the media. The cap is expanded to retain the media, avoiding contact of the clamping mechanism with the face of the media, so that particulation is reduced and contact confined to the edges of the media's central void. An actuator draws end of the cap toward the clamp body to place the cap in a clamping state and moves the end of the cap away from the clamp body to unclamp a disc. Vacuum or pressure may be used to move the actuator to the clamping or released state by providing a piston within the hub and applying vacuum to one side of a diaphragm coupled to the piston or pressure to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventor: Donald L. Ekhoff
  • Guides for painting
    Patent number: 9155381
    Abstract: A sleeve for partially covering a paint brush, the sleeve comprising a first substantially flat face and a second substantially flat face joined to each other by side faces, a first opening for receiving a ferrule of a paint brush and a second opening for receiving a shank portion of the paint brush, and at least one guide chosen from the group consisting of a thumb guide, an index finger guide, and a middle finger guide. A brush comprising at least one guide chosen from the group consisting of a thumb guide, an index finger guide, and a middle finger guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Easy Pro Products, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Maslow, Paul Henrich
  • Burnishing method and burnishing apparatus
    Patent number: 9156128
    Abstract: An object is to provide a burnishing method in which it is possible to reduce the flying height of a magnetic head by improving the smoothness of the surface of a magnetic disk while suppressing contamination of the magnetic disk due to falling-off or crushing of abrasive grains from a polishing tape. In the burnishing method, an alignment process of adjusting the position in a thickness direction of a magnetic disk 10 of an outer peripheral plate 75 installed outside an outer peripheral end 10c of at least one of the magnetic disk 10 and the magnetic disk 10 so as to make the surface of the outer peripheral plate 75 and the surface of the magnetic disk 10 become flush with each other is performed between a substrate installation process and a burnishing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventor: Ryuji Sakaguchi
  • Steam distribution apparatus and methods for steam cleaning devices
    Patent number: 9155440
    Abstract: A steam cleaner having a base with a bottom and a sidewall extending from the bottom to form an outer perimeter of the base, and a handle extending from the base. A fluid tank and a steam generator are operatively associated with the handle or the base. The steam generator receives fluid from the fluid tank and convert it into steam. A first control selectively operates the steam generator. The base has a bottom steam distributor on the bottom of the base and a side steam distributor on the sidewall or a top wall of the base. The bottom distributor distributes the steam towards a first region located within the outer perimeter of the base. The side distributor distributes the steam towards a second region located outside the outer perimeter of the base. A second control selects whether to distribute steam through the bottom or side distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Andrew Nuttall, Chih Kao Hsu
  • Manufacturing tray with customized inlays for processing different types of articles of manufacture
    Patent number: 9156293
    Abstract: A manufacturing tray for imprinting custom content onto different articles of manufacture includes a tray base and frame, and a plurality of interchangeable different customized inlays for holding different types of articles of manufacture. Each tray includes an identifier which may be associated with a custom processing job for instructing the imprinting system which of a plurality of available pre-treatment, post-treatment, and imprinting processes to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Cimpress Schweiz GmbH
    Inventors: Marcel Gerber, Thomas Bosgiraud
  • Method of polishing the diamond-surface
    Patent number: 9149901
    Abstract: A method of polishing the diamond-surfaces generates abraded powder less, enables the polishing member to maintain an extended life and to be easily controlled, makes it possible to obtain the surfaces of a high degree of smoothness, and can be easily applied to polishing rugged three-dimensional surfaces, too. A method of polishing the diamond-surface by using a polishing member that has a metal-surface that easily reacts with carbon or of a carburizing metal, irradiating the diamond-surface with a laser beam prior to polishing the diamond-surface with the polishing member, following the irradiation with the laser beam, the polishing is conducted by rubbing a laser beam-irradiated portion with the polishing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryozo Shiroishi, Kenichi Takao
  • Lifting apparatus with safety device
    Patent number: 9145283
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus having a tool, which is vertically displaceable by means of a motor and to which at least a first toothed wheel is coupled in terms of movement. The toothed wheel engages over the vertical path of displacement in a stationary toothed rack. The lifting gear includes a safety device having a blocking element which, in a locked position, stops the tool from moving in the direction of gravity, at least when the lifting apparatus is deenergized, wherein the blocking element stops the tool over the vertical path of displacement, at basically any level in any vertical position, and is held against a restoring force in an unblocking position with vertical movement of the tool, and the restoring force pushes the blocking element into its locked position, at least when the lifting apparatus is deenergized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SPG Packaging Systems GMBH
    Inventors: Torsten Oehm, Hans-Günther Kastner
  • Carrier systems for coating panels
    Patent number: 9144816
    Abstract: A panel carrier system and method for coating panels with the carrier system are disclosed. The carrier comprises a base and protective cover with an enclosure that protects the base when coating compositions are applied to the panels. The carrier system and coated panels may be transported to a curing location, followed by removal and evaluation of the coated panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Lewis, Walter J. Robertson, Mary Park, Nathan Goodnow, Joseph S. Szul, Jr.
  • Work holder
    Patent number: 9126299
    Abstract: A work holder which is adapted to hold a workpiece firmly in place for machining operations with respect to a machine tool. The workpiece is fashioned with a dovetail protuberance, which protuberance is designed to affix the workpiece to the work holder to the machining operations. Once the machining is completed, the dovetail protuberance may be removed in any convenient manner. Thus, the finished product may not then exhibit the former protuberance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Raptor Workholding Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian O'Rell, Dao Ha
  • Surface cleaning apparatus
    Patent number: 9119514
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic cleaning stage having a cyclone chamber and a handle wherein the fluid flow motor is positioned above the upper end of the cyclone chamber when the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned on the horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Surface cleaning apparatus
    Patent number: 9119513
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a wheeled base and a portable cleaning unit removably mounted on the wheeled base and comprising at least one cyclonic separation stage comprising a cyclone chamber and a material collection chamber. The material collection chamber is removable from the portable cleaning unit while the portable cleaning unit is mounted on the wheeled base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Planer clamp assembly
    Patent number: 9114547
    Abstract: A planer clamp assembly includes a pair of side rails, a pair of clamps having at least one hole, at least one leveler, the leveler including a screw and a cam, the cam including a lobe and the cam being configured to raise and lower the screw in a generally perpendicular direction with respect to the clamps when the cam is rotated about a generally parallel axis with respect to the clamps and at least one bar. The bar is configured to be secured between the pair of side rails. Each of the holes included in the pair of clamps are configured to slidably accept the bar thereby allowing the pair of clamps to slide freely about the bar between the pair of side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Michael J. Kinsler
  • Adjusting drive
    Patent number: 9109676
    Abstract: An adjusting drive for adjusting a first structural component part relative to a second structural component part has a linear drive and a piston-cylinder unit connected in parallel with the linear drive for drive purposes. A control is provided for controlling the adjusting speed of the adjusting drive depending upon the adjusting path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Arnold, Gerd Mülhöfer
  • Secure connection load-rest for a ground-engaging vehicle jack
    Patent number: 9108830
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a load-rest that provides a secure and stable connection between a ground-engaging jack and a vehicle, the load-rest includes a frame bracket fixed to the vehicle and a clamp assembly fixed to the ground-engaging jack. The clamp assembly comprises a first clamp jaw opposite a second clamp jaw that is biased toward a closed position so that both clamp jaws clasp the frame bracket when inserted into an aperture provided therein. The clamp assembly also includes a tenon that extends in an upward direction to connect with a mortise in the frame bracket and provide a mortise and tenon joint therebetween, whereby the biased clamp jaws, in combination with the mortise and tenon joint, provides a secure and stable connection to the vehicle when a load is applied to the ground-engaging jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: A & A Attachments, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob B. Arner, Todd D. Ahner
  • Vacuum buffer assembly
    Patent number: 9102036
    Abstract: Disclosed are improvements to a high speed power buffer assembly provided with a dust evacuation system. The assembly includes a hood depending from the chassis to encircle the high speed rotating buffer pad, a peripheral skirt depended from the chassis, a dust collection aperture adjacent the buffer penetrating the hood for the outlet of dust to the exterior of the hood, a curved dust collector chute, aligned and in communication with the dust collection aperture, and a dust collection bag, communicated with the dust collector output. The skirt has inclined grooves to co-act with the buffer pad to entrain air from the outside of the skirt to the inside. Given the arrangement of the foregoing features, the dust evacuation system can operate without the use of a vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Surtec, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Fields
  • Surface cleaning apparatus
    Patent number: 9095245
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner is provided with a wand mounted to the dirty fluid inlet of the hand vacuum cleaner and the wand has a distal inlet that is mounted on a surface cleaning head. The hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic cleaning stage having a dirt collection region. The dirt collection region has a bottom that is openable when the wand is mounted to the dirty fluid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Portable lift dolly for installing, removing, and transporting a toilet
    Patent number: 9096248
    Abstract: A portable lift dolly for installing, removing, or transporting a toilet that includes a lifting frame having an end member with a projecting jack tab, two outer tubes vertically projecting from each side of the end member, at least two lifting arms extending away from the end member; two sets of adapter fingers, attaching at a distal end of each lifting aim by a pin, providing a pivot axis allowing rotation of the adapter fingers for setting the under tank; a base frame having an end portion, at least two stabilizing members extending away from the end portion, two inner tubes vertically projecting from the end portion; one jack having a base fixated to the end portion, an upper end contacting the jack tab, and an actuator for controlling the extension and contraction of the jack; having a plurality of wheels attaching to the base frame for maneuvering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Inventor: Donald Charles Herb
  • Rotary joint/swivel device
    Patent number: 9099851
    Abstract: A rotary joint or swivel device for ensuring a continuous connection between two items that rotates with respect to each other, for example between an instrumentation unit on a fixed installation and sensor elements in a cable on a rotating cable reel or drum, is provided. The rotary joint or swivel device comprises a minimum of two spools 1A,B to coil a connecting cable 3. A first spool 1A is coupled to a first, static, item 40. A second spool 1B is coupled to a second, rotatable, item 30. A guiding arm 4 feeds the connecting cable 3 from the first 1A to the second 1B spool. Correspondingly, a method for ensuring a continuous connection between two items 30,40 that rotates with respect to each other is provided. The method comprises arranging a rotary joint or swivel device according to any of the embodiments of the invention between the two items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Optoplan AS
    Inventors: Arne Berg, Roar Furuhaug