Patents Examined by Stephen Vu
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Patent number: 11148300Abstract: A robotic gripping device includes a base part attached to a tip of a wrist of a robot; finger parts, at least one of which is movably supported on the base part so that the finger parts can move toward and away from each other; and a driving mechanism that drives the finger parts. In at least one of the finger parts, flexibility of at least a gripping surface is switchable.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventors: Shinsuke Sakakibara, Kazutaka Nakayama
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Patent number: 11142410Abstract: A gripper apparatus including a gripper frame and a gripper beak; an actuation mechanism for actuating the gripper beak; a clamping force generator biased to exert a clamping force on the gripper beak; a transmission mechanism including an input member that is vertically displaceable with respect to the gripper frame, wherein the transmission mechanism engages the actuation mechanism such that a high position of the input member corresponds to a closed position of the gripper beak while a downward displacement of the input member corresponds to a transition of the gripper beak to an open position; a vertically displaceable carrier coupling device that in a lower rest position presses down on the input member; and a latch mechanism, preferably of alternate push-push type, for holding the gripper beak in its open position.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: CSI INDUSTRIES B.V.Inventor: Hendrik Leusink
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Patent number: 11141865Abstract: A gripper for an articulable arm of an automated processing tool is described that is suitable for picking and placing objects on a wire harness peg board. The gripper includes at least two spaced apart opposing grips. Each grip further includes spaced apart protrusions. The opposing grips and protrusions actuate between open and closed positions. When in the closed position the opposing grips are capable of enclosing a perimeter of an object and may further support an underside of the object. The gripper may further grip a wire so that the automated processing tool may orient the wire and apply a constant upward, downward or lateral tension on the wire.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Design Ready Controls, Inc.Inventors: Mark Ryan Fujitake, Christopher Mackedanz, Kaitlin Paige Hansen, Austin Paul Strong, Troy Schmidtke
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Patent number: 11130657Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting an orientation of a suspended load. The apparatus includes a frame suspended from a suspension assembly. The suspension assembly has a first pivot axis enabling up and down pitching movement of the frame relative to the suspension assembly and a second pivot axis enabling up and down rolling movement of the frame relative to the suspending assembly. A first actuator extends between the suspension assembly and the frame. When the first actuator expands, a first end goes down and a second end goes up. When the first actuator contracts, the first end goes up and the second end goes down. A second actuator extends between the suspension and the frame. When the second actuator expands, a first side goes down and a second side goes up. When the second actuator contracts, the first side goes up and the second side goes down.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Inventor: Joel Formosa
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Patent number: 11118320Abstract: An animal waste extraction device including a gripper having a plurality of fingers movable between an open position and a closed position, each finger having a retainer proximate an end of the finger adapted to be selectively heatable to a first temperature. In response to the plurality of fingers being in the closed position and surrounding an animal waste, a layer surrounding the animal waste and separating the animal waste and the plurality of fingers, the finger retainers being heatable to the first temperature sufficient to at least partially melt the layer proximate the finger retainers, the layer forming an enclosure surrounding the animal waste.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Inventor: Helen Delsea Patterson
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Patent number: 11111123Abstract: Disclosed is a lifting device and related methods. The lifting device features a housing with at least two arms that each have engagement cams. The lifting device is placed over a tubular object and then the arms are pulled upwards until the engagement cams are in contact with the tubular object. Once in contact with the tubular object, the force from the arms creates a secure hold between the engagement cams and the object, whereby a user can lift the object and move it from one point to another safely and efficiently.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Inventor: Christopher Silva
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Patent number: 11109665Abstract: A structure which is designed such that its shape provides a surface where force may be applied to as little as a single point or surface of contact to establish control of the Point Of Applied Force Lift Structure (POAFLS) movement. This force combined with the gravity on and/or the inertia of the POAFLS provide comfortable control in 3 dimensions. The POAFLS primary use is achieved through its attachment to a secondary object. Through this, force applied to the POAFLS is translated through the POAFLS to the object to which the POAFLS is attached. Both the POAFLS and the secondary object have their movements controlled when the POAFLS is lifted, moved, or carried.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Inventor: Sean Edward Rutherford
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Patent number: 11110614Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gripping device for an end effector of a manipulator for holding a workpiece via its workpiece surface, having a Bernoulli gripping unit, with an outflow unit for discharging a flow from the Bernoulli gripping unit between gripping device and workpiece surface in such a manner that in a region—Bernoulli-negative pressure region—a static negative pressure for holding the workpiece is generatable by the flow, and having a vacuum gripping unit with a suction chamber, wherein in a region delimited by the suction chamber—vacuum negative pressure region—a static negative pressure for holding the workpiece is generatable, wherein the Bernoulli negative pressure region and the vacuum negative pressure region intersect at least in part or wherein the Bernoulli negative pressure region and the vacuum negative pressure region surround one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Broetje-Automation GmbHInventors: Sascha Quast, Raphael Reinhold
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Patent number: 11097432Abstract: An end-effector assembly includes a master boom, a frame rail coupled thereto, and at least one branch rail movably coupled to the frame rail by a swing branch lock. The swing arm is movably coupled to the at least one branch rail by a swing arm lock. Each of the swing branch lock and the swing arm lock further includes a clamp configured to movably secure the branch rail to the frame rail or the swing arm to the branch rail. A pivot shaft extends through the clamp and is configured to rotationally secure the clamp in place. A swing plate is secured to the pivot shaft and is configured for engagement with a configuration tool. A locking fastener extends through the swing plate and into the pivot shaft and is configured to lock and unlock the clamp in position.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yhu-Tin Lin, Erik B. Golm
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Patent number: 11098697Abstract: Equipment for handling a wind turbine component includes a lifting cable and a mounting block having a block main body with a cable passage and a pair of bushings coupled to the mounting block. Each bushing has an aperture defined by an aperture wall and the lifting cable extends through the aperture of each of the bushings. At least an outer region of the aperture wall forms a closed loop about the lifting cable and is substantially circumferentially continuous. This allows the lifting cable extending the bushings to move in a circumferential direction along the aperture wall relative to the bushings during use. A method of assembling such handling equipment and a method of using such equipment for handling a wind turbine component is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventors: Johnni Egholm, Michael Pilgaard Hansen, Gunnar K. Storgaard Pedersen
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Patent number: 11090818Abstract: A soft robotic gripper having component parts capable of being assembled in the field at the terminus of an industrial robot arm for providing adaptive gripping of a product. A hub includes a pneumatic inlet leading to outlets. Finger mounts with pneumatic passages hold inflatable fingers, and tension fastener(s) secure and compress the finger mounts toward the hub by passing through the pneumatic passages and fastening under tension in a direction of the hub.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: SOFT ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey Curhan, Chikyung Won, Andrew George Goodale
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Patent number: 11077562Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to user-assisted robotic control systems, user interfaces for remote control of robotic systems, vision systems in robotic control systems, and modular grippers for use by robotic systems. Systems, methods, apparatuses and computer-readable media instructions are disclosed for interactions with and control of robotic systems, in particular, pick and place systems using soft robotic actuators to grasp, move and release target objects.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: SOFT ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Michael Rosenstein, Jeff Curhan, Joshua Aaron Lessing, Ryan Knopf, Daniel Harburg, Mark Chiappetta
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Patent number: 11072466Abstract: A carrying device for receiving goods, including a carrying wall which has a front wall and a rear wall, is arrangeable between a closed state and an open state, at least partially forwardly, downwardly and rearwardly delimits a carrying volume for receiving the goods in the closed state, and downwardly opens up the carrying volume in the open state. The carrying device includes a closing device for releasably connecting the front wall to the rear wall in the closed state and an actuating device, connected to the closing device, for releasing the connection between the front wall and the rear wall from the closed state, having an actuating structure arranged at a spacing from the closing device and a transmission structure acting between the actuating device and the closing device. The transmission structure is formed in a flexible manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbHInventors: Michael Wend, Thomas Johannesmann
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Patent number: 11072475Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a device designed to store, dry, transport and otherwise manage water bottles and/or their lids. Providing storage and transport for these and other types of bottles can help promote the use of reusable bottles and ease their transport to locations where multiple bottles may be used.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: FOUR KID INVESTORS LLCInventor: Jodi Weiksnar
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Patent number: 11064797Abstract: An apparatus for holding a mobile device stationary within a storage region of a medium of transportation, such as the pocket of a commercial airline, includes a plurality of regions. Deformable regions of the apparatus and corresponding flaps permit a user to bend the regions to an open position, place the mobile device within the flaps, and the deformation in a reverse direction serves to snugly fit and hold the mobile device in-place. In other variations, a magnetic holder, tacky surfaces and other implementations serve to hold the mobile device in-place. In numerous designs, extensive features are provided to hold the mobile device within a pocket or other compartment of a transport vehicle. Numerous materials and combinations of materials serve to permit these implementations.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: VuWing CorpInventor: David S. Gilbert
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Patent number: 11058239Abstract: A cable grappling assembly for lifting, dragging or otherwise manipulating a cable lying on the ground includes a handle that is elongated to a length of at least 36.0 inches to extend approximately from a user's waist to the ground when the handle is gripped. A grapple is coupled to the handle for engaging a cable lying on the ground without requiring the user to bend over. Moreover, the grapple is curved to engage the cable for lifting and dragging the cable.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Inventors: Edward Campbell, Christine Campbell
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Patent number: 11039697Abstract: An ice scoop includes a barrier having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The ice scoop also includes a scoop portion extending away from the first side of the barrier, and a handle portion extending away from the second side of the barrier. The handle portion includes at least one wall extending away from the second side of the barrier. The at least one wall of the handle portion and the barrier define a cavity. The handle portion also includes a handhold attached to a wall of the at least one wall, the barrier, or the wall and the barrier within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Mile High Equipment LLCInventor: Nathan Lee Shultz
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Patent number: 11034565Abstract: A load-handling clamp mountable on a lift truck is capable of clamping a load between respective opposed clamp arms each capable of hydraulic movement selectively toward or away from each other. One of the clamp arms is preferably substantially incapable of movement toward the other clamp arm unless actuated independently of the other clamp arm. One of the clamp arms also preferably has a lesser maximum range of hydraulic movement than the other of the clamp arms and is hydraulically movable at a maximum hydraulic pressure greater than that of the other clamp arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Cascade CorporationInventor: Brent G. Running
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Patent number: 11008718Abstract: A pivotal tubular pet scoop having a handle connecting to an arm block, a trigger attached to the extension rod, a trigger rod attached to the trigger and moving when the trigger is actuated, the trigger rod passing through the arm block and connecting to a lower arm block, a set of outer springs connected to the arm block and a set of outer springs connected to the lower arm block, both springs connecting to a tubular scoop, the tubular scoop pivotably attached at a connection point to the outer and inner springs and being made of a left jaw and a right jaw, the jaws connected by at least one hinge, such that when the trigger is actuated and the lower arm block is raised relative to the lower arm block, the inner springs are tightened relative to the outer springs thereby causing the left and right jaws to close.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2020Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Inventor: Leonardo C Cacho
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Patent number: 11007814Abstract: A mosaic tile paving device is provided. The mosaic tile paving device includes suckers and a handle. The paving device is characterized in that: Multiple suckers are installed on the vacuuming shell. The suckers and the mosaic tiles can be fixed together or separated by changing the air volume in the vacuuming shell. A handle is connected on the vacuuming shell.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: JINHUA WANFENG TOOLS FACTORYInventor: Hui Zhan
