Patents Examined by Thomas J. Brahan
  • System and device for controlling a load lifting device
    Patent number: 6974044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling a load lifting device (1) with a controllable drive (2) and a lifting element (5) which is linked with the drive (2) and which is—at least in a non-operational position due to the gravitational force—vertically (Z—Z) aligned. A load receiving element (7) is linked with the lifting element (5). The system further comprises a control circuit for balancing the loads. Said control circuit encompasses a device for producing a path-dependent signal which corresponds to a substantially vertical (Z—Z) movement of the lifting element (5) and which represents the input signal for the control of the drive (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Gerd Munnekehoff
  • Conveyor for elongate components designed with a head and a shank
    Patent number: 6968939
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor for elongate components (12) designed with a head and a shank. The conveyor comprises a feed arrangement (7). The feed arrangement (7) comprises a transfer arrangement (8) with a transfer region (15) in which a component (12) can be positioned. In the transfer region (15), a feed duct (11) having a head guiding duct (13) and a shank guiding duct (14) passes into a conveying duct (16). The transfer arrangement (8) comprises at least one catch unit (17). The catch unit (17) comprises at least one catch element (18). The catch element (18) is arranged opposite the head guiding duct (13) and penetrates at least partially therein. It can be deflected from the head guiding duct (13) against a spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Dieter Mauer, Reinhold Opper, Joachim Möser
  • Elevator apparatus
    Patent number: 6968925
    Abstract: An elevator apparatus has an actuating device including a sheave around which a rope engaged with an ascending and descending cage is wound and a driving section for rotating the sheave. The sheave is adapted to rotate to move the rope with its rotation. The actuating device is installed in a machine room provided on a top floor of a building in which the ascending and descending cage is disposed. The machine room faces with an elevator passage for the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyoshi, Takashi Kuga
  • Grappler control system for a gantry crane
    Patent number: 6968963
    Abstract: A system and process are provided for controlling motion of a grappler of a gantry crane to avoid damaging an object to be lifted. In an embodiment, a speed of grappler movement is automatically reduced when in close proximity to the object. Furthermore, the grappler automatically stops when positioned appropriately to permit a latching mechanism to engage the object for lifting. Normal speed grappler motion is restored when the latching mechanism is fully engaged. In a particular embodiment, the grappler includes a plurality of height sensors at various positions along the grappler to determine the respective height of the grappler above a top of the object. Vertical motion of front and rear ends of the grappler are independently actuated and controlled to permit appropriate control when the grappler and/or the object are not level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Mi-Jack Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Brian Zakula, Sr., Daniel J. Olson
  • Automatic feeder for carrier-supported contacts
    Patent number: 6966738
    Abstract: A novel feeder construction, and method of operation, for feeding components arranged in pockets in a carrier tape to a conventional pick-and-place machine. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier is fed in a line spaced laterally from the pickup location. The lead component when separated from the carrier must then be moved laterally to the pickup location. The invention includes a novel winder for the waste generated when the typical cover strip is removed from the carrier in order to remove its components. The invention also includes a vacuum nozzle construction that is capable of picking-up components such as pins and posts without altering the angular orientation of the component from the orientation it had while at the pickup location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Auto Splice Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome L. Weber, David J. Kole
  • Trailer-mounted crane apparatus
    Patent number: 6966448
    Abstract: A trailer-mounted crane apparatus includes a trailer supported from a ground surface on at least two wheels. A hydraulically operated crane arm is mounted to the trailer and is extendable outwardly. A crane hydraulic power unit is mounted to the trailer and supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to the crane arm. A vibrational sheet piling driver can be supported by the crane arm. A vibrational hydraulic power unit for supplying power to the driver is mounted on the trailer. A control panel for the crane hydraulic power unit and the vibrational driver hydraulic power unit, and an associated operator's seat, are also mounted on the trailer. The crane apparatus includes wide tires for reducing the surface pressure under the apparatus. This allows the apparatus to be transported across and used on delicate surfaces such as golf course greens and other groomed surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Darryl Scott Burkett
  • Substrate conveying module and system made up of substrate conveying module and workstation
    Patent number: 6962471
    Abstract: The invention is based on a substrate conveying module (1) for conveying substrates into a workstation (3) for inspection, measurement, or processing of the substrates, in which on because of connecting elements (4a, b) in at least two side walls (1a, b, c) of the substrate conveying module (1) and/or in at least two side walls (3a, b, c, d) of the workstation (3), the substrate conveying module (1) can, at the installation location of the workstation (3), be flexibly connected thereto in different orientations with respect to the workstation (3) and/or can be coupled at different points to the workstation (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Knut Hiltawski, Karsten Urban, Joachim Wienecke
  • Apparatus for transferring containers and flat racks from a truck to a trailer
    Patent number: 6962473
    Abstract: A system for loading cargo containers and flat racks off of a truck having a hook lift system onto a trailer and from the trailer back onto the truck comprising a carriage that is moveable along a track system that runs the length of the trailer. The carriage includes a cradle that a cross member located at the lower rear edge of the container on which it fits so that the carriage supports the rear portion of the container as it travels rearwardly along the trailer. The cradle includes side positioning blocks which center the container on the trailer as it is being placed in the cradle. Also located on the carriage is a receptacle which receives wheels located at the lower rear edge of flat racks. A carriage return mechanism urges the carriage forwardly as it approaches the front of the trailer. Locks at the front and rear of the trailer secure the container to the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Columbia Body Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Tom L. Scranton, Todd H. Terp, Kenneth R. Leaf, Raymond Clyde Barney, Joseph S. Kelchner
  • Vacuum processing apparatus and semiconductor manufacturing line using the same
    Patent number: 6962472
    Abstract: A vacuum processing apparatus is composed of a cassette block and a vacuum processing block. The cassette block has a cassette table for mounting a plurality of cassettes containing a sample and an atmospheric transfer means. The vacuum processing block has a plurality of processing chambers for performing vacuum processing to the sample and a vacuum transfer means for transferring the sample. Both of the plan views of the cassette block and the vacuum processing block are nearly rectangular, and the width of the cassette block is designed larger than the width of the vacuum processing block, and the plan view of the vacuum processing apparatus is formed in an L-shape or a T-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Soraoka, Ken Yoshioka, Yoshinao Kawasaki
  • Car dumper dust collection method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6960054
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling dust generated by the rotary dumping or rail cars may include one or more flexible baffles are provided to the back-side of a rotary dump frame to seal a portion of the material receiving pit during a portion of the rotary motion. The dust cloud generated by this dumping is retained in the pit for an increased time due to tumbling of the cloud induced by the baffles and other features of the facility. A plurality of intake ducts removes the dust cloud from the pit for transfer to a remote filtering facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Air Cure, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Hall, Michael Harris, Kal Ugargol
  • Storage rack having roller track supported on horizontally extending front and back beams
    Patent number: 6951441
    Abstract: A storage rack comprises horizontally extending front and back beams having upper surfaces, on which is supported a roller track comprising two side rails, a series of rollers journalled between and projecting above the side rails, and a series of tie rods extending between and bracing the side rails. The roller track is secured to the front and back beams by a front clip embracing an underside of the front beam, a J-bolt connected to the front clip and hooked over a front one of the tie rods, a back clip embracing an underside of the back beam, and a J-bolt connected to the back clip and hooked over a back one of the tie rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Unarco Material Handling, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlton David Weaver
  • Paper roll storage and handling installation and method for storing and handling paper rolls
    Patent number: 6948901
    Abstract: In a storage and handling installation for paper rolls for a printing facility, a storage structure is provided with two parallel storage racks separated by an aisle. The first storage rack provides a series of floor strips interrupted by load stations as well as shelves, each shelf being situated above one of the floor strips. Floor strips and shelves each provide a plurality of storage locations for taking up paper rolls side by side with their axes horizontally oriented transversely to the aisle. The load stations can each take up a wagon transferable to a reelstand via a straight rail section. A storage and retrieval device is movable along the aisle and comprises a vertically movable platform with a support transversely extendable into the storage locations and load stations for taking up or deposing a single paper roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Metso Paper AG
    Inventor: Hugo Allemann
  • Elevator apparatus
    Patent number: 6942066
    Abstract: A height of a case body (54) for covering an actuating device (1) is so designed as to be lower than a height of an operator. The actuating device (1) and the case body (54) will not largely project from a rooftop (50) of the building in which an ascending and descending cage (52) is disposed, and cost for the case body (54) can be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: TS Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyoshi, Takashi Kuga
  • Automated semiconductor processing system
    Patent number: 6942738
    Abstract: An automated semiconductor processing system has an indexer bay perpendicularly aligned with a process bay within a clean air enclosure. An indexer in the indexer bay provides stocking or storage for work in progress semiconductor wafers. Process chambers are located in the process bay. A process robot moves between the indexer bay and process bay to carry semi-conductor wafers to and from the process chambers. The process robot has a robot arm vertically moveable along a lift rail. Semiconductor wafers are carried offset from the robot arm, to better avoid contamination. The automated system is compact and requires less clean room floor space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Ray Nelson, Daniel P. Bexten, Jeffry A. Davis
  • Truck operated transfer system apparatus and method
    Patent number: 6935829
    Abstract: A transfer system for transferring a transfer body onto a truck. The impetus to move the transfer body is provided by a driver mounted to the truck. The driver may engage a track extending along the transfer body in order to move the transfer body onto the truck. The track may be mounted to a pull bar pivotably secured near one end to the transfer body. The truck may have a dump-truck body with a continuous floor. The pull bar may be pulled underneath the floor as the transfer body is transferred onto the truck whereas the transfer body is pulled onto the floor. A latching system for a transfer module is actuated by a mechanism mounted on the truck and maintains the tailgate of the transfer body closed when remote from a truck. The mechanism may also operate a latching system latching and unlatching a tailgate secured to the body of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Smith Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Todd Mendenhall, Curtis B. Workman
  • Protective shield apparatus for fork lift trucks
    Patent number: 6902039
    Abstract: Shield apparatus for a fork lift truck includes a flat stiff plate securable to the mast or vertical portion of a carriage of a fork lift truck. The shield apparatus includes fasting elements which are adjustable to fit different sized mast elements of fork lift trucks made by different manufacturers. The shield apparatus comprises a relatively large and flat plate to fit the entire width of the carriage, including the vertical mast elements for the purpose of protecting material with relatively delicate edges, such as wall board, from being damaged while the material is being transported by the fork lift truck. Included are handle elements which allow the shield apparatus to be easily placed on and removed from a fork lift truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Timothy R. Kunch
  • Methods and apparatus for supporting a davit arm
    Patent number: 6899238
    Abstract: A davit arm system includes a base that supports a davit arm and engages an underlying ground surface. The system components are preferably designed for arrangement in alternative ways to accommodate different installation environments, and/or for packaging in a bag that may be carried by a single person. The relative positions of the components are preferably adjustable relative to the base to further accommodate different applications. Yet another desirable option is to mount the davit arm on the support base in a manner that allows rotation about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. A winch is preferably mounted on the davit arm in a manner that counterbalances the davit arm relative to its vertical axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: D B Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry J. Austin, Travis P. Betcher, Weston L. Cutter, Patrick J. Novak
  • Telescopic jib for a motor vehicle or a crane
    Patent number: 6881021
    Abstract: A telescopic boom (1) for a vehicle (25) or a hoist with a storage rack (6) for at least two box girders (2, 3) guided displaceably in one another in the direction of their longitudinal axes, which are mounted to pivot about a horizontal pivot axle (5) in the storage rack (6) and which can be displaced reciprocally by means of a servo-drive (19) is described. In order to create advantageous structural conditions it is proposed that the longitudinal axles of the box girders (2, 3) form an upwards arched arc of a circle (4) which runs concentrically to a common axis parallel to the pivot axis (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventors: Udo Winter, Johann Schabelreiter, Werner Martin
  • Pod transfer system having retractable mast and rotatable and vertically movable hoist
    Patent number: 6881020
    Abstract: A pod transfer system having a retractable mast and a rotatable and vertically movable hoist is disclosed. A first extendable robot is situated under a first overhead transfer (OHT) unit, and a second extendable robot is situated under the second OHT unit. Each extendable robot has a fully retracted position for loading a pod from its respective OHT unit, as well as a fully extended position. The retractable mast is situated between a first conveyer and a second conveyer that are themselves situated between the OHT units. The retractable mast has a default fully extended position and a tool move-in fully retracted position. The hoist is situated on the retractable mast. The hoist is able to load the pod from either robot when the robot is in its fully extended position, and is able to load the pod to one of the conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Cheng-Chang Chang, Chien-Jung Huang
  • Crane and method for controlling the crane
    Patent number: 6880712
    Abstract: A crane provided with a trolley, a hanging member, a rope member, and a hoisting device. The crane includes a horizontal position displacement detection unit which detects a horizontal positional displacement between at least two corners of the cargo and a landing place of the two corners; and a horizontal position displacement correction unit which corrects a horizontal positional displacement between the at least two corners of the cargo and the landing place of the two corners when the two corners have landed based on a detection signal from the horizontal position displacement detection unit. The horizontal position displacement correction unit corrects the position of a corner of the cargo so that the corner lands at the landing place of the corner, and then corrects the position of another corner so that the corner lands at the landing place of the corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Uchida, Nobuo Yoshioka, Kanji Obata, Noriaki Miyata, Masaki Nishioka, Tadaaki Monzen