Patents Examined by Thomas Raymond Rodgers
  • Patent number: 11103981
    Abstract: An angled impact wrench includes a housing mounting a motor having an output shaft rotatable about a first axis, and an impact drive unit mounted in the housing for rotation about a second axis that is nonparallel to the first axis. The impact drive unit is configured to repeatedly cycle between an energy storing and energy release conditions in response to a drive torque supplied by the motor. The impact drive unit has a through passage extending along the second axis to allow a workpiece to extend completely through the impact wrench while the drive unit torques a threaded fastener onto the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Klein Tools, Inc
    Inventors: Scott M. Hargis, John H. Kargenian
  • Patent number: 11097695
    Abstract: This technology relates to a system for clearing sensors. The system may include an air knife configured to clear a sensor housing of debris. The air knife may be attached to a bearing comprising a bearing ring. The system may also include a motor, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the bearing ring around the sensor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Kimberley Mae Richardson, Peter Craig Lombrozo, Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera
  • Patent number: 11091128
    Abstract: A system to clean windshields using pneumatic pressure including a blower assembly and a vent assembly is disclosed herein. The blower assembly comprises a plurality of self-contained blowers including an intake duct and an exhaust duct mounted within a vehicle. The self-contained blowers carry air through air ducts to the vent assembly mounted to the exterior of the vehicle. The air supplied from the plurality of self-contained blowers dry the windshields of water and debris without obscuring the vision of a driver within the vehicle. Additionally, the vent assembly includes a front windshield vent, a rear windshield vent and side window vents mounted onto the exterior of a vehicle. The system creates an invisible air curtain to act as a barrier to prevent any rain, snow, or debris of any type to come in contact with the windshields of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventors: Rewal Alonso, Josue Castro
  • Patent number: 11084464
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a base, a cylindrical sensor window fixed to the base, and a helical cleaning member movable between a retracted position in the base and an extended position extending around the sensor window. The cleaning member includes an outlet directed at the sensor window when the cleaning member is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Gerardo Velasco, Oswaldo Perez Barrera, David Franco Lopez Rubio, Rodrigo Frieventh Cienfuegos
  • Patent number: 11076733
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for attaching floor tools to a wheeled vehicle. The apparatus includes a mounting frame configured to secure to a frame of the wheeled vehicle and a floating frame rotatably attached to the mounting frame. The apparatus also includes pickup tubes attached to the floating frame. The pickup tubes are configured to attach to the floor tools. The floating frame is configured to move relative to the mounting frame based on undulations in a floor surface over which the floor tools travel. In other embodiments, a method is provided for assembling the apparatus. In still other embodiments, a method is provided for using the above apparatus with the wheeled vehicle. In still other embodiments, a wheeled vehicle is provided that includes the above apparatus and the one or more floor tools attached to the wheeled vehicle with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: DYNAMIC CONCRETE, LLC
    Inventors: Ron Yagur, Patrick Pollitt
  • Patent number: 11059460
    Abstract: A washer nozzle arrangement structure includes a rear spoiler, a wiper arm, a wiper blade and a washer nozzle. The rear spoiler is arranged on a portion of a body above a rear window and includes a recess part formed on a side of the rear window. A rotation center axis disposed on one end side of the wiper arm is supported on the vehicle. The wiper blade is supported on the other end side of the wiper arm, and is configured to be stored in the recess part when the wiper arm is in a stop position. The washer nozzle is configured to eject a washer liquid toward the rear window. The washer nozzle is arranged in an inside of a portion of the recess part which exists on a front side of the vehicle than the rotation center axis of the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA ENGINEERING KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Inamura, Masahiro Minami
  • Patent number: 11059150
    Abstract: An elastic self-lubricating polishing tool includes an elastic grinding layer including an abrasive member and an elastic base layer affixed to the abrasive member, an absorbing layer absorbing and sustainedly releasing liquid inside of the absorbing layer, and an adhesive layer overlappedly connected with the elastic base layer of the elastic grinding layer and the absorbing layer. The elastic self-lubricating polishing tool is elastic and self-lubricating to sand and polish a surface of a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Dongguan Golden Sun Abrasives Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Fang, Zhongchao Nong
  • Patent number: 11058214
    Abstract: A tuft picker for a brush-making machine for automated production of brushes, such as toothbrushes, which is adapted to remove filaments from a filament container. The tuft picker comprises two parts. Each of the two parts comprises at least one picker eye for taking up a predefined number of loose filaments from the filament container. These picker eyes comprise an opening which can be opened and closed by moving the cover tool from a first position into a second position during one working stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Jens Alinski
  • Patent number: 11052434
    Abstract: A positive air pressure system resists debris accumulation on an active surface and comprises a frustum-shaped shroud with a baffle plate therein dividing the shroud into baffles, including a positive pressure chamber and a passive back pressure chamber interconnected through an orifice in the baffle plate. An inlet opening is formed in the shroud and in fluid communication with the proximal baffle and a positive pressure air source and to receive air through the inlet opening from the positive pressure air source and create a high-pressure region, greater than a pressure region in the passive back pressure chamber, and in front of the active surface and to expel air out of the positive pressure chamber and into the passive back pressure chamber through the orifice in the baffle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Gillies, Paul Moosie
  • Patent number: 11053025
    Abstract: A method and system for alleviating a load is provided. A support system is positioned at a nominal location with respect to an object. The support system comprises jacks and supports. Each of the supports is associated with one of the jacks. The object is positioned on the support system. The support system with the object is moved across a path. The height of each of the jacks is adjusted as the support system moves along the path to maintain a desired minimum load on each jack. Maintaining the desired minimum load prevents damage to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Samuel Merrit, Patrick B. Stone, Don J. Russell, Brennan John Dunlap
  • Patent number: 11027410
    Abstract: An ergonomic lateral sweeping device is described. In an embodiment, the device has a sweeping head such as a broom or rake head, and an elongated pole attached to the head. A paddle is attached to the elongated pole opposite the head, the paddle being wider than the elongated pole. Some embodiments also include a horizontal handle attached to the elongated pole and extending perpendicular to the elongated pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventor: Erik P. Barnaal
  • Patent number: 11021882
    Abstract: A tool having two adjacent blades, for working fluent materials such as cement, plaster, and epoxies in corners and other angled areas, is shown and described. Each blade is angularly adjustable with respect to an included angle defined between the two blades. The tool may have right and left blade portions pivotal along abutting or adjacent edges, and a linkage including a releasable clamp to establish and secure desired working angles between the right and left blade portions. The tool has two pivot axles, one for supporting each of the right and left blade portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Bruce D. Martz
  • Patent number: 11019967
    Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system includes an inlet valve mounted at various locations in a structure or RV and connected to the inlet end of a vacuum conduit. A section of hose is slidably mounted within the conduit and extends from the inlet valve for cleaning an adjacent area. A pair of seals within the inlet valve retains a nozzle handle mounted on the end of the hose in a stored position when the hose is in a retracted position and provides an air seal between the handle and vacuum supply conduit. A locking mechanism mounted on one embodiment of the inlet valves automatically locks the hose in a selected extended position when manually pulled from the inlet valve. A mounting bracket enables the inlet valve to be mounted at various locations in the structure and a pair of seals enables the inlet valve to be open to the ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: H-P Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell V. Nieschwitz, Greg A. Calderone, Shawn C. Metz
  • Patent number: 11006796
    Abstract: A suction nozzle, and a vacuum cleaner, and a robot cleaner includes a housing having a suction port formed on a bottom surface thereof and a suction flow path formed on an inside thereof to communicate with the suction port, and a vibration cleaning unit arranged on the suction flow path to pass therethrough air including pollutants that flows in through the suction port, wherein the vibration cleaning unit includes a vibration source, a vibration transfer frame configured to accommodate the vibration source, and a vibration bar configured to receive vibration transferred from the vibration transfer frame to resonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-hwan Kwon, Dong-woo Ha, Seok-man Hong, Dong-wook Kim
  • Patent number: 10993522
    Abstract: A strip brush assembly with a plurality of elongated polymer bristles forming a section and a plurality of elongated metal bristles forming another section adjacent the polymer bristles section, such that the metal bristles section is supported by the polymer bristles section. The polymer and metal bristles are bonded and encapsulated in a base formed by direct extrusion onto and around the polymer and metal bristles to secure them to the formed base. The strip brush assembly may be used on a tubular mandrel of a street sweeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Keystone Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Naftal
  • Patent number: 10986815
    Abstract: A dog grooming clamp. The dog grooming clamp has a base member, two parallel and opposing arms extending from either end of the base member, and a third arm with a threaded aperture that is perpendicularly attached to a first arm. A hollow channel extends along the entire length of the base member. A handle is pivotally attached to a second arm and designed to push a pin into the channel when rotated in a first direction, such that when a rope is positioned within the channel, the pin pushes the rope against the channel, locking it in place. The rope can be easily released by rotating the handle in an opposing direction. A threaded rod is inserted within the threaded aperture and is used to easily attach the dog grooming clamp to a pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Tracy Tower
  • Patent number: 10973381
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner according to an aspect includes a case defining a dust collecting space in which dust is stored and having a boss, a dust container cover rotatably connected to the case and configured to open/close the dust collecting space, and an opening/closing part configured to open the dust container cover, wherein the dust container cover has a cover locker having a rib caught by the boss, the opening/closing part includes a pair of push parts installed in the case and elastically deformed by a user, and the rib is spaced apart from the boss as the cover locker is deformed while the pair of push parts are moved in a direction in which the push parts become closer to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hwajin Lim, Seongho Park, Youngho Kim
  • Patent number: 10974541
    Abstract: An example dry eraser and associated systems and methods are described. The example dry eraser includes a body with a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and first and second side walls. The body includes a hollow interior configured and dimensioned to receive therein a plurality of individual wipes. The top wall of the body includes an opening configured and dimensioned to dispense therefrom the plurality of individual wipes. The dry eraser includes an erasure material disposed on at least a portion of the bottom wall of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Sheila Kay Rogers, Crystal Lynn Lewis, Steven Jackson Lewis, Sosha Kay Morris
  • Patent number: 10952833
    Abstract: A spring mechanism for attaching to a power device drive unit includes a housing connectable to a portion of the power device and a shaft extending through the housing. One end of the shaft is coupled to a workpiece and a bottom member extends from the other end and is positioned adjacent the drive unit. The bottom member includes at least one of a ferromagnetic material and a permanent magnet. The bottom member, shaft and workpiece move upon actuation of the drive unit, and a spring extends laterally outwardly from the shaft between the shaft and the housing. The spring is affixed to one of the shaft and the housing, wherein the spring bends between a deformed position and a return position upon the movement of the bottom member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ranir, LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Crossman, Kevin J. Kollar, Kevin G. Yost, Dai Xiaoguo, Michael A. Andrew, Thomas P. Blandino, Stephen J. Dieter, John C. Mehnert, Andrew P. Wilke, Mark A. Penrod
  • Patent number: 10955080
    Abstract: An insert for sealing a hole having a diameter. The insert includes a plug having a maximum outer diameter that is equal to or less than the diameter of the hole. The plug also has a sleeve, a core, and a pin. The sleeve has a length and a void. The core and the pin are both press-fit into the void at opposite ends of the void. The core has a first length, a first tapered outer wall, and a threaded hole extending partly through the core. The pin has a second length, a second tapered outer wall, and a passage extending there-through. The plug also has protrusions located on an outer surface of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Engineered Inserts & Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Turechek, Victor Kirilichin