Patents by Inventor Derek D. Black

Derek D. Black has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Tool and method for separating and picking cut pieces of flexible materials
    Patent number: 10899033
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for uncut material detection while lifting from an automated cutting table select pieces of thin, flexible material. The apparatus comprises a structured energy source and a structured energy sensor. The structured energy can be used to detect undesired lifting of a peripheral portion of the flexible material resulting from the presence of uncut material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Arm Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek D. Black, Nathan R. Woodward, Damian J. Hendriks, Joseph W. Geisinger, Stephen G. Grupinski
  • Tool and method for separating and picking cut pieces of flexible materials
    Patent number: 10710262
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus that separates and efficiently captures from an automated cutting table select pieces of thin, flexible material in an orderly manner which prevents damage to the selected piece while preventing the undesired lifting or movement of the surrounding material. The apparatus comprises a pick head assembly including a cylinder with a plurality of orifices that communicates with the selected piece to maintain contact between the selected piece and the cylindrical surface while the selected piece is being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Arm Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek D. Black, Joseph W. Geisinger, Stephen G. Grupinski, William W. Wicker
  • TOOL AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING AND PICKING CUT PIECES OF FLEXIBLE MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20190118401
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for uncut material detection while lifting from an automated cutting table select pieces of thin, flexible material. The apparatus comprises a structured energy source and a structured energy sensor. The structured energy can be used to detect undesired lifting of a peripheral portion of the flexible material resulting from the presence of uncut material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Derek D. Black, Nathan R. Woodward, Damian J. Hendriks, Joseph W. Geisinger, Stephen G. Grupinski
  • TOOL AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING AND PICKING CUT PIECES OF FLEXIBLE MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20180154539
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus that separates and efficiently captures from an automated cutting table select pieces of thin, flexible material in an orderly manner which prevents damage to the selected piece while preventing the undesired lifting or movement of the surrounding material. The apparatus comprises a pick head assembly including a cylinder with a plurality of orifices that communicates with the selected piece to maintain contact between the selected piece and the cylindrical surface while the selected piece is being removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Derek D. Black, Joseph W. Geisinger, Stephen G. Grupinski, William W. Wicker
  • AUTOMATED COLLECTOR DEVICE AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20110056176
    Abstract: A collector device includes a collector connected to a positioner, such as a robot arm. The positioner can automatically move the collector in multiple dimensions to collect objects into the collector according to a specified collection pattern. By moving the collector in multiple dimensions, the positioner provides for objects to be arranged in the collector according to a specified pattern. The positioner can also move the collector so that the collected objects are transferred to a second collector for shipping, storage, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Arm Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek D. Black, Stephen Grupinski, Joseph Geisinger
  • Automated collector device and methods
    Patent number: 7856797
    Abstract: A collector device includes a collector connected to a positioner, such as a robot arm. The positioner can automatically move the collector in multiple dimensions to collect objects into the collector according to a specified collection pattern. By moving the collector in multiple dimensions, the positioner provides for objects to be arranged in the collector according to a specified pattern. The positioner can also move the collector so that the collected objects are transferred to a second collector for shipping, storage, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Arm Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek D. Black, Stephen Grupinski, Joseph Geisinger
  • AUTOMATED COLLECTOR DEVICE AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20090249750
    Abstract: A collector device includes a collector connected to a positioner, such as a robot arm. The positioner can automatically move the collector in multiple dimensions to collect objects into the collector according to a specified collection pattern. By moving the collector in multiple dimensions, the positioner provides for objects to be arranged in the collector according to a specified pattern. The positioner can also move the collector so that the collected objects are transferred to a second collector for shipping, storage, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: ARM AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Derek D. Black, Stephen Grupinski, Joseph Geisinger