Patents by Inventor Edward T. Price, III

Edward T. Price, III 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).

  • Publication number: 20240284050
    Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting an elongated product includes a platform having a rail, a product holder assembly having product grippers for holding the elongated product, and a vision system for inspecting the product. The vision system includes a carrier coupled to the rail and movable along the rail, a camera support coupled to the carrier and holding cameras configured to image the elongated product from different angles. The cameras move along an entire length of the elongated product to image the entire elongated product between a first end and a second end of the elongated product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Edward T. Price, III, Anthony L. Swann, Yiyun Fei, Shu Wang, Swapnilsinh Solanki, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu, Moises Gutierrez, Scott Thomas Schlegel, Albert W. Wolfgang, III, Sonny O. Osunkwo, Timothy Schroeder, Maxwell Wolf, Breanna Hardee
  • Publication number: 20240283207
    Abstract: A connector processing machine includes a contact feeding mechanism at a contact loading station having a dereeler configured to support a contact reel having a strip of contacts and a feed device configured to feed the contacts from the contact loading station to a contact stacking station. The connector processing machine includes a contact stacking module at a contact stacking station having a contact punch mechanism with a contact cutter configured to successively shear the contacts from the contact strip and a contact inserter mechanism with a contact pusher configured to successively move the sheared contact into a contact nest where the contacts are stacked into a contact stack. The connector processing machine includes a contact manipulator configured to pick the contact stack from the contact nest and place the contact stack into a connector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Anthony L. Swann, David D. Wiltraut, Jeffrey Zerbe, Edward T. Price, III, Sun Kyu Pak
  • Publication number: 20240204468
    Abstract: A connector processing machine includes a feeder mechanism having a housing track for supporting connector housings between a loading zone and a punching zone. The feeder mechanism includes a feeder rail and a carriage sliding along the feeder rail by a feeder actuator between a pickup position and a drop off position. The feeder mechanism includes a walking beam movable by the carriage between the loading zone and the punching zone. The walking beam includes fingers configured to engage the connector housings to advance the connector housings. The connector processing machine includes a punch assembly having a cutter assembly coupled to the walking beam and movable with the walking beam with cutters configured to cut housing runners between the connector housings to separate the connector housings from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Kellen Haile, Sun Kyu Pak, Craig S. Roper, Edward T. Price, III, David D. Wiltraut, Swapnilsinh Solanki
  • Patent number: 11873130
    Abstract: A robotic labeling system includes a package locating system, a package identification system having a scanning device configured to scan an identification tag on the package to identify an orientation of the package in the labeling station, and a label application system including a label printer and a label applicator. The label printer prints at least one label for the package. The label applicator includes a multi-axis robot having an arm movable in three-dimensional space. The label applicator has a portrait end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package in a portrait orientation. The label applicator has a landscape end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package in a landscape orientation. The label applicator is operated based on the orientation of the package in the labeling station as determined by the scanning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventors: Du Wen, Edward T. Price, III, Hung Nguyen, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu, Jiankun Zhou
  • Patent number: 11862920
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip feed unit including a feeding device configured to index the connector strip through a feed track in successive feed strokes and a contact loading assembly loading contacts into the connector strip. The contact loading assembly includes a wire distribution unit and a wire feed unit having a feeding device configured to simultaneously index wires through feed tracks in successive feed strokes. The wire feed unit includes a wire guide assembly guiding the wires through the wire feed unit. The contact loading assembly includes a contact forming unit and a contact loading device loading the contacts made from the wires into the connector strip as the connector strip is advanced through the electrical connector assembling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Solutions Gmbh
    Inventors: David Wiltraut, Jeffrey Zerbe, Craig Roper, Edward T. Price, III, Albert W. Wolfgang, III
  • Publication number: 20230192343
    Abstract: A robotic labeling system includes a package locating system, a package identification system having a scanning device configured to scan an identification tag on the package to identify an orientation of the package in the labeling station, and a label application system including a label printer and a label applicator. The label printer prints at least one label for the package. The label applicator includes a multi-axis robot having an arm movable in three-dimensional space. The label applicator has a portrait end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package in a portrait orientation. The label applicator has a landscape end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package in a landscape orientation. The label applicator is operated based on the orientation of the package in the labeling station as determined by the scanning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Du Wen, Edward T. Price, III, Hung Nguyen, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu, Jiankun Zhou
  • Publication number: 20230034277
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip feed unit including a feeding device configured to index the connector strip through a feed track in successive feed strokes and a contact loading assembly loading contacts into the connector strip. The contact loading assembly includes a wire distribution unit and a wire feed unit having a feeding device configured to simultaneously index wires through feed tracks in successive feed strokes. The wire feed unit includes a wire guide assembly guiding the wires through the wire feed unit. The contact loading assembly includes a contact forming unit and a contact loading device loading the contacts made from the wires into the connector strip as the connector strip is advanced through the electrical connector assembling machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: David Wiltraut, Jeffrey Zerbe, Craig Roper, Edward T. Price, III, Albert W. Wolfgang, III
  • Patent number: 11545804
    Abstract: A connector assembling machine a revolver mechanism coupled to a frame. The revolver mechanism includes a shaft coupled to the frame, an actuator operably coupled to the shaft to rotate the shaft, and a rotor rotated by the shaft. The rotor includes a hub coupled to the shaft and mounting brackets extending from the hub. The revolver mechanism includes cartridges coupled to the mounting brackets each having cartridge walls forming a connector cavity configured to receive an electrical connector. The cartridge has a window exposing receptacles of the electrical connector. The rotor is rotated to move the cartridges between a connector loading station, a connector processing station, and a connector unloading station. The cartridges are loaded with the electrical connectors in the connector loading station and unloaded in the connector unloading station. The cartridges position the electrical connectors for loading support plates into the receptacles in the connector processing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Swapnilsinh Solanki, Scott Thomas Schlegel, Jiankun Zhou, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu, Edward T. Price, III, David Wiltraut
  • Patent number: 11545803
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip distribution unit including a reel cradle for holding a reel of the connector strip and a roller for rotating the reel of the connector strip to unwind the connector strip from the reel. The electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip feed unit including a feeding device configured to index the connector strip through a feed track in successive feed strokes. The electrical connector assembling machine includes a connector strip notching unit including a notching device configured to cut notches in the connector strip at designated locations. The electrical connector assembling machine includes a contact loading unit loading contacts into the connector strip and an electrical connector separating unit for separating the electrical connector from the connector strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: David Wiltraut, Craig Roper, Jeffrey Zerbe, Scott A. Day, Edward T. Price, III
  • Publication number: 20220302664
    Abstract: A connector assembling machine a revolver mechanism coupled to a frame. The revolver mechanism includes a shaft coupled to the frame, an actuator operably coupled to the shaft to rotate the shaft, and a rotor rotated by the shaft. The rotor includes a hub coupled to the shaft and mounting brackets extending from the hub. The revolver mechanism includes cartridges coupled to the mounting brackets each having cartridge walls forming a connector cavity configured to receive an electrical connector. The cartridge has a window exposing receptacles of the electrical connector. The rotor is rotated to move the cartridges between a connector loading station, a connector processing station, and a connector unloading station. The cartridges are loaded with the electrical connectors in the connector loading station and unloaded in the connector unloading station. The cartridges position the electrical connectors for loading support plates into the receptacles in the connector processing station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Swapnilsinh Solanki, Scott Thomas Schlegel, Jiankun Zhou, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu, Edward T. Price, III, David Wiltraut
  • Patent number: 11407544
    Abstract: A part packing system for packing a part in an elongated bag includes a bag holding machine including a first bag gripper mechanism, a second bag gripper mechanism, and an air nozzle. The first bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism opens the first end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a second end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism closes the second end of the elongated bag. The air nozzle is located proximate to the first bag gripper mechanism. The air nozzle is configured to inflate the elongated bag with an airflow directed into the first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism holds the inflated elongated bag with the first end open to receive the part in the open first end while the air nozzle directs the airflow into the elongated bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Swapnilsinh Solanki, Edward T. Price, III, Sonny O. Osunkwo, Jiankun Zhou, An Yang
  • Publication number: 20220111987
    Abstract: A part packing system for packing a part in an elongated bag includes a bag holding machine including a first bag gripper mechanism, a second bag gripper mechanism, and an air nozzle. The first bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism opens the first end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a second end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism closes the second end of the elongated bag. The air nozzle is located proximate to the first bag gripper mechanism. The air nozzle is configured to inflate the elongated bag with an airflow directed into the first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism holds the inflated elongated bag with the first end open to receive the part in the open first end while the air nozzle directs the airflow into the elongated bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Swapnilsinh Solanki, Edward T. Price, III, Sonny O. Osunkwo, Jiankun Zhou, An Yang
  • Patent number: 11245240
    Abstract: A contact insertion machine includes a contact feeder having a feed finger configured to feed contacts of a power connector assembly in a feed direction along a feed track during a contact loading process. The contact insertion machine includes a power connector assembly holder holding a housing of the power connector assembly and movable relative to the feed track to position the housing to receive the contacts in a contact stack. The contact insertion machine includes a contact retention plate located upstream of the power connector assembly holder having a contact insertion port therethrough. The contact insertion port is aligned with the feed track downstream of the feed track. The power connector assembly holder is movable relative to the contact retention plate to position the housing to receive the contacts through the contact insertion port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Services GmbH
    Inventors: David D. Wiltraut, Edward T. Price, III
  • Publication number: 20210210919
    Abstract: A contact insertion machine includes a contact feeder having a feed finger configured to feed contacts of a power connector assembly in a feed direction along a feed track during a contact loading process. The contact insertion machine includes a power connector assembly holder holding a housing of the power connector assembly and movable relative to the feed track to position the housing to receive the contacts in a contact stack. The contact insertion machine includes a contact retention plate located upstream of the power connector assembly holder having a contact insertion port therethrough. The contact insertion port is aligned with the feed track downstream of the feed track. The power connector assembly holder is movable relative to the contact retention plate to position the housing to receive the contacts through the contact insertion port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: David D. Wiltraut, Edward T. Price, III
  • Patent number: 10440870
    Abstract: A gripper head and method for use to pick up and securely hold an electrical component. Gripper arms move between a gripper jaw first position in which the gripper arms are spaced from the electrical component and a gripper jaw second position in which the gripper arms engage the electrical component to prevent the electrical component from moving in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the gripper head. A securing plate moves between a securing plate first position in which the securing plate is spaced from the electrical component and a securing plate second position in which the securing plate and the securing projection engage the electrical component to prevent the electrical component from moving in a direction in line with the longitudinal axis of the gripper head and rotationally about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Corporation
    Inventors: Swapnilsinh Solanki, Edward T. Price, III, Xinping Deng