Patents by Inventor Eric J. Kirker

Eric J. Kirker 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: 20170025921
    Abstract: An assembly for transmitting power to an appliance, is disclosed. The appliance is placed upon a counter top that defines an aperture. The assembly includes an electric motor, a rotatable shaft driven by the electric motor, and a drive mechanism removably coupled to the rotatable shaft. The electric motor and the rotatable shaft are located below a first side of the counter top and are hidden from view. The drive mechanism is removably coupled to the rotatable shaft. The drive mechanism includes a first portion removably coupled to the rotatable shaft and a second portion that defines a drive socket shaped to receive a male portion of the appliance. At least a portion of the drive mechanism extends through the aperture in the counter top and is located above a second side of the counter top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Eric J. Kirker, William R. Patterson, William Royer, Tag McGough
  • Patent number: 5478982
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fusing terminal or commutator wire connections on an armature or stator, including an electrode, a pneumatic locking cylinder for driving the electrode into contact with the workpiece and applying a force to the workpiece, a load cell for measuring the force applied by the electrode, an opposition cylinder for providing an opposition force to the electrode after a cold-forming force has been reached by the electrode, a linear potentiometer for measuring the distance traveled by the electrode after the opposition force has been applied; and a locking mechanism for stopping the locking cylinder after a predetermined distance has been traveled during the weld cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Odawara Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Kirker
  • Patent number: 5418347
    Abstract: An apparatus for fusing a workpiece including at least two electrically conductive elements comprising:an electrode;means for moving the electrode into contact with said workpiece causing said electrode to contact and apply a force to said workpiece;means for generating a trigger current upon contacting said workpiece with said electrode;means for detecting said trigger current and initiating a welding current which fuses said elements;and means for generating said welding current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Odawara Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Kirker
  • Patent number: 5331130
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fusing terminal or commutator wire connections on an armature or stator, including an electrode, a pneumatic locking cylinder for driving the electrode into contact with the workpiece and applying a force to the workpiece, a load cell for measuring the force applied by the electrode, an opposition cylinder for providing an opposition force to the electrode after a cold-forming force has been reached by the electrode, a linear potentiometer for measuring the distance traveled by the electrode after the opposition force has been applied; and a locking mechanism for stopping the locking cylinder after a predetermined distance has been traveled during the weld cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Odawara Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Kirker