Patents by Inventor Ernest M. Rivers, Jr.

Ernest M. Rivers, Jr. 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).

  • Method and apparatus for providing parts to workpieces
    Patent number: 6443291
    Abstract: The method and apparatus (10) for moving and positioning parts (150, 250, 350 or 450) on workpieces (160) is described. The apparatus includes a vibratory bowl (12), a conveyance and feed system and a positioning cylinder (82). The bowl aligns the parts and orients the parts using a gauge (16, 216, 316 or 416). The conveyance and feed system moves the parts through a conduit (34) using an escapement (44) to feed the parts one at a time to the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder has a pneumatic piston (90) with a piston rod (100) having an extension (102) and tip (104). An electromagnet (112) is mounted at one end of the positioning cylinder. When activated, the positioning cylinder extends the piston rod such that the tip extends into an opening (150D, 250D, 350D or 450D) in the part. The electromagnet is activated simultaneously and sends a charge down the piston rod which charges the extension which is constructed of a magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Ernest M. Rivers, Jr.
  • Method and apparatus for providing parts to workpieces
    Patent number: 6298977
    Abstract: The method and apparatus (10) for moving and positioning parts (150, 250, 350 or 450) on workpieces (160) is described. The apparatus includes a vibratory bowl (12), a conveyance and feed system and a positioning cylinder (82). The bowl aligns the parts and orients the parts using a gauge (16, 216, 316 or 416). The conveyance and feed system moves the parts through a conduit (34) using an escapement (44) to feed the parts one at a time to the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder has a pneumatic piston (90) with a piston rod (100) having an extension (102) and tip (104). An electromagnet (112) is mounted at one end of the positioning cylinder. When activated, the positioning cylinder extends the piston rod such that the tip extends into an opening (150D, 250D, 350D or 450D) in the part. The electromagnet is activated simultaneously and sends a charge down the piston rod which charges the extension which is constructed of a magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Ernest M. Rivers, Jr.
  • Method and apparatus for providing parts to workpieces
    Patent number: 6102193
    Abstract: The method and apparatus (10) for moving and positioning parts (150, 250, 350 or 450) on workpieces (160) is described. The apparatus includes a vibratory bowl (12), a conveyance and feed system and a positioning cylinder (82). The bowl aligns the parts and orients the parts using a gauge (16, 216, 316 or 416). The conveyance and feed system moves the parts through a conduit (34) using an escapement (44) to feed the parts one at a time to the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder has a pneumatic piston (90) with a piston rod (100) having an extension (102) and tip (104). An electromagnet (112) is mounted at one end of the positioning cylinder. When activated, the positioning cylinder extends the piston rod such that the tip extends into an opening (150D, 250D, 350D or 450D) in the part. The electromagnet is activated simultaneously and sends a charge down the piston rod which charges the extension which is constructed of a magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Ernest M. Rivers, Jr.