Patents by Inventor Harold E. Knasel

Harold E. Knasel 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).

  • Safety coupling device for robotic tooling
    Patent number: 4954005
    Abstract: A coupling device includes a first support member which is connected to the arm of a robot and which supports a second support member for precision universal tilting and axial and/or rotary movement from an aligned normal position. The second support member supports robotic tooling, and a set of springs or springs and ball members or fluid actuated piston bias the support members to the normal position. An electrical control circuit is effective to stop movement of the robot arm in response to minute tilting or axial or rotary movement of the second support member in the event the tooling or article carried by the tooling is accidentally hit or overloaded. A set of semi-circular rings and auxiliary springs are attached to the support members for producing a substantial biasing force towards the normal position, and a set of construction balls and corresponding seats are used to establish a precision normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Process Equipment Company
    Inventors: Harold E. Knasel, David A. Grigsby
  • Safety coupling device for robotic tooling
    Patent number: 4786769
    Abstract: A coupling device includes a first support member which is connected to the arm of a robot and which supports a second support member for universal tilting and axial movement from an aligned normal position. The second support member supports robotic tooling, and a set of springs and ball members bias the support members to the normal position. An electrical control circuit is effective to stop movement of the robot arm in response to minute tilting or axial movement of the second support member in the event the tooling or article carried by the tooling is accidentally hit or overloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Process Equipment Company
    Inventors: Harold E. Knasel, David A. Grigsby
  • Safety coupling device for robotic tooling
    Patent number: 4639184
    Abstract: A coupling device includes a first support member which is connected to the arm of a robot and which supports a second support member for universal tilting and axial movement from an aligned normal position. The second support member supports robotic tooling, and a set of springs and ball members bias the support members to the normal position. An electrical control circuit is effective to stop movement of the robot arm in response to minute tilting or axial movement of the second support member in the event the tooling or article carried by the tooling is accidentally hit or overloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Process Equipment Company
    Inventors: Harold E. Knasel, David A. Grigsby