Patents by Inventor J. Saunders

J. Saunders 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: 20250129678
    Abstract: A robot configured for pipe handling. The robot may include an articulated arm controllable by a controller and an end effector arranged at an end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm may include two pipe engaging jaws, each jaw having an inner contour configured for engaging a pipe section. At least one of the jaws may be a fixed jaw. The end effector may be configured to restrict radial movement of the pipe section while permitting axial movement. The inner contours of the two jaws may be arranged on different planes in some embodiments. The inner contours May additionally be concave in opposing directions. The articulated arm may be configured to pivot the end effector about a central axis extending between, and parallel to, the planes of the inner contours. In some embodiments, one or both jaws may be actuatable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Graham Alexander Carnegie, John Walker, Christopher J. Saunders, Dominick Mancuso
  • Publication number: 20250100748
    Abstract: A stackable storage system includes a first container, a second container, and a latch moveable between a first position and a second position. The first container includes a projection extending away from the first container along a stacking direction. An edge portion extends from the projection along a plane substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction. The second container includes a recess. The recess receives the projection when the first container and the second container are stacked relative to one another in the stacking direction. The latch overlaps the edge portion with respect to the stacking direction while in the first position to secure the first container and the second container. The latch and edge portion are positioned in a non-overlapping manner relative to one another while the latch is in the second position to permit separation of the first container from the second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Richard M. Davidian, Rony Chan, William J. Saunders, Ryan A. Hirtz, Tyler H. Knight, Drew A. Dahill, Austin Clark, Stephen A. Hughett, J. Luke Jenkins, J. Mike King, Jeffrey Groves, J. Porter Whitmire, Brianna E. Williams, Charles Moody Wacker, II
  • Patent number: 12215554
    Abstract: An end effector (400) for a robotic arm, the end effector (400) comprising: two pipe engaging jaws (404), each jaw comprising an inner contour configured for engaging a pipe section, wherein at least one jaw (404) is a fixed jaw; wherein the end effector (400) is configured to restrict radial movement of the pipe section while permitting axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Graham Alexander Carnegie, John Walker, Christopher J. Saunders, Dominick Mancuso
  • Patent number: 12195230
    Abstract: A stackable storage system includes a first container, a second container, and a latch moveable between a first position and a second position. The first container includes a projection extending away from the first container along a stacking direction. An edge portion extends from the projection along a plane substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction. The second container includes a recess. The recess receives the projection when the first container and the second container are stacked relative to one another in the stacking direction. The latch overlaps the edge portion with respect to the stacking direction while in the first position to secure the first container and the second container. The latch and edge portion are positioned in a non-overlapping manner relative to one another while the latch is in the second position to permit separation of the first container from the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP
    Inventors: Richard M. Davidian, Rony Chan, William J. Saunders, Ryan A. Hirtz, Tyler H. Knight, Drew A. Dahill, Austin Clark, Stephen A. Hughett, J. Luke Jenkins, J. Mike King, Jeffrey Groves, J. Porter Whitmire, Brianna E. Williams, Charles Moody Wacker, II
  • Publication number: 20240375387
    Abstract: A system for attaching a phenolic panel to a metal part includes a phenolic laminate panel having (i) a phenolic panel, (ii) a ferromagnetic susceptor bonded at an inner side of the phenolic panel via higher melting point adhesive and (iii) a non-magnetic shield having an outer side bonded at an inner side of the ferromagnetic susceptor via higher melting point adhesive. A lower melting point adhesive is applied at an inner side of the non-magnetic shield opposite from the outer side of the non-magnetic shield. With the phenolic laminate panel disposed at a metal part, an electromagnetic field is generated at the phenolic laminate panel to heat the phenolic laminate panel to a temperature greater than the melting point of the lower melting point adhesive and less than the melting point of the higher melting point adhesive to bond the phenolic laminate panel to the metal part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Collin J. Saunders, Luke A. Martin, William C. Dykstra
  • Patent number: 12139977
    Abstract: A drill pipe speed sensor includes a roller head assembly including an incremental encoder, a roller to contact a drill pipe, and first and second rotating members. The first rotating member is coupled to the roller, the second rotating member is coupled to the incremental encoder, and the first rotating member is coupled to the second rotating member. The sensor also includes a pivot assembly having mounting plates, pivotal arms, first and second mounting members, and a biasing member. The first and second mounting members extend between the mounting plates, which are parallel to each other. The biasing member contacts the mounting members and extends between the mounting members, and the biasing member is parallel to the mounting plates. The pivotal arms extend from the mounting plates to the roller head assembly and pivot relative to the mounting plates, and the first mounting member is coupled to two pivotal arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Saunders, Ayodele Odunfa-Jones, Andrew I. McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20240361093
    Abstract: A firearm with ambidextrous bolt release mechanism includes a barrel and a bolt slideably mounted in the receiver for axial movement between forward closed breech position in battery with the barrel and a rearward open breech position. A recoil spring biases the bolt forward. A side-mounted bolt catch lever is configured and operable to selectively hold the bolt in the open breech position, and disengage the bolt to reclose the breech when manually actuated. A transversely movable actuator plunger allows a user to release the bolt from the side of the firearm opposite the bolt catch lever side. The plunger comprises an inclined camming surface which slideably engages a mating inclined camming ramp on the lever. Wedging action applied to the bolt catch lever by the plunger rotates the lever about its pivot axis to disengage and release the bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Reed Matthew Hubbell, Benjamin Gerard Hawkins, Frank J. Saunders, JR.
  • Patent number: 12084927
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a configurable drill fluid containment device. The present disclosure includes a device including a central shell configured to at least partially enclose an end of a drill pipe. The central shell can have two halves, each of the halves having flanges that are configured to attaching one or more extension features to the device. The flanges can be configured to attach extension features at an upper end of the device, a lower end of the device, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Saunders, Justin Benjamin Kinney, Roy George Eid
  • Patent number: 11982139
    Abstract: A passive spacer system may include a racking board comprising a slot and a spacer arranged along the slot such that a portion of the spacer impinges on the slot. The spacer may be biased in a neutral position and configured to move to a spacing position due to motion of tubulars into and out of the racking board, which interact with the portion of the spacer that impinges on the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Saunders, Andrew Ian McKenzie, Justin Benjamin Kinney, Neil West
  • Patent number: 11931484
    Abstract: A bioabsorbable composite stent structure, comprising bioabsorbable polymeric ring structures which retain a molecular weight and mechanical strength of a starting substrate and one or more interconnecting struts which extend between and couple adjacent ring structures. The ring structures can have a formed first diameter and being radially compressible to a smaller second diameter and re-expandable to the first diameter. The ring structures can comprise a base polymeric layer. The interconnecting struts can be formed from a polymer blend or co-polymer of poly-L-lactide (PLLA) and an elastomeric polymer. The interconnecting struts each can have a width that is less than a circumference of one of the ring structures. The adjacent ring structures can be axially and rotationally movable relative to one another via the interconnecting struts. The interconnecting struts can also be bioabsorbable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Razmodics LLC
    Inventors: Kamal Ramzipoor, Richard J. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20240068758
    Abstract: A modular two-piece bolt system for firearms with blowback actions provides a rear bolt piece which detachably couples to plural different front bolt pieces each of different mass. The front bolt pieces have a similar configuration and common coupling interface which forms an interlocked relationship with a complementary configured coupling interface on the rear bolt piece to prevent axial separation of the pieces when the action of the firearm is cycled. The system allows various front bolt pieces to be selected and used interchangeably with the rear bolt piece so that a front bolt piece of proper mass can be matched to the energy of ammunition to be fired. The front and rear bolt pieces when coupled define a continuous extended longitudinal passage which receives the rear breech end portion of the firearm barrel therethrough to reduce the projected length of the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Frank J. Saunders, JR., Reed Matthew Hubbell, Benjamin Gerard Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11814911
    Abstract: A guide mechanism may include a first jaw and a second jaw pivotably coupled to the first jaw. The jaws may include a guide having a bottom pocket for seating arrangement on a box end of a first tubular and a top funnel for laterally guiding a pin end of a second tubular into the box end. The guide mechanism may also include a linkage system secured to the first and second jaws to control pivoting motion of the jaws. The guide mechanism may also include a bias mechanism coupled to the linkage system and configured to impart a biasing force on the jaws via the linkage system. The biasing force may be adapted to resist opening of the jaws such that opening of the jaws occurs when a lateral force is applied to the guide mechanism that overcomes the biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Saunders, Neil West
  • Publication number: 20230340842
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a configurable drill fluid containment device. The present disclosure includes a device including a central shell configured to at least partially enclose an end of a drill pipe. The central shell can have two halves, each of the halves having flanges that are configured to attaching one or more extension features to the device. The flanges can be configured to attach extension features at an upper end of the device, a lower end of the device, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher J. Saunders, Justin Benjamin Kinney, Roy George Eid
  • Publication number: 20230134100
    Abstract: A passive spacer system may include a racking board comprising a slot and a spacer arranged along the slot such that a portion of the spacer impinges on the slot. The spacer may be biased in a neutral position and configured to move to a spacing position due to motion of tubulars into and out of the racking board, which interact with the portion of the spacer that impinges on the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher J. Saunders, Andrew Ian McKenzie, Justin Benjamin Kinney, Neil West
  • Publication number: 20230003090
    Abstract: A guide mechanism may include a first jaw and a second jaw pivotably coupled to the first jaw. The jaws may include a guide having a bottom pocket for seating arrangement on a box end of a first tubular and a top funnel for laterally guiding a pin end of a second tubular into the box end. The guide mechanism may also include a linkage system secured to the first and second jaws to control pivoting motion of the jaws. The guide mechanism may also include a bias mechanism coupled to the linkage system and configured to impart a biasing force on the jaws via the linkage system. The biasing force may be adapted to resist opening of the jaws such that opening of the jaws occurs when a lateral force is applied to the guide mechanism that overcomes the biasing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher J. Saunders, Neil West
  • Patent number: 11543208
    Abstract: A folding stock coupling system for a firearm. An openable/closeable hinge mechanism comprising front and rear hinge elements pivotably mounts the rear stock to the main body of the firearm. The hinge mechanism is selectively movable between a locked condition when the stock is unfolded and inline with the main body for firing, and an unlocked condition when the stock is folded forward and offset from the main body for compact carrying or storage. A manually movable actuating button of the hinge mechanism selectively locks or unlocks the rear to the front hinge members in the locked and unlocked conditions, respectively. Embodiments include a detent mechanism for removably retaining the folded position. An elongated rear mounting extension coupled to the rear hinge member provides a common stock mounting interface compatible for interchanging a plurality of different stocks to the firearm each sharing a common mounting profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Frank J. Saunders, Todd Wilkinson, Benjamin Gerard Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11434479
    Abstract: Sialic acid recognizing-affinity reagents engineered from the neuraminidase NanB have lectin-like properties and defined specificities for sialic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignees: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc., Glycosensors and Diagnostics, LLC
    Inventors: Loretta Yang, Kausar N. Samli, Robert J. Woods, Shengcheng Wu, John C. Cooper, Mallory K. Paul, Matthew J. Saunders, Ziad M. Eletr
  • Publication number: 20220145710
    Abstract: A drill pipe speed sensor includes a roller head assembly including an incremental encoder, a roller to contact a drill pipe, and first and second rotating members. The first rotating member is coupled to the roller, the second rotating member is coupled to the incremental encoder, and the first rotating member is coupled to the second rotating member. The sensor also includes a pivot assembly having mounting plates, pivotal arms, first and second mounting members, and a biasing member. The first and second mounting members extend between the mounting plates, which are parallel to each other. The biasing member contacts the mounting members and extends between the mounting members, and the biasing member is parallel to the mounting plates. The pivotal arms extend from the mounting plates to the roller head assembly and pivot relative to the mounting plates, and the first mounting member is coupled to two pivotal arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Saunders, Ayodele Odunfa-Jones, Andrew I. McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20220119894
    Abstract: Platforms, including devices, systems, kits, and methods, are provided for the differential detection of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria. repens in an animal host using parasite-specific DNA target capture techniques as well as polymerase chain reaction detection of those targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Lori J. Saunders, Steven A. Williams, Nils Pilotte
  • Patent number: D1025600
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
    Inventors: Tyler H. Knight, Jeffrey Groves, J. Porter Whitmire, J. Luke Jenkins, Stephen A. Hughett, Brianna E. Williams, William J. Saunders, Charles Moody Wacker, II