Patents by Inventor James E. Woods

James E. Woods 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).

  • Fastener injector system and method
    Patent number: 6511061
    Abstract: A fastener injector (18) includes a plurality of tubes (86) operable to transfer a plurality of different sizes and types of fasteners (20) in a desired orientation. The injector also includes a receiver (88) operable to receive the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation from the tubes (86). The receiver (88) includes a plurality of receiver fingers (90) operable to receive the fasteners (20) from the tubes (86) and retain the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation. An injector blade (106) is operable to transfer the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation from the receiver (88) to a fastener installation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: VoughtAircraft Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo Ferenczi, Mark A. Turner, James E. Woods
  • Orientation maintained fastener delivery system and method
    Patent number: 6264063
    Abstract: An orientation maintained fastener delivery system (10) includes an escapement (14), a transfer system (16), and an injector (18). The escapement (14) regulates the flow of fasteners (20) through the orientation maintained fastener delivery system (10). The escapement (14) also delivers fasteners (20) in a desired orientation to the transfer system (16). The transfer system (16) includes a plurality of tubes (26,30) and a distributor (28). The tubes (26,30) maintain the desired orientation of the fasteners (20) as the fasteners (20) are transported to the injector (18). The distributor (28) aligns a tube (26) coupled to the escapement (14) with a tube (30) coupled to the injector (18). The injector (18) receives fasteners (20) from the transfer system (16) in the desired orientation and delivers the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation to an installation device (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Turner, James E. Woods, Laszlo Ferenczi
  • Fastener injector system and method
    Patent number: 6196414
    Abstract: A fastener injector (18) includes a plurality of tubes (86) operable to transfer a plurality of different sizes and types of fasteners (20) in a desired orientation. The injector also includes a receiver (88) operable to receive the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation from the tubes (86). The receiver (88) includes a plurality of receiver fingers (90) operable to receive the fasteners (20) from the tubes (86) and retain the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation. An injector blade (106) is operable to transfer the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation from the receiver (88) to a fastener installation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo Ferenczi, Mark A. Turner, James E. Woods