Patents by Inventor James R. Kalb

James R. Kalb 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).

  • Patent number: 10836050
    Abstract: A modular tooling receiver that includes a wall having a port that extends through it, an engaging member that is movably disposed in the port, and a lock actuator that is disposed on a first side of the wall. The lock actuator is moveable between a first position in which the lock actuator urges the engaging member in a first direction defined from the first side of the wall to a second side of the wall and a second position wherein the lock actuator permits the engaging member to move in a second direction defined from the second side of the wall to the first side of the wall. A first biasing element biases the lock actuator toward the first position. A damper controls a rate of motion of the lock actuator from the second position toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Kalb, Michael Thomas Charlton
  • Patent number: 10823235
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a first member, a second member, and a clutch plate. The second member is maintained in a spaced apart relationship from the first member. The clutch plate has radially extending engagement structures and is disposed between the first member and the second member. The clutch plate has a first half and a second half that are slidably rotatable with respect to one another. The first half and the second half of the clutch plate rotate in opposite directions when axial pressure is applied to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Kalb, Edwin E. Marttinen
  • Publication number: 20190009416
    Abstract: A modular tooling receiver that includes a wall having a port that extends through it, an engaging member that is movably disposed in the port, and a lock actuator that is disposed on a first side of the wall. The lock actuator is moveable between a first position in which the lock actuator urges the engaging member in a first direction defined from the first side of the wall to a second side of the wall and a second position wherein the lock actuator permits the engaging member to move in a second direction defined from the second side of the wall to the first side of the wall. A first biasing element biases the lock actuator toward the first position. A damper controls a rate of motion of the lock actuator from the second position toward the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Kalb, Michael Thomas Charlton
  • Patent number: 10105855
    Abstract: A modular tooling receiver that includes a wall having a port that extends through it, an engaging member that is movably disposed in the port, and a lock actuator that is disposed on a first side of the wall. The lock actuator is moveable between a first position in which the lock actuator urges the engaging member in a first direction defined from the first side of the wall to a second side of the wall and a second position wherein the lock actuator permits the engaging member to move in a second direction defined from the second side of the wall to the first side of the wall. A first biasing element biases the lock actuator toward the first position. A damper controls a rate of motion of the lock actuator from the second position toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Kalb, Michael Thomas Charlton
  • Patent number: 9981391
    Abstract: A modular tooling receiver includes a housing having a wall and a port, and an engaging member movably disposed in the port. A lock actuator is moveable between a first position and a second position. The release lever is connected to the housing and is engageable with the lock actuator for causing movement of the lock actuator from the first position toward the second position. An anti-release mechanism is connected to the release lever and is movable between an engaged position, in which the anti-release mechanism engages the housing to restrain movement of the release lever to prevent movement of the lock actuator from the first position to the second position, and a disengaged position, in which the anti-release mechanism disengages the housing to allow movement of the release lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Kalb, Michael Thomas Charlton
  • Publication number: 20170232620
    Abstract: A modular tooling receiver includes a housing having a wall and a port, and an engaging member movably disposed in the port. A lock actuator is moveable between a first position and a second position. The release lever is connected to the housing and is engageable with the lock actuator for causing movement of the lock actuator from the first position toward the second position. An anti-release mechanism is connected to the release lever and is movable between an engaged position, in which the anti-release mechanism engages the housing to restrain movement of the release lever to prevent movement of the lock actuator from the first position to the second position, and a disengaged position, in which the anti-release mechanism disengages the housing to allow movement of the release lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Kalb, Michael Thomas Charlton
  • Publication number: 20170159721
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a first member, a second member, and a clutch plate. The second member is maintained in a spaced apart relationship from the first member. The clutch plate has radially extending engagement structures and is disposed between the first member and the second member. The clutch plate has a first half and a second half that are slidably rotatable with respect to one another. The first half and the second half of the clutch plate rotate in opposite directions when axial pressure is applied to the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Kalb, Edwin E. Marttinen
  • Patent number: 9651192
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a workpiece includes a master template, a locking assembly and a plurality of substantially planar gauge slice templates. The master template includes a plurality of positioning features. The locking assembly is connected to the master template and is movable with respect to the master template between a locked position and an unlocked position. The gauge slice templates are each associated with a workpiece engaging structure that is engageable with the workpiece for supporting the workpiece. Each gauge slice template releasably engages at least one positioning feature of the master template. Each gauge slice template engages the locking assembly, wherein the gauge slice templates are not moveable with respect to the master template when the locking assembly is in the locked position, and the gauge slice templates are moveable with respect to the master template when the locking assembly is in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Scott R. McCallum, Timothy John Key, James R. Kalb, Michael A. Filipiak
  • Patent number: 9522421
    Abstract: A tool support structure includes a tool rail that extends in an axial direction, a first mounting portion that is connected to the tool rail, and a second mounting portion that is connected to the tool rail at a location along the tool rail that is spaced from the first mounting portion in the axial direction. The second mounting portion includes a lug and an aperture. The lug has a shaft portion and a head portion that is located outward from the shaft portion. The shaft portion is receivable within a slot on the base and the head portion restrains transverse removal of the lug from the slot when the shaft portion is disposed within the slot. The aperture is adapted to receive a pin on the base to resist rotation of the tool rail with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Corey Chappus, James R. Kalb, Michael A. Filipiak
  • Publication number: 20160318193
    Abstract: A modular tooling apparatus providing orbital adjustment of a modular tool. The modular tooling apparatus includes a base coupling, a first linkage member, and a second linkage member. The base coupling is connectible to a manipulator. The first linkage member is adjustably connected to the base coupling for rotational adjustment about a first axis. The second linkage member is adjustably connected to the first linkage member for rotational adjustment about a second axis. The rotational adjustment of the first linkage member about the first axis and the rotational adjustment of the second linkage member about the second axis combine to provide more orbital positions than the rotational adjustment of the first linkage member about the first axis or the rotational adjustment of the second linkage member about the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Andrew Kotula, Donald Van Zile, III, Brandon Scott Jacobi, Michael A. Filipiak, James R. Kalb, Keith M. Price
  • Patent number: 9441884
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically drying wet floors includes a controller, a moisture detector that is operable to detect the presence of moisture at a first location and transmit a moisture detection signal to the controller in response to detecting the presence of moisture at the first location, and a blower. The blower is operative to turn on and off for drying the wet floors by directing moving air toward the first location in response to an operating signal from the controller. The controller outputs the operating signal to the blower based on the moisture detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Scott R. McCallum, Timothy John Key, James R. Kalb, Richard Daniel Koski, John D. Begin
  • Patent number: 9429187
    Abstract: A modular tooling apparatus includes a first coupler portion and a second coupler portion that are rotationally adjustable with respect to one another. A locking member has a bore that extends through the locking member, a third contoured surface, a widened portion of the bore that is located behind the third contoured surface and has a larger diameter than the third contoured surface, and a fourth contoured surface. The locking member is moveable to a locked position in which the third contoured surface of the locking member engages a first contoured surface of the first coupler portion and the fourth contoured surface of the locking member engages a second contoured surface of the second coupler portion to restrain the first coupler portion from rotating with respect to the second coupler portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Andrew Kotula, Donald Van Zile, III, Brandon Scott Jacobi, Michael A. Filipiak, James R. Kalb, Keith M. Price
  • Publication number: 20160236357
    Abstract: A modular tooling receiver that includes a wall having a port that extends through it, an engaging member that is movably disposed in the port, and a lock actuator that is disposed on a first side of the wall. The lock actuator is moveable between a first position in which the lock actuator urges the engaging member in a first direction defined from the first side of the wall to a second side of the wall and a second position wherein the lock actuator permits the engaging member to move in a second direction defined from the second side of the wall to the first side of the wall. A first biasing element that biases the lock actuator toward the first position. A damper that controls a rate of motion of the lock actuator from the second position toward the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: James R. Kalb, Michael Thomas Charlton
  • Patent number: 9395032
    Abstract: A modular tooling apparatus having serrated teeth for providing orbital and linear adjustment of a modular tool. The modular tooling apparatus includes a mounting member and a base coupling having mating contoured surfaces for providing linear adjustment of the base coupling relative to the mounting member. A spacer is provided having contoured surfaces wherein the contoured surfaces matingly and adjustably connect to a contoured surface of the base coupling for rotational adjustment of the modular tool about a longitudinal axis. The modular tool has a contoured surface that matingly and adjustably connects to the contoured surface of the spacer for rotational adjustment about the longitudinal axis. A biasing member engages the spacer and the modular tool for biasing the spacer toward the base member and away from the modular tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Andrew Kotula, Michael A. Filipiak, James R. Kalb, Keith M. Price
  • Publication number: 20150285298
    Abstract: A modular tooling apparatus includes a first coupler portion and a second coupler portion that are rotationally adjustable with respect to one another. A locking member has a bore that extends through the locking member, a third contoured surface, a widened portion of the bore that is located behind the third contoured surface and has a larger diameter than the third contoured surface, and a fourth contoured surface. The locking member is moveable to a locked position in which the third contoured surface of the locking member engages a first contoured surface of the first coupler portion and the fourth contoured surface of the locking member engages a second contoured surface of the second coupler portion to restrain the first coupler portion from rotating with respect to the second coupler portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald Andrew Kotula, Donald Van Zile, III, Brandon Scott Jacobi, Michael A. Filipiak, James R. Kalb, Keith M. Price
  • Publication number: 20150226374
    Abstract: A tool support structure includes a tool rail that extends in an axial direction, a first mounting portion that is connected to the tool rail, and a second mounting portion that is connected to the tool rail at a location along the tool rail that is spaced from the first mounting portion in the axial direction. The second mounting portion includes a lug and an aperture. The lug has a shaft portion and a head portion that is located outward from the shaft portion. The shaft portion is receivable within a slot on the base and the head portion restrains transverse removal of the lug from the slot when the shaft portion is disposed within the slot. The aperture is adapted to receive a pin on the base to resist rotation of the tool rail with respect to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: NORGREN AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Corey Chappus, James R. Kalb, Michael A. Filipiak
  • Patent number: 9095946
    Abstract: A modular tooling apparatus includes a first coupler portion, a second coupler portion, a locking member, and a friction member. The first coupler portion and the second coupler portion are rotationally adjustable with respect to one another. The locking member is moveable to a locked position wherein the locking member engages the first coupler portion and the second coupler portion to restrain the first coupler portion from rotating with respect to the second coupler portion. The friction member engages the first coupler portion and the second coupler portion to resist rotation of the first coupler portion with respect to the second coupler portion when the locking member is not in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Andrew Kotula, Donald Van Zile, III, Brandon Scott Jacobi, Michael A. Filipiak, James R. Kalb, Keith M. Price
  • Publication number: 20140317954
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically drying wet floors includes a floor mat; a controller; a detector mat that is positioned adjacent to the floor mat, the detector mat having at least one moisture sensing element that is operable to detect moisture and transmit a moisture detection signal to the controller in response to detecting the presence of moisture at the first location, and a floor dryer that is operative to turn on and off for drying the floor mat by directing moving air toward the floor mat in response to an operating signal from the controller, wherein the controller outputs the operating signal to the blower based on the moisture detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Scott R. McCallum, Timothy John Key, James R. Kalb, Richard Daniel Koski, John D. Begin
  • Publication number: 20130334379
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a workpiece includes a master template, a locking assembly and a plurality of substantially planar gauge slice templates. The master template that includes a plurality of positioning features. The locking assembly is connected to the master template and is movable with respect to the master template between a locked position and an unlocked position. The gauge slice templates are each associated with a workpiece engaging structure that is engageable with the workpiece for supporting the workpiece. Each gauge slice template releasably engages at least one positioning feature of the master template. Each gauge slice template engages the locking assembly, wherein the gauge slice templates are not moveable with respect to the master template when the locking assembly is in the locked position, and the gauge slice templates are moveable with respect to the master template when the locking assembly is in the unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Scott R. McCallum, Timothy John Key, James R. Kalb, Michael A. Filipiak
  • Patent number: D898879
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Kalb, Michael Thomas Charlton