Patents by Inventor James Schanstra

James Schanstra 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: 5119548
    Abstract: An automatic manufacturing machine puts a washer on a bolt which thereby forms a sub-assembly that can be used to further manufacture other things, for example. A vibrating bowl orients the washers so that one side of the washer is up and the other side is down relative to said bolt. These oriented washers are then delivered to a washer transporting dial having a plurality of equispaced pockets around the periphery thereof. Each pocket receives and carries one of the oriented washers to eventually receive the bolt. A sensor detects whether the washer is correctly positioned in the pocket and stops the vibrating bowl until an improperly washer is correctly positioned in a pocket. Jets of air are directed onto the surface of the dial to dislodge incorrectly positioned washers. This invention is important when the opposite sides of the washer are different, as when it is conical, covered on one side by rubber, plastic, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Fastener Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James Schanstra