Patents by Inventor James W. Babineau
James W. Babineau 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).
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Patent number: 7641469Abstract: The invention relates to fastener molding. In one aspect, a molding apparatus includes a cylindrical member defining a void extending radially inward from a peripheral surface of the member. The molding apparatus also includes an insert member configured to be disposed within the void.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2007Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: William P. Clune, Mark A. Clarner, Christopher M. Gallant, James W. Babineau
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Patent number: 7214334Abstract: Several methods and machines for continuously forming a fastener product having an array of fastener elements extending from a continuous, sheet-form base, employing a mold belt on which the sheet-form base of the product is formed and from which it is subsequently stripped. The belt defines an array of cavities extending from its outer surface, for molding either the array of fastener elements or an array of preform stems that are subsequently reformed into the fastener elements. In some cases the cavities are blind, such as for forming hook-type fastener elements; in other cases, the cavities extend through the belt, such as for forming mushroom-type fastener elements. Various belt constructions and fastener element shapes are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Stephen C. Jens, William Clune, George A. Provost, James W. Babineau
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Patent number: 7192266Abstract: A molding apparatus for forming a sheet-form fastener product includes a mold roll that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has a circumferential surface defining a plurality of apertures that extend inwardly from the circumferential surface. Multiple inserts having first and second ends are retained within corresponding apertures of the mold roll such that the first end of each insert is directed toward the circumferential surface of the mold roll. The inserts have surfaces that at least partially define blind molding cavities shaped to mold, from molten resin forced into the molding cavities from the circumferential surface of the mold roll, an array of fastener elements having overhanging heads for releasable engagement with a mating fastener product.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Velera IndustriesInventors: Christopher M. Gallant, William P. Clune, James W. Babineau
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Publication number: 20040094860Abstract: Several methods and machines for continuously forming a fastener product having an array of fastener elements extending from a continuous, sheet-form base, employing a mold belt on which the sheet-form base of the product is formed and from which it is subsequently stripped. The belt defines an array of cavities extending from its outer surface, for molding either the array of fastener elements or an array of preform stems that are subsequently reformed into the fastener elements. In some cases the cavities are blind, such as for forming hook-type fastener elements; in other cases, the cavities extend through the belt, such as for forming mushroom-type fastener elements. Various belt constructions and fastener element shapes are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2002Publication date: May 20, 2004Applicant: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Stephen C. Jens, William Clune, George A. Provost, James W. Babineau
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Publication number: 20020190418Abstract: Several methods and machines for continuously forming a fastener product having an array of fastener elements extending from a continuous, sheet-form base, employing a mold belt on which the sheet-form base of the product is formed and from which it is subsequently stripped. The belt defines an array of cavities extending from its outer surface, for molding either the array of fastener elements or an array of preform stems that are subsequently reformed into the fastener elements. In some cases the cavities are blind, such as for forming hook-type fastener elements; in other cases, the cavities extend through the belt, such as for forming mushroom-type fastener elements. Various belt constructions and fastener element shapes are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: Velcro Industries B.V., a CuracaoInventors: Stephen C. Jens, William Clune, George A. Provost, James W. Babineau
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Patent number: 6432339Abstract: Several methods and machines for continuously forming a fastener product having an array of fastener elements extending from a continuous, sheet-form base, employing a mold belt on which the sheet-form base of the product is formed and from which it is subsequently stripped. The belt defines an array of cavities extending from its outer surface, for molding either the array of fastener elements or an array of preform stems that are subsequently reformed into the fastener elements. In some cases the cavities are blind, such as for forming hook-type fastener elements; in other cases, the cavities extend through the belt, such as for forming mushroom-type fastener elements. Various belt constructions and fastener element shapes are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1999Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Stephen C. Jens, William Clune, George A. Provost, James W. Babineau
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Patent number: 6387305Abstract: A method for producing a multiplicity of miniature cavities extending from a mold surface for molding a plastic product having features integrally molded with and extending from a product base, and a mold so produced. The mold cavities are formed by depositing multiple layers of plating material on a workpiece in a predetermined pattern selected to produce a desired mold cavity shape. The mold may be in the form of a roll or belt for continuous processing, or in any form for discrete injection molding. The invention is particularly applicable to the production of touch fastener products, such as those with arrays of miniature hooks.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Stephen C. Jens, Andrew C. Harvey, Gilbert G. Fryklund, James W. Babineau
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Patent number: 6258311Abstract: A method for producing a multiplicity of fastener element molding cavities extending from a mold surface, for molding a plastic product having fastener elements integrally molded with and extending from a product base, and a mold so produced. The mold cavities are formed by depositing multiple layers of plating material on a workpiece in a predetermined pattern selected to produce a desired mold cavity shape, or by depositing a thick stratum of plating material over an array of fastener elements and then removing the fastener elements to leave shaped cavities within the plating material. The mold may be in the form of a roll or belt for continuous processing, or in any form for discrete injection molding. Molds having fastener element cavities defined by rigid cast materials are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Stephen C. Jens, Andrew C. Harvey, Gilbert G. Fryklund, Scott M. Filion, Samuel W. Pollard, Keith G. Buzzell, Shawn C. Banker, Howard Kingsford, Joseph K. Parshley, Clinton Dowd, Christopher M. Gallant, James W. Babineau, Martin I. Jacobs
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Patent number: 6151961Abstract: A tool for initiating a downhole function in a subsurface well, such as a cased well. The tool has memory adapted to store a well-specific reference pattern of one or more downhole well characteristics as a function of position along the well, one or more sensors responsive to the downhole well characteristics, and a clocked processor. The processor is adapted to receive well characteristic signals from the sensors, determine, from the signals and the reference pattern in memory, the position of the tool along the well, and automatically initiate a downhole function at a preprogrammed position along the well while the tool is moved at a substantially constant rate along the well. The tool may be configured in a string of tools for performing multiple downhole functions. In some embodiments the reference pattern is the known spacing of discrete downhole features, such as casing collars. In some other embodiments the reference pattern is a log of a geophysical parameter, such as a natural gamma log.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Klaus B. Huber, Steven W. Henderson, James W. Babineau
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Patent number: 6102126Abstract: A circulation valve is disclosed for use in a tubing-conveyed tool string. The valve is adapted to be open as the tool string is run into the well, enabling circulation flow from the tubing into the well bore. To close the valve, the circulation flow rate is increased. The valve has a housing with an inner bore and defining both a passage in hydraulic communication with the tubing and a side port for hydraulic communication between the passage and the well. A piston disposed within the inner bore of the housing is adapted to be moved along the inner bore of the housing by elevated tubing pressure to block the side port of the housing. A set of shear pins retain the piston in its initial position until broken by the elevated tubing pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Klaus B. Huber, A. Glen Edwards, James W. Babineau
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Patent number: 6085843Abstract: A shut-off valve is disclosed for use in a downhole string of tools in a well. The valve has a housing adapted to be connected between adjacent tools of the string, defining a bore and a passage for hydraulic communication between the adjacent tools. The passage is arranged to intersect the bore, and a piston is slidably disposed within the bore and arranged to block hydraulic communication between the passage and the piston bore. The piston is further arranged to, in a first position, permit hydraulic communication along the passage, and to, in a second position, block hydraulic communication along the passage. The piston also has a bore for ballistic communication between the adjacent tools, such that it can be employed between a firing head and a gun, for instance. Some embodiments also permit circulation flow from the tubing to the well bore after the valve has closed. Methods of use and tool strings containing such valves are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: A. Glen Edwards, Klaus B. Huber, Charles van Petegm, James W. Babineau
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Patent number: 5921328Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining subterranean soil samples includes an elongated housing having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, a tip assembly movable through the passageway, and a locking device for releasably preventing the tip assembly from moving from a first portion of the passageway to a second portion of the passageway. The sampling method includes the steps of inserting the sampling apparatus into the ground, unlocking the tip assembly, pulling the tip assembly through the passageway and retaining the tip assembly in the second portion of the passageway. A device is provided for creating a vacuum pressure above the sample material as the tip assembly is retracted and for retaining the sample material in a sample chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Applied Research Associates, Inc.Inventors: James W. Babineau, Scott E. Blouin, James Garfield Shinn, II
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Patent number: 5275247Abstract: A rear steering system in which a rotary mechanical input obtained from one of the rear wheels is controllably applied to a rear steering rack through an electromagnetic clutch apparatus operated by an electronic control unit. The rotary mechanical input is achieved with a flexible cable gear driven by the rear wheel. The cable provides a rotary mechanical input to a magnetic particle clutch assembly, which in turn, interfaces with the rear steering rack via a bevel gearset. The clutch assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit which responds to a variety of system parameters such as the front and rear rack positions, forward/reverse indication and the speed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1992Date of Patent: January 4, 1994Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Thomas W. Weisgerber, Jeffery A. Zuraski, James W. Babineau, Brian P. McDonald
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Patent number: 5195601Abstract: The rear wheels of a motor vehicle are independently steered in an inward (toe-in) direction to improve yaw stability and on-center response. In moderate-to severe turning maneuvers, the rear wheel on the outside of the turn is controlled. In low-to-moderate turning maneuvers, the rear wheel on the inside of the turn is controlled.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1991Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Ronald W. Voigt, Jeffrey A. Zuraski, Brian P. McDonald, James W. Babineau, Scott D. Morrison
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Patent number: 5147004Abstract: A rear steering system in which a rotary mechanical input obtained from one of the rear wheels is controllably applied to a rear steering rack through an electromagnetic clutch apparatus operated by an electronic control unit. The rotary mechancial input is achieved with a flexible cable gear driven by the rear wheel. The cable provides a rotary mechanical input to a magnetic particle clutch assembly, which in turn, interfaces with the rear steering rack via a bevel gearset. The clutch assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit which responds to a variety of system parameters such as the front and rear rack positions, forward/reverse indication and the speed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1991Date of Patent: September 15, 1992Assignee: General Motors Corp.Inventors: Thomas W. Weisgerber, Jeffery A. Zuraski, James W. Babineau, Brian P. McDonald
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Patent number: 5038063Abstract: A homopolar actuator has a permanent magnet disk element rotatably positioned between a pair of toothed pole pieces with mutually offset teeth, an electromagnetic coil and pole elements coupling the coil flux to the pole pieces. The pole pieces may themselves be rotatable or stationary. The permanent magnet circuit attempts to center the disk element relative to the pole pieces, and the electromagnetic circuit, depending on the direction of current in the coil, either reinforces the centering action or overcomes the centering force to displace the elements from center position. The device is used as a two or three position actuator or as an actuator or magnetic spring operating against an external force and seeking a position as a function of current.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1990Date of Patent: August 6, 1991Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: David W. Graber, Andrzej M. Pawlak, Jeffery A. Zuraski, James W. Babineau
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Patent number: 4871040Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system having conventional relatively rotatable spool and valve body elements for flow regulation, and an integral electromagnetic mechanism which effectively varies the centering force between the spool and valve body to adjust the level of steering assist provided for a given operator steering input. The electromagnetic mechanism includes a rotary magnetic circuit and a stationary magnetic circuit. The rotary magnetic circuit comprises a pair of axially displaced magnetic pole pieces which rotate with the pinion shaft and a permanent magnet disk element which is disposed between the pole pieces and which rotates with the input shaft. The stationary magnetic circuit includes an annular exciting coil disposed about the rotary magnetic circuit and ferromagnetic pole elements adjacent each of the rotary pole pieces. The exciting coil is energized so as to vary the valve body/spool centering force, and hence the driver steering effort, with vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1989Date of Patent: October 3, 1989Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Jeffery A. Zuraski, Andrzej M. Pawlak, David W. Graber, James W. Babineau