Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Foster

Jeffrey C. Foster 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: 11987453
    Abstract: A method of automatically moving a dolly apparatus from an initial location to a downstream location is provided. The method includes engaging a component being carried along an elevated conveyor with a synchronization arm of a dolly apparatus such that the dolly apparatus moves with the component. The dolly apparatus includes a base frame and an actuation member movably mounted to the base frame. A synchronization arm is movably mounted to a top of the base frame. The actuation member is operatively connected to the synchronization arm such that actuating the actuation member lowers the synchronization arm to a disengaged position. The actuation member is actuated thereby lowering the synchronization arm to a disengaged position and releasing the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Lloyd R. Holland, Michael C. Greenlee, Annetta L. Allen, Johnny O. Boarman, IV, Jeffrey L. James
  • Publication number: 20240131680
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering a work part to an assembly line worker using a dolly assembly in a first configuration and retrieving the work part from the dolly assembly by the assembly line work while the dolly assembly is in a second configuration. According to some embodiments, a dolly assembly is provided comprising a base assembly having a support member and a mobility mechanism, the support member positioned obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane. The dolly assembly also includes a part-carrying member rotationally connected to the support member and having a part-holding structure for receiving a work part. The part-carrying member extends downward at an angle below the horizontal plane when in a first configuration, and extends upward from at an angle above the horizontal plane when in a second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: LLOYD R. HOLLAND, SCOTTIE L. FOSTER, BRADLEY J. GARCIA, MICHAEL C. GREENLEE, JEFFREY L. JAMES, ANNETTA L. ALLEN, JOHNNY O. BOARMAN 4TH, DAVID A. LAJOICE
  • Publication number: 20240034837
    Abstract: Linear polymers and copolymers having tunable coefficients of thermal expansion can be derived from dibenzocyclooctene-based monomers. The dibenzocyclooctene-based monomer can comprise a dibenzocyclooctene or a heterocyclic derivative of dibenzocyclooctene. For example, the linear polymer can comprise a polymer or copolymer of a dibenzocyclooctene-based moiety and a polyester, polyamide, polyimide, polyurethane, or epoxy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Foster, Erica M. Redline, Chad L. Staiger, Koushik Ghosh, Eric M. Nagel
  • Patent number: 11873301
    Abstract: Curatives and their resulting thermosets and other crosslinked polymers can reduce thermal expansion mismatch between an encapsulant and objects that are encapsulated. This can be accomplished by incorporating a negative CTE moiety into the thermoset resin or polymer backbone. The negative CTE moiety can be a thermal contractile unit that shrinks as a result of thermally induced conversion from a twist-boat to chair or cis/trans isomerization upon heating. Beyond CTE matching, other potential uses for these crosslinked polymers and thermosets include passive energy generation, energy absorption at high strain rates, mechanophores, actuators, and piezoelectric applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Erica M. Redline, Chad L. Staiger, David R. Wheeler, Leah N. Appelhans, Jeffrey C. Foster
  • Patent number: 11739092
    Abstract: Curatives and their resulting thermosets and other crosslinked polymers can reduce thermal expansion mismatch between an encapsulant and objects that are encapsulated. This can be accomplished by incorporating a negative CTE moiety into the thermoset resin or polymer backbone. The negative CTE moiety can be a thermal contractile unit that shrinks as a result of thermally induced conversion from a twist-boat to chair or cis/trans isomerization upon heating. Beyond CTE matching, other potential uses for these crosslinked polymers and thermosets include passive energy generation, energy absorption at high strain rates, mechanophores, actuators, and piezoelectric applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Erica Marie Redline, Chad Staiger, David R. Wheeler, Leah Appelhans, Jeffrey C. Foster
  • Publication number: 20230250099
    Abstract: Curatives and their resulting thermosets and other crosslinked polymers can reduce thermal expansion mismatch between an encapsulant and objects that are encapsulated. This can be accomplished by incorporating a negative CTE moiety into the thermoset resin or polymer backbone. The negative CTE moiety can be a thermal contractile unit that shrinks as a result of thermally induced conversion from a twist-boat to chair or cis/trans isomerization upon heating. Beyond CTE matching, other potential uses for these crosslinked polymers and thermosets include passive energy generation, energy absorption at high strain rates, mechanophores, actuators, and piezoelectric applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Erica M. Redline, Chad L. Staiger, David R. Wheeler, Leah N. Appelhans, Jeffrey C. Foster
  • Publication number: 20210387987
    Abstract: Curatives and their resulting thermosets and other crosslinked polymers can reduce thermal expansion mismatch between an encapsulant and objects that are encapsulated. This can be accomplished by incorporating a negative CTE moiety into the thermoset resin or polymer backbone. The negative CTE moiety can be a thermal contractile unit that shrinks as a result of thermally induced conversion from a twist-boat to chair or cis/trans isomerization upon heating. Beyond CTE matching, other potential uses for these crosslinked polymers and thermosets include passive energy generation, energy absorption at high strain rates, mechanophores, actuators, and piezoelectric applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Erica Marie Redline, Chad Staiger, David R. Wheeler, Leah Appelhans, Jeffrey C. Foster