Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Steele

Kenneth A. Steele 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: 8561974
    Abstract: A pin clamp assembly having a housing, locating pin, at least one finger, a drive rod and an actuator is provided. At least a portion of the locating pin may be extendable exterior of the housing. The finger is located adjacent the locating pin and movable relative thereto. The drive rod is movable and is engagable with the finger to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions. The actuator drives the locating pin and the drive rod. Movement of the locating pin and drive rod is linear only and no rotational movement of the locating pin and drive rod is employed to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Steele, Bruce D. McIntosh, Steven M. Moilanen, William E. Davenport, William D. Givens, Parag Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 8132798
    Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes a longitudinally extending slot. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending arcuate slot. The cam pin is coupled to the housing. The cam pin engages the slot. An electrical driven actuator includes an electric motor that rotates to move the locating pin linearly to rotate the twist pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, Matthew R. Williams
  • Patent number: 8132799
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pin clamp having first, second and third pins, a finger and stripper assembly. The first pin moves in response to an actuation. At least one finger is positioned adjacent the first pin, and is movable between clamped and unclamped positions. The second pin is located adjacent the first pin and is in operable communication with the finger. The stripper assembly comprises the third pin that is selectively engagable with the second pin, and an actuator that moves the third pin. The first activation of the actuator moves the third pin causing it to engage the second pin causing it to move the finger to the clamped position. The second actuation of the actuator moves the third pin causing it to disengage from the second pin causing it to not move the finger to the clamped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele
  • Patent number: 7815176
    Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, and first and second locks. The locating pin extends from the housing. The body extends from the locating pin. At least a portion of the body is located interior of the housing. The body and locating pin are movable with respect to the housing. The first lock is located on the body and the second lock is configured to selectively couple with the first lock. Selective coupling of the locks prevent the body from moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Parag Patwardhan, Kenneth A. Steele
  • Publication number: 20090236785
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pin clamp having first, second and third pins, a finger and stripper assembly. The first pin moves in response to an actuation. At least one finger is positioned adjacent the first pin, and is movable between clamped and unclamped positions. The second pin is located adjacent the first pin and is in operable communication with the finger. The stripper assembly comprises the third pin that is selectively engagable with the second pin, and an actuator that moves the third pin. The first activation of the actuator moves the third pin causing it to engage the second pin causing it to move the finger to the clamped position. The second actuation of the actuator moves the third pin causing it to disengage from the second pin causing it to not move the finger to the clamped position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: BRUCE D. MCINTOSH, Kenneth A. Steele
  • Publication number: 20090121403
    Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes a longitudinally extending slot. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending arcuate slot. The cam pin is coupled to the housing. The cam pin engages the slot. An electrical driven actuator includes an electric motor that rotates to move the locating pin linearly to rotate the twist pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, Matthew R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090096146
    Abstract: A pin clamp assembly having a housing, locating pin, at least one finger, a drive rod and an actuator is provided. At least a portion of the locating pin may be extendable exterior of the housing. The finger is located adjacent the locating pin and movable relative thereto. The drive rod is movable and is engagable with the finger to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions. The actuator drives the locating pin and the drive rod. Movement of the locating pin and drive rod is linear only and no rotational movement of the locating pin and drive rod is employed to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: PHD, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Steele, Bruce D. McIntosh, Steven M. Moilanen, William E. Davenport, William D. Givens, Parag Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 7516948
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pin clamp having first, second and third pins, a finger and stripper assembly. The first pin moves in response to an actuation. At least one finger is positioned adjacent the first pin, and is movable between clamped and unclamped positions. The second pin is located adjacent the first pin and is in operable communication with the finger. The stripper assembly comprises the third pin that is selectively engagable with the second pin, and an actuator that moves the third pin. The first activation of the actuator moves the third pin causing it to engage the second pin causing it to move the finger to the clamped position. The second actuation of the actuator moves the third pin causing it to disengage from the second pin causing it to not move the finger to the clamped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Phd, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele
  • Patent number: 7467788
    Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes longitudinally extending and opposed slots, each disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the body and into the cavity. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending cavity disposed therein, and longitudinally extending and opposed cam slots disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the twist pin and into the cavity therein. The cam pin is coupled to the housing within the bore and extending there across.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, Matthew R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7448607
    Abstract: A pin clamp assembly having a housing, locating pin, at least one finger, a drive rod and an actuator is provided. At least a portion of the locating pin may be extendable exterior of the housing. The finger is located adjacent the locating pin and movable relative thereto. The drive rod is movable and is engagable with the finger to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions. The actuator drives the locating pin and the drive rod. Movement of the locating pin and drive rod is linear only and no rotational movement of the locating pin and drive rod is employed to move the finger between clamped and unclamped positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Steele, Bruce D. McIntosh, Steven M. Moilanen, William E. Davenport, William D. Givens, Parag Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 7188879
    Abstract: A slide gripper assembly is provided having a slide assembly coupled to a gripper assembly. The slide assembly extends and retracts the gripper assembly. A bracket assembly is coupled to the slide and gripper assemblies to move the gripper assembly relative to the slide assembly. The Bracket assembly may comprise an at least partially-spherical head which may be coupled to the gripper assembly to allow movement of the same relative to the slide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, William David Givens, William E. Davenport
  • Patent number: 7182326
    Abstract: A pin clamp assembly is provided which includes a housing, a locating pin, a body, a twist pin, and a cam pin. The locating pin extends from the body. Both the body and the locating pin include longitudinally extending cavities contiguously disposed therein. The body also includes longitudinally extending and opposed slots, each disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the body and into the cavity. At least a portion of the locating pin and the body is located in a bore disposed through the housing. The twist pin is disposed in the longitudinally extending cavities of the locating pin and body. The twist pin includes a longitudinally extending cavity disposed therein, and longitudinally extending and opposed cam slots disposed from opposed exterior surfaces of the twist pin and into the cavity therein. The cam pin is coupled to the housing within the bore and extending there across.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, Matthew R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7150563
    Abstract: A formed bearing assembly and a method of making the bearing is provided. The bearing assembly includes a housing and a bearing space formed therein. A slide is disposed within the bearing space and is movable along its longitudinal extent. A bearing is formed in the bearing space between the housing and the slide. The bearing is a solid, formed in the bearing space while in liquid state. At least a portion of the bearing forms the shape of at least a portion of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, Clinton L. Alexander, William E. Davenport
  • Patent number: 7111834
    Abstract: A swing-arm clamp is provided. The swing-arm clamp has a piston rod which is disposed therein. The piston rod is movable through the swing-arm clamp in response to movement by the piston along a longitudinal axis between first and second positions. The clamp also has a plug that is selectively positionable to affect the positioning of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Steele, William E. Davenport, Bruce D. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 7066458
    Abstract: A powered clamp assembly is provided having an actuator, a cam member, a jaw arm, and a bearing member. The cam member has a camming surface and is driven by the actuator. The jaw arm is pivotable about an axis. The bearing member is attached to the jaw arm, as well as being engagable with the camming surface of the cam member. Movement of the cam member causes the camming surface to engage the bearing member which causes the jaw arm to pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, William D. Givens
  • Patent number: 7021687
    Abstract: An actuated workpiece clamp is provided. The clamp of this disclosure illustratively has an actuator, a linkage, a cam member, a cam pin, and at least one jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Moilanen, William D. Givens, Kenneth A. Steele, Bruce D. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 6929254
    Abstract: A swing-arm clamp is provided. The swing-arm clamp has a locating member that is movable in concert with a rod which is disposed in the clamp. The locating member engages a guide when the arm is located in a first position and separates from the guide when in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Steele, William E. Davenport, Bruce D. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 6874834
    Abstract: A linear slide gripper assembly is provided having a linear slide assembly coupled to a gripper assembly. The linear slide assembly has extension and retraction ports in fluid communication with a fluid source to move the gripper assembly between extended and retracted positions. The gripper assembly is in fluid communication with the linear slide assembly to selectively actuate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, William David Givens, William E. Davenport
  • Publication number: 20040252922
    Abstract: A formed bearing assembly and a method of making the bearing is provided. The bearing assembly includes a housing and a bearing space formed therein. A slide is disposed within the bearing space and is movable along its longitudinal extent. A bearing is formed in the bearing space between the housing and the slide. The bearing is a solid, formed in the bearing space while in liquid state. At least a portion of the bearing forms the shape of at least a portion of the slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, Clinton L. Alexander, William E. Davenport
  • Publication number: 20040113343
    Abstract: A powered clamp assembly is provided having an actuator, a cam member, a jaw arm, and a bearing member. The cam member has a camming surface and is driven by the actuator. The jaw arm is pivotable about an axis. The bearing member is attached to the jaw arm, as well as being engagable with the camming surface of the cam member. Movement of the cam member causes the camming surface to engage the bearing member which causes the jaw arm to pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, William D. Givens