Patents by Inventor Kenneth Steele

Kenneth 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).

  • Publication number: 20060125167
    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: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth Steele, Bruce McIntosh, Steven Moilanen, William Davenport, William Givens, Parag Patwardhan
  • Publication number: 20060128222
    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: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce McIntosh, Kenneth Steele
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20050275147
    Abstract: A swing-arm clamp may 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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth Steele, William Davenport, Bruce McIntosh
  • Publication number: 20050242483
    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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Bruce McIntosh, Kenneth Steele, Matthew Williams
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20050151386
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Bruce McIntosh, Kenneth Steele, William Givens, William Davenport
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030234478
    Abstract: A swing-arm clamp may 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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Steele, William E. Davenport, Bruce D. McIntosh
  • Publication number: 20030222469
    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: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Steven M. Moilanen, William D. Givens, Kenneth A. Steele, Bruce D. McIntosh
  • Publication number: 20030075941
    Abstract: A linear slide gripper assembly is provided having a linear slide assembly to a gripper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele, William David Givens, William E. Davenport
  • Patent number: 6530616
    Abstract: A parts gripper having a continuity switch to determine the presence of a part or workpiece held between the jaws of a parts gripper comprising a parts gripper having a yoke, a pair of jaw members, a pivot pin, a cover plate, a side impact plate, and an electrical lead conductively connected to the first attachment portion of the pivot pin. The pivot pin is conductively connected to the jaw members and connects the jaw members to the yoke of the gripper body. The pivot pin includes a shaft, a neck portion, a stepped portion, and a first attachment portion. The shaft connects the jaw members to the yoke. The cover plate has a keyed through-hole for mating with the neck portion of the pivot pin. The side impact plate has a slot for mating with the stepped portion of the pivot pin to prevent the pivot pin from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. McIntosh, Kenneth A. Steele
  • Publication number: 20020030371
    Abstract: An opposable gripper jaw tip attached to a piston actuated parts gripper is provided. The opposable gripper jaw tip has abase and a body. The base is attachable to the piston actuated parts gripper. The body is attached to the base and also has a gripping surface which has a tread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Steven M. Moilanen, Kenneth A. Steele
  • Patent number: 6322118
    Abstract: Jaw tips and jaw tip assemblies having concave and convex gripper tips are provided for use on parts grippers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Moilanen, Kenneth A. Steele
  • Publication number: 20010035660
    Abstract: Jaw tips and jaw tip assemblies having concave and convex gripper tips are provided for use on parts grippers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Steven M. Moilanen, Kenneth A. Steele
  • Patent number: 6302462
    Abstract: A set of angled gripperjaw tips. Each jaw tip has a gripping surface that is complimentarily angled to the other jaw tip. The gripping surfaces become substantially coplanar when closed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Moilanen, Kenneth Steele
  • Publication number: 20010020791
    Abstract: A set of angled gripper jaw tips. Each jaw tip has a gripping surface that is complimentarily angled to the other jaw tip. The gripping surfaces become substantially coplanar when closed together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Steven M. Moilanen, Kenneth Steele
  • Patent number: 6276733
    Abstract: Jaw tips and jaw tip assemblies for fluid pressure actuated grippers which allow for the gripping, sensing and transferring of a variety of workpieces. Mating concave and convex gripper tips are provided which eliminate or reduce the formation of particulate which flake or peel off a gripper workpiece. Gripper tips having angled workpiece gripping surfaces are provided which allow the gripping of non-flat or non-planar workpieces. Gripper tip assemblies are provided which include sensors which can be used to detect the present or absence of a workpiece. Gripper tip extender assemblies are provided which extend the forward and sideways reach of gripper jaws. Padded gripper tips are provided with gripping surfaces having surface channels formed therein which surface channels direct fluids away from the gripping surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: PHD, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Moilanen, Kenneth Steele