Patents by Inventor Loran J. Wilkinson
Loran J. Wilkinson 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: 8602456Abstract: A ball joint (1) is provided having a ball housing (10) that defines a socket (11), and a ball pivot (20) with a ball head (22) and ball pin (24), where the ball head (22) is disposed in the socket (11). A ball housing passageway (14) passes through the ball housing (10); a ball pin passageway (25) passes through the ball pin (24), and a ball head passageway (23) passes through the ball head (22). The ball pin passageway (25), ball head passageway (23) and ball housing passageway (14) are in communication with each other for routing a cable (2) through the ball joint (1). A limiter (50) may extend from an internal surface (12) of the socket (11) having a passageway (52) connected to the ball housing passageway (14). The limiter (50) prevents unlimited spinning of the ball head (22) within the socket (11).Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Paul M. Bosscher, Matthew D. Summer, John B. Rust, Loran J. Wilkinson, William S. Bowman
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Patent number: 8606403Abstract: Method and system for telematic control of a slave device (402) includes a hand control (101) type control interface which includes a hand grip (102) having an elongated body (202). One or more sensors (208) are provided for sensing a physical displacement of a trigger (212) disposed on the hand grip. An actuator or motor (206) is disposed in the hand grip that is responsive to a control signal from a control system (401) for dynamically controlling a force applied by the trigger to a user of the hand control interface.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: John B. Rust, Matthew D. Summer, Paul M. Bosscher, William S. Bowman, Loran J. Wilkinson
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Patent number: 8534729Abstract: A robotic gripper (10) has fingers (12) that are configured to grasp an object, and an actuator (20) for driving the fingers. The actuator has a drive train (30) connected to the fingers for driving the fingers, an impact mechanism (40) mechanically connected to the drive train for driving the drive train, and a motor (50) connected to the impact mechanism for driving the impact mechanism. The impact mechanism generates a series of impacts that are delivered to the drive train when the impact mechanism is loaded beyond a threshold torque. The drive train is a back-drive inhibited drive train provided by a worm drive (32, 34) that is mechanically coupled to the impact mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Loran J. Wilkinson, Matthew D. Summer, John B. Rust, Paul M. Bosscher
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Patent number: 8504205Abstract: A robotic grasping device (10) has a first finger (20), a second finger (30) and an actuator (40). The first finger has a first fingertip (22), a first base (24) and a first actuator engagement end (26). A first gripping surface (21) of the first finger lies between the first fingertip and the first base. Similarly, the second finger has a second fingertip (32), a second base (34), a second actuator engagement end (36). A second gripping surface (31) of the second finger is between the second fingertip and the second base. The actuator (40) mechanically engages with the first actuator engagement end and the second actuator engagement end to open and close the fingers. A first force sensor (28) is disposed on the base of the first finger to measure a first operative force on the first finger, and a second force sensor (38) is disposed on the base of the second finger to measure a second operative force on the second finger.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Matthew D. Summer, Paul M. Bosscher, Loran J. Wilkinson
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Publication number: 20130033053Abstract: A robotic gripper (10) has fingers (12) that are configured to grasp an object, and an actuator (20) for driving the fingers. The actuator has a drive train (30) connected to the fingers for driving the fingers, an impact mechanism (40) mechanically connected to the drive train for driving the drive train, and a motor (50) connected to the impact mechanism for driving the impact mechanism. The impact mechanism generates a series of impacts that are delivered to the drive train when the impact mechanism is loaded beyond a threshold torque. The drive train is a back-drive inhibited drive train provided by a worm drive (32, 34) that is mechanically coupled to the impact mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Loran J. Wilkinson, Matthew D. Summer, John B. Rust, Paul M. Bosscher
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Publication number: 20120294696Abstract: An interface (101) for converting human control input gestures to telematic control signals includes a plurality of articulating arms (107, 108, 109) each mounted at a base end (113, 115, 117) to an interface base and coupled at an opposing end to a housing (106). The articulating arms are operable to permit linear translational movement of the housing in three orthogonal directions. At least one sensor (116) of a first kind is provided for measuring the linear translational movement. A pivot member (201) is disposed in the housing and is arranged to pivot about a single pivot point. A grip (102) is provided and is attached to the pivot member so that a user upon grasping the grip can cause the pivot to rotate within the housing. A button (118) is provided to switch between at least two modes, wherein when in a first mode control signals are used to control a vehicle base (502), and when in the second mode control signals are used to control a robotic arm (504) coupled to the vehicle base (502).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Matthew D. Summer, Paul M. Bosscher, Loran J. Wilkinson, William S. Bowman, John B. Rust
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Publication number: 20120283877Abstract: Interface (101) for converting human control input gestures to telematic control signals. The interface includes a plurality of articulating arms (107a, 107b, 108a, 108b, and 109a, 109b) each mounted at a base end (113, 115, 117) to an interface base and coupled at an opposing end to a housing (106). The articulating arms are operable to permit linear translational movement of the housing in three orthogonal directions. At least one sensor (116) of a first kind is provided for measuring the linear translational movement. A pivot member (201) is disposed in the housing and is arranged to pivot about a single pivot point. A grip (102) is provided and is attached to the pivot member so that a user upon grasping the grip can cause the pivot to rotate within the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Paul M. Bosscher, Matthew D. Summer, John B. Rust, Loran J. Wilkinson, William S. Bowman
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Publication number: 20120239195Abstract: A robotic grasping device (10) has a first finger (20), a second finger (30) and an actuator (40). The first finger has a first fingertip (22), a first base (24) and a first actuator engagement end (26). A first gripping surface (21) of the first finger lies between the first fingertip and the first base. Similarly, the second finger has a second fingertip (32), a second base (34), a second actuator engagement end (36). A second gripping surface (31) of the second finger is between the second fingertip and the second base. The actuator (40) mechanically engages with the first actuator engagement end and the second actuator engagement end to open and close the fingers. A first force sensor (28) is disposed on the base of the first finger to measure a first operative force on the first finger, and a second force sensor (38) is disposed on the base of the second finger to measure a second operative force on the second finger.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Matthew D. Summer, Paul M. Bosscher, Loran J. Wilkinson
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Publication number: 20120185098Abstract: Method and system for telematic control of a slave device. Displacement of a user interface control is sensed with respect to a control direction. A first directional translation is performed to convert data specifying the control direction to data specifying a slave direction. The slave direction will generally be different from the control direction and defines a direction that the slave device should move in response to the physical displacement of the user interface. A second directional translation is performed to convert data specifying haptic sensor data to a haptic feedback direction. The haptic feedback direction will generally be different from the sensed direction and can define a direction of force to be generated by at least one component of the user interface. The first and second directional translation are determined based on a point-of-view of an imaging sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Paul M. Bosscher, Matthew D. Summer, Loran J. Wilkinson, William S. Bowman
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Publication number: 20120150351Abstract: A ball joint (1) is provided having a ball housing (10) that defines a socket (11), and a ball pivot (20) with a ball head (22) and ball pin (24), where the ball head (22) is disposed in the socket (11). A ball housing passageway (14) passes through the ball housing (10); a ball pin passageway (25) passes through the ball pin (24), and a ball head passageway (23) passes through the ball head (22). The ball pin passageway (25), ball head passageway (23) and ball housing passageway (14) are in communication with each other for routing a cable (2) through the ball joint (1). A limiter (50) may extend from an internal surface (12) of the socket (11) having a passageway (52) connected to the ball housing passageway (14). The limiter (50) prevents unlimited spinning of the ball head (22) within the socket (11).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Paul M. Bosscher, Matthew D. Summer, John B. Rust, Loran J. Wilkinson, William S. Bowman
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Publication number: 20120150349Abstract: Method and system for telematic control of a slave device (402) includes a hand control (101) type control interface which includes a hand grip (102) having an elongated body (202). One or more sensors (208) are provided for sensing a physical displacement of a trigger (212) disposed on the hand grip. An actuator or motor (206) is disposed in the hand grip that is responsive to a control signal from a control system (401) for dynamically controlling a force applied by the trigger to a user of the hand control interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: John B. Rust, Matthew D. Summer, Paul M. Bosscher, William S. Bowman, Loran J. Wilkinson