Patents by Inventor Richard M. Pihl
Richard M. Pihl 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: 7121937Abstract: A brush segment, a brush element, a brush assembly, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The brush segment includes a center portion with inner and outer edges. The center portion also includes first and second side edges. A plurality of bristles extends outwardly from the outer edge. The inner edge includes an interlock arrangement. The side edges have an attachment arrangement for attaching adjacent segments. The brush element includes a center portion and inner and outer edges. A plurality of bristles extends outwardly from the outer edge. The inner edge includes an interlock arrangement for restraining rotation of adjacent elements assembled into a brush assembly. Two or more brush elements are secured together to form a rotary brush assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2003Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Steven E. Turch, Richard M. Pihl, Kent E. Lageson, Jeff S. Shaw, Kris A. Beardsley
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Patent number: 7081043Abstract: A molded brush segment having a plurality of integrally molded bristles extending from a generally planar center portion. The brush segment is molded from a moldable polymer, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, and has a plurality of abrasive particles present in at least the bristles of the brush segment.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Siong Hong Koh, Richard M. Pihl, Masashi Nakayama
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Publication number: 20040185762Abstract: A brush segment, a brush element, a brush assembly, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The brush segment includes a center portion with inner and outer edges. The center portion also includes first and second side edges. A plurality of bristles extends outwardly from the outer edge. The inner edge includes an interlock arrangement. The side edges have an attachment arrangement for attaching adjacent segments. The brush element includes a center portion and inner and outer edges. A plurality of bristles extends outwardly from the outer edge. The inner edge includes an interlock arrangement for restraining rotation of adjacent elements assembled into a brush assembly. Two or more brush elements are secured together to form a rotary brush assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Steven E. Turch, Richard M. Pihl, Kent E. Lageson, Jeff S. Shaw, Kris A. Beardsley
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Patent number: 6352471Abstract: Abrasive filaments including plastic abrasive particles interspersed in a thermoplastic matrix. The abrasive filaments can comprise monofilaments, coextruded core/sheath filaments, and coated preformed cores. Also disclosed are abrasive brush constructions using a plurality of such abrasive filaments mounted on a suitable substrate, and unitary injection molded abrasive brushes. Also disclosed are methods of making such filaments and brushes, and method of using such brushes.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Donna W. Bange, David E. Johnson, Mara E. Liepa, Richard M. Pihl
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Patent number: 6261156Abstract: A molded abrasive brush having a backing with a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. The backing and bristles are preferably integrally molded. The brush is molded from a moldable polymer such a thermoset polymer, thermoplastic polymer, or thermoplastic elastomer. The moldable polymer includes a plurality of organic or inorganic abrasive particles interspersed throughout at least the bristles, and can be interspersed throughout the brush. The moldable brush can include an attaching means molded integrally with the backing. Also disclosed is a method of making a molded abrasive brush and a method of refining a workpiece surface with a molded abrasive brush.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2000Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David E. Johnson, Lawrence J. Mann, Scott M. Mevissen, Richard M. Pihl, David C. Roeker
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Patent number: 6126533Abstract: A molded abrasive brush having a backing with a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. The backing and bristles are preferably integrally molded. The brush is molded from a moldable polymer such a thermoset polymer, thermoplastic polymer, or thermoplastic elastomer. The moldable polymer includes a plurality of organic or inorganic abrasive particles interspersed throughout at least the bristles, and can be interspersed throughout the brush. The moldable brush can include an attaching means molded integrally with the backing. Also disclosed is a method of making a molded abrasive brush and a method of refining a workpiece surface with a molded abrasive brush.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1997Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David E. Johnson, Lawrence J. Mann, Scott M. Mevissen, Richard M. Pihl, David C. Roeker
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Patent number: 5915436Abstract: A molded brush having a backing with a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. The backing and bristles are preferably integrally molded. The brush is molded from a moldable polymer such a thermoset polymer, thermoplastic polymer, or thermoplastic elastomer. The molded brush can include an attaching means molded integrally with the backing. Also disclosed is a method of making a molded brush and a method of refining a workpiece surface with a molded brush.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1996Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacting CompanyInventors: David E. Johnson, Lawrence J. Mann, Scott M. Mevissen, Richard M. Pihl, David C. Roeker
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Patent number: 5903951Abstract: A molded brush segment having a plurality of integrally molded bristles extending from a generally planar center portion. The brush segment is molded from a moldable polymer such a thermoset polymer, thermoplastic polymer, or thermoplastic elastomer. The moldable polymer preferably includes a plurality of organic or inorganic abrasive particles interspersed throughout at least the bristles, and can be interspersed throughout the brush segment. The molded brush segments can be generally circular, with the bristles extending radially outward in the plane defined by the central portion. A plurality of brush segments can be combined to form a brush assembly. Also disclosed is a method of making a molded abrasive brush and a method of refining a workpiece surface with a molded abrasive brush.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1996Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard Ionta, Donna W. Bange, David E. Johnson, Mara E. Liepa, Richard M. Pihl, David C. Roeker
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Patent number: 5837179Abstract: An abrasive filament, including a thermoplastic elastomer having abrasive particles dispersed and adhered therein, exhibits improved life over previously known abrasive-filled polymeric filaments. Methods of making abrasive filaments of the invention, articles including the abrasive filaments, and methods of abrading surfaces using the abrasive articles of the invention are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1995Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CopmanyInventors: Richard M. Pihl, Duane J. Hayes, Loren L. Barber, Jr., Dennis G. Welygan, R. Eugene Hardwick, Ronald O. Zemke, deceased
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Patent number: 5737794Abstract: A composite abrasive filament, including at least one preformed core at least partially coated with a hardened, abrasive-filled thermoplastic elastomer, exhibits increased abrading life over previously known abrasive filaments. Also disclosed are methods of making such filaments and using such filaments in article form to abrade a variety of workpieces.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Loren L. Barber, Jr., Dennis G. Welygan, Richard M. Pihl
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Patent number: 5679067Abstract: A molded abrasive brush having a backing with a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. The backing and bristles are preferably integrally molded. The brush is molded from a moldable polymer such a thermoset polymer, thermoplastic polymer, or thermoplastic elastomer. The moldable polymer includes a plurality of organic or inorganic abrasive particles interspersed throughout at least the bristles, and can be interspersed throughout the brush. The moldable brush can include an attaching means molded integrally with the backing. Also disclosed is a method of making a molded abrasive brush and a method of refining a workpiece surface with a molded abrasive brush.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1995Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: David E. Johnson, Lawrence J. Mann, Scott M. Mevissen, Richard M. Pihl, David C. Roeker
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Patent number: 5616411Abstract: A composite abrasive filament, including at least one preformed core at least partially coated with a hardened, abrasive-filled thermoplastic elastomer, exhibits increased abrading life over previously known abrasive filaments. Also disclosed are methods of making such filaments and using such filaments in article form to abrade a variety of workpieces.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1993Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Loren L. Barber, Jr., Dennis G. Welygan, Richard M. Pihl
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Patent number: 5571296Abstract: A method of making a composite abrasive filament, said filament including at least one preformed core at least partially coated with a hardened, abrasive-filled thermoplastic elastomer, and exhibiting increased abrading life over previously known abrasive filaments. Also disclosed are methods of using such filaments in article form to abrade a variety of workpieces.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1995Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Loren L. Barber, Jr., Dennis G. Welygan, Richard M. Pihl
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Patent number: 5518794Abstract: A composite abrasive filament, including at least one preformed core at least partially coated with a hardened, abrasive-filled thermoplastic elastomer, exhibits increased abrading life over previously known abrasive filaments. Also disclosed are methods of making such filaments and using such filaments in article form to abrade a variety of workpieces.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1995Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Loren L. Barber, Jr., Dennis G. Welygan, Richard M. Pihl
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Patent number: 5491025Abstract: An abrasive filament, including a thermoplastic elastomer having abrasive particles dispersed and adhered therein, exhibits improved life over previously known abrasive-filled polymeric filaments. Methods of making abrasive filaments of the invention, articles including the abrasive filaments, and methods of abrading surfaces using the abrasive articles of the invention are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1995Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard M. Pihl, Duane J. Hayes, Loren L. Barber, Jr., Dennis G. Welygan, R. Eugene Hardwick, Ronald O. Zemke, deceased
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Patent number: D381139Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1995Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: David E. Johnson, Richard M. Pihl, David C. Roeker
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Patent number: D424258Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard M. Pihl, David E. Johnson, Dennis W. Wilson
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Patent number: D424765Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Yvonne I. Lund, Richard M. Pihl, David C. Roeker
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Patent number: D425269Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard M. Pihl, David E. Johnson, Dennis W. Wilson
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Patent number: D427395Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard M. Pihl, David E. Johnson, Dennis W. Wilson