Patents by Inventor Robert A. Erickson

Robert A. Erickson 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: 20060104728
    Abstract: A tool holder (20) comprises a body portion (32), a support member assembly (33) mounted to the body portion and an insert-receiving cartridge (36) removably received in the support member. The insert-receiving cartridge (36) includes a pocket (38) for mounting a cutting insert (40) thereon. The support member assembly (33) includes a bore and the insert-receiving cartridge (36) includes a shank capable of being received in the bore. The combination of the insert-receiving cartridge (36) and the cutting insert (40) forms a cutting tool for a particular cutting operation. In one embodiment, the cutting tools are radially mounted to a side periphery of the body portion (32) such that the vertical axis of the cutting tool is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the toolholder (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Erickson, Linn Andras
  • Publication number: 20060079320
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing near-concurrent wins in a progressive gaming system controlled by Jackpot Controller are disclosed. A VLT player may send a “win” combination to the Jackpot Controller to determine whether the “win” awards the accumulating progressive jackpot. The Jackpot Controller may evaluate the “win” message. If the “win” message is valid, the “win” of the accumulating progressive jackpot may be confirmed. Other VLTs may be blocked from submitting “win” messages for that same progressive jackpot. The VLT may then distribute the proceeds to the player. The Jackpot Controller may initiate other progressive jackpot status communications to insure against a loss of data should an interruption event occur. Individual VLTs may initiate status messages to the Jackpot Controller should they remain inactive for a predetermined period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Erickson
  • Publication number: 20060053401
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for designing a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) from a language representation of hardware. In one example of a method, a technology independent RTL (register transfer level) netiist is partitioned between representations of a plurality of ICs. In a typical example of the method, a hardware description language (HDL) code is written and compiled without regard to splitting the design among multiple ICs. After compilation, a partition of the technology independent RTL netlist, obtained from the compilation, is performed among the multiple ICs. After a partition, the technology independent RTL netlist is mapped to a particular target technology (e.g. a particular IC vendor's architecture for implementing logic circuitry), and place and route tools may be used to create the design in multiple ICs (e.g. field programmable gate arrays).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth McElvain, Robert Erickson
  • Patent number: 7010769
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for designing an integrated circuit. In one example of a method, a hardware description language (HDL) code is compiled to produce a technology independent RTL (register transfer level) netlist. A portion of an area of the IC is allocated to a specific portion of the technology independent RTL netlist. In a typical implementation of this method, the allocation restricts circuitry created from the specific portion to the portion of the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Synplicity, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. McElvain, Robert Erickson
  • Patent number: 7001115
    Abstract: A cutting insert for metalworking operations has an insert core with a pair of cutting portions having cutting tips extending therefrom such that a toolholder having a pocket to accept such a core is suitable to accept different cutting inserts having a common core plus different cutting portions. As a result, for example, an 80° diamond, a 55° diamond and a 35° diamond cutting insert may all be utilized within a common toolholder. The invention is also directed to a toolholder that will accept such a variety of cutting inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Erickson, William M. Alexander, IV
  • Patent number: 6978430
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for designing a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) from a language representation of hardware. In one example of a method, a technology independent RTL (register transfer level) netlist is partitioned between representations of a plurality of ICs. In a typical example of the method, a hardware description language (HDL) code is written and compiled without regard to splitting the design among multiple ICs. After compilation, a partition of the technology independent RTL netlist, obtained from the compilation, is performed among the multiple ICs. After a partition, the technology independent RTL netlist is mapped to a particular target technology (e.g. a particular IC vendor's architecture for implementing logic circuitry), and place and route tools may be used to create the design in multiple ICs (e.g. field programmable gate arrays).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Synplicity, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. McElvain, Robert Erickson
  • Publication number: 20050268760
    Abstract: A toolholder assembly for releasably holding a toolholder at a selected radial location within the toolholder assembly. The toolholder assembly includes a tool support member, an actuating bolt and an actuating centering nut. Rotation of the actuating bolt in a locking direction centers the actuating centering nut, actuating bolt and the toolholder with respect to the radial axis of a bore within the tool support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Erickson
  • Patent number: 6970512
    Abstract: A method comprises determining a plurality of time intervals Tp and Tn within a variable bit rate (VBR) representation of an image sequence. The time intervals Tp are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is greater than a baseline value. The time intervals Tn are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is less than the baseline value. A second representation of the image sequence is created in which some blocks of information Bp are removed from the time intervals Tp and interlaced with blocks of information Bn in the time intervals Tn to reduce a variation in a number of blocks of information per unit time between the time intervals Tp and Tn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Costa, Ahmad Ansari, John Robert Erickson
  • Patent number: 6966728
    Abstract: A toolholder assembly for releasably holding a toolholder at a selected radial location within the toolholder assembly. The toolholder assembly includes a tool support member, an actuating bolt and an actuating centering nut. Rotation of the actuating bolt in a locking direction centers the actuating centering nut, actuating bolt and the toolholder with respect to the radial axis of a bore within the tool support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20050223590
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and processing method for drying lumber, for example two-by-four studs in an environment in a kiln in a manner to avoid warping, including crook, bow, cup and twist. The lumber pieces are stacked in a normal manner with stickers for providing air flow between courses of the lumber pieces, and the stack is dried while a horizontal force is provided to the respective courses of lumber in the stack to hold the individual pieces of lumber in edge to edge contact throughout the drying, equalizing, conditioning and cooling process for first drying of lumber, redrying of lumber or in a treatment process for removing warp from previously dried lumber. A vertical force comprising a weight or other force generating device can be also applied to the stack of lumber to augment the overall reduction in warpage if so evidenced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Erickson
  • Publication number: 20050168198
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a controlled output voltage for a switching power converter under current control using pulse width modulation, the switching power converter including a predictive digital current-mode controller and a digital pulse width modulator. The current control results in an unstable output voltage, and the pulse width modulation method is selected to eliminate the instability of the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: The Regents Of The University Of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Dragan Maksimovic, Jingquan Chen, Aleksandar Prodic, Robert Erickson
  • Publication number: 20050160887
    Abstract: A zero centerline toolholder assembly includes a cutting insert mounted to a toolholder. The center, RC, of the nose radius of the cutting insert is aligned with or lies on a centerline, LT, of the toolholder. The centerline, LT, of the toolholder may be also aligned with a rotational axis, CT2, of a tool spindle. The tool spindle is tilted at an angle with respect to an axis, P, that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, LW, of a work piece. As a result of the zero centerline configuration, the radial component of the torque load on the toolholder is virtually eliminated. In addition, the toolholder assembly has a shorter tool length, thereby reducing deflection load on the toolholder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Erickson
  • Publication number: 20050158135
    Abstract: A rotary tool holder includes a shank having a flange, a tapered outer surface, and front and rear contact portions. The tapered outer surface corresponds to the tapered bore of a spindle, and flexible circular cantilevers are provided at one or both contact portions such that a free end of the cantilevers expands radially due to centrifugal force to maintain contact with the tapered bore. The shank can be formed from an inner member and a sleeve disposed thereover, in which portions of the sleeve form the circular cantilevers. The circular cantilevers can also be formed by a cavity created in the shank. Alternatively, instead of circular cantilevers, the shank of the tool holder can have a taper which is optimized for a certain speed, wherein the taper of the shank has a first taper at rest and a different, optimized taper at a desired speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Ted Massa, Robert Erickson, David Siddle
  • Patent number: 6913427
    Abstract: An adjustment device comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are adjustably engaging one another. The adjustment device has an overall length that is adapted to be adjusted by adjusting the first and second portions relative to one another. The overall length is adapted to be adjusted to vary a distance between the drill motor and the work piece. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a slip fit member and a threaded member opposite the slip fit member. The adjustment device has an overall length that is adjustable to vary a spatial relation between the drill motor and work piece. Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a drill motor, a support, and an adjustment device. The adjustment device comprises a slip fit member and a threaded member spaced apart from the slip fit member. One of the members is engageable with the drill motor and the other member is engageable with the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Erickson, Thomas O. Muller, Michael A. Weisel
  • Publication number: 20050127742
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved retaining system for securing a cutting tool to a support block. The retaining system includes at least one groove, having a first predetermined shape, formed in an outer surface of a shank portion of the cutting tool. The groove is formed in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shank. There is at least one groove, having a second predetermined shape, formed in a surface of a bore formed through an axis of the support block for receiving the shank portion of the cutting tool. The at least one groove formed in the outer surface of the shank portion of the cutting tool is radially opposed to the at least one groove formed in the surface of the bore formed through the axis of the support block when the shank portion is inserted into the bore of the support block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Erickson
  • Publication number: 20050084352
    Abstract: A rotary cutting tool that is composed of a tool shank with at least one chucking groove or chip flute and one exchangeable cutting insert. At the tip of the shank a recess for accommodating the cutting insert is provided. The tool shank, on its circumference, has a limb with a bearing surface that is inclined relative to the tool axis and that corresponds to a likewise inclined bearing surface on a wing of the cutting insert. The inclination of the bearing surfaces produces an axial force that retains the cutting insert on the tool shank. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Bernhard Borschert, Dieter Muhlfriedel, Jurgen Schwagerl, Ruy De Souza Filho, Michael Shultz, Michael McCormick, Robert Erickson
  • Publication number: 20050033683
    Abstract: A method and system for managing listings within a network-based trading environment is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a first profile relating to a first aspect of a listing is identified, a second profile relating to a second aspect of a listing is identified, the first and second profiles are stored, and the listing is automatically generated using the first and second profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Nathan Sacco, Sonia Wong, Robert Erickson
  • Publication number: 20050019112
    Abstract: A cutting insert for metalworking operations has an insert core with a pair of cutting portions having cutting tips extending therefrom such that a toolholder having a pocket to accept such a core is suitable to accept different cutting inserts having a common core plus different cutting portions. As a result, for example, an 80° diamond, a 55° diamond and a 35° diamond cutting insert may all be utilized within a common toolholder. The invention is also directed to a toolholder that will accept such a variety of cutting inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Erickson, William Alexander
  • Publication number: 20050016340
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for releasably holding a toolholder shank having a lockable surface and a releasable surface utilizing an actuating bolt with an associated threaded actuating nut. When the actuating bolt is rotated in a locking direction, the actuating nut is drawn onto the bolt thereby clamping against the lockable surfaces of the toolholder shank. When the actuating bolt is rotated in the releasing direction, a releasing segment acts upon the toolholder thereby ejecting it from the tool support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Erickson, William Long
  • Publication number: 20040252769
    Abstract: A method comprises determining a plurality of time intervals Tp and Tn within a variable bit rate (VBR) representation of an image sequence. The time intervals Tp are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is greater than a baseline value. The time intervals Tn are those in which a number of blocks of information per unit time is less than the baseline value. A second representation of the image sequence is created in which some blocks of information Bp are removed from the time intervals Tp and interlaced with blocks of information Bn in the time intervals Tn to reduce a variation in a number of blocks of information per unit time between the time intervals Tp and Tn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Pierre Costa, Ahmad Ansari, John Robert Erickson