Patents by Inventor Robert A. Trobaugh

Robert A. Trobaugh 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: 7726252
    Abstract: A method for straightening the edges of a work piece. The method includes the steps of determining the average edge position of each edge of the work piece, calculating an average edge line for each edge of the work piece, determining an actual corner point for each corner of the work piece, calculating a determined edge line through each of the actual corner points of the work piece, determining a number of actual edge points, determining if actual edge points are within the determined edge lines, and adjusting the determined edge lines inward until the actual edge points are within the determined edge lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Maples Industries, Inc
    Inventor: Robert A. Trobaugh, III
  • Patent number: 7533621
    Abstract: A work piece finishing apparatus including a cutter assembly, a binding tape applier, and a flat bed sewing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Maples Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Trobaugh, III
  • Publication number: 20080184921
    Abstract: A method for straightening the edges of a work piece. The method includes the steps of determining the average edge position of each edge of the work piece, calculating an average edge line for each edge of the work piece, determining an actual corner point for each corner of the work piece, calculating a determined edge line through each of the actual corner points of the work piece, determining a number of actual edge points, determining if actual edge points are within the determined edge lines, and adjusting the determined edge lines inward until the actual edge points are within the determined edge lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: MAPLES INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. Trobaugh
  • Publication number: 20080184922
    Abstract: A work piece finishing apparatus including a cutter assembly, a binding tape applier, and a flat bed sewing head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: MAPLES INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. Trobaugh
  • Patent number: 6722300
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing an open side of a fabric article from a first end to a second end. The apparatus may include a gripping device for gripping the first end and the second end of the open side of the fabric article and then tensioning the open side. The apparatus also may include a closing device positioned adjacent to the gripping device such that the closing device maneuvers along the fabric article to fasten the open side from the first end to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Phoenix Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Trobaugh, III, Parks C. Stewart, Vadim Z. Shtylman, Nathan D. Turpin, Jeffrey J. McGinnis
  • Patent number: 6499416
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a valance with a number of transverse pockets from a continuous strip of material. The apparatus may include a feed pull assembly positioned along a predetermined path for pulling a predetermined length of the continuous strip of material onto a tabletop, a cutter assembly for cutting the predetermined length of the material from the strip, a first fold assembly to fold a first end of the length of the material, a second fold assembly to fold a second end of the length of the material under the first end, and a hemming assembly to sew the transverse pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Phoenix Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Parks C. Stewart, Robert A. Trobaugh, III
  • Publication number: 20020108549
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing an open side of a fabric article from a first end to a second end. The apparatus may include a gripping device for gripping the first end and the second end of the open side of the fabric article and then tensioning the open side. The apparatus also may include a closing device positioned adjacent to the gripping device such that the closing device maneuvers along the fabric article to fasten the open side from the first end to the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Robert A. Trobaugh, Parks C. Stewart, Vadim Z. Shtylman, Nathan D. Turpin, Jeffrey J. McGinnis
  • Publication number: 20020083875
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a valance with a number of transverse pockets from a continuous strip of material. The apparatus may include a feed pull assembly positioned along a predetermined path for pulling a predetermined length of the continuous strip of material onto a tabletop, a cutter assembly for cutting the predetermined length of the material from the strip, a first fold assembly to fold a first end of the length of the material, a second fold assembly to fold a second end of the length of the material under the first end, and a hemming assembly to sew the transverse pockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Parks C. Stewart, Robert A. Trobaugh
  • Patent number: 6260495
    Abstract: A hem monitoring system for a textile finishing device having one or more sewing heads positioned along a predetermined path for finishing the hem on a textile product in a high speed manner. The monitoring system includes a camera, a monitor, and means for controlling the camera such that an image of the hem is captured and displayed on the monitor so as to inspect the quality of the hem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Phoenix Automation
    Inventors: Parks C. Stewart, Robert A. Trobaugh, III
  • Patent number: 6136120
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for sealing a corner of a fabric article. The invention includes a conveyor for maneuvering the fabric article along a predetermined path and has an air gun positioned adjacent to the path. The air gun has maneuvering means for motion about the path. The air gun blows air onto the corner of the fabric article as the article is maneuvered along the path adjacent to the air gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Phoenix Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Parks C. Stewart, Robert A. Trobaugh, III
  • Patent number: 6058863
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a pillow sham from a sheet of material. The apparatus includes one or more hemmers positioned on a predetermined path for hemming one or more lateral edges of the sheet, a tri-fold assembly positioned on the predetermined path such that the sheet is folded into a front panel, a first back panel, and a second back panel, and one or more sewing assemblies positioned on the predetermined path such that the panels are sewn into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Phoenix Automation
    Inventors: Parks C. Stewart, Robert A. Trobaugh, III
  • Patent number: 5928462
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for sealing a corner of a fabric article. The invention includes a conveyor for maneuvering the fabric article along a predetermined path and has an air gun positioned adjacent to the path. The air gun has maneuvering means for motion about the path. The air gun blows air onto the corner of the fabric article as the article is maneuvered along the path adjacent to the air gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Phoenix Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Parks C. Stewart, Robert A. Trobaugh, III
  • Patent number: 5685248
    Abstract: A device to remove any bias in the position of a cut line on a continuous strip of cloth. The device has at least two detecting devices located along a predetermined path to detect the position of the cut line and a straightening bar to tilt the continuous strip to compensate for the bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Phoenix Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Parks C. Stewart, Robert A. Trobaugh, III
  • Patent number: 5669320
    Abstract: An adjustable template for maneuvering a textile product. The template includes a template base with several template shoes movably mounted along the sides of the base. The position of the template shoes with respect to the template base is adjusted in response to the detection of the length and the width of the textile product such that when the template is positioned on the product, each template shoe is positioned at a predetermined distance from a lateral edge of the textile product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Phoenix Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Parks C. Stewart, Robert A. Trobaugh, III
  • Patent number: 5619942
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a textile product from a continuous strip of material having borders defining discrete panels. The apparatus pulls the strip along a pre-determined path. As the strip is advanced, the border of a panel is detected. Based upon the distance the panel is advanced after the detection of the border, the length of each panel is determined while the width of each panel is measured. Each panel is then cut from the strip and maneuvered along a calculated path for finishing based upon the determination of length and width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Phoenix Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Parks C. Stewart, Robert A. Trobaugh, III