Patents by Inventor Robert B. Patterson

Robert B. Patterson 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: 9931703
    Abstract: A starting hole for milling in a surface of a workpiece by a CNC milling machine with a milling cutter mounted to a rotating spindle is created by milling a first hole at a first diameter to a first depth into the workpiece along the axis of the starting hole; and then successively milling a second hole at a second diameter to a second depth into the workpiece along the axis of the starting hole, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. One or more additional holes may be successively milled to additional depths at successively smaller diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TRUEMILL, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Diehl, Robert B. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20160107246
    Abstract: A starting hole for milling in a surface of a workpiece by a CNC milling machine with a milling cutter mounted to a rotating spindle is created by milling a first hole at a first diameter to a first depth into the workpiece along the axis of the starting hole; and then successively milling a second hole at a second diameter to a second depth into the workpiece along the axis of the starting hole, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. One or more additional holes may be successively milled to additional depths at successively smaller diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Alan DIEHL, Robert B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 9317030
    Abstract: A method of generating control code for a CNC machine is described. The method includes the steps of: (1) generating in a computer a first plurality of coordinate values, xi, yi, zi, said first plurality of coordinate values representing a plurality of first connected line segments which surround a vertical axis, said first connected line segments gradually descending to a first predetermined depth, (2) generating in a computer a second plurality of coordinate values xj, yj, zj, said second coordinate values representing a plurality of second connected line segments which surround the vertical axis, said plurality of second connected line segments having a starting point at approximately the first predetermined depth, and gradually descending to a second predetermined depth greater than the first depth, and (3) converting the first and the second coordinate values to a code for controlling the CNC machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: TRUEMILL, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Diehl, Robert B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8694149
    Abstract: A method for generating a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece is disclosed. The region has a first side meeting at its respective ends a first end of each of a second side and a third side. The method includes the steps of: (1) determining, using a computer, a radius of curvature and a center of each of a succession of circularly shaped tool passes, each successive tool pass advancing into the region from the first side of the region, wherein the radius of curvature and the center of each advancing tool pass is determined such that an engagement of the cutter following the tool path does not exceed a predetermined value of cutter engagement, and (2) generating instructions for controlling the milling cutter to mill the region in accordance with the generated tool path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Truemill, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Diehl, Robert B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8560113
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece having first, second and third sides. The method includes: generating a first arc having a corresponding in-process material boundary intersecting the first side and which is tangent to the second side and to the third side; generating a succession of one or more second arcs, having a corresponding in-process material boundary which intersects the first side, is parallel to the first arc, and progresses by a corresponding first predetermined value from the first arc toward the first side until the in-process material boundary corresponding to one of the second arcs has a maximum distance from the first side less than the first predetermined value; and thereafter generating a succession of transition passes connecting each one of the second arcs end to end with the first arc to form the tool path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Truemill, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Diehl, Robert B. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20110251715
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece having first, second and third sides. The method includes: generating a first arc having a corresponding in-process material boundary intersecting the first side and which is tangent to the second side and to the third side; generating a succession of one or more second arcs, having a corresponding in-process material boundary which intersects the first side, is parallel to the first arc, and progresses by a corresponding first predetermined value from the first arc toward the first side until the in-process material boundary corresponding to one of the second arcs has a maximum distance from the first side less than the first predetermined value; and thereafter generating a succession of transition passes connecting each one of the second arcs end to end with the first arc to form the tool path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: SURFWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Alan DIEHL, Robert B. PATTERSON
  • Patent number: 8000834
    Abstract: A method using a computer for generating a spiral-like tool path for milling a region of a workpiece is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: creating a family of concentric indexed circular arcs at each of two or more separate and distinct selected points within the region; determining parameters of a first set of blends to connect together the circular arcs of adjacent families of the circular arcs having an identical index to form a plurality of isoloops; determining parameters of a second set of blends for blending between adjacent isoloops to form the spiral-like tool path, and generating instructions for controlling the milling cutter in accordance with the generated tool path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Surfware, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Diehl, Robert B. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20110178629
    Abstract: A method for generating a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece is disclosed. The region has a first side meeting at its respective ends a first end of each of a second side and a third side. The method includes the steps of: (1) determining, using a computer, a radius of curvature and a center of each of a succession of circularly shaped tool passes, each successive tool pass advancing into the region from the first side of the region, wherein the radius of curvature and the center of each advancing tool pass is determined such that an engagement of the cutter following the tool path does not exceed a predetermined value of cutter engagement, and (2) generating instructions for controlling the milling cutter to mill the region in accordance with the generated tool path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: SURFWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Alan DIEHL, Robert B. PATTERSON
  • Publication number: 20110150592
    Abstract: A method of generating control code for a CNC machine is described. The method includes the steps of: (1) generating in a computer a first plurality of coordinate values, xi, yi, zi, said first plurality of coordinate values representing a plurality of first connected line segments which surround a vertical axis, said first connected line segments gradually descending to a first predetermined depth, (2) generating in a computer a second plurality of coordinate values xj, yj, zj, said second coordinate values representing a plurality of second connected line segments which surround the vertical axis, said plurality of second connected line segments having a starting point at approximately the first predetermined depth, and gradually descending to a second predetermined depth greater than the first depth, and (3) converting the first and the second coordinate values to a code for controlling the CNC machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SURFWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Alan DIEHL, Robert B. PATTERSON
  • Publication number: 20100191359
    Abstract: A method using a computer for generating a spiral-like tool path for milling a region of a workpiece is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: creating a family of concentric indexed circular arcs at each of two or more separate and distinct selected points within the region; determining parameters of a first set of blends to connect together the circular arcs of adjacent families of the circular arcs having an identical index to form a plurality of isoloops; determining parameters of a second set of blends for blending between adjacent isoloops to form the spiral-like tool path, and generating instructions for controlling the milling cutter in accordance with the generated tool path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: SURFWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Alan DIEHL, Robert B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7577490
    Abstract: A method for generating, by a direct process, a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece by a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path consists of one or more passes. The method includes the steps of storing a maximum engagement of the milling cutter and defining each one of the one or more passes such that a value of the engagement, when traversing each one of the one or more passes, does not exceed the maximum value of engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Surfware, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Diehl, Robert B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7451013
    Abstract: A method for generating, by a direct process, a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece by a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path consists of one or more passes. The method includes the steps of storing a maximum engagement of the milling cutter and defining each one of the one or more passes such that a value of the engagement, when traversing each one of the one or more passes, does not exceed the maximum value of engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Surfware, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Coleman, Alan Diehl, Robert B. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20080269943
    Abstract: A method for generating a tool path for machining a pocket with a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path includes a first portion, a second portion and a transition portion connecting together the first portion and the second portion. The method includes the steps of: determining a radius of a first arc; determining a radius of a second arc; situating the first arc so as to connect the first portion to the second portion in a tangent continuous manner; situating a third arc so as to be tangent continuous the first arc and intersecting the first arc; and situating a fourth arc, so as to be: (1) tangent continuous with the third arc, (2) tangent to the second arc and (3) tangent continuous with either the first portion or the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SURFWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Diehl, Robert B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 6282716
    Abstract: A roll of perforated, disposable bibs are provided, where a plurality of individual bib elements are linearly aligned in a perforated fashion. Each bib element includes a convex upper indentation protruding inward into the main planar surface at the upper boundary of the bib which mates with a concave lower protrusion extending downward from the main planar surface at a lower boundary of an adjacent bib. The concave lower protrusion functions also as a lap protective element, and the convex upper indentation aids in the formation of a neck slot perforation placed near, but slightly below the uppermost edge, and formed in a symmetric, curvilinear manner, having an upward arching lowermost point that smoothly transitions to horizontal at each end of the bib in a manner similar to the convex upper indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: Melanie S. Patterson, Robert B. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20010014980
    Abstract: Infant bibs are provided as disposable paper bib for use in a rolled dispensing manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Melanie Patterson, Robert B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 6151716
    Abstract: A roll of perforated, disposable bibs are provided, where a plurality of individual bib elements are linearly aligned in a perforated fashion. Each bib element includes a convex upper indentation protruding inward into the main planar surface at the upper boundary of the bib which mates with a concave lower protrusion extending downward from the main planar surface at a lower boundary of an adjacent bib. The concave lower protrusion functions also as a lap protective element, and the convex upper indentation aids in the formation of a neck slot perforation placed near, but slightly below the uppermost edge, and formed in a symmetric, curvilinear manner, having an upward arching lowermost point that smoothly transitions to horizontal at each end of the bib in a manner similar to the convex upper indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventors: Melanie S. Patterson, Robert B. Patterson