Patents by Inventor Steven J. Sprotberry

Steven J. Sprotberry 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: 20020178776
    Abstract: A composite stripper for use in conjunction with an apparatus for joining multiple pieces of sheet metal or other sheet material is disclosed. The composite stripper is an elongated cylindrical member having a compliant distal engagement portion which is compressible to clamp sheet materials tightly together and a relatively hard proximate portion to provide an adequate interface between the punch assembly and the material to be joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Edwin G. Sawdon, Steven J. Sprotberry
  • Patent number: 6430795
    Abstract: A composite stripper for use in conjunction with an apparatus for joining multiple pieces of sheet metal or other sheet material is disclosed. The composite stripper is an elongated cylindrical member having a compliant midsection which is compressible to clamp sheet materials tightly together and a pair of relatively hard end portions and to provide an adequate interface between the punch assembly and the material to be joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: BTM Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin G. Sawdon, Steven J. Sprotberry
  • Patent number: 6059277
    Abstract: A retracting power clamp includes a body having a generally cylindrical external surface. A clamping arm is movable from a retracted position to a clamping position with the arm being linearly extendable and pivotable relative to the body when moved between the retracted and clamping positions. Another aspect of the present invention utilizes a spring biased plunger for selectively engaging a detent in the sleeve to encourage the sleeve and arm to remain in a fully retracted position if fluid pressure is lost. A further aspect of the present invention provides various mount configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: BTM Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin G. Sawdon, Steven J. Sprotberry
  • Patent number: 5938259
    Abstract: A universal gripper has a movable arm locked in a gripping position by abutting against a movable blocking member. A pair of pivoting arms are maintained in their gripping positions by a blocking member being linearly slid between ends of the arms. Varying movable arm configurations can be easily interchanged with each other and mounted to a body by way of a single fixed pivot pin. The opening angle of a gripper arm can be mechanically limited to various positions by selective positioning of an adjustment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: BTM Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin G Sawdon, Dean J. Kruger, Steven J. Sprotberry
  • Patent number: 5853211
    Abstract: A universal gripper has a movable arm locked in a gripping position by abutting against a movable blocking member. A pair of pivoting arms are maintained in their gripping positions by a blocking member being linearly slid between ends of the arms. Varying movable arm configurations can be easily interchanged with each other and mounted to a body by way of a single fixed pivot pin. The opening angle of a gripper arm can be mechanically limited to various positions by selective positioning of an adjustment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: BTM Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin G. Sawdon, Dean J. Kruger, Steven J. Sprotberry