Patents by Inventor Steven R. Foster

Steven R. Foster 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: 11778750
    Abstract: A stencil printer for printing an assembly material on an electronic substrate includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, the stencil having apertures formed therein, a support assembly coupled to the frame, the support assembly being configured to support the electronic substrate, a print head gantry coupled to the frame, and a print head assembly supported by the print head gantry in such a manner that the print head assembly is configured to traverse the stencil during print strokes. The stencil printer further comprises a verification system to determine whether an item placed within the stencil printer is properly installed within the stencil printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Patsy A. Mattero, Steven R. Foster
  • Publication number: 20230073170
    Abstract: A stencil printer for printing an assembly material on an electronic substrate includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, the stencil having apertures formed therein, a support assembly coupled to the frame, the support assembly being configured to support the electronic substrate, a print head gantry coupled to the frame, and a print head assembly supported by the print head gantry in such a manner that the print head assembly is configured to traverse the stencil during print strokes. The stencil printer further comprises a verification system to determine whether an item placed within the stencil printer is properly installed within the stencil printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Patsy A. Mattero, Steven R. Foster
  • Publication number: 20090301324
    Abstract: A stencil printer for printing material on a substrate includes a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, and a substrate support assembly coupled to the frame. The substrate support assembly is configured to support the substrate. A print head gantry is coupled to the frame. The print head gantry is configured to move with respect to the frame in one of an x-axis and a y-axis direction. A print head is coupled to the print head gantry. The print head is configured to print material on the substrate through the stencil. An imaging gantry is coupled to the frame and is disposed between the stencil and the substrate support assembly. The imaging gantry is configured to move with respect to the frame in x-axis and y-axis directions. An imaging system, which is coupled to the imaging gantry, is configured to capture images of at least one of the stencil and the substrate when supported by the substrate support assembly. A device is coupled to the imaging gantry and is configured to perform a secondary operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Perault, Steven R. Foster
  • Publication number: 20090255426
    Abstract: An apparatus for depositing viscous material on an electronic substrate includes a frame, a dispensing unit coupled to the frame, and a substrate support assembly coupled to the frame. The substrate support assembly includes a plurality of support elements, a table coupled to the frame. The table has a support surface to support at least one support element of the plurality of support elements, and a marking device coupled to the frame. The apparatus further includes an imaging system coupled to the frame. The imaging system is configured to capture images of the support surface of the table. A controller is coupled to at least the marking device and the imaging system, and configured to manipulate the marking device to mark the support surface of the table on predetermined positions and to manipulate the imaging system to verify whether the marks on the support surface of the table are accurate. Embodiments of the apparatus and related methods are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Dennis G. Doyle, Michael E. Donelan, Steven R. Foster, Joseph A. Perault
  • Publication number: 20090205569
    Abstract: An apparatus for depositing viscous material on an electronic substrate includes a frame, a unit coupled to the frame, the unit being configured to deposit material on the electronic substrate, and a substrate support assembly coupled to the frame. The substrate support assembly is configured to support the electronic substrate. The substrate support assembly includes a plurality of support elements, a table coupled to the frame, the table having a support surface to support at least one support element of the plurality of support elements, a placement head configured to releasably secure the at least one support element, and a transport device coupled to the frame and the placement head. The transport device is configured to move the placement head relative to the table in both X and Y directions to place the at least one support element on the support surface of the table in a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Perault, Steven R. Foster
  • Patent number: 6405840
    Abstract: A brake lining assembly for a wheel brake of a vehicle braking system includes a backing plate and a friction pad overlying the backing plate. An engagement panel is disposed between the backing plate and the friction pad for securing the friction pad to the backing plate. The engagement panel includes a plurality of engagement apertures to secure the friction material to the backing plate. The surface area of the panel is greater than the space defined by the engagement apertures. The panel thus forms a rigid frame for the friction pad, and provides structural support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Steven R. Foster, William D. Hays, Jr.