Patents by Inventor Timothy L. Hoopman
Timothy L. Hoopman 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).
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Patent number: 8201865Abstract: A pipe gripper device including first and second gripper bodies and a clevis assembly. The gripper bodies each have a head and an arm. The head forms a slot. The arm defines a grip segment proximate a leading end and forms a textured exterior surface. The arms are pivotably coupled and slidably contact one another along corresponding interiors. The clevis assembly includes a clevis mounted to the heads by a pin passing through the respective slots. The gripper device is transitionable between a contracted state and an expanded state by pivoting of the gripper bodies at the corresponding pivot points, with the pin sliding within the slots to define a limit of the expanded state. In the contracted state, the grip segments are readily inserted into a pipe; upon transitioning toward the expanded state, the grip segments engage the pipe interior for application of a pulling force.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Inventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
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Publication number: 20100202837Abstract: A pipe gripper device including first and second gripper bodies and a clevis assembly. The gripper bodies each have a head and an arm. The head forms a slot. The arm defines a grip segment proximate a leading end and forms a textured exterior surface. The arms are pivotably coupled and slidably contact one another along corresponding interiors. The clevis assembly includes a clevis mounted to the heads by a pin passing through the respective slots. The gripper device is transitionable between a contracted state and an expanded state by pivoting of the gripper bodies at the corresponding pivot points, with the pin sliding within the slots to define a limit of the expanded state. In the contracted state, the grip segments are readily inserted into a pipe; upon transitioning toward the expanded state, the grip segments engage the pipe interior for application of a pulling force.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
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Patent number: 7510462Abstract: In one embodiment, a cutting tool assembly used for creating grooves in a microreplication tool is described. The cutting tool assembly includes a mounting structure and multiple diamonds mounted in the mounting structure. For example, first and second tool shanks having first and second diamond tips can be positioned in the mounting structure such that a cutting location of a diamond cutting tip of the first tool shank is a defined distance from a cutting location of a diamond cutting tip of the second tool shank. The defined distance may correspond to an integer number of pitch spacings, and may be accurate to within a tolerance of less than approximately 10 microns.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William J. Bryan, Nelson D. Sewall, Jeffrey E. Clements, Greg E. Schrank, Jennifer L. Trice, Timothy L. Hoopman, Charles N. DeVore
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Patent number: 7166140Abstract: A baffle is disclosed which comprises a plurality of substantially S-shaped baffle members and a frame configured to hold the baffle members substantially parallel to each other. The baffle is configured to separate one or more entrained substances from an air stream.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Phillips Plastics CorporationInventors: Majid Entezarian, James R. Johnson, Timothy L. Hoopman, Charles S. Brunner, Christopher T. Zirps
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Patent number: 6959575Abstract: A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern includes grooves of at least two different configurations. The apparatus includes a knurl wheel holder that allows angular rotation of the knurl wheel about the holder longitudinal axis while maintaining the knurl wheel point of contact on the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a knurling wheel that includes teeth of at least two different configurations. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
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Patent number: 6581286Abstract: An optical film having structures that vary in height along their length where the variations have a nominal period of less than forty times the nominal height of the structures is taught. In some embodiments of the invention the variation is random.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Alan B. Campbell, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Wade D. Kretman, Marvin J. Niezgocki, Timothy L. Hoopman
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Publication number: 20020057564Abstract: An optical film having structures that vary in height along their length where the variations have a nominal period of less than forty times the nominal height of the structures is taught. In some embodiments of the invention the variation is random.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2002Publication date: May 16, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Alan B. Campbell, Sanford Cobb, Wade D. Kretman, Marvin J. Niezgocki, Timothy L. Hoopman
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Patent number: 6386079Abstract: A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern includes grooves of at least two different configurations. The apparatus includes a knurl wheel holder that allows angular rotation of the knurl wheel about the holder longitudinal axis while maintaining the knurl wheel point of contact on the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a knurling wheel that includes teeth of at least two different configurations. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
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Patent number: 6354709Abstract: An optical film having structures that vary in height along their length where the variations have a nominal period of less than forty times the nominal height of the structures is taught. In some embodiments of the invention the variation is random.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Alan B. Campbell, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Wade D. Kretman, Marvin J. Niezgocki, Timothy L. Hoopman
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Publication number: 20020028264Abstract: The present invention provides master and production tools and method for making these tools. The master tool includes a plurality of three-dimensional shapes upraised from a major surface of the master tool. Each of the shapes is defined by a distinct and discernible boundary including specific dimensions, wherein not all said three-dimensional shapes are identical. The master tool of the present invention can be used to form a production tool containing a plurality of three-dimensional-shaped cavities. The production tool can be used in the manufacture of abrasive articles to shape an abrasive slurry into an array of three-dimensional shaped abrasive composites.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy L. Hoopman, Nelson D. Sewall
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Publication number: 20020009514Abstract: The present invention provides master and production tools and method for making these tools. The master tool includes a plurality of three-dimensional shapes upraised from a major surface of the master tool. Each of the shapes is defined by a distinct and discernible boundary including specific dimensions, wherein not all said three-dimensional shapes are identical. The master tool of the present invention can be used to form a production tool containing a plurality of three-dimensional-shaped cavities. The production tool can be used in the manufacture of abrasive articles to shape an abrasive slurry into an array of three-dimensional shaped abrasive composites.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2000Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Timothy L. Hoopman, Nelson D. Sewall
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Publication number: 20010029770Abstract: A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern includes grooves of at least two different configurations. The apparatus includes a knurl wheel holder that allows angular rotation of the knurl wheel about the holder longitudinal axis while maintaining the knurl wheel point of contact on the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a knurling wheel that includes teeth of at least two different configurations. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
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Publication number: 20010023629Abstract: A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern includes grooves of at least two different configurations. The apparatus includes a knurl wheel holder that allows angular rotation of the knurl wheel about the holder longitudinal axis while maintaining the knurl wheel point of contact on the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a knurling wheel that includes teeth of at least two different configurations. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: September 27, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
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Patent number: 6238611Abstract: A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern includes grooves of at least two different configurations. The apparatus includes a knurl wheel holder that allows angular rotation of the knurl wheel about the holder longitudinal axis while maintaining the knurl wheel point of contact on the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a knurling wheel that includes teeth of at least two different configurations. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
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Patent number: 6129540Abstract: An abrasive article is provided having a sheet-like structure having a major surface having deployed in fixed position thereon a plurality of abrasive three-dimensional abrasive composites, each of the composites comprising abrasive particles dispersed in a binder and having a precise shape defined by a distinct and discernible boundary which includes specific dimensions, wherein the precise shapes are not all identical.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Timothy L. Hoopman, Nelson D. Sewall
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Patent number: 6076248Abstract: The present invention provides a master tool and method for making a master tool. The master tool includes a plurality of precise three-dimensional shapes upraised from the surface of the master tool. Each of the precise shapes is defined by a distinct and discernible boundary including specific dimensions, wherein not all said three-dimensional shapes are identical. The master tool of the present invention can be used to form a production tool containing a plurality of precise three-dimensional-shaped cavities. The production tool can be used in the manufacture of abrasive articles to shape an abrasive slurry into an array of precise three dimensional-shaped abrasive composites.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1999Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy L. Hoopman, Nelson D. Sewall
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Patent number: 5975987Abstract: A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern has an oblique helix angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical workpiece. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy L. Hoopman, Stanley B. Collins, James A. Servatius
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Patent number: 5946991Abstract: A method and apparatus for knurling a workpiece in which the knurl pattern includes grooves of at least two different configurations. The apparatus includes a knurl wheel holder that allows angular rotation of the knurl wheel about the holder longitudinal axis while maintaining the knurl wheel point of contact on the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also a knurling wheel that includes teeth of at least two different configurations. Also disclosed is a method of molding a molded article with the knurled workpiece to impart the inverse of the knurl pattern onto the molded article, such a molded article, a method of forming a structured abrasive article with the molded article, and such an abrasive article.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Timothy L. Hoopman
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Patent number: 5681217Abstract: An abrasive article having sheet-like structure including a major surface extending within an imaginary plane with a plurality of individual three-dimensional abrasive composites deployed in fixed positions thereto in an array, each of the composites has abrasive particles dispersed in a binder and has a substantially precise shape and a distal end, where another imaginary plane extends parallel to and is spaced from the first imaginary plane and intersects the lowest distal end among the composites, wherein any imaginary line drawn within the latter-mentioned imaginary plane in the direction(s) of intended use intersect at least one cross-section among the abrasive composites in the array. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing such an abrasive article and its usage to refine a work surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1996Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Timothy L. Hoopman, Scott R. Culler
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Patent number: 5672097Abstract: An abrasive article is provided having a sheet-like structure having a major surface having deployed in fixed position thereon a plurality of abrasive three-dimensional abrasive composites, each of the composites comprising abrasive particles dispersed in a binder and having a precise shape defined by a distinct and discernible boundary which includes specific dimensions, wherein the precise shapes are not all identical.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1995Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Timothy L. Hoopman