Patents by Inventor Travis Fritsche

Travis Fritsche 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).

  • End effectors for robotic units used to open and close vehicle doors
    Patent number: 12036664
    Abstract: An end effector is disclosed that is configured for connection to a robotic unit used to manipulate a door of a vehicle (e.g., during vehicle painting). The end effector includes a base plate; a sensor that is supported by the base plate; and a piston that is configured for engagement with the door. The piston is operatively connected to an interrupter such that movement (displacement) of the piston causes corresponding movement (displacement) of the interrupter between a first position, in which the interrupter is positioned in alignment with a signal transmitted across the sensor to interfere with the signal and thereby interrupt circuit completion, and a second position, in which the interrupter is out of alignment with the signal transmitted across the sensor to permit circuit completion and thereby inform the robotic unit that the door is present and engaged with the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Williamson, Gregory Michel, Travis Fritsche, David Calvert, Terry Cox
  • End Effectors for Robotic Units Used to Open and Close Vehicle Doors
    Publication number: 20210354312
    Abstract: An end effector is disclosed that is configured for connection to a robotic unit used to manipulate a door of a vehicle (e.g., during vehicle painting). The end effector includes a base plate; a sensor that is supported by the base plate; and a piston that is configured for engagement with the door. The piston is operatively connected to an interrupter such that movement (displacement) of the piston causes corresponding movement (displacement) of the interrupter between a first position, in which the interrupter is positioned in alignment with a signal transmitted across the sensor to interfere with the signal and thereby interrupt circuit completion, and a second position, in which the interrupter is out of alignment with the signal transmitted across the sensor to permit circuit completion and thereby inform the robotic unit that the door is present and engaged with the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Williamson, Gregory Michel, Travis Fritsche, David Calvert, Terry Cox