Patents by Inventor William Maybee

William Maybee 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: 10807801
    Abstract: An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor engaged with a lifting mechanism on the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Comau LLC
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, William Maybee, Michael R. Dugas, Michael L. Gentile, Matthew P. Sosnowski, Lei Zhou, Freddie Tappo, Jeffrey W. Mason, Neil G. Greig
  • Publication number: 20190329981
    Abstract: An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor engaged with a lifting mechanism on the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, William Maybee, Michael R. Dugas, Michael L. Gentile, Matthew P. Sosnowski, Lei Zhou, Freddie Tappo, Jeffrey W. Mason, Neil G. Greig
  • Patent number: 10384873
    Abstract: An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor mounted engaged with a lifting mechanism onboard the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Comau LLC
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, William Maybee, Michael R. Dugas, Michael L. Gentile, Matthew P. Sosnowski, Lei Zhou, Freddie Tappo, Jeffrey W. Mason, Neil G. Greig
  • Patent number: 9962758
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for continuous fastener feeding for sequentially delivering single fasteners to a fastener installation device are disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a first fastener reel for supporting a first fastener tape securing a plurality of fasteners and a second fastener reel for supporting a second fastener tape for securing a plurality of fasteners. A fastener tape joining device positioned downstream of the first and second fastener reels receives the respective first and the second fastener tapes and selectively engage the first and second fastener tapes when one of the fastener tapes becomes depleted of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Comau LLC
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, William Maybee
  • Publication number: 20170355013
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for continuous fastener feeding for sequentially delivering single fasteners to a fastener installation device are disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a first fastener reel for supporting a first fastener tape securing a plurality of fasteners and a second fastener reel for supporting a second fastener tape for securing a plurality of fasteners. A fastener tape joining device positioned downstream of the first and second fastener reels receives the respective first and the second fastener tapes and selectively engage the first and second fastener tapes when one of the fastener tapes becomes depleted of fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, William Maybee
  • Publication number: 20170320669
    Abstract: An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor mounted engaged with a lifting mechanism onboard the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, William Maybee, Michael R. Dugas, Michael L. Gentile, Matthew P. Sosnowski, Lei Zhou, Freddie Tappo, Jeffrey W. Mason, Neil G. Greig
  • Patent number: 9808857
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for continuous fastener feeding for sequentially delivering single fasteners to a fastener installation device are disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a first fastener reel for supporting a first fastener tape securing a plurality of fasteners and a second fastener reel for supporting a second fastener tape for securing a plurality of fasteners. A fastener tape joining device positioned downstream of the first and second fastener reels receives the respective first and the second fastener tapes and selectively engage the first and second fastener tapes when one of the fastener tapes becomes depleted of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Comau LLC
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, William Maybee
  • Publication number: 20140217227
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for continuous fastener feeding for sequentially delivering single fasteners to a fastener installation device are disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a first fastener reel for supporting a first fastener tape securing a plurality of fasteners and a second fastener reel for supporting a second fastener tape for securing a plurality of fasteners. A fastener tape joining device positioned downstream of the first and second fastener reels receives the respective first and the second fastener tapes and selectively engage the first and second fastener tapes when one of the fastener tapes becomes depleted of fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, William Maybee
  • Publication number: 20060289414
    Abstract: A motor vehicle car body framing apparatus for use at a welding station, the apparatus including a gate having a frame structure and a plurality of tooling members carried by the frame structure for use in positioning components of the vehicle body at the welding station for welding. The tooling members are mounted on the frame structure by a plurality of mounting brackets. Each mounting bracket includes a base member mounted on the frame structure and a riser mounted on the base and mounting a respective tooling member. The riser is fixedly mounted on the base by a single central fastener bolt which may include a reduced diameter portion sized to breakaway in response to predetermined impact against the riser. The interface between the riser and the base comprises a plurality of contact points arranged in concentric relation with respect to the fastener bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Progressive Tool & Industries, Co.
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, Michael Dugas, William Maybee, Hans Nikesch