Patents Issued in February 25, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160052087
    Abstract: A method for operating an additive manufacturing apparatus, the method comprises directing a first energy beam along a surface contour vector in a build plane. A second energy beam is directed along a plurality of substantially parallel hatch vectors disposed in the build plane inward of the surface contour vector. A sum of the surface contour vector and the plurality of hatch vectors define a processed powder region in the build plane. A third energy beam is directed along an offset contour vector in the build plane. The offset contour vector includes a plurality of unprocessed powder regions in the build plane between the surface contour vector and the plurality of hatch vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher F. O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20160052088
    Abstract: A laser processing device forms a modified region in an object to be processed by converging ultrashort pulse laser light at the object and comprises a laser light source emitting the laser light, a converging optical system converging the laser light emitted from the laser light source at the object, and an aberration providing part imparting an aberration to the laser light converged at the object by the converging optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Daisuke KAWAGUCHI, Makoto NAKANO, Ryota SUGIO, Tsubasa HIROSE, Keisuke ARAKI
  • Publication number: 20160052089
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include a substrate that may include an aluminum-nickel alloy and at least one surface and a coating that may include a metallic material deposited over the at least one surface via laser cladding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Julien P. Mourou, James E. Osbourn, Brian J. Parent
  • Publication number: 20160052090
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a substrate, the method includes a crack forming process of forming a crack along an interface between a first portion of a processing object and a second portion of the processing object, the crack-forming process forming the crack in a manner that an ultrashort-pulse laser light is irradiated so that a focus point thereof is positioned at the interface or in a vicinity thereof, and a separating process of separating the processing object at the crack, wherein an impurity concentration of the first portion and an impurity concentration of the second portion are different from each other or material of the first portion and material of the second portion are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya TANIGAWA
  • Publication number: 20160052091
    Abstract: A welding laser beam (L1) is radiated along welding loci (C11, C12) set in workpieces (W1, W2), or an inspection laser beam (L5) is radiated along scanning loci (C51, C52) set in a molten pool (Y1) of the workpieces that are molten by radiation of the welding laser beam, a returned light beam (L2) including reflection light from the molten pool, vapor light caused due to melting and evaporation of the workpieces, and thermal radiation light emitted from the molten pool is received, and a welding state of a welded portion of the workpieces is inspected based on an intensity of a returned light beam received in a first region inside the molten pool which is relatively close to a given point and an intensity of a returned light beam received in a second region inside the molten pool which is relatively spaced from the given point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke UCHIDA, Masashi FURUKAWA, Hiroomi KOBAYASHI, Atsushi KAWAKITA, Shuhei OGURA, Hiroaki KISHI, Eiji AKAMATSU, Yuta IWAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160052092
    Abstract: An aqueous aluminum brazing composition contains, as a binder resin, a water-soluble/dispersible polyurethane resin that exhibits a residual ratio of 60% by mass or less in a 400° C. heating environment and exhibits a residual ratio of 1.0% by mass or less in a 520° C. heating environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: HARIMA CHEMICALS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yasuo OTA, JinYu PIAO
  • Publication number: 20160052093
    Abstract: A welding assembly includes a tip dress unit for dressing an electrode tip and a tip cleaning unit having a brush rotating during a cleaning operation. The tip cleaning unit is used to clean the electrode tip prior to the electrode tip being moved to the tip dress unit. The brush may be a wire brush. The brush may clean multiple electrode tips simultaneously. The brush may remove debris, such as sealer, oil, or particles from the electrode tip. The tip cleaning unit may include a shield at least partially surrounding the brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sonya Wickens, Thomas VanderEyken
  • Publication number: 20160052094
    Abstract: A method for metallizing a vertically aligned carbon nanotube array includes coupling a support structure to an actuator, the support structure supporting a vertically aligned carbon nanotube array, and vibrating the support structure with the actuator. The method can also include the step of fixedly positioning the actuator between a first member and a second member. The vibration can be consistent or it can vary in amplitude and/or frequency over time. The step of fixedly positioning can include the first member having a first mass and the second member having a second mass that is different or less than the first mass. The actuator can include a piezoelectric element. A metalizing assembly for intercalating a vertically aligned carbon nanotube array with a metal includes a first member, a support structure, a second member and an actuator. The support structure is coupled to the first member. The support structure supports the vertically aligned carbon nanotube array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher J. Fleming, Sridhar Lahankar, Tyler Anderson
  • Publication number: 20160052095
    Abstract: An assembly for installing a covering over an air intake opening in engagement with a surrounding perimeter extending face. A plurality of elongated supports attached to the perimeter extending face at locations around the intake opening, each of the supports exhibiting a forwardly projecting support surface within which is configured a slot. A plurality of fasteners install through an accessible end location of each support such that a base of each fastener is retained within and traversable along an interior channel defined in said support, a projecting portion of each fastener extending from said base and through said slot. A rigid mesh exhibits a generally rectangular outline which generally matches the arrangement of the elongated supports, an aperture pattern defined in the mesh permitting the projecting portions of the fasteners to extend through the mesh to retain the mesh over the forwardly projecting support surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Randy Simmons
  • Publication number: 20160052096
    Abstract: A positioning device capable of increasing the amount of diametrical expansion of an engagement member to be engaged in a cylindrical hole in a workpiece, and capable of performing positioning while not exerting any force on the workpiece in the downward direction positions a cylindrical hole (Ha) in a workpiece (W) in a first direction while permitting shifting thereof in a second direction, the device comprising: the insertion shaft member; a hydraulic cylinder for driving the insertion shaft member; a pair of engagement members; a taper engagement mechanism for shifting the engagement members to increase their diameter; and a movement permitting holding mechanism that, along with supporting the engagement members, so that they cannot shift in the first direction but are capable of shifting in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki KAWAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20160052097
    Abstract: A block piece for holding an optical lens to be machined, with a coupling part for being held in a workpiece chuck and with a holding part for fastening the lens. The holding part has a convex or concave holding surface corresponding to a first side of the lens. The holding surface is, according to the shape of the lens to be held, provided in the form of a negative free-forming surface, and the block piece is made from a plastic that can be machined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Schneider GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunter SCHNEIDER, Helwig BUCHENAUER, Ulf BOERNER, Klaus KRAEMER
  • Publication number: 20160052098
    Abstract: A tool unit applied to ultrasonic machining, includes an amplitude transformer, a machining head and a connecting portion. The machining head has a micron-sized array structure. With the connecting portion, the amplitude transformer and the machining head are assembled together and the connecting portion has a change in shape. The machining head includes a substrate and at least one diamond layer. An upper surface of substrate touches the amplitude transformer or the connecting portion. And the diamond layer is disposed on an lower surface of substrate. The material of the substrate is selected from a group of a steel material with thermal expansion coefficient ranged from 10.70×10?6K?1 to 17.30×10?6K?1 , tungsten carbide and combination thereof. The material of the diamond layer is selected from a group of a diamond material with thermal expansion coefficient ranged from 1.00×10?6K?1 to 2.50×10?6K?1, a polycrystalline diamond, a diamond sintered body and combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Chen-Chia Chou
  • Publication number: 20160052099
    Abstract: A multi-layer polycrystalline superabrasive PCD or PCBN blank for attachment to a working tool is disclosed. The blank comprises an abrasive layer of PCD or PCBN and a substrate layer of cobalt containing cemented tungsten carbide. In between the abrasive and substrate layers is a metal mesh stabilizer layer sintered by HPHT to the abrasive and substrate layers. The apertures of the mesh layer contain PCD or PCBN which, along with the mesh are sintered to the support and substrate layers and cobalt present in the substrate layer is infiltrated through the mesh layer into the abrasive layer as a binder. The metal mesh layer provides stability to the abrasive and substrate layers which have different stress and thermal expansion properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Hyun Sam Cho
  • Publication number: 20160052100
    Abstract: A method of processing a crowned portion of a roller includes disposing first and second feed drums so as to extend parallel to each other, each of the first and second feed drums having an outer periphery formed with respective spirally extending threaded guide surfaces, the first and second feed drums being driven to rotate to transport the roller from a first location towards a second location through between the first and second feed drums, and successively processing the crowned portion of the roller, by means of a through feed processing with the use of a grinding stone. The threaded guide surface of one of the first and second feed drums is formed so that an angle of inclination of an outer peripheral surface of the roller relative to a processing surface of the grinding stone is varied in dependence on a roller passing position of the feed drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi FUJIMOTO, Satoshi Sugitatsu, Masashi Kitai
  • Publication number: 20160052101
    Abstract: A lens holding tool includes a head portion and a pin that supports the head portion rotatably. The pin includes: a shaft portion having an exhaust outlet therein; a protruding portion that protrudes outwardly from the shaft portion; a sealing member disposed on the protruding portion; and a supporting portion that has a partially spherical shape and is disposed on a leading end of the shaft portion. The head portion includes: a workpiece receiving portion that holds a workpiece; an internal space that accommodates the protruding portion; an opening that has a diameter larger than a diameter of the shaft portion and smaller than an outer diameter of the protruding portion, the internal space communicating with an outside of the head portion through the opening; a suction hole through which the internal space communicates with the workpiece receiving portion; and an end receiving portion on which the supporting portion abuts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Motosuke MISAKA
  • Publication number: 20160052102
    Abstract: A pad for supporting an abrasive disc by being fixed with the abrasive disc to a shaft of a grinder, the pad including a supporting surface opposing the abrasive disc. In a radial direction, an outer edge of the supporting surface is located inward of an outer edge of the abrasive disc. The supporting surface includes a taper portion inclined away from the abrasive disc as it approaches the outer edge of the supporting surface. The abrasive disc is not fixed to the taper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Tsukio Sato
  • Publication number: 20160052103
    Abstract: The polishing pad is for planarizing at least one of semiconductor, optical and magnetic substrates. The polishing pad includes a cast polyurethane polymeric material formed from a prepolymer reaction of H12MDI/TDI with polytetramethylene ether glycol to form an isocyanate-terminated reaction product. The isocyanate-terminated reaction product has 8.95 to 9.25 weight percent unreacted NCO and has an NH2 to NCO stoichiometric ratio of 102 to 109 percent. The isocyanate-terminated reaction product is cured with a 4,4?-methylenebis(2-chlororaniline) curative agent. The cast polyurethane polymeric material, as measured in a non-porous state, having a shear storage modulus, G? of 250 to 350 MPa as measured with a torsion fixture at 30° C. and 40° C. and a shear loss modulus, G? of 25 to 30 MPa as measured with a torsion fixture at 40° C. The polishing pad having a porosity of 20 to 50 percent by volume and a density of 0.60 to 0.95 g/cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Bainian Qian, Raymond L. Lavoie, JR., Marty W. DeGroot, Benson Lee
  • Publication number: 20160052104
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus in which a liquid containing a slurry hardly enters into a gap between a top ring body and a retainer ring during polishing, and the slurry can be discharged by cleaning even if the liquid containing the slurry enters into the gap, and slurry particles can be prevented from being attached to a surface of a substrate (wafer) when the substrate (wafer) is released is disclosed. The polishing apparatus includes a top ring having a top ring body and a retainer ring provided at an outer circumferential portion of the top ring body, and configured to hold a substrate to be polished and to press the substrate against the polishing surface, and a cleaning mechanism provided at a substrate transfer position for transferring the substrate to the top ring or receiving the substrate from the top ring, and having a cleaning nozzle configured to eject a cleaning liquid toward the top ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Tomoatsu ISHIBASHI
  • Publication number: 20160052105
    Abstract: An auxiliary equipment for valve grinding is provided, including a main body, a driving shaft, a first linkage, a second linkage, a third linkage and a driven shaft. The driving shaft defines a first axial direction. The driving shaft is for connecting to a rotating tool. One end of the first linkage is connected to the driving shaft. The second linkage and the other end of the first linkage are connected to a first movable connecting portion. One end of the third linkage and the second linkage are connected to a second movable connecting portion. The driven shaft defines a second axial direction. When the first linkage rotates together with the driving shaft, the first movable connecting portion rotates about the first axial direction, the second linkage swings about the first movable connecting portion, and the second movable connecting portion swings about the second axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Jun-Fan CHEN
  • Publication number: 20160052106
    Abstract: Nonwoven abrasive articles comprise a nonwoven abrasive member having an overlayer composition comprising a fatty acid metal salt disposed thereon adjacent to a working surface. The nonwoven abrasive member comprises abrasive particles adhered to a fiber web by a binder. The abrasive particles may be exposed and/or the nonwoven abrasive member may have suitable frictional properties. Methods of making the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Edward J. Woo, Nataliya V. Fedorova, Jaime A. Martinez, Scott A. Baum
  • Publication number: 20160052107
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of polishing a peripheral portion of a wafer having a hard film with use of an abrasive film while preventing damage to the abrasive film. The polishing method uses an abrasive film including a base film made of polyimide, a binder made of polyimide, and abrasive grains held by the binder. The polishing method includes: rotating a silicon substrate having a surface on which a silicon carbide film is formed; and removing the silicon carbide film from a peripheral portion of the silicon substrate by pressing the abrasive film at a low force against the silicon carbide film on the peripheral portion of the silicon substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Yu ISHII, Hiroyuki KAWASAKI, Masayuki NAKANISHI, Kenya ITO, Kenji KODERA, Michiyoshi YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20160052108
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of making articles having portions of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a surface of a substrate and polycrystalline diamond compacts made using the same. In an embodiment, a molding technique is disclosed for forming cutting tools comprising polycrystalline diamond portions bonded to the outer surface of a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: David P. Miess
  • Publication number: 20160052109
    Abstract: Methods of forming polycrystalline diamond include encapsulating diamond particles and a hydrocarbon substance in a canister, and subjecting the encapsulated diamond particles and hydrocarbon substance to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond particles. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool includes a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Anthony A. DiGiovanni
  • Publication number: 20160052110
    Abstract: Disclosed are the ornamental design and utilitarian characteristics of a tool configured for associating an attachment-device (such as a joist hanger) with a structure (such as a ledger board). The tool comprises an alignment element that is placed in alignment with an edge defined by a structure so as to define an A-axis and B-axis location for associating the attachment-device to the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel E. Erdman
  • Publication number: 20160052111
    Abstract: A driving head-changeable tool is provided, including a tool set and a driving head. The tool set includes a connecting sleeve, an outer sleeve and at least one limitation member. The connecting sleeve has a receiving slot and a driving end. A plurality of protruding ribs extending axially and a plurality of recesses disposed between the protruding ribs are disposed on an inner wall of the receiving slot. The recesses are provided for a polygonal ball head to insert therein. A recessed portion and a protruding portion are disposed on the inner wall. The outer sleeve is slidable between a first position and a second position. When the outer sleeve is at the first position, the limitation member can restrict the polygonal ball head. When the outer sleeve is at the second position, the polygonal ball head is withdrawable from the receiving slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Chia-Yi CHEN, Hui-Chien CHEN
  • Publication number: 20160052112
    Abstract: An illuminated ratchet wrench having lights thereon. The illuminated ratchet wrench includes an elongated handle having a tool head on an end thereof. The tool head has a front surface on which a socket head adapted to receive a socket is positioned. Thus, the ratchet wrench operates similarly to a traditional ratchet wrench. The front surface of the tool head comprises one or more pairs of lights arranged thereon. The lights are arranged on the lower end of the tool head and are oriented in the same direction as the socket head. In this way, the lights illuminate the area in which the ratchet wrench will be used, allowing the user to more easily see the work area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Bryce Lemley, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160052113
    Abstract: A mounting device (11) for the counterforce-free mounting of a pressure plate assembly (1) on a counterpressure plate, the mounting plate having at least one release element (12) which can be displaced in an axial direction (A) relative to the pressure plate assembly and which is designed to exert an axial force on spring washer tongues (10) of the pressure plate assembly (1) in order to release the pressure plate assembly (1), which is normally engaged, and having at least one hook element (18) that is designed to engage behind a coupling lid (2) of the pressure plate assembly (1) in order to hold the mounting device (11) in place relative to the pressure plate assembly (1) at least in an axial direction when the release element (12) exerts axial force on the spring washer tongues (10) of the pressure plate assembly (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Gutle, Tanja Kubicek, Sebastien Muller, Volker Hornberger
  • Publication number: 20160052114
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a piston ring removal tool and methods of using the same. One method includes disposing a tool between a first piston ring and a piston associated with the piston ring and rotating the piston, wherein the tool engages the first piston ring and separates at least a portion of the first piston ring from the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Claver, Bradley Hill, Nathaniel Nooner, Kenneth Mask, Steven Tucker, Michael Gunn, James Butler
  • Publication number: 20160052115
    Abstract: A tool for holding a component is provided. The tool includes a handle. The tool also includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The tool further includes a holding assembly. The holding assembly is adapted to hold the component. The holding assembly includes a base portion. The base portion is connected to the second end of the elongated body. The base portion includes a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge. The holding assembly also includes a first arm. The first arm includes a first inner surface. The holding assembly further includes a second arm. The second arm includes a second inner surface. The first inner surface and the second inner surface face each other with a gap being defined there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Maggi, Connor S. Widder
  • Publication number: 20160052116
    Abstract: This invention relates to a manual tool for safely removing undesired taps, connected illegally and controlled by means of locking valves in fluid transport pipes (especially oil and derivatives thereof) and with pressures present of up to 690 kPa (100 psi). The tool according to the present invention is formed by a handle, a handle shaft, a packing gland, a main body, a draining valve, and a gauge adapter or wood plug, which is inserted by friction in the perforation to be blocked, forming a temporary seal therein while a definitive metal patch is fitted and soldered to the pipe. The invention also includes the method for safe removal of valves fitted to fluid pipes with said tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Jairo Alberto CANAL RIVERA, Humberto REYES GOMEZ, Henry CASTANEDA CAMACHO
  • Publication number: 20160052117
    Abstract: A hammer including a head having a hammering portion and an oppositely arranged claw portion, the claw portion has an end with at least three teeth separated by at least two, substantially equal “V”-shaped grooves centered on a longitudinal axis of the head; and a handle formed contiguously with the head and extending perpendicularly down from a bottom of the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel D. COUGAR
  • Publication number: 20160052118
    Abstract: A power tool having a rotary impact mechanism and a mode change mechanism. The impact mechanism is driven by an output member of a transmission and includes a hammer and an anvil. The mode change mechanism includes a mode collar that is movable between a first position, in which the mode collar directly couples the hammer to the transmission output member to inhibit movement of the hammer relative to the spindle, and a second position in which the mode collar does not inhibit movement of the hammer relative to the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Scott M. Rudolph, Daniel Puzio, Sankarshan N. Murthy, Aris Cleanthous, Joseph Stauffer, Robert S. Gehret, James D. Hays, Qiang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160052119
    Abstract: An impact tool includes a casing (13) supporting a tip tool (12), a piston (41) provided in the casing (13), an electric motor (11) provided in the casing (13), a motion converting mechanism (45) provided in the casing (13), and a vibration reducing mechanism (47) provided in the casing (13). The vibration reducing mechanism (47) has a supporting member, which is swingable with using a fixing position (J) as a supporting point and a weight (49) attached to a free end side of the supporting member. In a plane including a center line (C), the gravity center (H) of the weight (49) and the gravity center (G) of the casing (13) are disposed at mutually different locations, and the fixing position (J) is disposed on the side of the gravity center (G) relative to the center line (C).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki YAMADA, Takahiro OOKUBO, Satoshi ABE
  • Publication number: 20160052120
    Abstract: Multifunctional welding apparatuses and methods of operating multifunctional welding apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a multifunctional welding apparatus is provided and includes a first handle, a first head member moveably coupled to the first handle, a second handle, a second head member movably coupled to the second handle, a first tool unitarily formed with one of the first head member and the second head member, and a plurality of tools moveably coupled to at least one of the first handle and the second handle. The first head member and the second head member are rotatably coupled to each other. The first tool is one of a pliers, a nozzle removing tool, a tip removing tool, a wire cutting tool, a hammer and a cleaning tool. The plurality of tools includes at least one of a thickness gauge, a scratching tool, and a picking tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Scott R. ROZMARYNOWSKI, Gary WILE, Zhong Gao
  • Publication number: 20160052121
    Abstract: An augmented hammer equipped with a hammer head and pick at one end, and a nail claw and prying claw at the opposite end. The device is further equipped with a fulcrum between the nail claw and the prying claw at the bottom end of the device to give it more leverage when removing nails or when prying objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Jahdiel Smith
  • Publication number: 20160052122
    Abstract: A rotary extension rod includes an outer tube, an inner tube received in the outer tube, a rotatable assembly having a knob, a fixing seat and a link, and a positioning ring deposited on the fixing seat. The knob is rotatably deposited at one end of the outer tube. The fixing seat is received in the outer tube and fixed to one end of the inner tube. The link is between the knob and the fixing seat, and has two opposite first radially raised portions. The positioning ring has two opposite second radially raised portions. By rotating the knob, the first radially raised portions are posed to abut against or depart from the second radially raised portions, so that the positioning ring radially deforms to press against or release the outer tube, in turn allowing the length of the extension rod to be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas LIN
  • Publication number: 20160052123
    Abstract: A rotary wrench includes a first wrench body, a second wrench body, and an elastic member. The first wrench body has a first grip whose one end has a pivot hole. The second wrench body has a second grip whose one end has a pivot axially extending outward. The pivot is rotatably received in the pivot hole of the first grip of the first wrench body, so that the first and second wrench bodies are allowed to rotate with respect to each other and provide adjustable working angles. The elastic member is mounted around the pivot of the second wrench body, and prop between the first grip of the first wrench body and the second grip of the second wrench body, for providing an elastic resistance that holds the first and second wrench bodies in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Chih-Min CHANG
  • Publication number: 20160052124
    Abstract: A screwdriver includes a shank with a handle connected to a collar rotatably and a base is located in a room of the handle. At least one resilient extending from the underside of the collar is inserted in at least one recess of the handle. The base connected to the outside of the collar has a rod connected to a positioning member. The positioning member is defined with multiple slots able to hold bits in position in the room. One side of the base is sealed by a cap. Therefore, the bits are received inside of the handle so as to carry with the screwdriver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Chia Wei LAI, Min Hung LAI
  • Publication number: 20160052125
    Abstract: A tool bit case includes a first housing member and a second housing member pivotally coupled together. Each housing member includes a base and sidewalls extending from the base. The tool bit case also includes a plurality of retainers located along opposing sidewalls of the first housing member. The tool bit case further includes a modular tool bit holder that is engageable with a corresponding pair of retainers of the plurality of retainers. The modular tool bit holder is pivotable relative to the first housing member between a storage position and an upright position. When the modular tool bit holder is in the storage position, the modular tool bit holder blocks access to at least one retainer adjacent the corresponding pair of retainers, and when the modular tool bit holder is in the upright position, the at least one retainer is accessible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Michael S. Steele, Steven G. Melnyk, Edward Landon, James Grow, Ryan Rudzinski, Brian Dieck, Adam Eller
  • Publication number: 20160052126
    Abstract: Systems for cleaning a structure via a robot are described. The robot includes a body. The robot further includes a tool coupled to the body and configured to hold a structural maintenance tool. The robot includes a sensor coupled to the body. The robot includes a drive system configured to allow positioning of the body along the structure, including inverted positioning and vertical positioning. The robot further includes a communication interface coupled to the body. The robot includes a controller coupled to the body. The controller is in communication with the tool, the sensor, and the drive system. The controller is configured to receive an operating instruction through the communication interface. The controller is configured to autonomously position the body via the drive system and to perform a task with at least one of the tool and the sensor according to the operating instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Hon Wah Chin, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S. Pan, David B. Tuckerman, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160052127
    Abstract: There is provided a wearable robot able to maintain a balanced state during operations thereof. The wearable robot includes: a wearable robot body; a travel unit for moving the wearable robot body; and a hip joint unit provided in the wearable robot body and coupled to the travel unit, for maintaining a posture of the wearable robot body in response to a movement of the travel unit. With this construction, the wearable robot is provided with a hip joint unit having a resilient force such that a posture of a wearable robot body can be maintained during an operation of the hip joint unit, so that the robot can be operated more stably. Further, because a posture of the wearable robot can be stably maintained so that the safety of the user can be guaranteed and operation efficiency can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Ho Yu, Kyung-Lyong Han, IL-Seop Choi
  • Publication number: 20160052128
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of programming an industrial robot, exhibiting the steps of selecting a program command, the assigned rigidity parameter of which is to be verified, changed and/or saved in the program mode; moving the manipulator arm into a test pose, in which the industrial robot is configured and/or arranged to manually touch and/or move the manipulator arm; and the automatic actuation of the manipulator arm by the control device such that the manipulator arm in the test pose exhibits the rigidity corresponding to the assigned rigidity parameter of the selected program command. The invention further concerns an industrial robot, exhibiting a control device designed and/or configured to execute such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Uwe Zimmermann, Volker Schmirgel
  • Publication number: 20160052129
    Abstract: A robotic mechanical manipulator structure includes a first link and a second link rotatably coupled to the first link by a rotatable joint. A first high hardness cable guide is disposed in the first link. A first cable is connected between the first link and the second link to move the first link relative to the second link in a first direction around the joint, the first cable connected to the first link at a first anchor point, and passing through the first high hardness cable guide in the second link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Ekas
  • Publication number: 20160052130
    Abstract: A robotic mechanical manipulator structure includes a first link, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, a first cable connected between the first link and the second link and coupled to the first link by a spring anchored to the first link, passing through cable guides on the first link and the second link and anchored to the second link, and a second cable connected between the first link and the second link and anchored to the first link, passing through cable guides on the first link and the second link and coupled to an actuator. The cables each have a length selected to provide a selected range of motion between the second link at a selected angle with respect to the first link when the actuator is in a rest position. The cable guides are formed from a high hardness material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Ekas
  • Publication number: 20160052131
    Abstract: A soft robot having an integrated electrical component includes an expandable or collapsible body, the body comprising an inlet that is configured to communicate with a fluid source and a flexible strain limited layer secured to a portion of the expandable or collapsible body, wherein the strain limited layer includes at least one electrical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua Aaron LESSING, Ramses V. MARTINEZ, Alok Suryavamsee TAYI, Jason Ming TING, George M. WHITESIDES
  • Publication number: 20160052132
    Abstract: A robot motion data processing system has a data extraction module for intermittently extracting restoration motion data from a successive input motion trajectory formed for controlling a motion of a robot, and a data restoration module for restoring an output motion trajectory approximate to the input motion trajectory by using restoration motion data extracted from the data extraction module. The output motion trajectory is restored to satisfy a condition that the robot operating according to the output motion trajectory does not exceed a hardware operation limit of the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Doik KIM, Jung Min PARK, Sungon LEE, Jaeyoung PARK, Seokmin HONG
  • Publication number: 20160052133
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a robot cleaner. The control method includes acquiring an image of the robot cleaner and a surrounding area of the robot cleaner at a reference position, the robot cleaner having two markers spaced apart from each other by a given distance, extracting the two markers from the acquired image, defining a horizontal plane of an actual space in which the two markers are located, based on positions of the two markers displayed on the acquired image and an actual distance between the two markers, acquiring position information of the robot cleaner relative to the reference position, based on position information of the two markers in the horizontal plane, and controlling travel of the robot cleaner based on the position information of the robot cleaner relative to the reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Younggie KIM, Sangyun KIM
  • Publication number: 20160052134
    Abstract: A robot tool is provided for the placing of closing plugs in openings in a vehicle body component. The robot tool includes a placing device in which a plug magazine with a plurality of plugs is accommodated, which plugs can be placed by way of the placing device without reloading directly behind one another in the respective openings. A method is provided for the secure placing of the plugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Max KOSSMANN, Johannes BIX, Steve Williams, III, Braden Ross Nichols, Caitlin Elizabeth Browning, Amelia Faith Campbell
  • Publication number: 20160052135
    Abstract: A robot includes: a controller that causes a fitting member including at least one fitting flat surface which is a flat surface parallel to a fitting direction to move in the fitting direction so as to fit a fitted section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Masaki MOTOYOSHI, Yasuhiro SHIMODAIRA, Sota YAMAMOTO, Yudai TAKEUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160052136
    Abstract: A control system may receive a first plurality of measurements indicative of respective joint angles corresponding to a plurality of sensors connected to a robot. The robot may include a body and a plurality of jointed limbs connected to the body associated with respective properties. The control system may also receive a body orientation measurement indicative of an orientation of the body of the robot. The control system may further determine a relationship between the first plurality of measurements and the body orientation measurement based on the properties associated with the jointed limbs of the robot. Additionally, the control system may estimate an aggregate orientation of the robot based on the first plurality of measurements, the body orientation measurement, and the determined relationship. Further, the control system may provide instructions to control at least one jointed limb of the robot based on the estimated aggregate orientation of the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Alex Khripin, Alfred Anthony Rizzi