Patents Issued in May 17, 2016
  • Patent number: 9339903
    Abstract: A rotary driving mechanism includes a support stand, an air feeding assembly, and a driver. The air feeding assembly includes a bearing base, a rotating member, two first ventilating joints, and two second ventilating joints. The bearing base is coupled to the support stand and defines an inner circular surface. The rotating member is rotatably received in the bearing base and resists the inner circular surface. The rotating member defines two circular grooves at an outer periphery thereof and two channels therein. Each circular groove is in fluid communication with one of the channels. The first ventilating joints are coupled to the bearing base and respectively in fluid communication with the circular grooves. The second ventilating joints are coupled to the rotating member and respectively in communication with the channels. The driver is coupled to the rotating member and in communication with the second ventilating joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: FU DING ELECTRONICAL TECHNOLOGY (JIASHAN) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hai-He Xue, Hua Zhang, Hong-Bo Gu, Zhong-Chun Xue
  • Patent number: 9339904
    Abstract: The invention discloses a hand-held power tool including a housing with a spindle head. A tool spindle can be driven in rotary oscillation about its longitudinal axis and, at its tool-side end, is configured to carry a tool. The tool spindle has a clamping mechanism, which is configured to move a positioning element between a clamping position, in which a tool that is to be carried can be fixed to the tool spindle, and a release position, in which the tool can be released. The clamping mechanism has an actuating mechanism having an actuating element configured as a slide having an engaging surface for axially moving the positioning element to move the clamping mechanism between the clamping and the release positions when the actuating element is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: C. & E. Fein GmbH
    Inventor: Alain Erni
  • Patent number: 9339905
    Abstract: In a tool changer, a turret can move toward and away from a spindle through a swinging movement about a swing shaft. Force applied to a turret mechanism unit at each phase in the swinging movement of the turret is calculated, and a swinging pattern of the turret is determined in accordance with the result of the calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Murota
  • Patent number: 9339906
    Abstract: A pneumatic rotary tool including a housing having an inlet passage. The inlet passage extends from an inlet operatively connectable to an air source. The inlet passage extends to a motor cylinder inside the housing. The housing has an outlet passage extending from the motor cylinder to an outlet. The tool includes a rotor mounted in the cylinder for rotation relative to the cylinder under pneumatic power. The tool includes a valve positioned along the inlet passage operable to selectively permit air to pass for rotating the rotor and flowing through the outlet. The tool has a cutter head connected to the rotor including a clamp for holding a cutter to cut material as the head rotates. The cutter head is positioned in the outlet so air passing through the outlet passes over the head to blow material away from the head as the cutter cuts the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SP Air Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9339907
    Abstract: To provide a chip disposal device of a machine tool which surely separates and collects a cutting fluid adhering to a chip lump, thereby capable of reducing an amount of the cutting fluid discharged to the outside of the machine. The chip disposal device includes a liquid separating part 65 which separates and collects a cutting fluid adhering to chips, the liquid separating part 65 has a mounting part 66 which is provided continuously from an inclined discharge surface 20a and is inclined so as to get lower as it goes more apart outward from the inclined discharge surface 20a, and to which a first chip lump a1 conveyed by a first scraping plate 36a is transferred. Then, the first chip lump a1 on the mounting part 66 stays on the mounting part 66 until dropping by being pushed by a second chip lump a2 conveyed by a second scraping plate 36b following the first scraping plate 36a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: DMG MORI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Matsuyama, Masahide Kakutani, Yuhei Kitade, Ryutaro Oshima, Takuya Kichibayashi
  • Patent number: 9339908
    Abstract: A machine tool has a cover structure adapted for the discharge of chips. The cover is composed of a front cover, left and right side covers, and a bottom part. The bottom part is connected to a bed through the respective lower ends of the front cover and the side covers. Further, at least a part of the bottom part includes a slope gradually inclining from the side connected to the bed toward the outer periphery. Even if the chips produced during machining adhere to members inside the cover, they are washed away by a cutting fluid and discharged into a cutting fluid supply device through a channel located farthest from the central portion of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoki Sato
  • Patent number: 9339909
    Abstract: A machine for making gears. The machine comprises a piece-holder unit and an operating unit equipped with an operating head provided with at least one tool for machining a piece. Moreover, one piece-holder unit and the operating unit are provided with relative motion with respect to each another in a direction. The machine is characterized in that the operating unit is suitable to move, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction, and in that the tool is mounted on a slide provided with a tangential motion defined by a direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SAMP S.p.A. con Unico Socio
    Inventors: Artemio Affaticati, Vito Perrone
  • Patent number: 9339910
    Abstract: A grinding machine for grinding an end of a spring, the machine comprising a fixed spring mounting, which is fixable in a known position in the machine, for a spring or springs and a grinding surface secured to a support structure and arranged with the support structure to relatively oscillate to and fro along an oscillation path or cycle across one end of the mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: BENNETT MAHLER LIMITED
    Inventors: John Ian Mahler, Keith Manners, Kevin Walker
  • Patent number: 9339911
    Abstract: The method is for sharpening a blade. An automatic sharpening apparatus is provided that has a housing with an elongate opening defined therein. A blade is placed inside the elongate opening. The blade is tightened between self-centered clamp holders. The rotation of the grinding wheel is turned on. The rotating grinding-wheel engages an underside of the blade and automatically moves along the blade by following a contour of the blade. While the grinding wheel moves along the blade, a counter-weight provides a counter-weight to the grinding wheel. The blade is sharpened while the blade is stationary inside the elongate opening of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ERIKSSON TEKNIK AB
    Inventor: Magnus Eriksson
  • Patent number: 9339912
    Abstract: An embodiment wafer polishing tool includes an abrasive tape, a polish head holding the abrasive tape, and a rotation module. The rotation module is configured to rotate a wafer during a wafer polishing process, and the polish head is configured to apply pressure to the abrasive tape toward a first surface of the wafer during the wafer polishing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tang-Kuei Chang, Kuo-Hsiu Wei, Kei-Wei Chen, Wei-Jen Lo, Ying-Lang Wang
  • Patent number: 9339913
    Abstract: A tool spindle for a honing machine includes a bowl-shaped holder having a circumferential peripheral wall connected to a bottom part. The bowl-shaped holder is configured to hold a honing ring on an inside of the bowl-shaped holder. At least one expansion element is formed on the inside of the bowl-shaped holder along an inner surface of the circumferential peripheral wall. The at least one expansion element radially clamps and centers the honing ring inside the bowl-shaped holder. A hydraulic chamber is disposed in the bottom part of the bowl-shaped holder. At least one hydraulic line is connecting in fluid communication the at least one expansion element and the hydraulic chamber. A single adjustment element is movable in relation to the bottom part of the bowl-shaped holder, where the single adjustment element is in fluid communication with the hydraulic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Felsomat GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Helmut F. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 9339914
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a substrate polishing and slurry recycling system. The system includes an extendable gutter that may be positioned to collect processing slurry from the polishing pad during processing and deliver the consumed slurry to a reclamation tank. The reclaimed slurry may be treated and mixed with fresh slurry for delivery to the polishing pad during subsequent substrate polishing. The extendable gutter may be positioned in a second position during rinsing of the polishing pad so that rinsing fluid passes underneath the gutter and is removed from the system without mixing with the reclaimed slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Simon Yavelberg
  • Patent number: 9339915
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a PCD element containing a substrate and a PCD layer. The PCD has a top surface, a side surface, an intermediate surface, an unleached region containing a diamond body matrix and an interstitial matrix including a catalyst, and a leached region containing a diamond body matrix and empty space in the place of the interstitial matrix. The catalyst has been leached from the empty space in the place of the interstitial matrix. The unleached region is adjacent to a substantial portion of the side surface and the leached region is not adjacent to a substantial portion of the side surface, and the leached region is adjacent to the top surface or the intermediate surface. The disclosure also provides a system and method for leaching a PCD element including a liquid able to leach a catalyst and a protective member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary E. Weaver
  • Patent number: 9339916
    Abstract: A holding tool for releasably securing a shaft from rotation relative to the holding tool. The holding tool may have a head including a pair of semi-cylindrical main bodies, each head having a hinge flange extending from a respective first end of the main body and a bolt flange extending from a respective, opposed second end of the main body, with each bolt flange including a fastener hole; a hinge pivotally securing the hinge flanges together; a fastener received through the fastener hole and selectively biasing the bolt flanges toward one another; a pair of semi-cylindrical shaped resilient inserts, each secured to an inner surface of the main bodies, defining a cylindrical channel to receive the shaft; and a handle extending generally radially outward from the head. The holding tool may be used to secure a propshaft to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Timothy J. Markwardt
  • Patent number: 9339917
    Abstract: A tool for installing and removing an electrical power meter including a sleeve member defining a cavity therein with an opening to the cavity defined in the sleeve member's first end. An adjustment mechanism on the sleeve member is movable between a first position where the opening is enlarged to permit entry of a portion of the meter into the cavity; and a second position where the opening is reduced. An engagement assembly at the first end of the sleeve member grippingly engages the meter when the adjustment assembly is in the second position. The engagement assembly includes a pair of locking lips which each receive part of a peripheral edge of the meter's base therein. Gaps are defined between the locking lips to enable venting of any electrical discharge therethrough. A removable shield may be secured to the second end of the sleeve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Kilvert, LLC
    Inventor: James R. Stillwagon
  • Patent number: 9339918
    Abstract: An identifiable tool includes a bit and an identification ring. The bit includes a frusto-conical section formed on an external side. The identification ring includes an identification layer formed on an external side and a frusto-conical section formed on an internal side. The frusto-conical section of the identification ring is in contact with the frusto-conical section of the bit when the identification ring is placed on the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Hsiu-Hua Chang
  • Patent number: 9339919
    Abstract: A disassembling device for lens module which has a lens barrel and at least one optical component received in the lens barrel. The disassembling device includes a carrying platform, a cylindrical cutting tool, a cutting tool holder, and a driving device. The carrying platform includes a carrying surface for placement of the lens module. The cutting tool is arranged onto the cutting tool holder and is collinear with the lens barrel. A diameter of the cutting tool is greater than an inner diameter of the lens barrel and is less than an external diameter of the lens barrel. The driving device is connected to the cutting tool holder and moves the cutting tool holder along a central axis of the lens barrel, thereby the lens barrel can be cut and thinned by the cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chien-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 9339920
    Abstract: A handheld charm opener having a cheliform charm-opening body comprising an upper and lower piece, each with at least one protrusion oriented vertically but aligned horizontally and inserted into closed bracelet charm, and through manual compression of the apparatus between the thumb and forefinger, the protrusions traveling towards one another through translational vertical motion while engaging with the opening of the charm until the charm halves split apart revealing the center portion inside, the arcs of the protrusions protecting the charm from being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventors: Cathy Barouch, Lara Korhammer
  • Patent number: 9339921
    Abstract: A tool for removing a first shaft from a second shaft, in which the first and the second shafts are coupled by fasteners. The tool generally includes the flanged connection and a driving rod. One or more apertures extend completely through a first portion extend into the second flange portion a distance less than the thickness of the second flange portion. The driving rod has first and second ends, with a removable cap adapted to engage the second end to provide a striking surface. At least one removable driver tip is also provided, having a connecting end adapted to engage the first end, and a driver tip, sized to fit into the aperture and extending outward from the connecting end. The driver tip is angled such that the second end of the driving rod is accessible when the driver tip is inserted into the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bussone, Gregory Lutz, Joseph Kinney, Timothy Zacharias
  • Patent number: 9339922
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to crimping tool for crimping a cup washer to a bolt. The crimping tool includes several alignment features that prevent the crimping tool from being used in an orientation other than a desired orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory C. Schmidt, Patrick R. Carey, Daniel F. Palmer, John V. Marino
  • Patent number: 9339923
    Abstract: Disclosed is a striking tool technology that contributes to reducing clutch sizes. The striking tool causes a tool bit to perform a striking operation in the long axis direction and to perform a rotational operation about the long axis, thereby causing the tool bit to carry out a predetermined machining operation. The striking tool comprises a tool body; a motor which is housed in the tool body and drives the tool bit; and a clutch which, on a route where the torque of the motor is transmitted to the tool bit, is disposed in a high rotational speed and low torque region that is a stage prior to where the rotational speed of the motor is reduced, which transmits the torque of the motor to the tool bit in a normal state, and which cuts off the transmission of torque generated about the tool bit long axis in the tool body if the torque exceeds a predetermined torque level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yonosuke Aoki
  • Patent number: 9339924
    Abstract: A hammer mechanism including: a motor; a piston reciprocatingly driven by the motor; a ram reciprocatingly driven by the reciprocating piston via an air spring; a beat piece supported in an axially slideable manner within a beat piece support structure which, during the normal operation of the hammer mechanism, is repetitively struck by the ram and which transfers the impacts to a cutting tool when held by the tool holder; wherein the beat piece comprises a first impact surface and the beat piece support structure including a second impact surface, the first and second impact surfaces coming into contact with each other when the beat piece axially slides to its furthest position away from the ram; and wherein the shape of the two surfaces relative to each other is arranged so that there is a non-uniform amount of contact between the first and second surfaces around the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 9339925
    Abstract: A fastener driving device includes a housing having an engine receiving portion and a handle portion. A reservoir is configured to receive a gas having a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and is at least partially located in the handle portion. A dust blower is configured to allow gas in the reservoir to be selectively communicated to atmosphere through an outlet in the engine receiving portion of the housing. The dust blower includes a passageway extending from the reservoir to the outlet in the engine receiving portion, the passageway at least partially circumnavigating the cylinder of the drive engine, and an actuator configured to selectively open and close the passageway so that when the passageway is open, gas from the reservoir is communicated from the reservoir to the outlet, and when the passageway is closed, the gas from the reservoir is not communicated from the reservoir to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: STANLEY FASTENING SYSTEMS, L.P.
    Inventors: Jim Liu, Sean Lee, Benson Liao
  • Patent number: 9339926
    Abstract: Complex assembly procedures for joining components with plural fasteners are accomplished using predefined procedures for performing a multi-step assembly of a joint using a dynamically controllable assembly tool, or to inspect an assembled joint. An assembly tool is coupled with an electronically controlled regulator for reducing the tightening rate, or the load increase per impact for an impact or impulse tool, so the tool can be stopped precisely at a specified stopping load or torque. The predefined procedures for performing the desired tightening operation are established in a controller coupled with the electronically controlled regulator, for dynamically controlling the assembly tool. The system can be used to assemble joints involving multiple fasteners and which are subject to elastic interaction between the fasteners, rocking, or joint relaxation, and in assembly or inspection operations in which an operator is to be guided through a particular sequence of instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Innovation Plus, LLC
    Inventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
  • Patent number: 9339927
    Abstract: An accessory clamping mechanism for clamping an accessory to a working mandrel of a power tool wherein the working mandrel has a mandrel flange and a first longitudinal axis. The accessory clamping mechanism includes: at least one clamping member; a thrust member for supporting the clamping member; an elastic member by which the thrust member is biased towards a clamped position; a driving assembly for forcing the thrust member and the clamping member to move along the first longitudinal axis, the driving assembly comprising a driving member moved between a first position in which the accessory is in the clamped position and a second position in which the accessory is in a released position, the thrust member and the clamping member being driven by the driving member to move along the first longitudinal axis; and a motion converting member for driving the clamping member to move in a direction different from the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Guosheng Xu, Georgi Severinets, Hongtao Zhou
  • Patent number: 9339928
    Abstract: A creeper (10) includes a frame (11) having spaced side rails (12) and cross rails (13) extending between the side rails (12). A pad (28) is carried by the cross rails (13) and is spaced from each side rail (12). Each side rail (12) has end portions (14, 15) which carry a caster assembly (17), and the cross rails (13) are positioned closer to each other than the caster assemblies (17) are from each other. Each side rail (12) also includes a raised portion (26) which is higher than the end portions (14, 15) when the caster assemblies (17) are on a surface, and a lower portion (23) which is lower than the end portions (14, 15) when the caster assemblies are on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Whiteside Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Shane Obitts, Kirt E. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 9339929
    Abstract: A joint torque computing unit computes a joint torque T1 of a joint necessary to move a joint angle to a target joint angle. A summing unit obtains a sum value U1 indicating the sum of generated forces generated at actuators, from a target stiffness. A setting unit sets a restricting coefficient h1 to a value greater than 1 when performing non-antagonistic driving, and to 1 when performing antagonistic driving. A restricting unit takes |T1|<U1×r×h1 as restricting condition where r is moment arm radius, and restricts the joint torque T1 to a range satisfying the conditions. A generated force computing unit computes the generated force of the actuators based on the restricted joint torque T1. The setting unit sets the restricting coefficient h1 to gradually near 1 when switching from non-antagonistic driving to antagonistic driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Takagi
  • Patent number: 9339930
    Abstract: A robot includes a base, a first arm rotatably connected to the base around a first rotating axis, a second arm rotatably connected to the first arm around a second rotating axis, a third arm rotatably connected to the second arm around a third rotating axis, a first angular velocity sensor provided in the first arm and having a first angular velocity detection axis parallel to the first rotating axis, a second angular velocity sensor provided in the second arm and having a second angular velocity detection axis parallel to the second rotating axis, and a third angular velocity sensor provided in the third arm and having a third angular velocity detection axis parallel to the third rotating axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Niu
  • Patent number: 9339931
    Abstract: A method ascertains a tolerance location which differs from a target location for a pickup point for an object which is at rest in an installation and which is intended to be picked up by a means of transport. An identification mark is put onto the object in a known relative position in relation to the pickup point. A computation device uses a locating apparatus arranged in the installation to ascertain a physical location of the identification mark in the installation. The computation device ascertains the tolerance location from the physical location and the relative position. A corresponding apparatus contains a corresponding identification mark and a corresponding computation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brett, Eric Bürkle
  • Patent number: 9339932
    Abstract: A method of selecting a teaching point program in a three-dimensional graphical representation of a workcell includes the steps of generating the three-dimensional graphical representation of the workcell, calculating a three-dimensional boundary box for each teaching point program associated with the workcell, converting each boundary box to a two-dimensional boundary area, and recognizing which boundary areas overlap a selected area drawn over a two-dimensional display screen. Each boundary area that has been recognized as overlapping the selected area is identified to a user and presented in a list if multiple candidate boundary areas are recognized and identified. The user may then edit those teaching point programs identified as being associated with the selected area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Fanuc America Corporation
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Kanehara, Dave O'Toole
  • Patent number: 9339933
    Abstract: A robot includes a base, a first arm rotatably connected to the base around a first rotating axis, a second arm rotatably connected to the first arm around a second rotating axis orthogonal to the first rotating axis, a third arm rotatably connected to the second arm around a third rotating axis parallel to the second rotating axis, and a three-axis inertial sensor provided in the third arm and including a first detection axis, a second detection axis, and a third detection axis orthogonal to each other, the first detection axis and the third rotating axis being parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Asada, Shunsuke Toshimitsu
  • Patent number: 9339934
    Abstract: A method for manually guided adjustment of the pose of a manipulator arm of an industrial robot includes detecting a guidance force applied to the manipulator arm by an operator of the industrial robot, determining one of at least two degrees-of-freedom of a reference coordinate system as a selected freedom direction, wherein the selected freedom direction corresponds to the degree-of-freedom in which the guidance force has its greatest force vector component, and controlling the drives of the industrial robot using force control in such a manner that a pre-specified reference point associated with the manipulator arm is moved only in the selected freedom direction as a result of movement of the manipulator arm by an operator during a manually-guided adjustment of the pose of the manipulator arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventor: Yevgen Kogan
  • Patent number: 9339935
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low profile, compact, scalable concept end-effector for use in robotic handling applications. The end-effector acts as the interface between multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) manipulator and its base (if applicable), as well as the tools it handles and is compatible with both large manipulator systems such as the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) and Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and smaller dexterous manipulators such as the Orbital Express Dexterous Manipulator System. An active/controlled component is attached to the roll joint(s) at one or both end(s) of the manipulator, with an entirely passive component attached to the structure/tools that the manipulator interfaces with. Interface engagement and mate operations are performed by way of the manipulator roll joint. Once mated, shear pins are extended to lock the mated assembly in place and achieve a high stiffness, zero free play mated interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: MACDONALD, DETTWILER AND ASSOCIATES INC.
    Inventors: Rangaswamy Ravindran, Sean Andrew Dowling, Ming Kit Chan
  • Patent number: 9339936
    Abstract: A device for lifting and positioning an object generates a low pressure by a whirlwind for suctioning the object. The device includes a housing having a suction opening. The housing has at least one friction element which at least partly covers the suction opening. The friction element can have a three-dimensional structure. The device can facilitate handling of objects having a curved shape or rough surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: BDT MEDIA AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Xavier Kearney
  • Patent number: 9339937
    Abstract: A collision protection device for connecting a welding torch connected to a hose pack to a robot arm of a welding robot, comprising two coupling elements that is adapted to be detachably connected to each other by means of magnets, wherein one coupling element is designed to be connected to the welding torch or to a torch coupling that is adapted to be connected to the welding torch, and the other coupling element is designed to be connected to the robot arm, and the coupling elements have openings. The openings in the coupling elements are designed for feeding the hose pack through, and the coupling element that is adapted to be connected to the welding torch or to the torch coupling, or the torch coupling comprises elements to be connected to the hose pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Richtsfeld, Stefan Ehrenbrandner, Gernot Trauner
  • Patent number: 9339938
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a housing and a pair of cutting blades at least partially extending from the housing. At least a first of the cutting blades is movable. The cutting tool also includes a drive mechanism including a cam and a ratchet mechanism. At least a portion of the ratchet mechanism is drivably coupled to the first cutting blade. The cutting tool further includes a motor for providing torque to the cam to actuate the ratchet mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven N. Winkel, Troy C. Thorson, Todd M. Gehring, William W. Strohfeldt, Matthew Mergener, Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: 9339939
    Abstract: A tool useful for clamping, cutting, and the like comprising at least two force multiplying elements which act upon a gear reduction hub that moves a first jaw towards a second jaw. The tool applies greatly multiplied force to the jaws by repeatedly advancing the force multiplying elements in ratcheting manner. The force is maintained in a substantially continuous manner by a separate locking pawl that engages a geared face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel Haney
  • Patent number: 9339940
    Abstract: A survival knife with integrated moveable guard that may move from a first position that provides a guard for the blade to a second position that provides half of the handle portion of the knife. Embodiments may include a carabiner coupled with the body of the knife and tools integrated into the blade or body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: DPX VENTURES LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Young Pelton
  • Patent number: 9339941
    Abstract: A method punches a damper out from a damper material that is detachably attached on a flexible exfoliative member through an attaching surface of the damper material with use of a hollow punch. The method includes steps of setting the damper material on a supporting surface, positioning a projection part between the exfoliative member and the supporting surface, and punching the damper out from the damper material by cutting the damper material around the projection part by the hollow punch without punching the exfoliative member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Sotokawa, Naoto Okubo
  • Patent number: 9339942
    Abstract: In some aspects, a tool for a sheet metal processing machine for penetrating a foil disposed on a surface of workpiece to be processed includes a rotatably supported ball for cutting the foil by rolling the ball along the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Steingrueber, Holger Skare
  • Patent number: 9339943
    Abstract: Compositions and devices for the production of treated wood products are disclosed. A moisture exchange container for treating a plurality of wood pieces with a chemical formulation of interest is described. Also, an adhesive suitable for gluing wood pieces that have been treated, or that are going to be treated, with a chemical formulation of interest is described. Also disclosed are methods and systems using the devices and compositions of the present invention, and treated wood products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: JELD-WEN, inc.
    Inventors: John William Nicholson, Justice John William Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9339944
    Abstract: A casting guide and a method of making a concrete pile using the casting guide, the casting guide including a casting guide end plate, at least two lock rod forms including a first set of crosswise through-holes, and at least two lock socket forms including a second set of crosswise through-holes. The first and second sets of crosswise through-holes configured to removably receive a casting guide pin extending substantially across the casting guide end plate and interconnecting the crosswise through-holes the lock rod forms or lock socket forms when the casting guide is inside a casting chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SMRF, LLC
    Inventor: Kari Koivunen
  • Patent number: 9339945
    Abstract: Systems and methods for gravity independent gripping and drilling are described. The gripping device can also comprise a drill or sampling devices for drilling and/or sampling in microgravity environments, or on vertical or inverted surfaces in environments where gravity is present. A robotic system can be connected with the gripping and drilling devices via an ankle interface adapted to distribute the forces realized from the robotic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Aaron Parness, Matthew A. Frost, Nitish Thatte, Jonathan P. King
  • Patent number: 9339946
    Abstract: A device automatically mixes bone cement and has two separate plunger space sections with a gas feed and a gas outlet, which are separated from each other through a plunger. A blocking organ is provided in the plunger and can be switched at the turnaround points of the plunger path. Suitable connecting facilities connect the plunger to a mixing facility that is arranged in a mixing vessel. Alternating build-up of a pressure difference and pressure equalization in both plunger space sections causes the plunger to move up and down. The plunger motion effects a simultaneous up-and-down motion and rotation of the mixing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Heraeus Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Vogt, Tim Schnieber
  • Patent number: 9339947
    Abstract: A restored metallic extrusion processing element comprises a tubular metal core around which is consolidated a powdered metal extrusion component that includes metallurgically bonded interior shell and exterior working portions. The interior shell portion covers the core and is characterized by a first multiple-crystalline microstructure, and the exterior working portion is characterized by a second multiple crystalline microstructure of densified powdered metal particles. The exterior working portion has an outside surface including outer working surface features that extend along the length of the extrusion processing element. A bond interface of metallurgical type defines a crystalline microstructure boundary between the first and second multiple-crystalline microstructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Entek Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: Craig Benjamin, Larry Keith
  • Patent number: 9339948
    Abstract: A bend stiffener comprises a (i) a flexible polymeric sleeve having an axial bore for receiving an elongated flexible member and (ii) attachment means for attaching the sleeve to a support. At least a portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve is a polyurethane elastomer produced in a reaction of an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer and a curing agent at an isocyanate index of 90 to 120. The isocyanate-terminated prepolymer has an isocyanate content of 7 to 15% by weight and is a reaction product of at least one aromatic polyisocyanate and at least one polyether polyol having a hydroxyl equivalent weight of 350 to 2000 and a nominal functionality of 2 to 2.3. The curing agent is one or more chain extenders having an equivalent weight per isocyanate-reactive group of up to 125 or a mixture of one or more such chain extenders and one or more polyether polyols having a hydroxyl equivalent weight of 350 to 2000 and a nominal functionality of 2 to 2.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Moss, Ian Robert Mycock, Gareth Roberts, Andrew Martin Davies
  • Patent number: 9339949
    Abstract: A die for forming a molding includes a molding die including an upper die and a lower die cooperating with the upper die to support a glass plate and forming a resin molding, the lower die having a concave surface including a contact surface that comes into contact with a metal molding, and a plurality of aperture portions formed on the contact surface, a non-magnetic cylindrical intermediate member contacted with an inner surface of each of the aperture portions, a molding-fixing member including a crown portion that retains the metal molding, and a flange portion disposed on a lower side of the crown portion, and a magnetic force generation device. The flange portion of the molding-fixing member has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of each of the aperture portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Asada, Mitsuhiro Takayama
  • Patent number: 9339950
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reprogrammable shape change sheet, a method of shaping a surface and a reprogrammable injection molding machine. The sheet comprises a plurality of muscle elements capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation, the elements being arranged in an array to define a surface. According to the invention, the muscle elements comprise two muscle material layers capable of changing shape upon electric stimulation and a flexible wiring layer sandwiched between the muscle material layers, the wiring layer being electrically connected to said muscle material layers for delivering electric stimulation signals to the muscle material layers for changing the shape of the muscle elements and further the topology of the surface. The invention provides a new shape change sheet structure, which can be made thin, accurate and durable for various uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Shane Allen
  • Patent number: 9339951
    Abstract: Provided are a resin-releasing jig including a base and a releasing layer formed on a surface side of the base, in which the releasing layer is composed of a resin containing a perfluorinated polymer as a main component, and the perfluorinated polymer is crosslinked; and the resin-releasing jig further including a primer layer disposed between the base and the releasing layer, in which the primer layer is composed of a resin containing, as a main component, a perfluorinated polymer and an engineering plastic, the perfluorinated polymer in the primer layer is crosslinked, and the releasing layer has high abrasion resistance and a good adhesive force to the base and thus the resin-releasing jig has good durability. In particular, provided is the resin-releasing jig which is an extrusion molding mold used in an extruder for producing a long resin molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC FINE POLYMER, INC.
    Inventors: Akito Kubo, Katsuya Yamada, Kazuaki Ikeda, Yasunori Nagaoka, Kouji Mutou, Noriaki Takami
  • Patent number: 9339952
    Abstract: A nanofluid molding arrangement includes a mold tool (12) having movable pieces (14, 16) that move between an open and closed position. When the moveable pieces (14, 16) are in the closed position, they form a mold cavity (18) that defines a surface for creating a molded part. The nanofluid molding arrangement also includes at least one injection port (22) for injecting molten resin directly into the mold cavity (18) such that when molten resin flows into the cavity and begins to cool, the molded part begins to form. After the molded part begins forming and injection of the molten resin is stopped, a nanofluid having a colloidal suspension of thermally conductive nanoparticles suspended in an aqueous or organic solution is applied to the mold tool (12), through at least one cooling port, to wick away or draw heat out and cool the mold cavity and the formed part within the mold cavity (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Steven D. McClintock