Patents Issued in September 27, 2016
  • Patent number: 9452488
    Abstract: A method of forming a golf club head assembly includes aligning a faceplate with a recess of a club head; welding the faceplate to the club head; then, after welding the faceplate, heating the club head and faceplate to at least a solvus temperature of the faceplate for a predetermined amount of time; and then, after heating the club head and faceplate, allowing the club head and faceplate to air cool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Simone, Evan R. Greer, Ryan M. Stokke
  • Patent number: 9452489
    Abstract: A machine and method for additive manufacturing is offered which can eliminate static electricity of a powdered material without using an inert gas to thereby prevent scattering of the material. The additive manufacturing machine (1) has a support stage (4), a first electron gun (8), and a second electron gun (9). The first electron gun (8) melts a given region of the powdered material (M1). The second electron gun (9) illuminates the surface of a given region formed by the powdered material spread tightly on the stage (4) with an electron beam (L2) that is tilted relative to the surface to eliminate static electricity of the powdered material (M1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: JEOL Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Honda
  • Patent number: 9452490
    Abstract: A method for connecting different types of metallic joining partners using a radiation source, the two joining partners, having a different melting temperature, at least indirectly making contact lying against each other in the region of a joining zone, and the radiation source introducing its radiation energy into the one joining partner in a region next to the joining zone. It is provided that, because of the radiation source in the joining zone only the joining partner having a lower melting temperature is melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Sonja Dudziak, Reiner Ramsayer, Christoph Bantel, Eugen Hilz
  • Patent number: 9452491
    Abstract: A friction pull plug is provided for use in forming a plug weld in a hole in a material. The friction pull plug includes a shank and a series of three frustoconical sections. The relative sizes of the sections assure that a central one of the sections defines the initial contact point between the hole's sides. The angle defined by the central one of the sections reduces or eliminates chatter as the plug is pulled into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Justin Anderson Littell
  • Patent number: 9452492
    Abstract: Systems and methods for forming apertures in microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes directing a laser beam toward a microfeature workpiece to form an aperture and sensing the laser beam pass through the microfeature workpiece in real time. The method can further include determining a number of pulses of the laser beam and/or an elapsed time to form the aperture and controlling the laser beam based on the determined number of pulses and/or the determined elapsed time to form a second aperture in the microfeature workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Watkins, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 9452493
    Abstract: A laser processing apparatus includes a laser generator for generating laser beams, a diffraction optic element for dividing the laser beam generated by the laser generator into a plurality of sub-laser beams, and a beam number controller for controlling the number of the plurality of sub-laser beams. Accordingly, the diffractive optic element that splits a laser beam generated by the laser beam generator into a plurality of sub-laser beams and the beam number controller that controls the number of sub-laser beams are provided so that the processing speed of a processing target can be improved and, at the same time, the number of laser beams can be promptly controlled, thereby promptly forming various patterns of the processing target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: Samsung Display Co., Ltd., FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Doh-Hyoung Lee, Choong-Ho Lee, Sung-Sik Yun, Tong-Jin Park
  • Patent number: 9452494
    Abstract: Novel laser drilling systems are disclosed. The laser drilling systems are useful for drilling bore holes in medical devices, especially blind bore holes in surgical needles. The laser systems use a low power fiber seed laser to produce a high quality laser beam that is modulated and amplified, and which has precise characteristics to produce precision drilled holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Reza K. Mosavi
  • Patent number: 9452495
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a new tool to slice crystal ingots by using laser beams. Ingot crystals of III-nitride such as GaN are immersed in alkali solutions and irradiated with scanned lines of laser beams to slice wafers out of the ingots. The method is expected to achieve approximately one order of magnitude smaller slicing loss with minimized slicing damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SixPoint Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadao Hashimoto, Sierra Hoff
  • Patent number: 9452496
    Abstract: Welding laser beam is irradiated along welding trajectories set in works, or inspection laser beam is irradiated along scanning trajectories set in a molten pool in the works which has been melted by the welding laser beam. Return light including reflected light from the molten pool in the work, evaporation luminescence generated by melting/evaporating of the work and thermal radiation light radiated from the molten pool in the work is received. A fundamental frequency is detected by conducting Fourier transform on the intensity of the received return light and a welding condition of the welding portion in the work is inspected based on an amplitude under the fundamental frequency and an amplitude under a frequency that is twice as high as the fundamental frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroomi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9452497
    Abstract: An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: LAVALLEY INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Lavalley, Daniel Larson, Jesse Kilde
  • Patent number: 9452498
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a steel Yankee cylinder (1), where the Yankee cylinder (1) is welded together from individual pre- or finish-machined cylinder sections (8, 9, 10). In this case, the individual cylinder sections (8, 9, 10) are not welded together at the manufacturing location of the cylinder sections (8, 9, 10), but at an assembly location away from the manufacturing location, preferably on the works premises of the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Andritz AG
    Inventors: Josef Krasser, Markus Maier, Ludwig Kahsiovsky
  • Patent number: 9452499
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method for applying heat resistant protection components onto the surface of a heat exposed component. The method including providing at least two separate heat protection components, and joining the at least two separate heat protection components onto their top surface and/or bottom surface and/or at least one side surface by flexible means for obtaining an integrally handable entity. The method further includes fixing the integrally handable entity by applying and brazing the surface of each heat protection component on the surface of the heat exposed component. The materials of the flexible means and for joining the flexible means on the separate heat protection components are selected such that the materials withstand brazing being performed under protective atmosphere, i.e. an atmosphere without or with reduced amount of oxygen, at process temperatures between 700° C. and 1200° C., and that the materials are burned out after brazing during a following oxidizing thermal step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Bossmann, Michael Stuer, Daniel Renusch
  • Patent number: 9452500
    Abstract: A system for assembly manufacturing may include at least one tacking cell configured to perform at least one tack fastening operation on a workpiece, at least one fastening cell configured to perform at least one final fastening operation on the workpiece and a material-handling system linking the tacking cell and the fastening cell, wherein the material-handling system positions the workpiece within the tacking cell and wherein the material-handling system transfers the workpiece from the tacking cell to the fastening cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric M. Reid, Matthew R. Desjardien, Edward J. Batt, Antonio C. Micale
  • Patent number: 9452501
    Abstract: A tool magazine of a machine includes a receiving assembly, a tool bracket, a driving member, and a linking assembly. The receiving assembly defines an opening and includes a mounting gate sealing the opening. The tool bracket is slidably received in the receiving assembly. The driving member is connected to the tool bracket and moves the tool bracket out of the opening. The linking assembly includes a linking member and a first pushing rod. The linking member is fixed to the mounting gate and defines a first pushing groove in its periphery. The first pushing rod slides along the direction of the first pushing groove, causing the mounting gate to rotate open and close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: FU DING ELECTRONICAL TECHNOLOGY (JIASHAN) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Lu Yang, Tian-En Zhang, Wei-Chuan Zhang, Jian-Shi Jia, Yang-Mao Peng, Jian Qu, Feng-Hua Chen, Zhen-Guang Xu, Jing-Shuang Sui, Da-Qing Zhuang, Jie Li, Yi Liu, Jian-min Yu
  • Patent number: 9452502
    Abstract: A tool and a method are provided for processing a workpiece. A housing is provided having a base, an exterior and an interior. A first inlet port is provided on the exterior of the housing and the first inlet port is in fluid communication with the interior of the housing. A first outlet port is provided on the exterior of the housing and the outlet port is in fluid communication with the interior of the housing and the first inlet port. A cutter is rotatably supported within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gary Eugene Jones
  • Patent number: 9452503
    Abstract: A green ball grinding method includes the step of supplying a green ball between a first surface of a first member and a second surface of a second member constituting a grinding apparatus, and the step of grinding the green ball between the first surface and the second surface while the green ball rotates around its own axis and in orbital motion. In the step of grinding the green ball, the step of causing the green ball grinding to proceed while applying load between the green ball and each of the first surface and the second surface, and the step of modifying the rotation axis of the green ball by reducing the load lower than in the step of causing the green ball grinding to proceed are executed alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasutake Hayakawa, Katsutoshi Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9452504
    Abstract: A digital panel of a belt sander includes a control module. The control module is electrically connected with a conveyer motor and an abrasive belt wheel motor of the belt sander. The control module is connected with a detection module. The control module is further connected with a digital display module and an operation module. Thereby, the operation module controls the conveyer motor and the abrasive belt wheel motor of the belt sander, and detects the running state of the conveyer motor and the abrasive belt wheel motor through the detection module, and displays the running data of the conveyer motor and the abrasive belt wheel motor through the digital display module for the belt sander to be digitalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Bor-Yann Chuang
  • Patent number: 9452505
    Abstract: A flexible membrane for use in a carrier head has a generally circular main portion with a lower surface, an annular outer portion for connection to a base assembly, and an annular flap extending from the main portion on a side opposite the lower surface for connection to the base assembly. At least one surface of the flap has a surface texture to prevent adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeonghoon Oh, Tsz-Sin Siu, Hung Chih Chen, Andrew J. Nagengast, Steven M. Zuniga, Thomas B. Brezoczky
  • Patent number: 9452506
    Abstract: Vacuum cleaning systems and related methods are disclosed. A polishing pad in combination with a fluid, such as a slurry, contacts a substrate to planarize material at the surface thereof and resultantly creates debris. A cleaning system includes an enclosure body having an inlet opening which may be placed proximate to the polishing pad and an exit opening in communication with a vacuum source to remove the debris and the fluid from the polishing pad through a passageway connecting the inlet and exit openings. By including contact members secured to the enclosure body and configured to form an abutment against a working surface of the polishing pad, a Venturi effect zone between the enclosure body and the working surface of the polishing pad may be created to dislodge fluid and debris from the working surface. In this manner, scratches and contamination are avoided for later-polished substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul D. Butterfield, Shou-Sung Chang, Bum Jick Kim
  • Patent number: 9452507
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a polishing pad suitable for planarizing at least one of semiconductor, optical and magnetic substrates. The method obtains a liquid polyurethane material formed from an isocyanate-terminated molecule and a curative agent. The liquid polyurethane material contains 4.2 to 7.5 weight percent fluid-filled polymeric microspheres in the isocyanate-terminated molecule. The fluid-filled polymeric microspheres are a blend of preexpanded and unexpanded fluid-filled polymeric microspheres. The liquid polyurethane material contains a blend of preexpanded and unexpanded fluid-filled polymeric microspheres having a relative viscosity ? ? 0 of 1.1 to 7. Then the liquid polyurethane material solidifies into a polyurethane matrix that contains preexpanded and expanded fluid-filled polymeric microsphere for forming the polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials CMP Holdings, Inc., Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Bainian Qian, George C. Jacob
  • Patent number: 9452508
    Abstract: Adjustable knife holder adapted to maintain sharpness of a knife blade and method of manufacturing the knife holder. The knife holder comprises a housing defining an interior volume therein and a sharpener disposed in the interior volume for slightly sharpening the knife blade each time the knife blade is inserted into or withdrawn from the holder, thereby obviating a need to periodically resharpen the knife blade. The sharpening component can be conveniently removed and interchanged with another sharpener for maintaining sharpness of various types, styles and sizes of knives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Bar 3 Products Group, LLC
    Inventors: James Leonard Beechinor, Terrence Anderson Blanco, Karen Louise Pascoe, Nam Quoc Hoang
  • Patent number: 9452509
    Abstract: A sapphire pad conditioner includes a sapphire substrate having multiple protrusions on a surface and a holder arranged to hold the sapphire substrate. The sapphire substrate is used for conditioning a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Lung Hung, Chi-Hao Huang, Jaw-Lih Shih, Hong-Hsing Chou, Yeh-Chieh Wang
  • Patent number: 9452510
    Abstract: A device comprises supports (3, 4) which can be moved relative to each other, and on mutually facing walls of which toothed profiles (6, 7) are provided. Each toothed profile interacts with opposing segments (31, 32) of a rotatable gear (2), by the rotation of which the supports (3, 4) can be moved in opposite directions simultaneously in a synchronized manner. The gear (2) has a varying tip circle diameter (d) along the gear circumference, wherein the tip circle diameter (d) increases along a segment (31, 32), and an effective outer diameter (dw) of the gear (2) is arranged between the supports (3, 4) in a clamped rotational position, so that the effective outer diameter (dw) matches a target diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: RATTUNDE & CO. GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Rattunde
  • Patent number: 9452511
    Abstract: A combination ER wrench is disclosed for use in installing and tightening collet holders in connection with milling machines or machining centers. The disclosed wrench combines the function of multiple wrenches. The disclosed wrench has two open ends and two box ends that fit various collets and collet holders common in the industry, along with a box end to fit a retention knob. The open ends of the wrench have arcurate jaws and five points to contact the collet and/or collet nut. The box ends of the wrench are openings shaped to contact the collect and/or collet nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Last Tool Factory LLC
    Inventor: Long Khac Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9452512
    Abstract: A method for repositioning a cutterbar assembly of a header of an agricultural harvester. The header includes a chassis. The cutterbar assembly includes a cutterbar and a supporting arm. The method includes steps of connecting one end of the supporting arm to the chassis, further connecting the supporting arm to the chassis via a down-stop linkage assembly positionable between first and second positions, engaging a lockout tool with the down-stop linkage assembly, applying a torque to the down-stop linkage assembly via the lockout tool, and repositioning the down-stop linkage assembly from either the first position or the second position upon application of the torque. An opposite end of the supporting arm is connected to the cutterbar. In the first position, the cutterbar is positioned distal to a front end of the chassis, and in the second position, the cutterbar is positioned proximal to the front end of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Joshua Steward Joyce
  • Patent number: 9452513
    Abstract: A shaft has a driving end and a driven end. A plurality of driving adaptors with various handles are releasably connected to the shaft driving end. A plurality of driven adaptors with various tools for performing operations within a limited space work area, such as an inaccessible space, a confined space, or keyhole excavation, are releasably connected to the shaft driven end. The driving adaptors are positioned outside of the limited space work area. The driven adaptors are positioned within the limited space work area. The handle is manipulated at the shaft driving end to transmit selected rotational and translational movements through the shaft to the tool to perform operations in the limited space work area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Nick C. Kravitch
  • Patent number: 9452514
    Abstract: An installation tool for fastening a top plate to a roof support member and other structural connections is adapted to drive screws at a pre-established angle. The tool preferably includes a rotary driver assembly and a telescopic tube assembly. A guide assembly is mounted adjacent the outer end of the telescopic tube assembly. Locating structures function to properly precisely set the drive angle of the screw. A stabilizer prevents the screw from moving during the installation. The guide assembly is also configured to provide a marking for inspection purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Handy & Harman
    Inventors: Mark J. Guthrie, Michael W. Maziarz, David L. Mathieu, Kevin G. Walters, Timothy F. Gillis
  • Patent number: 9452515
    Abstract: A hand tool includes a body and a ratchet head which is pivotably connected to the body. A pawl and a controller are connected to the body. The ratchet head is engaged with the pawl by first and second engaging teeth. The controller has a recess which has two curved faces. The controller has two grooves and each groove has a first stop face and a second stop face. The first and second stop faces contact the two curved faces. The pawl is not moveable, and the first engaging teeth are engaged with the second engaging teeth so as to fix the ratchet head relative to the body at an angle. When the two curved faces are moved to face the two grooves, the controller is moved, and the ratchet head is pivotable relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Lee
  • Patent number: 9452516
    Abstract: Radially spaced blades extending into grooves in the faces of a socket for socket wrenches. Each blade has a curved face facing a bolt head inserted into the socket and an opposite curved face against respective grooves in the bolt face. The blades engaging a hex-head of a bolt inserted into the socket. Applying torque to the socket against resistance from the bolt, urges the blades against their respective groove to secure the bolt head in the socket. The shaft of an Allen wrench is secured in the socket so that its head does not interfere with the head of a hex bolt inserted into the socket. When the Allen wrench is released from its recessed position, the Allen wrench can move upward toward the socket's open end where it can engage an Allen bolt head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Pouria Alavi
  • Patent number: 9452517
    Abstract: A collapsible torque wrench includes: a shank having a drive head at a front end and two pivoted ends at a rear end; a connection rod, a front end of which being pivotally connected with the first pivoted end; a housing having a tubular body and a casing fixedly disposed on one side of the tubular body, the connection rod being relatively slidably fitted in the tubular body; a torque adjustment mechanism being mounted in the tubular body and including a fixing block, the fixing block being mounted in the tubular body by at least two pins; and a stop member received in the casing. A front end of the stop member is pivotally connected with the second pivoted end. The fixing block is easily demounted from the tubular body for replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: KABO TOOL COMPANY
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9452518
    Abstract: An improved sledge hammer device is disclosed having first and second head portions attached to a central rod and a hand guard which is substantially parallel to the central rod. In operation, the hammer is held by the central rod, or optionally by the hand guard and is brought vertically or horizontally in contact with its target by the user. The device is particularly advantageous in situations where the typical central handle and/or wide swing arc is impractical due to space constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Perry
  • Patent number: 9452519
    Abstract: A tool includes a handle that defines an axis, a stabilizer mounted along a length of the handle and a hook mounted to the handle, the hook angled with respect to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry S. Moniz, Curtis V. Cushing
  • Patent number: 9452520
    Abstract: An electric power tool includes a motor having a drive shaft, a tool output shaft rotated by rotational force of the drive shaft, a clutch unit that connects or disconnects a torque transmission line between the drive shaft and the tool output shaft according to load torque of the tool output shaft, a load detector that outputs a load torque signal in accordance with the load torque of the tool output shaft, and a control unit that performs a rising detection mode, which detects rising of the load torque signal to stop rotation of the motor, and a falling detection mode, which detects falling of the load torque signal to stop rotation of the motor. The control unit selects the rising detection mode or the falling detection mode according to a usage condition signal indicating a usage condition of the electric power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sawano, Hiroshi Miyazaki, Hidenori Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9452521
    Abstract: A magnetic drill press includes a main housing, a drill unit supported by the main housing for relative movement therewith in a direction of a rotational axis of the drill unit, and a magnetic base coupled to the main housing for selectively magnetically latching to a ferromagnetic workpiece. The magnetic base includes a plurality of grooves formed on a surface of the magnetic base engageable with the ferromagnetic workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terry L. Timmons, James Wekwert
  • Patent number: 9452522
    Abstract: A magnetic base for selectively magnetically latching to a ferromagnetic surface includes a magnet holder, a fixed magnet assembly supported within the magnet holder, a movable magnet assembly supported within the magnet holder, and a transmission. The transmission includes an input, an output coupled to the movable magnet assembly for moving the rotatable movable assembly relative to the fixed magnet assembly through a predetermined range of motion, and a plurality of transmission elements positioned between the output and the input. The transmission elements are configured to provide a variable mechanical advantage between the output and the input during at least a portion of the predetermined range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terry L. Timmons, James Wekwert
  • Patent number: 9452523
    Abstract: A rack is disclosed, adapted to facilitate efficient transport, use and storage of augers, including foundation augers. The rack comprises a frame and a plurality of upwardly rising tower assemblies which grip or lock the helical flighting on earth augers. In various embodiments, components of the rack are adjustable to accommodate differing diameters of the auger, differing angles of incline of flighting, and differing heights of augers and their flighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Craig Richard Hokanson
  • Patent number: 9452524
    Abstract: A composite tool holder includes a base, a socket set and a hand tool set. The base includes a substrate, a first track formed on the substrate, and a second track formed on the first track. At least one slot is formed through the substrate. The first track includes a sliding slot. The second track includes an engaging slot. The socket set is combined with the base and includes a positioning plate disposed in the engaging slot of the second track and multiple positioning blocks disposed in the sliding slot. The hand tool set is combined with the base and includes a holding component combined with the substrate. The holding component includes a combining portion disposed in one of the at least one slot and a holding portion formed on a top surface. The composite tool holder can store both hand tools and sleeves at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Jui-Chien Kao
  • Patent number: 9452525
    Abstract: A mobile robot guest for interacting with a human resident performs a room-traversing search procedure prior to interacting with the resident, and may verbally query whether the resident being sought is present. Upon finding the resident, the mobile robot may facilitate a teleconferencing session with a remote third party, or interact with the resident in a number of ways. For example, the robot may carry on a dialogue with the resident, reinforce compliance with medication or other schedules, etc. In addition, the robot incorporates safety features for preventing collisions with the resident; and the robot may audibly announce and/or visibly indicate its presence in order to avoid becoming a dangerous obstacle. Furthermore, the mobile robot behaves in accordance with an integral privacy policy, such that any sensor recording or transmission must be approved by the resident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Ziegler, Andrew Jones, Clara Vu, Matthew Cross, Ken Sinclair, Tony L. Campbell
  • Patent number: 9452526
    Abstract: Provided is a robot cleaner. The robot cleaner includes a main body defining an outer appearance of the robot cleaner, a moving unit for moving or rotating the main body, a plurality of receiving units disposed in the main body to receive a user's voice command, and a control unit recognizing a call command occurring direction when the voice command inputted from the plurality of receiving units is a call command. The control unit controls the moving unit so that the main body is moved in the recognized call command occurring direction along the preset detour route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jimann Jeong, Byounggi Lee, Kyuho Lee
  • Patent number: 9452527
    Abstract: A substrate transport arm including a plurality of links rotatably connected to each other in series; and a system for maintaining radial orientation of a third one of the links regardless of a rotational angle of first and second ones of the links relative to each other. The system for maintaining radial orientation includes a four-bar linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Persimmon Technologies, Corp.
    Inventor: Christopher Hofmeister
  • Patent number: 9452528
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for controlling a mechanism in communication with a handheld device. The method includes sensing a maneuver of the handheld device and providing at least one vector command to the mechanism based on the sensed maneuver in order to control the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: VECNA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Neal Checka, David Demirdjlan, Shawn Schaffert
  • Patent number: 9452529
    Abstract: A robot includes: a base; a first arm rotatably coupled to the base about a first axis of rotation; a second arm rotatably coupled to the first arm about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation being an axis perpendicular to the first axis of rotation or being an axis parallel to an axis perpendicular to the first axis of rotation; a third arm rotatably coupled to the second arm about a third axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation being an axis parallel to the second axis of rotation; a first angular velocity sensor installed to the first arm and having an angular velocity detection axis parallel to the first axis of rotation; and a second angular velocity sensor installed to the third arm and having an angular velocity detection axis parallel to the third axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Niu
  • Patent number: 9452530
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a system and method for determining a robot path based on user motion by determining a current position of a robot with a processor-based computing device programmed to perform the determining, receiving sensor readings on positions, directions, and velocities of a visually-impaired user and other users, generating a model of the motions of the visually-impaired user and the other users, the model including a user path for the visually-impaired user and a robot path for the robot, generating a collision prediction map to predict collisions between at least one of the robot, the visually-impaired user, and the other users, determining whether there is a risk of collision for either the visually-impaired user or the robot, and responsive to the risk of collision, updating at least one of the user path and the robot path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: Emrah Akin Sisbot, Young-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9452531
    Abstract: A method, system, and one or more computer-readable storage media for controlling a robot in the presence of a moving object are provided herein. The method includes capturing a number of frames from a three-dimensional camera system and analyzing a frame to identify a connected object. The frame is compared to a previous frame to identify a moving connected object (MCO). If an unexpected MCO is in the frame a determination is made if the unexpected MCO is in an actionable region. If so, the robot is instructed to take an action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Harshavardhana Kikkeri, Bryan J. Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 9452532
    Abstract: A robot determines whether or not an operator or an object is jammed between a robot arm and an external structure, classifies an area in which an end portion of the robot arm moves into a restricted area and an unrestricted area, and sets a restriction period. If a period after detection of the jam is in the restriction period and the end portion is in the restricted area, restriction on movement is imposed on one or more joints of the robot arm. The restriction on movement is a stoppage of movement of one or more joints. If the period after detection of the jam is after the restriction period, the restriction on movement is removed. If the period after detection of the jam is in the restriction period and the end portion is in the unrestricted area, the restriction on movement is not imposed on the joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mayumi Komatsu, Yasunao Okazaki
  • Patent number: 9452533
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a robot positioning device includes a first interface configured to communicate with a robot and a second interface configured to communicate with a location measuring system. The robot positioning device includes a calibrator, a modeler, and an instructor. The calibrator is configured to direct the location measuring system to determine robot calibration locations when robot joints are positioned in calibration joint positions. The modeler is configured to create a calibrated model relating robot joint positions to robot locations based at least in part on the robot calibration locations received from the location measuring system and associated calibration joint positions of the robot joints. The instructor is configured to receive a goal location from the robot. The instructor is further configured to transmit goal joint positions to the robot, the goal joint positions based at least in part on the goal location and the calibrated model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Joseph M. Calkins, Robert J. Salerno
  • Patent number: 9452534
    Abstract: A robot includes a first horizontal arm coupled to a base, a second horizontal arm coupled to the base via the first horizontal arm, first and second motors adapted to rotate the respective arms, and first and second encoders adapted to calculate rotational angles and rotational velocities of the respective motors. A first motor control section subtracts first and second angular velocities based on the first and second encoders from a sensor angular velocity detected by an angular sensor, and controls the first motor so that a velocity measurement value obtained by adding a vibration velocity based on a vibration angular velocity as the subtraction result and a first rotational velocity becomes equal to a velocity command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuji Igarashi, Masaki Motoyoshi
  • Patent number: 9452535
    Abstract: A self-aligning piston is configured to selectively engage and disengage a pipe segment to permit a top drive output shaft to be coupled to the pipe segment. In one embodiment, the self-aligning piston includes a piston body configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, at least one resilient, energy-storing member coupled to the piston body, a roller assembly coupled to the piston body, and a cam disposed between the at least one resilient, energy-storing member and the roller assembly. The resilient, energy-storing member is configured to bias the piston body into the first position by rotating the roller assembly along the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Preston R. Fox, Neil E. West, Lawrence E. Wells
  • Patent number: 9452536
    Abstract: A pick-and-place device for a glass substrate is provided. The pick-and-place device has a loading bracket for loading the glass substrate, at least one first stopper immovably disposed on the loading bracket, and a plurality of second stoppers movably disposed on the loading bracket. The first stopper is used for a datum orientation with the glass substrate; and the second stopper is used to fix the glass substrate. Therefore, the shifting deviation risk of the glass substrate is decreased, and it can reduce the broken risk of the glass substrate, so as to lower the production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih Ying Sun
  • Patent number: 9452537
    Abstract: A robot hand is a robot hand including a finger section. The robot hand includes an elastic body provided in the finger section and including an attracting section that attracts an object and a sensor provided in the finger section and configured to detect deformation of the elastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Nammoto, Kazuhiro Kosuge, Kosuke Hara, Kengo Yamaguchi