Patents Issued in January 31, 2017
  • Patent number: 9555497
    Abstract: A plasma arc torch is provided that includes a torch body and a torch height controller. The torch height controller includes a movable part mounted to the torch body and a fixed part connected to a robotic arm. The movable part and the torch body are biased toward a workpiece and are translational relative to the fixed part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Victor Equipment Company
    Inventors: Daniel Wayne Barnett, Christopher V. Braudis, Sr., Nakhleh Hussary, Dirk Ott
  • Patent number: 9555498
    Abstract: There is described a continuity sensing system that operates with a resistance-welding machine. This sensing system measures continuity between the welding electrodes after the welding machine has been initiated and prevents application of high electrode force between the electrodes if the continuity measured is below a reference level. The result is a fully passive system that prevents serious high electrode force that would cause serious pinch-point injury to the operator of the welder. The present invention also includes methods of controlling pneumatic systems on resistance-welding machines to apply low force between welding electrodes until continuity between the welding electrodes has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Roger Hirsch
  • Patent number: 9555499
    Abstract: A method of cutting a super-hard material (8) using an electron beam (6), wherein the electron beam (6) is directed onto a surface of the super-hard material (8) and moved relative to the surface such that the electron beam (6) moves across the surface of the super-hard material (8) at an electron beam scanning velocity in a range 100 to 5000 mms?1 to cut the super-hard material (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Element Six Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Christopher John Howard Wort
  • Patent number: 9555500
    Abstract: A method to join a first material and a second material by diffusion welding, wherein a third material is put in between the first material and the second material during the joining process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Ingemar Strandell
  • Patent number: 9555501
    Abstract: A process for obtaining a mechanical component by joining a first metallic material and a second metallic material. The process comprises: (A) putting the first material and the second material in contact with each other, (B) fixating a sheet metal element onto the first material to at least partly enclosing the second material and so that the sheet metal element is at least partly in contact with the second material. The sheet metal element comprises carbon, joining the first material and the second material by diffusion welding. The carbon activity of the second material Ca2 and the carbon activity of the sheet metal element Cam at the temperature of joining fulfills a relation Ca2?Cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Ingemar Strandell
  • Patent number: 9555502
    Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a scribe line in a thin film stack on an inner surface of a thin film photovoltaic superstrate are provided via the use of a cleaning laser beam and a scribing laser beam. The cleaning laser beam is focused directly onto the exposed surface of the superstrate such that the cleaning laser beam removes debris from the exposed surface of the superstrate, and the scribing laser beam is focused through the exposed surface of the superstrate and onto the thin film stack such that the scribing laser beam passes through the superstrate to form a scribe within the thin film stack on the inner surface of the superstrate. The method and system can further utilize a conveyor to transport the superstrate in a machine direction to move the superstrate past the cleaning laser source and the scribing laser source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Daniel Feldman-Peabody, William J. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 9555503
    Abstract: Cladding and remanufacturing a machine component includes directing cleaning and welding beams split from an incident laser beam toward the machine component, and moving the machine component relative the cleaning and welding beams such that the welding beam trails behind the cleaning beam along a common travel path. A surface of the machine component is decontaminated by the cleaning beam, while a cladding material is melted via the welding beam such that upon solidifying the cladding material forms a coating metallurgically bonded to base material and previously deposited cladding material of the machine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kegan Luick, Daniel Sordelet, Daniel T. Cavanaugh, Justin Embrey
  • Patent number: 9555504
    Abstract: A welded assembly of aluminum alloy part, in which (i) at least a first aluminum alloy part is procured in a solution heat treated, quenched, optionally cold worked, and naturally aged at ambient temperature or pre-aged temper, and at least a second aluminum alloy part, (ii) said parts are welded to obtain a welded assembly having a welded zone, (iii) cold working the entire welded zone between 0.3% and 5% is performed, (iv) the welded assembly thus cold worked undergoes post-weld aging to obtain a final metallurgical temper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CONSTELLIUM ISSOIRE
    Inventors: Isabelle Bordesoules-Eberl, Armelle Danielou, Christine Henon, Philippe Lequeu
  • Patent number: 9555505
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a forging method for forming a heat sink 9 including a base board 91 and a plurality of pin fins 92 integrally formed on an upper surface of the base board 91. A back pressure applying pin 75 of a forging die for forming pin fins 92 are slidably arranged in a fin-forming hole 52. At the time of plastically deforming a forging blank W, a back pressure is applied by the back pressure applying pin to a metal material of the forging blank W flowed into the fin-forming hole 52. A concave portion 76 is formed on the restraining tip end face of the back pressure applying pin 75 for restraining the metal material, and a joining convex portion 93 is integrally formed on a tip end of the pin fin 92 by the metal material filled in the concave portion 76.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Sadao Kokubo, Kazuo Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9555506
    Abstract: Provided are a drill blank, a method for manufacturing a blank, a drill, and a method for manufacturing a drill which allow a step of brazing to be easy and allow the brazing to be precise. A drill includes a drill blank brazed thereto in an elongated columnar-shape and made of cemented carbide. In the drill blank, both dA and dB are equal to or smaller than 2 mm, dA?dB>dC, a ratio of the length to dA is equal to or larger than 3, and dB/dA=0.96 to 1 and dC/dA=0.9 to 0.995 in a longitudinal direction, where dA indicates the diameter of one end of both ends, dB indicates the diameter of the other end thereof, and dC indicates the minimum diameter of a central portion. Brazing of the drill blank is easy and precision in brazing is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Matsushita, Tadayuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 9555507
    Abstract: A display system is easily attached to the safety bar of a chair on a chair lift system at the beginning of a season. The display system includes brackets formed of rails holding clamp portions that may be fastened together to clamp the display system to a chair, such as to the safety bar across the lap of a rider. At the end of a season, the display system may be removed from each chair, the clamp portions removed, and the display systems stacked. In one simplified system, adjacent displays may be stacked back to back, and such adjacent pairs may be stacked with the displays in adjacent pairs positioned face-to-face. Thus, metal brackets on the backs need not scratch up the reading faces or surfaces. Meanwhile, the displays may be stored in minimal space, with great stability, while minimizing wear and damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Christian R. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 9555508
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a rigging table system that delivers the members from the cutting station to a location behind the workers at the rigging table, transports the members vertically below the surface of the floor on which the workers stand, horizontally transports the members underneath the floor on which the workers stand, and delivers the members vertically above the surface of the floor in front of the workers for assembly on the rigging table. The members are delivered through the use of systems that drop, slide, lift, and extend the members of the truss to the desired locations using automatic sensors or call buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Corey D. Privett, Danny R. Buckendahl, Michael T. Chikos, Frederick J. Dederman, Shane P. Finkral, Jeffrey S. Gallop, Doyle G. Hopper, Jr., Daniel W. Johnson, Terrence L. Jueden, James P. Laudenklos, Jordan S. Otjen, James L. Pofahl, Brian L. Richter, Russell L. Sila, Gerald J. Wieser, Kyle J. Zautke
  • Patent number: 9555509
    Abstract: A wellbore screen including: an apertured base pipe; an intermediate filtering layer including a plurality of metal fibers wrapped helically around the apertured base pipe and a fluid tracing filament wrapped helically about the apertured base pipe, the fluid tracing filament including a filament structure and a tracer carried by the filament structure, the tracer being entrainable produced fluids in a wellbore environment; and an outer apertured shell over the intermediate layer. A method for producing a wellbore screen, the method comprising: forming a filter tube by wrapping an intermediate layer, including a metal wool fiber strip and a fluid tracing filament, about an apertured base pipe in a helical arrangement under tension; positioning the filter tube within the long bore of an outer apertured sleeve; and securing the outer apertured sleeve and the filter tube together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: ABSOLUTE COMPLETION TECHNOLOGIES LTD., RESMAN AS
    Inventors: Glenn Edward Woiceshyn, Fridtjof Nyhavn
  • Patent number: 9555510
    Abstract: A body panel assembly and a method for manufacturing a body panel assembly are disclosed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, the body panel assembly includes, but is not limited to, an inner panel having a lower portion. The body panel assembly further includes an outer panel that is connected to the inner panel. The outer panel has a main portion, a transitional portion, and a bent portion. The main portion and the bent portion are positioned on opposite sides of the lower portion. The main portion, the transitional portion, and the bent portion are arranged to form a cavity having an elongated configuration below the inner panel. The bent portion defines an opening extending therethrough. The opening is positioned at least partially below the lower portion of the inner panel. The opening provides ventilation to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Guangling Song
  • Patent number: 9555511
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the assembly and disassembly of hydraulic cylinders, composed of a pedestal-like machine frame having horizontally arranged guide means which bear, in displaceable manner, a receptacle for the cylinder barrel of the hydraulic cylinder, at least one receptacle for a support and a receptacle for a tool, and furthermore having a holder for fixing the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder. According to the invention, the holder for fixing the piston rod has a centering carriage which is driven by a centering spindle and which comprises a piston rod receptacle, wherein the holder is designed to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the machine frame and the rotational movement is realized by means of a torque-controlled electromotive drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH, Martin Trenkle
    Inventors: Martin Trenkle, Werner Luidl
  • Patent number: 9555512
    Abstract: A work holding device that secures a workpiece includes a first support column, a second support column, and a plurality of part fixturing anchors. The first support column and the second support column are coupled to one another forming a longitudinal loading envelope having a width-wise dimension, a height-wise dimension, and a length-wise dimension. At least one of the support columns includes a plurality of part fixturing recesses passing through the support column in the width-wise dimension and arranged within the height-wise dimension and the length-wise dimension of the longitudinal loading envelope. The part fixturing anchors extend through the support column at the part fixturing recesses into the longitudinal loading envelope and couple the workpiece to the first and second support columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Richard Koczera
  • Patent number: 9555513
    Abstract: A packaging machine is disclosed that includes a deep-drawing station, a filling station, a sealing station, or a combination thereof. The deep-drawing station, the sealing station, or both have an upper tool including a supporting top part. The supporting top is pivotable via a pivot mechanism, and the pivot mechanism is detachable from the supporting top part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: GEA FOOD SOLUTIONS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Joerg Schmeiser, Gerd Martin Huebner, Klaus Meyer, Juergen Niesar, Frank Runte
  • Patent number: 9555514
    Abstract: A workpiece discharge device for a machine tool is provided with a container, which is mounted on a turret and receives a workpiece held by a spindle from a receiving port, and a storage box, which stores the workpiece inside the container by using a revolution of the turret and passing through a chute. The container is mounted on the turret and is capable of swinging around a swinging shaft which is parallel to a revolving axis of the turret, and the receiving port is arranged to direct vertically upward in a predetermined indexing angle range of the container when the workpiece is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: DMG MORI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kento Komine, Katsuhito Miyahara, Tatsuhiko Kuriya
  • Patent number: 9555515
    Abstract: In a machine tool spindle device, a draw bar is arranged inside a center hole of a spindle, and a disc spring is arranged inside a spring member arrangement space between the draw bar and the center hole. A draw bar inner pipe is inserted inside a through hole of the draw bar, and the interior of the draw bar inner pipe is used as a coolant passage. A gap between the draw bar inner pipe and the through hole is used as an air passage for supplying the purge air, and the interior of the spring member arrangement space is used as a coolant supply passage for supplying coolant to cooling jackets of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: DMG MORI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Mochizuki, Syunsuke Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 9555516
    Abstract: A method for beveling a thin glass plate by simultaneously grinding an edge of the glass using multiple abrasive cup wheels, wherein the edge of the glass plate is extended from the fixturing device. The extension of the glass plate allows the glass plate to bend in response to forces applied by the abrasive cup wheels, thereby reducing the sensitivity of the grinding process to variations in position of the abrasive wheels. The axes of rotation of the abrasive wheels are separated by a distance selected to prevent deflection in the glass plate caused by a first abrasive wheel to influence the deflection in the glass plate caused by a second (adjacent) abrasive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James W. Brown, Tadashi Kitamura, Gautam N. Kudva, Siva Venkatachalam
  • Patent number: 9555517
    Abstract: The present invention improves the accuracy of film thickness detection. A film thickness signal processing apparatus 230 is provided with a receiving unit 232 for receiving film thickness data output from an eddy-current sensor 210 for detecting the film thickness of a polishing object 102 along a surface to be polished thereof; an identifying unit 236 for identifying the effective range of the film thickness data on the basis of the film thickness data received by the receiving unit 232; and a correcting unit 238 for correcting the film thickness data within the effective range identified by the identifying unit 236.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Taro Takahashi, Hidetaka Nakao, Akira Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9555518
    Abstract: Polishing pads with multi-modal distributions of pore diameters are described. Methods of fabricating polishing pads with multi-modal distributions of pore diameters are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: NexPlanar Corporation
    Inventors: Ping Huang, Diane Scott, James P. LaCasse, William C. Allison
  • Patent number: 9555519
    Abstract: A cutting element include a substrate and a diamond compact including at least two polycrystalline diamond portions separated by at least one metal carbide foil portion. The cutting element is made by placing diamond powder in a reaction container, placing a thin metal layer in the reaction container above or around the diamond powder and binder, placing additional diamond powder in the reaction container above or around the thin metal layer, and placing a pre-sintered substrate containing binder into the reaction container above all diamond powder and thin metal layer components. The assembled reaction container is put into a reactor and is subjected to a high-temperature high-pressure sintering process. The binder in the pre-sintered substrate sweeps through to sinter the first diamond portion, and then reacts with the thin metal layer to form a metal carbide, and then the binder continues to sweep through to sinter the second diamond portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: DIAMOND INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Abhijit Prabhakar Suryavanshi
  • Patent number: 9555520
    Abstract: A method for producing a coated abrasive includes producing or providing an intermediate abrasive product that comprises a substrate, a plurality of abrasive grains that are bonded to the substrate, and at least one layer of an uncured size coat that at least partially covers the abrasive grains with the uppermost size coat being uncured. The method further includes applying at least one grinding additive to the uppermost, uncured size coat with the grinding additive applied to the size coat in dry form. The method also includes curing the uppermost size coat. A coated abrasive is produced by the method and the coated abrasive is used to process a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: sia Abrasives Industries AG
    Inventors: Adrian Schoch, Bruno Oberhaensli
  • Patent number: 9555521
    Abstract: A pliers tool for the removal of lug nut caps includes a pair of elongated handle portions, a pair of jaw portions, a pair of neck portions, a pair of V-shaped clamping plates, a pair of V-shaped channels, and a pair of V-shaped chamfered edges. The pair of handle portions are at one end of the pliers tool. The pair of jaw portions are at another end of the pliers tool. The pair of neck portions are between the handle portions and the jaw portions. A first clamping plate of the pair of V-shaped clamping plates is directly attached to a first jaw portion of the pair of jaw portions. A first channel of the pair of V-shaped channels is attached to an end of the first clamping plate. A first chamfered edge of the pair of chamfered edges is disposed on an end of the first channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventors: Dan St. Gelais, Neil Rampersad
  • Patent number: 9555522
    Abstract: A welding fixture including an electromagnet, a non-magnetic support configured to receive at least two sheets of material to be welded, and one or more clamping shoes configured to cooperate with the electromagnet to apply a clamping pressure to the at least two sheets of material and the non-magnetic support as a result of a magnetic force produced by the electromagnet is provided. A first of the at least two sheets of material is in contact with at least one of the one or more clamping shoes, and a second of the at least two sheets of material is in contact with at least the non-magnetic support. The one or more clamping shoes being shaped such that a perimeter defined by the one or more clamping shoes is located in the vicinity of a defined weld line to be welded on the at least two sheets of material, the weld line remaining substantially free from optical obstruction during production of the magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TOTOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV/SA
    Inventors: Paul Evans, Jonathan Blackburn, Colin Nigel Ribton, Andrew Christopher Woloszyn
  • Patent number: 9555523
    Abstract: An interchangeable socket for a socket wrench or other tool is disclosed. The socket has a fastener-receiving end, dimensioned to receive and fit a specified fastener. The socket has a post-receiving end dimensioned to receive and fit a square cross-section drive post. The post-receiving end has a square cross-section hollow bounded by four walls intersecting at corners of the hollow. The post-receiving end has guide surfaces that intersect with the four walls and each other. The guide surfaces cooperate with the drive post to rotate and align the drive post with the square cross-section hollow. The guide surfaces are symmetric with respect to the four walls. The guide surfaces are symmetric with respect to the corners of the square cross-section hollow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventors: Perry J. Richardson, Bruce Richardson
  • Patent number: 9555524
    Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a fastener, includes a clamping jaw, a first biasing member for biasing the clamping jaw, a clamping body having a central axis, a driving assembly for driving the clamping jaw to clamp the fastener, and a second member which can be driven by the first member to move axially relative to the clamping body so as to push the clamping jaw to clamp the fastener. The clamping body is formed with a notch for receiving the clamping jaw and the driving assembly is supported on the clamping body and includes a first member which can rotate and move axially relative to the clamping body. The installation structures between the clamping body, the driving assembly and the clamping jaw may be designed to be more compact so that the clamping device has a smaller size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Guigong Ni
  • Patent number: 9555525
    Abstract: A rotation speed control method for impact type fastening tools has a presetting step and a dynamic control step. The presetting step includes setting a plurality of working positions, and setting a PWM signal with a larger duty cycle as a driving signal in a period after energization so that a motor can rotate at a higher speed and improve work efficiency. When a main controller judges, according to feedback, that the operation enters an impact phase and torsion control is needed to reduce rotation speed, the main controller makes adjustment by driving the motor with a PWM signal with a lower duty cycle corresponding to a working position currently set by the user. The control method improves work efficiency, and meet the user's need of driving a fastener with a higher rotation speed at an early stage of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Shuming Wu, Liang Chen, Wu Chen
  • Patent number: 9555526
    Abstract: A tool including selectively operable torque-limiting mechanism is provided. The tool includes a housing, a torque-limiting mechanism disposed within the housing and including a first gear engaged with the housing and including a number of first recesses, a second gear rotatably disposed within the housing adjacent the first gear and including a number of second recesses, a number of bearings disposed between the first gear and the second gear partially within the first recesses and partially within the second recesses, and a variable force-applying assembly engaged with the first gear opposite the second gear, a drive body engaged with the second gear and extending outwardly from the housing, and a cover disposed around the housing and selectively engaged with the drive body to control the operation of the torque-limiting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Gauthier Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Gauthier, Robert F. Miller
  • Patent number: 9555527
    Abstract: A method for controlling a torque output of a DC electric tool, includes presetting torque levels and voltage ranges corresponding to the torque levels, detecting the current output voltage of a battery and determining the voltage range in which the current output voltage is located, determining whether or not the current voltage range matches the preset torque level or not, and if the current voltage range does not match the preset torque level providing a warning that the torque output cannot reach the preset torque level and calculating and displaying a maximum torque level corresponding to the actual torque output value and, if the current voltage range does match the preset torque level, calculating the current actual torque output value and keeping a PWM modulation value constant if the torque output value conforms to the preset torque level or increasing the PWM modulation value for compensation if the torque output value does not conform to the preset torque level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Wu Chen, Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 9555528
    Abstract: A delivery device for a stented heart valve includes a handle, an elongate shaft extending from a distal end of the handle, and a conical housing having a proximal end coupled to the elongate shaft and an open distal end, the conical housing having a conical lumen therein with a first internal diameter adjacent to the proximal end of the conical housing and a larger second internal diameter adjacent to the open distal end of the conical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic 3F THerapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrzej M. Malewicz, David Elizondo, Matthew W. Weston
  • Patent number: 9555529
    Abstract: A device for applying fasteners having one almost flat head having a central pass through hole, two opposed sides having protrusions approximately perpendicular to the head forming shoulders, has a first nail magazine for locking a fastener. A shooting device shoots a nail through the fastener central hole. A second magazine has a slide guide housing a set of fasteners, with tongues oriented in a forward sliding direction, the shoulders oriented towards an outlet. The outlet has jaws hinged to rotation pins, perpendicular to the sliding direction. Front portions of the jaws fully protrude from the second magazine, each jaw having teeth having a shoulder shape to match a shoulder shape of a fastener interposed between the jaws. The teeth elastically and detachably hold the fasteners in an aligned position with the pass through hole and with the shooting direction of the shooting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FASCO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Marco Ronconi
  • Patent number: 9555530
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes an extensible polymer assembly and a fastener drive assembly, such that when said extensible polymer assembly is actuated (by a motor and linear motion converter), energy is stored as an extensible polymer of the polymer assembly extends in length and force from said extensible polymer is applied on said fastener drive assembly. When said extensible polymer reaches a sufficient extension, a retention means releases said fastener drive assembly and wherein said fastener drive assembly moves from a first position to a second position such that an anvil of the fastener drive assembly is capable of driving a fastener into a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Tricord Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Pedicini, John Witzigreuter
  • Patent number: 9555531
    Abstract: A hydraulic hammer is disclosed having a piston and an accumulator membrane disposed external and co-axial to the piston. Additionally, a sleeve is disposed between the piston and accumulator membrane, wherein the sleeve has a plurality of radial passages formed therein that fluidly connect the accumulator membrane with the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Cody Moore
  • Patent number: 9555532
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a rotary impact tool may include an anvil and at least one hammer configured to impact the anvil to cause the anvil to rotate. The anvil may include an output shaft, a first lug extending outward in a radial direction from the output shaft and extending a first distance around the output shaft in a circumferential direction, and a second lug extending outward in the radial direction from the output shaft and extending a second distance, different from the first distance, around the output shaft in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Ryan Scott Amend, Edward Charles Eardley, Timothy Richard Cooper
  • Patent number: 9555533
    Abstract: The invention described herein generally relates to a pliers welding multi-tool including welding pliers and a plurality of welding tools that can be stowed in one or both handles of the pliers welding multi-tool. The pliers welding multi-tool handles can include rotating, sliding, or other interfaces to store or take out the pliers or other tools. Other tools integrated in the pliers portion or stored within the handles can include a welding fillet gauge, a welding thickness gauge, a welding tip remover, a welding nozzle remover, a bevel-angle tool, a root gap gauge, a plate and rod gauge, and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Karl Leach, Jamy Edward Bulan
  • Patent number: 9555534
    Abstract: A device is provided for screwing. The device includes a handle housing and a gear reduction housing. The handle housing includes a handle and lodges a motor. The gear reduction housing lodges a gear reduction unit, the input of which cooperates with the output of the motor. The gear reduction unit includes a single output cooperating with a rotating end element for cooperating with an element to be screwed. The gear reduction housing is linked to the handle housing by a rotating link. The rotating link is configured in a way such that a negligible reaction force is transmitted to the handle housing during an operation of screwing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ETABLISSEMENTS GEORGES RENAULT
    Inventors: Nicolas Le Du, Damien Limousin
  • Patent number: 9555535
    Abstract: A rotational force transmitting device includes: an inertia wheel connected to an output gear; a spindle coupled freely rotatable to the center of the front surface of the inertia wheel; a power transmitting eccentric body extended vertically with respect to the rotary shaft of the spindle; an insert pin inserted into a guide hole, a position restoring spring inserted into the guide hole, for elastically supporting the insert pin in a backward direction; and a balance weight coupled rotatably to the rear surface of the inertia wheel, the balance weight rotating with the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the inertia wheel to push the insert pin forward to allow the insert pin and the power transmitting eccentric body to be engaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: JOONGWOO M-TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Moo Young Yun
  • Patent number: 9555536
    Abstract: A two-stage locking electric screwdriver, with its main improved features as follow: the electric screwdriver has pre-locking and locking functions; the torque settings of the electric screwdriver can be easily modulated, and meanwhile the torque accuracy and energy efficiency can be improved; the torque modulation type is external modulation, so that the torque modulation can be carried out externally and even the torsion spring can be replaced. Meanwhile, the component structures inside the electric screwdriver is improved through a design that the motor directly drives the clutch and then drive the screwdriver head unit, and that an internal gear clutch is used to replaced the gear unit and clutch unit, so that the number of parts is dramatically reduced to save production cost. During general rotation, the electric screwdriver will not drive the clutch unit, and when the torque jumps to the set value, the internal gear clutch rotates and generates a torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Hsiu-Lin Hsu
  • Patent number: 9555537
    Abstract: A casing of a hedge clipper which is a portable tool is provided with a power source housing in which an electric motor is housed and a main handle held by a worker, and blades serving as a tip tool are provided to the casing. An operation display panel is provided on the main handle, and a driving information display unit which displays a battery remaining capacity and a rotation speed of an electric motor as a plurality of pieces of driving information is provided on the operation display panel. The selection of the information to be displayed is switched by the operation of an operation switch unit provided in the operation display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Iwata, Yasutaka Shimizu, Shogo Shibata
  • Patent number: 9555538
    Abstract: A component part has an over-molded integrally formed insert member. The insert member has a predetermined feature. In addition, an end portion of the predetermined feature is exposed and free from over-molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Rex Blakeman
  • Patent number: 9555539
    Abstract: A tool box contains: a holder, a cover, a first peripheral fence, and a second peripheral fence. The holder includes a first abutting rib extending upwardly from a top end of a peripheral wall thereof. The cover is used for covering the holder, and between the holder and the cover is defined an accommodating space to accommodate tools. The first peripheral fence is arranged around the peripheral wall of the holder. The second peripheral fence is arranged around an outer wall of the cover and includes a contacting face extending inwardly from a bottom end of the second peripheral fence to contact with the first abutting rib of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: I-N-B INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Yi-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 9555540
    Abstract: A marking apparatus and its method of use facilitate blind slide-mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. The apparatus includes a post element, a retention element, a tightening element and a cover. The retention element is movable against resilient bias to allow the apparatus to capture a mounting slot in the object. The resilient bias moves the retention element to a gripping position, and the cover can be rotated so as to cause the tightening element to secure the grip of the apparatus to the object. When the object is aligned with and pushed toward the mounting surface, the cover moves against an elastic bias to allow a marking end of the apparatus to contact the mounting surface so as mark the appropriate location for installation of a fastener to supportingly engage the slide-mount slot of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CW Consulting Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin L. Weitsman
  • Patent number: 9555541
    Abstract: A handheld collector device adapted to retrieve small objects, the device having an elongated handle, a head mounted to the handle, a plurality of tine sets retained by the head and an ejection mechanism to eject the objects. Each tine set has a plurality of individual tines projecting outwardly in spaced relation. The tines are relatively rigid members possessing a degree of flexibility such that when the ends of the tines are pressed onto objects to be collected, the tines flex sufficiently to pass over and capture the objects. The device is modular in construction such that the tine sets can be removed and replaced in order to adapt the device to provide optimum results for varying sizes and types of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventors: Caleb M. Dudley, Silas L. Dudley
  • Patent number: 9555542
    Abstract: A robotic building system includes a first through third sets of extruded elements integrally joined at lengthwise edges and corners to rails. The second set of extruded elements has at least three adjoining sides surrounding a hollow opening, where each side is integrally joined to a rail. A third set of extruded elements has an asymmetrical inside angle shaped element formed by a first web and a second web oriented generally perpendicular to the first web, where each web is integrally affixed between a pair of opposing rails and each web shares a common rail. The rails may be tapped or drilled to accept a fastener, and each extruded element of the first set, second set and third set of extruded elements are adapted to be flush mounted to any of the other extruded elements or to the same shape extruded elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Gary Gordon Klein
  • Patent number: 9555543
    Abstract: A jointed robot capable to move on a surface is provided. It is known to limit to a predefined fixed value the torque that the motors of the joints of the robot can develop. A rigidity coefficient corresponding to the limit torque is calculated by solving a dynamic equilibrium model of the robot. The contact points of the characteristic effectors are determined by a selection from a list of potential effectors, notably as a function of a criterion of distance from a virtual ground plane. The contact forces for said effectors are calculated by optimal resolution of the equilibrium equations. Finally the torques applied in the dynamic equilibrium model of the robot and the coefficients of corresponding rigidity are calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ALDEBARAN ROBOTICS
    Inventors: David Gouaillier, Cyrille Collette
  • Patent number: 9555544
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for automating a manual process. The methods, systems, and apparatus include actions of identifying a process that (i) is manually performed by a user interacting with a computer, and (ii) is to be automated for performance by a robot that is configured to interact with another computer. Additional actions include obtaining one or more images taken of a display of the computer while the user is interacting with the computer in manually performing the process and applying a computer vision technique to identify one or more activities associated with the process. Further actions include, for each of the one or more identified activities, generating activity information associated with the activity and generating a process definition for use in causing the robot to automatically perform the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Accenture Global Solutions Limited
    Inventors: Cyrille Bataller, Adrien Jacquot, Sergio Raúl Torres
  • Patent number: 9555545
    Abstract: Example systems and methods may allow for parallel operation of robotic devices within a workcell, such as industrial robots controlled to manufacture an output product. One example method includes receiving ordered sequences of operations for a plurality of corresponding robotic devices, determining time-based sequences of operations for each of the robotic devices, where a time-based sequence of operations indicates positions within the workcell at corresponding timesteps of a global timeline, determining one or more potential collisions involving the robotic devices that would result from parallel execution of the time-based sequences of operations within the workcell, modifying the time-based sequences of operations in order to prevent the one or more potential collisions, and providing instructions for parallel execution of the modified time-based sequences of operations at timesteps of the global timeline by the robotic devices within the workcell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Bot & Dolly, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Linnell, Kendra Byrne
  • Patent number: 9555546
    Abstract: A program for a numerical control device is disclosed that determines path points to be approached by an end effector. A control signal group is ascertained for each path point that contains its set point value for each position-controlled axis. Those values are output to the axes, moving the end effector. The degrees of freedom are fewer than the position-controlled axes. The control signal groups are ascertained so that the end effector approaches the path points at least approximately. The control signal groups are ascertained gradually during the activation of the axes. The set point values are ascertained by minimizing an objective function. The objective function that is minimized includes at least the set point values for a path point only to be approached in the future. The sequence between the currently approached point and the point approached in the future has at least one further path point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Carsten Hamm, Sven Tauchmann