Patents Issued in March 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9914190
    Abstract: A blast gate for a vacuum system includes a chassis connectable to a duct and defining a flow passage therethrough, and a gate connected to the chassis and rotatable about a central axis. The gate includes a first portion, an intermediate portion and a second portion spaced apart circumferentially about the central axis. The first portion defines a flow aperture, the intermediate portion defines an auxiliary flow aperture, and the second portion includes a partition. Each of the first portion, second portion and third portion is selectively rotatable into fluid alignment with the flow passage. The blast gate further includes a motor connected to the gate and selectively operable to rotate the gate about the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Robert G. Hartness
  • Patent number: 9914191
    Abstract: A method of machining a fibrous sheet for a composite structure is described. The sheet comprises a resin matrix having a glass transition temperature, wherein the method comprises cooling the sheet substantially to maintain the temperature of the matrix below its glass transition temperature during machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Yohann Bellanger, Christopher Thomson
  • Patent number: 9914192
    Abstract: A tooling system that includes a drive unit configured to provide rotational force to a tool member. The tool member is attached at a mount on the drive unit. A camera associated with the drive unit is aligned to capture a target on the tool member. The data is sent to a controller that identifies the tool member based on the target. The controller determines whether the tool member is correct for performing an operation on a work piece. If the tool member is correct, the controller may set one or more operating parameters on the drive unit. If the controller determines that the tool member is not correct, the drive unit is disabled. Further, a signal may be sent to inform an operator of the issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apex Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Douglas Rola, Adrian Hilary Hetzel
  • Patent number: 9914193
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool having a blade portion with a cutting edge, such as but not limited to a kitchen knife. In some embodiments, a powered sharpener has an abrasive medium that is advanced by a motor and an edge guide surface adjacent the abrasive medium, wherein the cutting edge of the cutting tool is sharpened by bringing a first portion of the cutting edge into contacting engagement with the edge guide surface and drawing a second portion of the cutting edge across the abrasive medium. A plurality of spaced apart channels are formed in the sharpened cutting edge by contactingly engaging the sharpened cutting edge with a cold forging member with sufficient force to displace portions of the sharpened cutting edge. The channels in the sharpened cutting edge constitute locally deformed, work hardened notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Darex, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel T. Dovel
  • Patent number: 9914194
    Abstract: Provided is a grinding method capable of preventing variation in the outer diameter of a processed object 1 at the completion of grinding regardless of change in the amount of elastic deformation of the processed object 1 based on the change in the cutting ability of a grindstone 4. The outer diameter D of the processed object 1 during grinding is measured by gauge heads 5 in process. Plural target values Di that differ from each other are set for the outer diameter D of the processed object 1, and first threshold values are set for the rate of change of the outer diameter D of the processed object for each of these target values Di. Spark out is started when the outer diameter D of the processed object 1 becomes equal to a target value Di and the absolute value of the rate of change v is greater than a first threshold value that corresponds to the target value Di.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ebina, Mitsuharu Ozawa, Tomoki Ogasahara
  • Patent number: 9914195
    Abstract: A system of polishing a concave surface of an external piece for a timepiece, including a securing device including a support that carries the piece, and a grinding device including an abrasive mechanism rotatably mounted along a first axis and configured to polish the piece along a first curvature. The securing device further includes a moving mechanism of the support so that the support imparts a back-and-forth motion along a second axis and a contact surface of the abrasive mechanism is curved to polish the piece along a second curvature in addition to the first curvature. The system can be applied to the field of crystals for a timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Comadur S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Tassetti, Gilles Derriey, Patrice Dumont
  • Patent number: 9914196
    Abstract: A polishing unit of a polishing apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a polishing head having a pressing member configured to hold a polishing tape and press the polishing tape against a peripheral portion of a substrate from above; a tape supply and recovery mechanism configured to supply the polishing tape to the polishing head and recover the polishing tape from the polishing head; a first moving mechanism configured to move the polishing head in a radial direction of the substrate; and a second moving mechanism configured to move the tape supply and recovery mechanism in the radial direction of the substrate. The positioning unit includes a positioning block having a contacting surface, and alignment of the polishing tape is conducted by the second moving mechanism moving the tape supply and recovery mechanism so that a substrate-side edge of the polishing tape makes contact with the contacting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Seki, Tetsuji Togawa, Kenya Ito
  • Patent number: 9914197
    Abstract: An abrasive assembly including a back-up pad having a central axis, an engagement component, and an alignment element; and an abrasive disc having a central axis, the abrasive disc engaged with the back-up pad, the abrasive disc including an alignment element; wherein the alignment element of the back-up pad aligns with the alignment element of the abrasive disc, wherein the engagement component of the back-up pad engages with the abrasive disc, and wherein the back-up pad and the abrasive disc have a concentricity tolerance, C, as measured between the central axis of the back-up pad and the central axis of the abrasive disc, of no greater than about 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc., Saint-Gobain Abrasifs
    Inventors: Godofredo Vela, Brian J. Wahl
  • Patent number: 9914198
    Abstract: An abrasive article including a body including a bond material having an inorganic material including a ceramic, abrasive agglomerates including silicon carbide contained within the bond material, and a permeability of at least 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES, INC.
    Inventors: Nilanjan Sarangi, Sandhya Jayaraman Rukmani, Stephen E. Fox, Russell L. Krause
  • Patent number: 9914199
    Abstract: An abrasive article including a disc including a central axis; a primary outer edge substantially coaxial with the central axis and having a circumferential length, L1; a secondary outer edge substantially coaxial with the central axis and coplanar with the primary outer edge, the secondary outer edge having a circumferential length, L2, wherein L2 is less than L1; and a structurally weakened portion extending substantially adjacent to the secondary outer edge. In an embodiment, the abrasive article further includes a shedable portion configured to rupture the structurally weakened portion when the shedable portion is removed from the abrasive disc. In another aspect, an abrasive article having an initial outer circumferential length, LI, and a length of deliberately exposable circumferential edge surface, LOE, wherein LOE is greater than LI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc., Saint-Gobain Abrasifs
    Inventors: Godofredo Vela, Brian J. Wahl
  • Patent number: 9914200
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magazine apparatus may include a plurality of dividing straps positioned substantially parallel with one another and a plurality of support straps positioned substantially parallel with one another. The plurality of support straps may intersect with the plurality of dividing straps to form a plurality of ware receiving channels. An upper end and a lower end of each ware receiving channel may be at least partially open. The magazine apparatus may also include a plurality of ware seats. Each ware seat may extend at least partially across a corresponding ware receiving channel proximate a lower end of the corresponding ware receiving channel. Each ware seat may provide a seat for glassware positioned in the corresponding ware receiving channel. A plurality of ware spacers may be positioned below and spaced apart from a corresponding ware seat and extending at least partially across the corresponding ware receiving channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Todd Marshall Wetherill
  • Patent number: 9914201
    Abstract: A ratchet tool device includes a shaft having two compartments formed by curved surfaces, two pawls pivotally attached to the shafts and each having a toothed segment and a swelling, a barrel having an opening for engaging with the shaft and having an internal gear for engaging with the toothed segments of the pawls and for determining the rotational direction of the barrel by the shaft, a spring biasing member is engaged between the pawls for biasing the toothed segments of the pawls to engage with the internal gear of the barrel, a control ferrule is engaged with the shaft and the barrel and includes two actuators for engaging with the swellings and for disengaging the toothed segments of the pawls from the internal gear of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Te Chen Chu
  • Patent number: 9914202
    Abstract: A lighted tool shaft attachment for lighting a work space at a working end of the tool includes a sleeve that comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, which define an interior space. The inner wall also defines a channel that is positioned longitudinally through the sleeve and configured for insertion a shaft of a tool. The sleeve is reversibly couplable to the shaft. A power module is coupled to the sleeve and positioned in the interior space. A plurality of lights is coupled to a first end of the sleeve. A switch, which is coupled to the outer, is operationally coupled to the power module and the plurality of lights. The switch is configured for activation by a user to couple the power module to the lights. The lights are configured to illuminate a work space at a working end of the shaft of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Keith Portaro
  • Patent number: 9914203
    Abstract: A tool assembly including a hammer to which a secondary tool, such as a dual-ended pry bar, is connectable. The hammer and the secondary tool are connectable via a slidable locking mechanism, including a detent pin that engages with a corresponding slot on a rail disposed on the secondary tool. One embodiment of the secondary tool includes multiple rails, which allows for the secondary tool to be attached to the hammer in multiple different orientations. The different orientations in which the secondary tool can be connected to the hammer allows for the first working end of the secondary tool or the second working end of the tool to be used alternatively as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Francisco E. Orine, III
  • Patent number: 9914204
    Abstract: A power tool (10) comprises a motor for driving a driven element of the power tool (10) and a handle section (12), wherein the power tool (10) incorporates first and second pressure sensitive switches (18,20) operable to control operation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Peter John Hosking
  • Patent number: 9914205
    Abstract: An auxiliary handle for removable connection with a housing of an electric tool having a first engaging portion, a second engaging portion and a third engaging portion. The auxiliary handle includes a handling portion, a fixing portion and a locking portion. The handling portion enables the user to handle the auxiliary handle and operate the locking portion. The fixing portion is engaged with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion so as to connect the auxiliary handle to the housing. The locking portion interacts with the third engaging portion so as to lock the auxiliary handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Chervon (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Cuihua Chen, Shubin Tong
  • Patent number: 9914206
    Abstract: The tool bag of the present application comprises a rigid frame, a flexible cover and a removable container. The cover is disposed over the frame and the removable container passes through an aperture formed by one wall of the frame and the bottom of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Edward G. Guirlinger
  • Patent number: 9914207
    Abstract: A socket holding frame has a track base and at least one positioning mount. The track base has a bottom panel and a slide rail. The bottom panel has at least one first engaging segment formed on a top surface of the bottom panel. The at least one positioning mount is slidably and rotatably mounted on the track base, and each one of the at least one positioning mount has a sliding seat and an extending element. The sliding seat is slidably and rotatably mounted in the slide rail and has multiple second engaging segments. The multiple second engaging segments selectively engage with the at least one first engaging segment on the bottom panel. The extending element is formed on the sliding seat and extends out of the slide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Jui-Chien Kao
  • Patent number: 9914208
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an implement organizer configured for storage of various implements (e.g., tools, craft supplies, utensils, and/or the like) for easy access. Various embodiments comprise a base portion; a plurality of walls extending vertically away from a perimeter of the base portion to define an interior portion; and a flexible liner covering the interior and exterior surfaces of the plurality of walls. At least one of the walls defines an access opening extending through the at least one wall and a portion of the flexible liner covering the exterior surface of the wall such that the access opening permits access to a volume between the interior surface of the wall and a portion of the flexible liner covering the interior surface of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Piavazelle Chaney Jerome
  • Patent number: 9914209
    Abstract: A storage assembly 10 which has a plurality of unique storage components 12, 14, and 800 which may be selectively connected in order to provide an optimal storage solution for a wide variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Mitchell Grela, Edwin Dizon Manalang
  • Patent number: 9914210
    Abstract: A tool cabinet includes a cabinet unit and an audio device. The cabinet unit includes a cabinet body and at least one receiving member. The receiving member has a cover body and a bottom wall. The cover body is movably connected to the cabinet body. The bottom wall cooperates with the cover body to define a receiving space therebetween. The cover body is movable relative to the cabinet body to open and close the receiving space. One of the cabinet body and the cover body is formed with a coupling opening in communication with the receiving space. The audio device engages the coupling opening, is received in the receiving space, and has a sound output surface exposed from the coupling opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 9914211
    Abstract: An automated positioning device and associated method for use in a medical procedure is provided. The automated positioning device comprises a computing device having a processor coupled to a memory, a multi-joint positioning arm electrically coupled to the computing device and controlled by the computing device, and a sensor module attached to the multi-joint positioning arm and providing a proximity signal to the computing device indicating proximity of a target. The computing device provides a control signal to the multi-joint positioning arm to move the multi-joint positioning arm in response to the proximity signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventors: Kai Hynna, Kelly Dyer, Cameron Piron
  • Patent number: 9914212
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tactile sensing and integrated vision system that surmounts problems of existing systems. The tactile sensing skin can be formed into any shape, size, or form factor, including large areas. Computer-implemented algorithms can detect position-orientation and force-torque at landmark points for a given object set. The result is a modular sensing system that is highly scalable in terms of price, quantity, size and applications. Such skin technology and associated software can comprise a sensing package that integrates tactile and visual data with accompanying software for state estimation, situational awareness, and automatic control of machinery. The addition of tactile data can serve to constrain and/or augment visual pose estimation methods as well as provide pose estimation to visually occluded objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Perception Robotics, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Wettels
  • Patent number: 9914213
    Abstract: Deep machine learning methods and apparatus related to manipulation of an object by an end effector of a robot. Some implementations relate to training a semantic grasping model to predict a measure that indicates whether motion data for an end effector of a robot will result in a successful grasp of an object; and to predict an additional measure that indicates whether the object has desired semantic feature(s). Some implementations are directed to utilization of the trained semantic grasping model to servo a grasping end effector of a robot to achieve a successful grasp of an object having desired semantic feature(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Sudheendra Vijayanarasimhan, Eric Jang, Peter Pastor Sampedro, Sergey Levine
  • Patent number: 9914214
    Abstract: A robotic gripping device with a preshaper is provided. The robotic gripping device includes two opposable fingers, each finger having a deformable gripping surface, a base, and a fingertip. The robotic gripping device also includes an actuator coupled to the base of each of the fingers, wherein the actuator is configured to move the fingers toward and away from each other. The robotic gripping device also includes a preshaper component positionable between the fingers, wherein when the fingers are moved toward each other by the actuator and the deformable gripping surface of each finger contacts the preshaper component, the deformable gripping surface of each finger is deformed by the preshaper component such that the fingertips of each finger are curled inward toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Marc Strauss, David Youmans
  • Patent number: 9914215
    Abstract: In order to set control with a high degree of freedom while taking into account a time response waveform, a robot control apparatus includes a control section that acquires a driving position of a driving section that drives a robot and a detection value of an operation force operating on the robot detected by a force detector, and controls the driving section based on the detection value, a first setting value, and a second setting value; a first display section that displays a detection waveform that is a time response waveform of the detection value; a second display section that displays a storage waveform that is a time response waveform of the operation force stored in a storage medium in advance; and a receiving section that receives setting of at least the second setting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Motoyoshi
  • Patent number: 9914216
    Abstract: For controlling a robot in a safe way, a highest voltage required for a desired robot movement is calculated. A voltage level in a DC-bus is set on the basis of the highest voltage, and current is supplied to a motor at a robot axis from the DC-bus. By limiting the voltage level in the DC-bus to correspond to an actual need for a desired robot movement at each instant unnecessary fast robot movements are prevented even in the event that an inverter controlling motor currents would by mistake attempt to drive the motor faster than desired by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Ingvar Jonsson
  • Patent number: 9914217
    Abstract: An integrated intelligent system includes a first intelligent electronic device, a second intelligent electronic device, a transferable intelligent control device (TICD) and a cross product bus. The first intelligent electronic device performs a first function and the second intelligent electronic device performs a second function. The cross product bus couples the first intelligent electronic device to the transferable intelligent control device. The TICD partially controls behaviors of the intelligent electronic device by sending commands over the cross product bus to the first intelligent electronic device and the TICD partially controls behaviors of the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function. The TICD is first attached to the first intelligent electronic device to partially control the behaviors of the first electronic device, then detached from the first electronic device, and then attached to the second intelligent electronic device to perform the second function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Dooley, Nikolai Romanov, Paolo Pirjanian
  • Patent number: 9914218
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for responding to a detected event by a robot is provided. The method includes using a sensor to detect an event within an operational space of a robot. The event includes a movement of an object or a person within the operational space. The method also includes using a processor to predict an action to occur within the operational space of the robot based upon the detected event. The method also identifies at least one correlated robot action to be taken in response to the detected event and compares the predicted action to a movement plan of the robot. The method further selects at least one of the correlated robot actions and modifies a movement plan of a robot to include at least one of the identified correlated robot actions in response to the detected event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Ota
  • Patent number: 9914219
    Abstract: A robot cleaner based on wall following and a controlling method thereof are provided. The robot cleaner includes a first detector configured to generate a wall detection signal by detecting a wall, a second detector configured to generate a first contact signal through contact with the wall, a cleaner main body in which the first and second detectors are disposed and which includes a driver configured to drive on a surface to be cleaned, and a controller which is mounted on the cleaner main body and to which the first and second detectors and the driver are electrically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ju-sang Lee, Hong-jun Kim, Chin-woo Kang, Suk-hoon Song, Hee-suk Yoon, Ki-yong Lee
  • Patent number: 9914220
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for controlling data transfer between a client device and auxiliary robot cell functions of a robot cell as well as to an interface arrangement for the robot cell. The arrangement includes a reverse proxy providing connectivity for a client device to auxiliary robot cell functions accessible via a local addressing space, where the reverse proxy receives, in a first message having a destination address belonging to the interface device and being a first global address in a global addressing space, a request intended for an auxiliary robot cell function, converts the first address to a first local address of the auxiliary robot cell function in the local addressing space and sends the request to a web server associated with the auxiliary robot cell function using the first local address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Kjell Svensson Landin
  • Patent number: 9914221
    Abstract: A machine has at least one actuated mechanism is remotely located from a control station. A two way real-time communication link connects the machine location with the control station. A controller at the machine location has program code that is configured to determine from data from one or more sensors at the machine location if an actual fault has occurred in the machine when the machine is performing its predetermined function and to determine for an actual fault one or more types for the fault and transmit the one or more fault types to the control station for analysis. The code in the controller is configured to be a preprogrammed trap routine specific to the machine function that is automatically executed when an error in machine operation is detected at the machine location. The controller also has a default trap routine that is executed when the specific routine does not exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Biao Zhang, Jianjun Wang, George Q. Zhang, Sangeun Choi, Remus Boca, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Tomas Groth
  • Patent number: 9914222
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus predicts, based on a geometric model of an object to be measured, an image degradation of the object in an image in which the object is captured by a capturing device. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus searches a two-dimensional image in which the object is captured by the capturing device for a measurement data feature that corresponds to a model feature of the geometric model, and evaluates, using the two-dimensional image, an image degradation with respect to the found measurement data feature. The information processing apparatus calculates, based on the predicted image degradation and the evaluated image degradation, the accuracy of the correspondence between the model feature and the measurement data feature, and collates, based on this accuracy, the geometric model and the object in the two-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Masakazu Fujiki, Kazuhiko Kobayashi, Masahiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9914223
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for assembling a pizza, including a pizza sauce spreading station, a cheese spreading station and a pepperoni applying station. A robot including a stationary base and an articulating arm having a gripper attached to the end is operable to grip a pizza pan having pizza dough therein to allow said robot to move the pan throughout the pizza sauce spreading station, and to a rotary dial system including the cheese spreading station and the pepperoni applying station. The robot arm manipulates the pizza pan in the sauce spreading station and the rotary dial system manipulates the pizza pan in the cheese station and the pepperoni applying station to properly distribute the cheese and pepperoni on the pizza.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Cathryn Fritz-Jung, David Scrivano, David Strother, Amanda B. Thomas, Sean M. Heslip, Kent A. Deemter, Tyler W. McCoy, Bret A. Hoeksema
  • Patent number: 9914224
    Abstract: A cable handling device may include a clamp assembly having a first member having a jaw end and an arm end and a second member having a jaw end and an arm end. The first and second members of the clamp assembly are pivotally connected together so that when the arm ends are moved away from one another the jaw ends move away from one another and vice-versa. A proximal end of a first elongate electrically insulated handle is mounted to the arm end of the first member of the clamp assembly. A proximal end of a second elongate electrically insulated handle is mounted to the arm end of the second member of the clamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Baptiste
  • Patent number: 9914225
    Abstract: The present invention provides a robot apparatus which can determine a contact state at a contact point without increasing the contact point, can be miniaturized, and also can decrease the cost. Contact points are provided in a hand device. Contact points are provided in a tool device, which come in contact with the contact points, respectively, when the tool device has been mounted on the hand device. A voltage detecting circuit is provided in the tool device, which detects a voltage between the contact points. The controlling circuit determines contact states between the contact points and the contact points, by using a value of the voltage which has been detected by the voltage detecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akitaka Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 9914226
    Abstract: A bidirectional pivoting joint comprises pivoting elements which are rotatable relative to one another, specifically in a coaxial arrangement, a cylindrical outer body and a cylindrical inner body and a locking device optionally locking and releasing the rotational movement. The locking device has an annular space between the outer body and the inner body. Provided between annular space surfaces, specifically an inner surface of the outer body and an outer surface of the inner body are radially narrowing and, on the other hand, radially wider, peripheral regions in alternating arrangement. Arranged in the annular space are at least two clamping members which are each adjustable in cross-section in the peripheral direction (u) of the annular space. In a holding state, each clamping member has a first said cross-section and lies in the narrowing peripheral regions against the outer body and the inner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Peter-Michael Klews
    Inventors: Peter-Michael Klews, Kerstin Ahrens, Marko Behr
  • Patent number: 9914227
    Abstract: The device has two arms connected together at a first end. At the second end of the first arm the device has a gripping member. At the second end of the second arm is a slitting member. The gripping member and slitting member meet together in order to puncture and tear open a snack bag. A gripping surface on the interior surface of each arm are able to grip the cap of a bottle or jar to assist in opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Barbara Greadington, Robert E Sharpton
  • Patent number: 9914228
    Abstract: A hair razor with interactive features including RPM control protocol that includes: an under side; an interactive display placed on the under side, where the interactive display provides access to display applications stored in memory; a top side; a digital display on the top side, where the digital display provides operational information related to the hair razor; a motor; a motherboard, where the motherboard is adapted to provide RPM control for the motor, wherein said RPM control is accomplished by syncing RPM speeds with musical notes; a USB connector on one side of the hair razor; a touch control button on the top side of the hair razor; and a power cord, the power cord supplies power to the hair razor. The interactive display is adapted to maneuver through a plurality of screen selections. The operational information shown on the digital display includes pitch tone associated with the RPM speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Matthews, Gregory Harvin
  • Patent number: 9914229
    Abstract: Produce slicers for slicing produce include a frame. A blade assembly is removably and interchangeably received within the frame. A pusher head is removably and interchangeably received within the frame. The produce slicer includes a cover, at least one target ring in the cover defines a first target area. The blade assembly includes at least one blade set with a first frame bar and a second frame bar and a plurality of blades extend therebetween. The pusher head includes a pusher head body and at least one produce pusher with a plurality of fins extending in a direction away from the pusher head body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Prince Castle LLC
    Inventors: Mark Fastabend, Scott Hammac, Kyle Kestner, Anthony Caringella, Michael Graef, Julia Padvoiskis, Eric Larson
  • Patent number: 9914230
    Abstract: The invention relates to the production of superabsorbent polymers on a continuous belt reactor, comprising at least one rotating knife that cuts the formed polymer gel at the end of the continuous belt reactor, wherein the length of the cutting edge is at least 1 cm and the cutting edge is non-parallel to the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Matthias Weismantel, Rüdiger Funk, Leigh R. Blair, Kevin D. Heitzhaus, Bruce Storey
  • Patent number: 9914231
    Abstract: A device for cutting a preferably thick-walled, extruded pipe to length, has at least one cutting tool and a receiving unit for the cutting tool. The cutting tool is radially movable in relation to the extrusion axis, is rotatable via a further component about the pipe to be cut to length, in order to cut the pipe to length, and is in operative connection with a ring element, which ring element can be moved via an axial drive, and the depth of penetration of the cutting tool and the path of movement can be defined using an adjustment unit. The depth of penetration of the cutting tool and the path of movement can be defined via the axial drive, wherein toothed rails can be moved more or less in order to achieve the desired depth of penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: BATTENFELD-CINCINNATI GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Joerg Droege, Christian von Hippel
  • Patent number: 9914232
    Abstract: A rotary knife fixture for cutting vegetable products into spiral shapes. The knife fixture includes a blade holder driven rotatably within a hydraulic product flow path. The blade holder includes at least one cutting blade, wherein the blade is twisted with a sharpened leading edge set at a desired pitch angle. By controlling the pitch angle of the blade in relation to the blade rotational speed and velocity at which the potato travels along the hydraulic flow path, the resultant spiral cut shape is selected. By using multiple cutting blades at known axially spaced positions and selecting the angular position of each cutting blade in succession, the number of spiral shapes cut from each potato is selected. The blades can have a nontextured straight-cut edge, or a textured crinkle-cut edge, or a combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: J.R. Simplot Company
    Inventors: David Bruce Walker, Allen J. Neel
  • Patent number: 9914233
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device for separating two substrates to be utilized in electronics, optics, optoelectronics and/or photovoltaics. The device separates the substrates at an interface, the device comprising a holder; a member for retaining the structure, the member being mounted on the holder; a tool for separating the two substrates, also mounted on the holder; and means for moving the separating tool and/or means for moving the retaining member relative to the holder so as to bring them closer together or move them farther apart from each other, preferably over a limited range of travel. This device is noteworthy in that the separating tool comprises a leading edge that has, in cross-section, in succession from its tip or its front edge to its back, a tapered portion that is extended by a flared portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SOITEC
    Inventor: Didier Landru
  • Patent number: 9914234
    Abstract: The present invention provides a perforating station comprising two or more discrete perforating stations, the stations synchronized with one another to cut a line of perforations across a web, such as a web of tissue paper, moving at high speeds. By providing two or more synchronized perforating stations the perforating station may increase the number of impacts per minute compared to prior art perforating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: James Leo Baggot, Robert Eugene Krautkramer, Kyle Andrew Krautkramer, Gregory Michael Bixler, Matthew Robert Wilson, Frank Stephen Hada
  • Patent number: 9914235
    Abstract: In a method of removing a protecting synthetic coating (1) from an elongated element (2), the elongated element (2) including an optical fiber (3) surrounded by the coating, a cut (8) is created into the coating by knife edges (6). The element (2) is displaced with respect to the knife edges in a longitudinal direction of the element (2) for displacing coating material (17) by the knives. At least one drop of liquid (12) with wetting properties is supplied to the cut for being sucked into a space created between the coating and the optical fiber during the displacement of the coating for acting as a lubricant for a sliding of the coating to be removed along the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nyfors Teknologi AB
    Inventor: Uwe Böttcher
  • Patent number: 9914236
    Abstract: A method for cutting a moving source material including: rotating a cutting cylinder including a blade; positioning a structural member in spaced relation from the cutting cylinder, wherein the space between the cutting cylinder and the structural member receives the source material; and positioning an anvil in the space. The anvil engages the source material when it is displaced between the cutting cylinder and the structural member. The method also includes: directing the blade into contact with the source material, whereupon the source material is pressed against the anvil and is severed by the blade, and the anvil is displaced by the cutting blade from a first retracted position to a second activated position; and applying an increasing biasing force to the moving anvil as it is displaced toward the second activated position so as to direct the anvil back to its first retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TAMARACK PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: David E. Machamer
  • Patent number: 9914237
    Abstract: An apparatus for slicing food products, in particular a high-performance slicer, comprises a product feed which defines a feed plane and by means of which the products are fed along the feed plane in a feed direction to a cutting plane which is disposed in a slicing region and in which a cutting blade moves, in particular in a rotating and/or revolving manner, said cutting blade cooperating with a cutting edge which in particular extends in parallel with the feed plane and perpendicular to the feed direction to cut off slices from the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH Breidenbach
    Inventors: Bernd Köster, Jörg Stremel, Alexander Burk
  • Patent number: 9914238
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating a pulsating pressurized fluid jet are disclosed. One disclosed example includes a line system having at least one nozzle with at least one nozzle orifice from which a pulsating fluid jet of pressurized fluid emerges, and a chamber having a pressure wave generating device to generate fluid pressure waves, where the chamber is in fluid communication with the line system through an outlet opening for the generated fluid pressure waves. The disclosed example also includes a setting device for controlling the amplitude of the fluid pressure waves in the line system upstream of the at least one nozzle orifice where the setting device sets a quotient of a path length of the fluid pressure waves between the outlet opening and the at least one nozzle orifice, and the wavelength of the fluid pressure waves in the line system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ECOCLEAN Gmbh
    Inventors: Hermann-Josef David, Egon Kaske, Norbert Klinkhammer
  • Patent number: 9914239
    Abstract: A user interface device for a saw is mounted to an exterior of a housing in the saw. The user interface device includes a light emitting diode (LED) mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), an antenna formed on the PCB, an optically opaque member with a first opening and a second opening, the first opening aligned with the LED, an optically translucent member engaging the second opening of the optically opaque member, and a base member connected to the PCB, optically opaque member, and optically translucent member, the base member being configured to be mounted to an exterior of a housing of the saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Laliberte, Timothy Szweda, Dieter Volpert