Patents Issued in May 15, 2018
  • Patent number: 9969050
    Abstract: A grinding head includes: a guide rail; a first grinding assembly and a second grinding assembly which are located at two ends of the guide rail respectively and can move along the guide rail; and a number of filling assemblies, which are disposed between the first grinding assembly and the second grinding assembly, wherein dimensions and/or quantity of the filling assemblies are based on a width between the first grinding assembly and the second grinding assembly, wherein the filling assemblies can cooperate with the first grinding assembly and the second grinding assembly to form an entire grinding bottom face. The width of the bottom face of the grinding head can be adjusted so that the waste of grinding cloth due to grinding a thin display is panel surface by a grinding head with a wide bottom face can be avoided and the operating efficiency can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Zhao, Hongtao Ma, Lizhu Yu, Peng Di, Jingxiao Lan, Guodong Wang
  • Patent number: 9969051
    Abstract: A holder (1) for pneumatically blocking an optical lens (300) on a surfacing machine, includes:—a gripping part (10) for fixing it to a corresponding member (200) of the surfacing machine, and—a part (100) for blocking the optical lens, which includes a body (110) from which there protrude abutments which are designed to afford the optical lens a rigid seat, and a seal (170) against which the optical lens is able to be brought to bear in order to delimit with the body a vacuum chamber (180). The abutments include first rods (160) which are mounted so as to be movable in translation with respect to the body in order to bear by way of their free ends (161) against the optical lens, and provision is made of return elements (179, 190) for returning the first rods against the optical lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE)
    Inventors: Fabien Lafon, Hanna Sauze
  • Patent number: 9969052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sanding assembly including a sanding device (100) comprising a plate (110) for supporting a sanding disk (10) and motor-driven means (140) suitable for moving the supporting plate (110), characterized in that the supporting plate (110) comprises two notches (114, 116) distributed angularly along the periphery thereof, a first notch (114) for engaging with a positioning module (200) and a second notch (116) for engaging with a pulling jaw (400), and a module (500) for verifying the presence of the sanding disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Universite De Nantes
    Inventors: Samuel Bonnet, Sébastien Garnier, Sébastien Le Loch, Benoît Furet, Guillaume Gallot
  • Patent number: 9969053
    Abstract: A grinder assembly includes a spindle selectively rotatable about a central axis. The grinder assembly also includes a grinding wheel attachable to and detachable from the spindle. The grinding wheel is rotatable about the central axis when attached to the spindle. The grinder assembly further includes an adaptor cooperating with the spindle and the grinding wheel to provide a quick attachment and detachment of the grinding wheel with the spindle. The adaptor includes a plurality of first teeth extending outwardly relative to the spindle and a plurality of second teeth extending outwardly relative to the grinding wheel. The first and second teeth cooperate with each other to selectively attach the grinding wheel to the spindle and prevent independent rotation of the grinding wheel relative to the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jae Min Lee, John S. Agapiou, James A. Bucan
  • Patent number: 9969054
    Abstract: A grinding tool includes a substrate having a working surface, and a plurality of abrasive particles distributed over the working surface and protruding outward from the working surface, wherein at least some of the abrasive particles are machined to form abrasive particles respectively having an obliquely truncated pyramid shape. Some embodiments described herein also include a method of manufacturing the grinding tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Kinik Company
    Inventors: Jui-Lin Chou, Chia-Feng Chiu, Wen-Jen Liao, Xue-Shen Su
  • Patent number: 9969055
    Abstract: A method and device for setting a predetermined radial gap width for rotor blades arranged in a housing of a turbomachine is provided. The method includes removing a housing part and at least partially exposing the rotor blades which are to be machined, arranging a grinding device in the region of a rotor blade which is to be machined such that the tip of the rotor blade is machined using a grinding disk of the grinding device, screening off the machining region by arranging a screening device which is formed so as to counter a release of grinding dust from the screen off machining region, providing a suction extraction such that it extracts grinding dust from the screened-off machining region and grinding the tip of the rotor blade in situ producing the radial gap width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rolf Groppe, Michael Keller, Uwe Kirchhübel, Rolf-Dieter Woitscheck
  • Patent number: 9969056
    Abstract: A spray gun adjusting device is configured to adjust a spray angle and a height of a spray gun. The spray gun adjusting device includes a laser with a spot and a scale plate. The scale plate includes an angle scale plate and a height scale plate. A distance between the laser and a center of the scale plate can be determined according to an intersection scale of the spot and the height scale plate, and an angle of the laser and the scale plate can be determined according to an intersection scale of the spot and the angle scale plate. A spray angle and a height of the spray gun are adjusted according to the intersection scales of the spot and the scale plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gui-Yun Yang, Kai Chen, Peng Hu, Zhao-Hui Men
  • Patent number: 9969057
    Abstract: An abrasive member includes an abrasive member base and a plurality of abrasive particles applied to the abrasive member base. At least a large proportion of the abrasive particles form an abrasive edge unit with an abrasive edge inclined at an angle between 0° and 90° relative to a defined working direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Beat Eugster, Georg Hejtmann, Thomas Rohner, Roman Zaech, Thomas Kipfer, Ralf Materna, Adrian Schoch, Jiri Misak, Petra Stedile, Peter Eggenberger, Stefan Fuenfschilling
  • Patent number: 9969058
    Abstract: A method for grinding out a contoured workpiece including providing a grinding wheel having a first abrasive work surface location and a second abrasive work surface location, the first abrasive work surface location having a first tangential radius and the second abrasive work surface location having a second tangential radius, the first and second tangential radii being different, grinding the workpiece at a first time with the first abrasive work surface location without the second abrasive work surface location performing grinding, and grinding the workpiece at a second time with the second abrasive work surface location without the first abrasive work surface location performing grinding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John P. Rizzo
  • Patent number: 9969059
    Abstract: A sheet of sandpaper includes a backing layer having opposed first and second major sides, an adhesive make coat on the second major side, abrasive particles at least partially embedded in the make coat, thereby defining an abrasive surface, and an exposed laminated non-slip layer on the first major side. Methods of making and using such sandpaper are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: John G. Petersen
  • Patent number: 9969060
    Abstract: A clamp apparatus includes a pair of first and second clamp arms supported rotatably on a body. The clamp apparatus also includes a manual release mechanism capable of manually releasing a clamped state in the case that an output from a drive unit to the first and second clamp arms is stopped and the clamped state of a workpiece is locked. The manual release mechanism includes a release lever disposed rotatably on a first plate body. By an operator operating the release lever to thereby rotate the release lever, a block body of a driving force transmission mechanism is pressed and moved upwardly, and pressing forces applied to the first and second clamp arms in widthwise outside directions thereof by a pair of rollers, are released. Consequently, gripping members of the first and second clamp arms are rotated in directions away from each other to thereby cause an unclamped state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chiaki Fukui, Kazuyoshi Takahashi, Hideki Sasaki, Masaharu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9969061
    Abstract: A magnetic substance holding device includes: a first pole piece assembly comprising at least one first pole piece, at least two second pole pieces, and at least two first permanent magnets; a second pole piece assembly comprising at least one third pole piece, at least two fourth pole pieces, and at least two second permanent magnets; a coil; and a control device. The first pole piece assembly and/or the second pole piece assembly is configured to be movable such that they are switched between a first arrangement in which the second faces of the first pole piece assembly are spaced apart from the first faces of the second pole piece assembly, and a second arrangement in which the second faces of the first pole piece assembly come in contact with the first faces of the second pole piece assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Tae Kwang Choi
  • Patent number: 9969062
    Abstract: A wrench includes a first part, a second part and a third part. The first part has a first toothed portion and a first pivotal portion. The second part has a third pivotal portion which is connected to the first pivotal portion so that the second part is pivoted an angle relative to the first part about the first pivotal portion. The third part is movably connected to the second part and has a second toothed portion which faces the first toothed portion so that objects of different sizes are clamped between the first and second toothed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Yu-Shiang Huang
  • Patent number: 9969063
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a first body made of light material and has a first recess, a closed bottom, a first hole, a first groove, a second recess and a shoulder formed between the first and second recesses. A second body made of strong material and has a first portion and a second portion so as to be respectively received in the first and second recesses. The first portion is rested on the shoulder. A ratchet wheel and a pawl respectively received in the second body, and a switch unit is connected to the second body to operate the pawl to be engaged with the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wrench has simple structure and easily assembled and manufactured. The ratchet wrench is light and durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Yi-Yong Liu
  • Patent number: 9969064
    Abstract: A ratchet tool with stacked switching device includes a handle, two stacked engaging assemblies, two springs, a toothed wheel, and a control unit. Each of the engaging assemblies includes stacked first and second engaging members. The engaging portions of the first and second engaging members are staggered. Since the toothed wheel selectively engages with the engaging portions of the first and second engaging members, the number of teeth of the toothed wheel to be engaged with the two engaging assemblies is the sum of the number of teeth of the engaging portions of the first and second engaging members, thus enhancing the fineness of the rotation of the toothed wheel, and improving the easiness and applicability of the ratchet tool, without impacting the structural strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Infar Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsien-Min Huang
  • Patent number: 9969065
    Abstract: A one-piece, unitary housing for a tool having apertures at both ends of the housing. The apertures can extend from the ends of the tool to a point prior to the input or output of the tool to increase structural stability. The apertures can be enclosed by flexible covers such that the internal components of the housing can be accessed by removing one or both of the covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: Anup A. Gupte
  • Patent number: 9969066
    Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver includes a ratchet wheel; a pawl base assembly, for inserting into the ratchet wheel, and a plurality of pawl pieces for engaging with teeth, the rear end of the pawl base assembly connecting to a handle of a screwdriver while the front end connecting to a head of the screwdriver; a rings assembly adjustably mounted on the ratchet wheel; the pawl base assembly includes a center rod and a pedestal, the rear part of the center rod is provided with a first positioning slot, the center rod passes through the center hole of the pedestal, the center rod is clamped at the first positioning slot by a first clamping member. Compared with the prior art, the overall structure is more rational and practical, and is safer and more reliable in use, and is capable of loosening or tighten a screw quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Yongguang Li
  • Patent number: 9969067
    Abstract: Methods and systems for increasing the efficiency of a remote wrench. The remote wrench can include a flexible plate within the tool housing or as part of the housing that is more flexible than the rigid housing in conventional remote wrenches that has been shown to limit efficiency. Additionally, a fixed support and a base can be provided that are collectively capable of being coupled to the remote wrench, preferably at the flexible plate, to increase efficiency. The remote wrench operation is therefore improved by reducing inefficiencies and providing a maximum torque output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Anup A. Gupte, Daniel M. Eggert
  • Patent number: 9969068
    Abstract: An installation tool for fastening a top plate to a roof support member and other structural connections is adapted to drive threaded fasteners at a pre-established angle. The tool preferably includes a rotary driver assembly and a telescopic tube assembly. A guide head assembly is mounted adjacent the outer end of the telescopic tube assembly. Locating structures function to properly precisely set the drive angle of the fastener. Spaced stabbers prevent the fastener from moving during the installation. A releasable lock mechanism locks the guide head assembly to the end of the telescopic tube assembly. The guide head assembly has a floating guide to align the fastener head with a drive bit, and a wear sleeve for centering and aligning the fastener screws. A spacer collar is dimensioned to set a pre-established penetration depth for the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: OMG, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Walters, R. Timothy Irwin, Mark A. Dicaire, Timothy F. Gillis, David L. Mathieu
  • Patent number: 9969069
    Abstract: Methods and tools are provided for pressing a ring seal into a component. In one method, a tool is anchored to the component. The tool includes a first aperture which extends along an axis. The first aperture is coaxial with a second aperture in the component. The ring seal is pushed axially through the first aperture towards the component, where the tool radially compresses the ring seal as the ring seal moves axially towards the component. The radially compressed ring seal is pressed into the second aperture using the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John Pergantis, Anthony Valenti, Usman Khan, Michael L. Comeau
  • Patent number: 9969070
    Abstract: A driving tool having first and second linear motors, a head assembly, a nosepiece and a driver. The first linear motor forms an air compressor and includes a scotch yoke mechanism for translating a first piston in a first cylinder. The scotch yoke mechanism includes a crank arm, a crank arm roller, which is coupled to the crank arm, and a connecting rod having a roller slot into which the crank arm roller is received. At least a portion of the roller slot is configured to vary an output rate at which the connecting rod translates along a translation axis relative to an input rate at which the crank arm roller moves in a direction that is parallel to the translation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventor: David C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 9969071
    Abstract: Percussion unit, especially for a rotary hammer and/or percussion hammer, comprising a control unit which is designed for open-loop and/or closed loop control of a pneumatic percussion mechanism, and at least one operating condition sensor unit. According to the disclosure, the control unit is designed to detect at least one percussion mechanism parameter depending on measurement values of the operating condition sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Nitsche, Matthias Tauber, Gerd Schlesak, Antoine Vandamme, Thomas Winkler, Christian Bertsch, Achim Duesselberg, Ulli Hoffmann, Thilo Henke, Juergen Lennartz, Helge Sprenger
  • Patent number: 9969072
    Abstract: A production method provides for punching holes in a metal strip, cold-forming the metal strip to form a guide tube, and joining the lengthwise edges of the metal strip to each other by a seam or teeth so as to create a uniform material. Subsequently, a piston-like striker is inserted into the guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Fuenfer
  • Patent number: 9969073
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool is disclosed. The tool has a tool receptacle for holding a chiseling tool. A pneumatic percussion mechanism of the hand-held power tool includes a striker, an exciter and a guide tube. The striker is designed to apply impacts in the impact direction to the tool. The exciter is motor-driven. The striker is coupled by an air spring to the reciprocating movement of the exciter. The striker abutting the guide tube is guided along a working axis. During a movement between an impact position and the exciter, the striker is guided with a constant guide length on the guide tube and if the impact position is exceeded in the impact direction, the guide length is reduced. The hand-held power tool is equipped with an inclined guide, which inclines the striker relative to the working axis when the impact position is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Ontl, Damir Cehajic, Christoph Dieing, Christian Rehekampff
  • Patent number: 9969074
    Abstract: A compressible handle for a tool is reversibly compressible along its longitudinal axis during use of the tool. The handle includes a first longitudinal portion and a second longitudinal portion which can slide in opposing directions relative to each other along the longitudinal axis of the handle. The handle further includes a biasing element providing a biasing force to bias the first longitudinal portion and the second longitudinal portion away from each other, and a bias adjustment mechanism by means of which a user can apply and vary a load applied to the biasing element so as to modify the magnitude of the biasing force and thereby adjust the compressibility of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: MULTI JUST IMPLEMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Flaherty
  • Patent number: 9969075
    Abstract: A lifting implement, such as a shovel has a handle and a load bearing member. The handle includes an articulated joint dividing the handle between a major portion and a lever portion. The lever is adapted to pivot within the range of an acute angle relative to the handle profile. The lever and the major portion of the handle each have a means for mounting a resilient member therebetween, where the resilient member is capable of absorbing shock and storing energy when urged by the pivoting of the lever within the range during the motion of lifting a load, and which stored energy is released when the load is being heaved by the implement. The handle may include a hand grip and a gripping portion on the major portion spaced from the articulated joint such that a triangle is formed with the hand grip, the gripping portion and the articulated joint at the apex of the triangle, wherein the apex of the triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: 9301160 CANADA INC.
    Inventors: David R. Mitchell, Michael Moliner
  • Patent number: 9969076
    Abstract: A connection device for a hexagonal wrench and includes a first part and a second part. The first part has an insertion section through which multiple hexagonal first recesses are defined, and an operation portion formed on one end thereof. The operation portion has multiple second hexagonal second recesses. The second part has a reception hole in which the insertion section is inserted and is positioned relative to the second part. The second part has an opening and the first recesses are exposed. The second part has another operation portion on one end thereof. The operation portion has multiple third hexagonal recesses. The first, second and third hexagonal recesses have different sizes and are Metric system and English system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Chung-Yu Tsai
  • Patent number: 9969077
    Abstract: A workpiece positioner is includes a main positioner body including first and second end plate members. The main positioner body also includes a pair of tubular structural members extending between and interconnecting the end plate members, a number of substantially co-planar panel sections disposed between the first and second end plate members, and a number of spaced-apart reinforcing ribs interspersed between the panel sections, the reinforcing ribs also disposed between and interconnecting the tubular structural members. Each of the reinforcing ribs has two opposite side edges, each formed with an arcuate outline shape. The workpiece positioner may also include two or four workpiece support arms attached to the main positioner body, where each of the support arms may have a workpiece-supporting turntable mounted thereon, and may further include first and second shield members attached to the respective tubular members. A method of operating a workpiece processing machine is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Mabee, Reginald Kelley, Russell Yohn
  • Patent number: 9969078
    Abstract: A transfer head array includes a body and a plurality of transfer heads. The body has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of recesses. The first surface has at least one chucking region and at least one interference avoidance region, and the recesses are separated from each other and are disposed in the interference avoidance region. The transfer heads are disposed on the chucking region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: MIKRO MESA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Yi Chen, Pei-Yu Chang, Chih-Hui Chan, Chun-Yi Chang, Shih-Chyn Lin, Hsin-Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 9969079
    Abstract: An example modular reconfigurable workcell for quick connection of peripherals is described. In one example, a modular reconfigurable workcell comprises modular docking bays on a surface of the workcell that support attachment of docking modules in a fixed geometric configuration, and respective modular docking bays include electrical connections for a variety of power and communication busses of the docking modules to be attached. The workcell also includes an electrical subsystem for coupling the communication busses between the modular docking bays and providing power circuitry to the modular docking bays, and structural features in the modular docking bays to enable insertion of the docking modules in the fixed geometric configuration. The workcell also includes a processor for determining a geometric calibration of attached peripherals based on a location and the orientation of corresponding docking modules attached to the modular docking bays and based on an identification of the attached peripherals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Edsinger, Anthony Sean Jules, Stefan Nusser, Advait Jain, James Nicholas Vines
  • Patent number: 9969080
    Abstract: A robot for capturing image frames of subjects in response to a request includes a base, a robot head, a camera, an angular positioning mechanism, a vertical positioning mechanism, and a control system. The base has a transport mechanism for controllably positioning the robot along a lateral surface. The angular positioning mechanism couples the camera to the robot head and controls a tilt of the camera. The vertical positioning mechanism couples the robot head to the base and adjusts a vertical distance between the robot head and the support surface. The control system controls image capture of the camera, the transport mechanism, the angular positioning mechanism, and the vertical positioning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ACCEL ROBOTICS
    Inventors: Marius O. Buibas, Martin A. Cseh, Michael B. Maseda, Nicholas J. Morozovsky
  • Patent number: 9969081
    Abstract: Static multi-registration performs a delayed convoy mission from a recorded path. The data recorded for delayed convoy includes both positions traversed by the vehicle and the obstacles sensed as it drove along the path and generates a new path file in this format that is used by the vehicle to follow the desired route. The data is processed before it is passed to the vehicle to be followed. Paths are processed to determine where they cross each other. These intersection points and the path data are used to create an interconnected graph of path segments. A multi-registration planner uses that information on the length and directionality of the path segments to compute the best route between two intersections. The route generated by the planner guides the merging of position and obstacle data from several recorded paths into a single record used by the vehicle to follow the desired route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventors: Alberto Daniel Lacaze, Karl Murphy, Steven Anthony Legowik, Shima Rayej
  • Patent number: 9969082
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for improving robotic task selection and execution. An example method includes determining an external environment state based on receiving information indicative of at least one aspect of an environment proximate to a robotic system having at least one actuator. The method also includes optionally determining a goal to be accomplished by a robotic system and determining a plurality of possible tasks each including at least one task involving the at least one actuator that may be carried out by the robotic system in pursuance of the goal. For each possible task group, the method includes determining a respective task group score based on an expected performance capability. The expected performance capability is based, at least in part, on the external environment state. The method includes selecting a task group based on the respective task group scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Berard, Benjamin Swilling, Matthew Malchano
  • Patent number: 9969083
    Abstract: A control apparatus of the motor according to one aspect includes: a first feedforward calculator configured to calculate a first motor output torque value so that a torque value indicated by a torque command signal can be generated in a joint part of a robot based on a model of a motor, a decelerator, or a link and the number of rotations of the motor, a second feedforward calculator configured to calculate a second motor output torque value based on the torque value indicated by the torque command signal without depending on the number of rotations of the motor; and a comparator configured to add the first motor output torque value, the second motor output torque value, and a third motor output torque value calculated based on the torque value detected by a sensor and the torque value indicated by the torque command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9969084
    Abstract: A coordinated joint control system for controlling a coordinated joint motion system, e.g. an articulated arm of a hydraulic excavator blends automation of routine tasks with real-time human supervisory trajectory correction and selection. One embodiment employs a differential control architecture utilizing an inverse Jacobian. Modeling of the desired trajectory of the end effector in system space can be avoided. The disclosure includes image generation and matching systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventor: George L. Danko
  • Patent number: 9969085
    Abstract: A control device for a robot, includes a speed calculator that calculates the speed of at least one target point of the robot operating according to an operation program, on the basis of a speed command value written in the operation program; a limitation direction specifier that specifies a direction in which the speed of the at least one target point is limited; a speed limit component calculator that calculates, out of the speed of the at least one target point calculated by the speed calculator, a speed component in the direction specified by the limitation direction specifier; and a speed limiter that limits, only upon motion exceeding a prespecified speed limit, a motion speed of the robot such that the speed component calculated by the speed limit component calculator is equal to or less than the prespecified speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Sugio
  • Patent number: 9969086
    Abstract: Based on input steering commands, a legged robot may select a target gait. Based on the target gait, the legged robot may obtain a list of gait controllers. Each gait controller may define a gait of the legged robot, and include validity tests and steering commands. The legged robot may apply a cost function to the gait controllers, where the cost for a gait controller is based on a difference between the steering commands of the gait controller and the input steering commands, and a proximity of the legged robot to obstacles should the legged robot operate according the gait controller. The legged robot may reorder the list in increasing magnitude of the cost function, and traverse the list until a validity test associated with a particular gait controller passes. The legged robot may actuate its legs according to the steering commands of the particular gait controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Whitman
  • Patent number: 9969087
    Abstract: An example implementation for avoiding leg collisions may involve a biped robot reducing a three-dimensional system to a two-dimensional projection of the biped robot's feet. An example biped robot may determine a touchdown location for a swing foot. The biped robot may determine lateral positions of the touchdown location and the swing foot, each relative to a stance foot. Based on one or more of the determined lateral positions of the touchdown location and the swing foot, each relative to the stance foot, the biped robot may determine an intermediate swing point for the swing foot that is not on a line defined by the swing foot and the touchdown location. The biped robot may further cause the swing foot to move to the intermediate swing point, and then cause the swing foot to move to the touchdown location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Blankespoor
  • Patent number: 9969088
    Abstract: The present invention provides a force sensor correcting method which is simple and capable of performing correction, with the force sensor remaining mounted at the end of an arm without an exchange of an end effector. In the present invention, a force sensor 1 of one robot 101 has already been corrected, and a force sensor 2 of the other robot 102 is an object to be corrected. First, hands 3a, 3b of a pair of robots 101, 102 are made to abut on each other (abutting step). A detected signal of the corrected force sensor 1 of the one robot 101, generated by execution of the abutting step, is converted into a measured value indicating a force or a moment (measurement step). Based on the measured value obtained in the measurement step, a value indicating a force or a moment acting on the hand 3b of the other robot 102 due to a reaction generated by the abutting step is obtained (calculation step).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuuichi Sato
  • Patent number: 9969089
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for carpet drift estimation are disclosed. In certain implementations, a robotic device includes an actuator system to move the body across a surface. A first set of sensors can sense an actuation characteristic of the actuator system. For example, the first set of sensors can include odometry sensors for sensing wheel rotations of the actuator system. A second set of sensors can sense a motion characteristic of the body. The first set of sensors may be a different type of sensor than the second set of sensors. A controller can estimate carpet drift based at least on the actuation characteristic sensed by the first set of sensors and the motion characteristic sensed by the second set of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Dhiraj Goel, Ethan Eade, Philip Fong, Mario E. Munich
  • Patent number: 9969090
    Abstract: A robot system which is inexpensive and can easily measure a position of a target point. The system stores feature quantities of an image of a target mark included in an image acquired as reference data when the target mark is placed at a known first target mark position at the robot coordinate system and stores the first target mark position with respect to an arm tip as the position of the tool center point. The system compares the feature quantities obtained from the image acquired when the target mark is arranged at a second target mark position and the feature quantities of the reference data to make the arm tip move and calculates the second target mark position at the robot coordinate system based on a second robot position corresponding to the position of the arm tip after movement and the position of the tool center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumikazu Warashina, Keisuke Watanabe, Kenshirou Oono
  • Patent number: 9969091
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to safety blades for use in utility knives, related assemblies and methods of manufacturing. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to safety blades for use in utility knives, related assemblies and methods of manufacture which limit user exposure to associated cutting edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Matthew J. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 9969092
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a first cutting member and a second cutting member. The first cutting member includes a first handle and a first cutting blade. The first cutting blade includes a first blade support, and a plurality of blade members spacedly and inwardly extended from the first blade support. Each of the blade members has an elongated first blade portion and a tip portion extended from the elongated first blade portion. Each of the tip portions has a first cutting edge, at least a first guiding surface, a second guiding surface and a guiding edge formed as a boundary between the first guiding to surface and the second guiding surface. A vertical height of the first guiding surface and the second guiding surface gradually decreases from the guiding edge. The second cutting member includes a second handle and a second cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventors: Houhan Liao, Cheng-Hsiung Chou
  • Patent number: 9969093
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric shaver comprising at least a first long hair cutter element that is provided with a first under cutter and a first, non-foil type upper cutter, wherein one or both of the first under cutter and the first upper cutter oscillate relative to the other in a direction parallel to an axis (x) and at least one guard that is provided adjacent to the second upper cutter and extends parallel to axis (x), the guard is provided with a comb structure having several teeth each being provided with a skin contact top portion and several slots being provided between the teeth each being having a low portion for guiding the hair in between and wherein the comb structure is provided as a micro comb structure having a depth of the slots from the top portion of the teeth to the low portion of the slots ranging between 0.2 to 0.7 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Braun Gmbh
    Inventors: Thorsten Piesker, Andreas Erndt, Ines Herzenstiel, Sebastian Hottenrott
  • Patent number: 9969094
    Abstract: A method for shaping a coating on a razor blade is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a razor blade having a tip end defined by at least one tip surface; b) applying a surface coating having a first thickness on at least one tip surface; and c) shaping the applied surface coating on the at least one tip surface to have a second thickness using a centrifuge, which second thickness is less than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Edgewell Personal Care Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Tomasz Hejmowski, Massimo Nyiry, David Tressel, Yiming Xu
  • Patent number: 9969095
    Abstract: A slicing machine for cutting slices from lengths of food is provided. The slicing machine includes a machine housing, which retains a drive motor and a rotating blade driven by the drive motor. The machine housing includes a deposition region which is arranged in the region of the blade and has a deposition plate for holding slices that have been cut off. The deposition plate has a rotary shaft and can be rotated from a horizontal position into a vertical position. The deposition plate is rigidly connected to the machine housing or to an attachment part of the machine housing when in the horizontal position, and the deposition plate is removable from the machine housing or from the attachment part of the machine housing when in the vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: BIZERBA SE & CO. KG
    Inventor: Nikolaus Koch
  • Patent number: 9969096
    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, wherein the cutting tool is movable radially with respect to the extension axis and is rotatable by a further means about the pipe to be cut to length, in order to cut the pipe to length. The receiving unit preferably has two toothed rods arranged in a block, wherein the first toothed rod is movable back and forth axially and the second toothed rod radially with respect to the extension axis, the axial movement is converted into a radial movement, and the cutting tool is arranged on the second toothed rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: BATTENFELD-CINCINNATI GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Joerg Droege, Christian von Hippel
  • Patent number: 9969097
    Abstract: A cutting tool includes a pipe, a pressing foot assembly, a spring, and a blade assembly. The pressing foot assembly is slidably sheathed on an end of the pipe. The spring is sheathed on the pipe. An end of the spring abuts against the pipe, and the other end of the spring abuts against the pressing foot assembly. The blade assembly passes through the pipe and the pressing foot assembly in a slidable manner. When the cutting tool moves along a first direction, the pressing foot assembly keeps pressing against an object in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, such that the blade assembly protrudes from the pressing foot assembly and cuts the object along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Yuan-Chi Hsu
  • Patent number: 9969098
    Abstract: An agricultural implement that includes a slotting mechanism and a slotting actuator is provided. The slotting mechanism is for cutting slots in a drip line in real time in conjunction with ground placement of the drip line. The slotting actuator is for actuating the slotting mechanism. The actuating is controlled by a computer following a slot spacing in a drip line prescription for a field in which a drip line is being placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Cash
  • Patent number: 9969099
    Abstract: A table saw guard assembly for guarding a blade on a table saw is provided. The table saw guard assembly includes a support structure and a hood assembly including at least one of a front curtain, first side curtain, second side curtain and top curtain, wherein each of said curtains are independently moveable and/or removable from the hood assembly. Furthermore, a table saw guard assembly is provided including a quick release mechanism for connecting the hood assembly to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. O'Banion, Warren A. Ceroll, James R. Parks, Robert Alan Berry, Robert P. Welsh, Daniel Puzio, Michael L. Agronin, Philip T. Miller, Robert J. Opsitos, Jr., Andrew E. Seman, Jr., John K. Horky, James P. Bascom, Todd J. Huston, Matthew C. Webster, Adan Ayala