Support Resiliently Urged Upwardly Patents (Class 269/310)
  • Patent number: 10139802
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a monitoring device, a monitoring method and a device for cutting a display substrate. The monitoring device includes an infrared temperature detection module configured to detect a temperature at a contacting position where a cutter wheel is in contact with the display substrate when cutting the display substrate with the cutter wheel, so as to acquire a temperature parameter at the contacting position; and a processing module configured to generate, based on the temperature parameter, a corresponding control parameter for controlling the process of cutting the display substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yangkun Jing, Weimin Wu, Xiaopan Che, Haibo Li, Gui Li, Jian Sun, Junwei Xia, Jia Ding
  • Patent number: 10040152
    Abstract: A work support includes a mounting plate and a mechanical lock coupled to the mounting plate. The mechanical lock includes a base coupled to the mounting plate and a support pin. The support pin is movably coupled to the base. As such, the support pin can move relative to the base. The work support further includes a locking collar at least partly disposed inside the base. The locking collar surrounds the support pin and includes a first collar portion disposed around the support pin. The first collar portion has an outer tapered surface facing away from the support pin. The locking collar further includes a second collar portion disposed around the support pin. The second collar portion has an inner tapered surface facing toward the support pin and can move relative to the first collar between an unlocked position and a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthew D Kaake, Bryan F. Hacker
  • Patent number: 9687952
    Abstract: An intelligent grinding device for short pulse electrical melt chip removal cooling, includes a diamond grinding wheel, a pulse power supply, a force meter sensor, thermocouple in a hole of work piece for measuring machining temperature, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a temperature collecting card, a charge amplifier, a force meter, a digital oscilloscope and a discharge parameter feedback adjustment system. The pulse power supply has a positive pole connecting with the grinding wheel, and a negative pole connecting with the work piece. The voltage sensor and the current sensor respectively put collected discharge voltage and current wave of the discharge circuit to be stored in a display terminal through the digital oscilloscope. The thermocouple connects with the display terminal by the temperature collecting card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SOUTH CHINA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jin Xie, Yanjun Lu, Zhenjie Deng, Jiahui You, Xianhai Si, Jian Cheng
  • Patent number: 8960658
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a platform attachment for use with a power hand tool which has a housing with a front nose portion with a rotary output shaft extending therefrom, and a tool holding mechanism on the output shaft for holding a tool, the attachment comprising a mounting component having an opening generally aligned with the output shaft through which a tool can extend, a platform component having a base portion and a platform portion, the base portion being adjustably attached to the mounting component, the platform portion having an outer generally planar main surface that is perpendicular to the axis and having an opening through which a tool can extend, and a generally planar secondary surface that extends downwardly from the main surface at a predetermined angle relative to the axis, and a mechanism for releasably locking the platform component on the mounting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas C. Vasis, Daniel J. Williams
  • Patent number: 8931772
    Abstract: A workpiece clamp comprising: a body; a workpiece-engaging spring edge connected to the body; and an opening for accepting a screw for securing the body to a fixture plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Steven E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8840098
    Abstract: A portable workpiece stopping device, attachable to a work surface relative to a primary tool, permitting a repetitive same-length operation to be performed on any number of workpieces, and which allows for interruption of the operation without affecting the essential positioning of the stopping device relative to the primary tool. The stopping device comprises a base plate selectively attachable to a work surface, a rotation plate rotatably coupled to the base plate, an alignment plate adjustably coupled to the rotation plate, a stop plate fixedly coupled to the alignment plate, and a support shelf adjustably coupled to the stop plate. The stopping device can be selectively transitioned from an obstructing position, which blocks the end of a workpiece pressed against the stop plate, thereby allowing the repetitive same-length operation to be performed, to a non-obstructing position which provides for unfettered positioning of any workpiece relative to the primary tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Brian Douglas
  • Patent number: 8832921
    Abstract: A two-piece locking nut assembly for securing a mantle to a head assembly of a cone crusher. The two-piece locking nut assembly includes an inner nut and an outer nut. The inner nut includes a set of axial bores that each receive a jackscrew. Once the locking nut assembly is in position on the head assembly, the series of jackscrews are tightened to exert a force on the mantle that is counteracted by forces through the inner nut and into the head to create a locking force between the locking nut assembly and the head assembly. The outer nut is turned along the inner nut to hold the locking nut assembly in place. Once the outer nut is moved into position, the jackscrews are removed such that the outer nut continues to apply the locking force between the mantle and the head through the locking nut assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Metso Minerals Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Marks, Edward L. Snow
  • Patent number: 8800982
    Abstract: A clamping device increases the diameter of a gripping assembly that is inserted into a hole in a workpiece and thus grips the inner circumferential surface of the hole, and particularly relates to such a clamping device that is adapted so that, in the vicinity of a scraper, no clearance occurs between the gripping assembly and a clamp rod, and the scraper. The clamping device is capable of enhancing the durability of a scraper, reducing the amount of pressurized air consumed by blowing, and ensuring the strength of a clamp rod against pulling and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8770567
    Abstract: A work piece supporting device is disclosed for limiting vibrations caused by work piece processing. The device comprises a base portion having a plurality of openings therein. Each opening forms a well with an inner boundary and a peripheral surface extends therefrom. A plurality of elongate supports are each arranged to be located in a corresponding well for supporting the work piece when positioned above the base portion. A resilient support is positioned in the well between the inner boundary and the elongate support. The elongate support is movable between a first position in which the resilient support is in a relatively less compressed configuration to a second position in which the resilient support is in a relatively more compressed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Quickmill Inc.
    Inventors: David C Piggott, Gordon Buchholz
  • Patent number: 8702080
    Abstract: A dual resolution translation stage includes a stage assembly operable to receive an optical element and a low resolution adjustment device mechanically coupled to the stage assembly. The dual resolution stage also includes an adjustable pivot block mechanically coupled to the stage assembly. The adjustable pivot block includes a pivot shaft. The dual resolution stage further includes a lever arm mechanically coupled to the adjustable pivot block. The lever arm is operable to pivot about the pivot shaft. The dual resolution stage additionally includes a high resolution adjustment device mechanically coupled to the lever arm and the stage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: John Michael Halpin
  • Patent number: 8672103
    Abstract: A main shaft drive includes a supply groove that opens to a friction surface, that extends so as to surround a main shaft within a contact range where the friction surface and a pressing surface oppose each other, and that includes an intersecting groove and a discharge opening. The intersecting groove extends in a direction of intersection with a circumference in which a rotational center of the main shaft is a center. The discharge opening is connected to a location that is outside the contact range. By opening a nozzle hole, used for supplying lubricant, towards the supply groove, as the main shaft rotates, four intersecting grooves move relative to the contact range, so that the lubricant is supplied to the four moved intersecting grooves. Therefore, the lubricant easily reaches a location within the contact range where the friction surface and the pressing surface oppose each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tsudakoma Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tatsuda
  • Patent number: 8662485
    Abstract: A suction apparatus 1 holds a wafer W by performing vacuum-suctioning on the wafer W. The suction apparatus 1 comprises a suction substrate 2. The suction substrate 2, which is rigid, comprises a plurality of pin-like protrusions 2a formed so that the tip-end faces (upper surfaces) thereof are the same height. An elastic coating layer is coated by way of an undercoat layer 4 on the tip-end faces of the protrusions 2a. When the wafer W is suctioned, even if a foreign matter is interposed between the wafer W and the suction surface, because the foreign matter embeds itself into the coating layer 3, the planarization of the wafer W is improved. In addition, because the coating layer 3 can be made comparatively thinner, undulations in the wafer W can be reduced and, to that end, the planarization of the wafer W in the suctioned state can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Asada
  • Patent number: 8585031
    Abstract: A quick-action clamping cylinder is described which has a housing and a cover which covers the housing and has a center opening for receiving a retractable nipple that is arranged on the lower side of a workpiece pallet. The retractable nipple is locked in a spring-loaded manner in the housing by way of a plurality of locking balls that are spring-loaded in the locked position on the outer periphery of the retractable nipple. The locking balls are disengaged from the retractable nipple in the unlocked position by displacing a piston actuated by a pressurized medium. The disclosed examples provide a simple, small clamping system. To this end, the locking balls convert the spring force exerted by the springs into a multiple of the retraction force acting on the retractable nipple, by way of a lever arm transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Andreas Maier GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Emil Stark
  • Patent number: 8585027
    Abstract: A clamp device has a grip member for gripping the inner peripheral surface of a hole in a workpiece, a clamp rod having a tapered shaft portion that is fitted into and engaged with the grip member, a hydraulic cylinder for driving the grip member and the clamp rod forwards and backwards in the axial direction, and a main body member to which the above elements are mounted. A tubular cylindrical main body portion projecting upwards is provided at the center portion of an upper half portion of the main body member. The outer diameter of this tubular main body portion is set less than or equal to three times the outer diameter of the grip member in the unclamped state, and, in the unclamped state, the upper half portions of the grip member and the tapered shaft portion are made to project outward from the upper end of the tubular main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8523158
    Abstract: An opener and a buffer table for a test handler are disclosed. The opener includes an opening plate, a plurality of pin blocks forming pairs, and at least one or more interval retaining apparatus for retaining an interval between the pin blocks forming a pair. Each of the pin blocks is movably coupled to the opening plate, and includes opening pins for releasing a holding state of a holding apparatus that holds semiconductor devices in a carrier board. Although semiconductor devices to be tested are altered in size and a carrier board loading with the semiconductor devices is thus replaced, the opener does not need to be replaced, thereby reducing the replacement cost and the waste of resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: TechWing., Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Sung Na, In-Gu Jeon, Seung-Chul Ahn, Dong-Han Kim, Jae-Hyun Son
  • Patent number: 8517360
    Abstract: A clamp device includes a support mechanism that supports a grip member when expanding the diameter thereof, a clamping hydraulic cylinder that can drive the grip member and a clamp rod axially forwards and backwards (up and down), and a main body member to which the grip member, the clamp rod, the support mechanism, and the clamping hydraulic cylinder are mounted, with the grip member, the clamp rod, and the support mechanism being positioned at one end portion of the body member, and with the common axis of the grip member and the clamp rod being offset from the axis of the clamping hydraulic cylinder in a direction orthogonal to the clamp rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8511659
    Abstract: A holding jig including, a tilt angle with respect to a plane of a holding surface of a holding target defined as a holding tilt angle: a first holding portion having a holding tilt face with the holding tilt angle; a second holding portion connected to the first holding portion so as to slide toward the holding tilt face along a plane substantially parallel to the holding surface; and an elastic holding portion provided at a position of the second holding portion facing the holding tilt face that is elastically deformed towards the holding surface by the holding tilt face while being abutted to the holding tilt face, when the second holding portion slides toward the holding tilt face, to press and hold the holding target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hirakawa, Satoshi Sakashita, Shinji Ishida, Hiroyuki Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 8511661
    Abstract: A positioning fixture assembly includes a support member, a first clamping member, and a second clamping member. The support member includes a substantially cylindrical connecting portion and a supporting portion. A number of receiving grooves are defined in the connecting portion. The supporting portion includes a first surface. The first clamping member defines a first receiving slot and includes a first mounting surface and a first resisting surface. At least one projection projects from the bottom surface of the receiving slot. The connecting portion is received in the first and second receiving slots and is clamped by the first and second clamping members. The at least one projection is selectively received in the receiving grooves so that an angle is defined between the first surface and the first mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Da-Hai Huang
  • Patent number: 8505893
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool holder with a tool holding fixture, in particular a clamping chuck such as a contracting chuck, a draw-in collect chuck, a hydraulic expanding chuck and a high-precision chuck, and a shank of a tool, in particular a rotary tool, accommodated in it, wherein the tool holder contains a means for preventing the tool from being pulled out, locking it against axial displacement. This pull-out preventing unit comprises at least one locking element and at least one locking groove, which corresponds to the said locking element, receives it and interacts with it in a positively locking manner. In this case, both the locking element and the locking groove are formed at least partly in the manner of a ball head. Preferably, the tool has the locking grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Franz Haimer Maschinenbau KG
    Inventor: Franz Haimer
  • Patent number: 8490956
    Abstract: A fixture assembly for retaining a workpiece during a coining process includes a mounting block. The workpiece includes an airfoil portion, a platform, and feet extending from the platform opposite the airfoil portion configured to engage a retention slot in a gas turbine engine, each foot defining a substantially arcuate engagement surface. The mounting block includes a first portion having a slot defined therein between opposite first and second lateral edges and having an exposed front face, first and second retaining structures positioned adjacent to the first and second lateral edges, respectively. Each of the first and second retaining structures overhangs the slot and defines an engagement surface facing the slot, such that during engagement of the workpiece the substantially arcuate engagement surfaces of the feet contact the engagement surfaces of the first and second retaining structures to provide a pivotable engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Services PTE Ltd.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Korn, Mohamed Salleh Najib
  • Patent number: 8413973
    Abstract: The clamping fixture comprises a chuck (1) and fixedly securable thereto releasably a clamping pallet (6). The chuck (1) is provided with four centering pins (3) arranged at the chuck (1) cooperating with centering openings (9) arranged at the clamping pallet (6) such that the clamping pallet (6) when chucked in the chuck (1) is oriented in the X and Y direction. Each centering pin (3) features two conically tapered side faces (3a, 3b) whilst each centering opening (9) is defined by two side walls (9a, 9b) oriented parallel to each other. When chucking the clamping pallet (6) at the chuck (1) the conically tapered side faces (3a, 3b) of each centering pin (3) come into line contact with the sidewalls of the centering opening (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Patent number: 8387961
    Abstract: A vacuum chuck comprises a main body including a support projection and a vacuum groove arranged in a lattice form on the top surface thereof, an installation space, a vacuum space, a filter space. The main body further includes an inlet that communicates with the installation space and an outlet that communicates with the vacuum space. An air saving valve B, a vacuum sensor S, a vacuum generator V and a filter F are installed in the installation space, vacuum space and filter space of the main body. A pressure gauge and a vacuum gauge that are mounted on the front side and communicate with the inlet and the vacuum space respectively. A main body cover that is air-tightly coupled to the lower part of the main body, and a filter cover that is air-tightly coupled to the lower part of the filter space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Kwon-Hyun Im
  • Patent number: 8371564
    Abstract: A suction apparatus 1 holds a wafer W by performing vacuum-suctioning on the wafer W. The suction apparatus 1 comprises a suction substrate 2. The suction substrate 2, which is rigid, comprises a plurality of pin-like protrusions 2a formed so that the tip-end faces (upper surfaces) thereof are the same height. An elastic coating layer is coated by way of an undercoat layer 4 on the tip-end faces of the protrusions 2a. When the wafer W is suctioned, even if a foreign matter is interposed between the wafer W and the suction surface, because the foreign matter embeds itself into the coating layer 3, the planarization of the wafer W is improved. In addition, because the coating layer 3 can be made comparatively thinner, undulations in the wafer W can be reduced and, to that end, the planarization of the wafer W in the suctioned state can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Asada
  • Patent number: 8347811
    Abstract: A system is provided that is capable of supporting an object during application of surface coating that would enable access to multiple surfaces of the object while minimizing the impact on any surface that has not dried. The system provides stable support for the object during the application process and allows the coatings of all surfaces to dry with minimal effect on the coated surface. The system comprises a plurality of support units. Each support unit comprises a base portion and a contact portion. Each base portion is adapted to rest stably upon a work platform and contact portion is adapted to contact an underside of the object during application of surface coating. The plurality of support units together supports the object above the work platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Bucci
  • Patent number: 8317174
    Abstract: System for positioning a component on a frame relative to a reference. It comprises a ball assembly (4), composed of a rod (6), a ball (8) fixed to the rod (6) and a ball joint clamping system (10, 12) mounted on the rod to fix the ball assembly relative to the component; a vee assembly composed of a rod (16), a vee (18) fixed to the rod (16) and a ball joint clamping system (20, 22) mounted on the rod to fix the vee assembly relative to the frame; an elastic connecting element (26) to keep the ball (8) in contact with the vee (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie
    Inventors: Philippe Fayollas, François Macias
  • Patent number: 8246029
    Abstract: A clamp device includes an annular grip member capable of being inserted into an hole in a workpiece and of gripping the inner circumferential surface of the hole, a clamp rod having a tapered shaft portion fitted inside the grip member and engaged therewith, a hydraulic cylinder capable of axially advancing and retracting the grip member and the clamp rod, and a clamp main body member. The clamp device is provided with seating surfaces formed upon the clamp main body member, on which the workpiece is seated, and a poor clamping detection mechanism that detects poor clamping, in the state in which the grip member is driven in its clamping direction by the hydraulic cylinder via the clamp rod, and the workpiece is in its state of being seated upon the seating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20120207562
    Abstract: A work piece supporting device is disclosed for limiting vibrations caused by work piece processing. The device comprises a base portion having a plurality of openings therein. Each opening forms a well with an inner boundary and a peripheral surface extends therefrom. A plurality of elongate supports are each arranged to be located in a corresponding well for supporting the work piece when positioned above the base portion. A resilient support is positioned in the well between the inner boundary and the elongate support. The elongate support is movable between a first position in which the resilient support is in a relatively less compressed configuration to a second position in which the resilient support is in a relatively more compressed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Quickmill Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Piggott, Gordon Buchholz
  • Patent number: 8235370
    Abstract: A clamp device includes a grip member, a clamp rod, and a hydraulic cylinder, and, by the grip member being inserted into an hole in a workpiece, it can grip the inner circumferential surface of the hole. The clamp device is provided with: a main body member; seating surfaces formed upon the main body member, upon which the workpiece is seated; a seating sensor that includes a pressurized air ejection hole opening to the seating surfaces; and a workpiece mounting surface that can receive and stop a workpiece at a position that is more advanced than the seating surfaces when the grip member is at an advanced position (its unclamped state), and that shifts together with the grip member during clamp operation when the grip member and the clamp rod shift towards retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8201814
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for catching a plurality of slices to be detached from a holding element, having a frame, a holder, attached to the frame, for accommodating the holding element holding the slices, at least two guiding elements on the sides and at least one bottom catching element, the guiding elements on the sides each being arranged on the frame in pairs on the right and the left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: DEUTSCHE SOLAR GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Döpping, Matthias Reinecke, Holger Brosche, Hans-Joachim Gretzschel, Steffen Pollack
  • Patent number: 8181949
    Abstract: A micro-adjustable parallel bench vise includes a slide holder having a top dovetail rail, a vise body having a bottom dovetail groove coupled to the dovetail rail of the slide holder and holding a fixed jaw member, a screw holder slidably mounted in the top side of the vise body, a screw rod threaded into the screw holder and rotatable to move the screw holder relative to the vise body. When multiple vise bodies are mounted on the slide holder in parallel, they are micro-adjustable to hold a workpiece or multiple workpieces precisely in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Yi-Po Hung
  • Patent number: 8152151
    Abstract: A clamping fixture comprises a chuck (1) and a workpiece pallet (22) releasably located thereon. The chuck (1) is provided with a clamping mechanism for locating the workpiece pallet (22). The clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members configured as plungers (10). The workpiece pallet (22) comprises a clamping surface (28a) running essentially along its shell surface (26) for surface contacting the plungers (10) by its front part (12) provided with a compression surface (13) during clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Bruno Sandmeier
  • Patent number: 8096539
    Abstract: An o-ring free cooling pallet for holding a carrier is disclosed. The pallet comprises a first clamp fixed to a planar surface of the pallet for coupling with a first edge of the carrier. The pallet also comprises a second clamp removably coupled to the planar surface of the pallet for coupling with a second edge of the carrier, wherein the second clamp comprises a spring mechanism for applying a force to the second edge of the carrier that is substantially parallel to the planar surface, the force for coupling the carrier to the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Netherlands, B.V.
    Inventors: Jorge A. Goitia, Cherngye Hwang
  • Patent number: 8061717
    Abstract: A positioning and clamping device or tools and/or workpieces, comprising a base body, a piston arranged such as to be displaceable in the base body, a pin which may be connected to the piston and at least one locking mechanism, for locking the positioning and clamping device relative to a tool or workpiece holder which has a complementary form to the base body. The base body has a cylinder housing for housing the piston with a clamping cone between the piston and the pin with control surfaces formed on the clamping cone and the piston, with further control surfaces on the locking mechanism, cooperating with the control surfaces of the clamping cone and the piston and the locking mechanism is arranged to be radially displaceable in the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: System 3R Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Walter Roth
  • Patent number: 8056891
    Abstract: A device for use on palletized loads of containers for maintaining tension in vertical strapping comprises a rectangle (20) having outer dimensions commensurate with the dimensions of a pallet or dolly on which. containers are to be stacked in layers, each side of the rectangle comprising upper and lower leaves (21L, 22L) diverging from hinge means at the inner edge of the side, the lower leaves (22L) of all four sides being disposed in a common plane, and spring means (23) urging the outer edges of the upper and lower leaves apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Loadhog Limited
    Inventors: Hugh David Facey, Derek Boaler, John Makin, Neil Clarke
  • Patent number: 8047519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2), in a plant for coating pistons, for holding a piston (1) of an internal combustion engine, comprising an aligning piece (7), which is arranged on a surface (3) of the device (2) in the direction of the axis (17) of the piston (1) in an elastically flexible manner and which comprises two opposing surfaces resting on the inner surface of the gudgeon pin boss (18) of the piston (1) conically tapering in the direction of the piston crown. A simple construction of the piston holder which permits a fault-free and even coating of the piston which can be rapidly and simply fixed to the piston is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Rienecker
  • Patent number: 8011085
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a clamping device for a flexible substrate is provided. A carrier board is provided. A plurality of holes is formed in the carrier board. A fixed positioning assembly and a movable positioning assembly are respectively embedded in the plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chin-Jyi Wu, Chen-Der Tsai, Yun-Chuan Tu, Te-Chi Wong
  • Patent number: 7967043
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a flitch on a staylog or slicer for slicing veneer from the flitch, the staylog or slicer having a plurality of expandable wedge-clamp dogs, the method comprising the steps of providing a flitch having a plurality of dados for receiving a plurality of wedge-clamp dogs, positioning the plurality of wedge-clamp dogs within the plurality of dados in the flitch, and expanding the wedge-clamp dogs to retain the flitch on the staylog or slicer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Miller Vaneers, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Miller, Robert D. Brand
  • Patent number: 7926170
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a clamping device for a flexible substrate is provided. A carrier board having a first positing holes and a plurality of second position holes is provided, wherein the first and the second position holes correspond in position to a plurality of through holes on the flexible substrate. A portion of the carrier board material close to the second position holes is removed to form a hole body and a plurality of curved extending arms connected to the hole body and the carrier board. A first dowel pin and a plurality of second dowel pins are provided for inserting into the first positioning hole and the second positioning holes, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chin-Jyi Wu, Chen-Der Tsai, Yun-Chuan Tu, Te-Chi Wong
  • Patent number: 7866641
    Abstract: An adaptor and its method of use for cleaning the work piece chuck clamping surfaces of a turning center (lathe). An adaptor of the present invention includes a number of orifices that are arranged and oriented to direct pressurized fluid (e.g., air and/or another fluid) against the clamping surfaces of the work pieces chucks when a work piece is not present. The pressurized fluid impinges on the work piece chuck clamping surfaces, thereby removing chips and/or other debris therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeff Switzer
  • Patent number: 7819392
    Abstract: A positioning mechanism in a positioning and clamping device includes an annular tapered surface that is formed on an outer periphery of a cylindrical shaft for positioning a pallet in the horizontal direction, and has a decreasing diameter toward an axial tip of the cylindrical shaft. An annular engaging mechanism, which is formed on an inner periphery side portion of an annular engagement member, is engageable with the annular tapered surface, and is elastically deformed in the radial direction, as a result of engagement with the annular tapered surface. The engaging mechanism has a tapered ring portion, which makes a face contact with the annular tapered surface, and multiple ribs extending outward, radially, from the tapered ring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Kuroda, Takayuki Munechika
  • Patent number: 7793924
    Abstract: A plug member (12) inserted into a positioning hole (5) formed in a second block (2) is projected from a first block. Two slide portions (61, 61) opposed to each other across the plug member (12) are arranged around the plug member (12) movably in a first radial direction (D1) substantially orthogonal to the opposed direction. An annular pressing member (15) which is allowed to diametrically expand and diametrically contract is arranged around an outer periphery of the slide portion (61, 61). The slide portions (61, 61) diametrically expand the pressing member (15) in a second radial direction (D2) which is the opposed direction by a drive device to press the pressing member (15) against an inner peripheral surface of the positioning hole (5), by which the slide portions (61, 61) are moved in the first radial direction (D1) with respect to the plug member (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kosmek Ltd.
    Inventors: Keitaro Yonezawa, Yosuke Haruna
  • Patent number: 7761974
    Abstract: A process generally includes contacting a surface of at least one workpiece with a reconfigurable pad of a fixture device, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to conform to the surface of the at least one workpiece, and fixturing the contacted workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Douglas M. Linn, Nilesh D. Mankame, Roland J. Menassa, Ivan G. Sears, Robin Stevenson, Christopher P. Henry, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7758031
    Abstract: A plug member (12) inserted into a positioning hole (5) formed in a second block (2) is projected from a first block (1). A plurality of slide portions (61) opposed to each other across the plug member (12) are arranged around the plug member (12) movably in a first radial direction (D1) substantially orthogonal to the opposed direction thereof. A first pressing member (15) and a second pressing member (19) are arranged outside the slide portions (61) diametrically expandably and diametrically contractibly and axially movably. The first pressing member (15) is driven toward a base end by a drive device, whereby the slide portions (61) expand the first pressing member (15) via the second pressing member (19), thereby the slide portions (61) are moved in the first radial direction (D1) with respect to the plug member (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kosmek Ltd.
    Inventors: Keitaro Yonezawa, Yosuke Haruna
  • Patent number: 7748690
    Abstract: A quick-action cylinder with safety device to prevent blocking is described, wherein the quick-action cylinder provides a mechanical lock for a center draw-in nipple (2) in a center bore (23) in a housing of a quick-action cylinder, wherein in the locked position one or more locking members (3) are urged into contact with an exterior periphery of the draw-in nipple by a force of a spring assembly (12) which is arranged in the housing in one or several spring compartments (13), and wherein the unlocked position of the draw-in nipple (2) is attained by applying pressure to a locking piston (7) which operates to oppose the force of the spring assembly. The safety device prevents self-blocking of the locking device of the draw-in nipple (2) in the center bore (23) when the pressure medium enters the spring compartment (13) of the spring assembly (12) from the cylinder space (11) of the locking piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Andreas Maier GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günther Jakob Stark
  • Patent number: 7648132
    Abstract: The clamping apparatus comprising a chuck member and a pallet member releasably fixed to the chuck member. The chuck member comprises clamping means for clamping the pallet member to the chuck member. The chuck member has first centering means and the pallet member has second centering means cooperating with the first centering means to define the relative position between the chuck member and the pallet. The chuck member and/or the pallet member are/is provided with at least one damping element consisting at least partially of a compressed composite of metal chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Erowa AG
    Inventor: Hans Hediger
  • Patent number: 7591066
    Abstract: A clamping device for a flexible substrate is provided. The clamping device includes a carrier board. The carrier board has a fixed positioning assembly and a plurality of movable positioning assemblies. The fixed positioning assembly and the movable positioning assemblies are disposed in locations that almost correspond to a plurality of through holes on the flexible substrate. The fixed positioning assembly includes a hole body with a positioning hole and a dowel pin. Each movable positioning assembly includes a hole body with a positioning hole, a plurality of curved extending arms and a dowel pin. Each curved extending arm is connected to the hole body and the carrier board and the dowel pin is inserted into the positioning hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chin-Jyi Wu, Chen-Der Tsai, Yun-Chuan Tu, Te-Chi Wong
  • Patent number: 7587805
    Abstract: A fixture device generally includes a base member, a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece, and an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Douglas M. Linn, Nilesh D. Mankame, Roland J. Menassa, Ivan G. Sears, Robin Stevenson, Christopher P. Henry, Nancy L. Johnson, Charles W. Wampler, II
  • Patent number: 7520495
    Abstract: The invention describes a rapid-action coupling cylinder comprising a guiding device for the controlled insertion of a pull-in nipple fixed to the underside of a workpiece pallet into the central receiving aperture in the housing of the rapid-action coupling cylinder. In order to ensure that the pull-in nipple is inserted into the central receiving aperture in the housing without damage, provision is made by the invention for the face end of the pull-in nipple to have, in the direction of insertion, a conical bevel that is beveled towards the rear and cooperates with an associated—oppositely beveled—conical receptacle inside the housing of the rapid-action coupling cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: SSA System-Spann AG
    Inventor: Emil Stark
  • Patent number: 7480975
    Abstract: A fixture device generally includes a base member, a reconfigurable pad comprising a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece, and a thermoelectric unit in operative communication with the shape memory material of the reconfigurable pad. A process for operating a fixture device includes passing a current in a first direction through a thermoelectric unit in operative communication with a reconfigurable pad in an amount effective to heat a shape memory material therein to or above a shape setting temperature, contacting a surface of a workpiece with the reconfigurable pad, cooling the shape memory material below the shape setting temperature, and fixturing the workpiece with the fixture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Verbrugge, Jihui Yang, Yang T. Cheng, Michael J. Lukitsch, Alan L. Browne, Nilesh D. Mankame
  • Patent number: 7425000
    Abstract: Quick-action clamping cylinder for general locking tasks in mechanical engineering, said quick-action clamping cylinder being used to anchor a feed nipple located on any desired part, the built-in components of the quick-action clamping cylinder that are fundamental to its function being configured as an insert module which are able to be fitted into the into the housing of the quick-action clamping cylinder in a modular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: SSA System-Spann AG
    Inventor: Emil Stark