Holder Inserted Within Work Aperture Patents (Class 269/47)
  • Patent number: 6279758
    Abstract: A circuit board carrier and method of using the same. The carrier allows circuit boards to be processed on lead frame-based semiconductor processing equipment. The circuit board carrier contains a structure to secure a circuit board thereto and the carrier is sized and shaped and provided with standardized indexing holes to allow processing of circuit boards on processing equipment configured for lead frame-based processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Wark, Michael J. Bettinger
  • Patent number: 6280792
    Abstract: A process for surface-treating a plurality of works which includes the step of surface-treating the works in a treating chamber, while rotating the works about their axes in spaced apart states, wherein the surface treatment is a vapor deposition on a sintered article and the support member includes plate-like elements openably and closably foldable in a lengthwise direction, the plate-like elements defining a plurality of narrow sections each having a length in opened states corresponding to an inside diameter of a work. The support member may also include an upper cage and a lower cage which are openable and closable in a lengthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Special Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimi Tochishita, Yoshio Fujiwara, Yoshihiro Asagai, Ken Ohtagaki
  • Patent number: 6280566
    Abstract: A vibration welding apparatus for welding synthetic resin parts together by vibrating one of the resin parts while the resin parts are in contact with each other. An upper jig for supporting one of the synthetic resin parts, a lower jig for supporting the other of the snythetic resin parts and a vibrating member to which the upper jig is attached are provided in the apparatus. The jigs are held together by bolts which can withstand the vibrating motions. Head portions of the bolts are inserted into insertion holes of the upper jig, notches of spacers are engaged with the shaft portions of the bolts between an attached portion of the upper jig and the head portions of the bolts, and the bolts are fastened to the vibrating member in the state where the notches are engaged with the shaft portions, so that the attached portion is fastened through the spacers by the head portions of the bolts and the vibrating member to thereby attach the upper jig to the vibrating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Naito, Masahiko Koizumi, Seiichi Gyotoku, Fuzihiko Sugiyama, Masahiko Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 6279888
    Abstract: A modular fixturing apparatus platform includes a plate, which has a center and a plurality of axes extending radially outward from the center. The plate includes a plurality of mounting openings configured to receive fasteners. The mounting openings are arranged in a rectangular array and aligned along one of the radiating axes of the plate. The rectangular array includes at least two rows of the mounting openings. In one form, the mounting openings are arranged in a repeating square pattern within the rectangular array. Preferably, the plate comprises a sub-plate, and the platform further includes at least one base plate, which is mounted on the sub-plate. The base plate includes the rectangular array of mounting openings and is aligned along one of the radiating axes of the sub-plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: H. James Vander Wal, III
  • Patent number: 6269529
    Abstract: A hose preparation apparatus and method therefor including a supporting device for supporting at least one hose. A printing device is positioned adjacent to the supporting device for printing a symbol on a hose supported by the supporting device. A trimming device is positioned adjacent to the supporting device for trimming a hose supported by the supporting device. The apparatus and method can also include a clipping apparatus, a capping apparatus and an inspecting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas R. Clark
  • Patent number: 6264155
    Abstract: A plastic base form for creating conical-shaped, wire frameworks for decorative Christmas trees and the like. The form has a series of upraised channels and an aperture in each in order for a pin to be inserted in order to secure the wire members and then be removed when the decorative tree has been completed. The channels are arranged around the base into pairs. Such pairs are numbered in order to aid the user in constructing the conical-shaped wire framework when using this base form. Every other pair should be staggered to form two sets of channels, one set forming a small perimeter of about 12″ and the other set forming a larger perimeter of about 14″. Wire members, such as coat hangers, may then be placed in the channels and secured to one another in order to form the basic conical-shaped, wire framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Lorna Holly Ardrey
  • Patent number: 6264186
    Abstract: A top load threaded bolt assembly (60) for restraining a workpiece (36) on a operating surface (32) of a tooling fixture (50) is provided. Top load threaded bolt assembly (60) includes a housing (66) having a bolt cavity (75) and a bolt passage (76) disposed within housing (66). A bolt (64) having a first threaded portion (70) is disposed within bolt cavity (75) such that first threaded portion (70) extends above a operating surface (32) of tooling fixture (50). The top load threaded bolt assembly (60) may be disposed in the operating surface (32) of tooling fixture (50). Top load threaded bolt assembly (60) may further include a conical spring (62) to bias bolt (64) in an extended position. Bolt (64) may be secured in a non-extended position by threading a second threaded portion (72) into a threaded passage (58) which is adjacent bolt cavity (75) and opposite bolt passage (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Benny R. Hill
  • Patent number: 6245646
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fixture for mounting a substrate to mounting tape on a film frame so as to retain the substrate to the film frame for dicing. A plurality of grooves for receiving a cutting saw extend longitudinally and transversely across the fixture to define die regions. The fixture also includes a plurality of apertures that align with the substrate and with dies to be cut from the substrate. The aligned apertures supply vacuum to the substrate to retain the substrate and cut dies in the fixture. When the dicing is completed, the vacuum is turned off and the individual dies can be readily removed from the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6237207
    Abstract: The invention refers to an auxiliary assembly element for automatic mounting of machine parts, such as housing sealing covers for combustion engines, where the auxiliary assembly element, which may be attached to the machine part and easily removed, receives the mounting devices for the connection of the machine parts with the machine into supports where they are position-oriented and arrested, so that the mounting devices, together with the machine part, may be supplied to and moved directly into the connection position with the machine via the auxiliary assembly element with the use of an industrial robot or similar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: CR Elastomere GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Vom Stein
  • Patent number: 6219899
    Abstract: Panels are positioned relative to a pattern by moving the pattern onto a registration mechanism having contact elements, engaging contact areas on the pattern with contact elements by moving the contact elements synchronously and equidistantly while allowing the registration mechanism to move as the elements engage the contact areas, locking the position of the registration mechanism, and engaging contact areas on sequential panels by moving the contact elements of the locked registration mechanism synchronously and equidistantly to contact areas on one panel after the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Hugo Ammann, Francis LoVasco, Michael A. Oien
  • Patent number: 6199260
    Abstract: First and second two spacing jigs 81 are used each having a rectangular parallelepipedal body 81a formed on the bottom surface thereof with projections 82 which are arranged side by side at a spacing equal to a predetermined interval between reference bores 106. First, the projections 82 of the first jig 81 are fitted in front reference bores 106 of respective lower members 31, 32, 33, and the projections 82 of the second jig 82 in rear reference bores 106 of the lower members. A right angle holding jig 84 in the form of a rectangular frame and having inner side faces positionable respectively in contact with the front side face of the first jig 81, the rear side face of the second jig 81 and the left and right side faces of the two jigs 81 is fitted around the bodies 81a of the two jigs 81 to adjust the arrangement of bores 106 to right angles. The lower members are fixed to a support member in this state by tightening up screw members 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignees: Fujikin Incorporated, Ohmi, Tadahiro
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Michio Yamaji, Tsutomu Shinohara
  • Patent number: 6189853
    Abstract: A transmission stand comprises a front leg assembly and a rear leg assembly pivotally mounted thereto to collectively produce a stable A-frame construction. The rear leg assembly includes a pair of spaced apart rear legs and a stabilizer bar connected between the lower end portions and the rear legs. The front leg assembly includes a pair of spaced apart front legs and an inverted U-shaped lower support connected to the lower end portions of the front legs. The inverted U-shaped lower support extends between and outwardly from the front legs to effectively stabilize the transmission stand. A retainer bracket and chain assembly adjustably connects between the front legs for supporting and securing the lower transmission portion to the front leg assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Alan T. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 6164634
    Abstract: An adjustable tooling pin assembly for precisely positioning printed circuit boards having different diameter and spacing of tooling alignment holes with different series of boards. Two support bodies are positioned along a base at the approximate location of spaced tooling holes. One support body carries an upwardly extending tooling pin with a diameter smaller than the tooling hole. The other support body carries two upwardly extending, adjacent, thin tooling pins, one of which is fixed to the support body and the other fastened to a block slidable in a channel in the support body, to move the movable pin relative to the fixed pin. The board holes are placed over the pins, the support bodies are secured to the base with the outermost tooling pins engaging the outer hole edges. The movable pin is moved away from the adjacent fixed pin by rotating a threaded rod extending though the support block to move the movable pin into contact with the tool hole edge opposite the fixed pin edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Douglas T. Farlow
  • Patent number: 6158730
    Abstract: ABSTRACT A mechanical clamp for securing a workpiece according to the invention includes a clamp plate having an end for engaging a workpiece and a fulcrum spaced apart from said end. A pivotal handle is pivotally connected to said clamp plate by a connecting rod. A base plate is disposed intermediate the pivotal handle and includes a slot therethrough for receiving the connecting rod. The cam surface of the pivotal handle selectively engages the base plate to cause the clamping force at the end for engaging said workpiece. The fulcrum concentrates that clamping force at the end of the clamp plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Keith Coffey
  • Patent number: 6158104
    Abstract: An assembly jig is provided for pre-twisting or rotating the closure blade prior to driving the closure blade into the notch opening at the completion of bucket assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly jig is composed of three clamp assemblies, each mounted to the integral cover of the circumferentially adjacent buckets of the notch group. Each clamp assembly includes first and second axially aligned clamp brackets that are clamped the respective integral cover. The closure blade is pre-twisted or rotated by adjusting the gaps between the adjacent clamp brackets and hence the gaps between the axial ends of the closure blade cover and the axial ends of the adjacent auxiliary bucket cover(s) respectively clamped thereto. The force necessary to rotate the closure blade cover may be generated with jacking bolts that extend generally tangentially of the row of buckets, between the adjacent clamp brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Dennis W. Roberts, Joseph Mark Serafini, John Clifton Williams
  • Patent number: 6158595
    Abstract: A circuit board carrier and method of using the same. The circuit board carrier allows circuit boards to be processed on lead frame-based semiconductor processing equipment. The circuit board carrier contains a structure to secure a circuit board thereto and the circuit board carrier is sized and shaped, and provided with standardized indexing holes, to allow processing of circuit boards on processing equipment configured for lead frame-based processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Wark, Michael J. Bettinger
  • Patent number: 6151792
    Abstract: Registration system and method provide for alignment of films with circuit panels. The exact position of tooling holes in the panel are found using tapered pins. After the exact position of the tooling holes are found tapered registration pins are inserted into the tooling holes. The top of the registration pin is narrower than the tooling hole so that the pin will easily slide into the tooling hole. The middle part of the registration pin is substantially the same size as the tooling hole, thereby ensuring a snug fit between the tooling hole and the registration pin. Where a tooling hole is comprised of overlapping holes, the registration pin contacts several of these holes. A loading apparatus provides pneumatic pressure beneath the registration pin to push the registration pin into the tooling hole. After the registration pins are placed in the tooling holes of the panel, a film is placed on the panel such that the registration pins are inserted into the holes of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Olec Corporation
    Inventors: Albert H. Ohlig, Todd W. Lansinger
  • Patent number: 6109600
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a workpiece, such as an automobile bumper, comprising a support base, a top frame attached thereto, a crossbar mounted to the top frame for supporting the workpiece and a stabilizing device for securing the workpiece to the apparatus. The top frame further comprises a central portion and a plurality of arms extending therefrom. The plurality of arms may further comprise a first pair of spaced apart arms each having a first end attached to the support base and a free second end opposite the first end. A crossbar is attached to each of the free second ends of the pair of spaced apart arms. The apparatus further includes a stabilizing device attached to the apparatus for stabilizing the workpiece positioned thereon. The apparatus may include an adjustment mechanism comprising a rod having spaced apart ends received within a pair of aligned bores, and a retainer positioned intermediate the ends for positioning the top frame in a plurality of user selectable orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Brian P. Yost
    Inventors: Brian P. Yost, Robert J. Budesa
  • Patent number: 6105949
    Abstract: A workpiece indexing and clamping system for machining the workpiece. Spherical or narrow cylindrical heads of index pins extend from holes in a base plate into workpiece holes to align and index the workpiece. The pin portions in the base plate holes can be expanded to lock them to the base plate. Each pin has relief flats parallel to the pin axis. Clamps engage workpiece edges with thread-like angled grooves on a cam surface to force workpiece edges against the base plate during machining of the workpiece. A central clamp has a pin extending from the base plate into a workpiece hole. Angled grooves in a cam surface are brought into contact with the hole sides to force the workpiece toward the base plate and hold the central area in place during machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Manfred A. Morghen
  • Patent number: 6105950
    Abstract: A retainer capable of absorbing a positional difference between the moving and placing coordinates set in a moving and placing machine and the axis of a work, thus restraining the work from being defectively moved and placed. The retainer includes: a pillar-like member having a base end portion to stand on a base plate; a narrow portion formed at the center part of the pillar-like member; and a holding portion which is formed at the tip end of the pillar-like member, which is thicker than the narrow portion, and which is arranged to fit the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of a work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Morimoto
  • Patent number: 6086976
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer comprising a single crystalline lattice suitable for use in the manufacture of integrated circuits, namely computer chips and dies, wherein a diameter of the wafer is greater than approximately 150 millimeters and wherein the wafer includes a first hole extending through the wafer. The hole is adapted to facilitate handling of the wafer without directly contacting a surface of the wafer. The wafer preferably includes a primary flat and the first hole includes a flat side having a predetermined and known orientation with respect to the primary flat of the wafer. In one embodiment, the wafer further includes a guide hole formed near the first hole such that the center-points of the first hole and the guide hole are oriented with a predetermined and known orientation with respect to the primary flat of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, Mark C. Gilmer
  • Patent number: 6073921
    Abstract: A wreath making support stand including a vertical tube having an upper end, a lower end, and an intermediate extent therebetween. An upper arm is secured to and extends outwardly from the upper end of the vertical tube. A lower arm is secured to and extends outwardly from the intermediate extent of the vertical tube. The lower arm is disposed intermediate the upper and lower ends of the vertical tube. A wreath frame is selectively positionable on the upper arm and the lower arm for securing craft materials thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Mary Gramelspacher
  • Patent number: 6073526
    Abstract: Method for cutting preferably metal reinforced hoses, metal pipes or similar, and a device for utilization of the method, the cutting operation being performed in a known way using a cutting tool, such as a motor driven cutting disc or similar. As an initial step, a single unit (1) is located within and surrounded by the tubeshaped member (2) at with a central position in relation to the point where cutting is intended to be performed, the single unit (1) being arranged to take up sealing contact with the internal surface of the tubeshaped member (2) by at least two separated areas (4, 4') at each side of the cutting point. Cutting is thereafter performed through the tubeshaped member (2) as well as through the surrounded single unit (1), and the separated parts of the surrounded single unit (1) are as a final step pulled out from the tubeshaped member (2) in direction towards the end portions formed by the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Axel Borje Pettersson
  • Patent number: 6070865
    Abstract: A bracket and sensor body of a magnetic sensor, wherein relative rotation therebetween provides precise setting of an optimal air gap, and wherein operation is very quick, easy and reliable and wherein the air gap setting is precisely repeated each time a magnetic sensor is replaced or re-installed. In a first preferred embodiment, the bracket is provided with a sensor aperture having a predetermined shape, and at least one cutting tab is provided at the sensor aperture which has a predetermined pitch angle relative to the plane of the bracket. The sensor body is composed of a relatively softer material, such as a plastic, which is cuttable by the harder material of the one or more cutting tabs, wherein the shape of the sensor body is generally complementary to the predetermined shape of the aperture. Rotation of the sensor body relative to the bracket causes the one or more cutting tabs to cut into the sensor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thaddeus Schroeder, Robin Stevenson
  • Patent number: 6047717
    Abstract: An improved mandrel device (100) and method. The mandrel device (100) has an elongated member (117) for supporting a plurality of hard disks, for example. The elongated member (117) includes an inner member (107) that is defined between a pair of outer members (105), where each of the members have ridges (103) defined thereon. The combination of these members and ridges are used to support a plurality of disks that do not touch each other during, for example transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: SCD Mountain View, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Bhushan, Ru Chang, Raj Mohindra, Vincent Chiu, Dong T. Tran
  • Patent number: 6039312
    Abstract: A workpiece indexing and clamping system for machining the workpiece. Spherical or narrow cylindrical heads of index pins extend from holes in a base plate into workpiece holes to align and index the workpiece. The pin portions in the base plate holes can be expanded to lock them to the base plate. Each pin has relief flats parallel to the pin axis. Clamps engage workpiece edges with thread-like angled grooves on a cam surface to force workpiece edges against the base plate during machining of the workpiece. A central clamp has a pin extending from the base plate into a workpiece hole. Angled grooves in a cam surface are brought into contact with the hole sides to force the workpiece toward the base plate and hold the central area in place during machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Manfred A. Morghen
  • Patent number: 6036779
    Abstract: A pair of C-shaped metal brackets mounted onto an existing painter's rack support an automobile spoiler, or other automobile part during the painting thereof. A bolt-nut assembly secures each C-shaped bracket onto the painter's rack through a hole in the lower horizontal member of each C-shaped bracket. Another bolt-nut assembly secures the spoiler onto each C-shaped bracket, using the existing hardware of the automobile spoiler which normally secures the spoiler to the automobile. Hinges facilitate the painting of both surfaces of a spoiler. After painting one surface of a spoiler, a painter can rotate the spoiler in order to paint another surface. This mechanism provides the painter access to the spoiler from different angles, allowing the application of a consistently even coat of paint. In alternative embodiments, one or more handles allow a painter to rotate the mounted spoiler more easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Richard L. Tolbert
  • Patent number: 6022009
    Abstract: A top load threaded bolt assembly (60) for restraining a workpiece (36) on a operating surface (32) of a tooling fixture (50) is provided. Top load threaded bolt assembly (60) includes a housing (66) having a bolt cavity (75) and a bolt passage (76) disposed within housing (66). A bolt (64) having a first threaded portion (70) is disposed within bolt cavity (75) such that first threaded portion (70) extends above a operating surface (32) of tooling fixture (50). The top load threaded bolt assembly (60) may be disposed in the operating surface (32) of tooling fixture (50). Top load threaded bolt assembly (60) may further include a conical spring (62) to bias bolt (64) in an extended position. Bolt (64) may be secured in a non-extended position by threading a second threaded portion (72) into a threaded passage (58) which is adjacent bolt cavity (75) and opposite bolt passage (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Benny R. Hill
  • Patent number: 6012713
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a pallet for holding a printed circuit board during the solder stenciling process wherein the printed circuit board is held by means of one or more lever arms cut from the pallet material so that pressure is exerted by the arm or arms against the printed circuit board by compression or through tension by the addition of a pin to the lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Gleason Service Company, L.C.
    Inventors: James Gleason, Hassan Nemat
  • Patent number: 5992649
    Abstract: A circuit board carrier and method of using the same. The carrier allows circuit boards to be processed on lead frame-based semiconductor processing equipment. The circuit board carrier contains a structure to secure a circuit board thereto and the carrier is sized and shaped, and provided with standardized indexing holes, to allow processing of circuit boards on processing equipment configured for lead frame-based processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Wark, Michael J. Bettinger
  • Patent number: 5988617
    Abstract: A work table and blade cover are provided to assist in changing the blades on a pelletizer blade holder. The work table employs a tabletop and a shaft integrally connected to the tabletop. The shaft is threaded along at least a portion of its length and is sized to be received through the central aperture of the blade holder. A locking means is threadedly received on the shaft and is sized to abut the blade holder around the aperture. The blade cover comprises a sleeve having a threaded aperture and a bolt sized to be threadedly received by the aperture. The bolt can thereby be tightened against a blade within the sleeve to secure the blade in the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Joe G. Kyte, Jesus Soria, Antonio Reynoso
  • Patent number: 5988615
    Abstract: A device for fixing an object to the edge of a flat support, the support having a top face on which the object is to be fixed and a lower face. A vertical section piece, positionable close to the edge of the support, is perpendicular to the plane of the support. The upper end of the section piece has an element which engages and holds the object on the top face of the support, e.g. rods projecting into a cavity in the object. An arm extending perpendicular to the section piece supports at one end thereof a cam for being selectively moved to press against and released from pressing against the lower face of the support. The section piece passes through an opening in the arm and the arm with the cam thereon is tiltable with reference to the section piece for locking the arm along the section piece. A lever then rotates the cam to press against the lower face of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Virax S.A.
    Inventor: Patrice Churoux
  • Patent number: 5970606
    Abstract: Stacking of a large number of delicate and easily damaged flexible lamina with highly accurate registration is automated by use of an alignment fixture having alignment pins and a stacking plate. The stacking plate is raised to and frictionally supported at a location near a tapered shoulder portion of the alignment pins on which each of a plurality of lamina is allowed to self-align. A floating head which may be used to transport lamina to the alignment pins is also self-aligned with the alignment pins and used to press the individual lamina over the alignment while maintaining precisely parallel orientation and motion of the lamina to the lamina stack and the stacking plate. The stacking plate is moved against the frictional support thereof to maintain a short effective alignment pin height or protrusion above the stacking plate or lamina stack to prevent binding or wiping motion between lamina and resultant damage of the lamina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Alvin W. Buechele
  • Patent number: 5971382
    Abstract: The present invention is basically a device that can be used as a centering tool, clamp and/or a gauge for measuring the size of bores. The device is basically made up of six different components. The first being a housing. The housing has three pocket bores near it's top to take three spheres. These pockets are placed 120.degree. from each other. First a spring is placed into the housing. Next a large diameter sphere or conical plug is then placed into the housing. Then three smaller spheres are placed into the housing. These smaller spheres are adapted to fit into the machine pockets above mentioned. To operate you simply place the bore of the work piece over the locator and press down. One would know that the bore is precisely located when one hears or feels the three spheres snap into place. The device can also be used to measure the size of a bore by adding a measurement device to measure the position of the large sphere within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Richard A. Scheufler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5961107
    Abstract: A workpiece indexing and clamping system for machining the workpiece. Spherical or narrow cylindrical heads of index pins extend from holes in a base plate into workpiece holes to align and index the workpiece. The pin portions in the base plate holes can be expanded to lock them to the base plate. Each pin has relief flats parallel to the pin axis. Clamps engage workpiece edges with thread-like angled grooves on a cam surface to force workpiece edges against the base plate during machining of the workpiece. A central clamp has a pin extending from the base plate into a workpiece hole. Angled grooves in a cam surface are brought into contact with the hole sides to force the workpiece toward the base plate and hold the central area in place during machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Manfred A. Morghen
  • Patent number: 5954908
    Abstract: A developing storage disc boss adapted to engage a recess in a rotatable holding table for developing a storage disc including two discoid resin substrates with adhesive contained in a space therebetween. The developing storage disc boss includes a barrel portion for the engagement and a suction cylindrical portion that extends upwardly and orthogonally from a top planar wall of the barrel portion. There is a suction passage extending axially along the boss which includes first and second passages. There are a plurality of suction holes around the periphery of the suction cylindrical portion which communicate with the space between the two substrates. The holes extend radially through the suction cylindrical portion and have inner ends that open directly into the first passage. The first passage opens directly into the second passage, and the diameter of the second passage is greater than that of the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Kitano Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikuni Amo, Masami Inouchi
  • Patent number: 5934163
    Abstract: An improved carving blank and mandrel for mounting the blank in a carving machine enables accurate carving of prosthetic and orthotic positive shapes. The blanks are simple to mount and dismount and means are provided enabling a repeatable mounting position in one angular orientation only to be achieved. The blanks are firmly fixed in place on the mandrel during the carving operation, and they are simple and inexpensive to manufacture thus reducing manufacturing costs while achieving high shape accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Vorum Research Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Saunders, Ed Grochowski, Jean-Paul Comtesse, Jean-Yves Flageul
  • Patent number: 5915678
    Abstract: A novel system for kinematically positioning planar surfaces such as printed circuit board components and elements of material, where one element has precisely formed and positioned (e.g., punched) slots that fit loosely over three corresponding posts, such that when a bias force, such as gravity from a tilted plane or a combing action, or expanding bladder on the posts, is applied, the surfaces are referenced to one side of the slots to in effect form a planar kinematic coupling so the relative planar position and orientation is defined with great accuracy and repeatability; such also allowing an entire factory system to be built where each piece of precision manufacturing equipment can use this planar kinematic coupling to achieve great accuracy in the manufacture of printed circuit boards or the like to allow for the use of ever smaller electronics components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Aesop, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, Daniel Braunstein
  • Patent number: 5911329
    Abstract: A circuit board carrier and method of using the same. The carrier allows circuit boards to be processed on lead frame-based semiconductor processing equipment. The circuit board carrier contains a structure to secure a circuit board thereto and the carrier is sized and shaped, and provided with standardized indexing holes, to allow processing of circuit boards on processing equipment configured for lead frame-based processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Wark, Michael J. Bettinger
  • Patent number: 5902446
    Abstract: A labeler for the near-perfect manual placement of self-adhesive labels onto compact disks which has a positioning cone with an elongated stock member, a flat surface with a diameter greater than that of the elongated stock member, and a point on an end of the positioning cone opposed from the elongated stock member. The labeler also has a positioning plate with a positioning hole in the center, a surface area upon which a self-adhesive label can be placed and a side area to add strength to the positioning plate. The labeler further has a cylindrical base with a flat lip member upon which the positioning plate can rest substantially flat, a flat bottom to keep the cylindrical base substantially flat when used on a substantially flat surface, a wall to keep the flat lip member lifted substantially off of the substantially flat surface and a hollow cavern into which a substantial portion of the positioning cone can fit. A method for affixing a label to a compact disk using the labeler is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Neat-O LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Casillo, Frederick M. Johnson, John M. Heath, Jr., Gregory R. Veilleux, William J. Dufault
  • Patent number: 5862583
    Abstract: Panels are positioned relative to a pattern by moving the pattern onto a registration mechanism having contact elements, engaging contact areas on the pattern with contact elements by moving the contact elements synchronously and equidistantly while allowing the registration mechanism to move as the elements engage the contact areas, locking the position of the registration mechanism, and engaging contact areas on sequential panels by moving the contact elements of the locked registration mechanism synchronously and equidistantly to contact areas on one panel after the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Hugo Ammann, Francis LoVasco, Michael A. Oien
  • Patent number: 5829760
    Abstract: There is disclosed a chuck assembly for internally holding a hollow substrate having an open end including: (a) a body including an end section having a width narrower than that of the inner width of the substrate to permit insertion of the end section through the substrate open end into the substrate interior; and (b) a compressible spring coiled around a portion of the end section, wherein prior to compression the spring has an outer width larger than that of the inner width of the substrate, wherein upon insertion of the end section of the body into the substrate the spring is compressed by contact with the substrate inner surface resulting in the chuck assembly holding the substrate by the force generated against the substrate inner surface by the spring in opposition to the compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Mistrater, Stanley J. Pietrzykowski, Jr., Alfred O. Klein, Loren E. Hendrix, Mark C. Petropoulos
  • Patent number: 5826866
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of thin-walled workpieces is held for machining in a machine in a respective rigid holder. Ends of unmachined workpieces are each first imbedded in a molten body of a metal alloy having a melting point between 45.degree. C. and 140.degree. C. contained in a respective one of the rigid holders in a cooling station and having a negative expansion coefficient. The holder and the alloy body are cooled in the cooling station to solidify the body around the imbedded end of the unmachined workpiece and the cooled holder is displaced with the unmachined workpiece from the cooling station into the machine. After machining of the workpiece in the holder, the holder is displaced from the machine into a heating station where it is heated to melt the alloy body. Then the machined workpiece is lifted out of the molten body in the heating station and the holder with the molten alloy body is recirculated from the heating station to the cooling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Ernst Thielenhaus KG
    Inventors: Manfred G. Becker, Peter C. Dinardi, Kenneth J. Sprenger, Timothy S. Guitar
  • Patent number: 5824388
    Abstract: Clamping apparatus for disk-shaped information medium having a central hole, the disk-shaped information medium having a surface upon which information is to be printed, including a baseplate having holes; a slider guidably mounted on the baseplate for centering the disk-shaped information medium with the central hole; stationary holding elements arranged on the baseplate, and movable holding elements arranged on the slider, in such a way that when an information medium is placed in the clamping apparatus, a predetermined number of the stationary and movable holding elements are arranged along the outer periphery of the information medium, and the remainder of the stationary and movable holding elements are arranged along the inner periphery of the central hole of the information medium; a bottom plate positioned under the baseplate and movable perpendicular thereto; and information medium contact elements which are formed on the bottom plate and adapted to pass through holes in the baseplate and contact the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael Freund, Alexander Hirsch
  • Patent number: 5819412
    Abstract: A jig system for aligning wooden chords and metal web members in the manufacture of joists, the system includes an assembly surface having a longitudinally extending track therein, and a plurality of jigs positionable in the track. The jigs have upwardly projecting pins for engaging alignment holes in the webs for properly orienting and spacing the webs. The jigs may also have generally parallel alignment bars on either side of the pin for holding the portion of the metal web surrounding the alignment hole therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: MiTek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Olden
  • Patent number: 5769561
    Abstract: A leveling device with which to orient a workpiece--or tool--affixing upper part relative to a lower part connected to it, the device having at least one adjusting screw of which the shank rotatably passes through the upper part and engages a thread in the lower part. To permit economical manufacture of the device without degradation in accuracy, the invention anchors the upper part in the lower part at a specified spring loading and at a spaced apart distance from the adjusting screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: System 3R International AB
    Inventor: Bjorn Pettersson
  • Patent number: 5759621
    Abstract: There is provided a method of coating cutting tool inserts by CVD methods with a completely covering coating. During the coating step, the inserts are resting in contact with the support in only a few tiny spots and sufficient space is allowed around each insert to ascertain optimum coating conditions. In a preferred embodiment, each insert rests on a peg allowing a rational production in larger scale and fully automatic CVD loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Sandvik AB
    Inventors: Tor Norrgrann, Kjell Palsson, Bjorn Ljungberg, Ingemar Hessman
  • Patent number: 5732937
    Abstract: A workpiece indexing and clamping system for machining the workpiece. Spherical or narrow cylindrical heads of index pins extend from holes in a base plate into workpiece holes to align and index the workpiece. The pin portions in the base plate holes can be expanded to lock them to the base plate. Each pin has relief flats parallel to the pin axis. Clamps engage workpiece edges with thread-like angled grooves on a cam surface to force workpiece edges against the base plate during machining of the workpiece. A central clamp has a pin extending from the base plate into a workpiece hole. Angled grooves in a cam surface are brought into contact with the hole sides to force the workpiece toward the base plate and hold the central area in place during machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Manfred A. Morghen
  • Patent number: 5730431
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a modular block for the formation of suction surfaces in machines for the cutting of fabrics with a free blade with alternating movement. The block includes a first base element having structure for its installation and a second complete element having a plurality of bristles perpendicular to it. The two elements are superimposed and are attached firmly to one another. The two elements combined define lateral openings in the direction at right angles to the base of the bristles and are able to be connected to a suction apparatus for the formation of the vacuum among the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: F.K. Systema S.r.l.
    Inventor: Flavio Cattini
  • Patent number: 5722648
    Abstract: This invention deals with spring loaded locator pins. Locator pins are sometimes referred to as captured pins. This is a mechanism which locks two items together with the pin that is spring loaded so that it drops into a locator hole on the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Todd A. Groll, James P. White