Alignment Device Patents (Class 33/286)
  • Patent number: 12046869
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a spring is utilized to fix an optic to a mechanical mount in a laser system. Such springs may consist of a single length of elastic material having first and second ends. The length of elastic material may define first and second off-center bends providing first and second base portions, as well as a central bend that is generally U-shaped and that defines first and second contact portions. The first and second contact portions are opposed to each other across the central bend to thereby resist compression of the first and second contact portions toward the first and second base portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO. LTD
    Inventors: Mark Mordarski, Bryan Lochman, Michael Miceli, Connor Baker
  • Patent number: 12029618
    Abstract: A surgical tool positioning device for positioning and holding a surgical tool is disclosed. The device includes an adjustable-friction ball and socket joint configured to provide three degrees of rotational freedom. A variable holding force may be applied to the ball via a locking member to selectively lock and unlock the adjustable-friction ball and socket joint. The socket includes a friction-inducing member housed therein and in contact with the ball. When the ball and socket joint is unlocked, this friction-inducing member provides sufficient frictional force to hold a position of the surgical tool. However, this frictional force may be overcome with intentional external forces such as during repositioning of the surgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc, Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited
    Inventor: Philip Cormier
  • Patent number: 12026911
    Abstract: This application relates to a battery test apparatus and an operating method thereof to check whether the direction of battery cells provided inside a battery tray is correct by implementing a computer vision AI algorithm. In one aspect, the method includes performing a first test for checking whether a battery tray has been correctly aligned with the battery test apparatus. The method may also include capturing a battery tray image including a plurality of battery cells using a camera upon alignment of the battery tray. The method may further include obtaining related information on battery cells from the battery tray image, and loading the related information on the battery cells. The method may further include performing a second test for checking whether directions of the battery cells are correct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kookmin University Industry Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Yeong Min Jang, Utama Ida Bagus Krishna Yoga, Ahmed Md. Faisal
  • Patent number: 11953342
    Abstract: A laser marking system in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a laser marker, a beam receiving device, and a notifier. The laser marker includes a laser beam emitter. The beam receiving device includes a beam receiver and a transmitter. The beam receiver receives a laser beam emitted by the laser beam emitter. The transmitter transmits a first positional signal. The first positional signal indicates a receiving position of the laser beam in the beam receiver. The notifier notifies of the receiving position of the laser beam based on the first positional signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manami Honoki, Yoichiro Koike, Masafumi Noda
  • Patent number: 11885642
    Abstract: A laser leveling tool comprising: gesture control means comprises at least one sensor adapted to sense gestures and/or movements of a user; and a controller in communication with the gesture control means for receiving signals from the sensor and generating control commands for the tool based on the received signals, the control commands comprising at least ON/OFF states of laser beam patterns that the tool can project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Chi Fung Chan, Yuk Wah Siu, Wah Pong Calvin Chan, Kenneth Yuen, Chun Pong David Chan
  • Patent number: 11879734
    Abstract: A system for positioning a tool or a component on a workpiece may include a laser configured to project a laser point on the workpiece. The laser may include a field of view and the laser may project the laser point upon objects within the field of view of the laser. The system for positioning a tool on a workpiece may also include a fixture configured to position the tool on the workpiece. The fixture may include a laser indicator configured to be aligned with the laser point projected on the workpiece. The fixture may also include a first tool receptacle configure to receive the tool and locate the tool on a portion of the workpiece outside the field of view of the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Brewer, Josh E. Huang, Michael H. Noble, Keith Maynard Egland
  • Patent number: 11827495
    Abstract: An elevator guide rail installation bracket and installation method thereof, a positioning tooling, a bracket adjustment tooling, and an elevator system. The elevator guide rail installation bracket includes a guide rail bracket having a guide rail installation surface and a first adjustment surface that form a bend, a fixed guide rail installation position is provided on the guide rail installation surface; and a hoistway bracket having a hoistway installation surface and a second adjustment surface that form a bend; the first adjustment surface is adjustably connected to the second adjustment surface to adjust the relative position between the guide rail installation surface and the hoistway installation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Bichun Li, Qirui Wang, Gang Huang, Shenhong Wang
  • Patent number: 11808546
    Abstract: An aiming apparatus for a firearm has a frame, a plurality of visible and/or invisible light generators connected to the frame, with each light generator operable to propagate planar and/or non-planar light in the forward direction. Each light generator utilizes shaping optics to create straight or curved lines of light. Straight lines of light propagating in a forward direction will create a plane of light, while curved lines of light propagating in a forward direction will create non-planar light. A plurality of planar light oriented in a non-parallel, overlapping relationship creates a straight intersection line of light, while a plurality of non-planar light orientated in a non-parallel, overlapping relationship creates a straight or curved intersection line of light. When projected against a target surface, a plurality of planar lights creates a projected cross shape, which may have an intersection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TRAJECTORY, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Anthony Cadenasso, Steven Worden Cadenasso
  • Patent number: 11796410
    Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for detection of undesirable forces on one or more surgical robotic arms. In one aspect, there is provided a system including a robotic arm, including: two linkages, a joint, a torque sensor, and an instrument device manipulator (IDM). The system may further include a processor configured to measure a first torque value at the joint based on an output of the torque sensor and determine a second torque value at the joint based on a position of the robotic arm. The second torque value may be indicative of a gravitational component of the torque between the two linkages. The processor may be further configured to determine a force at the IDM based a difference between the first and second torque values and determine whether the robotic arm has collided with an object or misaligned based on the force at the IDM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Auris Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiayi Lin, Shu-Yun Chung
  • Patent number: 11714253
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure provides a laser line generator that includes a laser beam source, a conversion lens, a lens holder, a rotation axis, a rotation support, a biasing portion, and a gap adjuster. The rotation support abuts the rotation axis and supports the lens holder such that the lens holder rotates about the rotation axis. The biasing portion brings the lens holder and the rotation support closer to each other. The gap adjuster adjusts a gap dimension between the lens holder and the rotation support that are brought closer to each other by the biasing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuki Oguchi
  • Patent number: 11692817
    Abstract: For alignment of rotational shafts, two devices for attachment to circular faces of two shaft segments. Each of the two devices has a laser photoelectric device for ascertaining a dimension of displacement of the two shafts from a desired axis of rotation relative to each other. Each of the two devices having a base surface with two linear contact edges designed to engage with a circumferential surface of a shaft and to ensure alignment between the device and an axis of rotation of the shaft to within a tolerance compatible with alignment tolerances of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Shoreline Alignment & Vibration, LLC
    Inventor: Deron Jozokos
  • Patent number: 11668566
    Abstract: A laser level system including a laser level, the laser level projecting at least one laser line. The system also includes a bracket on which the laser level is mounted and a battery pack. The bracket includes a battery pack receptacle into which the battery pack is removably coupled. The battery pack powers the laser level. The battery pack has a maximum initial battery pack voltage (measured without a workload) of at least 18 volts. The system also includes at least one electrical conductor which delivers power from the battery pack in the battery pack receptacle to the laser level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Bahauddin Khan, Kun Chang, Wei Chen, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 11668565
    Abstract: A laser level system including a laser level, the laser level projecting at least one laser line. The system also includes a bracket on which the laser level is mounted and a battery pack. The bracket includes a battery pack receptacle into which the battery pack is removably coupled. The battery pack powers the laser level. The battery pack has a maximum initial battery pack voltage (measured without a workload) of at least 18 volts. The system also includes at least one electrical conductor which delivers power from the battery pack in the battery pack receptacle to the laser level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Bahauddin Khan, Kun Chang, Wei Chen, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 11628531
    Abstract: A tool presetting and/or tool measuring apparatus device includes a carrier unit and a spindle unit, in particular motor spindle unit, which is supported by the carrier unit, which is at least configured for a rotation of an object inserted in the spindle unit, in particular a tool and/or a tool holder, around a spindle axis of the spindle unit and which comprises at least one drive unit for generating the rotation movement of the object, wherein the spindle unit includes a coupling unit which is configured, in particular for the purpose of changing a maximally achievable spindle torque, to drive the spindle unit in at least two differing modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: E. ZOLLER GMBH & CO. KG EINSTELL-UND MESSGERĂ„TE
    Inventors: Alexander Zoller, Christian Pfau, Florian Huck
  • Patent number: 11514901
    Abstract: A system configured to process speech commands may classify incoming audio as desired speech, undesired speech, or non-speech. Desired speech is speech that is from a same speaker as reference speech. The reference speech may be obtained from a configuration session or from a first portion of input speech that includes a wakeword. The reference speech may be encoded using a recurrent neural network (RNN) encoder to create a reference feature vector. The reference feature vector and incoming audio data may be processed by a trained neural network classifier to label the incoming audio data (for example, frame-by-frame) as to whether each frame is spoken by the same speaker as the reference speech. The labels may be passed to an automatic speech recognition (ASR) component which may allow the ASR component to focus its processing on the desired speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sree Hari Krishnan Parthasarathi, Bjorn Hoffmeister, Brian King, Roland Maas
  • Patent number: 11488816
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interface unit which can be used in a laser ablation-direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (LA-DART-MS) system, and more particularly, provides an interface unit which can be disposed between a DART unit and an MS unit to improve detection sensitivity of a sample laser-ablated by a laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventors: Hyun Sik You, Yongjin Bae, Young Hee Lim, Yeu Young Youn
  • Patent number: 11441703
    Abstract: An alignment tool for aligning first and second conduit sections at a connection colinearly along a longitudinal axis, wherein the first conduit section has a bell end at the connection and the second conduit section has a narrow end at the connection, includes a collar portion sized to circumscribe the bell end outer diameter; a funnel portion attached to the collar portion, the funnel portion having a diameter that increases in a longitudinal direction away from the collar portion; a step on one of the collar and funnel inner surfaces, the step having a funnel portion side and a collar portion side, wherein an inner diameter of the funnel portion side of the step is equal to the bell end inner diameter; and key and keyway wings extending laterally from the collar portion, wherein the keyway wing includes a keyway and the key wing includes a key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Loose, Jody David Seubert, Michael James Quella
  • Patent number: 11435181
    Abstract: A laser level system including a laser level, the laser level projecting at least one laser line. The system also includes a bracket on which the laser level is mounted and a battery pack. The bracket includes a battery pack receptacle into which the battery pack is removably coupled. The battery pack powers the laser level. The battery pack has a maximum initial battery pack voltage (measured without a workload) of at least 18 volts. The system also includes at least one electrical conductor which delivers power from the battery pack in the battery pack receptacle to the laser level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Bahauddin Khan, Kun Chang, Wei Chen, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 11428364
    Abstract: A tripod for video-photographic equipment comprises: —a plurality of legs (3) which are articulated to a cross-piece (2), in which at least one of the legs is a removable leg (30) which is connected to the cross-piece in a separable manner; —a column (5) which is provided with an attachment element (6) of a video-photographic equipment item and which is engaged with the ability to slide in the cross-piece (2) and which is separable from the cross-piece; —an end element (10) which is provided on the column (5) at the axially opposite side to the attachment element (6). The end element (10) comprises a first connection device (13) in order to removably fix the end element to the removable leg (30) so as to form a monopod (100) by connecting, by means of the end element (10), the removable leg (30) and the column (5) to each other when they are separated from the cross-piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: VITEC IMAGING SOLUTIONS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Speggiorin, Marco Frasson
  • Patent number: 11326879
    Abstract: A profiling machine includes an inclinometer and a displacement sensor. The inclinometer is configured to sense an incline of the profiling machine on a surface relative to the acceleration vector of gravity. The displacement sensor is configured to sense the distance that profiling machine has traversed along the surface. The profiling machine is configured to calculate and generate a surface profile of the surface based on incline data from the inclinometer and displacement data from the displacement sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Appareo Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Marshall T. Bremer
  • Patent number: 11300410
    Abstract: A device and method for projecting visible level laser lines onto a work surface and measuring distances along the level laser lines. The device includes a self-leveling laser housing that allows the lasers to level when activated. The device also includes separate distance measuring lasers and a handheld display used to measure distances from the center of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Sure Hang, LLC
    Inventor: Jayson Hill
  • Patent number: 11270462
    Abstract: A calibration device for calibrating at least one camera system of a motor vehicle includes at least one calibration element having at least one carrier element and at least one marker element, where the marker element is or can be arranged on the carrier element and at least one connecting element, where the calibration element is or can be arranged on the motor vehicle using the connecting element. A motor vehicle and methods of using the calibration device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Kai Uwe Hagenburg, Martin Schwalb
  • Patent number: 11257599
    Abstract: The method includes installing a system for inspecting the core shroud on the core shroud, driving the system horizontally around the core shroud, and using a sensor of the system to inspect the core shroud, where the system includes a trolley, an arm, a tether, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for inspecting the core shroud. The ROV includes a body configured to be operatively connected to the tether, and the sensor is configured to be operatively connected to the body, and configured to provide inspection information of the core shroud. The arm is configured to be operatively connected to the trolley. The ROV is configured to be operatively connected to the arm via the tether, and the tether is configured to provide vertical position information for the ROV relative to the outer surface of the core shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Vincent Carl Vigliano, William A. Morrison, Edmund S. Mercier
  • Patent number: 11248896
    Abstract: A hole location target includes a self-centering insert having a centerline and a laser beam emitter attached to the self-centering insert. The axis of the emitted laser beam is concentric to the centerline of the self-centering insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jerald A. Hull, Philip L. Freeman
  • Patent number: 11219171
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus for determining a direction in which a tree will fall and a method for using the apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a plate including a substantially straight edge suitable for alignment with a vertex formed by a top cut and a bottom cut of a notch cut into a tree and a substantially level bottom surface suitable for stable placement upon the bottom cut of the notch. In some embodiments, the plate may define an internal cavity sized to accommodate a laser light generator. In other embodiments, a rotatable housing including a cavity sized to accommodate a laser light generator may be adjoined to the plate. Embodiments may permit a laser light generator contained within the cavity or the housing to emanate a beam of laser light in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the substantially straight edge of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Tree Felling Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Myer A. Kilinski
  • Patent number: 11144041
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for creating three dimensional (3D) visualizations of in-process products. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a controller and an interface. The controller is able to generate a 3D scene depicting ongoing assembly of a product by a machine tool. The scene includes a 3D model of the product and a 3D model of the machine tool, and the 3D models are placed within the scene based on a location of the product and a location of the machine tool. The interface is able to receive an update from the machine tool indicating a 3D placement of a part that has been attached by the machine tool to the product. The controller is also able to acquire a 3D model of the part, to insert the 3D model of the part within the scene based on the 3D placement, and to provide the scene for display to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Strong, Fredrick C. Rudnick, III, Christopher Luis Carpenter, Michael Honea, Kyle W. Lehning
  • Patent number: 11142968
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system are for aligning a movable first pipe coaxially with a substantially stationary second pipe to prepare a threaded end portion of the first pipe for engagement with a threaded end portion of the second pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Pipe Pilot AS
    Inventor: Asbjørn Traaserud
  • Patent number: 11073373
    Abstract: A non-contact coordinate measuring machine includes: a noncontact metrology probe including: first and second cameras, wherein the second camera has a second field of view that overlaps a first field of view in a prime focal volume; a third camera has a third field of view that overlaps the prime focal volume and forms a probe focal volume; a multidimensional motion stage comprising: a machine coordinate system and motion arms that move the noncontact metrology probe in a machine coordinate system; a camera platform on which the cameras are disposed; a tracker with a world coordinate system and that determines a location of the probe focal volume in a tracker field of view, the non-contact coordinate measuring machine having the noncontact metrology probe for non-contact coordinate measurement of an object in an absence a stylus and in an absence of physical contact with the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventor: Joshua A. Gordon
  • Patent number: 11072394
    Abstract: A rotation calculating system, comprising: a first optical characteristic acquiring device, configured to acquire optical characteristics for at least one feature of a first target device; and a calculating unit, configured to calculate rotation for a first rotating device based on the optical characteristics of the feature of the first target device. The first rotating device is a wheel, and the first target device is the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Chung-Ting Yang, Yen-Min Chang, Ching-Lin Chung
  • Patent number: 11061246
    Abstract: A laser pointer may include a laser beam emission unit to emit a laser beam; a housing; a shake detection sensor; a shake correction mechanism to change a direction of the laser beam, and a movable member including an accommodation portion arranged to face a window formed in one surface of the fixed body. The shake detection sensor is housed in the movable member, the fixed body, or the housing. The shake correction mechanism may include an attachment adjusting member housed together with the laser beam emission unit in the accommodation portion while surrounding a side periphery of the laser beam emission unit; a movable member support mechanism; and a movable member drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Sue
  • Patent number: 11041943
    Abstract: A system and method of calibrating a laser tracker is provided. The system includes a support system for quickly and easily moving an artifact to a desired position and orientation and for holding the artifact in the position and orientation. An adjustable alignment mirror is coupled to a first end of the artifact so that the more accurate ranging system of the laser tracker can be isolated to determine a reference length of the artifact. Additional measurements are then taken to exercise one or more error source within the tracker. The support system includes a positioner and a support beam for positioning and supporting the artifact. The artifact is coupled to the support beam using kinematic clamps that are designed to reduce or eliminate errors associated with over-constraining the artifact. The artifact is movable between a deployed configuration for use and a stowable configuration for ease of storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: BRUNSON INSTRUMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Mark J. Meuret
  • Patent number: 10935400
    Abstract: The present invention is a laser aligning tool that has two weight bodies, a laser pointer unit, and a threaded tubular shaft. The laser pointer unit is positioned within one of the two weight bodies. While both weight bodies are similar in shape and mass, and both connected to the threaded tubular shaft, only the weight body without the laser pointer unit can be detached from the threaded tubular shaft. The user may remove and place one weight body to the flange opening and introduce the threaded tubular shaft with the other weight body to the opening of another flange in preparation of alignment. The user may then turn on the laser pointer unit and ensure the laser beam traverse through both threaded tubular shaft and the detached weight body for proper alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: William H Lozar, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10891809
    Abstract: An intelligent diagnosis assistance method, device and equipment, the method comprises: receiving a voice command inputted by a user; obtaining diagnosis assistance information of a vehicle according to the voice command; displaying the diagnosis assistance information to the vehicle. In the present disclosure, by receiving the voice command inputted by the user, obtaining the diagnosis assistance information of the vehicle according to the voice command, and displaying the diagnosis assistance information to the vehicle, such that the user searches the diagnosis assistance information of the vehicle by way of voice before or when performing a maintenance, there is no need to look over a maintenance manual manually, an efficiency of maintenance is improved, user's time is saved, and conveniences are brought to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SHENZHEN LAUNCH SOFTWARE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Zewei Wei, Wei Zhan
  • Patent number: 10874872
    Abstract: A laser therapy apparatus having a diode-based continuous emission laser source, a diode-based pulsed emission laser source, and a terminal handpiece. The laser therapy apparatus further includes a bundle of optic fibers for coupling between individual diodes of the diode-based pulsed emission laser source, which is interfaced with a single optic fiber which terminates in the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ASA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Marchesini, Lucio Zaghetto
  • Patent number: 10864619
    Abstract: A power tool with a chuck and a tool body having a housing, a motor received in the housing, a light array mounted to the housing, and an output spindle extending through the light array and which is rotationally driven by the motor. The chuck has a chuck body, a plurality of jaws, and an outer sleeve. A rear end of the chuck body is rotatably mounted on the output spindle. The chuck body has a plurality of jaw apertures and a plurality of light holes. The jaw apertures and the light holes extend through a front surface of the chuck body. Each of the jaws is received in a corresponding one of the jaw apertures. The outer sleeve is disposed about the jaws and the chuck body. Light emanating from the light array is transmitted through the light holes to illuminate a zone in front of the chuck body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, Keith D. Flaharty
  • Patent number: 10837738
    Abstract: A three axis adjustable arrow rest preferably includes a front bracket, a bow mounting bracket, a pair of guide rods, a linear carriage, a lateral carriage and an arrow support frame. One end of the pair of guide rods are retained in the front bracket. The linear carriage is adjustably retained on the pair of guide rods. An opposing end of the pair of guide rods are retained by the bow mounting bracket. The lateral carriage is adjustable retained by the linear carriage. A vertical stem is adjustably retained in the lateral carriage. The arrow support frame is attached to a top of the vertical stem. The arrow support frame supports an arrow shaft. A bubble level may be included as an integral portion of a scope. A bubble level cap may be retained on end of the scope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventor: Dorge O. Huang
  • Patent number: 10811150
    Abstract: A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for inspecting a core shroud having an outer surface may include: a body configured to be operatively connected to a tether; and/or a sensor, configured to be operatively connected to the body, and configured to provide inspection information of the shroud. The tether may be configured to provide vertical position information for the ROV relative to the outer surface. A system for inspecting a core shroud may include: a trolley; an arm; the tether; and/or the ROV. The arm may be configured to be operatively connected to the trolley. The ROV may be configured to be operatively connected to the arm via the tether. A method for inspecting a core shroud may include: installing a system for inspecting the shroud on the shroud; driving the system horizontally around the shroud; and/or using a sensor of the system to inspect the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Vincent Carl Vigliano, William A. Morrison, Edmund S. Mercier
  • Patent number: 10767963
    Abstract: A gun calibrator provided with an inner red dot sight includes a straight bar, a laser module displaced in the front end of the straight bar and is coaxial with the straight bar, and a battery cabin that is displaced in the front end of the straight bar, wherein the front end of the straight bar is provided with an inner red dot sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: Huanic Corporation
    Inventors: Jianhua Sun, Yanpeng Song
  • Patent number: 10739127
    Abstract: A device for assisting an operator of a boring instrument having a penetrating element for penetration of a work surface comprising; is disclosed that includes a retention member adapted to be connected to a rotating element of a boring instrument having a cutting element wherein retention member is adapted to receive a laser, and the retention in the form of a sleeve with a tubular profile and adapted to be attached on a rotating element of the boring instrument and wherein the laser is oriented to direct a beam in a direction that is parallel with the direction of orientation of the penetrating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: John Cerwin
  • Patent number: 10712988
    Abstract: A method of controlling at least one controlled device at an external device outside a network including a control device and the controlled device is provided. The method includes transmitting a message accepting a control request requesting to control the controlled device in a session established with the control device; receiving and displaying an identifier for identifying the controlled device; and selectively controlling the controlled device via the control device based on an input generated using the displayed identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hark-joon Kim, Kuk-hyun Han, Sang-jun Han
  • Patent number: 10662917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water turbine in which a unit pipe can be joined by an optional number and a rotating shaft integrated with a rotor can be joined by an optional number according to intended use or condition of use, and by which each rotor can be supported stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10651066
    Abstract: A method for fault detection in a fabrication facility is provided. The method includes moving a wafer carrier using a transportation apparatus. The method further includes measuring an environmental condition within the wafer carrier or around the wafer carrier using a metrology tool positioned on the wafer carrier during the movement of the wafer carrier. The method also includes issuing a warning when the detected environmental condition is outside a range of acceptable values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Powen Huang, Yao-Yuan Shang, Kuo-Shu Tseng, Yen-Yu Chen, Chun-Chih Lin, Yi-Ming Dai
  • Patent number: 10648773
    Abstract: A kit and method for aligning a scope located a shooting weapon including calibrating first and second electronic alignment sensors while on the shooting weapon, placing the second electronic alignment sensor on the scope, and adjusting an alignment of the scope relative to the shooting weapon if the first and second electronic alignment sensors indicate relative vertical misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventors: Russell Scott Owens, John Wardlaw
  • Patent number: 10634476
    Abstract: A measuring tool comprising two tape measures. Each tape measure may be housed in a casing, and each casing may have an interface surface detachably coupled to the interface surface of the other casing. The measuring tool further comprises a level and a vertical laser. The vertical laser projects perpendicularly downward from the horizontal plane of the level. In a method to square a corner for a structure using the measuring tool, the user selects a first side to be perpendicular to a second side, calculates the diagonal therebetween using the desired lengths of the first side and the second side, attaches the measuring tapes to end points of the first side, tautly draws the measuring tapes to the lengths for the diagonal and the second side, and then marks the location using the level and vertical laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: BAUTISTA INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Zachariah A. Bautista, Arnold Bautista, Andra Mara Maxwell, Kristina Schock, James Milo Meyer, Travis Herbert Dooley, Thomas James Stypula
  • Patent number: 10631414
    Abstract: A method for placing an SMD semiconductor light source component and a component of an illumination device for a motor vehicle. The SMD semiconductor light source component is operated so as to generate light, and the emission characteristics of the SMD semiconductor light source component are determined. In a subsequent step, the SMD semiconductor light source component and the component are positioned relative to one another in accordance with the emission characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Narcis Barqueros, Martin Gottheil, Michael Hiegler, Uwe Bormann
  • Patent number: 10539413
    Abstract: Methods and systems measure a vehicle body parameter; e.g., a wheel alignment parameter such as ride height. Embodiments include a system having a target attachable to a vehicle body, and an image sensor for viewing the target and capturing image data thereof. A processor processes the image data, determines an initial spatial position of the target based on the processed image data, compares the initial spatial position of the target with a reference position, and prompts a user to align the target to an adjusted spatial position when the initial spatial position differs from the reference position more than a threshold amount. The vehicle body parameter value is determined based on the target's adjusted spatial position. In certain embodiments, the adjusted spatial position differs from the reference position by a position error value, and the processor mathematically corrects the vehicle body parameter value based on the position error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SNAP-ON Incorporated
    Inventors: Bryan C. Minor, Rodney Harrell, David A. Jackson, George M. Gill, Brian K. Gray
  • Patent number: 10534373
    Abstract: An apparatus for locational aiming of an overhead directional service unit includes a body including a first end configured to be matingly engaged with a housing assembly of the overhead directional service unit and a second end longitudinally opposed to the first end. A light source is disposed within the body and operable to project a light beam from the second end in a direction defined by a longitudinal axis of the body. With the first end matingly engaged with the housing assembly, pivotal movement of the body about a pivot axis relative to a mounting assembly of the overhead directional service unit applies a leverage force to the housing assembly to pivotally reposition the housing assembly relative to the mounting assembly so that the housing assembly is directionally aimed toward a target location visually indicated by the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark Albrecht, Jeffrey R. Dempsey
  • Patent number: 10530051
    Abstract: An antenna alignment device includes a handheld enclosure comprising a high-precision GPS receiver, high-precision GPS antennas spaced apart along an enclosure heading, a display, a camera having a central axis aligned with the heading, and a user interface. A circuit board connects these components and has a processor programmed to determine an azimuth of the heading with the receiver and antennas based upon received GPS signals, to show a view of the camera on the display, to depict crosshairs at a display centerpoint superimposed on the view, to receive a target coordinate from a user through the user interface, to calculate a distance between the target coordinate and the heading and, if the distance is short enough to be contained within the view, to superimpose a bullseye upon the display at the target coordinate, and to dynamically move the bullseye on the display as the user moves the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: 3Z Telecom, Inc.
    Inventor: Enzo Dalmazzo
  • Patent number: 10511926
    Abstract: A device and method for self-localization of a ceiling-mounted device within an indoor environment includes establishing a floor plan of the environment including a plurality of fixed reference indicia having known locations with respect to an origin point of the environment. A plumb light beam is projecting downward from the device to a floor of the environment to produce a projection on the floor. An imaging of the floor including the projection and at least two reference indicia is captured. A location of the device can then be determined with respect to the origin using the projection and at least two reference indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Lavery
  • Patent number: 10501207
    Abstract: A system for assisting in guiding of an aircraft maneuvered by an aircraft tractor on the ground, the system including at least one projection device including a laser generating a laser beam fixed to an anchor point of the fuselage of the aircraft. A fixing mechanism is configured to fix the projection device to an anchor point of the fuselage, the laser beam from each laser projector then plotting a light trace on the ground to be used to assist in guiding the aircraft on the ground. A camera can film the light trace on the ground. A remote display device includes a screen, the display device being positioned on the aircraft tractor for the screen to be visible to an operator of the aircraft tractor, each projection device being connected to the display device, the display device being configured to display the image from each projection device camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Cyril Carradori, Ludovic Zimmermann, Antoine Rouiller, Patrick Orfila, Philippe Couzinie