Alignment Device Patents (Class 33/286)
  • Patent number: 10429823
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying a sequence of events associated with a condition in a process plant using a control system. The method comprises recording process data, which is timestamped, and recording audio input from each personnel of a plurality of personnel of the process plant. The audio input is synchronized according to time with the process data. A keyword is identified from the temporally synchronized content of each audio input, and compared with the process information of one or more of an event and an equipment, for identifying at least one of a new process information and a supplementary process information related to the condition. One or more of the new process information and the supplementary process information identified for each keyword, and the plurality of events identified from the process data, are used for identifying the sequence of events associated with the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Jinendra Gugaliya, Naveen Bhutani, Kaushik Ghosh, Nandkishor Kubal, Vinay Kariwala, Wilhelm Wiese
  • Patent number: 10393521
    Abstract: A laser beam generating device includes a housing a first laser diode which generates a visible first output beam which projects outside of the housing onto a surface and a second laser diode which generates a visible second output beam which projects outside of the housing onto the surface. The laser beam generating device has a first mode in which the first laser diode and the second laser diode are both on. In the first mode, the first laser diode is operated at a first duty cycle the second laser diode is operated at a second duty cycle. The first duty cycle and the second duty cycle are staggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jia Yong Jiang, Noreen M. O'Sullivan, Wang Shuang
  • Patent number: 10386891
    Abstract: A system which in some embodiments comprises a wireless smart device assembly that includes a smart device, wherein the smart device assembly is attachable or mountable against an unopened surface of a wall or other structure. In some embodiments, a system comprises a smart device assembly that includes a smart device; and a fastener that includes adhesive and is coupled to the smart device assembly and releasably attachable to a wall or other structure. Some embodiments include a level indicator configured to indicate the angular position or orientation of one or more other portion of the smart device assembly relative to parallel and/or plumb to the force of gravity. In some embodiments, a mount and/or a cover define a catch to releasably attach the cover to the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: IDEVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Allen, Michael Daigle, Daniel Gould, Timothy Corcoran Repp, Jeffrey Scarcella, Michael Tetreault
  • Patent number: 10323542
    Abstract: An alignment system includes a first visual indicia and a second visual indicia disposed on a first mobile unit, and a third visual indicia and a fourth visual indicia disposed on a second mobile unit. The alignment system also includes a visual inspection area configured to enable collective viewing of the first visual indicia, the second visual indicia, the third visual indicia, and the fourth visual indicia along a single direction. The alignment system is configured to align the first mobile unit with the second mobile unit along a vertical axis, a horizontal axis, and a rotational axis to help align a rotational coupling between the first mobile unit and the second mobile unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Garland Dornier, Quoc Hoai Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10317184
    Abstract: Example systems and methods involving a construction template system are described. An example system includes a laser and a template. The laser is configured to indicate target points on a surface, such as a floor or wall of a building. Each of the target points is a predetermined location uploaded to the laser. The template includes target alignment points that correspond to the target points indicated by the laser. Furthermore, the template also includes a reference location. In examples, the reference location provides indicia of construction features as part of a building construction site. The template is adhered to the surface after aligning the target alignment points of the template with the corresponding target points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: David M. Keller
  • Patent number: 10309780
    Abstract: The laser measuring device is a portable, battery-operated laser measuring tool that projects a plurality of illuminated dots when activated. The plurality of illuminated dots are arranged in a straight line and the laser measuring tool can be positioned so that the spacing between adjacent illuminated dots is 16 inches or 24 inches. The laser measuring tool can be aimed at a wall, floor, lumber or other object upon which it is desirable to have a plurality of evenly spaced illuminated dots projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: Walcott Hughes
  • Patent number: 10302427
    Abstract: Various embodiments of this disclosure relates to a methods and related apparatuses for rapidly and visually determining and verifying multiple interface alignments of parts within a system. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and related apparatuses enabling rapid visual determining and verifying multiple interface alignments of parts within at least one first system interface part that cooperatively engage with at least one second system's interface part each having at least one system-sub-system assembly alignment datum that requires the at least one first and second system's interface parts cooperatively and engagingly align within multiple respective tolerances of alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Broe, Tyler Mullis, Mark Halter, Steven Mowery
  • Patent number: 10222201
    Abstract: Systems and methods for depth measurement are described herein. A depth measurement device may comprise a first light source configured to direct a first beam of light, a second light source configured to direct a second beam of light, and a mirror. The mirror may be for viewing at least one of the first beam of light and the second beam of light. The depth measurement device may further comprise a housing. The depth measurement device may further comprise an eyepiece. The first beam of light and the second beam of light may be configured to intersect at a desired location. The eyepiece may be configured to maintain a consistent line-of-sight between the eyepiece, the mirror, and the desired location. In various embodiments, the second beam of light may be oriented at an acute angle with respect to the first beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Taffet, Anton Banks
  • Patent number: 10215530
    Abstract: The present invention is a laser firearm sight apparatus that has a housing attachable onto the external threads of a firearm muzzle, a light source having at least two lasers emitting laser beams, and an activating mechanism for activating and powering the light source. The housing defines a longitudinal bore for universal attachment onto several different muzzles of different types of firearms of the same caliber barrel while keeping the laser sight accurate within an acceptable range without further adjustment. The lasers emit a beam that is concentric and parallel with the muzzle and bore of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony Watts, Cory Hamilton
  • Patent number: 10200577
    Abstract: Since an investigation apparatus is connected through a cable and is remotely operated, the cable may be caught by an obstacle, thereby limiting a movement range of the investigation apparatus. An investigation system 15 includes an investigation apparatus 50 which moves to a position where an investigation target is investigated, by using a traveling section 51 and a support apparatus 30 which moves to a position where letting-off and winding of a cable 14 for an investigation apparatus which is connected to the investigation apparatus 50 are performed, by using a traveling section 31. The investigation apparatus 50 outputs an image of the investigation target which is captured by a camera section 53, to an investigation apparatus controller 40 via the cable 14 for an investigation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Okada, Ryousuke Kobayashi, Kouji Ishizawa, Takanori Satou, Yoshinori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10151912
    Abstract: The utility patent discloses an astronomical telescope which comprises a telescope body, and a navigation support for mounting a navigation device is arranged on the telescope body. According to the utility model, as the navigation support for mounting the navigation device is arranged on the telescope body, when in use, the navigation device such as a mobile phone and the like may be mounted on the navigation support and is made coincident in orientation with the telescope body, thus the celestial bodies that the users want to observe may be conveniently positioned using the navigation device, thereby facilitating the use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Eastcolight (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Chun Hong Johnny Sze
  • Patent number: 10101124
    Abstract: A device adapted for zeroing of a projectile device having a first scope, the device including a second scope; and an adaptor for securing the second scope to the projectile device. Further disclosed is a method for zeroing a projectile device having a first scope and a second scope, the method including: adjusting the aim of the projectile device by aiming a reticle of the second scope at the center of a bullseye at a target plane disposed at a distance; firing a first shot of the projectile device to create a first point of impact at the target plane; and aiming a reticle of the first scope at the center of the point of impact, wherein a subsequent shot fired from the projectile device is configured to impact a second point of impact aimed at with the reticle of the first scope at the target plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: Edward Patton
  • Patent number: 10094662
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining orientation and three-dimensional position of construction equipment are presented. An orientation device is mounted to a machine. The orientation device has an image sensor. The orientation device measures an offset between a direction of the orientation device and a reference at a known location. The heading of the machine is calculated based on the offset and the known location of the reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wayne Kahle, Kurtis Maynard, Paul Y. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 10085767
    Abstract: A needle access assembly and method for obtaining percutaneous needle access with little or no fluoroscopy. The method can include selecting a target for percutaneous access, directing a laser guide at a desired needle-insertion angle and in line with the selected target, aligning the needle access assembly with the laser, and inserting the needle into the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: FACULTY PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Dalton Duane Baldwin, Alexander Yeo, Jacob Martin
  • Patent number: 10067037
    Abstract: To accurately measure a tread radius of a rotating tire. A method for measuring a tread radius has a tread radius measuring process which comprises a measurement step, an averaging step, and a calculation step. In the measurement step, the radial distances from three laser displacement meters to the tread surface of the rotating tire are measured to obtain radial distance data y1, y2, y3 whose number is m per the entire circumference of the tire. In the averaging step, an averaged value y1N, y2N, y3N is obtained by averaging the remaining radial distance data from which noise data have been removed by performing a smoothing process on the number m of the radial distance data y1, y2, y3. In the calculation step, a tread radius TR is calculated from the averaged values y1N, y2N, y3N and the distances x1, x2, x3 of the laser displacement meters in the axial direction of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoto Maruoka, Satoshi Ito, Tsuyoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 10048069
    Abstract: A ground surface marking system including a beam transmitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation and a distal target. The distal target is oriented to be impacted along a first target surface by at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation. The distal target is mounted on a target stand configured for adjustment with respect to a vertical axis. The system also includes a target applicator having a second target surface, a base including a shaft, and a container attached to the base and configured to hold and dispense markers for placement along the ground surface extending between the beam transmitter and the distal target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventors: Raul Romero, Jeff Stacy
  • Patent number: 9957136
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator guide rail straightness measuring system, for measuring the straightness of elevator guide rails, which measuring system comprises at least one plumb line mounted vertically in the runway adjacent to the guide rail and at least one sensor arrangement to be mounted on a carrier to travel vertically along the guide rail, which sensor arrangement comprises a frame, at least one guide shoe connected to the frame for sliding/rolling along a guide surface of the guide rail, a bias means for placing and biasing the frame against the guide surface, and at least one sensor means for sensing the position of the plumb line with respect to the frame, such elevator system allows easy and exact measurement of the guide rail straightness. The invention also relates to an elevator having such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Giovanni Hawkins, Pekka Kilpeläinen
  • Patent number: 9958263
    Abstract: A correction device for an optical measuring apparatus obtains correction data for each scanning position of a light beam from an optical measuring apparatus that includes a light beam scanner which scans with a light beam a measuring region where a measured object is placed, and a light receiver which receives a transmitted light beam from the measuring region. The correction device includes a translucent scale having scale marks arranged at a predetermined pitch, and a support to mount the scale in the measuring region so that an arrangement direction of the scale marks is a scanning direction of the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryoichi Imaizumi, Ichiro Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9943944
    Abstract: The phase alignment device to be used with a phase alignment tool may include a body section; and a driving head section connected to the body section. The body section and the driving head section may include an aperture which extends through the body section and the driving head section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Roger Miller
  • Patent number: 9927059
    Abstract: A system and method for pipe insertion in live gas mains includes isolating a section of the gas main and taking measurements of service line connection points. This data is then used to prepare a pipe to be inserted into the gas main by drilling holes and applying fittings at the appropriate locations. The prepared pipe is then inserted into the gas main and the service lines are connected to it without the need to excavate the street over each service connection. The inserted pipe is then fluidly connected to the cut ends of the gas main and gas flow is routed through the newly inserted pipe and the attached service lines, while gas continues to flow through the original portions of the gas main that still remain in service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ULC Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Gregory Penza, Robert E. Kodadek, Benjamin Lagosz-Sinclair, Michael Passaretti, Jamie Sternlicht, Eric S. Feldman
  • Patent number: 9918739
    Abstract: A needle access assembly and method for obtaining percutaneous needle access with little or no fluoroscopy. The method can include selecting a target for percutaneous access, directing a laser guide at a desired needle-insertion angle and in line with the selected target, aligning the needle access assembly with the laser, and inserting the needle into the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: FACULTY PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF LOMA LINDA UNIV
    Inventor: Dalton Duane Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9879991
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device and a method for detecting a level degree of an OHCV. The device may include a laser beam transmission unit, at least one baffle, a laser beam reception unit, and a controller. The laser beam transmission unit, the baffle and the laser beam reception unit may be sequentially arranged at an identical horizontal level inside the OHCV. The at least one baffle may be provided with a via-hole. The laser beam transmission unit may be configured to generate a laser beam through the via-hole and toward the laser beam reception unit. The laser beam reception unit may be configured to receive the laser beam and transmit information about the received laser beam to the controller. The controller may be configured to monitor the real-time information about the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 9873027
    Abstract: A putting alignment apparatus comprises a vertical portion and a horizontal portion that may exist separately as an alignment device, or integrated within the putter itself. The vertical portion of the alignment apparatus is configured to be attached to the club head and sized to extend vertically above the height of a golf ball. The horizontal portion is coupled to an upper end of the vertical portion and sized to extend forwardly of the striking face when the putting alignment apparatus is attached to the club head. An alignment structure or aperture such as a linear edge or slot is formed in the horizontal portion forwardly of the striking face, wherein a mark placed on the golf ball may be aligned with the structure or within the aperture to facilitate alignment of the golf club with the golf ball in a direction of intended movement. A golf club including such an alignment structure has the shaft coupled directly to the alignment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventor: Sadao Hamada
  • Patent number: 9869546
    Abstract: An alignment device to facilitate the alignment of a pulley and a sheave. The device may be used to align invention can be used in adjustable sheaves and in sheaves with multiple grooves. The device includes a laser beam generation component with a pulley contact section configured for releasable engagement with an interior surface of the groove of the pulley. The device also includes a laser beam target component with a sheave contact section configured for releasable engagement with an interior surface of the groove of the sheave. When the laser beam generation component and the laser beam target component are positioned facing one another in the pulley and sheave, respectively, the laser beam from the laser beam generation component contacts the target of the laser beam target component and wherein when the laser beam aligns with the target, the pulley and the sheave are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Brian J. Donovan
  • Patent number: 9866322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser system comprising a laser receiver collaborating with a laser emitter. The laser emitter is designed to provide a laser light plane and includes a control unit connected to a communication signal receiver in order to process and compute incoming communication signals from the laser receiver. The laser receiver comprising a communication signal transmitter for communicating with the laser emitter, a linear laser light photo sensor and an acceleration sensor both connected to a circuitry, which is designed to derive a movement of the laser receiver with respect to the detected laser beam of the laser emitter from computing and correlating the signals of the acceleration senor and the laser light photo sensor. The control unit includes an adjustment unit and adjustment is carried out by the adjustment unit in dependence of the processed and computed incoming communication signals of the laser receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Charles Leopold Elisabeth Dumoulin, Anton Kehl, Martin Winistörfer, Thomas Ammer
  • Patent number: 9857419
    Abstract: A vision alignment system for an integrated circuit device testing handler includes a head guiding ring configured to be attached to a pick-and-place device, the head guiding ring having an opening in which a device-under-test having a device contact array is locatable; a socket apparatus including: a fixed mounting frame, a moveable socket guiding ring, and a plurality of actuators configured to move the moveable socket guiding ring relative to the fixed mounting frame; and a visualization device configured to provide data relating to a position of the device contact array relative to the contactor pin array. The socket apparatus is configured to adjust a position of the head guiding ring by moving the moveable socket guiding ring while the head guiding ring is located in an opening of the moveable socket guiding ring to align the device contact array to the contactor pin array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Kexiang Ken Ding, Keith Emery, Jerry Ihor Tustaniwskyj, Michael Anthony Laver, Samer Kabbani
  • Patent number: 9846033
    Abstract: A laser level including a laser level body for projecting a laser beam, the laser level body including an adjustable stand having a left frame and a right frame independently manually displaceable between a fully closed frame position for storage purposes and a fully opened frame position for raising the laser level body to a maximum height above a horizontal reference surface. The adjustable stand enables the laser level body to be selectively inclined with respect to the horizontal reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: KAPRO INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Yossi Palatshe, Rafi Ben Josef
  • Patent number: 9846034
    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: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Sure Hang, LLC
    Inventor: Jayson Hill
  • Patent number: 9841274
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining the location of a first mechanical element (10, 156) and a second mechanical element (12, 154) with respect to each other, with a first measurement unit (14, 114, 214) for positioning at the first mechanical element, a second measurement unit (18, 118, 218) for positioning at the second mechanical element, and an analysis unit (22), wherein the first measurement unit has means (24, 124, 224) for producing a light beam bundle (28, 128, 228), wherein the second measurement unit has a scattering surface (34, 134, 234) for scattering of the light impinging on the scattering surface, a camera (36), and means for imaging the scattering surface on the camera, wherein the scattering surface faces the first measurement unit when the measurement units are positioned at the respective mechanical element so as to be impinged on by the light beam bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: PRUFTECHNIK DIETER BUSCH AG
    Inventor: Roland Holzl
  • Patent number: 9816899
    Abstract: The present invention relates to communication system for tyre service machine being configured for receiving tyre and/or rim of vehicle wheel rotatably about rotation axis, the communication system comprising at least one processing unit and at least one measuring unit, at least one measuring unit comprising at least one sensor component for measuring at least one property of wheel, processing component for processing data acquired by at least one sensor component and/or for processing input data received from at least one of at least one processing unit, at least one processing unit and at least one measuring unit each comprising data communication component for receiving data from and/or transmitting data to another data communication component. The data communication component of processing unit and data communication components of at least one measuring unit are arranged for communicating wirelessly with each other in accordance with at least one sensor-independent protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SNAP-ON EQUIPMENT SRL A UNICO SOCIO
    Inventors: Francesco Braghiroli, Marco Tralli, Paolo Sotgiu
  • Patent number: 9819916
    Abstract: A movable apparatus is provided. The movable apparatus includes a fixed unit including a first fixed plate and a second fixed plate made of magnetic material; a movable unit including a movable plate movably supported between the first fixed plate and the second fixed plate and a movable part fixed to the movable plate, the second fixed plate being sandwiched between the movable plate and the movable part; a first pair configured to form a drive force generation mechanism; and a second pair configured to form a position detection mechanism. The second pair is arranged facing each other in the fixed unit and in the movable plate, and the first pair is arranged facing each other in the fixed unit and in the movable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Yokoyama, Akihisa Mikawa
  • Patent number: 9791271
    Abstract: A window for a laser line projector has a front window, a left window, and a right window positioned on the same plane. A projection of the front window, left window and right window has a shape of an isosceles trapezoid. The projection of the front window is an upper base of the isosceles trapezoid. The projections of the left window and right window are opposite legs of the isosceles trapezoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Changzhou Huada Kejie Opto-Electro Instruction Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Ou Zhang, Kai Fei
  • Patent number: 9746320
    Abstract: Method and device for precision adjustment of the beam direction of the light source of a device for aligning two objects relative to one another, the beam direction being moved by a motor via input elements of the computer of the alignment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Prueftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Barth
  • Patent number: 9709397
    Abstract: In combination with a track assembly having a lower track defining a lower channel spanning a length of the lower track and defining a center plane, wherein an improvement is disclosed that includes having a laser level operably configured to emit a laser in a direction away from an laser output of the laser level in a laser emission plane and having a laser level track attachment device coupled thereto. Further, the improvement includes the laser level track attachment device having a body with a cantilever member that projects in a direction opposite to the direction in which the laser is operably configured to be emitted from the laser level and is sized and shaped to be complementarily received within the lower channel of the lower track such that the laser emission plane is substantially coplanar with the center plane of the lower channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Francis McNamee
  • Patent number: 9696148
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing an alignment indication for a nose landing gear of an aircraft. The apparatus includes surfaces that abut certain features of the nose landing gear. When the surfaces of the fixture and the features of the nose landing gear abut, the fixture is aligned with the nose landing gear and oriented such that a coherent light source emits a coherent light beam that impinges on an alignment scale. The coherent light beam can be sufficiently small that a mechanic or other user can discern the alignment of the nose landing gear to within one or two degrees. After the nose landing gear has been moved to a centered position, control rigging that communicates steering inputs from pilots to a hydraulic actuation system can be adjusted so that the steering inputs are also centered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: John Wesley Crow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9692121
    Abstract: A directional-antenna-placement visual aid and method of placing directional antenna, especially useful for minimization of overlapping cellular-telephone signals in large venues, providing a projected-light representation of the coverage of an antenna during the mounting or adjustment of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Christopher Grabert
  • Patent number: 9677850
    Abstract: A device for aligning a telescopic sight includes two opposing reference cards connected to each other within a common plane by a connecting bar and a level indicator on a surface of at least one card. The alignment device is attached to the front or rear scope base of a firearm, so that the front surfaces of two opposing reference cards appear on either side of the reticle. Once the alignment device is secured to the scope base of the firearm, the reticle may be aligned with the bore axis by rotating the telescopic sight until the horizontal cross hair is parallel with any corresponding pair of reference lines of the reference cards. The alignment device can also include an adapter that allows the alignment device to be mounted to a firearm by coupling to a corresponding slot of a mounting platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Straight Shot LLC
    Inventor: James L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9679564
    Abstract: A graphical user interface is described for human guided audio source separation in a multi-speaker automated transcription system receiving audio signals representing speakers participating together in a speech session. A speaker avatar for each speaker is distributed about a user interface display to suggest speaker positions relative to each other during the speech session. There also is a speaker highlight element on the interface display for visually highlighting a specific speaker avatar corresponding to an active speaker in the speech session to aid a human transcriptionist listening to the speech session to identify the active speaker. A speech signal processor performs signal processing of the audio signals to isolate an audio signal corresponding to the highlighted speaker avatar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Johnathon Daborn, Uwe Helmut Jost
  • Patent number: 9651372
    Abstract: An apparatus for leveling piping systems during installation. The piping leveling assembly can also determine an exact direct of travel for future runs of pipe to complete the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Lopez, Maria Bernarda Duarte
  • Patent number: 9581442
    Abstract: The invention provides a surveying instrument capable of performing a non-prism measurement comprising a laser pointer for projecting a laser pointer beam, a measuring unit for emitting a distance measuring light via a telescope unit, for performing distance measurement on a measuring point by receiving a reflected light and for measuring an angle of the measuring point, an image pickup unit for acquiring an image including a target via the telescope unit, a tracking unit for emitting a tracking light via the telescope unit and for tracking the target by receiving a reflection light from the target, a driving unit for rotating the telescope unit in horizontal direction and in vertical direction and a control device for controlling the driving unit so that the reflection light of the tracking light from the target will be positioned at a predetermined position on an image pickup element of the image pickup unit, wherein an optical axis of the distance measuring light and an optical axis of the tracking light a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Nishita
  • Patent number: 9573257
    Abstract: A handheld power tool, in particular an electric handheld power tool, includes an actuable drive device configured to drive a tool and an illumination device. The illumination device is connected to an acceleration sensor and varies its generated light depending on movements of the handheld power tool that are detected by the acceleration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Kynast, Guenter Lohr
  • Patent number: 9574759
    Abstract: A laser illuminator emitting a circular profile of substantially uniform intensity is presented. The laser illuminator may include a heat sink configured to optically couple to a laser light source. The heat sink may include a beam dump cavity configured to absorb light from the laser light source, and a circularizer aperture having a cylindrical, flat-top opening and being configured to shape a portion of laser light emitted from the laser light source to exit the heat sink. The laser illuminator may also include a collimation lens configured to collect the light exited from the heat sink and provide a focused beam of light, and a scatter clean-up aperture optically coupled to the collimation lens. The scatter clean-up aperture may be configured to absorb scatter laser light rays, and provide from the focused beam of light an output beam of light comprising a circular profile of substantially uniform intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Steiner eOptics, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Nemeyer
  • Patent number: 9573209
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a pair of aligned holes is provided. The method comprises determining a diameter of a cleanup hole associated with a plurality of misaligned holes, in which the cleanup hole diameter may also correspond to a fastener diameter. Additionally, a tapered reamer is at least partially inserted into a gap defined by the plurality of misaligned holes. The tapered reamer has a longitudinal axis and may be configured such that the longitudinal axis aligns with a center of the cleanup hole when the tapered reamer is inserted into the gap defined by the plurality of misaligned holes. The plurality of misaligned holes may then be reamed with the tapered reamer to form the cleanup hole defined by the plurality of aligned holes having a same center and a same diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John P. Scheibel, James L. Scherer
  • Patent number: 9551145
    Abstract: A targeting assembly includes a pipe that is installed in a construction environment. A housing is structured to be coupled to the pipe. A level is coupled to the housing so the level indicates an inclination of the pipe. A laser is coupled to the housing so the laser directs a laser beam toward a wall. The laser beam indicates a location that the pipe will penetrate the wall. An actuator is coupled to the housing. The actuator is electrically coupled to the laser so the actuator selectively actuates the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Antonio Aguilar
  • Patent number: 9518823
    Abstract: A device and method for determining level planes using one or more lasers. The device may include a single base or a plurality of bases that allow lasers to be attached to project laser lines across a work surface. The device also may include notches to insert and connect a measuring device at a center of a base to facilitate accurate measurements and markings along the projected laser lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Jayson Hill
  • Patent number: 9507272
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention disclose an exposure apparatus and a method of tuning parameters of a chuck, which may reduce a time taken to level the chuck by previously tuning parameters of the chuck. The method of tuning parameters of a chuck includes detecting a tilt component of the chuck, performing chuck tilt adjustment to minimize the tilt component of the chuck, and tuning the parameters of the chuck if a residual tilt component is present after performing the chuck tilt adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ja Yul Kim, Sang Don Jang, Tae Kyu Son
  • Patent number: 9506746
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining the location of a first mechanical element (10) and a second mechanical element (12) with respect to each other, having a first measurement unit (14) for positioning at the first mechanical element, a second measurement unit (18) for positioning at the second mechanical element, and an analysis unit (22), wherein the first measurement unit has means (24) for producing at least one light beam bundle (28, 30), a scattering surface (34) for scattering the light (WV, PV) impinging on the scattering surface, and a camera (36) for recording images of the scattering surface, wherein the second measurement unit has a reflector arrangement (38), which faces the first measurement unit when the measurement units are positioned at the respective mechanical element so as to reflect the light beam bundle (28?, 28?) onto the scattering surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: PRUFTECHNIK DIETER BUSCH AG
    Inventor: Roland Holzl
  • Patent number: 9452497
    Abstract: An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: LAVALLEY INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Lavalley, Daniel Larson, Jesse Kilde
  • Patent number: 9448038
    Abstract: A device for aligning a telescopic sight includes two opposing reference cards connected to each other within a common plane by a connecting bar and a level indicator on a surface of at least one card. The alignment device is attached to the front or rear scope base of a firearm, so that the front surfaces of two opposing reference cards appear on either side of the reticle. Once the alignment device is secured to the scope base of the firearm, the reticle may be aligned with the bore axis by rotating the telescopic sight until the horizontal cross hair is parallel with any corresponding pair of reference lines of the reference cards. The alignment device can also include an adapter that allows the alignment device to be mounted to a firearm by coupling to a corresponding slot of a mounting platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Straight Shot LLC
    Inventor: James L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9435994
    Abstract: An accessory adapter is for simplified target acquisition and can be used on or with an imaging optical device, in particular a magnifying imaging optical device. The accessory adapter enables the optical device to be equipped with other high-precision sighting devices for simplified target acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Sports Optics GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Schmitt, Gerold Dobler