Article Support Patents (Class 33/537)
  • Patent number: 11554302
    Abstract: An apparatus for precisely and accurately measuring the loft and lie of a golf club, and a method of using such apparatus, is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a clamp assembly powered by a pressure unit to immobilize the head of a golf club, a scoreline measurement unit to capture scoreline angle information, loft and lie measurement arrays that can be moved along horizontal y and x axes to capture loft and lie angle information of the golf club shaft, and a computer with an algorithm that uses information captured by the scoreline measurement unit and loft and lie measurement arrays to calculate final loft and lie angle values that are accurate within +/?0.125°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Alex Power, Dan Marin
  • Patent number: 10150228
    Abstract: The multi-position, articulating clamp includes a plate disposed on a first plane, a first brick-holding jig adjustably coupled to the plate, and a second brick-holding jig adjustably coupled to the plate. Advantageously, each of the first brick-holding jig and the second brick-holding jig is selectively reciprocated along the plate and along a bidirectional linear path registered parallel to the first plane. Advantageously, each of the first brick-holding jig and the second brick-holding jig is selectively rotated along the plate and along an arcuate path registered planar to the first plane. Advantageously, each of the first brick-holding jig and the second brick-holding jig is selectively tilted along a second plane registered non-parallel to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Alvaro Aleman
  • Patent number: 8166860
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system for forming miter joints including a miter saw and an angle gauge. The miter saw includes a platform with a kerf slot and a pair of arcuate slots. Each arcuate slot includes an associated rail located on the underside of the platform. A fence is coupled to each of the rails such that the fence may be pivoted with respect to the platform. The angle measurement tool is a one-handed tool including spring loaded paddles that measure the angle between intersecting surfaces. The angle measurement tool connects to the miter saw to permit the transfer of the measured angle to the fences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Black and Decker
    Inventors: Louis Gibbons, Gregory S. Snider, Frederick R. Bean, Terry L. Turner, Steven McClaskey, Robert H. Gifford
  • Patent number: 7854072
    Abstract: An improved sine vise that overcomes the deficiencies and limitations of conventional sine vises through the use of the following features: a circular sawtooth ratchet quick clamping system; a rotating dual jaw with one V cut depression face; a set of extended opening upper jaw lips; angle adjustment stays with counter rotating locking screws; a T shaped jaw clamping drawbar; a zero tolerance roll hinge; and a lipped vise base adapted for robust clamping to the cutting tool table with conventional T slot bolts and dogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Curt Stark
  • Patent number: 7810251
    Abstract: A motorized leveling stage capable of adjusting the angular position of a work piece relative to a reference plane includes an upper stage, a lower stage, and a hinge coupling corresponding edges of the two stages together for relative pivotal movement of the stages. A first spring pivotally biases the upper and lower stages toward each other about the axis of the hinge. A slide is disposed for sliding movement on an upper surface of the lower stage in a direction generally perpendicular to the hinge axis. The slide includes an upper surface defining an inclined plane disposed in sliding abutment with a lower surface of the upper stage such that movement of the slide toward and away from the hinge respectively raises and lowers the upper stage relative to the lower stage. A motorized drive assembly is operable to control movement of the slide relative to the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Goeden, Robert W. Dennis, Ronald W. Berry
  • Patent number: 7753629
    Abstract: A tilt table for use with a milling machine. The tilt table includes at least one pivot support attachable to the milling machine. The tilt table includes a table top pivotally attached to the at least one pivot support. The table top has two ends. The tilt table includes at least one movement assembly attached to at least one end of the table top to move the table top about the at least one pivot support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph W. McCulloch
  • Patent number: 6644102
    Abstract: A device for measuring alignment of a golf club is provided, and allows measurement of the lie angle and loft angle simultaneously. The strike face of the club is placed against an abutment member that is fixed to a base member, and held in place with a clamping member. An alignment member is coupled to the base member and spaced from the clamping member in generally opposing relation thereto. The alignment member is movable with respect to the clamping member to receive the golf club shaft in a cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Donald T. Cameron
  • Patent number: 4976045
    Abstract: A simple, unique sine bar for facilitating measurement of compound angles characterized by the precise positioning of three spheres with respect to an upper plate upon which a workpiece is placed for inspection and measurement as to accuracy with respect to a compound angle cut thereon. A right angle corner of the sine bar defines an axis coincident with the center of the sphere thereat, whereby a trigonometric solution of the vertical distances defining the angle cut of the workpiece may be readily determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: Richard A. Schley
  • Patent number: 4940067
    Abstract: Apparatus for cutting biscuit joints can be quickly and easily mounted onto a conventional router table. The apparatus cuts mitered and compound mitered biscuit joints and it includes a work piece support surface which can be angularly adjusted with respect to the router table and cutting element and which can be moved toward and away from the cutting element to enable the cutting element to form cuts in a work piece positioned on the work piece support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Paul R. Beard
  • Patent number: 4884604
    Abstract: A combination simple and compound mitre gauge constitutes the subject matter of the present invention. The mitre gauge is intended to be utilized with power woodworking tools. The mitre gauge constitutes both a simple and compound gauge by utilizing an elongated member which slides in a groove on the supporting table and a support plate coupled with the member which is movable about a vertical axis and can be held in a given position by appropriate locking means. The support plate presents a vertical surface which mounts a guide that can be moved into one of two positions to vary the length of it. The guide may also be removed and a planar surface presenting shoe pivotally coupled with the support plate. The angle of the planar surface of the shoe may be varied and means is provided for locking the shoe in any given position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Verle L. Rice
    Inventors: Verle L. Rice, Richard A. Keener
  • Patent number: 4669227
    Abstract: An especially configured angle plate apparatus having a workpiece holder mounted thereon for precision positioning of the workpiece holder relative to a supporting surface. The angle plate and workpiece holder are cooperatively adapted so that the workpiece holder may be precisely and selectively positioned in parallel relationship with the supporting surface, perpendicular relationship with the supporting surface and angular relationships with the supporting surface and all at adjustable distances relative to the supporting surfaces. The angle plate apparatus is also provided with fixed V-block structures and an adjustably movable V-block structure for holding and supporting workpieces and a special grind stone dressing tool for precision dressing of a grind stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Inventor: Bernaht C. Treppner
  • Patent number: 4625426
    Abstract: A closed loop dynamic alignment fixture which has a pivot plate which is pted to have a rate gyro mounted thereon and a base which is adapted to be mounted on a rate table with means for automatically adjusting the pivot plate relative to the base plate and rate table to allow for the testing of the amount of misalignment of an input axis of the rate gyro that is mounted thereon to allow misalignment data to be gathered on high drift rate gyros.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Joe S. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4547974
    Abstract: A dynamic alignment fixture which has a pivot plate which is adapted to h a rate gyro mounted thereon and a base which is adapted to be mounted on a rate table with means for adjusting the pivot plate relative to the base plate and rate table to allow for the testing of the amount of misalignment of an input axis of the rate gyro that is mounted thereon to allow misalignment data to be gathered on high-drift-rate gyros.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Troy L. Hester, Steven J. Thompson, James R. Long