Did You Know...
...that the inventor of the electric motor was a blacksmith named Thomas Davenport? Described as "a brilliantly unsuccessful inventor", Davenport invented the first rotary electric motor. In 1836 he headed out -- on foot -- from his Vermont home to file a patent application at the Patent Office in Washington, D.C. By the time he got there, he had squandered away his money and couldn't afford the $30 filing fee so he turned around and went home. When he later mailed in his application with money he'd raised, the Patent office was destroyed in a fire. He did finally get credit for his invention on Feb. 5, 1837.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7587837 | Process and acquisition device of a deformable geometrical form A set of sensors is placed on a form (a curve or a surface), wherein each sensor supplies representative signals of the orientation of the form at the position of this sensor; a model of the form is selected; based on the signals, the parameters of the model are det... | 09/15/2009 |
| 7318286 | Apparatus and process for determining lumbar configuration in a chair An office chair is provided having a back assembly which is configured to provide supplemental support to the back of a chair occupant in addition to the support provided by the primary support surface of the chair back. The chair back includes a lumbar support unit... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7254899 | Arch measuring device A measuring device for measuring the arc of an arched window comprising a base; measuring means selectively rotatable relative said base for measuring a distance between said base and said arch at a selected angle. ... | 08/14/2007 |
| 7117610 | Tool for scribing tile The present invention is a tool for scribing tile, including a base member that defines a substantially planar surface, preferably rectangular in design, and more preferably with a small cutout in one end for particular applications. The base member preferably appro... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7055288 | Pre-stressing sheath A pre-stressing sheath for preventing wet concrete from penetrating between the sheath and strands being debonded, and for covering sections of reinforcing strands in pre-stressed concrete beams such that any potential strand tension transmitted to a beam is nullifi... | 06/06/2006 |
| 7020973 | Tile marking tool The invention is a device used to measure and mark floor tile that must be cut to fit around obstructions. A key feature of the invention is that it has removable elements that make it possible to use the device with tile of any size. A second key feature is a plura... | 04/04/2006 |
| 7003893 | Method and apparatus for universal shape cutting of pipes The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for obtaining templates used in pipe end cutting essential in fabricating saddle and mitered pipe connections. The template is made by an array of z-shaped pins arranged radially to form the shape of a stepped... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6935037 | Tile contour tool An apparatus for tracing a contour onto a tile prior to cutting the tile includes a base member having a first longitudinal slot and a retaining lip disposed at one end thereof. A first extension member includes a second longitudinal slot and is pivotally attached t... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6907672 | System and method for measuring three-dimensional objects using displacements of elongate measuring members A system and method for measuring a three-dimensional object uses a number of elongate measuring members that can be displaced with respect to a base in response to a surface of the object. The displaced distances of the elongate measuring members due to the surface... | 06/21/2005 |
| 6606955 | Re-configurable pallet for use in automated manufacturing or material handling A method and an apparatus for providing a re-configurable or adaptive manufacturing pallet that conforms to the shape of an object. The pallet comprises a frame that includes a matrix of displaceable object contacts points, such as a matrix of vertically ... | 08/19/2003 |
| 6601312 | Method and apparatus for universal shape cutting of pipes The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for obtaining templates used in pipe end cutting essential in fabricating saddle and mitered pipe connections. The template is made by an array of z-shaped pins arranged radially to form the shape o... | 08/05/2003 |
| 6334258 | Inspection device for examining a piece of aperture graphite of an extraction electrode An inspection device for examining a piece of aperture graphite of an extraction electrode, and the aperture graphite includes a to-be-examined curve and a to-be-examined engagement portion. The inspection device includes a sidewall surface having a stand... | 01/01/2002 |
| 6298587 | Multiple orientation three dimensional image screen A three dimensional impression pin screen has two parallel axially aligned perforated spaced plates. Apertures of each plate have a plurality of pins passing through them which have a head on one end and a cap on the other. The heads and caps prevent the ... | 10/09/2001 |
| 6217077 | Scoring system for horned and antlered game animals The invention is of a kit or system useful for guiding and facilitating the taking, tabulation and processing of measurements as pertain to scoring game animal according to established scoring rules. The kit or system includes a flexible cable which is us... | 04/17/2001 |
| 6209215 | Saddle joint contour gauge apparatus and method The present invention pertains to a contour gauge for use in the fabrication of saddle joints in pipe connections to record and reproduce the projected line of continuous contact between the end of a first pipe intersecting the side of a transversely disp... | 04/03/2001 |
| 6167633 | Curve forming device A curve forming device has a first elongated, flexible member with a plurality of equal-length projections extending perpendicularly from one side. The projections have end faces aligned parallel to the first elongated, flexible member. One portion of a h... | 01/02/2001 |
| 6034491 | Universal fixture having shared drive assembly The present invention relates to an automatically reconfigurable contour checking fixture for comparing a component to a programmed contour. The fixture comprises a horizontal support table, having a length and width, wherein a drive rack runs along its l... | 03/07/2000 |
| 5546668 | Leveling and locking profile transfer device A contour tracing device provides a housing unit which holds a series of parallel probe rods. The rods extend from the housing side walls, and are restrained to sliding, linear motion with respect to the housing. When the ends of the rods are pressed agai... | 08/20/1996 |
| 5383282 | Saddle-joint jig A saddle-joint jig for reproducing the line of contact of the first tube in relation to a second tube so that the first tube, when cut along that line, may be joined in end-to-edge abutment to the second tube, in that same relation. The jig includes at le... | 01/24/1995 |
| 5241756 | Precision measuring device and method of use A measuring device (10) and method for duplicating an irregular shape (200) onto a sheet of material (300) by employing the device (10) in combination with a sheet of paper (100) and a conventional marking implement; to form traced lines (101) on the shee... | 09/07/1993 |
| 5215496 | Automated excision of undesirable material and production of starting material for restructured meat The present invention is drawn to various aspects of automated excision of undesirable material (and optionally excision of bone) from meat, and automated production of starting material for restructured meat, including: (a) an apparatus and method genera... | 06/01/1993 |
| 5193285 | Mechanical shape sensor and data recorder A mechanical shape sensor measures and provides a two-dimensional representation of the contour of a person's thighs and buttocks or the dorsal and lateral surfaces of a person's trunk for facilitating the fabrication of custom contoured seat cushions suc... | 03/16/1993 |
| 5172482 | Drawing instrument A non-marring drawing instrument includes a rolling member for supporting the body of the instrument on a drawing surface in spaced apart relation thereto. The rolling member is mounted on the body for movement between respective rolling and locked positi... | 12/22/1992 |
| 5168635 | Conformable tool An apparatus and method for approximating a workpiece contour. The conformable tool includes a support plate having a plurality of apertures and a two dimensional arrangement of a plurality of pins, each of which is slidably disposed within a correspondin... | 12/08/1992 |
| 5056236 | Sculpting device A sculpting device is comprised of a hollow cylindrical tube completely filled with a plurality of fibers which extend parallel to each other and the axis of the tube. The fibers are packed within the tube so as to be frictionally held therein while still... | 10/15/1991 |
| 5035063 | Ruler for measuring shape A ruler for measuring shape comprises a measuring frame, an inset frame, two metal plates, another measuring frame and a plurality of sliding rods. The measuring frame has an upper flap and a lower flap integrating with the upper and lower edges of an end... | 07/30/1991 |
| 5014441 | Angle measuring apparatus An angle measuring apparatus (10) for determining the angular orientation of the external surface of an article (100) relative to a known reference plane wherein the apparatus (10) includes two separable housing members (15) (16) having indicia (20) (20')... | 05/14/1991 |
| 4998354 | Mechanical shape sensor Apparatus for measuring and providing a two-dimensional representation of the contour of a person's thighs and buttocks or the dorsal and lateral surfaces of a person's trunk facilitates the fabrication of custom contoured seat cushions such as for use by... | 03/12/1991 |
| 4959909 | Contour tracer A contour tracer particularly useful for floor tiles installation is shown. It consists of a plurality of elongated section members having an identical shape and construction and slidably coupled together. Each section member consists of a single integral... | 10/02/1990 |
| 4936560 | Workpiece-support assembly for automatic machining lines The fixture for supporting workpiece of any shape in automatic machining lines according to the invention has a multiplicity of parallel pins with vertical axes, arranged according to a regular pattern in parallel rows, slidably lodged in correpsonding ho... | 06/26/1990 |
| 4924580 | Skewed fillet weld gauge Fillet weld inspection and measuring device having a plurality of individually displaceable parallel aligned slide members disposed in covered grooves in a base plate.... | 05/15/1990 |
| 4807369 | Development drafter A development drafter for use in the sheet metal works of ducts, pipings and tubes includes a long tape of flexible strip and a plurality of pins. The flexible strip is in continuity along the direction of the length provided thereon with equispaced and i... | 02/28/1989 |
| 4715124 | Profile gauge An improved profile gauge comprises a multitude of longitudinally slotted elongate members (1) which are independently biased into frictional contact with, and longitudinally slidable with respect to, a common supporting member (2) engaged through all the... | 12/29/1987 |
| 4700487 | Profile sensing arrangement A profile sensing device comprises a housing having two longitudinal sides, a plurality of sensing rods supported in the housing substantially parallel to one another and extending beyond both longitudinal sides of the housing, elements for braking the se... | 10/20/1987 |
| 4691715 | Automatic corneal surgery system An instrument for automating corneal surgical procedures, such as radial keratotomy and other corneal operations, which includes one or more probe sensors with extendible tips which, by measuring electrical resistivitiy, are responsive to contact occurrin... | 09/08/1987 |
| 4541182 | Measuring device of the transverse profile of the head of a rail The measuring device comprises a carrying frame (7) guided by the rails (2, 2') and driven along it through a railroad vehicle to which it is connected through the intermediary of hinges enabling a vertical and lateral displacement of said frame (7) with ... | 09/17/1985 |
| 4419828 | Apparatus for establishing the junction contour for intersecting pipes A simulator in the form of a tubular pantograph mechanism is adjustable in diameter, and has circumferentially spaced elongated rods mounted on the inner wall in parallel relation with the axis. These rods define the inner diameter of the simulator and wh... | 12/13/1983 |
| 4417401 | Garment measuring device A garment measuring device comprises a standard body resembling a human body and a plurality of contact pieces of curved planes provided with a sensor for detecting the contact pressure exerted by the garment and protrusibly disposed at necessary position... | 11/29/1983 |
| 4400884 | Skin contour inspection system A U-shaped checking fixture has the legs of a "U" extending vertically upward. A series of measuring probes extend horizontally and laterally inward a measured amount from one of the legs and the ends of the probe define a contour of the skin to be checke... | 08/30/1983 |
| 4353171 | Profile pattern for a weir A weir pattern device including an elongated body and one or more elongated wing members telescopingly received on said body for adjusting the length of the pattern device to span the width of a flow channel for which a weir is to be made, a plurality of ... | 10/12/1982 |
