3M employee and church chorister Art Fry needed something to temporarily mark pages in his hymnal. He was in luck because his colleague, Spencer Silver, accidentally developed a glue that was too weak for other purposes. After initially discouraging consumer response, Post-it Notes became a hit in 1979.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7289915 | Method of estimating load inertia for a motor A method of estimating load inertia for a motor is provided that can estimate the load inertia even when a cogging torque of the motor is large or resonance occurs in the mechanical system of the load. Vibration is detected in an acceleration feedback signal. An est... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7248014 | Motor control system A motor control system capable of securing stability and rapidity of motion even in a machine where the stability varies in accordance with a position of a driven member. The driven member and a motor for driving the driven member are operatively connected through a... | 07/24/2007 |
| 6973372 | Drive unit and method for using the drive unit to control a machine tool A drive unit for a machine, in particular a machine-tool, robot and the like, is described. The drive unit has several components, and each component has at least one associated component-specific function, and a uniform communication module that forms an interface ... | 12/06/2005 |
| 6848324 | Method for determining whether or not wheels are locked In a method for determining whether a wheel is locked or not, it is determined whether an output value of a steering torque sensor for detecting steering torque is either equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value; when the output value is either equal ... | 02/01/2005 |
| 6736018 | Machine constant estimation device An acceleration signal generating portion 11 inputs a machine velocity vm of a drive machine 32 and outputs an acceleration signal af of low frequency. Also, a pseudo torque signal generating portion 12 inputs a torque command τr, removes the n... | 05/18/2004 |
| 6560549 | Method for determining the transmission output torque for an earth moving machine The present invention is adapted to provide a method for determining the torque of a driveshaft. In the preferred embodiment a drivetrain includes a front and a rear drivetrain. The drivetrain is also connected to an engine, torque converter, front and re... | 05/06/2003 |
| 5894095 | Mixing drill with speed sensing with multiple preset speeds A new mixing drill with speed sensing with multiple preset speeds for providing a display of drill motor speed while mixing for indicating the viscosity of drywall joint compound and plaster mixtures and providing a quick and easy method of mixing drywall... | 04/13/1999 |
| 5557994 | Ratchet handle with torque adjustment An adjustable torque ratchet wrench has a ratchet gear to be meshed with a ratchet pawl that restrains movement of the ratchet gear when a handle is rotated. The ratchet gear includes a shaft connected to a removeable fitting for engaging a bolt or the li... | 09/24/1996 |
| 4976144 | Diagnostic apparatus and method for fluid control valves Apparatus and method for diagnostically testing and determining the operating condition of a pneumatically operated valve. A diagnostic controller is connected to a valve actuator assembly so that diaphragm pressure and valve plug movement among other inp... | 12/11/1990 |
| 4860596 | Motor operated valve analysis and testing system with monitoring of spring pack movement through torque switch post A unique apparatus and method are used to detect and measure movement of a valve spring pack and worm through monitoring rotation of the torque switch control post. A device for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the c... | 08/29/1989 |
| 4774679 | Stride evaluation system A system for displaying the occurrence and magnitude of stride forces produced by a sport participant in a sporting event having a first portable housing placed on the legs of the participant for sensing the stride force and a second portable housing loca... | 09/27/1988 |
| 4763275 | Force accumulating device for sporting protective gear A sensor capable of being adapted to sporting protective gear for sensing forces or vibrations encountered by the protective gear. The device senses the forces and delivers a signal proportional to the sensed force into a circuit for determining the accum... | 08/09/1988 |
| 4763284 | Reaction time and force feedback system An improved reaction time and force feedback system including a first portable housing for placement on the limb of a sporting participant for detecting the time and magnitude of force incurred by the limb during a sporting activity. A second portable hou... | 08/09/1988 |
| 4759224 | Torque measuring system for motor operated valve operators An apparatus and method for isolating certain rotating components within the operator and valve systems and artificially loading those rotating shafts to create and measure torque developed within the valve operator system; and for using the torque measur... | 07/26/1988 |
| 4735101 | Motor operated valve analysis and testing system with monitoring of spring pack movement through torque switch post A unique apparatus and method are used to detect and measure movement of a valve spring pack and worm through monitoring rotation of the torque switch control post. A device for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the c... | 04/05/1988 |
| 4690003 | Motor operated valve analysis and testing system A valve analysis and testing system includes various devices for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the corresponding imposed valve stem load, which devices are attached to the valve operator. These devices provide for... | 09/01/1987 |
| 4660416 | Motor operated valve analysis and testing system with monitoring of spring pack movement through side by side monitoring device A system for measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator and the corresponding imposed valve stem load is attached to the valve operator. A unique device and method are used to detect and measure movement of a valve operator spring... | 04/28/1987 |
| 4609992 | System for monitoring torsion damage to a composite line of shapes through a driving machine and a driven machine First and second devices (8,9) measure the speed of rotation at two widely separated points H and J along a line of shafts, e.g. through a turboalternator unit. Parameters representative of the opposing torque are determined by a third device which is res... | 09/02/1986 |
| 4542649 | Motor operated valve analysis and testing system A means of measuring the operating characteristics of a valve and its operator (16) and the corresponding imposed valve stem load is attached to the valve operator. The device provides a means of statically calibrating the operator relative to the imposed... | 09/24/1985 |
| 4370883 | Method of measuring the power output of an automative vehicle engine on a roller testing bench This method of measuring the power of an automotive vehicle engine on a roller-type testing bench comprises selecting the vehicle velocity and/or the engine speed whereat it is desired to make the measurement; increasing the engine speed during a first ac... | 02/01/1983 |
| 4294110 | Torque measuring system for an air tool A system for measuring torque applied by an air tool to a fastener during a fastening operation is disclosed wherein a torque indicating device is provided, preferably in a remote position from the tool, for sensing and indicating the torque applied to a ... | 10/13/1981 |
| 4199032 | Apparatus for measuring and controlling a force An apparatus for measuring and controlling a force such as torque, pull or weight. One example is an apparatus for making up two members having mating threaded connections, such as pipe joints, head bolts and all types of threaded fasteners for insuring t... | 04/22/1980 |