Jeffrey Nathan Prince

US Patent:

6890278, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Feb 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/782847

Inventors:

Jeffrey Theorin Prince - Grass Valley CA, US

International Classification:

F16G013/00
F16G013/02

US Classification:

474206, 474218, 59 78, 59 84

Abstract:

A chain is provided in which adjacent links are attached to one another by a coupling pin that permits the links to rotate relative to one another on a connecting axis defined by a coupling pin. The links have movable link plates and can be fixed against relative rotation or released, at least on one side of the chain, by selectively engaging or disengaging the link plates. In one embodiment a restoring force urges movable link plates outwardly on both sides of the chain, toward locking engagement with the plates of the next adjacent links. The movable link plates are depressible against the restoring force, sufficiently to permit the adjacent link plates to overlap and pivot freely. The couplings between links can be switched between fixed and free rotational states by passing them through a path with converging walls that depress the movable link plates. The chain is particularly useful as a device for positioning a tool or manipulator, and in an embodiment with movable link plates on both sides is not only switchable between rigid and flexible but each pair of links is inherently compliant in the plane of its pivot pins.

US Patent:

D527750, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Jul 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

29/209124

Inventors:

Jeffrey Prince - Grass Valley CA, US
Rod Duncan - Plano TX, US
Branko Bem - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

D4D Technologies, L.P. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

1509

US Classification:

D15138

US Patent:

D529056, Sep 26, 2006

Filed:

Oct 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

29/215895

Inventors:

Jeffrey Prince - Grass Valley CA, US
Rod Duncan - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

D4D Technologies, L.P. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

1509

US Classification:

D15138

US Patent:

D529521, Oct 3, 2006

Filed:

Jul 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

29/209125

Inventors:

Jeffrey Prince - Grass Valley CA, US
Rod Duncan - Plano TX, US
Branko Bem - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

D4D Technologies - Richardson TX

International Classification:

1509

US Classification:

D15138

US Patent:

7226338, Jun 5, 2007

Filed:

Aug 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/917069

Inventors:

Rod Duncan - Grass Valley CA, US
Joel Witt - Dallas TX, US
Mark Quadling - Plano TX, US
Henley Quadling - Dallas TX, US
Jeffrey Prince - Grass Valley CA, US
Branko Bem - Plano TX, US
Rui Xu - Plano TX, US
Kirk Ray - Plano TX, US
Basil Haymann - Dallas TX, US
Anthony Starfield - St Paul MN, US

Assignee:

D4D Technologies, LLC - Richardson TX

International Classification:

B24B 49/00
B24B 51/00

US Classification:

451 6, 451 8, 451 65, 451132, 451190, 451262, 451451

Abstract:

The improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera is used to detect wear on the tools.

US Patent:

7789601, Sep 7, 2010

Filed:

Jun 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/867342

Inventors:

Jeffrey Prince - Grass Valley CA, US
Rod Duncan - Plano TX, US
Branko Bem - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

D4D Technologies, LLC - Richardson TX

International Classification:

B23Q 3/00

US Classification:

409219, 409220, 409225, 279 77, 279 97, 433 49, 433223, 4285428, 269287, 403323, 4033794

Abstract:

A mill blank mandrel may rigidly secure machinable material for a machining process. The mandrel may be freely and easily inserted in a corresponding mandrel socket and secured without the use of a tool. The mandrel may be detected and verified when inserted in the mandrel socket.

US Patent:

20040185978, Sep 23, 2004

Filed:

Jan 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/340081

Inventors:

Jeffrey Prince - Grass Valley CA, US

International Classification:

F16G013/00

US Classification:

474/206000, 059/078000

Abstract:

A chain is provided in which adjacent links are attached to one another by a coupling pin that permits the links to rotate relative to one another on a connecting axis defined by a coupling pin. The links have movable link plates and can be fixed against relative rotation or released, at least on one side of the chain, by selectively engaging or disengaging the link plates. In one embodiment a restoring force urges movable link plates outwardly on both sides of the chain, toward locking engagement with the plates of the next adjacent links. The movable link plates are depressible against the restoring force, sufficiently to permit the adjacent link plates to overlap and pivot freely. The couplings between links can be switched between fixed and free rotational states by passing them through a path with converging walls that depress the movable link plates. The chain is particularly useful as a device for positioning a tool or manipulator, and in an embodiment with movable link plates on both sides is not only switchable between rigid and flexible but each pair of links is inherently compliant in the plane of its pivot pins.

US Patent:

53485190, Sep 20, 1994

Filed:

Aug 24, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/934293

Inventors:

Jeffrey T. Prince - Grass Valley CA
Robert L. Rawls - Davis CA
Philip T. Dempster - St. Helena CA
Jody Ono - Davis CA

Assignee:

Loredan Biomedical, Inc. - West Sacramento CA

International Classification:

A63B 21005

US Classification:

482 6

Abstract:

A horizontal support arm is mounted for upward and downward movement on a vertical support column. An interface unit having an actual mass value is disposed on a free end of the horizontal support arm and is adapted to be grasped and lifted by a human subject. A simulated mass value independent of said actual mass value may be set for the interface unit, and the amount of vertical force exerted by the human subject upon the interface unit is measured. An exercise control unit provides for controlled vertical movement of the interface unit as a function of the simulated mass value such that the interface unit responds to a lifting force by the human subject in a manner that simulates the inertia of an object having a mass value equal to the simulated mass value in a gravitational field.