The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 15, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 29, 2008
Robin Stevenson, Bloomfield, MI (US);
Ivan G. Sears, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Richard J. Skurkis, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Jeff Dellach, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Mike Vainstein, Clinton Township, MI (US);
Robin Stevenson, Bloomfield, MI (US);
Ivan G. Sears, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Richard J. Skurkis, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Jeff Dellach, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Mike Vainstein, Clinton Township, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A method for error-proofing clamping operation performed with a reconfigurable clamp having a body, a locking member, a plurality of moveable pins for contacting an object, and a plunger is provided. The method includes applying a force to the plunger and sensing whether the plunger achieves a fully-depressed position, and releasing the force to the plunger and sensing whether the plunger achieves a fully-extended position. The method may additionally include applying the force to the plunger, contacting the object with the plurality of pins and sensing whether the clamp body achieves a predetermined position relative to a clamping device.