Peter Donald Lippire

US Patent:

7076996, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

Oct 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/285013

Inventors:

Stephen M. Markakis - Santa Barbara CA, US
Peter D. Lippire - Goleta CA, US

Assignee:

Veeco Instruments Inc. - Woodbury NY

International Classification:

G01N 13/16
G01B 5/28

US Classification:

73105

Abstract:

An apparatus and method of analyzing a sample to be scanned within a hermetically sealed housing of an atomic force microscope (AFM) while the interior of the housing is maintained at one of a number of various environmental conditions. The AFM includes an XYZ stage assembly on which a sample holder supporting the sample may be releasably positioned. The stage assembly allows for the manipulation of the sample and sample holder in the X, Y and Z axes without disturbing any environmental condition present within the chamber due to the hermetic seal maintained between the stage assembly and the AFM during the motion of the stage assembly. The ability of the stage assembly to manipulate the sample in each of the three directions while the sample is enclosed within the AFM also allows the AFM to compensate for non-parallel scanning planes and for drift in all three directions occurring in the sample because of the different environmental conditions in which the sample may be scanned. The scan is performed by the AFM using a scanning tube sealingly disposed within the housing and capable of moving small distances in the X, Y and Z axes. Fine adjustments to the position of the tube in order to accurately scan the sample are accomplished by the inclusion of sectioned piezoelectric elements within the tube which are capable of adjusting the position of a probe or cantilever attached to the end of the tube in small, highly accurate distances in each of the X, Y and Z directions.

US Patent:

20040007078, Jan 15, 2004

Filed:

Jun 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/603535

Inventors:

Jerry Iggulden - Los Angeles CA, US
Peter Lippire - Goleta CA, US

International Classification:

G01N003/08

US Classification:

073/818000

Abstract:

A container for storing sport balls incorporates a device for testing the playing condition of the balls. The test device is in the form of a disk with a base portion supported within the container and an indicator arm. A ball to be tested is placed into the container where it rests on the indicator arm with a portion of the ball protruding out of the open end of the container. The exposed portion of the ball is pressed against a flat surface. This deflects the indicator arm and provides a visual indication of the playing condition of the ball.

US Patent:

6612182, Sep 2, 2003

Filed:

Nov 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/993278

Inventors:

Jerry Iggulden - Los Angeles CA 90064
Peter D. Lippire - Goleta CA

Assignee:

Jerry Iggulden - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

G01N 308

US Classification:

73820

Abstract:

A container for storing sport balls incorporates a device for testing the playing condition of the balls. The test device is in the form of a disk with a base portion supported within the container and an indicator arm. A ball to be tested is placed into the container where it rests on the indicator arm with a portion of the ball protruding out of the open end of the container. The exposed portion of the ball is pressed against a flat surface. This deflects the indicator arm and provides a visual indication of the playing condition of the ball.