Patents by Inventor Gary Laird Blank

Gary Laird Blank has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9194091
    Abstract: Wireless snow plow control methods and systems may include at least three units in mutual wireless communicative connection: a plow control module (PCM), a vehicle control module (VCM), and a remote controller. Each unit may be capable of operating with any one of a plurality of units of another type, with any one of multiple types of vehicles, and with any one of multiple types of snow plows. Three specific units of different types may automatically synchronize for operating a particular snow plow in response to commands from the remote. The VCM may be capable of automatically detecting a connection status of a snow plow, enabling/disabling snow plow lights and vehicle lights based on the connection status, controlling enabled vehicle lights, and wirelessly controlling enabled snow plow lights. The remote may wirelessly transmit commands either directly to the PCM, or to the VCM for forwarding to the PCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: James E. Moon, Jr., Jody Christy, Gary Laird Blank
  • Patent number: 8978276
    Abstract: A safety system for a wireless snowplow controller makes the wireless controller safer and more effective. The system includes a vehicle, a snowplow, a wireless controller and a tether. The controller wirelessly sends one or more control signs to one or more control modules coupled to the vehicle and/or the snowplow. The control signals may be used to control operation of the snowplow. The controller may be configured such that it is only able to send control signals when it is connected, via the tether, to a power supply coupled to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: James E. Moon, Jr., Jody Christy, Gary Laird Blank
  • Publication number: 20140052335
    Abstract: Wireless snow plow control methods and systems may include at least three units in mutual wireless communicative connection: a plow control module (PCM), a vehicle control module (VCM), and a remote controller. Each unit may be capable of operating with any one of a plurality of units of another type, with any one of multiple types of vehicles, and with any one of multiple types of snow plows. Three specific units of different types may automatically synchronize for operating a particular snow plow in response to commands from the remote. The VCM may be capable of automatically detecting a connection status of a snow plow, enabling/disabling snow plow lights and vehicle lights based on the connection status, controlling enabled vehicle lights, and wirelessly controlling enabled snow plow lights. The remote may wirelessly transmit commands either directly to the PCM, or to the VCM for forwarding to the PCM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: NORTHERN STAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: James E. Moon, JR., Jody Christy, Gary Laird Blank
  • Publication number: 20140049381
    Abstract: A safety system for a wireless snowplow controller makes the wireless controller safer and more effective. The system includes a vehicle, a snowplow, a wireless controller and a tether. The controller wirelessly sends one or more control signs to one or more control modules coupled to the vehicle and/or the snowplow. The control signals may be used to control operation of the snowplow. The controller may be configured such that it is only able to send control signals when it is connected, via the tether, to a power supply coupled to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: NORTHERN STAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: James E. Moon, JR., Jody Christy, Gary Laird Blank