Patents by Inventor Pierre Du Toit

Pierre Du Toit 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: 8189857
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a mark left by an object on a playing surface are provided. A system for detecting a mark left by an impact of an object on a playing surface, the system including at least one processor coupled to a memory arrangement. The system may further include at least one camera for collecting a sequence of images of the playing surface before and after impact of an object. Additionally, the system may include an image processing system adapted to process at least a portion of the sequence of images to identify the mark left by the object on the playing surface. The system may also include a judgment processing system operative to determine the position of the mark relative to the feature of the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: EDH Holding (Pty) Ltd
    Inventors: Henri Johnson, Hendrik Amos Brunner, Heinrich Rohwer, Jacques Pierre du Toit, Trevor Wyndham Rees, Gideon Zuurmond
  • Publication number: 20090067670
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a mark left by an object on a playing surface are provided. A system for detecting a mark left by an impact of an object on a playing surface, the system including at least one processor coupled to a memory arrangement. The system may further include at least one camera for collecting a sequence of images of the playing surface before and after impact of an object. Additionally, the system may include an image processing system adapted to process at least a portion of the sequence of images to identify the mark left by the object on the playing surface. The system may also include a judgment processing system operative to determine the position of the mark relative to the feature of the playing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Henri Johnson, Hendrik Amos Brunner, Heinrich Rohwer, Jacques Pierre Du Toit, Trevor Wyndham Rees, Gideon Zuurmond
  • Patent number: 7013931
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for pumping the tire of a vehicle while the vehicle is travelling. The device is mounted on the wheel axle and, apart from a hanging counterweight (226) which remains stationary, the entire device rotates with the axle and wheels. Tire pressure is sensed and, when below a predetermined level, a piston (22) moves axially to press a rotating clutch plate (260) against the stationary counterweight (226). The clutch plate (260) thus stops rotating. Part of a pump drive structure (216) stops rotating with the clutch plate (260). Relative rotation between this part of the pump drive structure and the remainder of the pump drive structure causes air to be pumped to the tire. When tire pressure has been restored the piston (22) moves back, the clutch plate (260) is released, and the pumping action ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Pressurite (PTY) Ltd.
    Inventor: Pierre Du Toit
  • Publication number: 20040194845
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for pumping the tyre of a vehicle whilst the vehicle is travelling. The device is mounted on the wheel axle and, apart from a hanging counterweight (226) which remains stationary, the entire device rotates with the axle and wheels. Tyre pressure is sensed and, when below a predetermined level, a piston (22) moves axially to press a rotating clutch plate (260) against the stationary counterweight (226). The clutch plate (260) thus stops rotating. Part of a pump drive structure (216) stops rotating with the clutch plate (260). Relative rotation between this part of the pump drive structure and the remainder of the pump drive structure causes air to be pumped to the tyre. When tyre pressure has been restored the piston (22) moves back, the clutch plate (260) is released, and the pumping action ceases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Pierre Du Toit