Patents by Inventor Spencer B. Dick
Spencer B. Dick 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).
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Patent number: 11597045Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for positioning and/or processing items, such as workpieces. The systems, methods, and apparatus may include or use a linear positioner forming a track. In some embodiments, the linear positioner may include a carriage configured to be driven along the track to a desired position, in response to a signal(s), such as a radiofrequency signal(s), received from a computer, which may be a general-purpose, handheld computer, such as a phone or tablet. In some embodiments, the linear positioner may comprise a shuttle including a motor and a carriage, and may be configured to drive itself as a unit along the track. In some embodiments, the track may include a rack having a linear array of teeth formed by two or more frame sections, such as table sections, coupled end to end, with each support section providing a segment of the rack.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Nathan Bryant
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Patent number: 10967445Abstract: A lubrication system for a saw may include a lubricator that is mechanically linked to a traveling arm of a saw, such as an up-cut saw. Movement of the saw blade through a first path may result automatically in movement of the lubricator through a second path transverse to the first path. This coupled movement may result in a relatively consistent distance between the lubricator and the periphery of the saw blade, especially as compared with a stationary lubricator.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Melissa L. Covel
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Publication number: 20210046596Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for positioning and/or processing items, such as workpieces. The systems, methods, and apparatus may include or use a linear positioner forming a track. In some embodiments, the linear positioner may include a carriage configured to be driven along the track to a desired position, in response to a signal(s), such as a radiofrequency signal(s), received from a computer, which may be a general-purpose, handheld computer, such as a phone or tablet. In some embodiments, the linear positioner may comprise a shuttle including a motor and a carriage, and may be configured to drive itself as a unit along the track. In some embodiments, the track may include a rack having a linear array of teeth formed by two or more frame sections, such as table sections, coupled end to end, with each support section providing a segment of the rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Nathan Bryant
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Publication number: 20200101542Abstract: A lubrication system for a saw may include a lubricator that is mechanically linked to a traveling arm of a saw, such as an up-cut saw. Movement of the saw blade through a first path may result automatically in movement of the lubricator through a second path transverse to the first path. This coupled movement may result in a relatively consistent distance between the lubricator and the periphery of the saw blade, especially as compared with a stationary lubricator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Applicant: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Melissa L. Covel
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Patent number: 10427228Abstract: A lubrication system for a saw may include a lubricator that is mechanically linked to a traveling arm of a saw, such as an up-cut saw. Movement of the saw blade through a first path may result automatically in movement of the lubricator through a second path transverse to the first path. This coupled movement may result in a relatively consistent distance between the lubricator and the periphery of the saw blade, especially as compared with a stationary lubricator.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Melissa L. Covel
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Patent number: 9996072Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces according to entered and/or calculated target dimensions and processing the workpieces with a tool to generate products having the target dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Lean Tool Systems, LLCInventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart R. Aldrich, Brennan J. McClure, David L. Lee, Brandon J. Vaughn, Simon A. Soot, Norman F. Gorny, Matthew T. Harris, Richard R. Gilmore
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Patent number: 9943975Abstract: Saw system, including methods and apparatus, for cutting pieces of stock to be installed end-to-end to form miter joints. In some embodiments, the saw system may include a computer that determines an appropriate saw pivot angle for cutting a proximal end of a second piece of stock, based on a corner angle entered for cutting a distal end of a first piece of stock. In some embodiments, the saw system may compensate for an offset pivot axis of a saw device based on entered lengths of cut first and second pieces generated respectively with the saw device pivoted to the left and to the right.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Brennan J. McClure, Minh Dat Ba Tran
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Publication number: 20170087650Abstract: A lubrication system for a saw may include a lubricator that is mechanically linked to a traveling arm of a saw, such as an up-cut saw. Movement of the saw blade through a first path may result automatically in movement of the lubricator through a second path transverse to the first path. This coupled movement may result in a relatively consistent distance between the lubricator and the periphery of the saw blade, especially as compared with a stationary lubricator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Melissa L. Covel
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Publication number: 20150073579Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces according to entered and/or calculated target dimensions and processing the workpieces with a tool to generate products having the target dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: LEAN TOOL SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart R. Aldrich, Brennan J. McClure, David L. Lee, Brandon J. Vaughn, Simon A. Soot, Norman F. Gorny, Matthew T. Harris, Richard R. Gilmore
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Patent number: 8783140Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces according to entered and/or calculated target dimensions and processing the workpieces with a tool to generate products having the target dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Lean Tool Systems, LLCInventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart R. Aldrich, Brennan J. McClure, David L. Lee, Brandon J. Vaughn, Simon A. Soot, Norman F. Gorny, Matthew T. Harris, Richard R. Gilmore
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Publication number: 20130036890Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces to be processed. In some embodiments, the gauge system may have a plurality of stops for positioning the end of a workpiece at distinct distances from a processing station. In some embodiments, the plurality of stops may be arrayed along a rail assembly having an adjustable length.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: PRECISION AUTOMATION, INC.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart R. Aldrich, David A. Morgan, Robert P. Hodges, Simon A. Soot, Jody S. Carpenter, John S. Gorny
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Patent number: 8117732Abstract: Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart Aldrich, David A. Morgan, David Lee
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Publication number: 20110175273Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces to be processed. In some embodiments, the gauge system may have a plurality of stops for positioning the end of a workpiece at distinct distances from a processing station. In some embodiments, the plurality of stops may be arrayed along a rail assembly having an adjustable length.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart R. Aldrich, David A. Morgan, Robert P. Hodges, Simon A. Soot, Jody S. Carpenter, John S. Gorny
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Patent number: 7966714Abstract: Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart Aldrich, David A. Morgan, David Lee
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Publication number: 20110056344Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces according to entered and/or calculated target dimensions and processing the workpieces with a tool to generate products having the target dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart R. Aldrich, Brennan J. McClure, David L. Lee, Brandon J. Vaughn, Simon A. Soot, Norman F. Gorny, Matthew T. Harris, Richard R. Gilmore
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Patent number: 7792602Abstract: A material processing system includes an apparatus having a processing path. A saw station is located along the processing path. A positioner is configured to push a trailing end of a work piece along the processing path toward the saw station. A computer is connected to the apparatus, and programmed to provide a digital interface allowing an operator to control operation of the apparatus through the interface.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventor: Spencer B. Dick
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Publication number: 20090299519Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces to be processed. In some embodiments, the gauge system may have a plurality of stops for positioning the end of a workpiece at distinct distances from a processing station. In some embodiments, the plurality of stops may be arrayed along a rail assembly having an adjustable length.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: PRECISION AUTOMATION, INC.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart R. Aldrich, David A. Morgan, Robert P. Hodges, Simon A. Soot, Jody S. Carpenter, John S. Gorny
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Publication number: 20090105872Abstract: Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart Aldrich, David A. Morgan, David Lee
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Publication number: 20090103977Abstract: Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart Aldrich, David A. Morgan, David Lee
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Publication number: 20090105870Abstract: Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: Precision Automation, Inc.Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Stuart Aldrich, David A. Morgan, David Lee