Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Stone

Thomas A. Stone 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).

  • Publication number: 20060200959
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for assembling lighting fixtures where reflective inserts are installed into a reflector frame to create a reflective surface for the fixture. According to one aspect of the method, some type of worker-perceivable indication prompts a worker as to which reflective insert should be installed at which mounting location on the reflector frame. The worker does not have to guess or translate written instructions. The method can be used sequentially to provide such assistance for each of a plurality of reflective inserts for a plurality of mounting locations. The method is particularly helpful if the reflective inserts are not identical for each mounting location. According to one aspect of an apparatus according to the invention, a reflector frame is removably mounted to a machine that holds the reflector frame in an indexed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: MUSCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas Stone
  • Publication number: 20060175490
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for mounting enclosure boxes along a pole includes a receiver bracket independently cinchable along the side of a pole and including a receiver adapted to receive structure of an enclosure box. Once aspect of the invention includes the receiver bracket comprising a structure to receive a bar or other elongated component from the side and then allow the bar to drop and be captured. Another aspect of the invention includes a system for mounting enclosure boxes whereby independently cinchable brackets can be cinched to poles and a variety of sizes of enclosure boxes independently mounted to the receiver brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell Ware, Thomas Stone, Brett Baer, Carol Ebeling
  • Patent number: 7059572
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for mounting enclosure boxes along a pole includes a receiver bracket independently cinchable along the side of a pole and including a receiver adapted to receive structure of an enclosure box. Once aspect of the invention includes the receiver bracket comprising a structure to receive a bar or other elongated component from the side and then allow the bar to drop and be captured. Another aspect of the invention includes a system for mounting enclosure boxes whereby independently cinchable brackets can be cinched to poles and a variety of sizes of enclosure boxes independently mounted to the receiver brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell J. Ware, Thomas A. Stone, Brett Baer, Carol K. Ebeling
  • Patent number: 6988697
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for mounting enclosure boxes along a pole includes a receiver bracket independently cinchable along the side of a pole and including a receiver adapted to receive structure of an enclosure box. Once aspect of the invention includes the receiver bracket comprising a structure to receive a bar or other elongated component from the side and then allow the bar to drop and be captured. Another aspect of the invention includes a system for mounting enclosure boxes whereby independently cinchable brackets can be cinched to poles and a variety of sizes of enclosure boxes independently mounted to the receiver brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell J. Ware, Thomas A. Stone, Brett Baer, Carol K. Ebeling
  • Patent number: 6969034
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for mounting enclosure boxes along a pole includes a receiver bracket independently cinchable along the side of a pole and including a receiver adapted to receive structure of an enclosure box. Once aspect of the invention includes the receiver bracket comprising a structure to receive a bar or other elongated component from the side and then allow the bar to drop and be captured. Another aspect of the invention includes a system for mounting enclosure boxes whereby independently cinchable brackets can be cinched to poles and a variety of sizes of enclosure boxes independently mounted to the receiver brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell J. Ware, Thomas A. Stone, Brett Baer, Carol K. Ebeling
  • Publication number: 20050160312
    Abstract: A method of matching the operations of a primary computer and a backup computer for providing a substitute in the event of a failure of the primary computer is described. The method comprises assigning a unique sequence number to each of a plurality of requests in the order in which the requests are received and are to be executed on the primary computer, transferring the unique sequence numbers to the backup computer, and using the unique sequence numbers to order corresponding ones of the same plurality of requests also received at the backup computer such that the requests can be executed on the second computer in the same order as that on the first computer. In this manner, the status of the primary and backup computers can be matched in real-time so that, if the primary computer fails, the backup computer can immediately take the place of the primary computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Wouter Seng, Felicity George, Thomas Stones
  • Patent number: 6910529
    Abstract: A horizontal rooftop engine cooling system includes one or more radiator units horizontally mountable to the rooftop of a bus and including a radiator interconnected to one or more passages of an engine of the bus to allow coolant to flow between the engine and the rooftop cooling system to cool the engine. The cooling system can incorporate a fan mounting shroud, a ram-air aerodynamic shroud, and/or an ornamental aesthetic appearance shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: ISE Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Thomas Stone, Juergen Schulte
  • Publication number: 20050111784
    Abstract: Low loss, reliable variable optical attenuators and 1×2 switches and polarization insensitive low loss, reliable variable optical attenuators and 1×2 optical switches are described. In one embodiment, a system of the present invention includes a polarization separating sub-system a polarization recombining sub-system and one or more switchable volume diffraction gratings to provide polarization insensitive low loss, reliable variable optical attenuators and 1×2 optical switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Stone, John Kralik
  • Publication number: 20050111076
    Abstract: Compact systems with reduced insertion loss, and increased switch isolation and switching speed. The switching and/or routing devices utilize a separating sub-system, a switching and/or routing sub-system, and a recombining sub-system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Stone
  • Publication number: 20050105909
    Abstract: The present invention overcomes problems associated with switch isolation, noise and crosstalk suppression, insertion loss, spurious reflections, wavelength tolerance, and compactness that are present in varying degrees in other add/drop systems. The present invention includes devices or components that include, but are not limited to high efficiency switchable gratings. In one embodiment of the invention, each of the “base” gratings have substantially identical spatial frequencies and each of the “vertex” gratings have substantially identical spacial frequencies. However, the “vertex” gratings have higher grating frequencies than the “base” gratings. In another embodiment of the invention, the “base” and “vertex” gratings have substantially the same grating frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Stone
  • Publication number: 20050105851
    Abstract: Methods and system for chromatic dispersion compensation in disperser-combiner optical systems. The chromatic dispersion in disperser-combiner optical systems is substantially compensated by, after separating the input optical radiation into distinct chromatic components, propagating the distinct chromatic components through the optical system so that a pre-selected relationship between optical path lengths through the optical systems of the distinct chromatic components is obtained, where the pre-selected relationship substantially compensates the chromatic dispersion. The pre-selected relationship is obtained by reflecting the distinct chromatic components from a suitably placed and shaped pixellated optical volume reflector. After propagating through the optical system, the distinct chromatic components are recombined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Stone
  • Publication number: 20050103985
    Abstract: Methods for utilizing optical systems in order to introduce digitally tunable amounts of temporal dispersion into optical signals and methods and systems for providing angular dispersion compensated output from optical switching/routing systems. The method for introducing controlled amounts of temporal dispersion into a signal includes the steps of (a) selectively directing an electromagnetic radiation beam to a predetermined optical path, and (b) subsequently selectively directing the electromagnetic radiation beam to another predetermined optical path. The angular dispersion compensated optical system includes a switching/routing optical system and a beam deflection element optically disposed on an output side of the switching/routing optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Stone
  • Publication number: 20050094933
    Abstract: Systems and methods for low loss, high speed exchange optical switching. The optical switch of this invention includes one or more a switchable diffraction gratings. The optical switch of this invention is capable of connecting two or more input optical beams to two more output locations. Optical noise suppression means for switchable diffraction gratings can be utilized to suppress crosstalk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Stone
  • Publication number: 20050094930
    Abstract: Switching and/or routing devices use separating diffraction gratings or AWG, a selectable switching and routing sub-sytem system, and recombining diffraction gratings or AWG to overcomes problems associated with insertion loss, size and compactness, switch isolation, switching speed, which may be present in current optical switching systems. The selectable switching and routing sub-system can include a switchable grating based sub-system or a switchable mirror based sub-sytem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Stone
  • Publication number: 20050063056
    Abstract: Polarization converter assemblies are utilized to provide switching and routing systems with effective coupling between a first and second router assemblies, and to provide polarization insensitive switching and routing systems. An improved optical switching/routing system of this invention includes a first router assembly, a second router assembly and a polarization converter assembly, each assembly optically aligned with one another, the polarization converter assembly being optically interposed between the first router assembly and the second router assembly. Embodiments of the polarization converter include, but are not limited to, liquid crystal spatial light modulators or half-wave retarders. A polarization insensitive switching and routing system of this invention includes a polarization separating sub-system, a selectable switching/routing sub-system, and a polarization combining sub-system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: John Kralik, Thomas Stone
  • Publication number: 20050056744
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for mounting enclosure boxes along a pole includes a receiver bracket independently cinchable along the side of a pole and including a receiver adapted to receive structure of an enclosure box. Once aspect of the invention includes the receiver bracket comprising a structure to receive a bar or other elongated component from the side and then allow the bar to drop and be captured. Another aspect of the invention includes a system for mounting enclosure boxes whereby independently cinchable brackets can be cinched to poles and a variety of sizes of enclosure boxes independently mounted to the receiver brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell Ware, Thomas Stone, Brett Baer, Carol Ebeling
  • Publication number: 20050056743
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for mounting enclosure boxes along a pole includes a receiver bracket independently cinchable along the side of a pole and including a receiver adapted to receive structure of an enclosure box. Once aspect of the invention includes the receiver bracket comprising a structure to receive a bar or other elongated component from the side and then allow the bar to drop and be captured. Another aspect of the invention includes a system for mounting enclosure boxes whereby independently cinchable brackets can be cinched to poles and a variety of sizes of enclosure boxes independently mounted to the receiver brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell Ware, Thomas Stone, Brett Baer, Carol Ebeling
  • Publication number: 20050029419
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for mounting enclosure boxes along a pole includes a receiver bracket independently cinchable along the side of a pole and including a receiver adapted to receive structure of an enclosure box. Once aspect of the invention includes the receiver bracket comprising a structure to receive a bar or other elongated component from the side and then allow the bar to drop and be captured. Another aspect of the invention includes a system for mounting enclosure boxes whereby independently cinchable brackets can be cinched to poles and a variety of sizes of enclosure boxes independently mounted to the receiver brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Applicant: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell Ware, Thomas Stone, Brett Baer, Carol Ebeling
  • Publication number: 20050024731
    Abstract: An optical system including an array of micro-optic afocal optical subsystems capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation from a source and of transmitting at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation received from the source, and an imaging subsystem capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation from the an array of micro-optic afocal optical subsystems and imaging at least a portion of the received electromagnetic radiation onto an image plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Applicant: Wavefront Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Mitchell, Thomas Stone
  • Publication number: 20040211877
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a temporary spread footing for supporting a variety of different vertically extending structures. The apparatus includes a frame with a top and bottom. The frame can have a substantial space or void in between the top and bottom into which weights or devices can be placed. A connection on top of the base removably connects to the structure to be supported. Outriggers could also be used to substantially increase the overturning moment resistance of the base. The outriggers can be removable or retractable so that for transportation, the base has minimum dimensions. The method includes pre-determining the needed weight and overturning moment resistance for a particular application and transporting the base to the site and thereafter adding weight and adjusting outriggers to match the pre-determined needed overturning moment resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: MUSCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joe P. Crookham, David M. Crookham, James A. Whitson, Thomas A. Stone, Gregory N. Kubbe, Walter R. Tippett