Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Johnson

Thomas H. Johnson 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: 20230234820
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a modular carriage system that includes one or more modular pieces to expand one or more dimensions of a base carriage plate. The modular pieces and/or the base carriage plate may include, and/or be configured to receive, mounting hardware to secure the modular pieces to the base carriage plate. In some examples, multiple modular pieces can be stacked together to incrementally increase the one or more dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Sukalski, Thomas H. Johnson, Kevin Detert, Cory Hainy
  • Publication number: 20230236060
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an onboard object measurement system for a vehicle, such as a lift truck. The vehicle may have one or more sensors incorporated thereon, such as within one or more load handling fixtures. Control circuitry associated with the vehicle and/or the sensors is configured to receive data from the first sensor corresponding to changes in force in the first axis, receive data from the second sensor corresponding to changes in force in the second axis, correlate the changes in force along the first and second axes, and to determine one or more of a direction of motion, a thrust, or a position of a center of gravity associated with the load based on the correlation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Sukalski, Thomas H. Johnson, Kevin Detert
  • Patent number: 10823603
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load cell symmetrical about a central vertical axis and comprising first and second mounting surfaces, each on the same horizontal plane and configured for attachment to a support structure and to a loading fixture respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180010952
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load cell symmetrical about a central vertical axis and comprising first and second mounting surfaces, each on the same horizontal plane and configured for attachment to a support structure and to a loading fixture respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas H. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 9709436
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load cell symmetrical about a central vertical axis and comprising first and second mounting surfaces, each on the same horizontal plane and configured for attachment to a support structure and to a loading fixture respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9534732
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor mounting bracket comprising a base portion and at least one side wall upstanding from the edge of the at least one base portion; at least one sensor attachment fixture located on the base portion and configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a sensor mounting fixture, and at least one mounting element extending outwardly from the side wall configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a load bearing plate or a sensor support structure. The invention further relates to a symmetrical mounting bracket comprising a pair of sensor mounting brackets combined one above the other in parallel orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9423289
    Abstract: A load cell support structure includes a base support member; a load bearing member movable with respect to the base support member and having an upper surface for receiving a load; a load cell engaging member adapted to operatively engage at least one load cell; a load transfer portion integrally formed with the load bearing member and operatively coupled to the load cell engaging member so as to transfer a load from the upper surface to at least one load cell via the load cell engaging member; at least one biasing member adapted to urge the load transfer member towards the load cell engaging member; and at least one pivot member operatively engaging the load transfer member and the load cell engaging member so as to allow pivotal movement of the load transfer member with respect to the load cell engaging member about the pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9400207
    Abstract: The invention relates to a symmetrical sensor mounting bracket assembly comprising a first sensor mounting bracket and a second sensor mounting bracket combined together, one above the other in parallel orientation; at least one sensor attachment fixture configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a sensor mounting fixture and at least one mounting element configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a load bearing plate or a sensor support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9073738
    Abstract: A lift truck attachment for attaching a device, such as a scale to the lift truck includes an upper carriage support, a lower carriage support spaced from and opposing the upper carriage support and a device attachment region disposed between and essentially flush with the upper and lower carriage supports. The device is attached between the upper and lower carriage supports and nests with the upper and lower carriage supports to reduce the effective distance between the lift truck mast and the load carrying members, such as the loading forks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9052250
    Abstract: A calibration system and method utilizes acceleration of a mass to generate a force on the mass. An expected value of the force is calculated based on the magnitude and acceleration of the mass. A fixture is utilized to mount the mass to a force balance, and the force balance is calibrated to provide a reading consistent with the expected force determined for a given acceleration. The acceleration can be varied to provide different expected forces, and the force balance can be calibrated for different applied forces. The acceleration may result from linear acceleration of the mass or rotational movement of the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Peter A. Parker, Ray D. Rhew, Thomas H. Johnson, Drew Landman
  • Patent number: 8904342
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for rapid development of software applications comprising; a field composer; a design composer; and a design repository; wherein the field composer is used to create field trees; wherein the design composer is used to create designs; wherein a design is a partial or complete configuration of a software application; wherein one or more data models is/are derived from one or more existing databases; and wherein the design repository stores designs, field trees, and data models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Zoot Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren White Bauder, Peter Andrew Quinlan, Robert Lee Banfill, Kevin R. Fletcher, Gretchen Andes Bauder, Ryan G. Sasser, Thomas H. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140290284
    Abstract: A system for an ice merchandiser having a compressor in a compressor enclosure to cool the ice merchandiser includes a proximity sensor positioned to detect an amount of ice within the ice merchandiser, and a communications component coupled to the proximity sensor to receive signals from the proximity sensor representative of the amount of ice in the ice merchandiser, wherein the communications component is configured to convert the received signals to a digital format and publish the signals via a network connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Spinnaker Process Instruments
    Inventors: Thomas H. Johnson, Carrol E. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140262558
    Abstract: A load cell support structure includes a base support member; a load bearing member movable with respect to the base support member and having an upper surface for receiving a load; a load cell engaging member adapted to operatively engage at least one load cell; a load transfer portion integrally formed with the load bearing member and operatively coupled to the load cell engaging member so as to transfer a load from the upper surface to at least one load cell via the load cell engaging member; at least one biasing member adapted to urge the load transfer member towards the load cell engaging member; and at least one pivot member operatively engaging the load transfer member and the load cell engaging member so as to allow pivotal movement of the load transfer member with respect to the load cell engaging member about the pivot member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas H. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20140262555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor mounting bracket comprising a base portion and at least one side wall upstanding from the edge of the at least one base portion; at least one sensor attachment fixture located on the base portion and configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a sensor mounting fixture, and at least one mounting element extending outwardly from the side wall configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a load bearing plate or a sensor support structure. The invention further relates to a symmetrical mounting bracket comprising a pair of sensor mounting brackets combined one above the other in parallel orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas H. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20140262556
    Abstract: The invention relates to a symmetrical sensor mounting bracket assembly comprising a first sensor mounting bracket and a second sensor mounting bracket combined together, one above the other in parallel orientation; at least one sensor attachment fixture configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a sensor mounting fixture and at least one mounting element configured to facilitate attachment of the bracket to a load bearing plate or a sensor support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Thomas H. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20140262557
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load cell symmetrical about a central vertical axis and comprising first and second mounting surfaces, each on the same horizontal plane and configured for attachment to a support structure and to a loading fixture respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas H. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 8545113
    Abstract: A system for an ice merchandiser having a compressor in a compressor enclosure to cool the ice merchandiser includes a sensor disposed within the ice merchandiser, and a communications component disposed within the compressor enclosure and coupled to the sensor to receive signals from the sensor representative of the amount of ice in the ice merchandiser, wherein the communications component is configured to convert the received signals to a digital format and publish the signals via a network connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Spinnaker Process Instruments
    Inventors: Thomas H. Johnson, Carrol E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8328438
    Abstract: A system for an ice merchandiser having a compressor in a compressor enclosure to cool the ice merchandiser includes a sensor disposed within the ice merchandiser, and a communications component disposed within the compressor enclosure and coupled to the sensor to receive signals from the sensor representative of the amount of ice in the ice merchandiser, wherein the communications component is configured to convert the received signals to a digital format and publish the signals via a network connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Spinnaker Process Instruments
    Inventors: Thomas H. Johnson, Carrol E. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120227423
    Abstract: A system for an ice merchandiser having a compressor in a compressor enclosure to cool the ice merchandiser includes a sensor disposed within the ice merchandiser, and a communications component disposed within the compressor enclosure and coupled to the sensor to receive signals from the sensor representative of the amount of ice in the ice merchandiser, wherein the communications component is configured to convert the received signals to a digital format and publish the signals via a network connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Spinnaker Process Instruments
    Inventors: Thomas H. Johnson, Carrol E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8239757
    Abstract: A system and method for creating and modifying test data files. The system comprises a parse map editor and a test data file editor, wherein parse maps are created and edited in the parse map editor, wherein the system parses incoming data files based on the parse maps that are created in the parse map editor, wherein each incoming data file is matched to a parse map, wherein the parsed data files are sent to the test data file editor, and wherein the test data file editor allows a user to view and edit the parsed data files. The method comprises parsing an incoming data file with a parse map, creating and/or editing the parse map in a parse map editor, and viewing and/or editing the parsed data file in a test data file editor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Zoot Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Johnson, Peter A. Quinlan, Kevin R. Fletcher