Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Congdon
Thomas W. Congdon 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: 20210229938Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of tilt hoists and lumber unstacking systems with a rotation table, a tier alignment system, or both. The rotation table may include a base and a tilt frame supported on the base. The tier alignment system may include an alignment beam and an actuator operable to raise and lower one end of the alignment beam relative to the opposite end to thereby adjust the lateral slope of the spill edge. Optionally, a control system may include distance sensors to detect tiers of lumber as they approach the spill edge and a computer system configured to determine a difference between the lateral slope of the tier and the lateral slope of the spill edge. The computer system may also be configured to automatically adjust the slope of the spill edge to match the slope of the tier before the tier is spilled over the spill edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Darren Hove, Larry Petryshen, Kenneth Neil Stokes, Thomas W. Congdon
-
Publication number: 20200130960Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of tilt hoists and lumber unstacking systems with a rotation table, a tier alignment system, or both. The rotation table may include a base and a tilt frame supported on the base. The tier alignment system may include an alignment beam and an actuator operable to raise and lower one end of the alignment beam relative to the opposite end to thereby adjust the lateral slope of the spill edge. Optionally, a control system may include distance sensors to detect tiers of lumber as they approach the spill edge and a computer system configured to determine a difference between the lateral slope of the tier and the lateral slope of the spill edge. The computer system may also be configured to automatically adjust the slope of the spill edge to match the slope of the tier before the tier is spilled over the spill edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Darren Hove, Larry Petryshen, Kenneth Neil Stokes, Thomas W. Congdon
-
Publication number: 20190291295Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Geoffrey D.H. Wight, Thomas W. Congdon, Tim Staal
-
Patent number: 10357894Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: USNR, LLCInventors: Geoffrey D. H. Wight, Thomas W. Congdon, Tim Staal
-
Publication number: 20170157792Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Geoffrey D.H. Wight, Thomas W. Congdon, Tim Staal
-
Patent number: 9573770Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: USNR, LLC.Inventors: Geoffrey D. H. Wight, Thomas W. Congdon, Tim Staal
-
Publication number: 20140209433Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D.H. Wight, Thomas W. Congdon, Tim Staal
-
Patent number: 8714341Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. H. Wight, Thomas W. Congdon, Tim Staal
-
Publication number: 20130277173Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Geoffrey D.H. Wight, Thomas W. Congdon, Tim Staal
-
Patent number: 8490777Abstract: Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. H. Wight, Thomas W. Congdon, Tim Staal
-
Patent number: 6187146Abstract: A mounting system for removably mounting a sensor array adjacent the wire of a papermaking machine. The mounting system comprises an elongate base member formed with a tongue or groove with a corresponding interlocking groove or tongue formed on the sensor array adapted to be slidably received and retained by the elongate base member. The tongue and groove are dimensioned to permit relative movement of the sensor array with respect to the base member. An inflatable bladder is housed between the elongate base member and the sensor array and the bladder is adapted to be inflated to move the tongue and groove into a locked position to fix the position of the sensor array with respect to the elongate base member. This arrangement allows for easy and efficient removal of the sensor array when the bladder is unpressurized while providing reliable clamping when the bladder is inflated.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Honeywell Measurex Devron Inc.Inventors: Thomas W. Congdon, Mark A. Taylor