Patents Represented by Attorney Mark E. Brown
  • Patent number: 7562903
    Abstract: A personal ability vehicle (PMV) includes a frame with front and rear subframes. A steering mechanism is mounted on the front subframe and includes a steering front wheel connected to a tiller. The rear subframe includes a suspension mount comprising a pair of rear support legs. An anti-tip suspension includes a pair of trailing arms each mounting a trailing wheel. Each trailing arm is pivotally mounted on a respective support leg whereby the suspension is inevitable through a limited range of motion about a transverse suspension pivotal axis. A pair of spring assemblies are attached to the trailing arms and are adapted for selectively engaging the support legs to provide a counter-rotational torque force around the suspension pivotal axis in order to resist backwards tipping of the PMV, for example, when it is ascending an inclined sloping surface. Relatively uniform proportional, weight distribution on said steering front, main and trailing wheels is maintained throughout a range of loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Burke, Inc.
    Inventors: DuWayne E. Kramer, Jr., Brian W. Mellies
  • Patent number: 7460942
    Abstract: A soil cultivating apparatus including a tractor towing a row cultivator by means of a three-point linkage. The row cultivator includes a fixed portion and a moveable portion having soil scarifying tools. The movable portion is laterally moveable relative to the fixed portion by means of linkages and is effected by a hydraulic actuator under control of tool bar control systems which is able to determine the position of the moveable portion relative to the fixed portion by means of a sensor. Mounted upon the moveable potion is a DGPS antenna GPS receiver that forms part of the control system. The control system has a microprocessor which operatively executes a stored program. The microprocessor receives data from an intra-rig sensor and from the GPS receiver specifying the absolute coordinate of the movable portion relative to the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hemisphere GPS LLC
    Inventor: Robert Lindsay Mailer
  • Patent number: 7434539
    Abstract: A waste disposal system includes a receptacle with a base adapted to receive a waste tray assembly on a top panel thereof. The top panel includes an inlet drain opening. A discharge drain is provided in the receptacle base. The waste tray assembly can include natural or artificial turf, and is removable from the top panel. A cover can be mounted on the receptacle base and can be movable between open and closed positions. Alternatively, a lid can be provided for removably mounting on the receptacle base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Epic Pets Incorporated
    Inventor: Theodore R. Gloor
  • Patent number: 7429952
    Abstract: A multilayer antenna structure configured to receive Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and augmentation signals. The antenna includes a microstrip patch radiation element disposed at a top layer and a ground plane forming a first interior layer, the ground plane including at least two coupling apertures, and the ground plane isolated from said radiation element by a low loss dielectric. The antenna structure also includes a bottom layer, the bottom layer is isolated from the ground plane by another dielectric; at least two feed lines operably connected to a hybrid coupler disposed on the bottom layer; and an active circuit on the bottom layer, a first port of said active circuit operably connected to the hybrid coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Hemisphere GPS Inc.
    Inventor: Jia Sun
  • Patent number: 7400294
    Abstract: A method and system for local computation of information to improve accuracy in a differential Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The method comprising: determining a current location of a reference receiver; comparing the current location with at least one stored location; if a resultant of the comparing is less than a selected threshold, identifying as a reference location the at least one stored location, which is closest to the current location; otherwise establishing the current location as the reference location and storing the current location. The method also includes computing the information from signals from one or more GNSS satellites the based on the reference location; and transmitting the information for reception by one or more remote receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hemisphere GPS Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Whitehead, John McClure
  • Patent number: 7400956
    Abstract: A sensor system for vehicle steering control comprising: a plurality of global navigation satellite sensor systems (GNSS) including receivers and antennas at a fixed spacing to determine a vehicle position, velocity and at least one of a heading angle, a pitch angle and a roll angle based on carrier phase corrected real time kinematic (RTK) position differences. The roll angle facilitates correction of the lateral motion induced position errors resultant from motion of the antennae as the vehicle moves based on an offset to ground and the roll angle. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the vehicle position, heading, and at least one of roll and pitch, and configured to generate a steering command to a vehicle steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hemisphere GPS Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Feller, Michael L. Whitehead, John A. McClure
  • Patent number: 7396047
    Abstract: A ride-on turf mowing machine rollover protection assembly consisting of a mower chassis having left and right main rails and having a plurality of cross rails spanning between the left and right main rails; left and right upwardly opening quills; a first plurality of welds rigidly interconnecting the left main rail and the left upwardly opening quill; a second plurality of welds rigidly interconnecting the right main rail and the right upwardly opening quill; a roll bar having left and right legs, each leg having a lower end, the lower ends of the left and right legs being respectively closely fitted for nesting extension into the left and right upwardly opening quills; and a plurality of helically threaded bolt, nut, and double shear eye combinations removably mounting the lower ends of the left and right legs of the roll bar within the left and right upwardly opening quills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Femco, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick K. Young
  • Patent number: 7388539
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) carrier tracking loop ambiguities comprising: receiving a plurality of GNSS satellite signals with a first antenna in operable communication with a first tracking device and a second antenna in communication with a second tracking device in at least one GNSS receiver; and sharing of data between the first tracking device and the second tracking device. The sharing is configured to facilitate a commonality in a carrier phase derived in the first and second tracking devices. The sharing also results in a cancellation of the commonality when a difference phase is formed between a carrier phase from the first tracking device and a carrier phase from the second tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Hemisphere GPS Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Whitehead, Cary Davis
  • Patent number: 7337950
    Abstract: A transaction workflow and data collection system including the steps of configuring multiple user profiles and system-wide loan data policies, process the loan transaction using a workflow system during which loan data is collected and validated using the system-wide loan data policies and communicating the validated loan transaction data to third-party systems. This Abstract is provided only for searching purposes as required by the U.S.P.T.O., and is not intended to narrow the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventor: Ricky W. DeVault
  • Patent number: 7326217
    Abstract: A system for removing osteal cement and prosthetic joint components in connection with a prosthetic joint revision includes a controller connected to and controlling operation of a transducer, such as a surgical saw or drill. A tool mounted on the transducer is adapted for engaging the prosthetic joint cement mantel and melting an engagement portion of same. The cement in the engagement portion is resolidified with the tool tip embedded therein. The tool thus bonds to the cement mantel, and is used for vibrating, softening and breaking up same when operation of the transducer resumes. An osteal cement and prosthetic device removal method includes the steps of melting an engagement portion of the osteal cement mantel, bonding a transducer-mounted tool to the cement mantel by resolidifying the cement engagement portion and reactivating the transducer for vibrating, softening and breaking up the cement mantel whereby it can be removed from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen K. Bubb
  • Patent number: 7325344
    Abstract: An apparatus for impact insertion in and extraction from the ground includes a core with an upper section adapted for mounting a device, such as a sign, and a lower section with a pointed lower end. A reduced-diameter guide shaft extends between the upper and lower sections. An impact sleeve assembly includes a hollow tube and impact collar fixedly mounted therein. The core is reciprocally received in the sleeve with the impact collar adapted for sliding on the guide shaft between the core upper and lower sections for impacting same on extraction and insertion strokes respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Roger G. Eaton
  • Patent number: 7292185
    Abstract: A method and system for determining at least one attitude angle of a rigid body. The method comprising: receiving a plurality of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite signals with a plurality of antennas; establishing at least one pair of antennas such that each antenna of the plurality of antennas is included in at least one antenna pair; computing single- or double-difference phases corresponding to one or more GNSS satellites for each of the pairs of antennas; and constructing a single Differential Carrier Phase Attitude (DCPA) equation based on known geometry constraints of each of the pairs of antennas. The method also includes determining a solution for the DCPA equation based on a cost function, the solution yielding at least one integer ambiguity value and the at least one attitude angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: CSI Wireless Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Whitehead, Cary Davis, Dale R. Scott
  • Patent number: 7292186
    Abstract: A method and system of synchronizing multiple tracking devices in a geo-location receiver system comprising: receiving a first plurality of geo-location signals with a first tracking device; and receiving a second plurality of geo-location signals with a second tracking device. The method also includes: enabling the first tracking device as either a master tracking device or a master-with-mark tracking device; enabling the second tracking device to operate as a slave tracking device; the master tracking device generates and transmits a timing signal to the slave tracking device; and the master-with-mark tracking device is configured to receive an external input for synchronization and generates and transmits a timing signal to the slave tracking device. The method also includes acquiring the first plurality of geo-location signals and the second plurality of geo-location signals at a substantially simultaneous instant of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: CSI Wireless Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Miller, Bradley P. Badke, Michael L. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 7264134
    Abstract: An improved combination holder and coaster apparatus for receiving a container or vessel which includes first and second thermally insulative, flexible panels joined together by a joint comprised of a stretchable, flexible, adhesive material adapted to return the device to a collapsed coaster configuration. While in receipt of the vessel or container, the device is adapted to an elliptical holder configuration in which the panels are separated by a projected dihedral angle generally between approximately 0 degrees through approximately 180 degrees allowing the elliptical holder to receive the vessel or container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: David W. Tulp
  • Patent number: 7246969
    Abstract: A storm drain inlet for a below-grade collection box including front, rear and side walls and a top. The inlet includes a pair of side columns, which connect to the collection box side walls. An upper crosspiece extends between the side columns and is attached to the collection box top. A lower crosspiece comprising a back plate extends between the side walls and provides a form for the rear edge of a concrete apron poured in front of the collection box. The side columns, upper crosspiece and concrete apron define an inlet throat open to the collection box interior. A roadway or parking lot structure can include curbs, which can be poured adjacent to the collection box into proximity with the inlet side columns. The curbs are preferably not rigidly connected to the inlet in order to accommodate relative movement therebetween. The inlet can be adapted for both poured-in-place and precast collection boxes. It can be scaled to accommodate various widths and heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Carl E. Orser
  • Patent number: D548064
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Willard S. Norton
  • Patent number: D553028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Melvin W. Sumner
  • Patent number: D561522
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Antoinette Gordon
  • Patent number: D574494
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Lydia P. Schmitt
  • Patent number: D580543
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Dale J. Crook