Patents Examined by Randy W. Gibson
  • Patent number: 11758903
    Abstract: A moving wing waterfowl or migratory bird decoy including a decoy body constructed of a predetermined material with exterior ornamentation to simulate a live waterfowl or migratory bird, the decoy body being arranged in a predetermined orientation to simulate a waterfowl or migratory bird, the decoy body having a top and a bottom. The decoy has at least one decoy wing connected to the decoy body, the decoy wing being constructed and arranged to simulate the wing of a waterfowl or migratory bird. The decoy body is constructed and arranged of a particular plastic material to hyper-realistically resemble a waterfowl or migratory bird. The control and power module is plug and play software controllable. The decoy is mountable on a male type member post via a female type receptacle on the decoy body. The decoy has a biased stabilizer cord that also mimics the legs of the waterfowl or migratory bird.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Expedite International, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim Noe
  • Patent number: 11759043
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for estimating a state of an object to be heated based on sound which is generated when the object to be heated is heated, and providing the estimated information to other devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) environment through a 5G communication network. The heating apparatus may include a housing having a receiving space therein, a heating member disposed within the housing, a power supplier for supplying power to the heating member, a top plate disposed on the top of the housing to support the object to be heated, a sound sensor disposed on the bottom of the top plate, and a controller for predicting the state of the object to be heated by using a deep neural network model that has been trained through machine learning based on a sound signal received from the sound sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyo Jin An, Young Min Lee, Heung Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 11761813
    Abstract: A weighing system includes a support, a load cell mounted to the support, and a part platform suspended from the load cell to receive a part to be weighed. The load cell is operable to generate thousands of weight values for the part per second over a period of less than twenty seconds. The load cell is operable to output a weight of the part by averaging the weight values over the period of less than twenty seconds. A method of weighing the part suspended from the load cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Tetreault
  • Patent number: 11761815
    Abstract: A weight sensing cooler assembly includes a cooler that is comprised of a thermally insulating material for storing cooled beverages. A scale is movably integrated into the cooler for measuring the weight of the cooler. Moreover, the scale compares the weight of the cooler against a pre-determined baseline weight to determine the number of cooled beverages in the cooler. A display unit is coupled to the cooler wherein the display unit is configured to be visible to a user. The display unit is in electrical communication with the scale thereby facilitating the display unit to display a visual representation of the number of the cooled beverages in the cooler. In this way the display unit can communicate the number of cooled beverages to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Braxton Boyte, Jeff Wooden
  • Patent number: 11754434
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle mass estimator circuit. The vehicle mass estimator circuit is configurable to estimate a mass of vehicle during real-time operation of the vehicle without employing a scale or dedicated mass sensing system. The vehicle mass estimator circuit generates the vehicle mass Mv from: (1) an estimated torque or sensed torque, (2) an estimated motor angular velocity or sensed motor angular velocity, and (3) sensed acceleration or without any sensed acceleration. In one embodiment, the vehicle mass estimator circuit senses motor current during vehicle operation and estimates a mass of the vehicle using the motor current without any dedicated acceleration sensor such as an accelerometer. A motor angular velocity is estimated from the motor current. In another embodiment, the vehicle mass estimator circuit senses motor current during vehicle operation and estimates a mass of the vehicle using the motor current and acceleration information provided by an accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Motiv Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tai-Sik Hwang, Justin Tomlin, Elias Stein, James Michael Castelaz
  • Patent number: 11740121
    Abstract: A weight checker includes a transport unit, a weighing unit, a body, and a frame. The transport unit transports products under inspection. The weighing unit determines the weights of the products under inspection on the transport unit. The body has a screen relating to the weighing performed by the weighing unit. The frame anchors the transport unit and the weighing unit. The frame has rail members that extend in a transport direction of the transport unit. The body is independent of the transport unit and the weighing unit and is mounted to the rail members such that its position in the transport direction TD can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Emi Mizuno, Heinosuke Shiotani
  • Patent number: 11733085
    Abstract: Weigh-in-motion sensors comprise a beam including a plate with a load-bearing surface, and a tube portion including a base wall and a cover and defining a cavity therebetween. A sensing package is disposed within the cavity and is under pre-load with the cover and the base wall. The sensing package comprises a piezoelectric element. The base wall includes an aperture extending from a mounting surface to the cavity. The aperture includes a fastener therein to secure the sensing package within the cavity. The fastener is sized having a cross-section dimension taken through a center axis of the fastener that is greater than that of a cross-section dimension of the piezoelectric element taken along the fastener center axis. In an example, the fastener has a cross-section dimension sized about 10 percent or greater in dimension than that of the respective cross-section dimension of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH, MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES (CHINA) LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Pedrick, Shenghua Liu, Benxiang Wang, Ling Qiu, Zhong Luo, Weixing Fu
  • Patent number: 11732959
    Abstract: A refrigerator mirror weight monitor apparatus for weight loss assistance includes a frame and a plurality of mounting strips to selectively engage the frame with a refrigerator or pantry door. A mirror is coupled to the frame and a housing extends from the mirror to a frame top side. A display is coupled to the housing. A CPU is coupled within the housing and is in operational communication with the display. A memory, a receiver, and a battery are coupled within the housing and are in operational communication with the CPU. A sensor has a sensor housing, a weight monitor coupled within the sensor housing, and a transmitter coupled within the sensor housing. The transmitter is in operational communication with the weight monitor and in wireless communication with the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Edward Collins
  • Patent number: 11733086
    Abstract: In order to suppress the collection of articles that are different from those specified when collecting articles using an article transport vehicle from a plurality of accommodating portions that accommodate articles, an article transport vehicle (3) includes a control portion (15), and a weight detecting portion (18) that detects a total weight (W) of articles (B) supported by a support portion (12), wherein articles picked up from accommodating portions (1) are supported by the support portion (12). In a case in which an increased weight (?W), which is an increase in the total weight (W) when an article (B) is newly supported by the support portion (12), is out of a prescribed range (WL, WH) according to a weight (BW) of a target article, which is an article (B) that is to be picked up from the accommodating portion (1), the control portion (15) determines that the target article was not correctly picked up, and makes a notification giving error information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuharu Yoshinaga
  • Patent number: 11733084
    Abstract: An integrated high-precision weighing module has a shell, an electromagnetic force sensor, a printed circuit board (PCB), a weighing pan component, a support ring, and an air baffle ring. The electromagnetic force sensor and the PCB are mounted in the shell. A bearing head of the electromagnetic force sensor extends upward from an upper end portion of the shell. The support ring sheathes the bearing head. The weighing pan component is mounted on the bearing head, with the support ring located between the weighing pan component and the shell. The air baffle ring is disposed around the weighing pan component and located on the support ring. A first airflow channel is formed among the shell, the support ring, and the air baffle ring. At least part of airflow in the shell flows to the outside through the first airflow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: Mettler-Toledo (Changzhou) Precision Instruments Ltd., Mettler-Toledo (Changzhou) Measurement Technology Ltd., Mettler-Toledo International Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dandan Huang, Xiang Li, Ping Zhang, JinJie Cai
  • Patent number: 11725977
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a collection bin for a waste collection vehicle. The collection bin includes a weighing system with a processor for measuring the weight of material collected from each waste container and associating this weight with appropriate data, such as the owner of the waste container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventor: John Michael Curotto
  • Patent number: 11725978
    Abstract: A weigh platter assembly includes a weigh platter and a parallax based off-platter detection assembly having a light emission assembly, a light detection assembly, and a controller. The light emission assembly has a light source to emit a light beam along a lateral edge of the weigh platter. The light detection assembly detects at least a portion of the light beam reflected from an object extending across the light beam and includes a sensor offset from the light source and an aperture positioned in front of the sensor and configured to limit a field of view of the sensor along the lateral edge between proximal and distal edges of the weigh platter. The controller is configured to provide a first signal in response to a first value received from the sensor and to provide a second signal, different from the first signal, in response to a second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Barkan, Darran Michael Handshaw, Mark Drzymala
  • Patent number: 11719568
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) scale associated with a grain cart. The apparatus includes a real-time telemetry weight device operatively connected with the OEM scale. The apparatus is configured to allow for a parallel mode of operation which provides for simultaneous operation of the real-time telemetry weight device and the OEM scale without interference while using a same set of load cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Farmers Edge Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Lind, Ronald W. Osborne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11713996
    Abstract: Described is a folding portable luggage scale. The folding portable luggage scale includes multiple folding arms connected via hinges, multiple load sensors, and an electronics housing including electronic components and a digital display. Electrical wires connect each load sensor with the electronics housing. The folding portable luggage scale is compact and lightweight for storage in luggage during travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: WEIGH AHEAD, LLC
    Inventors: William Smith, Cameron Smith
  • Patent number: 11709092
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses an apparatus for online volumetrically detecting grain yield based on weight calibration comprising left volumetric granary, right volumetric granary and push board. The left volumetric granary is provided on its bottom with first weighing sensor, and in its side with unload grain port opening and first closing door, the right volumetric granary is provided on its bottom with second weighing sensor, and in its side with unload grain port opening and second closing door, the left volumetric granary and the right volumetric granary are provided on their tops with the push board, the push board is a hollow box structure with a top side and a bottom side both opened, and is slidably mounted to a top of the left volumetric granary and the right volumetric granary through a slide driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: NANJING AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jun Ni, Jinbo Yang, Yan Zhu, Weixing Cao, Xiaoping Jiang, Yongchao Tian
  • Patent number: 11709091
    Abstract: A method for remote monitoring of operating characteristics of a load cell is provided. The method includes receiving from a plurality of sensors, at a main unit, sensed data indicative of a plurality of operating characteristics of a load cell. The method continues by analyzing at a main unit the sensed data for statistical control and sending alerts to a remote computing device when sensed data of an operating characteristic is outside of a preset threshold. A system for carrying out the method is also provided. The system includes a main unit installed near a load cell, a first sub-unit coupled to a scale of the load cell in wired communication with the main unit, and at least one remote computing device in network communication with the main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Truthio, LLC
    Inventors: Eric McDonald, Benjamin Neeb, Saadman Bin Abdullah
  • Patent number: 11707338
    Abstract: A storage system includes at least one cabinet, a plurality of shelves adjustably positioned within the at least one cabinet, and a plurality of scales removably attached to at least one of the shelves, each of the scales including a load sensor. The storage system also includes a plurality of holders, each of the holders being configured to hold at least one container containing medical supplies, and each of the holders being supported by a respective one of the scales. The storage system also includes a receiver in operative communication with each of the load sensors. Each of the load sensors is configured to continuously measure a weight of the medical supplies contained in the respective at least one container held by the respective holder, and to communicate each detected weight to the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: PAR Excellence Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Grimsley, Thaddeus E. MacKrell
  • Patent number: 11698196
    Abstract: A ventilation hood system is provided. The ventilation hood system includes a hood body defining an interior through which cooking vapors are passable, a support system affixed to a fixed body and supportive of an entire weight of the hood body and a weight sensing system operably coupled to the support system to sense and monitor the entire weight of the hood body over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Carl Kjellman, Melissa B. Avila
  • Patent number: 11692865
    Abstract: A weighing system is mounted on a support, and the support is configured to support the weighing system. The weighing system includes a feeding mechanism, a conveying and transferring mechanism, pushing rods, a pushing mechanism, resetting mechanisms, a weighing mechanism, and a linkage follower mechanism. The feeding mechanism is arranged at a top portion of the support. The conveying and transferring mechanism is arranged below the feeding mechanism. The conveying and transferring mechanism includes a transferring wheel, a plurality of first channels, a plurality of sliding blocks, a plurality of first grooves and a guide base. The pushing mechanism is arranged on one side of the transferring wheel. The resetting mechanisms are configured to push the sliding blocks connected with the pushing rods to slide along the first channel towards an initial direction, and the weighing mechanism is arranged below the transferring wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI QUNTIN-TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weiqun Zhu, Hongbao Yang
  • Patent number: 11686608
    Abstract: A weight measuring device includes a top layer including a plurality of first flats and at least one bi-stable spring band. The plurality of first flats are connected to each other via the at least one bi-stable spring band. The weight measuring device further includes a bottom layer including a plurality second flats connected the plurality of first flats. The weight measuring device further includes at least one force sensor interposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The weight measuring device further includes a processor configured to determine a weight of an object placed on the top layer or the bottom layer based on signals generated from the at least one force sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel Palladino Hesslau