Patents by Inventor Andrew G. Butler
Andrew G. Butler 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).
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Patent number: 7170076Abstract: A tool operates with a guide system to identify the orientation of a tool on a work piece. In one implementation, the tool identifies its orientation with respect to a guide signal supplied by the guide system. In an alternate embodiment, the tool determines its absolute orientation, such as a (x, y) coordinate. The tool includes an action component adapted to alter the work piece, such as a cutting head in a router. A guide detector in the tool detects a position of a guide signal from the guide system. A location detector in the tool receives the position data and employs it to determine the tool's orientation. Based on the detected orientation, the tool decides whether any tool adjustments are necessary. Examples of tool adjustments include the following: adjusting the position of the action component, enabling or disabling the action component, and providing operating indicators to direct a tool operator's use of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Robotoolz LimitedInventors: Andrew G. Butler, Christopher A. Tacklind, Lance Reisman, Aragon Burlingham, Daniel T. Adams, Eugene F. Duval, William A. Scott, Rick Feffer, Jonathan Carver
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Patent number: 6878954Abstract: A tool is employed in conjunction with alignment, depth, and level detectors. The tool can use all or some of these detectors. The alignment detector provides an orthogonal laser line grid on an incident surface when the detector has a predefined relationship with the surface. The depth detector emits two sets of parallel laser planes that converge with each other. When the laser planes impact on an incident surface two sets of lines are formed. The laser lines from one laser plane set move closer to the lines from the other laser plane set as the depth detector moves closer to the surface—showing changes in depth or distance. The level detector employs two converging laser planes. An operator positions the level detector above an incident surface, so the laser planes' line of intersection appears on the surface if the surface is level. If the surface is not level, lines separate from each laser plane appear on the surface—signaling the need for a level adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Toolz, Ltd.Inventors: Andrew G. Butler, Christopher A. Tacklind, Lance Reisman, Aragon Burlingham, Daniel T. Adams, Eugene F. Duval, William A. Scott, Rick Feffer, Jonathan Carver
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Patent number: 6741343Abstract: A laser leveling system includes an angle measurement device for determining the position of a laser level relative to a base. The system further includes a mechanism for determining the distance from the laser level to a target.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Toolz, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Shafer, Andrew G. Butler, William R. Burnett
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Publication number: 20040085646Abstract: A multi-beam tool is disclosed which can perform square, plumb, and level function which may be required in a construction environment. The tool can generate in a preferred embodiment up to five orthogonal beams with two beams being plumb and three beams being leveled. Combinations of two level beams, or a level and a plumb beam in orthogonal arrangement can produce a square alignment set of beams. The tool includes in a preferred arrangement a self-leveling pendulum to which a laser and quad-mirror arrangement is secured. The self-leveling pendulum is dampened in order to allow the tool to settle down and provide alignment after the tool is positioned as desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Christopher A. Tacklind, William F. Carlsen, Eugene F. Duval, Andrew G. Butler, Thomas Zimmerman
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Patent number: 6657788Abstract: A multi-beam tool is disclosed which can perform square, plumb, and level function which may be required in a construction environment. The tool can generate in a preferred embodiment up to five orthogonal beams with two beams being plumb and three beams being leveled. Combinations of two level beams, or a level and a plumb beam in orthogonal arrangement can produce a square alignment set of beams. The tool includes in a preferred arrangement a self-leveling pendulum to which a laser and quad-mirror arrangement is secured. The self-leveling pendulum is dampened in order to allow the tool to settle down and provide alignment after the tool is positioned as desired.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Toolz, Ltd.Inventors: Christopher A. Tacklind, William F. Carlsen, Jr., Eugene F. Duval, Andrew G. Butler, Thomas Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20030137741Abstract: A multi-beam tool is disclosed which can perform square, plumb, and level function which may be required in a construction environment. The tool can generate in a preferred embodiment up to five orthogonal beams with two beams being plumb and three beams being leveled. Combinations of two level beams, or a level and a plumb beam in orthogonal arrangement can produce a square alignment set of beams. The tool includes in a preferred arrangement a self-leveling pendulum to which a laser and quad-mirror arrangement is secured. The self-leveling pendulum is dampened in order to allow the tool to settle down and provide alignment after the tool is positioned as desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2003Publication date: July 24, 2003Inventors: Christopher A. Tacklind, William F. Carlsen, Eugene F. Duval, Andrew G. Butler, Thomas Zimmerman
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Patent number: 6542304Abstract: A multi-beam tool is disclosed which can perform square, plumb, and level function which may be required in a construction environment. The tool can generate in a preferred embodiment up to five orthogonal beams with two beams being plumb and three beams being leveled. Combinations of two level beams, or a level and a plumb beam in orthogonal arrangement can produce a square alignment set of beams. The tool includes in a preferred arrangement a self-leveling pendulum to which a laser and quad-mirror arrangement is secured. The self-leveling pendulum is damped in order to allow the tool to settle down and provide alignment after the tool is positioned as desired. The quad-mirror, the magnetic damping, and the coiled wire allowing power to be provided to the laser assembly, each separately, and also in combination, provide for a compact tool.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Toolz, Ltd.Inventors: Christopher A. Tacklind, William F. Carlsen, Jr., Eugene F. Duval, Andrew G. Butler, Thomas Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20030000355Abstract: A tool operates with a guide system to identify the orientation of a tool on a work piece. In one implementation, the tool identifies its orientation with respect to a guide signal supplied by the guide system. In an alternate embodiment, the tool determines its absolute orientation, such as a (x, y) coordinate. The tool includes an action component adapted to alter the work piece, such as a cutting head in a router. A guide detector in the tool detects a position of a guide signal from the guide system. A location detector in the tool receives the position data and employs it to determine the tool's orientation. Based on the detected orientation, the tool decides whether any tool adjustments are necessary. Examples of tool adjustments include the following: adjusting the position of the action component, enabling or disabling the action component, and providing operating indicators to direct a tool operator's use of the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Andrew G. Butler, Christopher A. Tacklind, Lance Reisman, Aragon Burlingham, Daniel T. Adams, Eugene F. Duval, William A. Scott, Rick Feffer, Jonathan Carver
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Publication number: 20020186365Abstract: A laser leveling system includes an angle measurement device for determining the position of a laser level relative to a base. The system further includes a mechanism for determining the distance from the laser level to a target.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: David C. Shafer, Andrew G. Butler, William R. Burnett
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Publication number: 20020162978Abstract: A tool is employed in conjunction with alignment, depth, and level detectors. The tool can use all or some of these detectors. The alignment detector provides an orthogonal laser line grid on an incident surface when the detector has a predefined relationship with the surface. The depth detector emits two sets of parallel laser planes that converge with each other. When the laser planes impact on an incident surface two sets of lines are formed. The laser lines from one laser plane set move closer to the lines from the other laser plane set as the depth detector moves closer to the surface—showing changes in depth or distance. The level detector employs two converging laser planes. An operator positions the level detector above an incident surface, so the laser planes' line of intersection appears on the surface if the surface is level. If the surface is not level, lines separate from each laser plane appear on the surface—signaling the need for a level adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2002Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: Andrew G. Butler, Christopher A. Tacklind, Lance Reisman, Aragon Burlingham, Daniel T. Adams, Eugene F. Duval, William A. Scott, Rick Feffer, Jonathan Carver
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Patent number: 6459483Abstract: A laser leveling system includes an angle measurement device for determining the position of a laser level relative to a base. The system further includes a mechanism for determining the distance from the laser level to a target.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1999Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Toolz, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Shafer, Andrew G. Butler, William R. Burnett
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Publication number: 20020054433Abstract: A multi-beam tool is disclosed which can perform square, plumb, and level function which may be required in a construction environment. The tool can generate in a preferred embodiment up to five orthogonal beams with two beams being plumb and three beams being leveled. Combinations of two level beams, or a level and a plumb beam in orthogonal arrangement can produce a square alignment set of beams. The tool includes in a preferred arrangement a self-leveling pendulum to which a laser and quad-mirror arrangement is secured. The self-leveling pendulum is damped in order to allow the tool to settle down and provide alignment after the tool is positioned as desired. The quadmirror, the magnetic damping, and the coiled wire allowing power to be provided to the laser assembly, each separately, and also in combination, provide for a compact tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2000Publication date: May 9, 2002Applicant: Toolz, Ltd.Inventors: Christopher A. Tacklind , William F. Carlsen , Darren Chin-Ho Kim , Eugene F. Duval , Andrew G. Butler , Thomas Zimmerman
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Patent number: 5903345Abstract: A remotely controlled adjustable height support stand 200 for positioning the laser scanner 50 vertically as well as a remote control for adjusting the height and/or angular position of the laser scanner 50 is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignees: DWBH Ventures Ltd., c/o Ernst & YoungInventors: Andrew G. Butler, Eugene F. Duval, Daniel T. Adams
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Patent number: 5720112Abstract: A plumb bob includes an asymmetrical device 22 and the bob weight 20. The asymmetrical device 22 includes a plug 20 which can be received in a cavity 24 of the bob weight 20. Appropriate material such as solder or an adhesive is selected for securing the asymmetric device 22 and the bob weight 20 in a manner that causes the center of gravity of the asymmetric device 22 to be aligned with that of the bob weight 20.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1995Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: DWBH Ventures Ltd.Inventors: Daniel T. Adams, John Littleboy, Andrew G. Butler
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Patent number: 5680208Abstract: A laser scanner 50 includes a laser 76 affixed to a pendulum 66 with a damper 80 for damping the movement of the pendulum 66. The laser scanner 50 is controllable through a remote control 62 for positioning the laser beam as desired. Both horizontal and vertical laser beams can be projected in order to orient the laser scanner 50 with respect to gravity and simultaneously elevation.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1996Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: DWBH Ventures Ltd.Inventors: Andrew G. Butler, Eugene F. Duval, Gregory L. Richards, Mitchell C. Barham, Daniel T. Adams, William A. Scott, David C. Shafer
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Patent number: 5335190Abstract: An inclinometer 300 includes a sensing unit 302 for providing a signal dependent on the orientation of the inclinometer 300. The inclinometer 300 includes a rescaling unit 322 which improves the performance of the inclinometer providing additional compensation for any change in the sensor 302 over time and temperature. The inclinometer 300 further includes an angle offset function 91, 360 which provides a permanent angle offset to any angle determined by the inclinometer.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1992Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Wedge Innovations IncorporatedInventors: Robert E. Nagle, Andrew G. Butler
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Patent number: 5134780Abstract: An inclinometer 20 includes a module 22 which is mounted to a rail 32. The rail 32 has a hollow I-shaped cross-section which affords substantial resistance to torsional and bending loads about the longitudinal axis 34 of the inclinometer 20. The rail 32 and in particular a first end 36 of the I-shaped cross-section includes first and second curves 48, 50 which define lobes which provide a rail design more suitable for gripping and placement by the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1991Date of Patent: August 4, 1992Assignee: Wedge Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Andrew G. Butler, Edwin A. Seipp, III, Kevin J. Reeder, Blake R. Wharton, Brian J. Bayley, Jay Wilson
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Patent number: 4912662Abstract: An inclinometer 20 has a sensing unit 40 for providing a varying capacitance signal depending on the orientation of the inclinometer 20. An oscillator circuit unit 82 includes the sensor unit 40 as a capacitive element for providing a signal having a period and a frequency depending on the capacitance of the sensor unit 40. A unit 92 is provided for determining the period of the signal. A look-up table unit 96 stores a predetermined relationship between the period of the signal and the angle of orientation of the inclinometer 20. A comparison unit 94 then compares the period of the signal to the period stored in the look-up table unit 96 and selects the corresponding angle which is the angle of orientation of the inclinometer 20. The angle is then displayed on the inclinometer display 25.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1987Date of Patent: March 27, 1990Assignee: Wedge Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Andrew G. Butler, Donald G. Green, Robert E. Nagle
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Patent number: D308644Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1987Date of Patent: June 19, 1990Assignee: Wedge InnovationsInventors: Andrew G. Butler, Ronald Wisnia