Patents by Inventor Bruce W. Kavanagh

Bruce W. Kavanagh 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).

  • Method and apparatus for ensuring proper use of an indication device within an assembly line
    Patent number: 6046677
    Abstract: The present invention warns an operator of failure to properly use an indication device within an assembly line for producing articles of manufacture. The present invention includes a detector, coupled to the indication device, for detecting application of the indication device to a work piece within the assembly line. In addition, the present invention includes a timer, coupled to the detector, for timing a measured time period from a first time point when a prior application of the indication device to a first work piece is detected within the assembly line. The present invention further includes a warning unit, coupled to the timer, for generating an alarm signal if the measured time period is greater than a predetermined time period and if a subsequent application of the indication device to a second work piece has not been detected within the measured time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Honda of America Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce W. Kavanagh