Patents by Inventor Carl Flatman
Carl Flatman 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: 11829056Abstract: Embodiments provide grade annunciator systems that allow a lumber workpiece traveling in a workflow path to be labeled with a projected image that conveys information about the grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. In some embodiments, the system includes a conveyor configured to convey lumber workpieces in a workflow path, and a projector or series of projectors configured to project an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece, wherein the image or symbol indicates grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. Other embodiments are methods of labeling a lumber workpiece in a workflow path, the methods includes conveying the lumber workpiece along the workflow path, and projecting an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece as it is conveyed along the workflow path.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: USNR, LLCInventors: Christopher W. Blomquist, Carl Flatman, Carl Wahlstrom, Mike O'Heron, Nick Sunder
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Publication number: 20210072627Abstract: Embodiments provide grade annunciator systems that allow a lumber workpiece traveling in a workflow path to be labeled with a projected image that conveys information about the grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. In some embodiments, the system includes a conveyor configured to convey lumber workpieces in a workflow path, and a projector or series of projectors configured to project an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece, wherein the image or symbol indicates grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. Other embodiments are methods of labeling a lumber workpiece in a workflow path, the methods includes conveying the lumber workpiece along the workflow path, and projecting an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece as it is conveyed along the workflow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Christopher W. BLOMQUIST, Carl FLATMAN, Carl WAHLSTROM, Mike O'HERON, Nick SUNDER
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Patent number: 10845682Abstract: Embodiments provide grade annunciator systems that allow a lumber workpiece traveling in a workflow path to be labeled with a projected image that conveys information about the grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. In some embodiments, the system includes a conveyor configured to convey lumber workpieces in a workflow path, and a projector or series of projectors configured to project an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece, wherein the image or symbol indicates grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. Other embodiments are methods of labeling a lumber workpiece in a workflow path, the methods includes conveying the lumber workpiece along the workflow path, and projecting an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece as it is conveyed along the workflow path.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: USNR, LLCInventors: Christopher W. Blomquist, Carl Flatman, Carl Wahlstrom, Mike O'Heron, Nick Sunder
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Publication number: 20180107101Abstract: Embodiments provide grade annunciator systems that allow a lumber workpiece traveling in a workflow path to be labeled with a projected image that conveys information about the grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. In some embodiments, the system includes a conveyor configured to convey lumber workpieces in a workflow path, and a projector or series of projectors configured to project an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece, wherein the image or symbol indicates grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. Other embodiments are methods of labeling a lumber workpiece in a workflow path, the methods includes conveying the lumber workpiece along the workflow path, and projecting an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece as it is conveyed along the workflow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Christopher W. Blomquist, Carl Flatman, Carl Wahlstrom, Mike O'Heron, Nick Sunder
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Patent number: 9874803Abstract: Embodiments provide grade annunciator systems that allow a lumber workpiece traveling in a workflow path to be to be labeled with a projected image that conveys information about the grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. In some embodiments, the system includes a conveyor configured to convey lumber workpieces in a workflow path, and a projector or series of projectors configured to project an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece, wherein the image or symbol indicates grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. Other embodiments are methods of labeling a lumber workpiece in a workflow path, the methods includes conveying the lumber workpiece along the workflow path, and projecting an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece as it is conveyed along the workflow path.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: USNR, LLCInventors: Christopher W. Blomquist, Carl Flatman, Carl Wahlstrom, Mike O'Heron, Nick Sunder
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Publication number: 20140104579Abstract: Embodiments provide grade annunciator systems that allow a lumber workpiece traveling in a workflow path to be to be labeled with a projected image that conveys information about the grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. In some embodiments, the system includes a conveyor configured to convey lumber workpieces in a workflow path, and a projector or series of projectors configured to project an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece, wherein the image or symbol indicates grade, a cut line, and/or the location of a defect in the workpiece. Other embodiments are methods of labeling a lumber workpiece in a workflow path, the methods includes conveying the lumber workpiece along the workflow path, and projecting an image or symbol onto a surface of the workpiece as it is conveyed along the workflow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Blomquist, Carl Flatman, Carl Wahlstrom, Mike O'Heron, Nick Sunder
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Publication number: 20110255927Abstract: A drill saw includes a motor, a drive shaft rotationally driven by the motor for rotation of the drive shaft about a corresponding drive axis, a transmission cooperating with the drive shaft to convert the rotation of the drive shaft to a driven output. The transmission includes a shuttle member having first and second gears. The shuttle member is slidably mounted for translation between first and second positions. A rotary motion-to-linearly reciprocating, motion converter operatively cooperates with the first gear when the shuttle member is in the first position so that a first driven output drives an output shaft reciprocatingly and linearly along an output axis. A rotary motion-to-rotary motion coupler operatively cooperates with the second gear when the shuttle member is in the second position so that a second driven output drives the output shaft rotationally about the output axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Michael Boudreau, Carl Flatman, David Marak, Troy Karius
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Patent number: 7857021Abstract: A system for positioning a workpiece in an optimized position. In one embodiment a marking device places a mark on the workpiece prior to the workpiece passing through a scanner cooperating with an optimizer. The optimizer determines the optimized position of the workpiece. The orientation of the workpiece is identified by a first camera. The mark may be used as a point of reference such that the workpiece may be positioned in the optimized position by rotating the workpiece relative to the orientation of the mark. A turning mechanism rotates the workpiece to position it in the optimized position. A further camera identifies the orientation of the mark while the workpiece is being rotated. A processor compares in real time the orientation of the workpiece with the optimized position to determine if the workpiece is in the optimized position.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar CompanyInventors: Murray Boyd, Sandy Webster, Roland Davyduke, Ronald H. Pobuda, Carl Flatman, Rory M. Mitchell
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Patent number: 7751612Abstract: An occlusionless scanner for sequentially scanning a series of workpieces translating in a downstream flow direction wherein the workpieces flow sequentially to the scanner on an infeed conveyor and sequentially from the scanner on an outfeed conveyor and across an interface between the infeed conveyors and the outfeed conveyors wherein scanner cameras are mounted so as to not interfere with one another nor to interfere with the conveyors to provide for the gathering of individual partial images of the workpiece by the individual scanner cameras so as to allow a processor to assemble a collective image of the partial images.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar CompanyInventors: Lyle Baker, Carl Flatman
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Patent number: 7680304Abstract: A method of non-destructive testing of a wood piece using a multiplicity of sensors. The method may include the steps of sensing the wood piece; collecting information from the sensors; and integrating the information into a physical model providing for strength and stiffness prediction. The collected information relate to material characteristics of the wood piece and to fiber quality characteristics of the wood piece. The material characteristics may include one or more of the following material characteristics of the wood piece: growth ring thickness; grain angle deviation; clear wood density; knot location; knot density; knot type; knot size; location in the tree from which the wood piece was cut.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR CompanyInventors: Jacek M. Biernacki, Carl Flatman, Ron Lahoda, Steve Woods
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Publication number: 20080085047Abstract: An occlusionless scanner for sequentially scanning a series of workpieces translating in a downstream flow direction wherein the workpieces flow sequentially to the scanner on an infeed conveyor and sequentially from the scanner on an outfeed conveyor and across an interface between the infeed conveyors and the outfeed conveyors wherein scanner cameras are mounted so as to not interfere with one another nor to interfere with the conveyors to provide for the gathering of individual partial images of the workpiece by the individual scanner cameras so as to allow a processor to assemble a collective image of the partial images.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2006Publication date: April 10, 2008Inventors: Lyle Baker, Carl Flatman
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Patent number: 7149633Abstract: A method of estimating the displaced size of a knot in a lumber piece includes the steps of: translating the lumber piece downstream along a flow path between a radiation source and sensor while simultaneously irradiating the lumber piece with radiation from the first radiation source whereby the radiation is attenuated by the lumber piece; collecting a set of radiation intensity data from the radiation sensor as the lumber piece is irradiated; processing the set of radiation intensity data to sum the radiation intensity data and to provide radiation intensity profiles transversely of the flow path direction and corresponding density profiles transversely of the flow path direction; mapping the density profiles to model a set of three dimensional density profiles of the lumber piece; processing the radiation intensity data to determine a clear wood density threshold value for the lumber piece and a maximum density value of the density profiles; and, computing a ratio of the summed density profile values to thType: GrantFiled: February 22, 2005Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Coe Newnes/McGettee Inc.Inventors: Steve Woods, Ron Lahoda, Jacek M. Biernacki, Carl Flatman
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Publication number: 20060048853Abstract: A system for positioning a workpiece in an optimized position. In one embodiment a marking device places a mark on the workpiece prior to the workpiece passing through a scanner cooperating with an optimizer. The optimizer determines the optimized position of the workpiece. The orientation of the workpiece is identified by a first camera. The mark may be used as a point of reference such that the workpiece may be positioned in the optimized position by rotating the workpiece relative to the orientation of the mark. A turning mechanism rotates the workpiece to position it in the optimized position. A further camera identifies the orientation of the mark while the workpiece is being rotated. A processor compares in real time the orientation of the workpiece with the optimized position to determine if the workpiece is in the optimized position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: March 9, 2006Inventors: Murray Boyd, Sandy Webster, Roland Davyduke, Ronald Pobuda, Carl Flatman, Rory Mitchell
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Publication number: 20050190958Abstract: A method of estimating the displaced size of a knot in a lumber piece includes the steps of: translating the lumber piece downstream along a flow path between a radiation source and sensor while simultaneously irradiating the lumber piece with radiation from the first radiation source whereby the radiation is attenuated by the lumber piece; collecting a set of radiation intensity data from the radiation sensor as the lumber piece is irradiated; processing the set of radiation intensity data to sum the radiation intensity data and to provide radiation intensity profiles transversely of the flow path direction and corresponding density profiles transversely of the flow path direction; mapping the density profiles to model a set of three dimensional density profiles of the lumber piece; processing the radiation intensity data to determine a clear wood density threshold value for the lumber piece and a maximum density value of the density profiles; and, computing a ratio of the summed density profile values to thType: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Inventors: Steve Woods, Ron Lahoda, Jacek Biernacki, Carl Flatman
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Publication number: 20050031158Abstract: A method of non-destructive testing of a wood piece using a multiplicity of sensors. The method may include the steps of sensing the wood piece; collecting information from the sensors; and integrating the information into a physical model providing for strength and stiffness prediction. The collected information relate to material characteristics of the wood piece and to fiber quality characteristics of the wood piece. The material characteristics may include one or more of the following material characteristics of the wood piece: growth ring thickness; grain angle deviation; clear wood density; knot location; knot density; knot type; knot size; location in the tree from which the wood piece was cut.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: Jacek Biernacki, Carl Flatman, Ron Lahoda, Steve Woods