Patents by Inventor Chad Thomas

Chad Thomas 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).

  • Publication number: 20240122463
    Abstract: Various apparatuses are disclosed (e.g., system, device, method, or the like) for guiding the capture and assessing the quality of an image, including dental images. The apparatuses may use trained neural networks to examine images and provide users feedback regarding image quality. The neural networks may be trained based on images within image groups that have been ranked based on perceived image quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Guotu LI, Chao SHI, Chad Clayton BROWN, Christopher E. CRAMER, Phillip Thomas HARRIS, Adam SILL, Will NEVILLE, Ritvik BANSAL
  • Patent number: 11962892
    Abstract: A method of dental treatment may include receiving photos of a person's dentition, identifying a stage of a treatment plan administered to the person's dentition, gathering a three-dimensional (3D) model of the person's dentition corresponding to the stage of the treatment plan, projecting attributes of the 3D model of the person's dentition onto an image plane to get a projected representation of the person's dentition at the stage of the treatment plan, comparing the photos to the projected representation to derive an error image representing the comparison, and analyzing the error image for discrepancies, wherein the discrepancies represent one or more deviations of the person's dentition from the stage of the treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cramer, Rajiv Venkata, Leela Parvathaneni, Phillip Thomas Harris, Sravani Gurijala, Svetozar Hubenov, Sebastien Hareng, Guotu Li, Yun Gao, Chad Clayton Brown
  • Patent number: 11949968
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interactive live video streaming in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes an interaction encoder for transmitting interactive live video streams, including a processor, and a memory, containing an interaction encoding application, where the interaction encoding application directs the processor to obtain media data comprising a video track, receive a request to generate an interaction object in the video track at a given timestamp of the video stream, generate interaction data based on the request, where the interaction data includes a data structure capable of being decoded in near-real time to produce the interaction object in the video track at the timestamp when played back, and transmit the interaction data to an interaction decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SW Direct Sales, LLC
    Inventors: Rory J. Cutaia, Chad Thomas, Jason R. Matheny, Brycen Rinehart, Robert Roy Hall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11945072
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a cylindrical die holder base containing two recessed compartments, two different abrasive coated sharpen dies, a cylindrical index containing drill bit guide holes used to align drill bit dead center with the sharpening dies, male and female hemispheres on the index and the base to ensure alignment, a spring assembly allowing for separation of index from base while rotating index, a cylindrical safety guard used to cover index holes that are not aligned with sharpening dies, a locking knob used to lock and unlock index to base to allow or disallow rotation, and a radiused handle with a flat bottom used to safely hold drill sharpening device down on a flat surface while in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventors: Bryan Chad Thomas, Robert Eugene Kauffman
  • Patent number: 11930728
    Abstract: A control system for a double-acting air cylinder of an agricultural implement includes a valve assembly configured to control a base end air pressure and a rod end air pressure of the double-acting air cylinder. The control system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the valve assembly. The controller is configured to determine a target base end air pressure and a target rod end air pressure based on a target force of the double-acting air cylinder and a target damping factor of the double-acting air cylinder. The controller is also configured to control the valve assembly such that a first difference between the base end air pressure and the target base end air pressure is less than a first threshold value and a second difference between the rod end air pressure and the target rod end air pressure is less than a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Chad Michael Johnson, Trevor Phillip Stanhope, Michael Christopher Conboy, Grant Thomas Macdonald
  • Publication number: 20240076932
    Abstract: Hinged safety gates and methods for controlling access to an elevated work surface are disclosed. The hinged safety gate can include a gate frame and a retainer assembly. The gate frame can have a distal upright member, an upper cross-arm, and a lower cross-arm. The upper cross-arm can have an upper cross-arm height (or vertical dimension), and the lower cross-arm can have a lower cross-arm height. The hinged safety gate can have a retainer assembly that is configured to be attached to a proximal end of the gate frame and to hingedly couple the gate frame to a stationary vertical surface, permitting the gate frame to swing between an open and a closed position. Some embodiments satisfy various spatial safety requirements with only two cross-arms. Some embodiments are horizontally adjustable in two different manners to accommodate a range of access area widths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Thomas Satrom, Chad Joseph Rose, Nathan Joel Ueland
  • Publication number: 20240019084
    Abstract: Low emission nozzles and receptacles are disclosed. A receptacle includes a main body, a first stem, a first poppet connected to the first stem, a valve seat disposed in the main body, a first spring configured to bias the first poppet to a first closed position, a second stem slidingly engaged to the first poppet and the first stem, a second poppet connected to the second stem, and a second spring configured to bias the second poppet to a second closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Chad Thomas, Howard M. Konishi, Jeffrey S. Howard
  • Patent number: 11796135
    Abstract: A receptacle includes a main body, a stem, a poppet connected to the stem and defining an inner check void, a spring configured to bias the poppet to a closed poppet position, and a check assembly at least partially disposed in the inner check void. The check assembly includes a check and a check spring. The check is configured to move relative to the main body. The check spring is configured to bias the check toward a closed check position. The check has a first surface area and the poppet has a second surface area that is larger than the first surface area of the poppet such that a fluid force causes the check to move to an open check position before causing the poppet to move to an open poppet position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Thomas, Howard M. Konishi, Jeffrey S. Howard
  • Publication number: 20230293843
    Abstract: Distinctly keyed male-female couplers are pneumatically connected to medical ventilator by distinct lines carrying pulsatile gas or sensory signals. Ventilator-mounted female coupler has entranceway cavity and larger receiving cavity delimited by catch edge. Male fence-forming longitudinal winglets extend from sealing plate carry terminal end convexities which latch onto catch edge. Winglets move inward due to larger fence circumference than entranceway and seat on catch. Winglets placed in tension due to locking length less than entranceway span, then convert force into sealing compressive force between sealing plate and female tube end. Conjoining male tube bayoneted and sheathed by projecting female tube, resulting in another gas seal. Two compressive seals formed between male distal port and pneumatic line. Extending male key(s) on winglet insertable into matching female slots. Convexities block insertion of non-matching couplers set due to interference by convexities on female on entranceway edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Mark John Baillie, Shawn Adam Goughnour, Chad Thomas Nuxoll
  • Patent number: 11756326
    Abstract: A keepout zone detection system and method for a hazardous area, such as the workspace around a power tool, that includes a safety device that controls a safety event, such as disabling the power tool, and a keepout zone detection device that includes at least one imager for imaging a workspace associated with the power tool. A processor dynamically determines the keepout zone specific to the power tool based on information received from the imager(s) or by referring to a predetermined keepout zone stored in a memory, where the processor includes a pre-trained neural network that processes the received images to further identify the presence of human appendage(s) within the keepout zone; and a communication device that communicates with the safety device to control the safety event, such as disabling the power tool, based on the determination of the presence of the human appendage within the keepout zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: LANTERN HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Chad Thomas Green
  • Patent number: 11638989
    Abstract: An active safety device and method for fastener tools that includes a first sensor that detects a hazardous target; a first driver that drives the fastener a minimal distance into the material, the fastener being conductive and acting as a second sensor; a second driver that drives the fastener into the material; a processor that receives information from the first sensor and determines if a hazardous target is detected by said first sensor and engages a trigger interlock if the hazardous target is not detected the first driver is engaged and said second sensor provides information on the composition of the material to the processor; wherein the processor engages the trigger interlock when it determines if the composition of the material is classified as a hazardous target and otherwise initiates the second driver to drive the fastener into the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: LANTERN HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Thomas Green, Destin Sandlin, Ty Batchelor
  • Patent number: 11583653
    Abstract: Distinctly keyed male-female couplers are pneumatically connected to medical ventilator by distinct lines carrying pulsatile gas or sensory signals. Ventilator-mounted female coupler has entranceway cavity and larger receiving cavity delimited by catch edge. Male fence-forming longitudinal winglets extend from sealing plate carry terminal end convexities which latch onto catch edge. Winglets move inward due to larger fence circumference than entranceway and seat on catch. Winglets placed in tension due to locking length less than entranceway span, then convert force into sealing compressive force between sealing plate and female tube end. Conjoining male tube bayoneted and sheathed by projecting female tube, resulting in another gas seal. Two compressive seals formed between male distal port and pneumatic line. Extending male key(s) on winglet insertable into matching female slots. Convexities block insertion of non-matching couplers set due to interference by convexities on female on entranceway edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: PERCUSSIONAIRE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark John Baillie, Shawn Adam Goughnour, Chad Thomas Nuxoll
  • Patent number: 11555282
    Abstract: A snow plow and mount frame assembly permits an operator to attach and detach a snow plow to and from a mount frame secured to a vehicle, without the operator exiting a cab of the vehicle. The assembly comprises a mount frame, a snow plow frame, a plow blade, a first actuator for pivoting the A-frame relative to the lift frame, a latch mechanism, and a second actuator to either latch or unlatch the latch mechanism. When the vehicle is driven toward the snow plow the snow plow frame mates with the mount frame and an electrical connection is made between the vehicle electrical system and at least the first actuator without manual manipulation. The second actuator is energized to either latch the latch mechanism thereby securing the snow plow frame to the mount frame or unlatch the latch mechanism thereby freeing the snow plow frame from the mount frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Douglas Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Thomas Barker, David N. Bloxdorf, Matthew Thoma Curran, Gerald L. Depies, Christopher Aaron Horn, Bob Iverson, Matthew Terran Kaminecki, Leonard D. Morris
  • Publication number: 20220412494
    Abstract: A coupler for connecting a tank to a receptacle includes a housing, a probe configured to translate longitudinally within the housing, and a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing. The handle assembly is movable between a decoupled position, a coupled position, and a venting position. The coupler includes a ball cage, a plurality of balls disposed in the ball cage, and a slidable sleeve coupled to the probe and configured to translate longitudinally with the probe. The slidable sleeve is configured to slide in a first longitudinal direction to cause the plurality of balls to translate radially to lock the coupler to the receptacle. The slidable sleeve includes a collar defining a plurality of channels that are positioned radially and extending axially along the collar and configured to receive bearings of the receptacle in the coupled position and the venting position to prevent rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Tracy N. Tickle, Jeffrey S. Howard, Chad Thomas
  • Patent number: 11499280
    Abstract: A snow plow and mount frame assembly permits an operator to attach a snow plow to a mount frame secured to a vehicle, without the operator exiting a cab of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Chad Thomas Barker, David N. Bloxdorf, Matthew Thoma Curran, Gerald L. Depies, Christopher Aaron Horn, Bob Iverson, Leonard D. Morris
  • Publication number: 20220325486
    Abstract: A snow plow and mount frame assembly permits an operator to attach a snow plow to a mount frame secured to a vehicle, without the operator exiting a cab of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Chad Thomas Barker, David N. Bloxdorf, Matthew Thoma Curran, Gerald L. Depies, Christopher Aaron Horn, Bob W. Iverson, Leonard D. Morris
  • Patent number: 11460136
    Abstract: A rapid connect coupler for connecting a fluid holding tank to a receptacle in a non-rotatable manner can include a housing, a probe configured to translate in a longitudinal direction within the housing, and a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing. The handle assembly can be movable between a plurality of positions corresponding to decoupled, coupled and venting positions. The coupler can also include a slidable sleeve coupled to an outer surface of the probe and configured to translate with the probe in the longitudinal direction, the sleeve including a collar configured to engage the receptacle in the coupled and uncoupled positions to prevent rotation of the coupler with respect to the receptacle when the two components are engaged to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: Tracy N. Tickle, Jeffrey S. Howard, Chad Thomas
  • Patent number: 11427978
    Abstract: A snow plow and mount assembly has a mount frame, an A-frame, a lift frame, a plow blade, an actuator, arms, receivers, recesses, hitch pins, a latch mechanism, and a latch lever. The elements are arranged such that the vehicle is driven toward the snow plow so that the arms are received in the receivers, the actuator is energized to pivot the lift frame relative to the A-frame so that the hitch pins are received in the recesses, and the lever is moved to move the latch mechanism to the latched position. The snow plow frame is thereby removably secured to the mount frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Chad Thomas Barker, David N. Bloxdorf, Matthew Thoma Curran, Christopher A. Dominguez, Matthew Terran Kaminecki
  • Publication number: 20220272285
    Abstract: A sensing and processing electronic circuit includes a sensing array having a plurality of sensing elements each having a sensor configured to produce an output signal in response to detection of an environmental parameter. The circuit includes a triggering unit configured to generate a trigger signal that causes an action to occur. The trigger signal is generated based on selected activated sensing elements satisfying one or more specifiable conditions. A sensing element is activated when a characteristic value based on the output value of the sensing element crosses one or more thresholds so that the characteristic value is above, below, within or outside of a specified range of values or when a difference value between the characteristic value and a previous or template value of the sensing element crosses one or more thresholds so that the difference value is above, below, within or outside of a specified range of values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Charbel Rizk, Chad Thomas Howard, Gastón Vilches
  • Patent number: D1019546
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: WAHL CLIPPER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeff Fleming, Jon Thomas Freas, Chad Aulwes