Patents by Inventor Frank Nugent

Frank Nugent 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).

  • Patent number: 11198390
    Abstract: A method for preventing the collision of a vehicle with an overhead obstacle, comprising mounting at least one sensor on a vehicle that includes a vehicle control system, wherein the sensor is in electrical communication with a processor located within and powered by the vehicle; determining a reference height, which is the height above ground level at which the at least one sensor is mounted on the vehicle; inputting the reference height into the processor; determining the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level; inputting the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level into the processor; using the sensor to measure the overhead distance between the lowest portion of an obstacle and the at least one sensor; using the processor to determine a measured height of the overhead obstacle, which is the reference height added to the distance between the overhead obstacle and the sensor; and communicating an alarm to an operator of the vehicle if the measured height of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Nugent, Brian Nugent
  • Publication number: 20210129750
    Abstract: A method for preventing the collision of a vehicle with an overhead obstacle, comprising mounting at least one sensor on a vehicle that includes a vehicle control system, wherein the sensor is in electrical communication with a processor located within and powered by the vehicle; determining a reference height, which is the height above ground level at which the at least one sensor is mounted on the vehicle; inputting the reference height into the processor; determining the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level; inputting the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level into the processor; using the sensor to measure the overhead distance between the lowest portion of an obstacle and the at least one sensor; using the processor to determine a measured height of the overhead obstacle, which is the reference height added to the distance between the overhead obstacle and the sensor; and communicating an alarm to an operator of the vehicle if the measured height of the
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Nugent, Brian Nugent
  • Patent number: 8212660
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for use with vehicles includes a sensor mounted on a moving vehicle, wherein the sensor is operative to measure the distance between an overhead obstacle ahead of the vehicle and the sensor itself; a processor connected to the sensor; means for determining a reference height which is the height above ground level at which the sensor is mounted on the vehicle, and wherein the reference height is entered into the processor; means for determining the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level, wherein the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle is also entered into the processor; and wherein the processor adds the reference height to the distance between the obstacle and the sensor to determine a measured height of the obstacle, and wherein the processor produces an alarm if the measured height of the obstacle is less than the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Nugent
  • Patent number: 8207836
    Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance system includes a sensor mounted on a vehicle, wherein the sensor is operative to measure the distance between an overhead obstacle ahead of the vehicle and the sensor; a processor connected to the sensor; means for determining a reference height which is the height above ground level at which the sensor is mounted on the vehicle, and wherein the reference height is entered into the processor; means for determining the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level, wherein the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle is also entered into the processor; and wherein the processor adds the reference height to the distance between the obstacle and the sensor to determine a measured height of the obstacle. The processor produces an alarm if the measured height of the obstacle is less than the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Nugent
  • Publication number: 20120081218
    Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance system includes a sensor mounted on a vehicle, wherein the senor is operative to measure the distance between an overhead obstacle ahead of the vehicle and the sensor; a processor connected to the sensor; means for determining a reference height which is the height above ground level at which the sensor is mounted on the vehicle, and wherein the reference height is entered into the processor; means for determining the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level, wherein the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle is also entered into the processor; and wherein the processor adds the reference height to the distance between the obstacle and the sensor to determine a measured height of the obstacle. The processor produces an alarm if the measured height of the obstacle is less than the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Nugent
  • Publication number: 20090315693
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for use with vehicles includes a sensor mounted on a moving vehicle, wherein the sensor is operative to measure the distance between an overhead obstacle ahead of the vehicle and the sensor itself; a processor connected to the sensor; means for determining a reference height which is the height above ground level at which the sensor is mounted on the vehicle, and wherein the reference height is entered into the processor; means for determining the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle above ground level, wherein the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle is also entered into the processor; and wherein the processor adds the reference height to the distance between the obstacle and the sensor to determine a measured height of the obstacle, and wherein the processor produces an alarm if the measured height of the obstacle is less than the height of the tallest portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Frank Nugent