Patents by Inventor Ian A. Hill

Ian A. Hill 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: 10151337
    Abstract: A through bolted connection hardware includes a bolt that has a partially threaded shaft and a head. At least one nut connector defines a shaft hole and a coaxial head hole. The shaft hole is sized to receive the shaft of the bolt and not to allow the head to fit through the shaft hole, and the head hole is sized to receive the head. The hardware also includes a tube that has an axially extending threaded bore that is configured to matingly receive the shaft at a first end of the threaded bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Publication number: 20180209470
    Abstract: An assembly includes a simulated nut-and-washer member and a mounting device. The simulated nut-and-washer member includes a base plate simulating a washer, and a cylindrical portion simulating a nut and having a top surface and an outer sidewall with a plurality of faces, the top surface defining a first circular opening having a first diameter. An inner annular surface is disposed radially inward from the outer sidewall and defines a second circular opening disposed coaxial with the first circular opening and having a diameter that is less than the first diameter. The mounting device is configured to be received through the first and second circular openings, and it has a head portion that is configured to contact the inner annular surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9957998
    Abstract: A hardware apparatus includes a washer/nut member and a cap. The washer/nut member includes a plurality of outer surfaces disposed in a hexagonal shape, an inner cylindrical surface disposed radially internal to the plurality of outer surfaces, an intermediate cylindrical surface disposed radially between the plurality of outer surfaces and the inner cylindrical surface, and an annular surface disposed radially between the inner cylindrical surface and the intermediate cylindrical surface. The cap is disposed within the intermediate cylindrical surface, and the inner cylindrical surface is configured to contact a shaft portion of a bolt and the annular surface is configured to contact a head portion of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Publication number: 20170335540
    Abstract: A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator. The coupler has first and second spaced-apart coupling formations for coupling with respective corresponding coupling formation of the attachment. The coupler also has a power actuated locking member for retaining the respective attachment coupling formation in engagement with the first coupling formation. A detection system is capable of detecting if the respective attachment coupling formation is in a desired position with respect to the first coupling formation, wherein the detecting means comprises at least one non-contact sensor, preferably an ultrasonic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventor: Ian HILL
  • Patent number: 9771966
    Abstract: A hardware apparatus includes a base portion formed by a disc-shaped base plate and a cylindrical member. The cylindrical member includes a first threaded surface. The disc-shaped base plate includes a first opening and the cylindrical member includes a second opening, with the first and second openings being concentric. The hardware apparatus further includes a cap portion including a second threaded surface. The cap portion is attachable to said base portion through engagement of the first and second threaded surfaces. In one implementation, the first threaded surface is an outer surface and the second threaded surface is an inner surface. In an alternative implementation, the second threaded surface is an outer surface and the first threaded surface is an inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Publication number: 20170045077
    Abstract: A hardware apparatus includes a washer/nut member and a cap. The washer/nut member includes a plurality of outer surfaces disposed in a hexagonal shape, an inner cylindrical surface disposed radially internal to the plurality of outer surfaces, an intermediate cylindrical surface disposed radially between the plurality of outer surfaces and the inner cylindrical surface, and an annular surface disposed radially between the inner cylindrical surface and the intermediate cylindrical surface. The cap is disposed within the intermediate cylindrical surface, and the inner cylindrical surface is configured to contact a shaft portion of a bolt and the annular surface is configured to contact a head portion of the bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Publication number: 20170048682
    Abstract: A routing scheme is set, for providing a communications service to a plurality of subscriber terminals in a cellular network. A service manager that is at least logically separate from the cellular network controls the communications service for the plurality of subscriber terminals. Information about one or both of: the plurality of subscriber terminals; and at least one characteristic of the cellular network is communicated between the cellular network and the service manager. A routing scheme for providing the communications service to the plurality of subscriber terminals is set based on the communicated information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Youssef CHAMI, Ian HILLS
  • Patent number: 9540801
    Abstract: A first structural member and a second structural member meet at a joint of a truss triangular unit. A bridge plate includes a central portion that spans across the joint. The bridge plate includes a first peripheral portion extending from the central portion in a direction of the first structural member and a second peripheral portion extending from the central portion in a direction of the second structural member. Each peripheral portion includes a slot and a first opening. A stirrup plate is provided for each peripheral portion. Each stirrup plate includes an interlocking mounting flange having an extending tab member received by the slot and a second opening aligned with the first opening. A mounting device extends through the aligned first and second openings to secure the stirrup plate and bridge plate to the underlying structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: OZ-POST INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9469965
    Abstract: A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator having a latching member for retaining a rear pin of the attachment and a blocking member for retaining the front pin of the attachment. A hydraulic actuator and spring are provided for holding the latching and blocking members in their closed states. In the event of a failure of the actuator, the spring, the latching member and the blocking member together hold the front and rear pins in their respective recesses to allow continued operation of the coupler, while allowing the pins to move with respect to the coupler to create a rattling movement that can indicate to the operator that a failure has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Ian Hill
  • Publication number: 20160273573
    Abstract: A through bolted connection hardware includes a bolt that has a partially threaded shaft and a head. At least one nut connector defines a shaft hole and a coaxial head hole. The shaft hole is sized to receive the shaft of the bolt and not to allow the head to fit through the shaft hole, and the head hole is sized to receive the head. The hardware also includes a tube that has an axially extending threaded bore that is configured to matingly receive the shaft at a first end of the threaded bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9377047
    Abstract: A through bolted connection hardware includes first and second nut-bolt-washer connectors each having a base portion and a bolt portion extending through the base portion. A threaded rod and a pair of threaded connectors bridge between the first and second nut-bolt-washer connectors. Specifically, a first bolt portion of a first nut-bolt-washer connector threadingly mates with a first threaded connector, and a second bolt portion of a second nut-bolt-washer connector threadingly mates with a second threaded connector. The threaded rod threadingly mates with the first and second threaded connectors. The assembly passed through an opening in materials to be joined and the assembly is tightened to secure the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: OZ-POST INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9297141
    Abstract: A coupler for an excavator or other apparatus comprising a body for receiving an excavator attachment; a first latch member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the attachment on the body. The first latch member being movable into and out of the latching state by an actuator, wherein a gravity operated valve is associated with the actuator. The valve has a first state wherein fluid can flow through the valve as the latch member is moved out of its latching state, and a second state, wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve thus preventing operation of the actuator to move the latch member out of its latching state. The valve is adapted to adopt the first state when the coupler is in a non-working orientation and the second state when the coupling is in a working orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Ian Hill
  • Publication number: 20150345533
    Abstract: A hardware apparatus includes a base portion formed by a disc-shaped base plate and a cylindrical member. The cylindrical member includes a first threaded surface. The disc-shaped base plate includes a first opening and the cylindrical member includes a second opening, with the first and second openings being concentric. The hardware apparatus further includes a cap portion including a second threaded surface. The cap portion is attachable to said base portion through engagement of the first and second threaded surfaces. In one implementation, the first threaded surface is an outer surface and the second threaded surface is an inner surface. In an alternative implementation, the second threaded surface is an outer surface and the first threaded surface is an inner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9133874
    Abstract: A hardware apparatus includes a base portion formed by a disc-shaped base plate and a cylindrical member. The cylindrical member includes a first threaded surface. The disc-shaped base plate includes a first opening and the cylindrical member includes a second opening, with the first and second openings being concentric. The hardware apparatus further includes a cap portion including a second threaded surface. The cap portion is attachable to said base portion through engagement of the first and second threaded surfaces. In one implementation, the first threaded surface is an outer surface and the second threaded surface is an inner surface. In an alternative implementation, the second threaded surface is an outer surface and the first threaded surface is an inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9115506
    Abstract: A bracket is formed from a front member and a back member. The front member includes a curvilinear portion flanked by first and second wing portions. The back member includes a central portion flanked by first and second end portions. The first and second wing portions of the curvilinear portion are secured by fasteners to the first and second wing portions, respectively, in a manner which forms a clamping area between the curvilinear portion and the central portion to frictionally attach the bracket to a received pipe/pole member. First and second upright members extend from the first and second wing portions, respectively. The first and second upright members support attachment of covering for boxing in of the received pipe/pole member and concealment of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: OZ-POST, INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9027897
    Abstract: A standoff connector forming, for example, a standoff post base, includes a base member having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first edge is configured to include an extending first projection, and the second edge is configured to include an extending second projection. The standoff connector includes a first stirrup plate member that is selectably attachable to the base member at the first edge by inserting the first projection into and through an aperture formed in the first stirrup plate that is sized and shaped to receive the first projection. The standoff connector further includes a second stirrup plate member that is selectably attachable to the base member at the second edge by inserting the second projection into and through an aperture formed in the second stirrup plate that is sized and shaped to receive the second projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Oz-Post International LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9010062
    Abstract: A post member includes a side surface, and a beam member includes a side surface and an underside edge surface. The beam member is attached to the post member using a multi-piece hanger including a first L-shaped bracket with a first mounting flange attached to the side surface of the post member, and a second L-shaped bracket with a second mounting flange attached to the side surface of the beam member. The first L-shaped bracket further includes a first interlocking flange supporting the underside edge surface of the beam member. The first interlocking flange includes an extending tab member. The second L-shaped bracket further includes a second interlocking flange positioned adjacent the first interlocking flange. At a bend of the second L-shaped bracket, at least one slot is provided which is sized and shaped to receive the extending tab member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Publication number: 20140369787
    Abstract: A through bolted connection hardware includes first and second nut-bolt-washer connectors each having a base portion and a bolt portion extending through the base portion. A threaded rod and a pair of threaded connectors bridge between the first and second nut-bolt-washer connectors. Specifically, a first bolt portion of a first nut-bolt-washer connector threadingly mates with a first threaded connector, and a second bolt portion of a second nut-bolt-washer connector threadingly mates with a second threaded connector. The threaded rod threadingly mates with the first and second threaded connectors. The assembly passed through an opening in materials to be joined and the assembly is tightened to secure the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: OZ-POST INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill
  • Patent number: 8908469
    Abstract: A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines. The set of nodes defining a regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Ian Hill, Nicolae Moldoveanu, Steven Fealy
  • Patent number: D798701
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Oz-Post International, LLC
    Inventor: Ian A. Hill