Patents by Inventor Jack A. Hulbert

Jack A. Hulbert 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).

  • Apparatus and method for determining the orientation of an object such as vehicle wheel alignment
    Patent number: 7710555
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining wheel assembly alignment comprises a contact assembly, a light source, and a light beam receiving assembly. The contact assembly engages the wheel assembly to define a plane of orientation of the wheel assembly and the light source projects a beam of light with respect to the contact assembly. The light beam receiving assembly receives the light beam and forms an image of the light beam indicating the orientation of the wheel assembly with respect to a predetermined position. The receiving assembly may include a Fresnel lens for directing the received light beam to a target and a camera device for imaging the light beam on the target, with the camera device adapted to provide toe and camber information of the wheel assembly based on the location at which the light beam impinges upon the target. The contact assembly may be pressed against the wheel assembly without being secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Burke E. Porter Machinery Company
    Inventors: Mark S. Hoenke, Jack A. Hulbert, James R. Lehman, Todd K. Menkveld, Gregory J. Momber, Thomas D. Smith
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE ORIENTATION OF AN OBJECT SUCH AS VEHICLE WHEEL ALIGNMENT
    Publication number: 20080007016
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining wheel assembly alignment comprises a contact assembly, a light source, and a light beam receiving assembly. The contact assembly engages the wheel assembly to define a plane of orientation of the wheel assembly and the light source projects a beam of light with respect to the contact assembly. The light beam receiving assembly receives the light beam and forms an image of the light beam indicating the orientation of the wheel assembly with respect to a predetermined position. The receiving assembly may include a Fresnel lens for directing the received light beam to a target and a camera device for imaging the light beam on the target, with the camera device adapted to provide toe and camber information of the wheel assembly based on the location at which the light beam impinges upon the target. The contact assembly may be pressed against the wheel assembly without being secured thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: BURKE E. PORTER MACHINERY COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark S. Hoenke, Jack A. Hulbert, James R. Lehman, Todd K. Menkveld, Gregory J. Momber, Thomas D. Smith