Patents by Inventor James A. Little

James A. Little 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: 4853533
    Abstract: A defect detection system is especially applicable to string type potatoes for removing the black spots and includes removing or sorting out potatoes with black spots. It includes a pair of line scanning cameras focused on opposite sides of a vertical on a common line, spaced above the conveyor belt to the height of the potato. Such opposite sight lines provide for effective sensing of leading or trailing edges of the potato. To provide for effective cutting, the cutting blade units have offset blades to allow overlap and a spacing so that areas of uncertainty created by the two cameras are eliminated. To minimize down-time of the system, the vision, light, power and punch modules are separately removable. Moreover, they are located on a cantilevered base above the moving belt. This cantilevering in conjunction with pivoted supports allows for a seamless belt and easy removal of that belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Simco-Ramic Corp.
    Inventors: James A. Little, Dennis Cavin
  • Patent number: 4738175
    Abstract: A defect detection system is especially applicable to string type potatoes for removing the black spots and includes removing or sorting out potatoes with black spots. It includes a pair of line scanning cameras focused on opposite sides of a vertical on a common line, spaced above the conveyor belt to the height of the potato. Such opposite sight lines provide for effective sensing of leading or trailing edges of the potato. To provide for effective cutting, the cutting blade units have offset blades to allow overlap and a spacing so that areas of uncertainty created by the two cameras are eliminated. To minimize down-time of the system, the vision light, power and punch modules are separately removable. Moreover, they are located on a cantilevered base above the moving belt. This cantilevering in conjunction with pivoted supports allows for a seamless belt and easy removal of that belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Simco-Ramic Corp.
    Inventors: James A. Little, Dennis Cavin
  • Patent number: 4723534
    Abstract: A combination fuel holder and draft channel device for use in a fireplace or wood burning stove. The fuel holder in this combination is made from 1/8 inch steel plate and its size, as well as the size of the draft channel, may vary according to the size of the fireplace or stove in which it is to be used. The fuel holder consists of a base plate that lays flat on the bottom of the firebox of the fireplace or stove. Two vertical posts, each 3/4 inches wide and 6 inches high are welded on the forward edge of the base plate, each 2 inches from the center. These posts hold the wood fuel, resting on the base plate, in a compact and manageable pile for controllable combustion. The draft channel is placed between the posts and is held in position by them. The posts add versatility to the holder because pieces of 1 inch conduit pipe can be cut in lengths desired and slipped over the posts to provide added holding capacity. The draft channel is made from the same steel plate as the fuel holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Inventors: James A. Little, Blanche M. Little