Patents by Inventor Joel A. Nichols

Joel A. Nichols 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: 20200219369
    Abstract: A system for detecting patterns on objects having reflective or high visibility colored material thereon. The system includes a lighting unit that includes a main housing having a front opening and a cavity, a first visual lighting assembly positioned within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the visible spectrum, and a second ultraviolet lighting assembly positioned a fixed distance from the first visual lighting assembly within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the ultraviolet spectrum, a camera having a field of view within which the system is configured to detect patterns of reflective or high visibility colored material on one or more objects, a warning device to alert the operator when a marked object enters the camera's field of view. A controller/processor is programmed to detect when a pattern of reflective or high visibility colored material enters the camera's field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Matrix Design Group, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Moore, Ryan Jones, Joel Nichols
  • Patent number: 10614677
    Abstract: A lighting unit for use in low lighting environments such as underground mines is provided. The lighting unit includes a main housing having a front opening and a cavity, a first visual lighting assembly positioned within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the visible spectrum, and a second ultraviolet lighting assembly positioned a fixed distance from the first visual lighting assembly within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the ultraviolet spectrum. The lighting unit is part of a system for detecting patterns on objects having reflective or high visibility colored material thereon. In addition to the lighting unit, the system includes a camera having a field of view within which the system is configured to detect patterns of reflective or high visibility colored material on one or more objects, a warning device to alert the operator when a marked object enters the camera's field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy R. Moore, Ryan Jones, Joel Nichols
  • Patent number: 10520447
    Abstract: An inspection lighting system including a first frame structure and a plurality of linear light arrays coupled to the first frame structure. Each of the linear light arrays have a plurality of integrated lights and at least one generally linear bracket. The integrated lights are arranged end-to-end, with each of the integrated lights having at least one T-slot along at least a portion of a length of the integrated light. The linear bracket coupling adjacent ones of the integrated lights together using the T-slots in the adjacent integrated lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Avid Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joel A. Nichols, Alexander W. Tollington, Benjamin R. Powers, Michael H. Kretschmer
  • Patent number: 10480732
    Abstract: A gobo with a substrate having at least one peripheral edge a body extending from the peripheral edge, the body having two faces and a structural network on at least one of the two faces, the structural network generally extending to the peripheral edge. An optical pattern is disposed on or through the body, with the structural network extending on the body only to an edge of the optical pattern. The structural network is integral with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Avid Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Nichols, Alex Tollington, Jason Kabot
  • Publication number: 20190080567
    Abstract: A lighting unit for use in low lighting environments such as underground mines is provided. The lighting unit includes a main housing having a front opening and a cavity, a first visual lighting assembly positioned within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the visible spectrum, and a second ultraviolet lighting assembly positioned a fixed distance from the first visual lighting assembly within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the ultraviolet spectrum. The lighting unit is part of a system for detecting patterns on objects having reflective or high visibility colored material thereon. In addition to the lighting unit, the system includes a camera having a field of view within which the system is configured to detect patterns of reflective or high visibility colored material on one or more objects, a warning device to alert the operator when a marked object enters the camera's field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Matrix Design Group, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Moore, Ryan Jones, Joel Nichols
  • Publication number: 20190072260
    Abstract: A lighting system that includes an extrusion having at least one T-shaped slot therein. The T-shaped slot has an opening along a length of the extrusion, with a lighting encasing unit inserted into the T-shaped slot. The lighting encasing unit includes a shaped light conducting encasement having an internal channel along at least a substantial portion of a length of the shaped light conducting encasement and a light emitting tape assembly inserted into the internal channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: AVID Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joel A. Nichols, Alexander W. Tollington
  • Patent number: 10078055
    Abstract: A strobe light system for use with a camera, the strobe light system including an LED light source, a triggering signal input for the reception of a triggering signal, an electrical power source and a control circuit. The control circuit is coupled to the LED light source. The control circuit has a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor, the second transistor and the LED are electrically in series with the electrical power source. The first transistor is controlled to establish an electrical power level that is to be conducted through the LED. The second transistor being subject to the triggering signal to thereby electrically conduct for a predetermined amount of time thereby establishing an electrical current pulse through the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Avid Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Nichols, Alex Tollington, Adam Brososky, Veselin Dimitrov
  • Patent number: 10076993
    Abstract: A lighting device including an ultraviolet light source emanating ultraviolet light, a visual light source and a light directing device. The visual light source is coupled to the ultraviolet light source, and the visual light source emanates visual light. The light directing device is arranged to direct the visual light in a first direction primarily within an angle of illumination. The light directing device is further arranged to direct the ultraviolet light in an area wider than the angle of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Avid Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joel Nichols
  • Publication number: 20170268985
    Abstract: An inspection lighting system including a first frame structure and a plurality of linear light arrays coupled to the first frame structure. Each of the linear light arrays have a plurality of integrated lights and at least one generally linear bracket. The integrated lights are arranged end-to-end, with each of the integrated lights having at least one T-slot along at least a portion of a length of the integrated light. The linear bracket coupling adjacent ones of the integrated lights together using the T-slots in the adjacent integrated lights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: AVID Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joel A. Nichols, Alexander W. Tollington, Benjamin R. Powers, Michael H. Kretschmer
  • Publication number: 20170097130
    Abstract: A gobo with a substrate having at least one peripheral edge a body extending from the peripheral edge, the body having two faces and a structural network on at least one of the two faces, the structural network generally extending to the peripheral edge. An optical pattern is disposed on or through the body, with the structural network extending on the body only to an edge of the optical pattern. The structural network is integral with the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: AVID Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Nichols, Alex Tollington, Jason Kabot
  • Publication number: 20170009956
    Abstract: A lighting device including an ultraviolet light source emanating ultraviolet light, a visual light source and a light directing device. The visual light source is coupled to the ultraviolet light source, and the visual light source emanates visual light. The light directing device is arranged to direct the visual light in a first direction primarily within an angle of illumination. The light directing device is further arranged to direct the ultraviolet light in an area wider than the angle of illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: AVID Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Joel Nichols
  • Publication number: 20160341669
    Abstract: A strobe light system for use with a camera, the strobe light system including an LED light source, a triggering signal input for the reception of a triggering signal, an electrical power source and a control circuit. The control circuit is coupled to the LED light source. The control circuit has a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor, the second transistor and the LED are electrically in series with the electrical power source. The first transistor is controlled to establish an electrical power level that is to be conducted through the LED. The second transistor being subject to the triggering signal to thereby electrically conduct for a predetermined amount of time thereby establishing an electrical current pulse through the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: AVID Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Nichols, Alex Tollington, Adam Brososky, Veselin Dimitrov
  • Publication number: 20160255700
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for disrupting night vision ability in an area surrounding the apparatus, where a first trigger is configured for generating a first activation signal for the apparatus. A sensor may be configured to detect a physical characteristic in or around the apparatus. A second trigger may be operatively coupled to the sensor to provide a second activation signal based on the detected physical characteristic in the sensor. A control circuit, which may include a strobing circuit, may be operatively coupled to the first and second trigger. A plurality of light emitting diodes may be arranged in a predetermined pattern, wherein the control circuit is configured to cause illumination of each of the plurality of light emitting diodes in a predetermined pattern to disrupt night vision in the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: APOLLO DESIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel A. Nichols, Alex TOLLINGTON
  • Publication number: 20130258678
    Abstract: A method of making an illuminated panel for projecting a pattern or an image and for use with a lighting system including a light source includes the step of providing a substrate. The method further includes the step of printing at least one layer of ink on the substrate to create an image or pattern that may be projected onto a surface, wherein the at least one layer of ink is a light absorbent or light reflective layer of ink that protects the substrate and ink from light energy, ultraviolet light, and infra-red energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: APOLLO DESIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Snyder, Jason C. Kabot, Tracie H. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110192259
    Abstract: A wrench including an adjustable portion configured for use on nuts and bolts of various sizes and a fixed portion including a number of fixed sockets configured for cooperation with specific predetermined sizes of bolt heads. The adjustable portion including a movable jaw configured for slidable engagement with a fixed jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: APOLLO DESIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dave Stauss, Joel Nichols, Jeff Mateer
  • Patent number: D684446
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Apollo Design Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Nichols, Brandon Geisel, Peter Chaparro
  • Patent number: D720343
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Apollo Design Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel A. Nichols