Patents by Inventor Joel Mark Liggins

Joel Mark Liggins 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).

  • Conveyor systems with center guide assemblies
    Patent number: 8651263
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor surface formed of a plurality of rollers in a single file arrangement. A center guide assembly has a guide configuration where a center guide member extends between adjacent ones of the plurality of rollers and beyond the conveyor surface and a recessed configuration where the center guide member is recessed from the conveyor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Mark Liggins, Joe Ed Pinnix
  • Detection Methods and Systems
    Patent number: 8416428
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a measurement in an in-line system for detecting presence of an out-of-parameter part is provided. The method includes conveying a tubular member to a detection system comprising a laser sensor arranged and configured to direct a beam of light onto an upper end surface of the tubular member for obtaining a measurement. The laser sensor is offset from a center of the tubular member such that the beam of light is directed onto an outer side of the upper end surface. The beam of light is directed onto the upper end surface at the outer side of the tubular member and the beam of light moves from a front quadrant of the upper end surface to a rearward quadrant of the upper end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Mark Liggins
  • Conveyor Systems with Center Guide Assemblies
    Publication number: 20130075232
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor surface formed of a plurality of rollers in a single file arrangement. A center guide assembly has a guide configuration where a center guide member extends between adjacent ones of the plurality of rollers and beyond the conveyor surface and a recessed configuration where the center guide member is recessed from the conveyor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Mark Liggins, Joe Ed Pinnix
  • Detection Methods and Systems
    Publication number: 20110102807
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a measurement in an in-line system for detecting presence of an out-of-parameter part is provided. The method includes conveying a tubular member to a detection system comprising a laser sensor arranged and configured to direct a beam of light onto an upper end surface of the tubular member for obtaining a measurement. The laser sensor is offset from a center of the tubular member such that the beam of light is directed onto an outer side of the upper end surface. The beam of light is directed onto the upper end surface at the outer side of the tubular member and the beam of light moves from a front quadrant of the upper end surface to a rearward quadrant of the upper end surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Mark Liggins