Patents by Inventor Michael Westra

Michael Westra 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: 11932865
    Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for producing crop plants that are resistant to herbicides. In particular, the present invention provides for wheat plants, plant tissues and plant seeds that contain altered acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) genes and proteins that are resistant to inhibition by herbicides that normally inhibit the activity of the ACCase protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: COLORADO WHEAT RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Hal Ostlie, Scott Haley, Philip Westra, Victoria Ashley Anderson
  • Publication number: 20070008345
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying information on an industrial apparatus is described. In one variation, the industrial device is arranged so as to place a display panel of the industrial device in an orientation relative to an industrial system. The industrial device is then installed in the industrial system so as to fix the orientation of the display panel with the orientation. A presentation of the content on the display panel is changed in response to orientation of the display panel relative to a viewing perspective of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: R. McDonald, Greggory Pulley, Michael Westra
  • Patent number: 6036423
    Abstract: A compact and portable coil inserting machine for binding stacks of sheets having a plurality of perforations along a first side edge. The machine includes a frame having a support surface configured to support a stack of sheets thereon. A power roller is rotatably mounted to the frame, and extends along at least a portion of the support surface to drive a helical coil through the perforations in the stacked sheets. The coil-inserting machine further includes at least one guide that is movably mounted to the frame, and shifts between first and second positions. The guide includes a first concave guide surface that abuts an opposite side edge of the stacked sheets when the guide is in the first position, such that the perforations in the stacked sheets form a curved passageway corresponding to the curvature of a first coil size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventors: Michael A. Westra, Todd M. Huizingh, John E. Melton, Christopher C. Toll, Jeffrey A. Swaim
  • Patent number: 6012367
    Abstract: A document trimming apparatus includes a document trimming mechanism and a document positioning mechanism. The document trimming mechanism includes a trimmer clamp for holding a document made up of a stack of sheets while being trimmed and a knife for trimming an edge of the stack of sheets. The document positioning mechanism includes a transport holder for securely holding the stack of sheets during transport and further includes a carrier movably supporting the transport holder for translational and rotational movement relative to the document trimming mechanism. The document positioning mechanism is adapted to position successive edges of the stack of sheets proximate the knife for trimming. The document positioning mechanism includes a first actuator to control rotational movement, a second actuator to control translational movement, and a third actuator to control a side block for initial positioning of the stack on the document positioning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Challenge Machinery Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Westra, Michael F. Baker
  • Patent number: 5694823
    Abstract: A document trimming apparatus includes a document trimming mechanism and a document positioning mechanism. The document trimming mechanism includes a trimmer clamp for holding a document made up of a stack of sheets while being trimmed and a knife for trimming an edge of the stack of sheets. The document positioning mechanism includes a transport holder for securely holding the stack of sheets during transport and further includes a carrier movably supporting the transport holder for translational and rotational movement relative to the document trimming mechanism. The document positioning mechanism is adapted to position successive edges of the stack of sheets proximate the knife for trimming. The document positioning mechanism includes a first actuator to control rotational movement, a second actuator to control translational movement, and a third actuator to control a side block for initial positioning of the stack on the document positioning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: The Challenge Machinery Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Westra, Michael F. Baker
  • Patent number: 5221402
    Abstract: An apparatus for wetting adhesive portions on items such as mailers being folded by a folding machine is provided so that mailers can be folded, closed and sealed in one operation. The apparatus pumps fluid from a reservoir through tubes to fluid dispensers positioned so that adhesive portions of mailers pass thereby. A continuous stream of fluid dispensed by the fluid dispensers wets the adhesive portions on the mailers as they pass the fluid dispensers. The apparatus includes collection trays and suction means to collect excess fluid. A distribution manifold is used to distribute and control fluid dispersement.Within one aspect of our invention a unique fold plate is provided comprising a frame with a plurality of elongated members removably attached to the frame for adjusting the positions thereof. The adjustment permits the fluid dispensers to be located at different positions on the fold plate so that items having adhesive portions in different locations can be wetted and folded on the folding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: The Challenge Machinery Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Westra, Robin M. Tushek