Patents by Inventor Nathan B. Fethke

Nathan B. Fethke 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: 11775902
    Abstract: A prevention and safety management system utilizes a non-intrusive imaging sensor (e.g. surveillance cameras, smartphone cameras) and a computer vision system to record videos of workers not wearing sensors. The videos are analyzed using a deep machine learning algorithm to detect kinematic activities (set of predetermined body joint positions and angles) of the workers and recognizing various physical activities (walk/posture, lift, push, pull, reach, force, repetition, duration etc.). The measured kinematic variables are then parsed into metrics relevant to workplace ergonomics, such as number of repetitions, total distance travelled, range of motion, and the proportion of time in different posture categories. The information gathered by this system is fed into an ergonomic assessment system and is used to automatically populate exposure assessment tools and create risk assessments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Stephen Baek, Nathan B. Fethke, Jean Robillard, Joseph A. V. Buckwalter, Pamela Villacorta
  • Publication number: 20220237537
    Abstract: A prevention and safety management system utilizes a non-intrusive imaging sensor (e.g. surveillance cameras, smartphone cameras) and a computer vision system to record videos of workers not wearing sensors. The videos are analyzed using a deep machine learning algorithm to detect kinematic activities (set of predetermined body joint positions and angles) of the workers and recognizing various physical activities (walk/posture, lift, push, pull, reach, force, repetition, duration etc.). The measured kinematic variables are then parsed into metrics relevant to workplace ergonomics, such as number of repetitions, total distance travelled, range of motion, and the proportion of time in different posture categories. The information gathered by this system is fed into an ergonomic assessment system and is used to automatically populate exposure assessment tools and create risk assessments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: STEPHEN BAEK, NATHAN B. FETHKE, JEAN ROBILLARD, JOSEPH A.V. BUCKWALTER, PAMELA VILLACORTA
  • Patent number: 11328239
    Abstract: A prevention and safety management system utilizes a non-intrusive imaging sensor (e.g. surveillance cameras, smartphone cameras) and a computer vision system to record videos of workers not wearing sensors. The videos are analyzed using a deep machine learning algorithm to detect kinematic activities (set of predetermined body joint positions and angles) of the workers and recognizing various physical activities (walk/posture, lift, push, pull, reach, force, repetition, duration etc.). The measured kinematic variables are then parsed into metrics relevant to workplace ergonomics, such as number of repetitions, total distance travelled, range of motion, and the proportion of time in different posture categories. The information gathered by this system is fed into an ergonomic assessment system and is used to automatically populate exposure assessment tools and create risk assessments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Stephen Baek, Nathan B. Fethke, Jean Robillard, Joseph A. V. Buckwalter, Pamela Villacorta
  • Publication number: 20200327465
    Abstract: A prevention and safety management system utilizes a non-intrusive imaging sensor (e.g. surveillance cameras, smartphone cameras) and a computer vision system to record videos of workers not wearing sensors. The videos are analyzed using a deep machine learning algorithm to detect kinematic activities (set of predetermined body joint positions and angles) of the workers and recognizing various physical activities (walk/posture, lift, push, pull, reach, force, repetition, duration etc.). The measured kinematic variables are then parsed into metrics relevant to workplace ergonomics, such as number of repetitions, total distance travelled, range of motion, and the proportion of time in different posture categories. The information gathered by this system is fed into an ergonomic assessment system and is used to automatically populate exposure assessment tools and create risk assessments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: STEPHEN BAEK, NATHAN B. FETHKE, JEAN ROBILLARD, JOSEPH A.V. BUCKWALTER, PAMELA VILLACORTA
  • Patent number: 7350839
    Abstract: An improved hand tool is disclosed having an elongated handle member (40) coupled to a tool head (20) and includes a junction (60) between the handle member and a surface of the tool head that defines an elongated interface. A weld (36) is provided along substantially all of the elongated interface so that the tool head is rigidly attached to a lower end of the handle member. A gripping member (80) is coupled to an upper end of the handle member and has a top portion (88) with an arcuate profile coupled to a bottom portion (90) having a substantially U-shaped profile. The tool head includes a blade member formed of a material having a first thickness and integrally formed with a step member having a second thickness greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Fiskars Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Marquardt, Paul R. Johnson, Anthony W. Konkler, Nathan B. Fethke
  • Patent number: D487010
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Aquapore Moisture Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Marquardt, Paul R. Johnson, Anthony W. Konkler, Nathan B. Fethke
  • Patent number: D488046
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Marquardt, Paul R. Johnson, Anthony W. Konkler, Nathan B. Fethke