Patents by Inventor Richard S. McLaughlin
Richard S. McLaughlin 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).
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Patent number: 6090158Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for producing localized abraded, faded and worn finishing effects on a garment by applying a finishing pattern to its component pre-cut, individual fabric workpieces before assembly by sewing. An optical detection system that contains at least one video camera operatively connected to a controller is used to capture an electronic image of a fabric workpiece which is compared to a set of stored known images contained in memory accessible by the controller. Once the workpiece is identified, the controller locates in memory a finishing pattern to be applied to the workpiece. The workpiece can be secured if necessary to a work surface, and a mechanical or electronic device used to duplicate the abraded, faded and worn pattern on the workpiece. After the finishing pattern has been applied, the workpiece can be released and moved downstream for further processing and sewing into a completed garment.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1998Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.Inventor: Richard S. McLaughlin
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Patent number: 5790687Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for optical determination of the orientation of a garment workpiece by locating a seam on a stationary workpiece formed from at least two sub-pieces sewn together along that seam. The device consists of a light emitting surface on which the workpiece is placed, so that light is transmitted at a first intensity through the surface, at a second, lower intensity through a single layer of the fabric of the workpiece, and at a third, very low or no intensity through the seam, to provide a contrast in light intensities that highlight the shape of the workpiece and the location of the seam, which appears as a dark or black line. A CCD Vision System Camera can be mounted above the lighted surface to capture an image of the workpiece which is transmitted to a controller. The controller compares the image of the workpiece to a stored image of a like workpiece of known orientation, to determine the actual orientation of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.Inventors: Richard S. McLaughlin, Jon McNeill
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Patent number: 5344217Abstract: A foot platform is provided which can be adjusted horizontally towards and away from an operator, up or down relative to the operator, and angularly between vertical and horizontal to provide a comfortable platform for the operator to rest a foot during operation of a piece of equipment, and optionally including an attachment for a foot pedal actuating device so that a seated operator can control the foot pedal with either foot while resting the other foot on a foot rest of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1992Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.Inventor: Richard S. McLaughlin
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Patent number: 4386463Abstract: An improved fixture (28) is provided for positioning components of an integrated circuit (10) during the manufacturing process. In particular, a boat (32) is provided for supporting the lead frame (18) and base (14) of an integrated circuit in a predetermined position for bonding and embedding of the lead frame to the base. A guide assembly (30) is employed with the boat (32) when positioning the lead frame and base. The lead frame is inverted and slid along a guide surface (46) into a notch (74) to abut a surface (76) of a stop pin (72). The opposite end of the lead frame abuts a second surface (80) on a stop bar (66). Diverging faces (68) on opposite sides of the guide surface center the lead frame relative to the boat and guide assembly. A base is then slid along the inside of the lead frame to abut against a second abutting surface (80) on the stop pin (72) to position the base and lead frame in a predetermined relationship.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1981Date of Patent: June 7, 1983Assignee: Mostek CorporationInventor: Richard S. McLaughlin
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Patent number: 4251009Abstract: A security door assembly for use in an automatic document dispensing device having a user access compartment for conveying documents to a user through an opening in the user access compartment is provided. The security door is pivotally mounted to the user access compartment for rotation between a first position in which the security door closes the opening in the access compartment to prevent documents from being withdrawn therefrom and a second position in which the security door is contained within the user access compartment to allow the user to gain access to the compartment through the opening therein for removal of documents. The door assembly further includes structure for rotating the security door between the first and second positions. Structure is also provided for locking the security door in the first or closed position and for automatically opening the security door when a foreign object is encountered in the path of rotation of the security door.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1978Date of Patent: February 17, 1981Inventors: Richard S. McLaughlin, Jerome A. Moore
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Patent number: 4171737Abstract: An entry control device is provided for controlling the entry of a preselected document, such as a coded credit card into a dispensing machine wherein various checking and dispensing functions are performed as a result of the information obtained from the coded card. The control device includes a housing having an entry passage therein for receiving and orienting the preselected document for transport into the dispensing system. A gate is pivotally mounted to the housing for pivotal movement between a closed position for barring entry of the document into the dispensing system and is rotatable to an open position by insertion of the document into the entry passage of the housing. A trigger is pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between first and second positions. The trigger extends into the entry passage and is disposed adjacent the gate.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1977Date of Patent: October 23, 1979Assignee: Docutel CorporationInventor: Richard S. McLaughlin
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Patent number: 4164179Abstract: Integral with a high speed, computer controlled banking machine is a depository system to provide a fully automatic teller station. At the customer interface there is an entry gate controlled to an open position by a solenoid actuated in accordance with computer generated signals. A deposit envelope inserted through the entry gate is detected by a light sensor as it moves along a pinch roller transport extending to a printing station. An envelope transported to the printing station is held in a fixed position, while a numeric print machine is acutated to imprint on the envelope identifying data. When the print cycle is completed, a computer generated signal energizes a solenoid to open a security door to a storage bin and reactuates the pinch roller transport to deliver the envelope into the storage bin. A sensor is activated when an envelope enters the storage bin, and the security door is closed and locked as the trailing edge of the envelope passes the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1977Date of Patent: August 14, 1979Assignee: Docutel CorporationInventors: Richard S. McLaughlin, Walter Plaski, Robert F. Swartzendruber
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Patent number: 4067267Abstract: Integral with a high speed, computer control banking machine is a depository system to provide a fully automatic teller station. At the customer interface there is an entry gate controlled to an open position by a solenoid actuated in accordance with computer generated signals. A deposit envelope inserted through the entry gate is detected by a light sensor as it moves along a pinch roller transport extending to a printing station. An envelope transported to the printing station is held in a fixed position while a numeric print machine is actuated to imprint on the envelope identifying data. When the print cycle is completed, a computer generated signal energizes a solenoid to open a security door to a storage bin and reactuates the pinch roller transport to deliver the envelope into the storage bin. A sensor is activated when an envelope enters the storage bin and the security door is closed and locked as the trailing edge of the envelope passes the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1974Date of Patent: January 10, 1978Assignee: Docutel CorporationInventors: Richard S. McLaughlin, Walter Plaski, Robert F. Swartzendruber