Patents by Inventor Rick A. Anderson

Rick A. Anderson 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: 8409648
    Abstract: A machine and method operable to mass produce batches of dough in selectable, discrete and customizable batches and control the temperature of the dough under various environmental conditions is provided. The machine and method adjusts the temperature of the water introduced into a batch of dough in order to make a batch of dough having a predetermined temperature. Specifically, the machine includes a controller operable to adjust the temperature of the water based upon first law of thermodynamics to produce a batch of dough having a predetermined temperature. The machine includes a bowl for containing dough ingredients, a water source operable to selectively introduce water with the dough ingredients, a controller, and a water temperature controlling apparatus. The controller actuates the water temperature controlling apparatus to change the temperature of the water introduced into the bowl so as to form a batch of dough having a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Anderson Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick Anderson, Tim Hancock, Mukul Mehta
  • Publication number: 20120040069
    Abstract: A machine and method operable to mass produce batches of dough in selectable, discrete and customizable batches and control the temperature of the dough under various environmental conditions is provided. The machine and method adjusts the temperature of the water introduced into a batch of dough in order to make a batch of dough having a predetermined temperature. Specifically, the machine includes a controller operable to adjust the temperature of the water based upon first law of thermodynamics to produce a batch of dough having a predetermined temperature. The machine includes a bowl for containing dough ingredients, a water source operable to selectively introduce water with the dough ingredients, a controller, and a water temperature controlling apparatus. The controller actuates the water temperature controlling apparatus to change the temperature of the water introduced into the bowl so as to form a batch of dough having a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Rick Anderson, Tim Hancock, Mukul Mehta
  • Publication number: 20120017397
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided that includes a follower and a cam disposed adjacent to the follower. The cam is capable of translating relative to the follower along a vertical direction and rotating relative to the follower about a rotational axis. The hinge assembly also includes an axle disposed through the cam to facilitate rotation of the cam about the rotational axis. The axle is configured to bias the cam toward the follower along the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Timothy J. Borgeson, Brent D. Rockafellow
  • Publication number: 20110233951
    Abstract: A passenger seating system (26) for a vehicle (5) comprising a seat back (12), a seat cushion (14), and a seat base (16). The passenger seating system (26) may be configured to utilize, expose and/or create various storage areas. The storage areas may be located on or within the seat back (12), the seat cushion (14), and/or the seat base (16). Other storage areas may be utilized, exposed and/or created by configuring the passenger seating system (26) in particular positions with vehicle interior components, such as a glove box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Ornela Zekavica, Joseph Francis Prosniewski, Alexander Saveski, Gregg Ronald LaFramboise, Kenneth M. Clark, Craig D. Flowerday, Beau Loren Anderson, Rick A. Anderson, James P. LeFevre, David Thimm, Kurt A. Seibold
  • Publication number: 20110203463
    Abstract: A dough preparing machine for preparing dough is provided. The dough preparing machine includes a dough batching system for assembling dry ingredients, a dough mixing device, and a dough compressing and dividing device. The dough preparing machine is operable to produce customizable and discrete loaves of dough for baking. The dough preparing machine gathers necessary ingredients for making dough, mixes the dough to a desired consistency, and divides the dough. The mixing device is configured to mix the dough in a bowl and transfer the dough to a container for compressing and dividing operations. The compressing and dividing device includes a first plate having a plurality of blocks and a second plate having a plurality of blades. The blades are configured to slide between the blocks after compressing operations and divide the dough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Rick Anderson, John Michael, Dan Roman, Tim Hancock
  • Publication number: 20100037533
    Abstract: A hanging display system is provided comprising an electrified grid system adapted for operative communication with display animation modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Rick Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090199372
    Abstract: A clip includes a head having a thumbscrew protrusion and a body with spaced apart threads. The clip is of various widths and lengths to accommodate, most preferably, different widths and depths of holes in peg board. Most preferably, the clip is sized to accommodate ¼ inch peg board, and is used to releasably secure items such as advertisements and promotional material to the peg board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Rick Anderson
  • Patent number: 7497139
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a first component coupled to a second component by a suspension component; and the suspension component structured to maintain predetermined angular spring rates and to maintain high linear spring rates, that are higher than the angular spring rates, along linear axes of the suspension component that flex under predetermined increased dynamic loading of the suspension component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Maier, Rick Anderson, Doug Olsen, Sams Engelman, Roger Burlingame, Larry Dean Krieger
  • Publication number: 20080148896
    Abstract: A gyroscope assembly comprises a shaft and a flexure device mounted on the shaft. The flexure device includes three concentric plates. A first pair of diametrically opposed hinges connected the inner plate and the central plate. A second pair of diametrically opposed hinges spaced 90° apart from the first pair of hinges connects the outer plate and the inner plate. The hinges define two perpendicular sensing axis and form a gimbal so that rotations of the outer plate about the sensing axes may be detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Eric Maier, Rick Anderson, Douglas G. Olsen
  • Publication number: 20070119250
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a first component coupled to a second component by a suspension component; and the suspension component structured to maintain predetermined angular spring rates and to maintain high linear spring rates, that are higher than the angular spring rates, along linear axes of the suspension component that flex under predetermined increased dynamic loading of the suspension component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Maier, Rick Anderson, Doug Olsen, Sams Engelman, Roger Burlingame, Larry Krieger
  • Publication number: 20060214471
    Abstract: An attachment system for coupling a module to a rail member on an interior portion of a vehicle is disclosed and includes a latching member. The latching member includes a projection configured to operably engage the rail member by rotation of the lever. An attachment system for coupling a module to a vehicle is also includes a latch device having a hook member pivotally coupled to a lever so that movement of the lever operates the hook as an over-center device to releasably engage the rail member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Rick Anderson, Andrew Ruiter, Thomas Hodgson, Mathias Fox, Steven Spoerre, Matthew Kalis, Kermit Anderson, Bryan Jones, Mark Kadzban, Joseph Thompson
  • Publication number: 20060102705
    Abstract: The Trash Tower has several unique features; the way the Trash Tower Base and the Trash Tower Lid interact is also of a unique nature. The interlocking flap-design of the Trash Tower Lid works in such a way as to secure the Trash Tower Lid onto the Trash Tower Base and keep the Trash Tower Liner in place. Additionally, the bottom of the base is also of a unique design because it is bottomless and this allows the base to be pulled over the full liner, so that the liner does not break when being lifted out of the base. This design is the whole of my invention and is unique unto itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventor: Rick Anderson
  • Patent number: 6752443
    Abstract: A load floor system (10) for a vehicle with a seat assembly, a structural member under the seat assembly, and a floor space adjacent the seat assembly. The load floor system (10) includes a retractable panel coupled to the structural member, a first link coupled to the retractable panel, and a second link coupled to the retractable panel (14). The retractable panel (14), the first link, and the second link cooperate as a portion of a four-bar mechanism to translate the retractable panel from a retracted position under the seat assembly to an extended position over the floor space thereby forming a load floor (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Thompson, Rick A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6598934
    Abstract: A tray table mounted to the armrest of a vehicle seat assembly via a four-bar linkage. The linkage operates to raise the armrest during movement of the tray table between its stowed and use positions. Raising the armrest provides increased clearance between the tray table and the vehicle floor and between the tray table and the seat back of the next forward seat assembly. A second four-bar linkage is provided to maintain the armrest in a fixed attitude relative to the vehicle body regardless of the seat back recline angle. This enables the tray table to remain in a given attitude relative to the vehicle body, such as a horizontal attitude, regardless of the seat back recline position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Rick A. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030127881
    Abstract: A seating system for use with a vehicle including a vehicle frame having a front, a rear, a first side and a second side and a front side door having a front portion pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame includes a rear side door having a rear portion pivotally coupled to the frame. The system further includes a seat pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame and at least one member having a first portion coupled to the seat and a second portion coupled to the rear side door, wherein pivotal movement of the rear side door rotates the seat between a passenger riding position in which the seat faces the front of the vehicle frame and a passenger loading position in which the seat faces an open space formed between the rear side door and the vehicle frame when the rear side door is ajar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Rick A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6547303
    Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle having a rearwardly opening door relative to a seat. The seat having a seat cushion, seat back and a seat pivot rotatably connected to the vehicle for rotation of the seat about a vertical axis. At least one linkage is coupled between the seat cushion and a vehicle door. The linkage is sized and positioned such that the seat pivots in response to the door movement. The seat remains substantially adjacent to the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Rick A. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030026103
    Abstract: A vehicle-mountable light assembly comprises a body, a power source, a light source, and an auxiliary functional unit. The body is configured to be mounted to a vehicle interior. The light source is coupled to the power source and the body and is configured to provide sustained light. The auxiliary functional unit is a non-light source unit which is coupled to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Dian H. Reese, Rick A. Anderson, Brant J. Potter, Scott A. Hansen, Jason M. Denbow
  • Patent number: 6447068
    Abstract: A pop-up headrest (12) for a vehicle seat assembly (10) which is movable between a retracted stowed position below the upper end of the seat assembly backrest (11) and a raised use position extending above the upper end of the backrest. The headrest is mounted to the vehicle body rearward of the backrest for rotation about a transverse axis. An over-center mechanism having a gas cylinder (20) is used to hold the headrest in both the raised use position and the retracted stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Roy A. Von Alman
  • Patent number: 6290277
    Abstract: A cargo system for a vehicle having a floor and a seat that folds and forms a cargo surface. The cargo system includes a cargo platform having a front edge. The cargo platform is connectable to the vehicle for movement between a lowered position with the front edge being located under a portion of the seat and a raised position with the cargo platform being generally aligned with the cargo surface of the seat thereby forming an upper tier and a lower tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: David J. Spykerman, Rick A. Anderson, Detlef Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6278676
    Abstract: A media player system for a vehicle is disclosed which includes a base fixed to the vehicle and a media player releasably attached to the base for removal of the media player for use separate from the vehicle. The media player includes one or more striker pins and a terminal. A connector is provided on the mounting base for mating with the terminal to establish a power connection and connection for video and audio signals from the player. The mounting base further includes raised stanchions providing guide slots having an open end for reception of the striker pins of the media player to guide the player to a latched position and facilitate mating of the media player terminal with the connector in the mounting base. One or more latch members are provided to close the open ends of the guide slots and entrap the striker pins therein to retain the player on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Prince Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Val A. Bellora