Patents by Inventor SHANE CHRISTOPHER DITTRICH

SHANE CHRISTOPHER DITTRICH 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: 11970338
    Abstract: A conveyor system for translating objects is disclosed, each object with vertical protrusions extending upward and/or downward from one or more sides of the object. The conveyor system can accommodate structural members such as roof truss members, on which connector plates are affixed and from which the connector plates protrude vertically up, down, or both. The conveyor system may have a slide or some other support for the objects. The slide or other support may be narrow. The slide or other support can be tall, relative to an object. The conveyor system may have an engagement tool driven by an overhead carriage to translate the objects along the slide or other support. The engagement tool may be narrow. The engagement tool can be tall, relative to an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: House of Design LLC
    Inventor: Shane Christopher Dittrich
  • Patent number: 11966215
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling structural components are disclosed. The systems and methods consider a sequence, operations of the sequence, and an approach vector in placing structural members (including structural members with pre-attached fasteners) for assembling structural components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: House of Design LLC
    Inventors: Sean E. Ays, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Mike Aaron Luna
  • Patent number: 11905752
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated extrusion of main elements for building construction are disclosed wherein sub-components of sub-elements are extruded by automated means, and sub-elements are assembled by automated means, and the sub-elements are incorporated into main elements by automated means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: House of Design LLC
    Inventors: Shane Christopher Dittrich, Robert David Dudley Carlson, Jason T. Giuffre, Anthony P. D'Andrea, Anthony W. Foster, Richard D. Murdock, Timothy G. Mathson, Curtis R. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11845151
    Abstract: Plating systems and related methods are disclosed for prepping of structural members, such as splicing and/or pre-plating structural members. A plating system can include a splicing system and a pre-plating system. A splicing system include an infeed system, an outfeed system, and a press to affix or otherwise secure a plate to opposing surfaces of structural members to splice the structural members together. Guides are automatically positioned to guide short members through the splicing system. A pre-plating system includes a press, an infeed system configured to deliver a structural member to the press, and an outfeed system configured to remove the structural member from the press. The press is configured to secure a plate to the structural member on a surface other than the opposing surfaces used to splice the structural members together. A plate picking robot is configured to pick a plate from a plate container and position the plate on a press surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: House of Design LLC
    Inventors: Cole Jay Logemann, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry
  • Publication number: 20230176553
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling structural components are disclosed. The systems and methods consider a sequence, operations of the sequence, and an approach vector in placing structural members (including structural members with pre-attached fasteners) for assembling structural components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Sean E. Ays, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Mike Aaron Luna
  • Publication number: 20230173690
    Abstract: Pre-plating systems and related methods are disclosed. A pre-plating system includes a press, an infeed robot configured to deliver a structural member to the press, and an outfeed robot configured to remove the structural member from the press. The press is configured to secure a plate to the structural member while the structural member is held in position by at least one of the infeed robot or the outfeed robot. A pre-plating system includes a press, a transfer pedestal, a plate picking robot, and a press loading robot. The plate picking robot is configured to pick a plate from a container and position the plate on the transfer pedestal. The press loading robot is configured to transfer the plate to the press. The press is configured to press the plate into a structural member positioned within the press.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Baker, Cole Jay Logemann, Anthony Edward Lancaster, Chris Scot Annin, Anthony Wayne Foster, Jeffrey Michael Hill, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry
  • Publication number: 20230107155
    Abstract: A conveyor system for translating objects is disclosed, each object with vertical protrusions extending upward and/or downward from one or more sides of the object. The conveyor system can accommodate structural members such as roof truss members, on which connector plates are affixed and from which the connector plates protrude vertically up, down, or both. The conveyor system may have a slide or some other support for the objects. The slide or other support may be narrow. The slide or other support can be tall, relative to an object. The conveyor system may have an engagement tool driven by an overhead carriage to translate the objects along the slide or other support. The engagement tool may be narrow. The engagement tool can be tall, relative to an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventor: Shane Christopher Dittrich
  • Patent number: 11603958
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling structural components are disclosed wherein a selectively configurable fixture is placed on an assembly surface of an assembly table. An assembly table interface couples about a pin of a pin slot of the assembly table and, by means of linkage assembly, translates movement of the pin to a positioning member. The positioning member, by the translated movement of the pin, abuts an element of structural component and supports the element while a fastener is applied to join multiple elements of the structural component. A selectively configurable fixture may be used in isolation, or in combination with other fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: House of Design LLC
    Inventors: Chris Brown, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry, Michael Baker, Brandon Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20230041398
    Abstract: Plating systems and related methods are disclosed for prepping of structural members, such as splicing and/or pre-plating structural members. A plating system can include a splicing system and a pre-plating system. A splicing system include an infeed system, an outfeed system, and a press to affix or otherwise secure a plate to opposing surfaces of structural members to splice the structural members together. Guides are automatically positioned to guide short members through the splicing system. A pre-plating system includes a press, an infeed system configured to deliver a structural member to the press, and an outfeed system configured to remove the structural member from the press. The press is configured to secure a plate to the structural member on a surface other than the opposing surfaces used to splice the structural members together. A plate picking robot is configured to pick a plate from a plate container and position the plate on a press surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Cole Jay Logemann, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry
  • Patent number: 11541553
    Abstract: Pre-plating systems and related methods are disclosed. A pre-plating system includes a press, an infeed robot configured to deliver a structural member to the press, and an outfeed robot configured to remove the structural member from the press. The press is configured to secure a plate to the structural member while the structural member is held in position by at least one of the infeed robot or the outfeed robot. A pre-plating system includes a press, a transfer pedestal, a plate picking robot, and a press loading robot. The plate picking robot is configured to pick a plate from a container and position the plate on the transfer pedestal. The press loading robot is configured to transfer the plate to the press. The press is configured to press the plate into a structural member positioned within the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: House of Design LLC
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Baker, Cole Jay Logemann, Anthony Edward Lancaster, Chris Scot Annin, Anthony Wayne Foster, Jeffrey Michael Hill, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry
  • Patent number: 11542051
    Abstract: A product stacking system may include an open bag detection subsystem and a product stacking subsystem. The open bag detection subsystem may agitate bags to cause product to be displaced out of open bags and determine if a bag is open by comparing a weight of the bag after the agitation to a target threshold. The product stacking subsystem may include a robotic arm and a controller that moves the robotic arm between posts of a bin based on an orientation of the bin. A turntable rotates the bin and can operate as an additional axis of movement of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: House of Design LLC
    Inventors: Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry
  • Patent number: 11520318
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling structural components are disclosed. The systems and methods consider a sequence, operations of the sequence, and an approach vector in placing structural members (including structural members with pre-attached fasteners) for assembling structural components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: House of Design LLC
    Inventors: Sean E. Ays, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Mike Aaron Luna
  • Publication number: 20220365542
    Abstract: Systems and methods to accomplish a physical process are disclosed. The systems and methods can receive object data for an object that is a subject of the physical process; determine operation sequences that each accomplish a portion of the physical process, each operation sequence providing an ordering of a set of physical operations associated with one or more points of the object; generate an operation schedule specifying timing of performance of each operation sequence and a set of one or more sets of robots to perform each operation sequence; generate physical process data including the operation schedule and the one or more operation sequences; and communicate the physical process data to the one or more sets of robots to perform the one or more operation sequences according to the operation schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Shane Christopher Dittrich, Sean E. Ays, Mike Aaron Luna, Brandon Schmidt, Dean R. Mikel, Aaron V. Whetzel
  • Publication number: 20220305544
    Abstract: Feed segments within an adjustable feed matrix may be vertically adjusted, horizontally adjusted, and adjusted for rebar thickness. The adjustable feed matrix may be used in rebar structure building. A feed column may include a plurality of feed segments. Each feed segment may include a feed input and a feed output connected by a feed cavity. The feed cavity can include a feed mechanism and/or stabilizing mechanism that allows different thicknesses of rebar to consistently pass through the feed segment to the feed output. A vertical adjustment may adjust vertical spacing of the segments and increase or decrease vertical spacing of the feed outputs, enabling different vertical spacing between rebar passing through segments of the feed column. The feed column may attach to a rail through a coupling. The coupling may be released through a horizontal adjustment, enabling the feed column to slide along the rail and adjust horizontal spacing of the feed outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventor: Shane Christopher Dittrich
  • Patent number: 11420301
    Abstract: Plating systems and related methods are disclosed for prepping of structural members, such as splicing and/or pre-plating structural members. A plating system can include a splicing system and a pre-plating system. A splicing system include an infeed system, an outfeed system, and a press to affix or otherwise secure a plate to opposing surfaces of structural members to splice the structural members together. Guides are automatically positioned to guide short members through the splicing system. A pre-plating system includes a press, an infeed system configured to deliver a structural member to the press, and an outfeed system configured to remove the structural member from the press. The press is configured to secure a plate to the structural member on a surface other than the opposing surfaces used to splice the structural members together. A plate picking robot is configured to pick a plate from a plate container and position the plate on a press surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: House of Design LLC
    Inventors: Cole Jay Logemann, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry
  • Publication number: 20220010608
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated extrusion of main elements for building construction are disclosed wherein sub-components of sub-elements are extruded by automated means, and sub-elements are assembled by automated means, and the sub-elements are incorporated into main elements by automated means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Shane Christopher Dittrich, Robert David Dudley Carlson, Jason T. Giuffre, Anthony P. D'Andrea, Anthony W. Foster, Richard D. Murdock, Timothy G. Mathson, Curtis R. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11204599
    Abstract: A lumber culling system may include a carriage with a distal wall and a proximal wall spaced apart from one another to form an interior of the carriage. An aperture may extend through the distal wall and the proximal wall. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow a board of wood to pass through the distal wall and the proximal wall. Further, the interior of the carriage is visible within the aperture. Imaging equipment may be disposed within the interior of the carriage and arranged to scan a portion of each side of the board of wood that is positioned within the aperture. The carriage may be moved along a length of the board of wood while the board of wood is at rest on static datum supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: House of Design LLC
    Inventors: Peter Okko Ashworth, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry, Christian Rivas, Oscar Williamson
  • Publication number: 20210237215
    Abstract: Plating systems and related methods are disclosed for prepping of structural members, such as splicing and/or pre-plating structural members. A plating system can include a splicing system and a pre-plating system. A splicing system include an infeed system, an outfeed system, and a press to affix or otherwise secure a plate to opposing surfaces of structural members to splice the structural members together. Guides are automatically positioned to guide short members through the splicing system. A pre-plating system includes a press, an infeed system configured to deliver a structural member to the press, and an outfeed system configured to remove the structural member from the press. The press is configured to secure a plate to the structural member on a surface other than the opposing surfaces used to splice the structural members together. A plate picking robot is configured to pick a plate from a plate container and position the plate on a press surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Cole Jay Logemann, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry
  • Publication number: 20210147102
    Abstract: A product stacking system may include an open bag detection subsystem and a product stacking subsystem. The open bag detection subsystem may agitate bags to cause product to be displaced out of open bags and determine if a bag is open by comparing a weight of the bag after the agitation to a target threshold. The product stacking subsystem may include a robotic arm and a controller that moves the robotic arm between posts of a bin based on an orientation of the bin. A turntable rotates the bin and can operate as a an addition axis of movement of the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry
  • Publication number: 20200378548
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assembling structural components are disclosed wherein a selectively configurable fixture is placed on an assembly surface of an assembly table. An assembly table interface couples about a pin of a pin slot of the assembly table and, by means of linkage assembly, translates movement of the pin to a positioning member. The positioning member, by the translated movement of the pin, abuts an element of structural component and supports the element while a fastener is applied to join multiple elements of the structural component. A selectively configurable fixture may be used in isolation, or in combination with other fixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Chris Brown, Shane Christopher Dittrich, Kristopher Ryan Okelberry, Michael Baker, Brandon Schmidt