Patents by Inventor Thomas Hale
Thomas Hale 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: 11920347Abstract: A joist assembly system that is structured for dynamic retrieval of components, dynamic and precise positioning and location of retrieved components, assembly of the components to form a joist, and delivery of the assembled joist. The joist assembly system has a plurality of material handling systems, a plurality of welding systems, and a rigging table system. The material handling systems are structured to load and position the components such as chords and webs onto the rigging table. The rigging table in turn supports the chords or webs. Subsequently, the plurality of welding systems weld the webs to the chords to form the joist.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: NUCOR CORPORATIONInventors: Jason Alan Freidenberger, Joseph Patrick Cagle, Christopher Ray Couch, Richard Thomas Erickson, Travis Marshall Fuhrman, John Lyman Hale, Matthew Glenn Hire, Christopher William Martin, James E. Ogburn, III, Jonathan Pressley Poston, Peter Michael Puglisi, Phillip Murray Sylvester, Jr., Adam Taylor Watkins
-
Patent number: 11848099Abstract: A browser-based, user interface served by a manager application providing for a unified ecosystem experience empowering healthcare users with seamless control over a plurality of different applications and/or websites in a maximized, consolidated and synchronized manner. The manager application includes a user interface with common toolbar controlling a plurality of panels built upon underlying frame data for displaying various applications and/or websites in a consolidated view. The information in the panels can be contextually linked such as via an informational update in one panel triggering a message for a relevant update to be performed in adjacent panels in the user interface manager application. Therefore, a uniform user experience with consistent look-and-feel is provided despite using separate applications and/or websites.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Navvis & Company, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Garibaldi, Joshua Wilson, Thomas Hale
-
Publication number: 20220073234Abstract: A machine for opening drinking straws and/or other enclosed containers using temperature changes. In the drinking straw variety, the straw is made in part or in full by Nitinol (also known as nickel titanium), Shape Memory Material, or similar such material that allows for the change in the straw's shape (known as the parent phase) in the elevated temperature of a dishwashing machine or similar machine using the Nitinol's or Shape Memory Material's reversible solid-state phase change (known as a martensitic transformation). When the straw is returned to room temperature, the straw closes to its original shape (known as its daughter phase) allowing it to be used as a standard straw. The container variety uses the same method but adapts it for container shapes. This phase change allows for lodged materials in the straw and/or container to be easily dislodged by the object opening in the dishwasher.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventor: Richard Thomas Hale, III
-
Patent number: 8490587Abstract: The present invention relates to a cam drive (1) having a camshaft and having cams (18, 18?)arranged thereon and having at least one rocker arm (3) which has a cam follower (2) and which is operatively connected by means of its first arm (4) to a plunger-like bearing (5) and by means of its second arm (6) to at least one gas exchange valve (7) of an associated cylinder. The cam drive (1) also has a device (10) for varying the lift of the at least one gas exchange valve (7). Here, it is essential to the invention that the device (10) is embodied as a clutch device which acts between the plunger-like abutment (5) and the rocker arm (3, 3?, 3?)and which has an actuating element (12) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis (13) of the plunger-like abutment (5) at least between two positions, wherein a valve lift in a first, coupled position of the actuating element (12) is varied in comparison with a second, decoupled position.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2007Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Mahle International GmbHInventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann
-
Patent number: 8327815Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable camshaft (1), which is connected to a crankshaft via a sprocket/belt pulley (3) and has a phase adjusting device (4) for adjusting the phase between the camshaft (1) and the crankshaft. The essential idea of the invention is that the phase adjusting device (4) comprises a planetary gear (5) having at least two sun wheels (6 and 7) disposed coaxially to each other and planet wheels (8) surrounding said sun wheels, wherein said planet wheels are rotatably supported on a planet wheel carrier (10) via a planet wheel axis (9). Said planet wheel carrier (10) can be rotated in relation to the camshaft axis (11), wherein a rotation of the planet wheel carrier (10) brings about a phase adjustment between the camshaft (1) and the drive.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Mahle International GmbHInventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann, Gordon Taylor
-
Publication number: 20120300079Abstract: An object-oriented cable camera system that processes the sports ball's position and automatically follows the ball in play in lock step to the sports ball in the sporting arena. The invention is comprised of a cable camera, a computer control system controlling the position of the cable camera and the camera's settings, a tracking chip attached to the sports ball, and a sports ball. A tracking chip is attached to the sports ball. The computer control system monitors the position of the sports ball through this tracking chip and automatically adjusts the cable camera's relative position to the sports ball keeping the cable camera in lock step with the sports ball and therefore providing a superior viewing experience. When the sports ball moves, the computer control system recognizes this change of position and automatically moves the cable camera's position to mirror the sports ball's new position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventor: Richard Thomas Hale
-
Patent number: 8210793Abstract: The invention relates to a radial compressor for a turbocharger (5), in particular for an internal combustion engine, with a compressor wheel (4) for conveying and compressing a gas, which has an axial intake end (7) and a radial exhaust end (8), with a compressor wheel space (3), in which the compressor wheel (4) is arranged and which extends from the intake end (7) to the exhaust end (8), with an inlet port (10) leading to the intake end (7) of the compressor wheel (4), with at least one recirculation path (12) which opens at one end into the inlet port (10) and at the other end into the compressor wheel space (3). To increase the efficiency of the compressor (1) and/or the charger (5) equipped with the compressor, a control device (15) is provided for varying the flow-through cross section, namely at least opening and closing the flow-through cross section, of the at least one recirculation path (12).Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Bosch Mahle Turbo Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Thomas Hale
-
Publication number: 20100101515Abstract: The present invention relates to a cam drive (1) having a camshaft and having cams (18, 18?) arranged thereon and having at least one rocker arm (3) which has a cam follower (2) and which is operatively connected by means of its first arm (4) to a plunger-like bearing (5) and by means of its second arm (6) to at least one gas exchange valve (7) of an associated cylinder. The cam drive (1) also has a device (10) for varying the lift of the at least one gas exchange valve (7). Here, it is essential to the invention that the device (10) is embodied as a clutch device which acts between the plunger-like abutment (5) and the rocker arm (3, 3?, 3?) and which has an actuating element (12) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis (13) of the plunger-like abutment (5) at least between two positions, wherein a valve lift in a first, coupled position of the actuating element (12) is varied in comparison with a second, decoupled position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 4, 2007Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann
-
Publication number: 20100064998Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable camshaft (1), which is connected to a crankshaft via a sprocket/belt pulley (3) and has a phase adjusting device (4) for adjusting the phase between the camshaft (1) and the crankshaft. The essential idea of the invention is that the phase adjusting device (4) comprises a planetary gear (5) having at least two sun wheels (6 and 7) disposed coaxially to each other and planet wheels (8) surrounding said sun wheels, wherein said planet wheels are rotatably supported on a planet wheel carrier (10) via a planet wheel axis (9). Said planet wheel carrier (10) can be rotated in relation to the camshaft axis (11), wherein a rotation of the planet wheel carrier (10) brings about a phase adjustment between the camshaft (1) and the drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventors: Thomas Hale, Johnathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann, Gorden Taylor
-
Patent number: 7677214Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for shutting down at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The device (1) is connected to a rocker lever (2) which actuates an intake/exhaust valve (6) of the respective cylinder. In active cylinder operation, the rocker lever (2) executes an oscillating tilting movement about a pivot axle (10) which is situated in the area of the connection to the cylinder head (9), whereas when the respective cylinder is deactivated, the rocker lever (2) is lifted by the cylinder head (9) and therefore its pivot axle (10) is shifted in the direction of the connection of the rocker lever (2) to the valve of the respective cylinder. It is essential to the invention here that the device (1) is arranged essentially between the rocker lever (2) and the cylinder head (9) and the device has a guide element (11), a pivot axle element (12) displaceably mounted on the guide element (11) and a spring (15) stretched between two abutments (13, 14).Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: MAHLE International GmbHInventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann, Mark Potts
-
Publication number: 20090060708Abstract: The invention relates to a radial compressor for a turbocharger (5), in particular for an internal combustion engine, with a compressor wheel (4) for conveying and compressing a gas, which has an axial intake end (7) and a radial exhaust end (8), with a compressor wheel space (3), in which the compressor wheel (4) is arranged and which extends from the intake end (7) to the exhaust end (8), with an inlet port (10) leading to the intake end (7) of the compressor wheel (4), with at least one recirculation path (12) which opens at one end into the inlet port (10) and at the other end into the compressor wheel space (3). To increase the efficiency of the compressor (1) and/or the charger (5) equipped with the compressor, a control device (15) is provided for varying the flow-through cross section, namely at least opening and closing the flow-through cross section, of the at least one recirculation path (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventor: Thomas Hale
-
Publication number: 20080058184Abstract: An exercise device includes a deflatable spherical exercise ball mounted on a frame for rotation above a support surface that supports the frame so that the ball rotates freely without interference from the support surface. The frame is foldable so that when the ball is deflated, the frame may be stored in a space substantially smaller than the space occupied by the exercise device when in a fully deployed configuration. A first pair of inclined tubes is pivotally connected to one another at their respective upper ends so that they collectively form an inverted āVā shape when the device is fully deployed. A second pair of inclined tubes is transversely opposed to the first pair of inclined tubes. A forward base includes foot restraints. The first and second pairs of inclined tubes are coplanar with the forward base when the device is folded.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: HALE FITNESS, INC.Inventor: Thomas Hale
-
Publication number: 20070277756Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for shutting down at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The device (1) is connected to a rocker lever (2) which actuates an intake/exhaust valve (6) of the respective cylinder. In active cylinder operation, the rocker lever (2) executes an oscillating tilting movement about a pivot axle (10) which is situated in the area of the connection to the cylinder head (9), whereas when the respective cylinder is deactivated, the rocker lever (2) is lifted by the cylinder head (9) and therefore its pivot axle (10) is shifted in the direction of the connection of the rocker lever (2) to the valve of the respective cylinder. It is essential to the invention here that the device (1) is arranged essentially between the rocker lever (2) and the cylinder head (9) and the device has a guide element (11), a pivot axle element (12) displaceably mounted on the guide element (11) and a spring (15) stretched between two abutments (13, 14).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann, Mark Potts
-
Patent number: 7299781Abstract: An oil return passage for returning oil from a cylinder head to an oil pan is arranged along the downward first side surface of an engine that is mounted in a vehicle such that a center axis of a cylinder thereof is slanted with respect to a vertical direction of the vehicle. An oil return extension pipe is coupled to an outlet end of the oil return passage, and extends toward a second side surface of the engine that is opposite from the first side surface on which the oil return passage is provided. Thus, engine oil can be reliably returned to the oil pan from the cylinder head of the engine even when the vehicle is experiencing high acceleration in a direction that tends to cause backflow of the oil through the engine oil return system.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Mahle Powertrain Ltd.Inventors: Noaki Nakada, Manabu Kato, Tomohiro Okamoto, Thomas Hale
-
Publication number: 20070015645Abstract: An exercise apparatus for developing strength and flexibility of the arms, legs, back and abdominals of the user. The exercise apparatus is an adaptation of the exercise ball or Swiss ball. The exercise apparatus includes a large, spherically-shaped, resilient ball, a frame and a pair of connectors, the connectors rotatably connecting the ball to the frame. Various attachments may be placed on the frame to allow the user to grasp the apparatus or lock their feet to prevent unwanted motion. A mechanism can also be included in the connectors allowing the user to selectively adjust the rotation to a desired degree of resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2006Publication date: January 18, 2007Inventor: Thomas Hale
-
Publication number: 20060229177Abstract: An exercise apparatus for developing strength and flexibility of the arms, legs, back and abdominals of the user. The exercise apparatus is an adaptation of the exercise ball or Swiss ball. The exercise apparatus includes a large, spherically-shaped, resilient ball, a frame and a pair of connectors, the connectors rotatably connecting the ball to the frame. Various attachments may be placed on the frame to allow the user to grasp the apparatus or lock their feet to prevent unwanted motion. A mechanism can also be included in the connectors allowing the user to selectively adjust the rotation to a desired degree of resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2005Publication date: October 12, 2006Inventor: Thomas Hale
-
Publication number: 20060219206Abstract: An oil return passage for returning oil from a cylinder head to an oil pan is arranged along the downward first side surface of an engine that is mounted in a vehicle such that a center axis of a cylinder thereof is slanted with respect to a vertical direction of the vehicle. An oil return extension pipe is coupled to an outlet end of the oil return passage, and extends toward a second side surface of the engine that is opposite from the first side surface on which the oil return passage is provided. Thus, engine oil can be reliably returned to the oil pan from the cylinder head of the engine even when the vehicle is experiencing high acceleration in a direction that tends to cause backflow of the oil through the engine oil return system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2006Publication date: October 5, 2006Applicants: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Mahle Powertrain Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Nakada, Manabu Kato, Tomohiro Okamoto, Thomas Hale