Patents by Inventor Timothy Gale Birdwell

Timothy Gale Birdwell 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).

  • Publication number: 20240058878
    Abstract: A tooling system is disclosed for wood or metal working including a working element, and a work piece engagement surface at least partially surrounding, positioned adjacent to, or positioned proximate to, the working element, the work piece feedable toward the working element or the working element feedable across the work piece when the work piece is positioned against or supported by the work piece engagement surface; wherein the work piece engagement surface includes a low friction and/or non-stick coating. The workpiece engagement surface may be roughened up such that it has an average surface roughness (RA) of between about 1 micrometer and about 4 micrometers to facilitate its adhesion with the low friction coating while providing a low friction coating with a low coefficient of kinetic friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffery Lee KONKLE, Timothy Gale BIRDWELL, Charles WEBER, Thomas BALKO, Shih-Ming LI
  • Publication number: 20230398615
    Abstract: A band saw is disclosed that includes a frame, a guide wheel, and a blade disposed around the guide wheel. A guide wheel chassis can be movably disposed on the frame, the guide wheel rotatably disposed on the guide wheel chassis. The band saw can include a blade tension adjustment assembly including a tensioning motor, wherein operation of the tensioning motor produces movement of the guide wheel chassis and the guide wheel relative to the frame to adjust the tension of the blade. A tension gauge can be positioned to determine a tension in the blade, and a controller can be communicated with the tensioning motor and the tension gauge, the controller operable to receive tension data from the tension gauge and control operation of the tensioning motor based on the tension data to control the tension of the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy Gale Birdwell, Jeffery Lee Konkle, Charles Weber, Yi-Feng Fang
  • Patent number: 11076467
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for establishing a network of sensor-responsive lighting units using an interface of each lighting unit. The interface of each lighting unit can include a channel selector switch for selecting a channel to which each lighting unit will be connected. In this way, the creation of a network can be created by placing the lighting units proximate to each other and selecting the same channel at the interface at each lighting unit. The lighting units can include sensors for detecting events occurring at each lighting unit, and information related to the detected events can be shared among other lighting units in the network. Each lighting unit can operate in different operating modes such as a testing mode for testing communications channels and a manual mode for allowing a lighting unit to operate independently of the information shared over the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: HEATHCO LLC
    Inventors: Scott Blaise Tylicki, Martin James Fornek, Timothy Gale Birdwell
  • Patent number: 10271404
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for establishing a network of sensor-responsive lighting units using an interface of each lighting unit. The interface of each lighting unit can include a channel selector switch for selecting a channel to which each lighting unit will be connected. In this way, the creation of a network can be created by placing the lighting units proximate to each other and selecting the same channel at the interface at each lighting unit. The lighting units can include sensors for detecting events occurring at each lighting unit, and information related to the detected events can be shared among other lighting units in the network. Each lighting unit can operate in different operating modes such as a testing mode for testing communications channels and a manual mode for allowing a lighting unit to operate independently of the information shared over the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: HeathCo LLC
    Inventors: Martin James Fornek, Timothy Gale Birdwell, Scott Blaise Tylicki
  • Patent number: 10054290
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator mounts to a ceiling or a wall of a garage. The movable barrier operator includes an operator housing with a motor configured to open and close a movable barrier. The movable barrier operator also includes an LED light source mounted to the housing, a light cover, and a light distributing element. The light cover has several side surfaces that surround or covers the light source. The light distributing element mounts relative to the light source and is configured to scatter light projected by the LED light source so that some of the scattered light is directed toward one or more of the side surfaces of the light cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Gale Birdwell, Eric Colin Bretschneider, James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 9905976
    Abstract: An electrical fixture includes an electrical fixture housing having a mounting surface, an electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface, and an electrical fixture support. A corresponding cover plate or mounting strap includes an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to hot and neutral lines from a junction box and the corresponding electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface of the electrical fixture. An electrical fixture ground connection separate from the fixture electrical connector electrically connects to an electrical ground from the junction box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: HeathCo LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Gale Birdwell, Eric Colin Bretschneider, James J. Fitzgibbon, Bradley T. Moore, Scott Blaise Tylicki
  • Patent number: 9595794
    Abstract: An electrical fixture includes an electrical fixture housing having a mounting surface, an electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface, and an electrical fixture support. A corresponding cover plate includes an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to hot and neutral lines from a junction box and the corresponding electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface of the electrical fixture. An electrical fixture ground connection separate from the fixture electrical connector electrically connects to an electrical ground from the junction box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HEATHCO, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Gale Birdwell, Eric Colin Bretschneider, James J. Fitzgibbon, Bradley T. Moore, Scott Blaise Tylicki
  • Publication number: 20160033718
    Abstract: A movable barrier operator mounts to a ceiling or a wall of a garage. The movable barrier operator includes an operator housing with a motor configured to open and close a movable barrier. The movable barrier operator also includes an LED light source mounted to the housing, a light cover, and a light distributing element. The light cover has several side surfaces that surround or covers the light source. The light distributing element mounts relative to the light source and is configured to scatter light projected by the LED light source so that some of the scattered light is directed toward one or more of the side surfaces of the light cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy Gale Birdwell, Eric Colin Bretschneider, James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Publication number: 20160020562
    Abstract: An electrical fixture includes an electrical fixture housing having a mounting surface, an electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface, and an electrical fixture support. A corresponding cover plate includes an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to hot and neutral lines from a junction box and the corresponding electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface of the electrical fixture. An electrical fixture ground connection separate from the fixture electrical connector electrically connects to an electrical ground from the junction box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy Gale Birdwell, Eric Colin Bretschneider, James J. Fitzgibbon, Bradley T. Moore, Scott Blaise Tylicki
  • Patent number: 9172199
    Abstract: An electrical fixture includes an electrical fixture housing having a mounting surface, an electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface, and an electrical fixture support. A corresponding cover plate includes an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to hot and neutral lines from a junction box and the corresponding electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface of the electrical fixture. An electrical fixture ground connection separate from the fixture electrical connector electrically connects to an electrical ground from the junction box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: HeathCo, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Gale Birdwell, Eric Colin Bretschneider, James J. Fitzgibbon, Bradley T. Moore, Scott Blaise Tylicki
  • Publication number: 20150109813
    Abstract: A light guide projects light in an asymmetric pattern. The light guide is installable with respect to a light emitting diode (“LED”) and extends along an optic axis. The light guide projects light with respect to first and second parallel projection planes that are parallel to and disposed on opposite sides of an optic axis. The light guide includes an optic body that extends along the optic axis. The light guide has a proximal end surface configured to receive light from an LED. The light guide also has a distal end surface configured to distribute light emitted by the light emitting diode. The distal end surface can take on various shapes, patterns, and configurations to distribute light asymmetrically with respect to the first and second parallel projection planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy Gale Birdwell, Eric Colin Bretschneider
  • Publication number: 20140256179
    Abstract: An electrical fixture includes an electrical fixture housing having a mounting surface, an electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface, and an electrical fixture support. A corresponding cover plate includes an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to hot and neutral lines from a junction box and the corresponding electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface of the electrical fixture. An electrical fixture ground connection separate from the fixture electrical connector electrically connects to an electrical ground from the junction box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy Gale Birdwell, Eric Colin Bretschneider, James J. Fitzgibbon, Bradley T. Moore, Scott Blaise Tylicki
  • Patent number: 8682252
    Abstract: A transmitter apparatus is provided that includes an actuator and a transmitter with a housing and wireless transmission circuitry. The actuator is mounted to a structural element of a building and is at least partially exposed and accessible to a user. The housing is arranged and configured to extend at least partially into an opening in the structural element of the building. The transmission circuitry is arranged and configured to receive the actuations from the actuator and responsively transmit radio frequency (RF) signals to a remotely situated appliance via the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: HeathCo, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Blaise Tylicki, Jimmy David Claiborne, Timothy Gale Birdwell
  • Patent number: 8565469
    Abstract: A cover-attachment assembly works in conjunction with an audio-annunciator housing that is configured to operationally mount to a wall. This audio-annunciator housing can have one or more arcuately-shaped tracks and one or more snap interfaces. The cover-attachment assembly comprises at least one arcuately-shaped guide surface that is shaped, sized, and positioned to fit within the arcuately-shaped track when pivotally attaching the cover-attachment assembly to the audio-annunciator housing. The snap interface, in turn, is shaped, sized, and positioned to lockingly mate with the audio-annunciator housing snap interface to hold the cover-attachment assembly in an installed position with respect to the audio-annunciator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: HeathCo, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Gale Birdwell
  • Patent number: 8055200
    Abstract: A transmitter apparatus effective for activating a remotely situated appliance includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter. The RF transmitter is configured to be mounted to a structural element of a building and configured to receive an actuation by a user to wirelessly transmit a signal. An antenna is coupled to the RF transmission circuitry and is arranged and configured to transmit the signal to a remotely situated appliance. The antenna is disposed within an opening in the structural element of the building and is of dimensions so as to extend at least partially through the opening. The antenna transmits the signal to the appliance without significant interference or absorption from the structural element of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: HeathCo LLC
    Inventors: Scott Blaise Tylicki, Jimmy David Claiborne, Timothy Gale Birdwell, Ronald Edward Anglikowski
  • Patent number: 7990281
    Abstract: A doorbell chime (100) can comprise a chassis (101), a cover (104) having a mechanical-cover identifier (105, 106), a mechanical-cover identifier detector (103) (to detect when the cover is at least substantially disposed in the installed position), and a chime (102) mounted in the chassis. This chime is configured to operate in a first mode of operation (302) when the mechanical-cover identifier detector detects the cover and in a second mode of operation (303) (that is different than the first mode of operation) when the mechanical-cover identifier detector does not detect the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: HeathCo, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Blaise Tylicki, Timothy Gale Birdwell, Thomas Michael Gott, Jimmy David Claiborne
  • Publication number: 20110116676
    Abstract: A cover-attachment assembly works in conjunction with an audio-annunciator housing that is configured to operationally mount to a wall. This audio-annunciator housing can have one or more arcuately-shaped tracks and one or more snap interfaces. The cover-attachment assembly comprises at least one arcuately-shaped guide surface that is shaped, sized, and positioned to fit within the arcuately-shaped track when pivotally attaching the cover-attachment assembly to the audio-annunciator housing. The snap interface, in turn, is shaped, sized, and positioned to lockingly mate with the audio-annunciator housing snap interface to hold the cover-attachment assembly in an installed position with respect to the audio-annunciator housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: HEATHCO, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Gale Birdwell
  • Patent number: D676346
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Heathco, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Gale Birdwell
  • Patent number: D690673
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: HeathCo, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Gale Birdwell
  • Patent number: RE44745
    Abstract: A transmitter apparatus effective for activating a remotely situated appliance includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter. The RF transmitter is configured to be mounted to a structural element of a building and configured to receive an actuation by a user to wirelessly transmit a signal. An antenna is coupled to the RF transmission circuitry and is arranged and configured to transmit the signal to a remotely situated appliance. The antenna is disposed within an opening in the structural element of the building and is of dimensions so as to extend at least partially through the opening. The antenna transmits the signal to the appliance without significant interference or absorption from the structural element of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: HealthCo LLC
    Inventors: Scott B. Tylicki, Jimmy David Claiborne, Timothy Gale Birdwell