Terry L Thompson

US Patent:

6698141, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Jan 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/054433

Inventors:

Cyril Silberman - Minnetonka MN
David Sadinsky - Minneapolis MN
Bart Riberich - Brooklyn Park MN
Andrew Cheng - New Brighton MN
Lennart Nielson - Edina MN
Terry Thompson - Minneapolis MN
Timothy J. Kline - Minnetonka MN

Assignee:

Uni-Systems, LLC - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E04B 310

US Classification:

52 6, 52 7, 52 64, 52 66, 521261, 521265, 527411, 427 42, 427 85, 427 92, 427 94

Abstract:

A convertible public exhibition facility includes a stadium having an exhibition area and a seating area that is situated about the exhibition area for permitting spectators to view activities taking place in the exhibition area. The exhibition facility further includes a movable natural grass activity platform that has a surface area of natural grass that is at least 10,000 square feet and that is constructed so as to have a characteristic frequency of at least 6 Hz. Situated within the natural grass activity platform is a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged so as to be able to move the natural grass activity platform as a complete unit from a location that is outside of the stadium to a location that is within the exhibition area. Preferably, the location that is outside of the stadium is an outdoor location that provides optimal conditions for the growth of natural grass.

US Patent:

6718696, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Jan 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/053755

Inventors:

Cyril Silberman - Minnetonka MN
David Sadinsky - Minneapolis MN
Bart Riberich - Brooklyn Park MN
Andrew Cheng - New Brighton MN
Lennart Nielson - Edina MN
Terry Thompson - Minneapolis MN
Timothy J. Kline - Minnetonka MN

Assignee:

Uni-Systems, LLC - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E04H 310

US Classification:

52 6, 52 64, 472 92, 472 77

Abstract:

A convertible stadium includes an exhibition area, a seating area and an outer sidewall in which is defined in large opening, preferably located so as to provide favorable outdoor views to the occupants of the stadium. A movable wall member is advantageously position so as to be able to open or close the large opening. When the movable wall member is in a first, retracted position spectators will be provided with a view of the outdoors and a great deal of outdoor air and sunlight. When outdoor conditions are unfavorable for an intended event within the stadium, however, the movable wall member may be repositioned in order to partially or fully close the opening. Such unfavorable conditions may include undesirable sun position, an undesirable amount of wind or humidity; or unfavorable temperatures. The movable wall member may be deployed in combination with a retractable roof in an otherwise indoor stadium, resulting in a convertible stadium that may be converted to have a true outdoor feel during favorable weather conditions.

US Patent:

6789360, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Jan 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/053790

Inventors:

Cyril Silberman - Minnetonka MN
David Sadinsky - Minneapolis MN
Bart Riberich - Brooklyn Park MN
Andrew Cheng - New Brighton MN
Lennart Nielson - Edina MN
Terry Thompson - Minneapolis MN
Timothy J. Kline - Minnetonka MN

Assignee:

Uni-Systems, LLC - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E04H 310

US Classification:

52 66, 52 6

Abstract:

A convertible stadium includes an exhibition area, a seating area and a plurality of roof support locations for supporting a movable or retractable roof assembly. The roof assembly includes a first major truss that spans a distance between a first and a second of the roof support locations and a second major truss that spans a distance between a third and a fourth of the roof support locations. Both of the first and second major trusses are preferably structurally configured as a tied arch, each of which has a generally convex upper portion and a lower portion that is adapted to assume gravity induced stresses within the trusses as tension. In order to keep the center of mass of the major trusses generally positioned within a plane including the roof support locations, which optimizes lateral stability of the major trusses, the major trusses are most preferably given a lenticular shape, meaning that the lower portion of the trusses is convex and in fact preferably generally symmetrical to the upper portion. First and second convex guide tracks are respectively mounted to the upper portions of the first and second major trusses, and a movable roof member is mounted for movement along the guide tracks. Advantageously, the guide wheels and the drive wheels on the movable roof member engage the upwardly facing and downwardly facing surfaces on the guide tracks, and are biased together so as to provide sufficient traction to be able to move the movable roof member along the guide tracks even when such movement has an upward component due to the convex shape of the guide tracks.

US Patent:

7228997, Jun 12, 2007

Filed:

Mar 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/082366

Inventors:

Terry Thompson - Minneapolis MN, US

Assignee:

Engineering Technologies, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B23P 21/00

US Classification:

227110, 227111, 227 3, 227 5, 227 7

Abstract:

An apparatus nails a plurality of cross members to an underlying stringer to produce a pallet. The carriage moves in a continuous motion without stopping over the cross members until the cross members are nailed to the stringer. The carriage includes at least one nailing gun for driving nails and a hydraulic accumulator mounted on the carriage in hydraulic communication with the at least one nailing gun for supplying hydraulic fluid to provide a force to the nailing gun to nail the cross members to the stringer. The nailing gun may be pivotally secured to the carriage wherein the nailing gun pivots with respect to the carriage while driving a nail into the cross member and the underlying stringer. The nail gun is also positioned into a nail driving position pneumatically and when in the nail driving position the hydraulic cylinder is actuated to drive the nail into the cross member.

Address:

289 Front Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55117

VIN:

1GNDV23127D162483

Make:

CHEVROLET

Model:

UPLANDER

Year:

2007