William A Swanson

US Patent:

7665223, Feb 23, 2010

Filed:

Jun 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/214585

Inventors:

David W. Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US
William Robert Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US

Assignee:

Delta II, I.P., Trust - Stockton CA

International Classification:

G01B 3/10

US Classification:

33756, 33701

Abstract:

A measuring device generally comprises a base unit housing an extensible cable; the cable including a free end for placement by a user at a point being measured. The base unit, placed in line of sight of the point, includes: a base; a first carriage rotationally attached to the base about a turn axis; and a second carriage rotationally attached to the first carriage about a pitch axis. Servoed motors rotate the carriages to align them with cable path to the point. The turn angle, the pitch angle and the cable length are measured to determine the point's location. A plurality of points determines a surface. The user uses a programmed PDA with a radio to communicate with the base unit.

US Patent:

7841246, Nov 30, 2010

Filed:

Oct 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/287657

Inventors:

David W. Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US
William Robert Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US

Assignee:

Delta II, I.P. - Stockton CA

International Classification:

G01L 5/04
G01B 3/10

US Classification:

7386244, 33756

Abstract:

A device for measuring the length of a cable under tension moved through the device generally comprises a frame, a measuring pulley rotatably mounted on the frame; an anti-slip device for rollingly holding the midsection of the cable in a non-slipping manner against the measuring pulley such that movement of the cable rotates the measuring pulley, and a rotation sensor for sensing the rotation of the measuring pulley and producing a signal indicative of the rotation thereof. The anti-slip device generally comprises one or more loading rollers and a loading assembly including a flexible tension member for applying loading to the loading rollers such that movement of the cable rotates the measuring pulley. A location measuring device incorporating the cable length measuring device determines the direction and distance from the location measuring device to a free end of the cable.

US Patent:

8161660, Apr 24, 2012

Filed:

Jun 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/737180

Inventors:

David W. Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US
William Robert Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US

Assignee:

Delta II I.P. Trust - Stockton CA

International Classification:

G01B 3/10

US Classification:

33756, 33 1 N

Abstract:

A measuring device generally comprises a base unit housing an extensible cable; the cable including a free end for placement by a user at a point being measured. The base unit, placed in line of sight of the point, includes: a base; a first carriage rotationally attached to the base about a turn axis; and a second carriage rotationally attached to the first carriage about a pitch axis. Servoed motors rotate the carriages to align them with cable path to the point. The turn angle, the pitch angle and the cable length are measured to determine the point's location. A plurality of points determines a surface. The user uses a programmed PDA with a radio to communicate with the base unit. An alternative embodiment only has a first carriage.

US Patent:

8220167, Jul 17, 2012

Filed:

Dec 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/737486

Inventors:

David W. Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US
William Robert Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US

Assignee:

Delta II, I.P. (Trust) - Stockton CA

International Classification:

G01B 3/10

US Classification:

33 1G, 33700, 33756, 33DIG 21, 702152

Abstract:

The method uses a cable measurement and cable positioning or laser projection device to measure a structure to produce a digitized design of the structure and to put the design on a panel by laser pointer projection or by cable positioning so that the panel can be marked and cut for fitting on the structure.

US Patent:

8418373, Apr 16, 2013

Filed:

Dec 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/737487

Inventors:

David W. Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US
William Robert Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US

Assignee:

Delta II, I.P. (Trust) - Stockton CA

International Classification:

G01B 7/31

US Classification:

33 1G, 33526

Abstract:

A method preparing for tiling a surface generally includes the steps of: measuring the surface with a cable measuring device to produce a digitized plan of the surface; displaying a plurality of possible tile layout for the surface on a display of a computer containing the produced digitized plan and programmed to display tile layouts for the surface depending on parameters including tile size, grout width, and tile orientation; selecting a tile layout, and placing the selected tile layout on the surface with the device. The method may include using the device for placing cut lines on the tiles.

US Patent:

20110131008, Jun 2, 2011

Filed:

Sep 29, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/737485

Inventors:

David W. Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US
William Robert Swanson - Fallbrook CA, US

International Classification:

G01B 3/10

US Classification:

702152, 33756

Abstract:

A positioning device includes a computer including a stored design file, such as a CAD file, for positioning a selected portion of the design on a workpiece. In a first embodiment, a base unit houses an extensible cable including a free end for placement by a user at a design point on the workpiece. A turn carriage freely rotates about a turn axis to follow cable movement. In output mode, the user is directed to move the cable free end toward the portion of the design and a cable tensioning motor adjusts the tension in the cable sufficiently to indicate when cable free end is at a distance to the portion of the design. Other embodiments include: a turn carriage servoed motor for rotating the turn carriage to follow the cable; and a pitch carriage and servoed motor for rotating the pitch carriage for following the cable.

US Patent:

43145493, Feb 9, 1982

Filed:

May 25, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/042703

Inventors:

William A. Swanson - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

F24J 302

US Classification:

126449

Abstract:

A solar energy black body collector is disclosed that gathers the sun's radiant forms of energy, transforms the energy to heat energy and transfers this energy to a medium fluid (air). The energy absorbing structure consists of a cell layer (secondary black body collector) and a flat plate (primary black body collector) almost perpendicular to each other. This combined structure collects the sun's rays from any inbound angle and reduces, to a minimum, reflected rays out of the black body collector frontal area. The black body collector structure is mounted between a transparent (to light wave energy) front panel and an opaque rear panel. The entire unit is hermetically sealed to the outside elements and is a completed unit ready for service.