James A Willmore

US Patent:

7387077, Jun 17, 2008

Filed:

Jul 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/493949

Inventors:

James R. Truax - Minneapolis MN, US
James A. Willmore - Eden Prairie MN, US

Assignee:

Truax Company, Inc. - New Hope MN

International Classification:

A01C 5/00
A01B 15/16
A01B 23/06

US Classification:

111135, 111 69, 111167, 111200

Abstract:

A seed planter has at least one rock shaft carrying a rank of planter assemblies. Each planter assembly includes a torsion joint assembly connected to the rock shaft, a planting equipment linkage connected to the torsion joint, a planting equipment yoke connected to the linkage and planting tools or equipment connected to the yoke. The planting equipment linkage is a modified parallelogram linkage that keeps the planting equipment in consistent alignment over the ground even as the seed planter traverses irregular terrain. The seed planter includes a stop mechanism that limits the amount of permissible rotation of the torsion joint on the rock shaft. A stop plate is attached to the torsion joint housing for rotation with it relative to the rock shaft. An edge of the stop plate faces the rock shaft and has a jaw opening defined by upper and lower jaws that at least partially encompasses the rock shaft. Upon rotation beyond limits, the jaws intercept and lock on the rock shaft surfaces to stop further rotation between the torsion joint housing and the rock shaft.

US Patent:

45785767, Mar 25, 1986

Filed:

Mar 30, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/480384

Inventors:

Jay A. Wheeler - Encinitas CA
James A. Willmore - Eden Prairie MN

Assignee:

Opto Systems, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

H01J 4014
H03F 136

US Classification:

250214A

Abstract:

An operational amplifier is disclosed having a phototransistor at its input for reading a bar code wherein the saturation point of an operational amplifier is controlled by a clamping feedback voltage having a positive control controlling the saturation point of the operational amplifier while prohibiting the operational amplifier from reaching its saturation point.

US Patent:

41046030, Aug 1, 1978

Filed:

Feb 16, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/769051

Inventors:

Jay A. Wheeler - Minneapolis MN
Henry L. Miszkiewicz - Minnetonka MN
Ronald O. J. Lindberg - Hopkins MN
James A. Willmore - Eden Prairie MN

Assignee:

HEI, Inc. - Chaska MN

International Classification:

H01F 704
H01H 502

US Classification:

335306

Abstract:

A tactile feel device which provides a characteristic resistance to movement, and breakaway feel to signal the operator that movement and accompanying function, such as switching, has been accomplished. Resistance to movement is provided by spring biasing means for the initial stroke of the device, by spring biasing means plus magnetic force at the end of the initial stroke, and by spring biasing means only, after magnetic breakaway at the end of the initial stroke, to provide a characteristic breakaway feel. The device is shown and described in connection with a light pen which generates a signal when pressed against a cathode-ray-tube faceplate. The characteristic breakaway feel signals the operator that the tip or probe of the pen has been sufficiently pressed against the cathode-ray-tube to generate the appropriate signal in the light pen.

US Patent:

45284458, Jul 9, 1985

Filed:

Nov 3, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/438938

Inventors:

James A. Willmore - Eden Prairie MN
Henry L. Miszkiewicz - Cardiff CA

Assignee:

Opto Systems Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G06K 712

US Classification:

235469

Abstract:

This invention is directed to an optical card reader in which the cards to be read have a format arranged in columns and rows. A row of timing marks or slots is formed in the card for each column of data. The card is driven past a read head block that directs the light to the card in which the reflected light is received through a shaped aperture or orifice so that a positive indication of the marked area is detected. The signal is applied to an operational amplifier for further treatment. There are a plurality of light sources and sensors transversely arranged in the read head block.