James D Platt

US Patent:

56140851, Mar 25, 1997

Filed:

Jul 11, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/500619

Inventors:

James B. Platt - Reisterstown MD

International Classification:

E04H 1116

US Classification:

210169

Abstract:

An omnidirectional skimmer for removing debris from the surface of a liquid includes a first flotation member, a second flotation member, first and second hollow cross-members and a net operatively connected to the first and second hollow cross-members. The first and second hollow cross-members have open ends such that in operation one of the cross-members is submerged in water and therefore filled with water, while the other cross-member is above the surface of the water and therefore empty. The hollow open cross-members and an omnidirectional pulling element allow the pool skimmer to be operated in any direction regardless of orientation. For example, the pool skimmer can be flipped over and still operated, or the net of the pool skimmer can be inverted while the pool skimmer maintains operational effectiveness.

US Patent:

43643116, Dec 21, 1982

Filed:

Sep 5, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/184330

Inventors:

James B. Platt - Reisterstown MD

International Classification:

B65B 2710

US Classification:

100 6

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for precision cutting a bundle of mill length lumber into a plurality of strapped and trimmed bundles of lumber of desired shorter length(s). The bundle of mill length lumber is placed on an elongated conveyor and moved longitudinally by means of an advancing moveable carriage until the leading edge of the bundle of lumber abuts a surface of a set work carriage positioned downstream of a circular saw which can selectively be advanced across the conveyor path. The ends of the bundle of lumber are then squared by advancing a ram on the moveable carriage. The squared bundle of lumber is banded or strapped by a banding apparatus disposed slightly upstream of the saw and thereafter the leading edge of the bundle of lumber is precision trimmed by advancing the saw across the conveyor path. After trimming, the setwork carriage is moved a distance away from the cutting plane of the saw corresponding to the desired length of cut lumber, the bundle of lumber is pushed along the conveyor path by means of the moveable carriage until its trimmed leading edge abuts the surface of the set work carriage, the bundle of lumber is again strapped by the banding apparatus and then precision cut by the saw, and the strapped bundle of lumber between the saw and the set work carriage is removed from the conveyor path in a transverse direction and preferably directly placed on a pallet. The advancing, strapping, cutting and removal steps are continued until the original bundle of mill length lumber has been cut into the desired number of strapped bundles of lumber of desired shorter length.