Patents Assigned to The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
  • Patent number: 8287143
    Abstract: A supplementary power supply and method for powering a portable electrical device such as a flashlight having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and battery compartment adapted to receive a standard battery therein. The supply comprises a cap adapted for installation on the battery compartment, an electrical circuit comprising a generator and a positive output and a negative output, and an actuator in mechanical communication with the generator and capable of actuation when the power supply is within the compartment and the cap is installed on the compartment, wherein the electrical circuit is sized and shaped to be received within the battery compartment and interconnect the positive output with the positive terminal and the negative output with the negative terminal, and actuation of the actuator operates the generator to provide an electrical current between the positive output and the negative output. There is also disclosed a kit comprising a plurality of replacement caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Publication number: 20120006663
    Abstract: A safety device for attachment to a flotation device is disclosed comprising a light source, a housing, an actuator mounted within the housing and slideable between a first position wherein the light source is not illuminated and a second position wherein the light source is illuminated. The actuator further comprises a raised boss engageable from outside of the housing, a lanyard at least a portion of which is outside of the housing and a water activated switch wherein when the device is submerged in water, the water activated switch completes an electrical circuit illuminating said light source. The lanyard is releasably connected to an end of the actuator using a separable interconnection assembly. When the lanyard is pulled, the actuator moves from the first position to the second position and on reaching the second position the separable interconnection assembly separates thereby disengaging the lanyard from the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. FORD, Stéphane Gascon, Steve Roumeliotis
  • Patent number: 7714730
    Abstract: There is disclosed a flotation device such as a life vest or inflatable raft for keeping a user afloat when in water, the flotation device comprising a light source attached to the flotation device, a water activated switch, wherein the light source is illuminated when the water activated switch is submersed in the water, and a control panel mounted to an outer surface of the flotation device and comprised of at least one user activated switch, wherein the light source is extinguished when the user activated switch is depressed, the control panel having instructions printed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Stephane Gascon
  • Patent number: 7639153
    Abstract: A user interface for an electronic device, the interface comprising first and second parts arranged for relative displacement, said first part comprising a magnet and said second part comprising a first hall effect sensor for sensing a displacement of said magnet along a first axis and a second hall effect sensor for sensing a displacement of said magnet along a second axis, wherein said magnet moves relative to said first and second hall effect sensors in response to movement of said second part relative to said first part; a plurality of switch settings, each of said switch settings comprised of a unique combination of a magnet position along said first axis and a magnet position along said second axis; and control electronics coupled to said first and second hall effect sensors for converting the combination of a current position of said magnet along said first axis and a current position of said magnet along said second axis into a selected one of said plurality of switch settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Stephane Gascon
  • Patent number: 7581854
    Abstract: There is disclosed an adjustable light emitting device for selectively projecting light directionally and omnidirectionally, the device comprising a stepped surface lens having a focal point and a light source positioned substantially along an optical axis of the lens and adapted for movement along the axis between the focal point and the lens. There is also disclosed a light emitting device comprising a partially collimated light source and a lens. When light emitted by the light source passing through the lens is simultaneously projected in an arc of at least 180° and further wherein a measured intensity of the projected light within the arc is at least one half of a maximum intensity of the emitted light. Both devices may also include a light sensor, or the light sensor may be included together with the lens in a separate package for use in light sensing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Patent number: 7482712
    Abstract: A multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device comprising at least one source of electromagnetic radiation which emits radiation according to predefined or programmable user selectable instruction sets is disclosed. Reversal of the polarity of the device's power supply allows for enhanced features to be accessed including multiple instruction sets per switch setting, reprogramming mode, infra-red (covert) mode, night mode and water activation mode. A switch mechanism for providing selectable switched circuit connections is also disclosed as well as a power supply for supplying DC power to an electronic circuit comprising at least one microcontroller or microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy Ford, Stephane Gascon
  • Patent number: 7459666
    Abstract: A signalling device comprising an emission module operative on the application of battery power from a battery pack for the emission of a signal from at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting element, a battery compartment and a cap for retaining said battery pack in said battery compartment. The cap comprises at least one sensor and a switch for controlling the application of battery power. The switch is actuated when the at least one sensor detects a change in the environment in the vicinity of the device. Alternatively, the switch can be actuated remotely through a wireless interface or via a trip wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Stéphane Gascon
  • Patent number: 7438431
    Abstract: A portable light is disclosed comprising at least one light emitting diode, a power source, a switch operable for closing an electronic circuit between the power source and the light emitting diode, wherein when the electronic circuit is closed the at least one diode emits light generally about a first axis, and a body adapted to receive the light emitting diode, the battery and the switch, the body comprising a loop portion towards one end thereof defining a loop aperture having an axis which is substantially parallel to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Stephane Gascon
  • Patent number: 7434969
    Abstract: A light support comprising a base plate and a light-carrying plate comprising a proximal end mounted to the base plate and being adapted for mounting a light thereon. The base plate comprises an anchoring element, an anti-tipping assembly and a concave support-mounting face. The anchoring element is adapted to be anchored within a penetrable material. The support mounting face co-acts with a surface on which the light support is mounted to. The light support further comprises an auxiliary element that comprises an auxiliary mounting element or an auxiliary anchoring element that can be moveable or stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy Ford, Stephane Gascon
  • Patent number: 7315036
    Abstract: A multifunction multi-spectrum signalling device comprising at least one source of electromagnetic radiation such as an LED which emits radiation according to predefined or programmable user selectable instruction sets is disclosed. Reversal of the polarity of the device's power supply allows for enhanced features to be accessed including a recording/reprogramming mode and a playback mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Stephane Gascon
  • Patent number: D528237
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: Timothy D.F. Ford
  • Patent number: D574979
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford