Patents by Inventor Derek Sawyer
Derek Sawyer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11179027Abstract: The invention provides devices that can be used for any endoscopy procedure. In certain embodiments, the devices of the invention reduce the occurrence of looping in the most difficult segment of the colon to navigate—the splenic flexure. In other embodiments, the devices of the invention make colonoscopies more comfortable for patients and reduce the risk of damage to the colon. In yet other embodiments, the devices of the invention comprise a supportive, friction-reducing device that can be attached to the tip of existing endoscopes to help the scope advance better through the colon and intestinal tract.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a Body CorporateInventors: Mark Rentschler, Levin J. Sliker, Madalyn D. Kern, Joseph Micah Prendergast, William S. Smith, Kyle Galbraith, James Depoy, Karina Rose Laguardia, Andrew Patrick Gloor, Derek Sawyer
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Publication number: 20180368665Abstract: The invention provides devices that can be used for any endoscopy procedure. In certain embodiments, the devices of the invention reduce the occurrence of looping in the most difficult segment of the colon to navigate—the splenic flexure. In other embodiments, the devices of the invention make colonoscopies more comfortable for patients and reduce the risk of damage to the colon. In yet other embodiments, the devices of the invention comprise a supportive, friction-reducing device that can be attached to the tip of existing endoscopes to help the scope advance better through the colon and intestinal tract.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: MARK RENTSCHLER, LEVIN J. SLIKER, MADALYN D. KERN, JOSEPH MICAH PRENDERGAST, WILLIAM S. SMITH, KYLE GALBRAITH, JAMES DEPOY, KARINA ROSE LAGUARDIA, ANDREW PATRICK GLOOR, DEREK SAWYER
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Patent number: 8508332Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for controlling access to a restricted area containing machinery. The method comprises receiving from a communications device a location identifier associated with said restricted area and a further identifier, verifying said location identifier and said further identifier, and controlling access to said restricted area based upon said verifying. Controlling access to said restricted area comprises providing a control signal to a controller associated with said restricted area. The controller is arranged to control said machinery in response to said control signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Derek W. Jones, Anthony C. Day, Derek Sawyer, Julian Poyner
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Patent number: 8118152Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: EJA LimitedInventors: Julian Poyner, Derek Jones, Derek Sawyer, Burt Sacherski, Francis L. Leard
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Patent number: 8071901Abstract: A safety switch for affecting the operating state of equipment to which the safety switch is at least indirectly connected. The safety switch includes a configuration, such as a number of contacts, that is arranged to change from a first condition to a second condition depending on whether or not an actuator has been engaged with or disengaged from the safety switch. The safety switch includes an arrangement for determining information that is at least indicative of an operational property of the configuration, and for storing information that is at least indicative of the obtained information.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Automation LimitedInventors: Julian Poyner, Derek Jones, Derek Sawyer
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Patent number: 7932644Abstract: A safety switch configured to determine whether a magnetically operated switch which forms part of the safety switch has been welded closed. The safety switch is configured to establish a first magnetic field in the vicinity of the magnetically operated switch. The magnetic field is arranged to move the magnetically operated switch from a first configuration to a second configuration. The safety switch monitors the state of the magnetically operated switch to determine if the magnetically operated switch has been moved by the first magnetic field, thereby determining if the magnetically operated switch has been welded closed.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Automation LimitedInventors: Julian Poyner, Derek Sawyer
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Patent number: 7928330Abstract: There is provided a safety switch having a housing configured to receive a removable key, and a mechanism arranged to be operated when the key is moved from an engaged position to a partially disengaged position, the mechanism being arranged to cause a signal to pass to a separate apparatus, wherein the safety switch further comprises a lock which is controlled by the separate apparatus and is arranged to prevent the key from being fully disengaged from the safety switch until a signal has been received in response from the separate apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Automation LimitedInventors: Julian Poyner, David T. Williams, Gillian P Parker, David Howard Kerr, Derek W Jones, Derek Sawyer, Geoffrey Alan Talbot, William E Anderson, Michael R. Scharnick, Stephen Zbytowski
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Publication number: 20100155197Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Julian Poyner, Derek Jones, Derek Sawyer, Burt Sacherski, Francis L. Leard
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Publication number: 20100127821Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for controlling access to a restricted area containing machinery. The method comprises receiving from a communications device a location identifier associated with said restricted area and a further identifier, verifying said location identifier and said further identifier, and controlling access to said restricted area based upon said verifying. Controlling access to said restricted area comprises providing a control signal to a controller associated with said restricted area. The controller is arranged to control said machinery in response to said control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Derek W. Jones, Anthony C. Day, Derek Sawyer, Julian Poyner
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Patent number: 7699157Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Rockwell Automation LimitedInventors: Julian Poyner, Derek Jones, Derek Sawyer, Burt Sacherski, Francis L. Leard
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Publication number: 20090194405Abstract: A safety switch for affecting the operating state of equipment to which the safety switch is at least indirectly connected. The safety switch includes a configuration, such as a number of contacts, that is arranged to change from a first condition to a second condition depending on whether or not an actuator has been engaged with or disengaged from the safety switch. The safety switch includes an arrangement for determining information that is at least indicative of an operational property of the configuration, and for storing information that is at least indicative of the obtained information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Julian Poyner, Derek Jones, Derek Sawyer
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Publication number: 20080289937Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventors: Julian Poyner, Derek Jones, Derek Sawyer, Burt Sacherski, Francis L. Leard
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Publication number: 20080190749Abstract: There is provided a safety switch arranged to allow the control of power supplied to an apparatus, wherein the safety switch is provided with a biometric sensor module arranged to obtain biological information from a user of the safety switch, such that activation of the safety switch is controlled via the biological information obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: Julian Poyner, Suresh Ramanujan Nair, Derek Sawyer, Derek Jones
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Publication number: 20080078658Abstract: There is provided a safety switch having a housing configured to receive a removable key, and a mechanism arranged to be operated when the key is moved from an engaged position to a partially disengaged position, the mechanism being arranged to cause a signal to pass to a separate apparatus, wherein the safety switch further comprises a lock which is controlled by the separate apparatus and is arranged to prevent the key from being fully disengaged from the safety switch until a signal has been received in response from the separate apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: EJA LIMITEDInventors: Julian Poyner, David T. Williams, Gillian P. Parker, David Howard Kerr, Derek W. Jones, Derek Sawyer, Geoffrey Alan Talbot, William E. Anderson, Michael R. Scharnick, Stephen Zbytowski
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Publication number: 20080074214Abstract: A safety switch configured to determine whether a magnetically operated switch which forms part of the safety switch has been welded closed. The safety switch is configured to establish a first magnetic field in the vicinity of the magnetically operated switch. The magnetic field is arranged to move the magnetically operated switch from a first configuration to a second configuration. The safety switch monitors the state of the magnetically operated switch to determine if the magnetically operated switch has been moved by the first magnetic field, thereby determining if the magnetically operated switch has been welded closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2007Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventors: Julian Poyner, Derek Sawyer