Patents by Inventor Donald K. Simmons

Donald K. Simmons 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).

  • Patent number: 10995917
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a lighting system with a light source, a plurality of spokes to house the light source and a structural hub adapted to connect to the plurality of spokes. A method of using the lighting system includes connecting the plurality of spokes to the hub, emitting light from the light source housed within the plurality of spokes and connecting the hub to an electrical connection housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: David Robert Nowak, Donald K. Simmons, Jr., Luc Fortin
  • Publication number: 20210013477
    Abstract: A membrane is a microporous sheet made of a blend of a first ultra high molecular weight polyolefin and a second ultra high molecular weight polyolefin. Each polyolefin has a molecular weight, both of those molecular weights are greater than 1 million, and one molecular weight is greater than the other. Additionally, the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the membrane may be greater than or equal to 6.3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Donald K. Simmons, Joseph G. Yaritz
  • Patent number: 10859243
    Abstract: A modular recessed light system employs a frame which secures a mounting ring on one side of a ceiling opening and receives a ceiling collar with a circumferential flange on the other side of the ceiling opening. The mounting ring and the ceiling collar are clamped to opposing sides surrounding the ceiling opening. The collar mounts a pair of clamp members which engage slots of a light module which is insertable into the ceiling opening and retained in recessed relationship with the ceiling. The light module may be a down light module or an angularly adjustable light module. In addition, a trim assembly, which may have a square trim with a down light lens, a square trim with an angled lens, a circular trim with a down light lens or a circular flange with an angled lens are also each releasably retained to the housing by magnetic bonding. A mud or plaster ring may also be optionally mounted over the circumferential flange of the ceiling collar and secured to the mounting ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Pathway Lighting Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald K. Simmons, Jr., Nicholas P. Banker, Phillipp T. Aubé, Todd A. Guertin
  • Patent number: 10790491
    Abstract: A membrane is a microporous sheet made of a blend of a first ultra high molecular weight polyolefin and a second ultra high molecular weight polyolefin. Each polyolefin has a molecular weight, both of those molecular weights are greater than 1 million, and one molecular weight is greater than the other. Additionally, the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the membrane may be greater than or equal to 6.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Donald K. Simmons, Joseph G. Yaritz
  • Publication number: 20200284404
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a lighting system with a light source, a plurality of spokes to house the light source and a structural hub adapted to connect to the plurality of spokes. A method of using the lighting system includes connecting the plurality of spokes to the hub, emitting light from the light source housed within the plurality of spokes and connecting the hub to an electrical connection housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: David Robert NOWAK, Donald K. SIMMONS, JR., Luc FORTIN
  • Publication number: 20200149717
    Abstract: A modular recessed light system employs a frame which secures a mounting ring on one side of a ceiling opening and receives a ceiling collar with a circumferential flange on the other side of the ceiling opening. The mounting ring and the ceiling collar are clamped to opposing sides surrounding the ceiling opening. The collar mounts a pair of clamp members which engage slots of a light module which is insertable into the ceiling opening and retained in recessed relationship with the ceiling. The light module may be a down light module or an angularly adjustable light module. In addition, a trim assembly, which may have a square trim with a down light lens, a square trim with an angled lens, a circular trim with a down light lens or a circular flange with an angled lens are also each releasably retained to the housing by magnetic bonding. A mud or plaster ring may also be optionally mounted over the circumferential flange of the ceiling collar and secured to the mounting ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Donald K. Simmons, JR., Nicholas P. Banker, Phillipp T. Aubé, Todd A. Guertin
  • Patent number: 10615388
    Abstract: A membrane is a microporous sheet made of a blend of a first ultra high molecular weight polyolefin and a second ultra high molecular weight polyolefin. Each polyolefin has a molecular weight, both of those molecular weights are greater than 1 million, and one molecular weight is greater than the other. Additionally, the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the membrane may be greater than or equal to 6.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Donald K. Simmons, Joseph G. Yaritz
  • Publication number: 20180134024
    Abstract: A microporous battery separator is provided having a first co-extruded multilayered portion and a second co-extruded multilayered portion. The two portions are bonded together. In a preferred embodiment, the battery separator has two substantially identical multilayered portions bonded together face-to-face. Each of the two multilayered portions has at least one strength layer and at least one shutdown layer. Methods for making the battery separators are also provided. Preferably, a tubular multilayered film is extruded, and collapsed onto itself to form a multilayered battery separator precursor. The precursor is then bonded and annealed before it is stretched to form a microporous multilayer battery separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald W.. Call, Donald K. Simmons, Ta-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 9908317
    Abstract: A microporous battery separator is provided having a first co-extruded multilayered portion and a second co-extruded multilayered portion. The two portions are bonded together. In a preferred embodiment, the battery separator has two substantially identical multilayered portions bonded together face-to-face. Each of the two multilayered portions has at least one strength layer and at least one shutdown layer. Methods for making the battery separators are also provided. Preferably, a tubular multilayered film is extruded, and collapsed onto itself to form a multilayered battery separator precursor. The precursor is then bonded and annealed before it is stretched to form a microporous multilayer battery separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald W. Call, Donald K. Simmons, Ta-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 9570727
    Abstract: A battery separator is a microporous membrane. The membrane has a major volume of a thermoplastic polymer and a minor volume of an inert particulate filler. The filler is dispersed throughout the polymer. The membrane exhibits a maximum Z-direction compression of 95% of the original membrane thickness. Alternatively, the battery separator is a microporous membrane having a TMA compression curve with a first substantially horizontal slope between ambient temperature and 125° C., a second substantially horizontal slope at greater than 225° C. The curve of the first slope has a lower % compression than the curve of the second slope. The curve of the second slope is not less than 5% compression. The TMA compression curve is graphed so that the Y-axis represents % compression from original thickness and the X-axis represents temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Celgard LLC
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Khuy V. Nguyen, Pankaj Arora, Ronald W. Call, Donald K. Simmons, Tien Dao
  • Publication number: 20160043372
    Abstract: A membrane is a microporous sheet made of a blend of a first ultra high molecular weight polyolefin and a second ultra high molecular weight polyolefin. Each polyolefin has a molecular weight, both of those molecular weights are greater than 1 million, and one molecular weight is greater than the other. Additionally, the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the membrane may be greater than or equal to 6.3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Donald K. Simmons, Joseph G. Yaritz
  • Patent number: 7790320
    Abstract: A battery separator is a microporous membrane. The membrane has a major volume of a thermoplastic polymer and a minor volume of an inert particulate filler. The filler is dispersed throughout the polymer. The membrane exhibits a maximum Z-direction compression of 95% of the original membrane thickness. Alternatively, the battery separator is a microporous membrane having a TMA compression curve with a first substantially horizontal slope between ambient temperature and 125° C., a second substantially horizontal slope at greater than 225° C. The curve of the first slope has a lower % compression than the curve of the second slope. The curve of the second slope is not less than 5% compression. The TMA compression curve is graphed so that the Y-axis represents % compression from original thickness and the X-axis represents temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Celgard LLC
    Inventors: Pankaj Arora, Ronald W. Call, Tien Dao, Khuy V. Nguyen, Donald K. Simmons, Zhengming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080268345
    Abstract: A battery separator is a microporous membrane. The membrane has a major volume of a thermoplastic polymer and a minor volume of an inert particulate filler. The filler is dispersed throughout the polymer. The membrane exhibits a maximum Z-direction compression of 95% of the original membrane thickness. Alternatively, the battery separator is a microporous membrane having a TMA compression curve with a first substantially horizontal slope between ambient temperature and 125° C., a second substantially horizontal slope at greater than 225° C. The curve of the first slope has a lower % compression than the curve of the second slope. The curve of the second slope is not less than 5% compression. The TMA compression curve is graphed so that the Y-axis represents % compression from original thickness and the X-axis represents temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Khuy V. Nguyen, Pankaj Arora, Ronald W. Call, Donald K. Simmons, Tien Dao
  • Patent number: 6921608
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery separator. The battery separator comprises a microporous film having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is bonded to the second portion. The bond has a strength greater than 5 g/in. The film has a thickness less than 1.7 mils, a Gurley of less than 50 sec/10 cc, and a puncture strength of greater than 400 g/mil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Celgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Call, J. Robert Dees, Shizuo Ogura, Donald K. Simmons, Xiangyun Wei
  • Publication number: 20040086782
    Abstract: A battery separator for a lithium-ion secondary battery is a microporous membrane with an adjuvant. The microporous membrane is made of a thermoplastic. The adjuvant, in an effective amount, is mixed into the separator or coated thereon. The adjuvant is a material adapted to reduce or eliminate energy concentrations around the separator. The energy concentration is sufficient to initiate a reaction of the components of the lithium ion secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Zhengming Zhang, Donald K. Simmons, Kevin D. Chambers, Pankaj Arora
  • Patent number: 6692867
    Abstract: A method for removing a pin from a battery assembly by the step of providing a separator comprising: a microporous membrane having an exterior surface portion of polypropylene, the polypropylene including at least 50 ppm of metallic stearate, preferably calcium stearate Static and being adapted to exhibit a pin removal force ≦7100 g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Nark, Ronald W. Call, Donald K. Simmons, Mark W. Ferebee
  • Publication number: 20030104236
    Abstract: A diffusion membrane is a microporous sheet comprising a blend of an aliphatic polyolefin and a thermoplastic olefin (TPO) elastomer. The blend comprises less than 10 percent by weight of the elastomer. The preferred polyolefins are selected from a group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof. The preferred TPO elastomers are selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene rubbers (EPR), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubbers (EPDM), and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Khuy V. Nguyen, Donald K. Simmons, Ronald W. Call, Shawn E. Hux
  • Publication number: 20030099877
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery separator. The battery separator comprises a microporous film having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is bonded to the second portion. The bond has a strength greater than 5 g/in. The film has a thickness less than 1.7 mils, a Gurley of less than 50 sec/10 cc, and a puncture strength of greater than 400 g/mil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Call, J. Robert Dees, Shizuo Ogura, Donald K. Simmons, Xiangyun Wei
  • Publication number: 20030072995
    Abstract: A method for removing a pin from a battery assembly by the step of providing a separator comprising: a microporous membrane having an exterior surface portion of polypropylene, the polypropylene including at least 50 ppm of metallic stearate, preferably calcium stearate Static and being adapted to exhibit a pin removal force ≦7100 g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Nark, Ronald W. Call, Donald K. Simmons, Mark W. Ferebee
  • Publication number: 20020136945
    Abstract: A microporous battery separator is provided having a first co-extruded multilayered portion and a second co-extruded multilayered portion. The two portions are bonded together. In a preferred embodiment, the battery separator has two substantially identical multilayered portions bonded together face-to-face. Each of the two multilayered portions has at least one strength layer and at least one shutdown layer. Methods for making the battery separators are also provided. Preferably, a tubular multilayered film is extruded, and collapsed onto itself to form a multilayered battery separator precursor. The precursor is then bonded and annealed before it is stretched to form a microporous multilayer battery separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald W. Call, Donald K. Simmons, Ta-Hua Yu