Patents by Inventor Francis Kennedy

Francis Kennedy 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: 11930273
    Abstract: A gimbal sleeve for connecting to a camera gimbal may float between a floor surface and a ceiling surface of an aerial vehicle chassis such that the gimbal sleeve has freedom of motion in yaw, pitch, and roll directions relative to the vehicle chassis. The gimbal sleeve may comprise a pair of connection points to the lower dampers on a floor surface of the vehicle chassis. The gimbal sleeve may furthermore comprise a ball joint coupled to a back surface of the vehicle chassis. The connection points include spring forces that enable the gimbal sleeve to return to an equilibrium position in response to external vibrations and reduce the magnitude of vibrations transferred from the aerial vehicle to the gimbal and camera systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Noriaki Saika, Christopher Bramley Fruhauf, Daniel Francis Kennedy
  • Patent number: 11396957
    Abstract: A safety device allows selective opening or closing of a drain opening of a tank, to render such action more difficult for a child. The device has a body, a plug, a means for restricting axial movement of the plug in a conduit that runs through the body, and, optionally, a tether. The conduit is adapted for engagement in the drain opening. The plug is frictionally engaged in the conduit. The means for restricting axial movement has complementary elements disposed on the plug and on the body, such that, in a first rotational position, the plug is axially retained relative to the conduit and, in a second rotational position, the plug is not restricted from axial movement out of the conduit. The tether attaches to the plug and the body to keep the plug proximate to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: LVD AQUISITION, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen John Sabin, John Francis Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20220049791
    Abstract: A safety device allows selective opening or closing of a drain opening of a tank, to render such action more difficult for a child. The device has a body, a plug, a means for restricting axial movement of the plug in a conduit that runs through the body, and, optionally, a tether. The conduit is adapted for engagement in the drain opening. The plug is frictionally engaged in the conduit. The means for restricting axial movement has complementary elements disposed on the plug and on the body, such that, in a first rotational position, the plug is axially retained relative to the conduit and, in a second rotational position, the plug is not restricted from axial movement out of the conduit. The tether attaches to the plug and the body to keep the plug proximate to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen John SABIN, John Francis KENNEDY
  • Patent number: 11246487
    Abstract: A method for characterising a mechanical property of a material. The method comprises the steps of providing the material having a deformable portion and providing a device having an optical element that is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: The University of Western Australia
    Inventors: Robert Ainsley McLaughlin, Kelsey Marie Kennedy, Brendan Francis Kennedy, David Douglas Sampson
  • Publication number: 20210381823
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical palpation device for evaluating a mechanical property of a sample material. The device comprises a body having a sensing portion and a sensing layer positioned at the sensing portion of the body and having a sensing surface positioned for direct or indirect contact with a surface area of the sample material. The sensing layer is deformable and has a predetermined deformation-dependent optical property. The device further comprises a light detector positioned to detect light transmitted through at least a portion of the sensing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Brendan Francis Kennedy, Qi Fang, Rowan William Sanderson
  • Patent number: 10232106
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for characterizing a region of interest within or between biological tissue. The method comprises inserting at least a portion of a probe into the region of interest and directing electromagnetic radiation to the region of interest and receiving electromagnetic radiation from the region of interest using the probe in a direction that is transversal to a length of the probe. Further, the method comprises directing a fluid to the region of interest through a portion of the probe and analyzing received electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Unversity of Western Australia
    Inventors: Robert Ainsley Mclaughlin, Bryden Christopher Quirk, Brendan Francis Kennedy
  • Patent number: 10228297
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for evaluating a mechanical property of a material. The device comprises a sensing layer that has a contact surface for contacting a surface area of the material. The sensing layer has a property or dimension that is pressure sensitive. The device also comprises a detector arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation that propagates through at least the sensing layer. The device is arranged such that, when the contact surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the surface area of the material and a load is applied on at least a portion of the surface area of the material, the detected electromagnetic radiation can be used to determine stress within a portion of the sensing layer, the determined stress being indicative of the mechanical property of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: The University of Western Australia
    Inventors: Robert Ainsley McLaughlin, David Douglas Sampson, Brendan Francis Kennedy, Kelsey Marie Kennedy
  • Patent number: 10150576
    Abstract: A gimbal sleeve for connecting to a camera gimbal may float between a floor surface and a ceiling surface of an aerial vehicle chassis such that the gimbal sleeve has freedom of motion in yaw, pitch, and roll directions relative to the vehicle chassis. The gimbal sleeve may comprise a pair of connection points to the lower dampers on a floor surface of the vehicle chassis and a pair of connection points to upper dampers on a ceiling surface of the vehicle chassis. The connection points include spring forces that enable the gimbal sleeve to return to an equilibrium position in response to external vibrations and reduce the magnitude of vibrations transferred from the aerial vehicle to the gimbal and camera systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Noriaki Saika, Christopher Bramley Fruhauf, Daniel Francis Kennedy
  • Patent number: 10077195
    Abstract: A spout that dispenses water from a water dispenser has a disinfection portion that provides two passes of the water therethrough. The disinfection portion has two flow tubes, the second arranged inside the first, so that an annular cross-section flow path is defined by an inside wall of first tube and an outside wall of the second tube. A second flow path having a circular cross-section is defined by an inside wall of the second tube. The water flow is transferred between the flow at a second end of the disinfection portion by a second end portion. At a first end portion, located at a first end of the disinfection portion, a first end portion body provides connections to the disinfection section for both an inlet and an outlet. The order of flow through the disinfection portion flow paths may depend upon the orientation of the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: LVD Acquisition, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen John Sabin, John Francis Kennedy, Louis Busick
  • Publication number: 20180079529
    Abstract: A gimbal sleeve for connecting to a camera gimbal may float between a floor surface and a ceiling surface of an aerial vehicle chassis such that the gimbal sleeve has freedom of motion in yaw, pitch, and roll directions relative to the vehicle chassis. The gimbal sleeve may comprise a pair of connection points to the lower dampers on a floor surface of the vehicle chassis and a pair of connection points to upper dampers on a ceiling surface of the vehicle chassis. The connection points include spring forces that enable the gimbal sleeve to return to an equilibrium position in response to external vibrations and reduce the magnitude of vibrations transferred from the aerial vehicle to the gimbal and camera systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Noriaki Saika, Christopher Bramley Fruhauf, Daniel Francis Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20170328794
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for evaluating a mechanical property of a material. The device comprises a sensing layer that has a contact surface for contacting a surface area of the material. The sensing layer has a property or dimension that is pressure sensitive. The device also comprises a detector arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation that propagates through at least the sensing layer. The device is arranged such that, when the contact surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the surface area of the material and a load is applied on at least a portion of the surface area of the material, the detected electromagnetic radiation can be used to determine stress within a portion of the sensing layer, the determined stress being indicative of the mechanical property of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Ainsley McLaughlin, David Douglas Sampson, Brendan Francis Kennedy, Kelsey Marie Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20170225972
    Abstract: A device (10) for dispensing cold water has a modular disinfection system (100) that maintains the water near a dispensing spout (40) in a disinfected condition. The modular disinfection system has an ultraviolet (UV) radiation generator, a fluid entrance (104), a fluid exit (106) and a UV-transparent tube (108) that connects the fluid entrance to the fluid exit and maintains the next water to be dispensed. A housing (70) receives the modular disinfection system with the fluid entrance is vertically above the fluid exit. A control means (80) operates both the UV radiation generator and a valve means that allows water to be dispensed through the dispensing spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen John SABIN, John Francis KENNEDY
  • Publication number: 20170210642
    Abstract: A spout that dispenses water from a water dispenser has a disinfection portion that provides two passes of the water therethrough. The disinfection portion has two flow tubes, the second arranged inside the first, so that an annular cross-section flow path is defined by an inside wall of first tube and an outside wall of the second tube. A second flow path having a circular cross-section is defined by an inside wall of the second tube. The water flow is transferred between the flow at a second end of the disinfection portion by a second end portion. At a first end portion, located at a first end of the disinfection portion, a first end portion body provides connections to the disinfection section for both an inlet and an outlet. The order of flow through the disinfection portion flow paths may depend upon the orientation of the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen John SABIN, John Francis KENNEDY, Louis BUSICK
  • Publication number: 20150273135
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for characterising a region of interest within or between biological tissue. The method comprises inserting at least a portion of a probe into the region of interest and directing electromagnetic radiation to the region of interest and receiving electromagnetic radiation from the region of interest using the probe in a direction that is transversal to a length of the probe. Further, the method comprises directing a fluid to the region of interest through a portion of the probe and analysing received electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Ainsley Mclaughlin, Bryden Christopher Quirk, Brendan Francis Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8985116
    Abstract: Described herein are nasal devices. In particular, layered nasal respiratory devices are described. Layered nasal device may include a layered airflow resistor that is configured to resist airflow in a first direction more than airflow in a second direction and that includes a flap valve adjacent to a flap valve limiting layer and an adhesive holdfast layer that is configured to secure the layered airflow resistor in communication with the subject's nasal cavity. Methods of using and methods of assembling layered nasal device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Theravent, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Doshi, Bryan Loomas, Ryan Kendall Pierce, Arthur Ferdinand, Arthur G. Sandoval, Jeffrey W. Servaites, Matthew Durack, Daniel Francis Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20140353222
    Abstract: A spout that dispenses water from a water dispenser has a disinfection portion that provides two passes of the water therethrough. The disinfection portion has two flow tubes, the second arranged inside the first, so that an annular cross-section flow path is defined by an inside wall of first tube and an outside wall of the second tube. A second flow path having a circular cross-section is defined by an inside wall of the second tube. The water flow is transferred between the flow at a second end of the disinfection portion by a second end portion. At a first end portion, located at a first end of the disinfection portion, a first end portion body provides connections to the disinfection section for both an inlet and an outlet. The order of flow through the disinfection portion flow paths may depend upon the orientation of the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen John SABIN, John Francis KENNEDY, Louis M. BUSICK
  • Publication number: 20140316237
    Abstract: A method for characterising a mechanical property of a material. The method comprises the steps of providing the material having a deformable portion and providing a device having an optical element that is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
    Inventors: Robert Ainsley McLaughlin, Kelsey Marie Kennedy, Brendan Francis Kennedy, David Douglas Sampson
  • Publication number: 20110173805
    Abstract: A hard-disk drive insertion mechanism includes carrier mechanism that moves longitudinally with the hard-disk drive as it is being inserted toward said electrical connector. The carrier mechanism includes engagement features for engaging the hard-disk drive as it is being inserted. The insertion mechanism also includes a clamping mechanism that gradually clamps the hard-disk drive with elastomeric material before it engages an electrical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Bruno Richet, Fred Charles Thomas, Arthur Sandoval, Daniel Francis Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7793715
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roller assembly for a rotary roller reamer. The roller assembly includes a roller pin and a crushing roller. The crushing roller is arranged to be mounted on the roller pin and to rotate thereabout. The roller assembly is connected together so as to form a single cartridge which can be inserted into a pocket of the rotary roller reamer and secured thereto using a single fastener device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Extreme Machining Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: John Francis Kennedy, Michael Desmond Slattery
  • Patent number: 7739845
    Abstract: An insulated building block having a three-section configuration wherein a first cementitious segment containing the internal core hole of the block is interlocked with second cementitious segment by a serpentine configured insulated insert. The insulation insert is operatively arranged to have multiple lips that mate with various indented ledges on each of the other segments in a location proximate to the surface of the cementitious segments. The insulating insert is also configured with wedge holes that accommodate wedges which press into the installation to maintain continuity of the block. The insulation insert has groves that in combination with the other segments form a trough in fluid communication with weep holes which extend through the insulation insert which allows for condensation and seepage of water to drain from the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Francis Kennedy