Patents by Inventor James A. Schaefers

James A. Schaefers 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: 9085863
    Abstract: A chute assembly may include a chute having an inlet and an outlet and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism may be used to move the chute to adjust the outlet: forward to back with respect to a spinner disc; and/or, (2) side to side with respect to the spinner disc in order to change the spreading characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Swenson Spreader LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Norkus, James Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9085862
    Abstract: A spreader assembly may include a hopper having a receptacle for holding salt, or the like, and at least one chamber formed between the receptacle and an outer surface of the hopper. The chamber may hold a liquid used to pre-wet the salt before it contacts a ground surface. The hopper may be an insert hopper formed as a one piece plastic component in a rotational molding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Swenson Spreader LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Norkus, James Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8974198
    Abstract: A counterweight cover for a compressor is provided and may include an annular body having a recess at least partially defined by an outer circumferential portion, an inner circumferential portion, and an upper portion connecting the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion. A suction baffle may be disposed on the annular body and may direct a flow of suction gas within the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Schaefer, Stephen M. Seibel, Daniel L. McSweeney, Robert J. Comparin
  • Publication number: 20150021319
    Abstract: A dual-tank liquid storage tank system comprises a lined primary storage tank disposed within a lined secondary tank. Construction of the system involves rolling out a secondary tank liner over an engineered base course, and then laying out a primary tank liner over the secondary tank liner, with an outer portion of the primary tank liner rolled up to fit within the primary tank perimeter. The primary tank's perimeter wall is then assembled from wall panels resting on the secondary tank liner, and then the primary tank liner rolled out and deployed over the primary tank wall. An outer portion of the secondary tank liner is then rolled up toward the primary tank wall, and the secondary tank's perimeter wall is assembled from wall panels resting on the base course. The secondary tank liner is then rolled out and deployed over the secondary tank wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Edwin Avery, George William Briggs, Richard James Schaefer, Kevin Chan Vilaiya
  • Patent number: 8926429
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming machines having multi-monitor support for controlling up to four monitors on a gaming device. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a first display for presenting a primary game. The gaming device also includes a second display. The second display is used to present a secondary game. The gaming device further includes a multi-core processor in communication with a first video chipset and a second video chipset, wherein the first and second video chipsets support the first and second monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan K. Harvey, Pravinkumar Patel, James Schaefer, Michael N. Dubose
  • Publication number: 20140224840
    Abstract: A granular spreader assembly may include a hopper, a granular material moving mechanism, a material guide that is positioned within the hopper and a vibrator. One end of the material guide may extend toward the vibrator and may be separated from the inner surface of the hopper by an empty space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Meyer Products, LLC
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER ANDREW WILLIAMS NORKUS, JAMES SCHAEFER
  • Patent number: 8783507
    Abstract: An improved napkin device is set forth. The device includes a front face adapted for opening to load napkins therein. A first downwardly angled steel rod is fixed to a first side face, and a second downwardly angled steel rod is fixed to a second side face. Each of the steel rods has a substantially circular cross section. A plate adapted to slide along the first and second steel rods until it reaches a stop, disposed perpendicular to the first and second side faces of the device is provided. The stop is connected to the first and second side faces. The plate comes to rest at the stop as it slides along the first and second steel rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: James A. Schaefers
  • Publication number: 20140149676
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a gaming device including a background memory validation system. The background memory validation system includes a background kernel thread that validates read-only pages on the gaming device. Additionally, the background kernel thread also minimizes potential timing problems because this process only validates page content in memory that is fully-loaded and functional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald A. Cadima, Anand Singh, James Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8683272
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a gaming device including a background memory validation system. The background memory validation system includes a background kernel thread that validates read-only pages on the gaming device. Additionally, the background kernel thread also minimizes potential timing problems because this process only validates page content in memory that is fully-loaded and functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Cadima, Anand Singh, James Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20140073404
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming machines having multi-monitor support for controlling up to four monitors on a gaming device. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a first display for presenting a primary game. The gaming device also includes a second display. The second display is used to present a secondary game. The gaming device further includes a multi-core processor in communication with a first video chipset and a second video chipset, wherein the first and second video chipsets support the first and second monitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan K. Harvey, Pravinkumar Patel, James Schaefer, Michael N. Dubose
  • Patent number: 8613663
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming machines having multi-monitor support for controlling up to four monitors on a gaming device. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a first display for presenting a primary game. The gaming device also includes a second display and a third display where the second display is positioned above the third display. The second and third displays are used in combination to present a secondary game. The gaming device further includes a multi-core processor in communication with a first video chipset and a second video chipset, wherein the first and second video chipsets support the first, second and third monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan K. Harvey, Pravinkumar Patel, James Schaefer, Michael N. Dubose
  • Publication number: 20130287557
    Abstract: A compressor is provided and may include a shell having an inner surface and an outer surface and a bearing housing disposed within the shell and having an engagement surface opposing the inner surface. The engagement surface may include a first channel formed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shell and a second channel formed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shell and in communication with the first channel. The first channel and the second channel may receive a deformed portion of the shell therein to fix a position of the bearing housing relative to the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Warner, Gregg M. Hemmelgarn, Kyle M. Bergman, Glenn D. Deland, Walter T. Grassbaugh, James A. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20130233937
    Abstract: A spreader assembly may include a hopper having a receptacle for holding salt, or the like, and at least one chamber formed between the receptacle and an outer surface of the hopper. The chamber may hold a liquid used to pre-wet the salt before it contacts a ground surface. The hopper may be an insert hopper formed as a one piece plastic component in a rotational molding operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SWENSON SPREADER, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Norkus, James Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20130233938
    Abstract: A chute assembly may include a chute having an inlet and an outlet and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism may be used to move the chute to adjust the outlet: forward to back with respect to a spinner disc; and/or, (2) side to side with respect to the spinner disc in order to change the spreading characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SWENSON SPREADER, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Norkus, James Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8429464
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a gaming device including a background memory validation system. The background memory validation system includes a background kernel thread that validates read-only pages on the gaming device. Additionally, the background kernel thread also minimizes potential timing problems because this process only validates page content in memory that is fully-loaded and functional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Cadima, Anand Singh, James Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20110163111
    Abstract: An improved napkin device is set forth. The device includes a front face adapted for opening to load napkins therein. A first downwardly angled steel rod is fixed to a first side face, and a second downwardly angled steel rod is fixed to a second side face. Each of the steel rods has a substantially circular cross section. A plate adapted to slide along the first and second steel rods until it reaches a stop, disposed perpendicular to the first and second side faces of the device is provided. The stop is connected to the first and second side faces. The plate comes to rest at the stop as it slides along the first and second steel rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Schaefers
  • Publication number: 20110117994
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming machines having multi-monitor support for controlling up to four monitors on a gaming device. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a first display for presenting a primary game. The gaming device also includes a second display and a third display where the second display is positioned above the third display. The second and third displays are used in combination to present a secondary game. The gaming device further includes a multi-core processor in communication with a first video chipset and a second video chipset, wherein the first and second video chipsets support the first, second and third monitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Nathan K. Harvey, Pravinkumar Patel, James Schaefer, Michael N. Dubose
  • Publication number: 20110119474
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a serial peripheral interface-based (SPI-based) BIOS system for improved upgrading of a BIOS software image in a gaming machine. The system includes a flash BIOS chip and a SPI BIOS chip. The flash BIOS chip is operable to be written to by an Intel chipset for storage of an onboard Ethernet controller's information, wherein the flash BIOS chip may contain a new BIOS software image. The SPI BIOS chip comprises a traditional BIOS including gaming extensions to the BIOS. The SPI BIOS chip can be disabled from write actions at a jumper/circuit level. When a SPI BIOS write enable jumper circuit is ON, a write protect pin of the serial peripheral interface BIOS is in the disabled state. In this regard, when the write protect pin is in the disabled state, the SPI BIOS content may be updated to the new BIOS software image from a BIOS install compact flash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Anand Singh, Pravinkumar Patel, Darren LeBlanc, Robert W. Crowder, JR., James Schaefer, George Mayfield
  • Publication number: 20110111865
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a gaming device including a background memory validation system. The background memory validation system includes a background kernel thread that validates read-only pages on the gaming device. Additionally, the background kernel thread also minimizes potential timing problems because this process only validates page content in memory that is fully-loaded and functional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald A. CADIMA, Anand SINGH, James SCHAEFER
  • Patent number: 7934914
    Abstract: A balancing system for different compressors utilizes a counterweight having a common exterior configuration. The mass of the counterweight is optimized for each compressor by changing the size of a recess located in the counterweight. In one embodiment, the recess is an arcuately shaped recess; and in another embodiment, the recess is a plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J Reinhart, James A Schaefer, Eric P Cavender