Patents by Inventor James B.A. Tracey
James B.A. Tracey 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: 11873188Abstract: An electrical cord reel assembly can include a spool configured to wind and unwind an electrical cord therefrom. The electrical cord reel assembly can include a motor configured to rotate the spool to wind and unwind the electrical cord about the spool. The electrical cord reel assembly can include a controller in electrical communication with the motor and the electrical cord. The controller can be configured to, in response to an unwind command, place or maintain the electrical cord in a power off state. The controller can be configured to in response to the unwind command, transmit an unwind signal to the motor to cause the motor to unwind the electrical cord from the spool. The controller can be configured to automatically place the electrical cord in a power on state based at least in part on an amount of rotation of the spool during the unwinding.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Marty L. Gillespie
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Patent number: 11697570Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
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Publication number: 20210331890Abstract: An electrical cord reel assembly can include a spool configured to wind and unwind an electrical cord therefrom. The electrical cord reel assembly can include a motor configured to rotate the spool to wind and unwind the electrical cord about the spool. The electrical cord reel assembly can include a controller in electrical communication with the motor and the electrical cord. The controller can be configured to, in response to an unwind command, place or maintain the electrical cord in a power off state. The controller can be configured to in response to the unwind command, transmit an unwind signal to the motor to cause the motor to unwind the electrical cord from the spool. The controller can be configured to automatically place the electrical cord in a power on state based at least in part on an amount of rotation of the spool during the unwinding.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Marty L. Gillespie
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Publication number: 20200223656Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
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Patent number: 10589958Abstract: A hose reel assembly can include a hose reel rotatable about a reel axis, and a first portion of linear material having a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion, the first distal end portion configured to dispense a fluid. The hose reel assembly can include a second portion of linear material having a second proximal end portion connected to the hose reel and a second distal end portion. A connector can removably attach the second distal end portion of the second portion of linear material with the first proximal end portion of the first portion of linear material. A strain relief member can be configured to control an amount by which the second portion of linear material unspools from the hose reel.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventor: James B. A. Tracey
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Patent number: 10556772Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
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Publication number: 20190248621Abstract: A pivotable reel assembly is disclosed. The reel assembly can include a frame comprising a base and an elongate mounting portion configured to pivot relative to the base about a pivot axis. The elongate mounting portion can include a proximal portion coupled with the base, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions. A spool drum can be connected with the intermediate portion of the elongate mounting portion. The spool drum can be configured to rotate about a rotational axis to spool and unspool a linear element, the rotational axis generally transverse to the pivot axis. A wheel can be connected to the distal portion of the elongate mounting portion and configured to roil about the pivot axis. The distal portion can position the wheel along a transverse axis that is generally transverse to the rotational axis and the pivot axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventor: James B.A. TRACEY
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Patent number: 10370218Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the electric motor to wind the linear material around the spool member, for example, upon detection of a pulling force on the linear material over a pull distance within a predetermined range, but, for example, does not trigger the winding of the linear material if the pull distance is greater than the predetermined range. The controller can cause the electric motor to stop winding of the linear material upon detection of a force on the linear material that holds the linear material in place.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
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Patent number: 10180204Abstract: An apparatus includes a handheld element and a remote control. The handheld element has a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit. The internal flow conduit extends between the proximal and distal ends. The internal flow conduit is configured to be in fluid communication with a hose. The remote control is integrated with the handheld element. The remote control is configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose. The device may include a reel, a valve system, a valve unit, and/or a plurality of valves.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, James E. Burke, Jr., Roy Paul Prosise, Christian Okonsky
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Publication number: 20170369273Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the electric motor to wind the linear material around the spool member, for example, upon detection of a pulling force on the linear material over a pull distance within a predetermined range, but, for example, does not trigger the winding of the linear material if the pull distance is greater than the predetermined range. The controller can cause the electric motor to stop winding of the linear material upon detection of a force on the linear material that holds the linear material in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
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Publication number: 20170355552Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
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Patent number: 9806505Abstract: In an electrical cord reel, a rotatable member can rotate about a winding axis to spool and unspool a linear material. An input power connector can couple to an electrical power source. An output power connector on the rotatable member can couple to an electrical cord at least partially wound about the rotatable member. A switch is adjustable to allow or prevent electrical current flow from the input power connector to the output power connector. In an aspect, the electrical cord reel includes an electric cord comprising a first power wire, a second power wire, and a signal wire. A method of controlling the electric cord spool system includes energizing the first power wire and the signal wire. The method further includes determining a continuity of the signal wire. The method further includes de-energizing the first power wire when determining discontinuity of the signal wire.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
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Patent number: 9771239Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the motor to wind the linear material at a drag speed when the linear material is on a ground, at a crawl speed lower than the drag speed when the length of linear material on the ground is shorter than a first threshold amount and through a second predetermined amount once the linear material lifts off the ground to inhibit swing of the linear material as it comes off the ground, and at a docking speed greater than the crawl speed when the unwound linear material is shorter than the second threshold amount.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
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Patent number: 9663322Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III
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Publication number: 20160311643Abstract: A hose reel assembly can include a hose reel rotatable about a reel axis, and a first portion of linear material having a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion, the first distal end portion configured to dispense a fluid. The hose reel assembly can include a second portion of linear material having a second proximal end portion connected to the hose reel and a second distal end portion. A connector can removably attach the second distal end portion of the second portion of linear material with the first proximal end portion of the first portion of linear material. A strain relief member can be configured to control an amount by which the second portion of linear material unspools from the hose reel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventor: James B.A. Tracey
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Patent number: 9368303Abstract: In an electrical cord reel, a rotatable member can rotate about a winding axis to spool and unspool a linear material. An input power connector can couple to an electrical power source. An output power connector on the rotatable member can couple to an electrical cord at least partially wound about the rotatable member. A switch is adjustable to allow or prevent electrical current flow from the input power connector to the output power connector. One or more temperature sensors detect temperature inside a housing enclosing the rotatable member, output power connector, and a fan. A control system activates the fan if the detected temperature rises from a level below a fan-activation threshold to a level above the fan-activation threshold but below a power shut-off threshold. The control system moves the switch to an open position if the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the power shut-off threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventor: James B.A. Tracey
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Patent number: 9259968Abstract: A wheel lock configured for use in a movable apparatus is disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the movable apparatus can include a leg structure and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the leg structure. A wheel lock can extend through the wheel. The lock can have a first position in which the lock prevents rotation of the wheel from rotating and a second position in which the lock does not prevent rotation of the wheel. The second position can be axially displaced relative to the first position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventor: James B. A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20160003400Abstract: An apparatus includes a handheld element and a remote control. The handheld element has a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit. The internal flow conduit extends between the proximal and distal ends. The internal flow conduit is configured to be in fluid communication with a hose. The remote control is integrated with the handheld element. The remote control is configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose. The device may include a reel, a valve system, a valve unit, and/or a plurality of valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, James E. Burke, JR., Roy Paul Prosise, Christian Okonsky
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Publication number: 20150307318Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the motor to wind the linear material at a drag speed when the linear material is on a ground, at a crawl speed lower than the drag speed when the length of linear material on the ground is shorter than a first threshold amount and through a second predetermined amount once the linear material lifts off the ground to inhibit swing of the linear material as it comes off the ground, and at a docking speed greater than the crawl speed when the unwound linear material is shorter than the second threshold amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
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Publication number: 20150207304Abstract: In an electrical cord reel, a rotatable member can rotate about a winding axis to spool and unspool a linear material. An input power connector can couple to an electrical power source. An output power connector on the rotatable member can couple to an electrical cord at least partially wound about the rotatable member. A switch is adjustable to allow or prevent electrical current flow from the input power connector to the output power connector. In an aspect, the electrical cord reel includes an electric cord comprising a first power wire, a second power wire, and a signal wire. A method of controlling the electric cord spool system includes energizing the first power wire and the signal wire. The method further includes determining a continuity of the signal wire. The method further includes de-energizing the first power wire when determining discontinuity of the signal wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey