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).

  • Patent number: 11873188
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Marty L. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 11697570
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Publication number: 20210331890
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Marty L. Gillespie
  • Publication number: 20200223656
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Patent number: 10589958
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventor: James B. A. Tracey
  • Patent number: 10556772
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Publication number: 20190248621
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventor: James B.A. TRACEY
  • Patent number: 10370218
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Patent number: 10180204
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, James E. Burke, Jr., Roy Paul Prosise, Christian Okonsky
  • Publication number: 20170369273
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20170355552
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Patent number: 9806505
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Patent number: 9771239
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Patent number: 9663322
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Publication number: 20160311643
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: James B.A. Tracey
  • Patent number: 9368303
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventor: James B.A. Tracey
  • Patent number: 9259968
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventor: James B. A. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20160003400
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, James E. Burke, JR., Roy Paul Prosise, Christian Okonsky
  • Publication number: 20150307318
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20150207304
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey