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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Publication number: 20120049653Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventor: James B.A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20110141634Abstract: A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: Ramon A. Caamano, James B.A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20100141425Abstract: One embodiment involves a usage code system comprising an electrical device powered by a battery only if the battery contains a characteristic usage code. Another embodiment involves a presence confirmation device that repeatedly sends wireless query signals. The electrical device receives the query signals and responds by sending a wireless confirmation signal to the presence confirmation device. The presence confirmation generates an alert if it does not receive the confirmation signal after a certain time period after sending a query signal to the electrical device. Yet another embodiment involves a motion sensor that measures motion data from which translation of an electrical device is determined. If a net translation of the device is greater than or equal to a defined threshold, an alert system generates an alert or increases a polling rate at which new motion data is periodically received from the motion sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: JAMES B. A. TRACEY, JAMES E. BURKE, ROY PAUL PROSISE, HAYWARD VERDUN
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Patent number: 7692393Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Ramon Anthony Caamano, Michael J. Lee, James B. A. Tracey, Martin Koebler
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Patent number: 7688010Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Ramon Anthony Caamano, Michael J. Lee, James B. A. Tracey, Martin Koebler
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Publication number: 20090121066Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2009Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: Ramon Anthony Caamano, Michael J. Lee, James B.A. Tracey, Martin Koebler
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Patent number: 7527213Abstract: A reel housing enclosing a reel assembly includes an access panel, wherein opening or removal of the access panel allows access to the interior of the housing. The exterior surface of the access panel is decorated with facial indicia so that the access panel resembles the face of an animal or character. The exterior surface of the housing has a color design to visually enhance the depiction of the animal or character.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2006Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Sean B. Weatherill, James B. A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20090057085Abstract: A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: Ramon A. Caamano, Christian Okonsky Gerard, Nicholas H. Anderson, Christopher A. Cogburn, James B.A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20090057472Abstract: A reel includes a substantially spherical housing configured to enclose a rotatable reel drum and an aperture sized to closely surround a linear material extending through the aperture. The linear material is spoolable and unspoolable from the reel drum while the housing encloses the reel drum. The housing includes decoration depicting a ball indicative of a game or type of recreation, a globe, a robot, a gazing ball, at least one flag, camouflage, foliage, diamond plate, or a race car.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventor: James B.A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20080223951Abstract: 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: February 22, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, James E. Burke, Roy Paul Prosise, Christian Okonsky
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Patent number: 7419038Abstract: A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Ramon A. Caamano, Christian Okonsky Gerard, Nicholas H. Anderson, Christopher A. Cogburn, James B. A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20080164363Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2008Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: Ramon Anthony Caamano, Michael J. Lee, James B.A. Tracey, Martin Koebler
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Patent number: 7350736Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Ramon Anthony Caamano, Michael J. Lee, James B. A. Tracey, Martin Koebler
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Publication number: 20070194163Abstract: A reel is provided with a housing having a triangular aperture for entry and removal of linear material wound upon the reel drum. The drum has a spool surface onto which a linear material may be wound, the spool surface having two ends. The housing substantially encloses the drum, and the drum is rotatable about a drum axis relative to at least a portion of the housing. The at least a portion of the housing has a generally triangular aperture sized to receive a linear material wound onto the drum. The aperture has a first side oriented generally parallel to the drum axis, and second and third sides meeting at a vertex generally midway between opposing ends of the spool surface of the drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Christian G. Okonsky, James B.A. Tracey
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Patent number: 7021583Abstract: A reel housing enclosing a reel assembly includes an access panel, wherein opening or removal of the access panel allows access to the interior of the housing. The exterior surface of the access panel is decorated with facial indicia so that the access panel resembles the face of an animal or character. The exterior surface of the housing has a color design to visually enhance the depiction of the animal or character.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Sean B. Weatherill, James B.A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20040254823Abstract: A workflow management system and method is described. The illustrated embodiment is a contact management system, more particularly adapted for employment in a debt collection context. Methods and systems are described for allowing a debt collector to associate debtors with different categories, either manually or automatically in response to predetermined condition. Thus, the system can efficiently manage the status of debtors by associating each debtor with a particular category. As part of this system, the debtor accounts are moved from one category to another, and from one individual to another, as the collection process is undertaken. The system maintains each debtor account within a predetermined category, and then displays each of the categories to a collector on a graphical display. The graphical display uses rectangular bars for representing each category, and indicates within the rectangular bars how many contacts belong to the category.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Bruce MacKinlay, Joseph Tagupa, Paul Lauffenburger, Daniel Exline, Harold T. Leach
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Patent number: 6798413Abstract: A workflow management system and method is described. The illustrated embodiment is a contact management system, more particularly adapted for employment in a debt collection context. Methods and systems are described for allowing a debt collector to associate debtors with different categories, either manually or automatically in response to predetermined condition. Thus, the system can efficiently manage the status of debtors by associating each debtor with a particular category. As part of this system, the debtor accounts are moved from one category to another, and from one individual to another, as the collection process is undertaken. The system maintains each debtor account within a predetermined category, and then displays each of the categories to a collector on a graphical display. The graphical display uses rectangular bars for representing each category, and indicates within the rectangular bars how many contacts belong to the category.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: DCS, Inc.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Bruce Mackinlay, Joseph Tagupa, Paul Lauffenburger, Daniel Exline, II, Harold T. Leach, Jr.
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Patent number: 6795071Abstract: Methods of managing workflow information in an account-based system are described. The illustrated embodiments include a contact management system, and some embodiments are adapted for employment in a debt collection context. In addition, methods and systems are described for allowing a debt collector to associate debtors with different categories, either manually or automatically in response to predetermined condition. Thus, the system and method provide for efficiently managing the status of debtors by associating each debtor with a particular category. In certain embodiments, the debtor accounts are moved from one category to another, and from one individual to another, as the collection process is undertaken. The system and method maintain each debtor account within a predetermined category, display each of the categories to a collector on a graphical display, and display a list of debtor accounts within the category in response to the collector pressing a function key corresponding to a category.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: DCS, Inc.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Bruce Mackinlay, Joseph Tagupa, Paul Lauffenburger, Daniel Exline, II, Harold T. Leach, Jr.
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Patent number: D626818Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventor: James B. A. Tracey
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Patent number: D632548Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Tim Hopkins