Patents by Inventor James F. McCain
James F. McCain 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).
-
Publication number: 20170297582Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and a method for monitoring alertness of an operator. At least one continuous wave radar device can be used to detect an indicator of a biological parameter for the operator. A value for the biological parameter can be determined based upon the detected indicator. A level of alertness of the operator can be determined based upon the determined value for the biological parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Michael Rosing, David Reid, James F. McCain, Dennis Dynneson
-
Publication number: 20170245472Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and a method for controlling environmental conditions of an enclosure for animals. At least one radar device can be used to detect an indicator of a biological parameter for at least one of the animals. A value for the biological parameter can be determined based upon the detected indicator. Operation of environmental management equipment for the enclosure can be controlled based upon the determined value for the biological parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Michael Rosing, David Reid, James F. McCain, Dennis Dynneson
-
Publication number: 20150366161Abstract: A milking system comprises a rotary milking platform having a plurality of milking stalls, a milking device configured for attachment to the teats of a dairy livestock located in a corresponding milking stall of the rotary milking platform, a robotic device operable to attach the milking device to the teats of the dairy livestock, and a controller. The controller controls the operation of the robotic device based at least in part upon a milking log that stores information regarding the amount of time that has elapsed since the last time the dairy livestock was milked and whether an amount of milk collected from the dairy livestock during a previous time period is less than a predefined threshold associated with the dairy livestock.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: James F. McCain, Gary C. Steingraber, David A. Reid, Dennis E. Dynneson
-
Patent number: 9161511Abstract: A milking system includes a rotary milking platform having a plurality of milking stalls and a plurality of milking devices, each milking device configured for attachment to the teats of a dairy livestock located in a corresponding milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The system further includes one or more robotic devices operable to perform one or more functions, including preparing the teats of a dairy livestock for the attachment of a milking apparatus, attaching a milking apparatus to the teats of a dairy livestock, and applying a sanitizing agent to the teats of a dairy livestock subsequent to the removal of a milking apparatus from the teats of the dairy livestock. Each of the one or more functions performed by the one or more robotic devices is performed during a period of time when the rotary milking platform is substantially stationary.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2010Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.Inventors: James F. McCain, Gary C. Steingraber, David A. Reid, Dennis E. Dynneson
-
Publication number: 20120006269Abstract: In certain embodiments, a milking system includes a rotary milking platform having a plurality of milking stalls and a plurality of milking devices, each milking device configured for attachment to the teats of a dairy livestock located in a corresponding milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The system further includes one or more robotic devices operable to perform one or more functions, including preparing the teats of a dairy livestock for the attachment of a milking apparatus, attaching a milking apparatus to the teats of a dairy livestock, and applying a sanitizing agent to the teats of a dairy livestock subsequent to the removal of a milking apparatus from the teats of the dairy livestock. Each of the one or more functions performed by the one or more robotic devices is performed during a period of time when the rotary milking platform is substantially stationary.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: James F. McCain, Gary C. Steingraber, David A. Reid, Dennis E. Dynneson
-
Patent number: 6375720Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating particulates from a flow of air and particulates in a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a removable vacuum cleaner filter having a flange portion with a flange aperture. A flexible, porous filter element portion is attached to the flange portion and is elongated along a filter axis. The filter element portion has a generally constant cross-sectional area when intersected by a plane generally perpendicular to the filter axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2001Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: 6348106Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a rotary propulsion device having a rotatable hub with a plurality of vanes. The flow area between the vanes can be approximately constant from a region adjacent the hub to a region spaced apart from the hub. A housing is disposed about the vanes and the flow of air and particulates can enter the housing through a single inlet aperture and exit the housing through two spaced apart outlet apertures. The vanes can be arranged on the hub such that when one vane is centered relative to one of the outlet apertures, the vane closest to the other outlet aperture is offset from the center of that aperture to control the noise generated by the propulsion device.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Publication number: 20010054355Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating particulates from a flow of air and particulates in a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a removable vacuum cleaner filter having a flange portion with a flange aperture. A flexible, porous filter element portion is attached to the flange portion and is elongated along a filter axis. The filter element portion has a generally constant cross-sectional area when intersected by a plane generally perpendicular to the filter axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Inventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: 6301744Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an intake body having an intake opening configured to receive the flow of air into particulates. An airflow propulsion device is coupled to the intake opening to draw the flow through the intake opening and through a flow passage having an approximately constant flow area. The flow continues through one or more conduits from the propulsion device to a filter element housed in a filter housing where the particulates are separated from the flow of air.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: 6280506Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating particulates from a flow of air and particulates in a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a removable vacuum cleaner filter having a flange portion with a flange aperture. A flexible, porous filter element portion is attached to the flange portion and is elongated along a filter axis. The filter element portion has a generally constant cross-sectional area when intersected by a plane generally perpendicular to the filter axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: 6277163Abstract: An apparatus and method for housing a filter element of a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a housing body elongated along a housing axis. The housing body can include a partially porous material clamped at an upper end to an upper Support and at a lower end to a lower support. The upper and lower supports support the upper housing body relative to the vacuum cleaner. The housing body further includes an aperture for receiving a filter element and can have a generally constant cross-sectional area when intersected by a plane approximately perpendicular to the housing axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Oreck Holdings LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: 6277164Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. The apparatus can include a manifold with two inlet ports that collect two separate streams of the flow, combine the streams, and direct the combined flow toward a filter element through a single outlet port. The flow can expand within the manifold between the inlet ports and the outlet ports to decelerate the flow. The manifold can also include a storage receptacle for storing a belt used to drive a roller brush of the vacuum cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: 6243916Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. The apparatus can include an airflow propulsion device that draws the flow through an intake aperture and propels the flow through two upwardly-extending conduits toward a filter element housed in a filter housing. The conduits can have generally smooth internal walls and a combined flow area less than the flow area of the intake aperture to accelerate the flow upwardly toward the filter element.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: 6148473Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an intake body having an intake opening configured to receive the flow of air into particulates. An airflow propulsion device is coupled to the intake opening to draw the flow through the intake opening and through a flow passage having an approximately constant flow area. The flow continues through one or more conduits from the propulsion device to a filter element housed in a filter housing where the particulates are separated from the flow of air.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: D438679Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: RE38998Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an intake body having an intake opening configured to receive the flow of air into particulates. An airflow propulsion device is coupled to the intake opening to draw the flow through the intake opening and through a flow passage having an approximately constant flow area. The flow continues through one or more conduits from the propulsion device to a filter element housed in a filter housing where the particulates are separated from the flow of air.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: D424261Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: D428539Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain
-
Patent number: D433202Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael E. Embree, Terrance M. Roberts, James F. McCain