Patents by Inventor James K. Miller

James K. Miller 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: 11919720
    Abstract: A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Multilift, Inc.
    Inventors: Job Bacon-Maldonado, III, Chris K. Miller, Kenneth B. Drost, Job Maldonado, Jr., Clifford J. Cordell, James W. Lord
  • Patent number: 8997268
    Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
  • Publication number: 20130232677
    Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
  • Publication number: 20120222206
    Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
  • Patent number: 8230531
    Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
  • Patent number: 6953278
    Abstract: A mixing machine includes portions of a control system formed as a unit that is mounted within the machine for movement between an operating position internal of the machine and a service position in which at least part of the unit extends through an opening in the machine for access thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ellis Gale Short, Brian E. Bader, Joseph C. Huang, James K. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040120213
    Abstract: A mixing machine includes portions of a control system formed as a unit that is mounted within the machine for movement between an operating position internal of the machine and a service position in which at least part of the unit extends through an opening in the machine for access thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Ellis Gale Short, Brian E. Bader, Joseph C. Huang, James K. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040088783
    Abstract: A flush toilet having two nozzles located within its bowl. The two nozzles being oriented in opposite directions and alternately providing pulses of flush water into and around the bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: George Grech, John E. Hammond, James K. Miller
  • Patent number: 6008636
    Abstract: A test system (100) for testing electronic devices includes a conveyor (130) to convey the electronic devices, a test fixture (112) to test the electronic devices, and a robot apparatus (102). The robot apparatus (102) has a robot arm (118) positionable within an accessible region (216) to deliver electronic devices from the conveyor (130) to the test fixture (112) via an arcuate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James K. Miller, Robin J. Crawford
  • Patent number: 5513395
    Abstract: A toilet having a seat section that includes a bowl with a bottom discharge opening. The toilet also includes a source of flush water for rinsing the bowl and removing waste through the discharge opening into a waste storage tank. A pump provides the flush water through a nozzle which directs the flush water into the bowl. A check valve is associated with discharge nozzle to prevent flush water from inadvertently leaking into the bowl. The check valve is capable of being used with either a manually actuated pump or a power assisted pump and reduces the force required by the pump to maintain the valve open than to initially open it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Chlebek, James K. Miller
  • Patent number: 5052359
    Abstract: An automatic fuel enrichment system for cranking and warm-up of an internal combustion engine in which a solenoid valve is responsive to control electronics for selectively feeding enrichment fuel to the engine air intake manifold. The valve control electronics receives a signal from the engine ignition system and controls a solenoid valve as a function of engine speed. Specifically, the control electronics energizes the solenoid valve when engine speed exceeds a preset minimum cranking threshold until the engine reaches a preset idle speed threshold, at which point enrichment is terminated. In the event that the engine begins to stall during warm-up and engine speed declines to a preset intermediate threshold, the enrichment valve is again energized until the engine reaches idle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph G. Hardwick, William C. Eberline, Matthew L. Werner, James K. Miller
  • Patent number: 4905641
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for purging air from the reservoir of a diaphragm carburetor on an internal combustion engine and for supplying priming fuel to the carburetor air intake. A pump is responsive to electrical signals from priming control circuitry to draw fuel through the carburetor reservoir and to fuel under pressure to a nozzle positioned at the carburetor air intake. The electronic control circuitry is responsive to an operator for initiating a priming operation and includes a temperature sensor coupled to the engine for controlling duration of the priming operation, and thus the quantity of engine priming fuel, as a function of engine temperature. A second timer is responsive to operator initiation of a priming operation for preventing regeneration of the priming control signal to the pump, and thereby preventing attempting repriming in the event of failure of the engine to start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: James K. Miller
  • Patent number: 4848290
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for purging air from the reservoir of a diaphragm carburetor on an internal combustion engine and for supplying priming fuel to the carburetor air intake. A pump is responsive to electrical signals from priming control circuitry to draw fuel through the carburetor reservoir and to feed fuel under pressure to a nozzle positioned at the carburetor air intake. The electronic control circuitry is responsive to an oprator for initiating a priming operation and includes a temperature sensor coupled to the engine for controlling duration of the priming operation, and thus the quantity of engine priming fuel, as a function of engine temperature. A second timer is responsive to operator initiation of a priming operation for preventing regeneration of the priming control signal to the pump, and thereby preventing attempting repriming in the event of failure of the engine to start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: James K. Miller
  • Patent number: 4836157
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for purging air from the reservoir of a diaphragm carburetor on an internal combustion engine and for supplying priming fuel to the carburetor air intake. An manual pump has an inlet coupled by a fuel line through the carburetor reservoir to a fuel supply, and an outlet connected by the fuel line to a constant flow rate nozzle orifice positioned at the carburetor air intake. A pressure switch is connected in the fuel line between the pump and orifice and provides a signal, in the form of a switch closure, to priming control circuitry whenever fuel, as distinguished from air, is pumped through the orifice to the carburetor air intake. The control circuitry receives battery power through the pressure switch contacts, and includes an integrator for accumulating total time of fuel flow and thereby indirectly indicating the total quantity of priming fuel supplied through the constant-flow orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: James K. Miller
  • Patent number: 4784323
    Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel atomizer for internal combustion engine applications which includes a generally C-shaped core of integral ferromagnetic construction having arms which form a pair of flat parallel surfaces spaced from each other to form a gap therebetween. The core structure is characterized by a fundamental resonant frequency determined in part by mass and elasticity of the core structure, and the ferromagnetic core is electromagnetically energized at such fundamental resonant frequency. Liquid fuel is supplied to the gap between the core arm surfaces, and standing waves are generated therein as the core arms vibrate with respect to each other. As amplitude of oscillations and such standing waves increase, fuel droplets break away from the standing wave nodes and are aspirated into the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: James K. Miller