Patents by Inventor James R. Ford

James R. Ford 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: 20160069165
    Abstract: A wellhead latch assembly may include one or more latches for attaching to a wellhead and allowing removal of the wellhead during a well abandonment process. The wellhead latch assembly may include an inner core coupled to the latches, and an outer sleeve for selectively latching and unlatching the latches to the wellhead. The inner core may abut the wellhead and can include a groove having circumferential and/or longitudinal features. The outer sleeve may include a pin which travels within the groove and a set of cut-outs for alignment with the latches. When the cut-outs align with the latches, the latches may expand radially outward and disengage the wellhead. As the outer sleeve moves axially or rotationally relative to the inner core, the latches may fall out of alignment with the cut-outs and move radially inwardly to engage or capture the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Stokes, James R. Ford, Stephen Hekelaar, Michael T. Wardley
  • Patent number: 9222328
    Abstract: A wellhead latch assembly may include one or more latches for attaching to a wellhead and allowing removal of the wellhead during a well abandonment process. The wellhead latch assembly may include an inner core coupled to the latches, and an outer sleeve for selectively latching and unlatching the latches to the wellhead. The inner core may abut the wellhead and can include a groove having circumferential and/or longitudinal features. The outer sleeve may include a pin which travels within the groove and a set of cut-outs for alignment with the latches. When the cut-outs align with the latches, the latches may expand radially outward and disengage the wellhead. As the outer sleeve moves axially or rotationally relative to the inner core, the latches may fall out of alignment with the cut-outs and move radially inwardly to engage or capture the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: David A. Stokes, James R. Ford, Stephen Hekelaar, Michael T. Wardley
  • Publication number: 20140158367
    Abstract: A wellhead latch assembly may include one or more latches for attaching to a wellhead and allowing removal of the wellhead during a well abandonment process. The wellhead latch assembly may include an inner core coupled to the latches, and an outer sleeve for selectively latching and unlatching the latches to the wellhead. The inner core may abut the wellhead and can include a groove having circumferential and/or longitudinal features. The outer sleeve may include a pin which travels within the groove and a set of cut-outs for alignment with the latches. When the cut-outs align with the latches, the latches may expand radially outward and disengage the wellhead. As the outer sleeve moves axially or rotationally relative to the inner core, the latches may fall out of alignment with the cut-outs and move radially inwardly to engage or capture the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Stokes, James R. Ford, Stephen Hekelaar, Michael T. Wardley
  • Patent number: 6675525
    Abstract: A disposable, buoyant, scented fishing lure is formed of a soft, resilient, economically disposable plastic material, with a hollow chamber formed within the lure body. A fish attractant scent material and flotation element are placed within the lure body chamber. The float may be coated or otherwise treated with the scent material prior to installation within the lure, to install the scent material therein. The chamber, with the scent material and float installed therein, is then hermetically sealed to prevent escape of the scent therefrom. When the lure is to be used, the angler installs a fish hook therein and penetrates the scent and float chamber with the hook. This allows the scent material to be released gradually from the lure through the passages formed by the hook insertion in the lure. Once the scent material has substantially dissipated, the angler may discard the used lure for a fresh one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: James R. Ford
  • Patent number: 5258697
    Abstract: An electric motor, of the type that includes a rotor with permanent magnets and a stator with electromagnets, which operates at high efficiency to produce a high ratio of mechanical power output to electrical power input. During rotor rotation in a first direction (74, FIG. 5), a first magnet (44A') moves away from a position of alignment with the core of a "last" electromagnet (46A), while a second permanent magnet (44B') moves toward a position of alignment with the core of a "next" electromagnet (46C) which it is approaching. The last electromagnet (46A) is energized in a direction to negate attraction of its core (50) for the first permanent magnet (44A'). The next electromagnet (46C) is not substantially energized, so the attraction of the second magnet for the next electromagnet (46C) is due primarily to attraction of their cores in the absence of energization of the next electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Varelux Motor Corp.
    Inventors: James R. Ford, William H. Johnson, W. DeWitt Lyon
  • Patent number: 4122771
    Abstract: A squeegee blade for a thick film printing apparatus is held between horizontally compressing holder plates. One of the holder plates is integrally formed with a member for attachment to the pressure printing apparatus. The other holder plate attaches to the first one. The squeegee presents a sharp corner edge exposed from the holding plates and provision is made for varying the angle of attack for different inks used in the film printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: General Dynamics
    Inventors: James G. Barton, James R. Ford