Patents by Inventor Joe Schmidt

Joe Schmidt 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: 20180098681
    Abstract: A spatula cleaning assembly for cleaning a spatula includes a scraper that may be manipulated. The scraper frictionally engages a spatula such that the scraper removes debris from the spatula. A panel is hingedly coupled to the scraper. The panel is manipulated to compress the spatula between the scraper and the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Joe Schmidt, Ray Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9936855
    Abstract: A spatula cleaning assembly for cleaning a spatula includes a scraper that may be manipulated. The scraper frictionally engages a spatula such that the scraper removes debris from the spatula. A panel is hingedly coupled to the scraper. The panel is manipulated to compress the spatula between the scraper and the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventors: Joe Schmidt, Ray Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9303716
    Abstract: A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Maranville, Dieter Giese, John Ginder, Joe Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110017556
    Abstract: A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Clay Maranville, Dieter Giese, John Ginder, Joe Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7823708
    Abstract: A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Maranville, Dieter Giese, John Ginder, Joe Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20070137955
    Abstract: A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Clay Maranville, Dieter Giese, John Ginder, Joe Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4623797
    Abstract: A scanning laser beam is directed in a circular scanning pattern, perpendicular to the surface of a part that moves across the scan pattern. Reflected light received solely from part edges or other surface discontinuities is compared with a number of preselected threshold levels. When reflection intensity attains any one of the selected threshold levels, an event is triggered, and the beam position at the time of the event, together with the intensity level triggering the event, are recorded, so as to provide information limited to the part edges and other surface discontinuities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: MTS Vektronics Corporation
    Inventors: Homer L. Eaton, Joe Schmidt