Patents by Inventor John W. Swafford
John W. Swafford 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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Patent number: 11274808Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise two opposing support arms and a lighting bar extending between the two opposing support arms, a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs mounted to the inside of the lighting bar; and a plurality of reflective surfaces located adjacent to the plurality of LEDs, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are positioned such that the LEDs project a first light beam in a first direction and a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: David S. Breslow, John W. Swafford, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210008434Abstract: A battery operated electronic device worn by an individual while participating in a sport. A graphical display depicts aspects of the sport venue and buttons on the device allow entry of data required to keep score and determine other important elements of the game as it progresses. Although it could be used for many sports including, but not limited to, pickleball, tennis, golf, softball, etc., an exemplary embodiment is directed to the sport of pickleball.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventor: John W. Swafford, JR.
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Publication number: 20200278102Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise two opposing support arms and a lighting bar extending between the two opposing support arms, a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs mounted to the inside of the lighting bar; and a plurality of reflective surfaces located adjacent to the plurality of LEDs, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are positioned such that the LEDs project a first light beam in a first direction and a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: David S. Breslow, John W. Swafford, JR.
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Patent number: 10619824Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise two opposing support arms and a lighting bar extending between the two opposing support arms, a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs mounted to the inside of the lighting bar; and a plurality of reflective surfaces located adjacent to the plurality of LEDs, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are positioned such that the LEDs project a first light beam in a first direction and a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: David S. Breslow, John W. Swafford, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180058662Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a lighting assembly and method for illuminating a vertical planar area, such as a merchandise display. The lighting assembly can comprise two opposing support arms and a lighting bar extending between the two opposing support arms, a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs mounted to the inside of the lighting bar; and a plurality of reflective surfaces located adjacent to the plurality of LEDs, wherein the plurality of reflective surfaces are positioned such that the LEDs project a first light beam in a first direction and a second light beam in a second direction different than the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: David S. Breslow, John W. Swafford, JR.
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Patent number: 9225131Abstract: A low voltage power assembly may comprise a track that includes one or more conductive plates and one or more metal plates, wherein the track is powered from a low voltage power source; and a power connector assembly that connects to the track, wherein the one or more conductive plates connect to the power assembly providing a low voltage power connection, and further wherein the one or more metal plates connect to the power assembly providing a magnetic connection. The power connector assembly may be configured to provide low voltage power through the track to a low voltage power device. The low voltage power assembly may include a configuration of ferrous material, conductive material, and nonconductive materials arranged in such a way as to provide a method for power and/or signal distribution to a mating device, such as to a set of magnetic LED modules.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: RTC Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Joseph C. Ernest, Thomas E. Hubley, John W. Swafford, Jr.
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Patent number: 9146029Abstract: A power assembly may comprise a track that includes one or more conductive plates and one or more mechanical connection plates, wherein the track is powered from a power source; and a power connector assembly that connects to the track, wherein the one or more conductive plates connect to the power assembly providing a power connection, and further wherein the one or more mechanical connection plates connect to the power assembly providing a mechanical connection. The power connector assembly may be configured to provide low voltage power through the track to a low voltage power device. The power assembly may include a configuration of mechanical connections and conductive material arranged in such a way as to provide power and/or signal distribution to a mating device, such as to a set of LED modules, other lighting sources, or powered track devices for use with a merchandise display system.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: RTC Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Robert Nicieja, David S. Breslow, John W. Swafford, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130335983Abstract: A power assembly may comprise a track that includes one or more conductive plates and one or more mechanical connection plates, wherein the track is powered from a power source; and a power connector assembly that connects to the track, wherein the one or more conductive plates connect to the power assembly providing a power connection, and further wherein the one or more mechanical connection plates connect to the power assembly providing a mechanical connection. The power connector assembly may be configured to provide low voltage power through the track to a low voltage power device. The power assembly may include a configuration of mechanical connections and conductive material arranged in such a way as to provide power and/or signal distribution to a mating device, such as to a set of LED modules, other lighting sources, or powered track devices for use with a merchandise display system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Robert Nicieja, David S. Breslow, John W. Swafford, JR.
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Publication number: 20130337668Abstract: A low voltage power assembly may comprise a track that includes one or more conductive plates and one or more metal plates, wherein the track is powered from a low voltage power source; and a power connector assembly that connects to the track, wherein the one or more conductive plates connect to the power assembly providing a low voltage power connection, and further wherein the one or more metal plates connect to the power assembly providing a magnetic connection. The power connector assembly may be configured to provide low voltage power through the track to a low voltage power device. The low voltage power assembly may include a configuration of ferrous material, conductive material, and nonconductive materials arranged in such a way as to provide a method for power and/or signal distribution to a mating device, such as to a set of magnetic LED modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Joseph C. Ernest, Thomas E. Hubley, John W. Swafford, JR.
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Patent number: 7661545Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max E. Syvuk, John W. Swafford
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Patent number: 7451881Abstract: A modular shelving system is disclosed. In an embodiment, a box shelf is provided that may be supported by vertical rails of a shelf upright. The box shelf may be supported by shelf supports that engage the vertical rails. The box shelf may include a slideable shelf mounted on a rail and held in position by a biased hinge plate. The slideable shelf may include a divider to separate the shelf into one or more regions and to interfere with the rapid removal of products from the shelf. The box shelf may further include a door that in an embodiment may be required to be opened before products can be removed from slideable shelf.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max E. Syvuk, John W. Swafford, Jr., David J. Henke
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Patent number: 7389886Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. The system includes shelves, product dividers and front retaining walls of a height and position to inhibit access to displayed products. Individual taller retaining tabs may be added in front of taller product to inhibit access. Rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls to further restrict access. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred. An alert device may be configured to detect and monitor movement of the moveable barriers and to provide an alert signal corresponding to the management of product or to a potential theft situation. The alert device may communicate with a security camera to monitor the vicinity and provide a notification to store computer, pager, cellular telephone, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max E. Syvuk, John W. Swafford
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Patent number: 5608449Abstract: A wireless interactive consumer video system and a method for wireless communication between an input and display unit and a video electronics unit. The input and display unit includes a key pad and a video display. The input device accepts a user entry and generates a data signal corresponding to the user entry. The input and display unit transmits the data signal to the video electronics unit, which generates a video signal responsive to the data signal. The video signal is then provided to the input and display unit, which provides an image on the video display.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1994Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: John W. Swafford, Jr., William P. Carlson
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Patent number: 5362051Abstract: A promotional method comprising the steps of storing a predetermined number of recognizable data, storing a message for each of the predetermined number of recognizable data, scanning a document to read machine readable information appearing thereon, determining whether scanned data represented by the machine readable information on the scanned document represents data corresponding to any of said stored recognizable data, identifying the stored recognizable data corresponding to the scanned data in response to the determination that the scanned data corresponds to one of the stored recognizable data, identifying a stored message associated with the identified stored recognizable data, and selecting the identified message and producing an output response corresponding thereto.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1993Date of Patent: November 8, 1994Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.Inventors: John W. Swafford, Jr., William P. Carlson
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Patent number: 4312043Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a defective distributor is shown. The apparatus includes an input system providing the time of each cylinder firing after an initial firing of cylinder #1. A processor then determines the deviation between the actual time of firing and an optimum time thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1980Date of Patent: January 19, 1982Assignee: Sun Electric CorporationInventors: Howard Frank, John W. Swafford, Jr., Perry Farazi, Arvind M. Patel, Cheuk-Wah Chan, Edward J. Dohnal, Clark S. Wang, Ashokkumar D. Mehta