Patents by Inventor Joseph M. Hill, III

Joseph M. Hill, III 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: 11697570
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Publication number: 20200223656
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Patent number: 10556772
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Patent number: 10370218
    Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the electric motor to wind the linear material around the spool member, for example, upon detection of a pulling force on the linear material over a pull distance within a predetermined range, but, for example, does not trigger the winding of the linear material if the pull distance is greater than the predetermined range. The controller can cause the electric motor to stop winding of the linear material upon detection of a force on the linear material that holds the linear material in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20170369273
    Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the electric motor to wind the linear material around the spool member, for example, upon detection of a pulling force on the linear material over a pull distance within a predetermined range, but, for example, does not trigger the winding of the linear material if the pull distance is greater than the predetermined range. The controller can cause the electric motor to stop winding of the linear material upon detection of a force on the linear material that holds the linear material in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20170355552
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Patent number: 9806505
    Abstract: In an electrical cord reel, a rotatable member can rotate about a winding axis to spool and unspool a linear material. An input power connector can couple to an electrical power source. An output power connector on the rotatable member can couple to an electrical cord at least partially wound about the rotatable member. A switch is adjustable to allow or prevent electrical current flow from the input power connector to the output power connector. In an aspect, the electrical cord reel includes an electric cord comprising a first power wire, a second power wire, and a signal wire. A method of controlling the electric cord spool system includes energizing the first power wire and the signal wire. The method further includes determining a continuity of the signal wire. The method further includes de-energizing the first power wire when determining discontinuity of the signal wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Patent number: 9771239
    Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the motor to wind the linear material at a drag speed when the linear material is on a ground, at a crawl speed lower than the drag speed when the length of linear material on the ground is shorter than a first threshold amount and through a second predetermined amount once the linear material lifts off the ground to inhibit swing of the linear material as it comes off the ground, and at a docking speed greater than the crawl speed when the unwound linear material is shorter than the second threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Patent number: 9663322
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Publication number: 20150307318
    Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the motor to wind the linear material at a drag speed when the linear material is on a ground, at a crawl speed lower than the drag speed when the length of linear material on the ground is shorter than a first threshold amount and through a second predetermined amount once the linear material lifts off the ground to inhibit swing of the linear material as it comes off the ground, and at a docking speed greater than the crawl speed when the unwound linear material is shorter than the second threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20150207304
    Abstract: In an electrical cord reel, a rotatable member can rotate about a winding axis to spool and unspool a linear material. An input power connector can couple to an electrical power source. An output power connector on the rotatable member can couple to an electrical cord at least partially wound about the rotatable member. A switch is adjustable to allow or prevent electrical current flow from the input power connector to the output power connector. In an aspect, the electrical cord reel includes an electric cord comprising a first power wire, a second power wire, and a signal wire. A method of controlling the electric cord spool system includes energizing the first power wire and the signal wire. The method further includes determining a continuity of the signal wire. The method further includes de-energizing the first power wire when determining discontinuity of the signal wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Patent number: 9067759
    Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the motor to wind the linear material at a drag speed when the linear material is on a ground, at a crawl speed lower than the drag speed when the length of linear material on the ground is shorter than a first threshold amount and through a second predetermined amount once the linear material lifts off the ground to inhibit swing of the linear material as it comes off the ground, and at a docking speed greater than the crawl speed when the unwound linear material is shorter than the second threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Patent number: 8995099
    Abstract: In an electrical cord reel, a rotatable member can rotate about a winding axis to spool and unspool a linear material. An input power connector can couple to an electrical power source. An output power connector on the rotatable member can couple to an electrical cord at least partially wound about the rotatable member. A switch is adjustable to allow or prevent electrical current flow from the input power connector to the output power connector. In an aspect, the electrical cord reel includes an electric cord comprising a first power wire, a second power wire, and a signal wire. A method of controlling the electric cord spool system includes energizing the first power wire and the signal wire. The method further includes determining a continuity of the signal wire. The method further includes de-energizing the first power wire when determining discontinuity of the signal wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20150021424
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Patent number: 8746605
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Publication number: 20140021284
    Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the electric motor to wind the linear material around the spool member upon detection of a pulling force on the linear material over a pull distance within a predetermined range, but does not trigger the winding of the linear material if the pull distance is greater than the predetermined range. The controller causes the electric motor to stop winding of the linear material upon detection of a force on the linear material that holds the linear material in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20130032654
    Abstract: In an electrical cord reel, a rotatable member can rotate about a winding axis to spool and unspool a linear material. An input power connector can couple to an electrical power source. An output power connector on the rotatable member can couple to an electrical cord at least partially wound about the rotatable member. A switch is adjustable to allow or prevent electrical current flow from the input power connector to the output power connector. In an aspect, the electrical cord reel includes an electric cord comprising a first power wire, a second power wire, and a signal wire. A method of controlling the electric cord spool system includes energizing the first power wire and the signal wire. The method further includes determining a continuity of the signal wire. The method further includes de-energizing the first power wire when determining discontinuity of the signal wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III, Johnathan R. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20130015284
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, Mark Rosenau, Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Patent number: 8156215
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of device management. In one embodiment of the present invention, a management device can receive device management data from devices on a network in a variety of device management protocols and map the device management data to a protocol used by a device management client. Because the management device can provide device management data in a format usable by the device management client, regardless of which protocol was originally used to generate the device management data, the device management client can turn to the management device to gather all or a portion the device management data from heterogeneous devices on a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Crossroads Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Griswold, Jr., Joseph M. Hill, III
  • Publication number: 20110047258
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of device management. In one embodiment of the present invention, a management device can receive device management data from devices on a network in a variety of device management protocols and map the device management data to a protocol used by a device management client. Because the management device can provide device management data in a format usable by the device management client, regardless of which protocol was originally used to generate the device management data, the device management client can turn to the management device to gather all or a portion the device management data from heterogeneous devices on a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert M. Griswold, JR., Joseph M. Hill, III