Patents by Inventor Keith Sawmiller

Keith Sawmiller 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: 20230372186
    Abstract: A system for coordinating that actions taken by multiple apparatuses useful for automatically adjusting tension on a retention member and thereby applying pressure or other forces to an object. Sensors may be used to sense changes associated with the object involved or the environment, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley to automatically adjust tension on the retention member. The adjustments in tension may be made performed automatically and many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors. Individual apparatuses may coordinate their activities according to input received from one or more sensors, and according to a control circuit, or multiple collaborating control circuits. The control circuit(s) may be configured to adapt automatically over time to optimize the overall behavior of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Cincinnati Automation & Mechatronics,, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Neil Rovekamp, JR., Keith Sawmiller
  • Patent number: 11751631
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Cincinnati Automation & Mechatronics LLC
    Inventors: Roger Neil Rovekamp, Jr., Keith Sawmiller
  • Publication number: 20230137746
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on a retention member and thereby applying compression or other forces to an object. Sensors may be used to sense changes associated with the object involved or the environment, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley to automatically adjust tension on the retention member. The adjustments in tension may be made performed automatically and many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Cincinnati Automation & Mechatronics LLC
    Inventors: Roger Neil Rovekamp, Keith Sawmiller
  • Publication number: 20230000210
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Cincinnati Automation & Mechatronics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Roger Neil Rovekamp, JR., Keith Sawmiller
  • Patent number: 11337492
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Cincinnati Automation & Mechatronics LLC
    Inventors: Roger Neil Rovekamp, Jr., Keith Sawmiller
  • Publication number: 20210244134
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Cincinnati Automation & Mechatronics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Roger Neil Rovekamp, JR., Keith Sawmiller
  • Patent number: 10849388
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Cincinnati Automation & Mechatronics, LLC
    Inventors: Roger Neil Rovekamp, Jr., Keith Sawmiller
  • Publication number: 20180310670
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Cincinnati Automation & Mechatronics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Roger Neil Rovekamp, JR., Keith Sawmiller