Patents by Inventor Mark D. Ahlers

Mark D. Ahlers 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: 11802920
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the integrity of a plurality of ground conductors has a plurality of monitors, with a different monitor associated with each ground conductor. Each monitor includes a voltage sensor which monitors voltage on a closed circuit of the monitor. Upon the voltage sensor sensing an unexpected voltage, a transmitter of the monitor issues an “alarm” signal, which may be wireless (e.g., being sent using LoRaWAN protocol). The transmitter may issue other signals, including a periodic “heartbeat” signal to confirm continued operation of the monitor, and a “movement” signal to indicate movement of the monitor. The monitor may be GPS-enabled, in which case each signal may include the GPS coordinates of the monitor. The signals issued by the transmitter may ultimately be analyzed by an operator via a user interface platform, which may simultaneously display information regarding two or more of the plurality of monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Paige Electric Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark D. Ahlers, Julie M. Bushell
  • Publication number: 20220120825
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the integrity of a plurality of ground conductors has a plurality of monitors, with a different monitor associated with each ground conductor. Each monitor includes a voltage sensor which monitors voltage on a closed circuit of the monitor. Upon the voltage sensor sensing an unexpected voltage, a transmitter of the monitor issues an “alarm” signal, which may be wireless (e.g., being sent using LoRaWAN protocol). The transmitter may issue other signals, including a periodic “heartbeat” signal to confirm continued operation of the monitor, and a “movement” signal to indicate movement of the monitor. The monitor may be GPS-enabled, in which case each signal may include the GPS coordinates of the monitor. The signals issued by the transmitter may ultimately be analyzed by an operator via a user interface platform, which may simultaneously display information regarding two or more of the plurality of monitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Mark D. Ahlers, Julie M. Bushell
  • Patent number: 11237222
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the integrity of a plurality of ground conductors has a plurality of monitors, with a different monitor associated with each ground conductor. Each monitor includes a voltage sensor which monitors voltage on a closed circuit of the monitor. Upon the voltage sensor sensing an unexpected voltage, a transmitter of the monitor issues an “alarm” signal, which may be wireless (e.g., being sent using LoRaWAN protocol). The transmitter may issue other signals, including a periodic “heartbeat” signal to confirm continued operation of the monitor, and a “movement” signal to indicate movement of the monitor. The monitor may be GPS-enabled, in which case each signal may include the GPS coordinates of the monitor. The signals issued by the transmitter may ultimately be analyzed by an operator via a user interface platform, which may simultaneously display information regarding two or more of the plurality of monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Paige Electric Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark D. Ahlers, Julie M. Bushell
  • Patent number: 10608396
    Abstract: A method of protecting retail store inventory from theft includes the steps of providing an electrical alarm circuit which is electrically connectable to a security loop cable. The security loop cable includes a plurality of electrically conductive and connectable security loop cable segments. A user forms the security loop cable by connecting the plurality of security loop cable segments end-to-end and attaches the security loop cable to the items of inventory. The free ends of the security loop cable are physically secured, including at least one of the free ends being physically secured by electrically connecting it to the electrical alarm circuit. The physical securement of the free ends prevents detachment of the inventory items from the cable. The alarm system when armed will activate an alarm if electrical continuity of the security loop cable is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Paige Electric Company, LP
    Inventor: Mark D. Ahlers
  • Publication number: 20190049506
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the integrity of a plurality of ground conductors has a plurality of monitors, with a different monitor associated with each ground conductor. Each monitor includes a voltage sensor which monitors voltage on a closed circuit of the monitor. Upon the voltage sensor sensing an unexpected voltage, a transmitter of the monitor issues an “alarm” signal, which may be wireless (e.g., being sent using LoRaWAN protocol). The transmitter may issue other signals, including a periodic “heartbeat” signal to confirm continued operation of the monitor, and a “movement” signal to indicate movement of the monitor. The monitor may be GPS-enabled, in which case each signal may include the GPS coordinates of the monitor. The signals issued by the transmitter may ultimately be analyzed by an operator via a user interface platform, which may simultaneously display information regarding two or more of the plurality of monitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Mark D. Ahlers, Julie M. Bushell
  • Patent number: 9640051
    Abstract: A security loop cable assembly is attached to the distal end of the main cable of an alarm system. The assembly has an enclosure with a main electrical connector inside the enclosure. The main cable terminates at the main connector. The enclosure releasably receives a polarized plug assembly that contains the ends of a loop cable. The plug assembly includes a housing and a case that are selectively joined. Inside the case two of the wires of the loop cable are permanently joined to opposite sides of an end-of-line resistor. The housing and case can be momentarily separated to thread one of them through an aperture in the protected object or gate. The plug assembly can be removably inserted into the enclosure, whereupon the main cable connector engages a loop connector to form an electrical circuit through the first and second wires and the end-of-line resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Paige Electric Company, LP
    Inventors: Francis X. Conaty, Mark D. Ahlers
  • Patent number: 9203185
    Abstract: A multi-segmented security loop cable has a plurality of electrical conductor segments, each having a male connector on one end and a female connector on the other end, the connectors being joined by an electrical cable. Socket contacts and pin contacts are crimped to the stripped ends of individual wires in the cable. The contacts are embedded in a male or female body to form either a plug housing or a receptacle housing. The housings have a compression ring installed thereon to retain the contacts in the body. The housings have a strain relief member over-molded thereon to complete the connectors by chemically bonding to the connector body, exposed wire insulation and the cable outer jacket to form an integral unit of these elements for electrical and mechanical protection. A method of using the security loop cable is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: PAIGE ELECTRIC COMPANY, LP
    Inventor: Mark D. Ahlers