Patents by Inventor Mark L. Major

Mark L. Major 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: 20240118500
    Abstract: A system comprises an optical fiber, a manipulator assembly, and a control unit. The manipulator assembly comprises a chassis, an optical fiber cleaning assembly housed within the chassis, and a drive mechanism housed within the chassis. The optical fiber cleaning assembly comprises a cleaning tape, a first spool on which the cleaning tape is wound, and a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn after use. The drive mechanism is configured to advance the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool such that a portion of the cleaning tape wipes a face of the optical fiber. The control unit is configured to control the drive mechanism to advance the cleaning tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew D. Rohr Daniel, Troy K. Adebar, David W. Bailey, Stephen J. Blumenkranz, Edward P. Donlon, Mark E. Froggatt, Christopher M. Major, Randall L. Schlesinger
  • Patent number: 8176925
    Abstract: A device to aid in flossing teeth including a jaw hook body, a pair of floss retaining projections on one end of the jaw hook body, and a grip handle at an opposite end of the jaw hook body. The grip handle may be a closed loop, an open loop, a padded structure, a pivoting structure, a decorative structure, a structure for holding the tool upright on a surface, or some combination of these features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Mark L. Major
  • Publication number: 20100095978
    Abstract: A device to aid in flossing teeth including a jaw hook body, a pair of floss retaining projections on one end of the jaw hook body, and a grip handle at an opposite end of the jaw hook body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Mark L. Major
  • Patent number: 7631650
    Abstract: A device to aid in flossing teeth including a jaw hook body, a pair of floss retaining projections on one end of the jaw hook body, and a grip handle at an opposite end of the jaw hook body. The grip handle may be a closed loop, an open loop, a padded structure, a pivoting structure, a decorative structure, a structure for holding the tool upright on a surface, or some combination of these features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: Mark L. Major
  • Publication number: 20080183582
    Abstract: A system for passive display of advertisements served from a network includes a computing device having a processor and memory connected to the network, a primary graphics display screen on the computing device, and a secondary graphics display screen connected to a port on the computing device, the secondary display screen dedicated for displaying the advertisements. The advertisements are served to the computing device along with other network data downloaded for primary display by the device as a result of network activity by the computing device and wherein the advertisements served are displayed on the secondary graphics display screen and not on the primary graphics display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Mark L. Major
  • Patent number: 5810411
    Abstract: A training device for using chopsticks has a pair of parallel, spaced apart plates supported at the edges of the plates by a U-shaped spacer. Two L-shaped members are arranged in a back-to-back configuration and are attached at an edge of the plates, extending into the area between the two plates. The two upright portions of the L-shaped members are flexible and are shaped to support a chopstick. A flexible arm extends from the open end of the U-shaped spacer at an angle toward each upright portion. Once two chopsticks are inserted, the arm holds the chopsticks against the upright portion. Pressure against the edges of the chopsticks causes the arm and upright portion to flex and the tips of the chopsticks to be brought together. A number of features can be included, such as attaching a magnet or suction cup to one plate, printing one plate, or attaching a ring to the edge of the device to act as a key ring. In an alternate embodiment, the holder is associated with collapsible chopsticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Mark L. Major