Patents by Inventor Michael Colston
Michael Colston 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: 11690476Abstract: A direct-current (DC) solid-fuel grill comprises a direct-current power source and a direct-current auger motor receiving power from the direct-current power source. The DC solid-fuel grill may also comprise a solid-fuel grill component configured to be driven by the direct-current auger motor. A direct-current controller or processor is in communication with the direct-current auger motor. The direct-current controller or processor is configured to provide at least a first signal to the direct-current auger motor causing the solid-fuel grill component to actuate at a first velocity, and a second signal to the direct-current auger motor causing the solid-fuel grill component to actuate at a second velocity.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2019Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventors: Michael Colston, Daniel W. Sluder, Daniel A. Altenritter
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Patent number: 11622008Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Patent number: 11622007Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Publication number: 20220232078Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventor: Michael Colston
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Publication number: 20220232077Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventor: Michael Colston
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Patent number: 11324357Abstract: Embodiments are directed to smoking food in an outdoor grill using a customized smoking routine. In one scenario, an electronic controller of an outdoor grill receives an input to initiate smoke generation according to a specified smoke generation pattern, including: adding a specified amount of combustible pellets to a combustion area within the outdoor grill, such that the combustible pellets begin to burn, measuring a current internal temperature of the outdoor grill and, if below a threshold value, adding a specified amount of additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to another threshold value, allowing the internal temperature to cool a temperature below the first threshold value and, upon determining that the temperature of the outdoor grill has cooled below the first specified threshold value, adding additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to at least the second threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Publication number: 20220086232Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventor: Michael Colston
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Patent number: 11206307Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Publication number: 20210361115Abstract: A direct-current (DC) solid-fuel grill comprises a direct-current power source and a direct-current auger motor receiving power from the direct-current power source. The DC solid-fuel grill may also comprise a solid-fuel grill component configured to be driven by the direct-current auger motor. A direct-current controller or processor is in communication with the direct-current auger motor. The direct-current controller or processor is configured to provide at least a first signal to the direct-current auger motor causing the solid-fuel grill component to actuate at a first velocity, and a second signal to the direct-current auger motor causing the solid-fuel grill component to actuate at a second velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2019Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Michael Colston, Daniel W. Sluder, Daniel A. Altenritter
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Patent number: 11162684Abstract: A pellet hopper for use in a pellet grill includes a first bottom panel, a second bottom panel, and a third bottom panel. Each bottom panel has an inner edge that partially defines a pellet evacuation opening. The first, second, and third bottom panels form respective first, second, and third nonzero angles relative to a horizontal plane. In this way, each bottom panel tilts downward toward the pellet evacuation opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventors: Michael Colston, Daniel Sluder, Phuong Hoang
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Patent number: 10785363Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Patent number: 10764423Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Patent number: 10757244Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Publication number: 20200237139Abstract: Embodiments are directed to smoking food in an outdoor grill using a customized smoking routine. In one scenario, an electronic controller of an outdoor grill receives an input to initiate smoke generation according to a specified smoke generation pattern, including: adding a specified amount of combustible pellets to a combustion area within the outdoor grill, such that the combustible pellets begin to burn, measuring a current internal temperature of the outdoor grill and, if below a threshold value, adding a specified amount of additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to another threshold value, allowing the internal temperature to cool a temperature below the first threshold value and, upon determining that the temperature of the outdoor grill has cooled below the first specified threshold value, adding additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to at least the second threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventor: Michael Colston
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Patent number: 10701199Abstract: Embodiments are directed to communicating with and controlling operation of electronically-controlled appliances. In one scenario, a computer system receives a first input from a computing system indicating that an electronically-controlled appliance is permitted to communicate with a cloud computing platform. The computer system generates a notification that is to be sent to a software application, where the software application is configured to control functions of the electronically-controlled appliance. The computer system transmits the generated notification to the software application, where the generated notification indicates that the cloud computing platform is communicably connected to the electronically-controlled appliance.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Patent number: 10694892Abstract: A smoke circulating element includes a smoke retaining element and a smoke circulation opening adapted for directing smoke out of the smoke retaining element. The smoke retaining element has a plurality of panels at least partially bounding a smoke chamber. The smoke circulating element is contoured to fit the inner surface of a grilling device so that the inner surface and smoke circulating element cooperate to substantially enclose the smoke chamber. Smoke produced within the smoke chamber by a wood pellet fire pot escapes the smoke chamber through the upper disposed smoke circulation opening and is exhausted from the grilling device as it cools, settles, and escapes through a lower disposed exhaust opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Patent number: 10674866Abstract: Embodiments are directed to smoking food in an outdoor grill using a customized smoking routine. In one scenario, an electronic controller of an outdoor grill receives an input to initiate smoke generation according to a specified smoke generation pattern, including: adding a specified amount of combustible pellets to a combustion area within the outdoor grill, such that the combustible pellets begin to burn, measuring a current internal temperature of the outdoor grill and, if below a threshold value, adding a specified amount of additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to another threshold value, allowing the internal temperature to cool a temperature below the first threshold value and, upon determining that the temperature of the outdoor grill has cooled below the first specified threshold value, adding additional combustible pellets to the combustion area sufficient to raise the temperature to at least the second threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Patent number: RE48162Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventor: Michael Colston
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Patent number: D903090Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: RAEGER PELLET GRILLS, LLCInventors: Michael Colston, Daniel Altenritter
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Patent number: D913747Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventors: Michael Colston, Matthew G. Czach