Patents by Inventor Michael E. Stephens

Michael E. Stephens 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: 20240130634
    Abstract: A notification system is provided that provides notification of patient events such as movement and/or incontinence. The notification system provides for a plurality of different pressure sensor pads as well as an incontinence pad to be used in association with a single monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Michael D. Kilcran, Patrick E. Eddy, Jacob D. Stephens, Lucas W. Stephens, Daniel P. Kilcran
  • Publication number: 20220379398
    Abstract: Approaches herein provide a torch handle including a pneumatically controlled jaw operable to engage an electrode. In one approach, a system is provided for distributing gas within the torch handle, the system including a pneumatic cylinder within a main housing of the torch handle. The pneumatic cylinder is coupled to a shaft for actuating first and second members of the jaw. The system further includes a gas passageway through the main housing, the gas passageway extending to an exit orifice disposed within the second member. A flow controller, including first and second valves, is operable to direct a flow of a gas to either the pneumatic cylinder or the gas passageway. In one approach, the first member is actuated towards the second member when the gas is directed through the gas passageway, and actuated away from the second member when the gas is directed to the pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. Stephens, Jeffrey S. Henderson
  • Patent number: 11440123
    Abstract: Approaches herein provide a torch handle including a pneumatically controlled jaw operable to engage an electrode. In one approach, a system is provided for distributing gas within the torch handle, the system including a pneumatic cylinder within a main housing of the torch handle. The pneumatic cylinder is coupled to a shaft for actuating first and second members of the jaw. The system further includes a gas passageway through the main housing, the gas passageway extending to an exit orifice disposed within the second member. A flow controller, including first and second valves, is operable to direct a flow of a gas to either the pneumatic cylinder or the gas passageway. In one approach, the first member is actuated towards the second member when the gas is directed through the gas passageway, and actuated away from the second member when the gas is directed to the pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: VICTOR EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael E. Stephens, Jeffrey S. Henderson
  • Patent number: 10882132
    Abstract: Approaches herein provide a torch handle including a pneumatically controlled jaw operable to engage an electrode. In one approach, a system is provided for distributing gas within the torch handle, the system including a pneumatic cylinder within a main housing of the torch handle. The pneumatic cylinder is coupled to a shaft for actuating a first member of a jaw relative to a second member of the jaw. The system further includes a gas passageway through the main housing, the gas passageway extending to an exit orifice disposed within the second member. A flow controller is operable to direct a flow of a gas to either the pneumatic cylinder or the gas passageway. In one approach, the first member is actuated towards the second member when the gas is directed through the gas passageway, and actuated away from the second member when the gas is directed to the pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Victor Equipment Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Stephens, Jeffrey S. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20180169782
    Abstract: Approaches herein provide a torch handle including a pneumatically controlled jaw operable to engage an electrode. In one approach, a system is provided for distributing gas within the torch handle, the system including a pneumatic cylinder within a main housing of the torch handle. The pneumatic cylinder is coupled to a shaft for actuating a first member of a jaw relative to a second member of the jaw. The system further includes a gas passageway through the main housing, the gas passageway extending to an exit orifice disposed within the second member. A flow controller is operable to direct a flow of a gas to either the pneumatic cylinder or the gas passageway. In one approach, the first member is actuated towards the second member when the gas is directed through the gas passageway, and actuated away from the second member when the gas is directed to the pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Michael E. Stephens, Jeffrey S. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20170144244
    Abstract: Approaches herein provide a torch handle including a pneumatically controlled jaw operable to engage an electrode. In one approach, a system is provided for distributing gas within the torch handle, the system including a pneumatic cylinder within a main housing of the torch handle. The pneumatic cylinder is coupled to a shaft for actuating first and second members of the jaw. The system further includes a gas passageway through the main housing, the gas passageway extending to an exit orifice disposed within the second member. A flow controller, including first and second valves, is operable to direct a flow of a gas to either the pneumatic cylinder or the gas passageway. In one approach, the first member is actuated towards the second member when the gas is directed through the gas passageway, and actuated away from the second member when the gas is directed to the pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Victor Equipment Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Stephens, Jeffrey S. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20160364600
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses for biometric gestures are described herein. In one or more implementations, a computing device includes a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint touch sensor, that is configured to detect gesture input. When gesture input is received from a user, the biometric sensor detects biometric characteristics (e.g., a fingerprint) of the user and determines a gesture (e.g., a tap, touch and hold, or swipe) based on the gesture input. The user is authenticated if the biometric characteristics correspond to an authorized user of the device. If the user is authenticated, the device transitions to an authenticated user state that is associated with the type of gesture, such as by displaying personal information on a lockscreen of the computing device or opening a quick action center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Akash Atul Shah, Peter Dawoud Shenouda Dawoud, Nelly Porter, Himanshu Soni, Michael E. Stephens