Patents by Inventor Robert S. Thomas

Robert S. Thomas 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: 20240082656
    Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads having a weight member that is configurable in multiple positions to alter the performance characteristics of the golf club head are presented. In some examples, the weight member may be arranged in a sole of the golf club head and may include ends having different weighting characteristics. For instance, one end may be heavier or denser than another end of the weight member. The difference in weight characteristics may be due to different materials used to form the different ends, different construction of the ends, and the like. The position of the weight member may be adjusted to alter the performance characteristics of the golf club head. For instance, the weight member may be removed and rotated to position a heavier end where a lighter end was previously positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew G.V. Oldknow, James S. Thomas, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Robert Boyd
  • Patent number: 10603530
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher with an actuation mechanism includes a fire extinguisher canister filled under pressure with a fire suppressant in a manner forcibly causing the fire suppressant to be expelled from the fire extinguisher with substantial force upon release. An actuation mechanism is secured to the fire extinguisher canister for controlling expulsion of the fire suppressant from the fire extinguisher canister. The actuation mechanism includes a pneumatically controlled time delayed activation piston assembly that functions to control the release of the fire suppressant until desired by the user of the fire extinguisher. The pneumatically controlled time delayed activation piston assembly includes an actuator housing having a passageway in which a piston is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Robert S. Thomas, III
  • Publication number: 20190015691
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher with an actuation mechanism includes a fire extinguisher canister filled under pressure with a fire suppressant in a manner forcibly causing the fire suppressant to be expelled from the fire extinguisher with substantial force upon release. An actuation mechanism is secured to the fire extinguisher canister for controlling expulsion of the fire suppressant from the fire extinguisher canister. The actuation mechanism includes a pneumatically controlled time delayed activation piston assembly that functions to control the release of the fire suppressant until desired by the user of the fire extinguisher. The pneumatically controlled time delayed activation piston assembly includes an actuator housing having a passageway in which a piston is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Robert S. Thomas, III
  • Patent number: 8869905
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher with an actuation mechanism includes a fire extinguisher body filled under pressure with a fire suppressant. The actuation mechanism includes a pneumatically controlled activation piston assembly that functions to control the release of the fire suppressant until desired by the user of the fire extinguisher. The activation piston assembly includes a housing in which a piston is positioned. The housing includes a first end and second end. The first end of the housing is covered with a first cap supporting a spring interposed between the piston and the first cap, and the second end of the housing is provided with a second cap. The piston, under the control of balanced spring bias and pneumatic pressure, allows for time controlled release of the fire suppressant from the fire extinguisher body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Delivery Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Thomas, III, Edward C. Waters, III
  • Publication number: 20120073839
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher with an actuation mechanism includes a fire extinguisher body filled under pressure with a fire suppressant. The actuation mechanism includes a pneumatically controlled activation piston assembly that functions to control the release of the fire suppressant until desired by the user of the fire extinguisher. The activation piston assembly includes a housing in which a piston is positioned. The housing includes a first end and second end. The first end of the housing is covered with a first cap supporting a spring interposed between the piston and the first cap, and the second end of the housing is provided with a second cap. The piston, under the control of balanced spring bias and pneumatic pressure, allows for time controlled release of the fire suppressant from the fire extinguisher body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Robert S. Thomas, III, Edward C. Waters, III
  • Patent number: 7958826
    Abstract: A grenade includes an explosion chamber having an explosive charge to which an ignition charge is connected. The grenade also includes a primer and trigger coupled to the ignition charge for detonation of the explosive charge held within the explosion chamber. A variable distance detonation mechanism has a trigger and primer for allowing controlled detonation of the grenade a specific distance from the launch point thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Robert S. Thomas, III, Edward C. Waters, III
  • Patent number: 7861656
    Abstract: A grenade includes an explosion chamber having an explosive charge to which an ignition charge is connected. The grenade also includes a primer and trigger coupled to the ignition charge for detonation of the explosive charge held within the explosion chamber. A variable distance detonation mechanism is coupled to the trigger and primer for allowing controlled detonation of the grenade a specific distance from the launch point thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventors: Robert S. Thomas, III, Edward C. Waters, III
  • Publication number: 20100307366
    Abstract: A grenade includes an explosion chamber having an explosive charge to which an ignition charge is connected. The grenade also includes a primer and trigger coupled to the ignition charge for detonation of the explosive charge held within the explosion chamber. A variable distance detonation mechanism is coupled to the trigger and primer for allowing controlled detonation of the grenade a specific distance from the launch point thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Robert S. Thomas, III, Edward C. Waters, III
  • Publication number: 20100288154
    Abstract: A grenade includes an explosion chamber having an explosive charge to which an ignition charge is connected. The grenade also includes coupling to the ignition charge for detonation of the explosive charge held within the explosion chamber. A variable distance detonation mechanism has a trigger and primer for allowing controlled detonation of the grenade a specific distance from the launch point thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Robert S. Thomas, III, Edward C. Waters, III
  • Patent number: 6387625
    Abstract: An electrode for detecting interactions between members of a binding pair, which electrode has been modified by formation of a non-conductive self-assembled monolayer, and a method of detecting biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or other targets, including receptors, ligands, antigens or antibodies, utilizing such an electrode. When contacted with a target nucleic acid, an oligonucleotide probe coupled to the self-assembled monolayer reacts with the target nucleic acid form a hybridized nucleic acid on the modified electrode surface. The hybridized nucleic acid is reacted with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing a preselected base in the hybridized nucleic acid in an oxidation-reduction reaction, the oxidation-reduction reaction is detected, and the presence or absence of the nucleic acid is determined from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Xanthon, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen E. Eckhardt, Jill C. Mikulecky, Mary E. Napier, Robert S. Thomas, H. Holden Thorp
  • Patent number: 6127127
    Abstract: An electrode for detecting interactions between members of a binding pair, which electrode has been modified by formation of a non-conductive self-assembled monolayer, and a method of detecting biomolecules, such as nucleic acids or other targets, including receptors, ligands, antigens or antibodies, utilizing such an electrode. When contacted with a target nucleic acid, an oligonucleotide probe coupled to the self-assembled monolayer reacts with the target nucleic acid to form a hybridized nucleic acid on the modified electrode surface. The hybridized nucleic acid is reacted with a transition metal complex capable of oxidizing a preselected base in the hybridized nucleic acid in an oxidation-reduction reaction, the oxidation-reduction reaction is detected, and the presence or absence of the nucleic acid is determined from the detected oxidation-reduction reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Xanthon, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen E. Eckhardt, Jill C. Mikulecky, Mary E. Napier, Robert S. Thomas, H. Holden Thorp
  • Patent number: 4768778
    Abstract: An exercising device for doing a variation of a push-up exercise. The exercising device includes a base, a platform rotatably connected to the base having a plane of rotation, a support extending upwardly from the rotating platform, approximately perpendicular to the plane of rotation, and a handle removably connected to the support, the handle capable of rotation, independent of the support and the platform. And novel exercises using the above device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Robert S. Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: D336490
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Inventor: Robert S. Thomas