Patents by Inventor Ronald B. Hicks

Ronald B. Hicks 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: 20240023516
    Abstract: Livestock may be managed by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, the properties of water may be monitored by automated techniques and treated water may be provided to animals. In certain implementations, sick, or potentially sick, livestock may be provided with treated water to improve their health. The automated techniques may include monitoring the movements and/or water consumption of the livestock and predicting which ones may be sick based on their movements and/or water consumption. In some implementations, a water trough may contain multiple segments. The water properties in the segments may be maintained at different states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ronald B. Hicks, Sarah C. Harkleroad, Jay D.J. Pennington, Alan W. Neidig, Robert T. Buczkiewicz
  • Patent number: 11771057
    Abstract: Livestock may be managed by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, the properties of water may be monitored by automated techniques and treated water may be provided to animals. In certain implementations, sick, or potentially sick, livestock may be provided with treated water to improve their health. The automated techniques may include monitoring the movements and/or water consumption of the livestock and predicting which ones may be sick based on their movements and/or water consumption. In some implementations, a water trough may contain multiple segments. The water properties in the segments may be maintained at different states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald B. Hicks, Sarah C. Harkleroad, Jay D. J. Pennington, Alan W. Neidig, Robert T. Buczkiewicz
  • Publication number: 20210144972
    Abstract: Food supply may be tracked, authenticated, and evaluated by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In certain implementations, computer systems at various animal producers in the food supply chain (e.g., ranch and feedlot) may record and generate data regarding an animal (e.g., breed, age, location, hydration regimen, health history, etc.) and report this to a server system, which may process the data in an authenticated manner. Entities further down the chain (e.g., retailers) may access the server system to retrieve information about meat products and use this in sales efforts. Consumers may also retrieve information about meat products so that they may make informed buying decisions. Additionally, feedback may be provided to animal producers regarding the meat, which may encourage them to continue producing quality animals. Data may also be monetized, and a portion reinvested back to the food producer to assist in labor costs associated with system compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: RONALD B HICKS, SARAH C. HARKLEROAD, AUSTIN ADAMS, DAVID SCHROEDER
  • Patent number: 10897877
    Abstract: Food supply may be tracked, authenticated, and evaluated by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In certain implementations, computer systems at various animal producers in the food supply chain (e.g., ranch and feedlot) may record and generate data regarding an animal (e.g., breed, age, location, hydration regimen, health history, etc.) and report this to a server system, which may process the data in an authenticated manner. Entities further down the chain (e.g., retailers) may access the server system to retrieve information about meat products and use this in sales efforts. Consumers may also retrieve information about meat products so that they may make informed buying decisions. Additionally, feedback may be provided to animal producers regarding the meat, which may encourage them to continue producing quality animals. Data may also be monetized, and a portion reinvested back to the food producer to assist in labor costs associated with system compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: HerdX, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald B. Hicks, Sarah C. Harkleroad, Austin Adams, David Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20190335715
    Abstract: Food supply may be tracked, authenticated, and evaluated by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In certain implementations, computer systems at various animal producers in the food supply chain (e.g., ranch and feedlot) may record and generate data regarding an animal (e.g., breed, age, location, hydration regimen, health history, etc.) and report this to a server system, which may process the data in an authenticated manner. Entities further down the chain (e.g., retailers) may access the server system to retrieve information about meat products and use this in sales efforts. Consumers may also retrieve information about meat products so that they may make informed buying decisions. Additionally, feedback may be provided to animal producers regarding the meat, which may encourage them to continue producing quality animals. Data may also be monetized, and a portion reinvested back to the food producer to assist in labor costs associated with system compliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Ronald B. Hicks, SARAH C. HARKLEROAD, AUSTIN ADAMS, DAVID Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10098327
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a herd of animals possibly requiring medical treatment, such as cows in a feedlot. The animals are herded individually into a chute, where identification data is collected from a tag, and core temperature data is collected using a special non-contacting core temperature sensor. The animal is tagged with a color coded tag representing a range of temperatures into which that animal's temperature falls. The animal is then delivered to a pen corresponding to that range of temperatures, where appropriate medicinal treatment is automatically dosed and applied to the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Laird W Laurence, James Derwin King, James C Lyman, Jack C Laurence, Michael R Williams, Allen Nance, Ronald B Hicks
  • Publication number: 20180160649
    Abstract: Livestock may be managed by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, the properties of water may be monitored by automated techniques and treated water may be provided to animals. In certain implementations, sick, or potentially sick, livestock may be provided with treated water to improve their health. The automated techniques may include monitoring the movements and/or water consumption of the livestock and predicting which ones may be sick based on their movements and/or water consumption. In some implementations, a water trough may contain multiple segments. The water properties in the segments may be maintained at different states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald B. Hicks, Sarah C. Harkleroad, Jay David James Pennington, Alan W. Neidig, Robert T. Buczkiewicz
  • Publication number: 20130239907
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a herd of animals possibly requiring medical treatment, such as cows in a feedlot. The animals are herded individually into a chute, where identification data is collected from a tag, and core temperature data is collected using a special non-contacting core temperature sensor. The animal is tagged with a color coded tag representing a range of temperatures into which that animal's temperature falls. The animal is then delivered to a pen corresponding to that range of temperatures, where appropriate medicinal treatment is automatically dosed and applied to the animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: HERDX, INC.
    Inventors: Laird W Laurence, James Derwin King, James C Lyman, Jack C Laurence, Michael R Williams, Allen Nance, Ronald B Hicks
  • Patent number: 8317720
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a herd of animals possibly requiring medical treatment, such as cows in a feedlot. The animals are herded individually into a chute, where identification data is collected from a tag, and core temperature data is collected using a special non-contacting core temperature sensor. The animal is tagged with a color coded tag representing a range of temperatures into which that animal's temperature falls. The animal is then delivered to a pen corresponding to that range of temperatures, where appropriate medicinal treatment is automatically dosed and applied to the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Herdx, Inc.
    Inventors: Laird W Laurence, James Derwin King, James C Lyman, Jack C Laurence, Michael R Williams, Allen Nance, Ronald B Hicks
  • Patent number: 8216249
    Abstract: An umbilical cord clamping and cutting device assembled within opposing shields for minimizing the spray of blood during severing of the umbilical cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Richard L. Watson, Ronald B. Hicks, Carrie D. M. Bader, Philip C. Y. Leung, Hector C. Villarreal
  • Publication number: 20100160809
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a herd of animals possibly requiring medical treatment, such as cows in a feedlot. The animals are herded individually into a chute, where identification data is collected from a tag, and core temperature data is collected using a special non-contacting core temperature sensor. The animal is tagged with a color coded tag representing a range of temperatures into which that animal's temperature falls. The animal is then delivered to a pen corresponding to that range of temperatures, where appropriate medicinal treatment is automatically dosed and applied to the animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Laird W. Laurence, James Derwin King, James C. Lyman, Jack C. Laurence, Michael R. Williams, Allen Nance, Ronald B. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20080287960
    Abstract: An umbilical cord clamping and cutting device assembled within opposing shields for minimizing the spray of blood during severing of the umbilical cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Maternus Partners, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard L. Watson, JR., Ronald B. Hicks, Carrie D.M. Bader, Philip C.Y. Leung, Hector C. Villarreal
  • Patent number: 7402164
    Abstract: A novel umbilical cord clamp and a combined umbilical cord clamp and cutter are provided for clamping and cutting umbilical cords in one motion. The cutter comprises two shells joined by a longitudinal hinge. A transverse blade is mounted in one shell, and a cutting support is mounted in the other shell across from the blade. One or more removable clamps may be engaged with the shells to be removable from the shells after cutting. Alternatively, a self-winding or plastically deformable band may be engageable with the shells. The cutter and its associated removable clamp(s) may be coordinated with an identifier, such as a color, number, or letter. Blood sampling and diagnostic features may be included with the cutter. The removable clamps may have an openable closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventors: Richard L. Watson, Jr., Ronald B. Hicks, Carrie D. M. Bader, Philip C. Y. Leung, Hector C. Villarreal
  • Publication number: 20040215211
    Abstract: A novel umbilical cord clamp and a combined umbilical cord clamp and cutter are provided for clamping and cutting umbilical cords in one motion. The cutter comprises two shells joined by a longitudinal hinge. A transverse blade is mounted in one shell, and a cutting support is mounted in the other shell across from the blade. A clamping member is provided on one side of the blade as part of the cutter, and a removable clamp is provided on the other side of the blade. The umbilical cord to be cut is oriented generally parallel to the hinge and lying across the cutting support. As the shells of the cutter are closed, the umbilical cord is clamped on both sides of the blade, and the blade severs the umbilical cord in the same motion. After the cut is completed, the removable clamp is removed from the cutter, preferably revealing an aesthetically pleasing form such as the face of a koala bear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Richard L. Watson, Ronald B. Hicks, Carrie D.M. Bader, Philip C.Y. Leung
  • Publication number: 20040172043
    Abstract: A novel umbilical cord clamp and a combined umbilical cord clamp and cutter are provided for clamping and cutting umbilical cords in one motion. The cutter comprises two shells joined by a longitudinal hinge. A transverse blade is mounted in one shell, and a cutting support is mounted in the other shell across from the blade. One or more removable clamps may be engaged with the shells to be removable from the shells after cutting. Alternatively, a self-winding or plastically deformable band may be engageable with the shells. The cutter and its associated removable clamp(s) may be coordinated with an identifier, such as a color, number, or letter. Blood sampling and diagnostic features may be included with the cutter. The removable clamps may have an openable closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Richard L. Watson, Ronald B. Hicks, Carrie D. M. Bader, Philip C. Y. Leung, Hector C. Villarreal
  • Patent number: 6740095
    Abstract: A novel umbilical cord clamp and a combined umbilical cord clamp and cutter are provided for clamping and cutting umbilical cords in one motion. The cutter comprises two shells joined by a longitudinal hinge. A transverse blade is mounted in one shell, and a cutting support is mounted in the other shell across from the blade. A clamping member is provided on one side of the blade as part of the cutter, and a removable clamp is provided on the other side of the blade. The umbilical cord to be cut is oriented generally parallel to the hinge and lying across the cutting support. As the shells of the cutter are closed, the umbilical cord is clamped on both sides of the blade, and the blade severs the umbilical cord in the same motion. After the cut is completed, the removable clamp is removed from the cutter, preferably revealing an aesthetically pleasing form such as the face of a koala bear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Maternus Partners, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard L. Watson, Jr., Ronald B. Hicks, Carrie D. M. Bader, Philip Y. C. Leung
  • Patent number: 6721979
    Abstract: A therapeutic treatment bed with features to enhance the care and comfort of burn patients and others subject to extensive recuperative periods. Among the features are patient engaging fluidized bead surfaces integral with the upper surfaces of air cushions provided by an air bed. Detachable conformation of the fluidized bead surfaces is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Vrzalik, Peter A. Leininger, Ronald B. Hicks
  • Patent number: D801594
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald B Hicks
  • Patent number: D860548
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventors: Ronald B. Hicks, Sarah C. Harkleroad
  • Patent number: D872120
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventors: Ronald B. Hicks, Sarah C. Harkleroad