Patents by Inventor Stephen Hardy

Stephen Hardy 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).

  • Patent number: 11235647
    Abstract: An enclosure for protecting a load comprises a truck bed to hold items, a front wall affixed to a proximal end of a width of the truck bed, and a rear wall affixed to a distal end of the width. A main header member runs along the length of the truck bed connecting the rear and front walls to form a central mounting point along a length of the truck bed that is disposed at a maximum height of the rear wall and the front wall. A passenger side gull wing door and a driver side gull wing door are mounted to the main header member by a plurality of hinges affixed to the main header member and which provide a movable joint for the gull wing doors. One or more hydraulic lift cylinders are operative to raise and lower a respective gull wing door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: LEDWELL AND SON ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy Ledwell, Gary Gene Gathright, Michael Leroy Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210362570
    Abstract: An enclosure for protecting a load comprises a truck bed to hold items, a front wall affixed to a proximal end of a width of the truck bed, and a rear wall affixed to a distal end of the width. A main header member runs along the length of the truck bed connecting the rear and front walls to form a central mounting point along a length of the truck bed that is disposed at a maximum height of the rear wall and the front wall. A passenger side gull wing door and a driver side gull wing door are mounted to the main header member by a plurality of hinges affixed to the main header member and which provide a movable joint for the gull wing doors. One or more hydraulic lift cylinders are operative to raise and lower a respective gull wing door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy Ledwell, Gary Gene Gathright, Michael Leroy Thomas
  • Patent number: 10320752
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to characterising data sets that are distributed as multiple data subsets over multiple computers such as by determining a gradient of an objective function. A computer determines a partial gradient of the objective function over a data subset stored on the computer and determines random data. The computer then determines an altered gradient by modifying the partial gradient based on the random data and encrypts the altered gradient such that one or more operations on the altered gradient can be performed based on the encrypted gradient and sends the encrypted gradient. Since the partial gradient is altered based on random data and encrypted it is difficult for another computer to calculate the data that is stored on the first computer. This is an advantage as it allows to preserve the privacy of the data stored on the first computer while still allowing to characterise the data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: National ICT Australia Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Felix Lawrence, Daniel Visentin
  • Publication number: 20180104566
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices for protection of the bottom center portion of skateboard platforms when used obliquely on upstanding structural edges, as when grinding. A roller assembly of the present invention may have an elongated bearing shaft rotatably positioned at each end in spaced apart bearings that are attached to the bottom surface of a skateboard platform. Optional variations and surface treatments of the bearing shaft are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen Hardy Pielstick
  • Publication number: 20170310643
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to characterising data sets that are distributed as multiple data subsets over multiple computers such as by determining a gradient of an objective function. A computer determines a partial gradient of the objective function over a data subset stored on the computer and determines random data. The computer then determines an altered gradient by modifying the partial gradient based on the random data and encrypts the altered gradient such that one or more operations on the altered gradient can be performed based on the encrypted gradient and sends the encrypted gradient. Since the partial gradient is altered based on random data and encrypted it is difficult for another computer to calculate the data that is stored on the first computer. This is an advantage as it allows to preserve the privacy of the data stored on the first computer while still allowing to characterise the data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: National ICT Australia Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Felix Lawrence, Daniel Visentin
  • Patent number: 8518694
    Abstract: A nucleic acid vector comprising: (i) a promoter; (ii) a sequence encoding a HML-2 polypeptide operably linked to said promoter; and (iii) a selectable marker. Preferred vectors comprise: (I) a eukaryotic promoter; (ii) a sequence encoding a HML-2 polypeptide downstream of and operably linked to said promoter, (iii) a prokaryotic selectable marker; (iv) a prokaryotic origin of replication; and (v) a eukaryotic transcription terminator downstream of and operably linked to said sequence encoding a HML-2 polypeptide. Vectors of the invention are particularly useful for expression of HML-2 polypeptides either in vitro (e.g. for later purification). Or in vivo (e.g. for nucleic acid immunization). They are well suited to nucleic acid immunization against prostrate tumors. A preferred HML-2 is PCAV, which is located in chromosome 22 at 20.428 megabases (22q11.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, John Donnelly, Jan zur Megede
  • Patent number: 8312999
    Abstract: A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed. The pusher mechanism of the invention also includes a pusher paddle and a floor that extends forward of the pusher paddle. A flat coiled spring or other biasing element may be operatively connected behind the pusher paddle and extend across the floor of the pusher mechanism and to the front of the shelf. In use, the product to be merchandised may be placed on the coiled spring and on the floor of the pusher mechanism. With this configuration, the pusher paddle is prevented from tipping or bending backwards during operation. In an alternative aspect, a mounting member may be used to mount the end of the coiled spring to the floor of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hardy
  • Patent number: 8210363
    Abstract: A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base and a dampener assembly mounted to the spring-urged pusher configured to control the rate of speed at which the spring-urged pusher is urged forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hardy
  • Patent number: 8136682
    Abstract: A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base and a dampener assembly mounted to the spring-urged pusher configured to control the rate of speed at which the spring-urged pusher is urged forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hardy
  • Patent number: 8113601
    Abstract: A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base and a dampener assembly mounted to the spring-urged pusher configured to control the rate of speed at which the spring-urged pusher is urged forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hardy
  • Patent number: 8056734
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a merchandising system and method that permits access from the front of a column of shelves and along a side of the column of shelves, the shelves in each column extending from the front of the merchandizing system to a back area of the merchandising system. Each shelf can be of any suitable design for supporting products or items. The merchandising system can have at least one flippable column comprising at least one shelf suitable for supporting a single row of items. Various front item stops are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Menz, James McKay Duncan, Stephen Hardy
  • Patent number: 8037833
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inventory system with stackable trays that permits access to individual trays. The inventory system comprises an upright pole having a top and bottom, a support attached to the bottom of the pole, and at least two stackable trays, each tray having a fastening device to engage a back of the tray to the pole, wherein when a tray is moved away from the pole, the fastening device disengages the pole, and when a tray is pushed toward the pole, the fastening device can engage the pole. Also disclosed is a stackable tray. Also disclosed is method for removing a lower stacked tray from underneath a higher stacked tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: RTC Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hardy
  • Patent number: 7669722
    Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
  • Patent number: 7661545
    Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max E. Syvuk, John W. Swafford
  • Patent number: 7621409
    Abstract: A low profile shelf system that improves the merchandising of product by creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product includes low profile shelf supports. Each low-profile shelf support may define a back portion and a front portion. The back portion may include a fastening plate attached thereto, each fastening plate having a hook formation that can be inserted into a slotted upright. The back portion of the shelf support may be at least 75% vertically longer than the front portion, resulting in the front portion having a significantly lower profile than the back portion of the shelf support, thereby creating more spacing between shelves to accommodate larger product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford, David Henke
  • Publication number: 20090176701
    Abstract: Anti-microbial therapeutic agents that act via a novel method to treat infection are compounds which may comprise a peptide with natural or non-natural amino acids, or a small molecule. The agent can bind to the surface of a microorganism and productively fix complement in order to cause lysis of the microorganism via the assembly of a membrane attack complex, thereby triggering removal of the microbe by phagocytosis. The agents may be fragments of TFPI e.g. from the C-terminus region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Sabine Schirm, Stephen Hardy
  • Publication number: 20090166304
    Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
  • Patent number: 7497341
    Abstract: A system for managing and securing product and deterring theft in a retail setting includes a system that resides either on a standard retailer shelf or may be a stand-alone system. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of shelves and product dividers positioned between the shelves and extending from the front edges of the shelves toward the rear of the shelves. Front retaining walls are positioned at the front edges of the shelves and are configured to have a height that inhibits access to products on the shelves. Individual retaining tabs of varying height may be added in front of rows of taller product to inhibit access to these products. In an embodiment, rigid or moveable barriers may be positioned above retaining walls that further restrict access to the products. With the invention, the “sweeping” of numerous products by a thief is deterred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max Syvuk, John Swafford
  • Publication number: 20080290056
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inventory system with stackable trays that permits access to individual trays. The inventory system comprises an upright pole having a top and bottom, a support attached to the bottom of the pole, and at least two stackable trays, each tray having a fastening device to engage a back of the tray to the pole, wherein when a tray is moved away from the pole, the fastening device disengages the pole, and when a tray is pushed toward the pole, the fastening device can engage the pole. Also disclosed is a stackable tray. Also disclosed is method for removing a lower stacked tray from underneath a higher stacked tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Hardy
  • Patent number: 7451881
    Abstract: A modular shelving system is disclosed. In an embodiment, a box shelf is provided that may be supported by vertical rails of a shelf upright. The box shelf may be supported by shelf supports that engage the vertical rails. The box shelf may include a slideable shelf mounted on a rail and held in position by a biased hinge plate. The slideable shelf may include a divider to separate the shelf into one or more regions and to interfere with the rapid removal of products from the shelf. The box shelf may further include a door that in an embodiment may be required to be opened before products can be removed from slideable shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: RTC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Hardy, Adam Gold, John Ward, Max E. Syvuk, John W. Swafford, Jr., David J. Henke