Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Shelton

Thomas J. Shelton 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: 11944307
    Abstract: A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Thomas W. Huitema, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Charles J. Scheib, Cortney E. Henderson
  • Patent number: 11918222
    Abstract: A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Thomas W. Huitema, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Charles J. Scheib, Cortney E. Henderson
  • Patent number: 8002118
    Abstract: An automated document processing apparatus comprising a detector; a plurality of pockets; and a pocket selector gate assembly which causes a document being processed by the apparatus to be routed to one of the plurality of pockets based on information read from the document by the detector, the route of the document being determined by the position of a pocket selector gate, the pocket selector gate position being controlled by a motor which is mechanically coupled to the pocket selector gate, the mechanical coupling being such that, when the pocket selector gate is in a first position, the pocket selector gate is locked in place even after the motor has been deenergized. The mechanical coupling may be achieved by way of a link arm and pin, the pin mating with the link arm and engaging a mating slot of the pocket selector gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Burroughs Payment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Tratar, Johan P. Bakker, Paul J. McCarthy, Michael J. Kiplinger, Thomas J. Shelton
  • Patent number: 7984904
    Abstract: A document processing system includes a document track composed of a pair of opposing rigid track walls. The documents are moved along the document track in a series to allow operations to be performed on the documents. An apparatus for detecting a document with an attachment includes a strike plate formed by a separate section of a wall of the document track. A magnet is arranged to attract material toward the strike plate. An accelerometer is mounted to the strike plate. The accelerometer detects an impact of an attachment to the strike plate when a document with an attachment passes the strike plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventors: Johan P. Bakker, J. Michael Spall, Thomas J. Shelton
  • Publication number: 20100140865
    Abstract: A document processing system includes a document track composed of a pair of opposing rigid track walls. The documents are moved along the document track in a series to allow operations to be performed on the documents. An apparatus for detecting a document with an attachment includes a strike plate formed by a separate section of a wall of the document track. A magnet is arranged to attract material toward the strike plate. An accelerometer is mounted to the strike plate. The accelerometer detects an impact of an attachment to the strike plate when a document with an attachment passes the strike plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Johan P. Bakker, J. Michael Spall, Thomas J. Shelton
  • Publication number: 20100038848
    Abstract: An automated document processing apparatus comprising a detector; a plurality of pockets; and a pocket selector gate assembly which causes a document being processed by the apparatus to be routed to one of the plurality of pockets based on information read from the document by the detector, the route of the document being determined by the position of a pocket selector gate, the pocket selector gate position being controlled by a motor which is mechanically coupled to the pocket selector gate, the mechanical coupling being such that, when the pocket selector gate is in a first position, the pocket selector gate is locked in place even after the motor has been deenergized. The mechanical coupling may be achieved by way of a link arm and pin, the pin mating with the link arm and engaging a mating slot of the pocket selector gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Unisys Corp.
    Inventors: David B. Tratar, Johan P. Bakker, Paul J. McCarthy, Michael J. Kiplinger, Thomas J. Shelton
  • Patent number: 7556265
    Abstract: A document processing system includes a document track composed of a pair of opposing rigid track walls. The documents are moved along the document track in a series to allow operations to be performed on the documents. An apparatus for detecting a document with an attachment includes a strike plate formed by a separate section of a wall of the document track. A magnet is arranged to attract material toward the strike plate. An accelerometer is mounted to the strike plate. The accelerometer detects an impact of an attachment to the strike plate when a document with an attachment passes the strike plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Johan P. Bakker, J. Michael Spall, Thomas J. Shelton