Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Witman

Thomas J. Witman 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: 11619382
    Abstract: A system including a variable orifice component including a main body, a main fuel path extending through the main body, and a control body positioned in the main body. The control body is movable between a first position wherein a first fuel path thereof is in fluid communication with the main fuel path to enable fuel to flow therethrough, and a second position wherein a second fuel path thereof is in fluid communication with the main fuel path to enable fuel to flow therethrough. The system further includes a vent body coupled to the main body. The vent body is movable between a first position wherein the main fuel path is in fluid communication with a vent orifice of the vent body to provide fluid communication between the main fuel path and a surrounding environment, and a second position wherein the main fuel path is not in fluid communication with the vent orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Hearth Products Controls Co.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Witman, Patrick W. Schatz
  • Patent number: 11619385
    Abstract: A system including a burner configured to be coupled to a fuel line to deliver fuel to the burner and an igniter positioned adjacent to the burner and configured to ignite fuel emitted by the burner. The system further includes a valve configured to control a flow of fuel through the fuel line and a control module operably coupled to the igniter and to the valve. The control module is configured to send a signal to the igniter and to close the valve if a quality of a return electrical signal from the igniter is below a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Hearth Products Controls Co.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Witman, Patrick W. Schatz
  • Publication number: 20210262661
    Abstract: A system including a burner configured to be coupled to a fuel line to deliver fuel to the burner and an igniter positioned adjacent to the burner and configured to ignite fuel emitted by the burner. The system further includes a valve configured to control a flow of fuel through the fuel line and a control module operably coupled to the igniter and to the valve. The control module is configured to send a signal to the igniter and to close the valve if a quality of a return electrical signal from the igniter is below a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Hearth Products Controls Co.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Witman, Patrick W. Schatz
  • Publication number: 20210262656
    Abstract: A system including a variable orifice component including a main body, a main fuel path extending through the main body, and a control body positioned in the main body. The control body is movable between a first position wherein a first fuel path thereof is in fluid communication with the main fuel path to enable fuel to flow therethrough, and a second position wherein a second fuel path thereof is in fluid communication with the main fuel path to enable fuel to flow therethrough. The system further includes a vent body coupled to the main body. The vent body is movable between a first position wherein the main fuel path is in fluid communication with a vent orifice of the vent body to provide fluid communication between the main fuel path and a surrounding environment, and a second position wherein the main fuel path is not in fluid communication with the vent orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Hearth Products Controls Co.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Witman, Patrick W. Schatz
  • Patent number: 7484645
    Abstract: A child carrier with a side buckle and ventilation features. The buckle includes a male portion and a female portion. The male portion of the buckle is shaped to mate with the female portion simply and easily, yet securely attaches the side portion of the carrier to the front/strap portion of the carrier. The buckle is robust, yet easy to use and does not easily disengage without a deliberate movement by the wearer thereof. The ventilation features provide comfort to the child carried in the carrier as well as the wearer thereof and are comprised of a ventilation panel that may be open, releasably closed, or accessed through a slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventors: Carrie Hoff, Thomas J. Witman, Bryan R. Keller, Cynthia R. Nelson, Joanne Berger
  • Publication number: 20080127412
    Abstract: A portable infant playyard including cladded legs, a central hub on the lower frame, an integrated electronic device, upper frame hinge mechanisms, and bag hooks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Pleiman, Thomas J. Witman
  • Patent number: 7333627
    Abstract: A portable auxiliary speaker for a playpen or a crib comprising a housing incorporating a loudspeaker, the housing being adapted to receive at least a portion of a framework of a crib or a playpen to mount the housing to the crib or the playpen, wherein the housing includes an input adapted to be operatively coupled to at least one of a radio, a CD player, an MP3 player, a cassette player, a computer, and a DVD player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Evenflo Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ventrola, Thomas J. Witman
  • Patent number: D422949
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Evenflo Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Witman