Patents Represented by Attorney Wayne Edward Ramage
  • Patent number: 8247693
    Abstract: A light switch cover plate with small but powerful neodymium (NIB) magnets, or other forms or types of strong magnets, located on the back or just beneath the surface of the cover. The magnets may be located 1 to 2 inches below the openings for the light switch, although other locations are possible. A user may easily and conveniently place common items such as keys, pocketknives, sunglasses, and the like, on the cover plate merely by touching them to the lower portion in the vicinity of the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Gober
  • Patent number: 8215436
    Abstract: A system and related method for a regenerative braking system on a towed vehicle, such as a trailer or semi-trailer. The system provides power and braking to the respective trailer wheels, as needed, to help stabilize the trailer. Power is regenerated during braking. While batteries may be used to store the energy, the system also may use capacitive storage units, which charge and discharge large amounts of energy at a fast rate. A multiple-axis sensor system in conjunction with wheel sensors, load sensors, and proportional control of the brakes and motor power to the axles and wheels, is used to achieve superior load stabilization. The invention can be easily retrofit into new or used trailers, and is self-contained with low maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventors: Ken DeGrave, William McMillan
  • Patent number: 8144900
    Abstract: A speaker system which includes a housing and a linear array of a plurality of sound-generating transducers. A housing is in the form of a cylinder having a longitudinal axis and substantially circular cross-section. The linear array of sound-generating transducers are mounted upon a substantially planar chord configured within a sidewall of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: J. Craig Oxford, D. Michael Shields
  • Patent number: 8092567
    Abstract: An air filter element partially-fabricated on site wherein one or more wire frames are fastened to one another to form a structure substantially conforming to the dimensions of the original equipment manufacturer's filter housing. One or more of the wire frames are flexibly attached to each other end-to-end by flexible attachment means, allowing the assembled filter unit to be inserted into the filter housing one frame at a time, with the frame sections yet to be inserted folded or directed off to one side, thus bypassing space restrictions. Flexible attachment means may comprise spring connectors. Also disclosed is an end-cap affixed to or formed at one or both ends of the filter element. The end-caps may also contain printed material, such as text or pictures, which may include instructions for use, identifying labels or symbols, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew P. Ashwood, David M. Kent
  • Patent number: 7997321
    Abstract: An automatic bead seating assembly to automatically move a bead seating assembly or manifold into contact with a wheel or tire assembly and cause the bead to be seated. The assembly comprises an extendable and retractable seater arm attached at one end to a base, with a bead seater or manifold assembly attached or mounted at the other end. The bead seater or manifold assembly may comprises a reservoir filled with compressed air or other gas, and a hose or pipe for movement of the air or gas from the reservoir to a nozzle of an appropriate size and shape to fit a particular wheel or tire. The seater arm extends forward until the bead seater or manifold assembly comes into contact with the wheel or tire assembly, whereupon air or gas from the manifold reservoir is released, causing the tire bead to be seated. The seater arm then retracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: David Strickland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7882055
    Abstract: A system and method for processing information in unstructured or structured form, comprising a computer running in a distributed network with one or more data agents. Associations of natural language artifacts may be learned from natural language artifacts in unstructured data sources, and semantic and syntactic relationships may be learned in structured data sources, using grouping based on a criteria of shared features that are dynamically determined without the use of a priori classifications, by employing conditional probability constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy W. Estes
  • Patent number: 7497888
    Abstract: An air filter element partially-fabricated on site wherein one or more wire frames are fastened to one another to form a structure substantially conforming to the dimensions of the original equipment manufacturer's filter housing. One or more of the wire frames are flexibly attached to each other end-to-end by flexible attachment means, allowing the assembled filter unit to be inserted into the filter housing one frame at a time, with the frame sections yet to be inserted folded or directed off to one side, thus bypassing space restrictions. Flexible attachment means may comprise spring connectors. Also disclosed is an end-cap affixed to or formed at one or both ends of the filter element. The end-caps may also contain printed material, such as text or pictures, which may include instructions for use, identifying labels or symbols, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew P. Ashwood, David M. Kent
  • Patent number: 7436596
    Abstract: A sensing method and apparatus using photonic band gap multilayered material. Photonic band gap multi-layers are formed from alternating layers of higher refractive index and lower refractive index materials, and may be deposited or disposed on a optically transparent substrate or a reflecting face of a prism. Light is directed into the prism, directed to the photonic band gap multilayer, and reflected out of the prism, where it is captured and analyzed. Various sensor configurations keep light wavelength or coupling angle fixed, while monitoring the change in the other parameter. Also disclosed is a microarray configuration with an array of probe spots placed on one surface of the multilayer, which is mounted on an x-y translation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: William M. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7059106
    Abstract: An adjustable spindle assembly is described and includes a spindle housing, a grooved spindle shaft rotatably connected to the spindle housing, a pulley connected to one end of the grooved spindle shaft, a mow ball rotatably connected to a second end of the grooved spindle shaft, and a string carrier assembly adjustably connected in between the spindle housing and the mow ball. The string carrier assembly includes a pair of string guides and string holders for securing cutting string to the string carrier assembly without the use of tools. In addition, the string carrier assembly can be adjusted between the spindle housing and the mow ball without the use of tools. Alternative embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Dennis Brandon
  • Patent number: 7028442
    Abstract: A deployable single truss with folding or removable chordal members and diagonals and orthogonal hinge joints for continuous and synchronous retraction and extension, in straight and curved configurations. One or more endframes may be used to close off or mount one of more ends of the deployable trusses. A primary orthogonal hinge joint is used to connect the chordal members and diagonals of the deployable trusses along each primary chord. A secondary orthogonal hinge joint to connect the chordal members and diagonals of the deployable trusses along each secondary chord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Donald V. Merrifield
  • Patent number: 6983675
    Abstract: A device for the extraction of the base of a broken light bulb from the socket without further breakage of any remaining glass or deformation of the bulb base member or the socket. A hollow elongated conical cylinder with a series of slots or slits at the apex of the cone is inserted into a light bulb base. A threaded cylindrical rod is screwed into threads inside the conical cylinder, causing the apex of the cone to expand and engage the inside of the light bulb base. When securely engaged, the entire device is turned to cause the light bulb base to be come disengaged from the light socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas R. Scearce
  • Patent number: 6856035
    Abstract: A drive system which integrates an electric generator, one or more electric motors and an electronic control module is configured as a variable speed drive in either single, dual or four wheeled traction drive configurations for a mower. The generator is mechanically driven by the output shaft of an internal combustion engine to generate the electrical power for energizing the electric motors. A central computer in the electronic control module controls the output voltage of the generator and the speed and torque of each of the motors in the drive system. The speed input signal for the motors can be analog signals that come from sources such as a joystick, a potentiometer mounted on a steering wheel, control panel, foot pedal or remote location or digital signals from a digital device. Position/speed detectors on each motor and the generator send signals back to the central computer for closed-loop control of the generator and of the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventors: Dennis Brandon, Allan Flack