Patents Assigned to Great Stuff, Inc.
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Publication number: 20110259444Abstract: A reel assembly comprises a spool member configured to rotate about a spooling axis to wind or unwind a linear material. The spool member is also configured to rotate about a reciprocation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the spooling axis. A housing substantially encloses the spool member and comprises first and second housing portions that are rotatable with respect to one another about the reciprocation axis. The first housing portion defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A rotating member is configured to rotate when the spool member rotates about the spooling axis. The rotating member is mechanically linked with respect to the first housing portion via one or more intervening components, such that each revolution of the rotating member produces one cycle of relative reciprocating rotation between the spool member and the first housing portion about the reciprocation axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: Ray Caamano, Christian Okonsky Gerard, Daniel Francis Caputo
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Patent number: 8006928Abstract: A reel assembly comprises a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis. The drum is configured to receive a linear material wrapped around a spool surface thereof as the drum rotates about the drum axis. A housing substantially encloses the drum, wherein a portion of the housing defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A reciprocating mechanism connects to the drum and reciprocatingly rotates the drum relative to the shell about a generally vertical axis as the drum rotates about the drum axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Ray Caamano, Christian Okonsky Gerard, Daniel Francis Caputo
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Publication number: 20110141634Abstract: A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: Ramon A. Caamano, James B.A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20110083754Abstract: A reel assembly comprises a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis. The drum is configured to receive a linear material wrapped around a spool surface thereof as the drum rotates about the drum axis. A housing substantially encloses the drum, wherein a portion of the housing defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A reciprocating mechanism connects to the drum and reciprocatingly rotates the drum relative to the shell about a generally vertical axis as the drum rotates about the drum axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: Ray Caamano, Christian Okonsky Gerard, Daniel Francis Caputo
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Patent number: 7810751Abstract: A reel assembly comprises a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis. The drum is configured to receive a linear material wrapped around a spool surface thereof as the drum rotates about the drum axis. A housing substantially encloses the drum, wherein a portion of the housing defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A reciprocating mechanism connects to the drum and reciprocatingly rotates the drum relative to the shell about a generally vertical axis as the drum rotates about the drum axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Ray Caamano, Christian Okonsky Gerard, Daniel Francis Caputo
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Publication number: 20100141425Abstract: One embodiment involves a usage code system comprising an electrical device powered by a battery only if the battery contains a characteristic usage code. Another embodiment involves a presence confirmation device that repeatedly sends wireless query signals. The electrical device receives the query signals and responds by sending a wireless confirmation signal to the presence confirmation device. The presence confirmation generates an alert if it does not receive the confirmation signal after a certain time period after sending a query signal to the electrical device. Yet another embodiment involves a motion sensor that measures motion data from which translation of an electrical device is determined. If a net translation of the device is greater than or equal to a defined threshold, an alert system generates an alert or increases a polling rate at which new motion data is periodically received from the motion sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: JAMES B. A. TRACEY, JAMES E. BURKE, ROY PAUL PROSISE, HAYWARD VERDUN
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Patent number: 7692393Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Ramon Anthony Caamano, Michael J. Lee, James B. A. Tracey, Martin Koebler
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Patent number: 7688010Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Ramon Anthony Caamano, Michael J. Lee, James B. A. Tracey, Martin Koebler
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Publication number: 20090301573Abstract: A hose control system comprising a receiver and a transmitter by which one can remotely control both the flow of water through a hose and the winding or unwinding of the hose onto a reel. The system preferably has power saving advantages, for example, by the use of a power control unit that reduces the power consumed by the electronics of the devices, but does not unreasonably disrupt the use of the devices. The receiver may be used with different aspects or all of the hose control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: Great Stuff inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Harrington, Martin Koebler, Norbert Kozar, Ramon A. Caamano, Michael J. Lee
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Patent number: 7533843Abstract: A reel assembly comprises a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis. The drum is configured to receive a linear material wrapped around a spool surface thereof as the drum rotates about the drum axis. A housing substantially encloses the drum, wherein a portion of the housing defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A reciprocating mechanism connects to the drum and reciprocatingly rotates the drum relative to the shell about a generally vertical axis as the drum rotates about the drum axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Ray Caamano, Christian Okonsky Gerard, Daniel Francis Caputo
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Publication number: 20090121066Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2009Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: Ramon Anthony Caamano, Michael J. Lee, James B.A. Tracey, Martin Koebler
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Patent number: 7527213Abstract: A reel housing enclosing a reel assembly includes an access panel, wherein opening or removal of the access panel allows access to the interior of the housing. The exterior surface of the access panel is decorated with facial indicia so that the access panel resembles the face of an animal or character. The exterior surface of the housing has a color design to visually enhance the depiction of the animal or character.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2006Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Sean B. Weatherill, James B. A. Tracey
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Patent number: 7503338Abstract: A hose control system comprising a receiver and a transmitter by which one can remotely control both the flow of water through a hose and the winding or unwinding of the hose onto a reel. The system preferably has power saving advantages, for example, by the use of a power control unit that reduces the power consumed by the electronics of the devices, but does not unreasonably disrupt the use of the devices. The receiver may be used with different aspects or all of the hose control system.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Harrington, Martin Koebler, Norbert Kozar, Ramon A. Caamano, Michael J. Lee
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Publication number: 20090065063Abstract: A reel assembly comprises a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis. The drum is configured to receive a linear material wrapped around a spool surface thereof as the drum rotates about the drum axis. A housing substantially encloses the drum, wherein a portion of the housing defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A reciprocating mechanism connects to the drum and reciprocatingly rotates the drum relative to the shell about a generally vertical axis as the drum rotates about the drum axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: Ray Caamano, Christian Okonsky Gerard, Daniel Francis Caputo
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Publication number: 20090057085Abstract: A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: GREAT STUFF, INC.Inventors: Ramon A. Caamano, Christian Okonsky Gerard, Nicholas H. Anderson, Christopher A. Cogburn, James B.A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20090057472Abstract: A reel includes a substantially spherical housing configured to enclose a rotatable reel drum and an aperture sized to closely surround a linear material extending through the aperture. The linear material is spoolable and unspoolable from the reel drum while the housing encloses the reel drum. The housing includes decoration depicting a ball indicative of a game or type of recreation, a globe, a robot, a gazing ball, at least one flag, camouflage, foliage, diamond plate, or a race car.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventor: James B.A. Tracey
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Publication number: 20080223951Abstract: An apparatus includes a handheld element and a remote control. The handheld element has a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit. The internal flow conduit extends between the proximal and distal ends. The internal flow conduit is configured to be in fluid communication with a hose. The remote control is integrated with the handheld element. The remote control is configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose. The device may include a reel, a valve system, a valve unit, and/or a plurality of valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: James B.A. Tracey, James E. Burke, Roy Paul Prosise, Christian Okonsky
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Patent number: 7419038Abstract: A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Ramon A. Caamano, Christian Okonsky Gerard, Nicholas H. Anderson, Christopher A. Cogburn, James B. A. Tracey
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Patent number: D626818Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventor: James B. A. Tracey
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Patent number: D632548Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: James B. A. Tracey, Tim Hopkins