Patents by Inventor A. John McDonald

A. John McDonald 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).

  • Publication number: 20140223845
    Abstract: A method of constructing an eco-friendly building with tire bales includes a building foundation and a plurality of tire bales. The plurality of tire bales includes a plurality of path tire bales, a plurality of foundation tire bales, and a plurality of wall tire bales. The building foundation is filled with the plurality of foundation tire bales, and a driveway is filled with the plurality of path tire bales. The driveway connects with the building foundation. A concrete slab is poured over the plurality of foundation tire bales, and a plurality of walls is constructed on top of that. The plurality of walls is constructed from the plurality of wall tire bales, and the door and windows are inserted into the plurality of walls. A roof is then built over the plurality of walls. The plurality of tire bales also generates additional income through the building construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: John A. McDonald
  • Patent number: 8752707
    Abstract: A packaging member can include a foldable member deformable between a folded state and an unfolded state and configured to form a deployed configuration in the folded state. The foldable member can include a plurality of foldable sections and a slot forming portion. The foldable sections can be configured to form a plurality of walls in the folded state. The slot forming portion can be configured to form a slot in the folded state. The slot can be configured to receive a portion of an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Clearpak, LLC
    Inventors: John McDonald, Frank Comerford, Myles Comerford
  • Publication number: 20140140662
    Abstract: Cable assemblies having a connector with a stable fiber length within the connector and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filling material is disposed in the passageway of a fiber optic cable near a first end where the connector is attached for inhibiting the optical fiber from movement adjacent to the first end of the cable. The filling material may be placed into fiber optic cable using any suitable method such as injecting into the end of the cable or forming a window in the cable and inserting the filling material into the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Corning Optical Communications LLC
    Inventors: Alvin John McDonald, Sherrh Clint Reinhardt, Hieu Vinh Tran, Thomas Theuerkorn
  • Patent number: 8709987
    Abstract: Provided is a lubricating oil composition comprising: (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; and (b) one or more borated alkaline earth metal alkyltoluene sulfonate detergents; wherein the lubricating oil composition comprises no more than about 0.20 wt. % of phosphorus and no more than about 0.50 wt. % of sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignees: Chevron Oronite S.A., Chevron Oronite Company LLC
    Inventors: Perla Duchesne, John McDonald, Sinquin Gilles, Pierre Tequi
  • Publication number: 20140076769
    Abstract: A packaging device can include a resilient member formed of two layers of different material, connected together such as by heat sealing. The layers can be made from different materials or the same materials having different thicknesses, modules of elasticity, melting index, or other different characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CLEARPAK, LLC
    Inventors: John McDonald, Frank Comerford, Myles Comerford
  • Patent number: 8627958
    Abstract: A packaging assembly can include a container comprising a top, a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls, a first frame and a second frame. The first frame can include a first support panel including a first surface configured to face an article and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first leg portion pivotably connected to the first support panel and located between the first support panel and the bottom. The first leg portion can cause a resilient force to bias the first support panel away from the bottom when the first leg portion is located at a third rotational position between the first rotational position and the second rotational position. The second frame can include a second support panel. The second frame can nest with the first frame within the container so as to retain an article between the first and second support panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Clearpak, LLC
    Inventors: John McDonald, Frank Comerford, Myles Comerford
  • Patent number: 8629189
    Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch process including the steps of providing a reactor having a substrate element with a surface and a plurality of elongated micro-structures of catalyst material attached to the substrate surface The catalyst material includes at least one of cobalt, iron, or ruthenium and the micro-structures have a width of less than about 1 um and a length at least five times the width. A carbon compound and hydrogen are injected into the reactor such that at least a portion of the carbon compound and hydrogen contact the catalyst material. The carbon compound and hydrogen are reacted with the catalyst at a temperature between about 150° F. and about 400° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Louisiana Tech University Research Foundation, a Division of Louisiana Tech University Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Chester Wilson, John McDonald, Joshua Brown
  • Publication number: 20130243876
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating an ovarian cancer, the method comprising delivering one or more miR-200 family members to a mammalian subject in need thereof in an amount effective to treat the ovarian cancer. Also provided are methods of preventing metastasis of an ovarian cancer, the method comprising delivering one or more miR-200 family members to a mammalian subject in need thereof in an amount effective to prevent metastasis. Further provided are methods of sensitizing an ovarian cancer to a cytotoxic therapy, the method comprising delivering one or more miR-200 family members to a mammalian subject in need thereof in an amount effective to sensitize the ovarian cancer to the cytotoxic therapy. The invention also contemplates methods of reducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in an ovarian cancer or cancer cell as well as methods of inducing mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: John McDonald, Nathan John Bowen, LiJuan Wang
  • Patent number: 8539398
    Abstract: A processing device programming system automatically provides a user interface comprising a selectable list of one or more processing devices based on a system level solution, automatically generates an embedded programmable system solution from the system level solution and a processing device selected from the selectable list of one or more processing devices, and automatically programs the processing device according to the embedded programmable system solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: John McDonald, Jon Pearson, Kenneth Ogami, Doug Anderson
  • Patent number: 8505731
    Abstract: A packaging assembly includes a frame member and a retention member which is not permanently affixed to the frame member. The frame member can include a variety of features which allow the retention member to be tightened around an article to be packaged and thus protected from shocks and impacts during transport, display, and/or retail use. The retention member can be formed as a sleeve or with pockets for engaging the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Clearpak, LLC
    Inventors: John McDonald, Myles Comerford, Frank Comerford
  • Publication number: 20130204158
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing, and determining the position of a microscopic or a macroscopic soft tissue injury or soft tissue stress fracture in a patient. The method includes the steps of determining a pain area on the skin of the patient, applying electromagnetic energy or radiation in a selected portion or range of the visible or infrared spectrums, to parts of the body's surface that correspond with the pain area, obtaining feedback from the patient to determine the sensations that the patient experiences as a result of visible or infrared energy being applied to the tissue at a specific region of pain area, and establishing the site of the microscopic or macroscopic soft tissue injury at the specific region where the sensations are greatest. The visible or infrared energy can be applied using a laser probe. The probe can operated at a selected wavelength or a set of wavelengths in the range of 400 nm to 10,000 ran.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Mark John McDonald Rogers
  • Patent number: 8499937
    Abstract: A suspension packaging system can include a foldable member configured to form a cavity as well as a suspension device for suspending an article to be packaged within the cavity. The suspension portion can include foldable portions configured to cooperate with a retention member having pockets. The foldable portions can fit into the pockets and then be folded so as to generate tension in the retention member. The entire device, with the exception of the retention member, can be made from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard, which thus reduces waste and simplifies bulk distribution of such a suspension packaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Clearpak, LLC
    Inventors: John McDonald, Frank Comerford, Myles Comerford
  • Patent number: 8499951
    Abstract: The bottle holder is formed of a synthetic fiber rope, allowing various portions of the rope to be fused together by heat or solvent. The ends of the rope are melted and pressed together to form a relatively large endless loop. The facing portions of this loop are then partially melted and pressed together to form a single fused handgrip portion having loops extending from opposite ends thereof. One loop is preferably larger than the other, the larger loop being adapted to fit around the base of a beverage bottle and the smaller loop being adapted to fit about the bottleneck. The fused central or handgrip portion of this structure is then helically wound with a smaller diameter cord to form a handgrip, the ends of the cord being captured by the juncture of one of the rope loops and by a bight in the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: John McDonald, Katie M. Supples
  • Publication number: 20130180938
    Abstract: An elevated tool holder system includes a storage block that is raised from the surface on which it is placed and has a storage area underneath the storage block to accommodate the storage of other items. The elevated tool holder can be placed inside a drawer to enable the drawer to be used for safe storage of tools as well as storage of other items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Knife Holding Company, LLC
    Inventor: John McDonald
  • Patent number: 8457709
    Abstract: A sensor mounting system includes a rigid main body portion defining a housing within which is mounted a compression element. In use, the compression element provides a predetermined biasing force to force a sensor against the skin of a subject. A secondary support structure provides an adjustable biasing force to retain the main body portion against the subject. Alternatively, the main body portion may be mounted to a rigid pod with one or more secondary compression elements, with the pod itself retained against the subject. An interface layer extending from the main body portion provides a cushion to improve the comfort of the subject. The interface layer and sensor interface elements may be in the form of fingers to increase contact of the sensor with a selected portion of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Quantum Applied Science & Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Matthews, Neil John McDonald
  • Patent number: 8451433
    Abstract: Range-finding apparatus comprises a source of pulsed radiation of variable repetition rate and a beam-splitter for dividing the pulsed radiation into two portions which are directed respectively to a local retro-reflector and to a retro-reflector co-located with a remote target the range of which is to be determined. The source, beam-splitter and retro-reflectors are arranged in the form of Michelson interferometer together with a detector. The repetition rate of the source is tuned to frequencies f such that round-trip distance to the remote target is mc/f where m is an integer, this condition being detected by observing a heterodyne signal at the detector. Two such frequencies enable range to be determined. The precision with which range is determined may be increased by carrying out interferometry using the two portions. The accuracy of the method does not depend on absolute range (as with triangulation) and is not limited by the speed of timing electronics, as is the case for time-of-flight techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Gregor John McDonald, Andrew Charles Lewin, David Arthur Orchard
  • Patent number: 8443941
    Abstract: By using the same liquid for cooling and lubricating a feed shaft, a simpler structure is obtained, thereby allowing easier maintenance. A feed shaft that is rotatably supported at one end thereof moves a slide of a machine tool. The feed shaft is supported by a support member via a bearing. A pipe is fitted to the feed shaft, and a pathway space is provided allowing the reciprocal flow of the cooling/lubricating liquid in the axial direction. Some of the cooling/lubricating liquid supplied via the support member to the feed space passes through the pathway space as cooling liquid, cools the feed shaft, and is held in a discharge space. At the same time, some of the cooling/lubricating liquid flows, as lubricating liquid, into the bearing, is discharged, and is held in a discharge space. The cooling/lubricating liquid in the discharge space that has absorbed the heat of the structure is immediately discharged out of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: John McDonald, Clint Gabrielson
  • Publication number: 20130123568
    Abstract: A universal closed-loop functional electrical stimulation system comprising at least one electrode assembly adapted to deliver an electrical stimulation signal to the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, or muscles of a user, a sensor system adapted to detect a mechanical response to a muscle stimulation signal of at least one muscle associated with a muscle group stimulated through the nervous system or proximate to the electrode assembly. An electrical stimulation device operably coupled to at least one electrode assembly and the sensor system, the electrical stimulation device including a control system to automatically receive feedback from at least one characteristic of the muscle from the detected muscle response and adjust at least one parameter of the muscle stimulation signal in real-time and in response thereto and a programmed microprocessor for controlling said electrical stimulation and receiving input from said sensor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: STIMDESIGNS LLC
    Inventors: Marilyn J. Hamilton, John McDonald, III
  • Publication number: 20130108228
    Abstract: Cables are constructed a jacket having an inner section within the cable jacket that facilitates access to the cable core, and which can be removed at the end of the cable during connectorization. The inner section is removed at the end of the cable to create a cavity in which fiber(s) in the cable core can buckle during connectorization to reduce strain on the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: George Cornelius Abernathy, David Wesley Chiasson, Radawan Ripumaree, Alvin John McDonald, Randall Dwaine Tuttle
  • Patent number: D682565
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Nicholas John McDonald