Patents by Inventor Alex F. Farris

Alex F. Farris 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: 11126160
    Abstract: A method for producing a scaled-up solid model of microscopic features of a selected surface of an article, such as a piece of metal exposed to friction. The metal surface is scanned with a profilometer along X, Y, and Z coordinates to obtain measurements of microscopic surface features. A 3-D high resolution spatial map of the microscopic surface features is made, and the X, Y, and Z measurements are scaled up. The spatial map is converted into a high resolution 3-D scaled-up computer model. The Z measurement in the 3-D scaled up computer model is scaled up 3 to 20 times more than the amount used to scale up the X and Y measurements to increase the depth of the 3-D scaled up computer model. A data set of printing instructions is created from the 3-D scaled-up computer model, a solid scaled-up model of the selected surface is manufactured in the 3-D printer, and the surface of the scaled-up model is colored to match the metal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Dustin Kyle Nolen, Raymond George Thompson, Alex F Farris, III
  • Patent number: 10769851
    Abstract: A method for producing a scaled-up solid model of microscopic features of a selected surface. A selected surface on a piece of metal exposed to friction, for example, is scanned with a profilometer along X, Y, and Z coordinates to obtain measurements of surface features. A 3-D high resolution spatial map of the surface features is made and the X, Y, and Z measurements are scaled up as desired. The spatial map is transposed into a high resolution 3-D scaled-up meshed surface. A data set of printing instructions is made from the 3-D scaled-up meshed surface acceptable for use in a 3-D printer. A solid scaled-up model of the selected surface is manufactured in the 3-D printer in any desired size using the printing instructions. The method provides a physical hand-held model of the selected surface that can be used to demonstrate accurately the effectiveness of lubrication and anti-friction products, both visually and by touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventors: Dustin Kyle Nolen, Raymond George Thompson, Alex F Farris, III
  • Patent number: 10215282
    Abstract: A unidirectional annular labyrinth seal for a roller having an outer labyrinth seal and an inner labyrinth seal. The inner and outer seals have an annular outer wall, and an annular inner wall defining an interior and an interior surface. The interior of each seal has one or more annular middle walls and each has a central opening. The outer labyrinth seal and the inner labyrinth seal engage each other so that the outer walls, the inner walls, and the one or more middle walls cooperate to form a labyrinth in the unidirectional annular labyrinth seal. An annular interior seal is positioned in the interior of the outer labyrinth seal or in the interior of the inner labyrinth seal. The unidirectional annular labyrinth seal allows air to flow out of the roller but not into the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: John Taylor, Alex F. Farris, III
  • Patent number: 9638494
    Abstract: An aiming sight for devices that shoot projectiles having a housing with an interior. A sight element is positioned within the interior by means of adjustment threads. The adjustment threads pass through channels in the sides of the front sight element so that the front sight element is movable along the adjustment threads from the bottom to the top of the housing. The sight element has a sighting aperture through which a specific target point, intended for penetration by an arrow, is visible. The sighting aperture may be constructed as a front sighting aperture of a front aiming sight to align visually with a rear sighting aperture of a rear aiming sight. When aiming, the specific target point is viewed in the voids of the front sighting aperture and the rear sighting aperture without obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen P Murphy, Alex F Farris, III
  • Patent number: 9448037
    Abstract: An aiming sight for devices that shoot projectiles having a housing with an interior. A sight element is positioned within the interior by means of adjustment threads. The adjustment threads pass through channels in the sides of the front sight element so that the front sight element is movable along the adjustment threads from the bottom to the top of the housing. The sight element has a sighting aperture through which a specific target point, intended for penetration by an arrow, is visible. The sighting aperture may be constructed as a front sighting aperture of a front aiming sight to align visually with a rear sighting aperture of a rear aiming sight. When aiming, the specific target point is viewed in the voids of the front sighting aperture and the rear sighting aperture without obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen P Murphy, Alex F Farris, III
  • Patent number: 9133940
    Abstract: A unidirectional annular labyrinth seal having flexible annular fins positioned on a circular plate near an outer edge of the circular plate wherein the fins are biased towards a center of the circular plate. Annular ribs are positioned on an end of an idler roller. The fins project into recesses formed by the annular ribs, thereby forming the unidirectional annular labyrinth seal. The annular fins engage the annular ribs when the temperature of air within an interior of the roller is similar to the temperature of air exterior to the roller, thereby closing the labyrinth seal. The flexible annular fins bend away from the annular ribs when the temperature of air within the interior of the roller is higher than that of air exterior to the roller, thereby opening the labyrinth seal and allowing heated air within the interior of the roller to escape through the labyrinth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: John Taylor, Alex F. Farris, III
  • Patent number: 9003615
    Abstract: A silent fastener system having a hook portion and a loop portion wherein the hook portion has a base with hooks attached thereto. The hooks are biased in a curved configuration and are inserted through a hook guide which guides the hooks into the loop portion by moving the base along the hook guide in a first direction so that tips of the hooks advance into the loop portion. The hooks become curved in the loop portion thereby locking the hooks in the loop portion. The hooks are unlocked by moving the base in a second opposite direction causing the loops to retract into the hook guide without producing sound so that the hook and loop portions separate easily with production of audible sound. Alternate embodiments use linear hooks in place of curved hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Marion Harlan Cates, Jr., Alex F. Farris, III
  • Patent number: 8974315
    Abstract: A golf club aiming sight device having a clamp portion and a rear sight portion. The rear sight portion has one or more openings to visualize a front sight on a club head of a golf club. The clamp portion provides for the attachment of the golf club aiming sight device to the shaft of the golf club so that the front sight is visually alignable with the opening in the rear sight. The front sight has a triangular shape and the rear sight has a triangular or V shape, thereby allowing rapid and accurate visual alignment of the front and rear sights, even while swinging the golf club. The golf club aiming sight device is used to train a user to swing the golf club without bending or rotating the wrists by having the user maintain the front sight visually aligned with the opening in the rear sight while swinging the golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Alex F. Farris, III, Gerald M. Walsh
  • Patent number: 8740718
    Abstract: A golf club aiming sight device having a clamp portion and a rear sight portion. The rear sight portion has one or more openings to visualize a front sight on a club head of a golf club. The clamp portion provides for the attachment of the golf club aiming sight device to the shaft of the golf club so that the front sight is visually alignable with the opening in the rear sight. The golf club aiming sight device is used to train a user to swing the golf club without bending or rotating the wrists by having the user maintain the front sight visually aligned with the opening in the rear sight while swinging the golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventors: Alex F. Farris, III, Gerald M. Walsh
  • Patent number: 8182842
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the use of compounds from the Hofmeister series coupled with specific pH and temperature to provide rapid physico-chemical-managed killing of penicillin-resistant static and growing Gram-positive and Gram-negative vegetative bacteria. The systems and methods represent the more general physico-chemical enhancement of susceptibility for a wide range of pathological macromolecular targets to clinical management by establishing the reactivity of those targets to topically applied drugs or anti-toxins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Robert Chaffee Richmond, Harry F. Schramm, Jr., Francis G. Defalco, Alex F. Farris, III
  • Publication number: 20120114762
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the use of compounds from the Hofmeister series coupled with specific pH and temperature to provide rapid physico-chemical-managed killing of penicillin-resistant static and growing Gram-positive and Gram-negative vegetative bacteria. The systems and methods represent the more general physico-chemical enhancement of susceptibility for a wide range of pathological macromolecular targets to clinical management by establishing the reactivity of those targets to topically applied drugs or anti-toxins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Chaffee Richmond, Harry F. Schramm, JR., Francis G. Defalco, Alex F. Farris, III
  • Patent number: 7232446
    Abstract: The surgical suturing instrument incorporates a pressurized fluid suture feed system for passing a suture through the instrument and the tissues to be joined thereby. A fluid jet in communication with a suture feed conduit selectively entrains a suture in a stream of pressurized fluid, which carries the suture through the instrument's hollow tissue penetrating needle. The tissue penetrating needle may be shaped to direct the suture's free end to a point external the body cavity. Alternatively, a suture return conduit may be provided to engage the hollow tissue penetrating needle to receive and carry the suture's leading end to a point external the body cavity. External or internal pressurized fluid sources are utilized. A surface irregularity proximal the suture's leading end enhances the entrainment of the suture with the fluid stream. Individual, cartridge and spool fed sutures may all be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Alex F. Farris
  • Publication number: 20040077986
    Abstract: A method for collecting blood from identifiable groups wherein, the steps include: identifying a potential donor pool having common characteristics, identifying a specific stimulus to induce individual donors in the pool to donate blood, presenting the stimulus to the donors, creating a database including the names and addresses of the donors responding to the stimulus, matching the responding donors with geographically favorable collection centers, identifying active donors who donate blood at the collection centers, reinforcing the stimulus to the active donors, and periodically reminding the responding donors including the active donors to donate blood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Alex F. Farris
  • Patent number: D607140
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventors: Alex F. Farris, Elizabeth M. Farris
  • Patent number: D759192
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen P Murphy, Alex F Farris, III
  • Patent number: D786387
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventors: Alex F. Farris, IV, Stephen P. Murphy, Alex F. Farris, III
  • Patent number: D807465
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventors: Alex F. Farris, III, Stephen P. Murphy