Patents by Inventor Brian D. Smith

Brian D. Smith 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: 20080128925
    Abstract: A fragrance disperser in one form includes a single fan that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance. A second form has the fan reversible to provide two different airstreams that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power. An alternative source has a reservoir for fragrance and a wick located in an air passage forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance. Where two fragrances are provided, the fragrance sources may be located side-by-side and matching fragrances may have, for example, matching indicia on the sources so that the match can be easily determined visually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Richard P.H. Pankhurst, Brian D. Smith, Michael J. Evans
  • Patent number: 7344123
    Abstract: A fragrance disperser (10) in one form includes a single fan (101) that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance (102). A second form has the fan (11) reversible to provide two different airstreams (29a, 29b; 60a, 60b) that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets (31, 40; 47, 48) joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick (37a, 37b; 56a, 56b) and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power (45). An alternative source (81a, 81b) has a reservoir (82a, 82b) for fragrance and a wick (87a, 87b) located in an air passage (83a, 83b) forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Carbonate Limited
    Inventors: Richard P. H. Pankhurst, Brian D. Smith, Michael J. Evans
  • Patent number: 7258434
    Abstract: The invention teaches placing labels over air diffusion vents on inkjet printheads depending upon a content of the inkjet printhead. In one embodiment, the inkjet printhead contains one or three inks in its interior and has three air diffusion vents in a lid that fluidly communicate with the interior. If the interior has one ink, a label covers the entirety of two of the three air diffusion vents to substantially prevent the two air diffusion vents from communicating with atmosphere. If the interior has three inks, a label only covers a portion of each of the three air diffusion vents and allows each to fluidly communicate with atmosphere. In this manner, single or tri-color inkjet printhead manufacturing can occur with a single lid having a multiplicity of label placement positions. The labels can have similar dimensions, dissimilar length dimensions or other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Smith, David E. Greer, Sara M. Coneway
  • Patent number: 7123187
    Abstract: A technique uses “phase windup” to determine relative yaw of a craft from a plurality circularly polarized signals transmitted from one or more transmission sources. A first difference in carrier phase measurements taken simultaneously at time t1 is determined for first and second circularly polarized signals from a given transmitting source A second difference is then determined from simultaneous carrier phase measurements taken at time t2. A third difference, which is the difference between the first and second differences, is then used to determine the relative yaw based on a difference in wavelengths of the two signals. If more than one transmitting source is in view, a mean average of the third differences associated with the respective transmitting sources may be used to determine the relative yaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: NovAtel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Deimert, Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: 6749108
    Abstract: A container for carrying produce is reinforced with at least one cross beam extending longitudinally across the upper side of the container and supported by the container's side walls. The cross beam is supported by die cut recesses in the upper edge of opposing side walls or by extensions extending from the sides of the cross beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: William J. Naughton, Benjamin W. Quaintance, Pamela J. Riggins, Brian D. Smith, Donald A. Leith
  • Patent number: 6692107
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ink cartridge body which is removably mountable in a printer carriage area of an ink jet printer and an alignment and latching mechanism for the ink cartridge body. The printer carriage area includes at least first and second spaced-apart elongate guide rails and the ink cartridge body includes a printhead and at least two bearing points at predetermined locations on the ink cartridge body, each of the bearing points disposed on the cartridge body for separately engaging at least one of the elongate guide rails for aligning and maintaining the printhead in a predetermined orientation relative to the print media in the printer. The invention substantially reduces the number of parts and tolerances thereof required for aligning a printhead relative to a print media by directly aligning the cartridge body rather than the carrier in the carriage area of the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Lattuca, James P. Harden, Larry S. Foster, Frank M. Hughes, Darren W. Tosh, Michael S. Leiter, Benjamin A. Askren, David A. Ward, Brian D. Smith, Robert A. Samples, Donn D. Bryant, Paul D. Horrall, David M. Cseledy
  • Publication number: 20030173396
    Abstract: A container for carrying produce is reinforced with at least one cross beam extending longitudinally across the upper side of the container and supported by the container's side walls. The cross beam is supported by die cut recesses in the upper edge of opposing side walls or by extensions extending from the sides of the cross beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: William J. Naughton, Benjamin W. Quaintance, Pamela J. Riggins, Brian D. Smith, Donald A. Leith
  • Publication number: 20010048453
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ink cartridge body which is removably mountable in a printer carriage area of an ink jet printer and an alignment and latching mechanism for the ink cartridge body. The printer carriage area includes at least first and second spaced-apart elongate guide rails and the ink cartridge body includes a printhead and at least two bearing points at predetermined locations on the ink cartridge body, each of the bearing points disposed on the cartridge body for separately engaging at least one of the elongate guide rails for aligning and maintaining the printhead in a predetermined orientation relative to the print media in the printer. The invention substantially reduces the number of parts and tolerances thereof required for aligning a printhead relative to a print media by directly aligning the cartridge body rather than the carrier in the carriage area of the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Michael D. Lattuca, James P. Harden, Larry S. Foster, Frank M. Hughes, Darren W. Tosh, Michael S. Leiter, Benjamin A. Askren, David A. Ward, Brian D. Smith, Robert A. Samples, Donn D. Bryant, Paul D. Horrall, David M. Cseledy
  • Publication number: 20010032529
    Abstract: Socket and ratchet wrench combinations having systems for positively locking the socket to the ratchet wrench are disclosed. The disclosed sockets have at least one circumferential axially aligned annular groove extending about their exterior surface with one or more openings in the side of the groove(s) for receiving sections on the ratchet wrench which cooperate with the socket's groove(s) to positively lock the socket to the wrench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Franklin E. Barnett, Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: 6142277
    Abstract: Socket-type wrenches using a magnetic ratchet/clutch-type apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus preferably employs several pawls, as well as a ratchet-type wheel for engaging the pawls. The apparatus also utilizes the wrench's body which defines a chamber in which the wheel is received for rotation relative to the wrench body. The chamber also defines pockets for positioning the pawls adjacent the wheel to facilitate their movement between a drive position and a release position. In the drive position, at least one pawl is sandwiched between the wheel and a wall of the pocket to prevent the wrench body and the wheel from rotating relative to each other which enables a drive stroke to be made with the wrench. In the release position, the pawl is disengaged from the wheel which permits one to make a return stroke with the wrench. The apparatus further includes a ring magnet mounted on at least one side of the wheel for magnetically attracting the pawls to facilitate their movement into the drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventors: Franklin E. Barnett, Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5970825
    Abstract: Socket-type wrenches using a magnetic ratchet/clutch-type apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus preferably employs several pawls, as well as a ratchet-type wheel for engaging the pawls. The apparatus also utilizes the wrench's body which defines a chamber in which the wheel is received for rotation relative to the wrench body. The chamber also defines pockets for positioning the pawls adjacent the wheel to facilitate their movement between a drive position and a release position. In the drive position, at least one pawl is sandwiched between the wheel and a wall of the pocket to prevent the wrench body and the wheel from rotating relative to each other which enables a drive stroke to be made with the wrench. In the release position, the pawl is disengaged from the wheel which permits one to make a return stroke with the wrench. The apparatus further includes a ring magnet mounted on at least one side of the wheel for magnetically attracting the pawls to facilitate their movement into the drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventors: Franklin E. Barnett, Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5540111
    Abstract: Drive apparatus and method for converting linear motion to rotary motion and vice versa are disclosed. The drive apparatus includes a rack having a plurality of spaced first engagement members arranged single file in a first path and a sprocket having a plurality of spaced second engagement members arranged single file in a second path. The rack's engagement members engage the sprocket's engagement members to rotatingly drive the sprocket when the rack is driven and drive the rack when the sprocket is driven. In addition, either the rack's engagement members or the sprocket's engagement members have outer surfaces which are defined by a member selected from the group consisting of cylindrical bearings and reduced friction material. To operate the apparatus to drive a sprocket, a downstroke is made with the rack to move it as far as it can be moved in a first predetermined direction which rotates the sprocket in a desired clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignees: Franklin E. Barnett, Brian D. Smith
    Inventors: Franklin E. Barnett, Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5170893
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding recording discs is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first plate defining a first slot for receiving a recording disc and a second plate defining a second slot for also receiving the disc and for cooperating with the first slot to substantially support the disc on the disc's outer edge. In addition, the second slot cooperates with the first slot to laterally stabilize the disc. The apparatus further includes a housing for supporting the first and second plates in spaced relationship from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4960383
    Abstract: A displayboard comprises sheets with a plastics foam core formed in situ between them. Edging strips having internal channels in which the edges of the board lie are mechanically connected directly to the sheets either by tongues that project out of the sheets into recesses in the sides of the channels or by the pressure of the foam core when being formed forcing parts of the sheets into the recesses. The edging strips have external channels serving auxiliary functions, e.g. securing the displayboard to wall brackets, securing a hinge joining a second displayboard, securing a pencil tray and carrying a pelmet containing a spring-loaded clamp for clamping papers against the edging strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: International Tutor Machines, Limited
    Inventors: Brian D. Smith, Nigel T. Court, Christopher G. Howsam
  • Patent number: 4839474
    Abstract: A low profile switch or keypad has one or more touch buttons of circular or polygonal shape in plan formed integrally with and raised from a surrounding membrane of elastomeric material by a wall of resiliently deformable material of thickness and angle relative to the membrane so that the wall can flex under finger pressure on the or each button without deflecting the surrounding membrane. The membrane and at least the periphery of the button are relatively thick and the wall is relatively thin so that deformation during the keystroke is localized in the wall. The length of the wall is about equal to the keystroke and is relatively small compared to the width of the touch button. The junction between the wall and the membrane is located a distance greater than the keystroke above the lower surfaces of the membrane so that the wall passes overcenter during the keystroke resulting in a change in tactile sensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Key Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Richard P. Hayes-Pankhurst, Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4634818
    Abstract: A low profile switch or keypad has one or more touch pads (14) formed integrally with and raised from a surrounding membrane or key mat (15) of elastomeric material by a wall (30) of resiliently deformable material of thickness and angle relative to the mat (15) so that the wall (30) can flex under finger pressure on the or each pad (14) without deflecting the surrounding membrane. The underside of each pad (14) is formed with a convex contact pad (29) dimensioned in relation to the pad diameter and travel and the length of wall (30) so that the pad (29) makes surface to surface contact with conductors (12), (13) of an underlying circuit board (10). The mat (15) is held in tension to the board (10) fits. The keyboard uses only two interfitting parts and needs no bezel but provides a tactile response to key depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: NPM International
    Inventors: Richard P. Hayes-Pankhurst, Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: D483598
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: D486988
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventors: Brian D. Smith, Robert D. Williams
  • Patent number: D491428
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventors: Franklin E. Barnett, Brian D. Smith
  • Patent number: D367648
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Smith, Alun Wilcox, Nigel T. Court