Patents by Inventor C. Thomas

C. Thomas 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: 6067214
    Abstract: A disk cartridge has various structures for clearly delineating the cartridge from foreign objects which may cause damage to a disk drive. In one embodiment, one or more serial reflectors are embedded within a cartridge so as to return a reflected illuminance pattern distinguishable from a flat specular or flat diffuse surface. In another embodiment, optical pipes carry light from a disk drive mounted emitter to a location where the light is detected by the drive such that the light is not mistaken for reflective light. In another embodiment, a light emitting source such as an LED is embedded in a cartridge such that the intensity of light emitted from the LED in cooperation with reflected light is sufficiently intense to identify the cartridge as a valid cartridge. These embodiments may be rotatable so that a single cartridge may be compatible with more than one drive type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventor: Fred C. Thomas, III
  • Patent number: 6048298
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a filter cartridge which includes the steps of providing a cylindrical filter element having a plurality of radially extending longitudinal pleats, engaging an outer periphery of the cylindrical filter element along a substantial portion of the length thereof, and simultaneously moving the plurality of radially extending longitudinal pleats into a laid-over spiraled configuration along the entire length of the cylindrical filter element to form a spiral pleated filter element. An apparatus is also disclosed for effectuating the disclosed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Cuno Incorporated
    Inventors: C. Thomas Paul, John A. Corey
  • Patent number: 6043693
    Abstract: Multiplexers are used to generate synchronized slave clocks from a common master clock. A first multiplexer and a second multiplexer generate a first slave clock and a second slave clock, respectively, from the common master clock. A third multiplexer and a fourth multiplexer are configured as a divide-by-n circuit for providing a third slave clock that is a divided version of the second slave clock. A fifth multiplexer provides a matching delay to preserve the synchronization between the first slave clock and the other slave clocks. A sixth multiplexer is used to select between the second slave clock and the third slave clock in response to a select signal. A flip-flop may be used to provide the select signal and to guard against false selection of slave clocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: 3DFx Interactive, Incorporated
    Inventor: John C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6043248
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to pyrimidine-thioalkyl and alkylether compounds of Formula (I) and pyrimidine-thioalkyl and alkylethers of Formula (IA), namely the compounds of Formula (I) where R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisitng of --H or --NR.sub.15 R.sub.16 where R.sub.15 is --H and R.sub.16 is --H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, NH.sub.2 or R.sub.15 and R.sub.16 taken together with the --N form 1-pyrrolidino, 1-morpholino or 1-piperidino; and R.sub.6 is selected from the group consisting of --H, or halo (preferably --Cl); with the overall proviso that R.sub.4 and R.sub.6 are not both --H. The compounds of Formula (IA) are useful in the treatment of individuals who are HIV positive being inhibitors of viral reverse transcriptase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Pharmacia & Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Nugent, Stephen T. Schlachter, Michael J. Murphy, Joel Morris, Richard C. Thomas, Donn G. Wishka, Gary J. Cleek, David R. Graber
  • Patent number: 6027900
    Abstract: Genetic fusions for use in genetic engineering of eukaryotic algae employ a promoter from a light harvesting protein fused to a protein of interest. The fusions can be introduced and selected using an antibiotic resistance determinant. One gene useful for such selection is the sh ble gene encoding a bleomycin binding protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignees: Carnegie Institution of Washington, Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: F. C. Thomas Allnutt, David J. Kyle, Arthur R. Grossman, Kirk R. Apt
  • Patent number: 6018208
    Abstract: An articulating motor stator assembly for use in a pump incorporates features that permit recycling of the motor stator when disposing of other parts of the pump. Such a stator assembly facilitates convenient manufacture, testing, and installation of the pump. For convenient installation, the motor stator assembly can incorporate a multi-part, annular housing that defines a central conduit to receive a motor rotor assembly. The multi-part housing of the motor stator assembly may be selectively repositioned between an open and closed configuration. In its open configuration a motor rotor assembly may be conveniently installed in the motor stator and when closed the motor stator will actuate the motor rotor assembly in order to operate a pump. The assembly thereby enables separate manufacture and shipment from a remote location. In addition, the assembly can be separately tested prior to installation. After pump use, the motor stator can be opened so as to remove the motor rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Nimbus, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Maher, Douglas C. Thomas, Thomas C. Rintoul
  • Patent number: 6010455
    Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating perfusion adjacent a skin surface includes a housing having first and second interior regions. The housing is configured to engage the skin surface. The apparatus also includes a plunger located in the first region of the housing for applying pressure to a first zone of the skin surface, a vacuum connection coupled to the second region of the housing to permit suction to be applied to the second region of the housing and to a second zone of the skin surface, a first temperature sensor for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the first zone of the skin surface, a second temperature sensor for generating an output signal related to the temperature of the second zone of the skin surface, and a processor circuit coupled to the first and second temperature sensors for determining a differential temperature between the first and second zones of the skin surface to provide an indication of perfusion adjacent the skin surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Barnett, Ryszard S. Ozarowski, William T. Sutton, James M. C. Thomas, William C. Knapp
  • Patent number: 6005969
    Abstract: Methods and system according to the present invention enable a highly streamlined and efficient fabric or textile sampling and design process particularly valuable in the design and selection of floor coverings, wall coverings and other interior design treatments. A digital library of fabric models is created, preferably including digitized full-color images and having associated a digital representation of positions that are located within and which characterize the models. Via an application implemented according to conventional software methods and running on conventional hardware having high resolution graphics processing capabilities, a user may navigate among the set of alternative models, and may modify the positions of the selected models to test out desired combinations of characteristics--such as poms or yarn ends, for models of floor coverings--and view the results in high resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Interface, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn C. Thomas, Jay Van Vark
  • Patent number: 6001816
    Abstract: Gene therapy can treat obesity in mammals. An adenoviral vector encoding a leptin gene is delivered intravenously to a mammal with a deficiency in functional leptin to decrease weight, decrease serum insulin levels or decrease serum glucose levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Manal A. Morsy, Ming Cheng Gu, Jing Zhoa, C. Thomas Caskey
  • Patent number: 5985846
    Abstract: A gene transfer vector comprising adenovirus inverted terminal repeats, recombinant adenovirus particles containing the same, a method for producing the same and a method of use of the same to introduce and express a foreign gene in eukaryotic cells, and to treat muscular dystrophy, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignees: Baylor College of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
    Inventors: Stefan Kochanek, C. Thomas Caskey, Kohnosuke Mitani, Paula R. Clemens
  • Patent number: 5986838
    Abstract: A cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a thin retroreflective marker. Light from a source is reflected from the marker almost exactly on its incident path. A planar light shaping optical structure such as a holographic light shaping diffuser (LSD) ruled or blazed diffraction grating, holographic diffraction grating, binary optics or holographic diffraction grating directs light to the detector. The LSD has degrees of angular diffusion in different orthogonal axes. This property makes possible unique identification of different types of cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventor: Fred C. Thomas, III
  • Patent number: 5983429
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which supports a patient on an inflatable structure. The inflatable structure preferably has two components: a) lower inflatable layer which is selectively operable to provide basic support for the patient and which includes a plurality of laterally offset zone which may be independently inflatable to control rotation of the patient. Further, a second inflatable layer includes a plurality of zones for establishing optimal patient interface pressures and patient comfort levels, and may also include sufficiently independent inner chambers to facilitate the providing of specific therapies such as alternation of primary pressure contact areas, or percussion or vibration of the patient through inner cell inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Richard B. Stacy, Craig D. Ellis, Barry D. Hand, James M. C. Thomas, Kenith W. Chambers, Stephen E. Glover, Richard I. Barnett, Paul B. King, Ryszard S. Ozarowski, William T. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5981537
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to pyrimidine-thioalkyl and alkylether compounds of Formula (I) and pyrimidine-thioalkyl and alkylethers of Formula (IA), namely the compounds of Formula (I) where R.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of --H or --NR.sub.15 R.sub.16 where R.sub.15 is --H and R.sub.16 is --H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, --NH.sub.2 or R.sub.15 and R.sub.16 taken together with the --N form 1-pyrrolidino, 1-morpholino or 1-piperidino; and R.sub.6 is selected from the group consisting of --H, or halo (preferably --Cl); with the overall proviso that R.sub.4 and R.sub.6 are not both --H. The compounds of Formula (IA) are useful in the treatment of individuals who are HIV positive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Pharmacia & Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Nugent, Stephen T. Schlachter, Michael J. Murphy, Joel Morris, Richard C. Thomas, Donn G. Wishka, Fritz Reusser, Gary J. Cleek, Irene W. Althaus
  • Patent number: 5974451
    Abstract: A network access system is provided for distributing bulletins, such as advertisements, to external computers accessing a wide area computer network. The network access system of the present invention connects the external computers to the wide area computer network, and sends bulletins with information being transmitted from remote information servers within the wide area computer network to the external computers. A bulletin server within the network access system stores a plurality of bulletins to be transmitted to the external computers, determines whether to send a bulletin with the information being transmitted, determines what bulletins to transmit to the external computers, and sends the bulletins with the information being transmitted from the remote information servers to the external computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Novaville AG
    Inventor: C. Thomas Simmons
  • Patent number: 5973899
    Abstract: A feeder restoration method starts in response to an overcurrent fault on a feeder (22) that causes a circuit breaker (42) to trip open, reclose once, trip again, and attempt to reclose again. During the time period between the first and second reclosings, any remote sectionalizing switches (46) on the faulty feeder are opened if they have also sensed the overcurrent fault, and a substation processor (50) evaluates the status of the faulty feeder and an alternate feeder (32, 34). After the second trip of the circuit breaker, the processor verifies whether the remote sectionalizing switch was closed and a remote tie switch (40) to the alternate feeder was open. If the circuit breaker locks open, the substation processor determines whether the remote sectionalizing switch did not sense the overcurrent condition (which indicates that the fault is between the circuit breaker and the sectionalizing switch) or simply failed to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: PacifiCorp
    Inventors: Bradley R. Williams, C. Thomas Eyford, III, Dean H. Miller
  • Patent number: 5968962
    Abstract: A compound of the formula (I): ##STR1## or pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof wherein X is NR.sub.1, S(O).sub.g, or O; R.sub.1 is H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with one or more OH, CN, or halo, or R.sub.1 is --(CH.sub.2).sub.h -- aryl, --COR.sub.1--1, --COOR.sub.1-2, --CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.h --COR.sub.1--1, C.sub.1-6 alkyl sulfonyl, --SO.sub.2 --(CH.sub.2).sub.h --aryl, or --(CO).sub.i --Het; R.sub.2 is H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, --(CH.sub.2).sub.h --aryl, or halo; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are H or halo; R.sub.5 is H, C.sub.1-12 alkyl optionally substituted with one or more halo, C.sub.3-12 cycloalkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy. The compounds are useful antimicrobial agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Pharmacia & Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Thomas, Toni-Jo Poel, Michael R. Barbachyn
  • Patent number: 5966454
    Abstract: Methods and system according to the present invention enable a highly streamlined and efficient fabric or textile sampling and design process particularly valuable in the design and selection of floor coverings, wall coverings and other interior design treatments. A digital library of fabric models is created, preferably including digitized full-color images and having associated a digital representation of positions that are located within and which characterize the models. Via an application implemented according to conventional software methods and running on conventional hardware having high resolution graphics processing capabilities, a user may navigate among the set of alternative models, and may modify the positions of the selected models to test out desired combinations of characteristics--such as poms or yarn ends, for models of floor coverings--and view the results in high resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Bentley Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn C. Thomas, Jay Van Vark
  • Patent number: D417269
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: James C. Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: D417270
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: James C. Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: D418367
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Lamont C. Thomas