Patents by Inventor Charles J. Fletcher

Charles J. Fletcher 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: 7547244
    Abstract: An apparatus for sharpening one or more razor blades secured within a holder is disclosed. The holder includes a head for retaining the one or more razor blades in a cutting position and a handle affixed to the head. A housing includes a razor slot adapted to receive the head. A sharpening assembly disposed within the housing includes a sharpening member positioned adjacent the razor slot. The sharpening member is adapted to engage the one or more blades in the cutting position. A motor assembly is also disposed within the housing and is adapted to transmit a high frequency vibration to the sharpening assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Charles J. Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20080248731
    Abstract: An apparatus for sharpening one or more razor blades secured within a holder is disclosed. The holder includes a head for retaining the one or more razor blades in a cutting position and a handle affixed to the head. A housing includes a razor slot adapted to receive the head. A sharpening assembly disposed within the housing includes a sharpening member positioned adjacent the razor slot. The sharpening member is adapted to engage the one or more blades in the cutting position. A motor assembly is also disposed within the housing and is adapted to transmit a high frequency vibration to the sharpening assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Charles J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 6506106
    Abstract: Apparatus for sharpening a razor blade with a motor actuated sharpening member mounted in a housing with a slot for receiving the razor head and a cradle assembly for engaging the distal end of the razor handle to hold the razor head in the slot. A carriage assembly holds the sharpening member opposite to the slot with its sharpening surface engaging the cutting edge of a razor blade secured in the razor head. A drive assembly driven by a motor operated by a timing circuit causes repetitive movement of the sharpening surface for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Charles J. Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20020164935
    Abstract: Apparatus for sharpening a razor blade with a motor actuated sharpening member mounted in a housing with a slot for receiving the razor head and a cradle assembly for engaging the distal end of the razor handle to hold the razor head in the slot. A carriage assembly holds the sharpening member opposite to the slot with its sharpening surface engaging the cutting edge of a razor blade secured in the razor head. A drive assembly driven by a motor operated by a timing circuit causes repetitive movement of the sharpening surface for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Charles J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 6353468
    Abstract: A system for providing visual art, entertainment and advertising in subway tunnels. The system illuminated brings into view successive pieces of artwork displayed within the tunnel such that passengers on a moving subway railcar will see an apparent motion picture effect. In an exemplary embodiment of the system, strobe lights coupled to the subway railcar or within the tunnel itself are flashed as a function of the speed of the railcar to sequentially illuminate the fixed pieces of artwork. In one embodiment, a rotatable scroll containing portions of plurality of separate artwork sequences enables remote selected of the artwork pieces. In another embodiment, the frames of artwork are displayed through a slide projection (129) system or a flat screen LED monitor linked to a remote control terminal for changing the displays. In an alternate embodiment, a soundtrack coordinated with the artwork plays along as the railcar passes by.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventors: Laura B. Howard, Charles J. Fletcher-Watson
  • Patent number: 5882514
    Abstract: An apparatus for magnetically treating a fluid comprising a magnetic cartridge arranged within a shell to define a fluid passage between the inlet and the outlet of the shell and having components for subjecting fluid in the passage to both turbulence and magnetic forces. The magnetic cartridge comprises magnetic discs and may define either or both a central passage and an annular passage through the shell. The annular passage may be further defined by a spiral coil for accelerating the fluid, and the coil and the surface of the cartridge may be made of catalytic metals for enhancing the fuel treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Charles J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5148996
    Abstract: An ice crushing apparatus for use in combination with an ice making machine which has an ice storage bin. The ice crusher includes a plurality of rotatable blades which are mounted on a motor-driven shaft and which pass, preferably in sequence, through slots in a grate, for crushing the ice in an ice crushing zone. A mechanism is provided for bypassing the ice crusher and dropping ice directly from the ice maker to the ice storage bin. A mechanism is also provided for moving the grate to change the size of crushed ice particles. In one embodiment, a device is provided for breaking apart large sheets or other chunks of ice before they reach the ice crushing zone. An electronic control system provides ice crusher operation only when ice is harvested in the ice making machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Clawson Machine Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Fletcher, Mark J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5036731
    Abstract: Apparatus for sharpening a razor blade including a sharpening member, a housing for securing the sharpening member therein and for guiding a razor blade in back-and-forth sharpening movement within the housing. The housing has a transverse slot for inserting a head of a razor blade holder therein, and a longitudinal slot in a top plate thereof for linear movement therein of the handle which carries the blade holder. The sharpening or honing member is preferably made of a plate of glass secured to the bottom wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Charles J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 4916921
    Abstract: An ice maker employing a relatively thin ice tray with sealed ice cube receptacles and having a freezing chamber of relatively small volume cooled by a high capacity cooling plate. The ice cube receptacles are sealed by a frangible cover to keep liqid water therein and to maintain frozen water in a sanitary state until the frangible cover is ruptured for the ice cubes to be used. The ice maker housing also may include other chambers for holding containers of food and drink. The cooling surface of the freezing chamber may be sloped for drainage and the ice maker provided with a spring loaded device for ejecting the ice tray when a housing door is opened. Detection switches and indicator lights may be actuated by insertion and removal of the tray. Multiple freezing chambers may be jointly cooled by a single cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventor: Charles J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 4831840
    Abstract: A ice maker employing a relatively thin ice tray with sealed ice cube receptacles and having a freezing chamber of relatively small volume cooled by a high capacity cooling plate. The ice cube receptacles are sealed by a frangible cover to keep liquid water therein and to maintain frozen water in a sanitary state until the frangible cover is ruptured for the ice cubes to be used. The ice make housing also may include other chambers for holding containers of food and drink. The cooling surface of the freezing chamber may be sloped for drainage and the ice maker provided with a spring loaded device for ejecting the ice tray when a housing door is opened. Detection switches and indicator lights may be actuated by insertion and removal of the tray. Multiple freezing chambers may be jointly cooled by a single cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Charles J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 4587810
    Abstract: An ice maker with a flexible wall bag supported on a planar cooling surface and having a plurality of water compartments for molding ice cubes. The planar cooling surface is in direct thermal communication with a thermoelectric refrigeration unit for freezing water contained in the ice mold bag. The cooling surface may be the bottom of a cooling tray cooperating with an insulated housing to define a freezing chamber for receiving the ice mold bag. The refrigeration unit is mounted on the bottom wall of the cooling tray. The insulated housing includes an insulated door for access into the freezing chamber and may comprise integral front, rear and side walls. The insulated housing and cooling tray are detachably supported within a cabinet for housing the refrigeration unit. The flexible walls of the ice mold bag are of a material that is easily ruptured for removal of individual ice cubes and may include additional means to facilitate wall rupture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Clawson Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles J. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 4487024
    Abstract: The ice maker includes an ice mold in direct thermal communication with a thermoelectric refrigeration unit for freezing water contained in the mold. The mold and a harvest means for removing ice from the mold are in an insulated housing defining a cold storage bin for receiving harvested ice. The mold and refrigeration unit are mounted on the housing and a bottom wall of the housing comprises an insulated door with a closed position for supporting harvested ice and an open position for discharging harvested ice to a separable drawer for use. The door is mounted for rotation between open and closed positions and is rotated by a drive motor. The refrigeration unit includes a thermoelectric module in direct thermal communication with an external heat exchanger and the module may be sealed within an insulated wall of the housing. A locking mechanism may be provided to lock the dispensing door closed and a heat seal may be provided around the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Clawson Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Fletcher, Everett Moshier