Patents by Inventor Charles S. Smith

Charles S. 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).

  • Patent number: 12133298
    Abstract: A heater assembly for an electronic vaping device and a method of manufacturing the electronic vaping device are provided. The heater assembly includes a chimney cage extending longitudinally, a heater extending longitudinally within the chimney cage, a heater gauze positioned about an outer circumference of the heater, the chimney case positioned about an outer circumference of the heater gauze, and a cathode clip electrically connected to a first end portion of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Christopher S. Tucker, Barry S. Smith, Charles Dendy
  • Publication number: 20240331670
    Abstract: A system for simulating operation of a stringed instrument using a combination of water and light steams. The system includes a nozzle configured for outputting a falling laminar water stream. The system includes a light transmitter configured to inject light into a first end of the water stream and a light receiver configured to receive the light injected into the water stream and, in response, generate a signal. The system includes a controller configured for processing the signal and, in response to a lack of the signal, for operating an audio system to play a musical note or audio file. The system may include an optical fiber with a first end proximate to the nozzle oriented to receive the light injected into the water stream at the second end of the water stream, and the light receiver can be a photodetector coupled to the second end of the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Robert J. Bristow, David James Myers, Gary A. Powell, Charles Jacob Sedor, Keith Jeffrey Mazzella, Steven I. Smith
  • Patent number: 12102325
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Brian F. DiNardo, Brian W. Bear, Charles J. Scheib, Christopher C. Miller, Craig S. Smith, Emily A. Schellin, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason E. Zerkle, Jeffrey C. Gagel, John P. Measamer, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Joseph T. Kluener, Kevin D. Sackett, Kevin L. Houser, Mark D. Overmyer, Matthew H. Bolton, Omar J. Vakharia, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard L. Leimbach, Rodney V. Clingaman, Timothy E. Goode, William D. Fox, William R. Stager
  • Patent number: 5568710
    Abstract: A form tie made of an expanded metal material extends between the sidewalls of a concrete form. A web traverses the sidewalls and includes, at the opposed ends of the web, first and second parallel flange walls with a supplemental web wall extending therebetween. A return wall extends from the end of the second flange wall. The use of the flange walls, supplemental webs and return walls stiffens the resulting tie so as to preclude sidewall displacement upon a static load thereon. The same elements resist longitudinal and lateral shifting of the tie and attached sidewalls during concrete pouring. The maintenance of the sidewalls by the tie during static and dynamic load conditions allow for easy form connection as well as prevents buckling and/or "blow out" of the forms during concrete pouring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: I.S.M., Inc.
    Inventors: Charles S. Smith, Jay D. Williamson
  • Patent number: 5566518
    Abstract: A concrete form tie comprises a pair of laterally displaced sidewall support assemblies with a reinforcing web extending therebetween. The support assemblies bite into the exterior sidewall surfaces as positioned thereat by the web transversely extending between the support assemblies. The web comprises a pair of brackets as formed by a support strut extending through a notch at the top of the form sidewall with a hanger element depending therefrom. A bridge extends between the depending hangers and across a vertical cavity formed between the sidewalls. The tie resists pressures acting on the sidewalls to preclude blow out along the horizontal joints of form courses as well as lateral displacement of the sidewalls. A starter tie is disclosed for respectively securing the lower end of the first course of sidewalls to a footing. A finish tie is disclosed for maintaining the displacement of the sidewalls of the top course of forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: I.S.M., Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn E. Martin, Jay D. Williamson, Kenneth M. Blom, Jamieson Vaughan, Charles S. Smith
  • Patent number: 5542765
    Abstract: A collapsible container for carrying flowable materials includes a bag made of a plurality of layers of rubber-coated fabric and at least one lift assembly for lifting the container onto or out of a transport vehicle such as a railcar, truck or the like. The lift assembly is attached to straps or cords vulcanized into the plurality of layers of rubber-coated fabric. These straps or cords distribute the weight of the flowable materials within the container to other parts of the container, thereby providing the container with a suitable lifting capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Engineered Fabrics Corporation
    Inventors: Charles S. Smith, Hancel R. Wright
  • Patent number: 5178505
    Abstract: An attachment for the three-point hitch of a farm tractor including a generally vertically disposed, inverted U-shaped frame having outwardly extending lower ends connected to a pair of lower lift arms forming part of the three-point hitch of the tractor. The top portion of the frame is pivotally and longitudinally adjustably connected to a telescopically adjustable stabilizer link or bar having its forward end pivotally connected to the usual attachment point of the stabilizer link of a three-point hitch assembly provided on a farm tractor. The outer end of the stabilizer bar includes a transverse sleeve by which various devices including a round hay bale moving device can be pivotally attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Inventor: Charles S. Smith
  • Patent number: 4962331
    Abstract: A rotary control signal generating device, such as a resolver, which comprises an internal stator including a magnetic system having first and second ring-shaped pole pieces with generally cylindrical, axially spaced, outwardly facing first and second pole surfaces. These pole surfaces are generally concentric with respect to a central axis and have the same outer diameter. The two pole pieces each include a given number of equally spaced coil receiving slots with axially spaced pole pieces aligned to form sets of circumferentially spaced slots. The stator includes a multiturn or primary exciter winding between the two pole pieces and wound concentric with the axis, whereby an AC voltage magnetizes the pole pieces. The stator further includes two offset sensing windings on the same pole pieces and in the axially aligned sets of slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Servo-Tek Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles S. Smith
  • Patent number: 4134306
    Abstract: A rotary actuator for converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion including a housing having spaced-apart end plates connected by guide rods. A bellows is provided having opposite sides one of which is connected to one of the end plates, the bellows being adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure so that the bellows expands from a collapsed to an expanded position. A guide plate is provided movably mounted on the guide rods with the other bellows side being connected thereto. A rack and pinion assembly is provided mounted on the other end plate, the rack being connected to the guide plate so that expansion and contraction of the bellows causes linear movement of the rack thereby imparting rotary movement to the pinion. A spring acts between the guide plate and the other end plate thus resisting expansion of the bellows and returning it to the collapsed position upon the release of fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Assignees: Phd, Inc., Hughes Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunnar Grotness, Charles S. Smith, Robert H. Morris, Peter W. Boyer
  • Patent number: 4050678
    Abstract: A liquid stirrer for containerized liquids and particularly paint comprises a spanner bar having lips on each end thereof to engage between a container rim and lid, and a preferably semi-flexible blade structure depending from the spanner bar and extending into the liquid container such that reciprocating rotation of the paint can effects stirring of the liquid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Inventor: Charles S. Smith