Patents by Inventor Christopher B. Fruhauf

Christopher B. Fruhauf 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: 11136186
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recycleable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Publication number: 20200407159
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recycleable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Patent number: 10683165
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recyclable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Publication number: 20180093827
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recyclable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Patent number: 9751692
    Abstract: A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position when the sensor assembly detects the object within the sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Kenneth Yen, Guy Cohen, Frederick N. Bushroe, Perry Anderson, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf, Azhar Meyer, Bradley William Steiner, Brian Y. Tachibana, Jesse Dethman
  • Publication number: 20150259140
    Abstract: A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position when the sensor assembly detects the object within the sensing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Kenneth Yen, Guy Cohen, Frederick N. Bushroe, Perry Anderson, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf, Azhar Meyer, Bradley William Steiner, Brian Y. Tachibana, Jesse Dethman
  • Patent number: 9081210
    Abstract: A HMD includes a pair of temple arms having spring steel that wraps around the head to provide long axis compression. The spring steel arms produce a compressive force along the long axis of the head that counters the gravitational force of a weight positioned at the forehead. The weight is supported by the long axis compression, rather than resting on the nose, ears or the top of the head. The front to back, long axis compressive force frees the head from all but the smallest amount of paraphernalia and allows for the weight to be worn in a way that is comfortable and non-intrusive. The spring steel temple arms are over bent inward well beyond the smallest size head and is used with a spine material that limits how far the temple arms can bend inward. An interface layer is also attached to provide comfort to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Aditha May Adams, Joel B. Jacobs, Paul Bosveld, Joseph Juseop Park, Ari Lumbantobing, Henric Jentz, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Patent number: 8804324
    Abstract: In embodiments of a flexible display overcenter assembly, an overcenter assembly includes a first flange integrated in a first housing part of a foldable electronic device. The device includes a flexible display, and the first housing part is integrated with a first section of the flexible display. The overcenter assembly also includes a second flange integrated in a second housing part of the foldable electronic device, and the second housing part is integrated with a second section of the flexible display. The first and second flanges are implemented to fold and form a radius that supports the flexible display in a closed position of the device. Hinge assemblies are implemented to movably couple the first and second housing parts of the foldable electronic device, and the flexible display bends through a pivot axis of the hinge assemblies when the first and second housing parts of the device are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Paul M. O'Brien, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Publication number: 20140159995
    Abstract: A HMD includes a pair of temple arms having spring steel that wraps around the head to provide long axis compression. The spring steel arms produce a compressive force along the long axis of the head that counters the gravitational force of a weight positioned at the forehead. The weight is supported by the long axis compression, rather than resting on the nose, ears or the top of the head. The front to back, long axis compressive force frees the head from all but the smallest amount of paraphernalia and allows for the weight to be worn in a way that is comfortable and non-intrusive. The spring steel temple arms are over bent inward well beyond the smallest size head and is used with a spine material that limits how far the temple arms can bend inward. An interface layer is also attached to provide comfort to the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Aditha May Adams, Joel B. Jacobs, Paul Bosveld, Joseph Juseop Park, Ari Lumbantobing, Henric Jentz, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Publication number: 20120307472
    Abstract: In embodiments of a flexible display overcenter assembly, an overcenter assembly includes a first flange integrated in a first housing part of a foldable electronic device. The device includes a flexible display, and the first housing part is integrated with a first section of the flexible display. The overcenter assembly also includes a second flange integrated in a second housing part of the foldable electronic device, and the second housing part is integrated with a second section of the flexible display. The first and second flanges are implemented to fold and form a radius that supports the flexible display in a closed position of the device. Hinge assemblies are implemented to movably couple the first and second housing parts of the foldable electronic device, and the flexible display bends through a pivot axis of the hinge assemblies when the first and second housing parts of the device are closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Coropration
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Paul M. O'Brien, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Patent number: 6968508
    Abstract: A wireless communication handset (100) having a movable bezel input device (230) coupled to a housing portion (220) that rotates in substantially parallel planes. Rotation of the bezel input device in a first direction moves information on a display 250 in a first direction. Rotation of the bezel input device moves information in a second direction. Depressing a first portion of the bezel input device moves the text in a third direction and depressing a second portion of the bezel input device moves the information in a fourth direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Iulius Lucaci, Peter J. Ina, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Publication number: 20040021702
    Abstract: A wireless communication handset (100) having a movable bezel input device (230) coupled to a housing portion (220) that rotates in substantially parallel planes. Rotation of the bezel input device in a first direction moves information on a display 250 in a first direction. Rotation of the bezel input device moves information in a second direction. Depressing a first portion of the bezel input device moves the text in a third direction and depressing a second portion of the bezel input device moves the information in a fourth direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Iulius Lucaci, Peter J. Ina, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Patent number: 5790373
    Abstract: A connection mechanism which will positively lock a disk drive storage device to a computer housing is disclosed. A cam which may rotate within a predetermined range of motion is attached to the disk drive housing. The disk drive is coupled to a computer by the insertion of the disk drive into the housing of the computer such that the disk drive housing engages a post located within the computer housing. A channel within the disk drive housing guides the disk drive housing into the housing. Alignment pins align a connector located on the disk drive housing with a connector receptacle. The cam may then be rotated such that the cam engages the post, thereby pulling the disk drive housing into the computer housing. In the engaged position, the disk drive housing is positively secured to the computer housing since the pivot point about which the cam rotates is aligned with the post such that motion of the computer housing will not dislodge the disk drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Kim, Christopher B. Fruhauf
  • Patent number: 5663753
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refill insert that is couplable to an ink jet printhead. The refill insert comprises a housing that has an enclosed, defined volume therein for receiving a predetermined quantity of ink. Included substantially within the structure of the housing is a subhousing having an interior volume in fluid communication with the defined volume of the housing. The housing further includes an ink egress port and an air ingress port that is separated a distance from the ink egress port and are in fluid communication with the subhousing. The ink egress port, which is in fluid communication with the printhead, and the air ingress port may be located on a single wall of the subhousing or they may be located on separate walls of the subhousing. Additionally, the subhousing and the housing may share a common wall. The subhousing completely spans the distance separating the ink egress port and the air ingress port with the interior volume of the subhousing encompassing the ink egress port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: JetFill, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Story, Bruno L. Richet, Christopher B. Fruhauf