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).
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Patent number: 11136186Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: simplehuman, LLCInventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Publication number: 20200407159Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Patent number: 10683165Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: simplehuman, LLCInventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Publication number: 20180093827Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Patent number: 9751692Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: simplehuman, LLCInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20150259140Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 9081210Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Aditha May Adams, Joel B. Jacobs, Paul Bosveld, Joseph Juseop Park, Ari Lumbantobing, Henric Jentz, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Patent number: 8804324Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: David D. Bohn, Paul M. O'Brien, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Publication number: 20140159995Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Inventors: Aditha May Adams, Joel B. Jacobs, Paul Bosveld, Joseph Juseop Park, Ari Lumbantobing, Henric Jentz, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Publication number: 20120307472Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CoroprationInventors: David D. Bohn, Paul M. O'Brien, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Patent number: 6968508Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Iulius Lucaci, Peter J. Ina, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Publication number: 20040021702Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2002Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Iulius Lucaci, Peter J. Ina, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Patent number: 5790373Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.Inventors: Sung Kim, Christopher B. Fruhauf
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Patent number: 5663753Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 1994Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: JetFill, Inc.Inventors: James D. Story, Bruno L. Richet, Christopher B. Fruhauf