Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Herman

Christopher J. Herman 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: 9365384
    Abstract: A hand held dispenser for dispensing sheet material from a roll. The dispenser includes a handle assembly, an elongated blade, and a support assembly. The handle assembly includes a hub rotatably mounted to a frame. The blade extends from the frame. The support assembly includes a bracket, a brace and a support hub. The bracket is attached to the blade apart from the frame and includes a guide track. The guide track provides first and second segments that combine to define a guide axis. A leading side of the brace is slidably mounted to the guide track along the guide axis. The support hub is rotatably mounted to a trailing side of the brace. In a locked state, the leading side is slidably disposed over the track first segment and cannot rotate. In an unlocked state, the leading side is over the track second segment and is allowed to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Craig D. Thompson, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Christian R. Trifilio, Christopher E. Somero, Jeffrey B. Waffensmith, Christopher J. Herman
  • Patent number: 9140046
    Abstract: A hanger bracket is used to support at least one of a guide track rail and an opener associated with the overhead sliding door installation for a building from a superstructure of the building. The hanger includes a first part having an upper wall configured to be attached to the superstructure of the building, and a pair of spaced apart side walls depending from the upper wall and defining an open bottom. A second part is adjustable relative to the first part, and has a support member joined to a support leg depending therefrom and configured to be attached to at least one of the guide track rail and the opener. The support member is slidably supported, received and retained on the first part. The side walls are formed with guiding and supporting structure configured to slidably engage the support member thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventors: Larry Kuhl, Christopher J. Herman
  • Publication number: 20150203320
    Abstract: A hand held dispenser for dispensing sheet material from a roll. The dispenser includes a handle assembly, an elongated blade, and a support assembly. The handle assembly includes a hub rotatably mounted to a frame. The blade extends from the frame. The support assembly includes a bracket, a brace and a support hub. The bracket is attached to the blade apart from the frame and includes a guide track. The guide track provides first and second segments that combine to define a guide axis. A leading side of the brace is slidably mounted to the guide track along the guide axis. The support hub is rotatably mounted to a trailing side of the brace. In a locked state, the leading side is slidably disposed over the track first segment and cannot rotate. In an unlocked state, the leading side is over the track second segment and is allowed to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Craig D. Thompson, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Christian R. Trifilio, Christopher E. Somero, Jeffrey B. Waffensmith, Christopher J. Herman
  • Patent number: 7211091
    Abstract: A fingertip-actuated surgical clip applier includes a first body and a second body substantially structurally identical to the first body. The first body includes a main section and a first jaw extending in a distal direction from the main section. The main section includes a hinge region and a first longitudinal wall extending between the first jaw and the hinge region. The first longitudinal wall includes a first outside surface adapted for contacting a first fingertip. The second body includes a second jaw and a second longitudinal wall. The second longitudinal wall includes a second outside surface adapted for contacting a second fingertip. The second body is inverted in relation to the first body and is pivotably connected to the hinge region. The first and second jaws are pivotable toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Pilling Weck Incorporated
    Inventors: David N. Fowler, James D. Segermark, Christopher J. Herman
  • Patent number: 6746396
    Abstract: A surgical access device includes two opposed side members each of which carries a downwardly depending flange. One lateral member adjustably connects a first end of the first side member to a first end of the second side member, with at least one of these first ends being moveable along a length of the first lateral member, thereby permitting adjustment of the space between the first ends. A second lateral member adjustably connects the second end of the first side member to the second end of the second side member, with at least one of these second ends being moveable along a length of the second lateral member, thereby permitting adjustment of the space between the second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: ViaMedics, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Segermark, Christopher J. Herman
  • Publication number: 20040044352
    Abstract: A fingertip-actuated surgical clip applier comprises a first body and a second body substantially structurally identical to the first body. The first body comprises a main section and a first jaw extending in a distal direction from the main section. The main section comprises a hinge region and a first longitudinal wall extending between the first jaw and the hinge region. The first longitudinal wall comprises a first outside surface adapted for contacting a first fingertip. The second body comprises a second jaw and a second longitudinal wall. The second longitudinal wall comprises a second outside surface adapted for contacting a second fingertip. The second body is inverted in relation to the first body and is pivotably connected to the hinge region. The first and second jaws are pivotable toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: David N. Fowler, James D. Segermark, Christopher J. Herman
  • Patent number: 6488620
    Abstract: A surgical access device (10 or 10′) includes a frame defining an access port and a pair of flanges are carried on the lower surface of the frame. The flanges are pivotable between an insertion position, where their leading edges are optimally placed adjacent one another to assist in inserting the device in an incision, and a retracting position, where both flanges optimally urge upwardly against the internal surface of the patient's tissue to seat the access port. A method of the invention involves making an incision at least as long as the leading edge of such a device and inserting the leading edge of the device into the incision. The flanges are moved laterally away from one another to expand the opening in the tissue and center the access port laterally within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: ViaMedics, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Segermark, Christopher J. Herman
  • Patent number: D490188
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Pilling Weck Incorporated
    Inventors: David N. Fowler, James D. Segermark, Christopher J. Herman