Patents by Inventor Christopher James Allington
Christopher James Allington 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: 11316404Abstract: Described herein is a device comprising members in a kinematic relationship. The kinematic relationship is at least partially governed by at least one magnetically induced force that introduces a force threshold that, in effect, provides a threshold to part movement and confers a degree of hysteresis, preventing movement until a sufficiently large energizing force is applied. The effect may be further altered by use of an additional magnetically induced force interaction with at least one further member to urge or slow movement once started and/or to prevent movement once a new position is reached.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: EDDY CURRENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Christopher James Allington
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Patent number: 11293182Abstract: Described herein is a coupling device, associated parts and a method of use thereof. In one aspect, a coupling device is described comprising a sleeve with an inner surface that encloses at least part of at least one elongated element to be coupled; and at least one deformation means fitted with interference between, and causing local deformation about, at least part of the inner surface of the sleeve and/or an adjacent outer surface of the at least one elongated element. A deformation means insertion tool, a coupling sleeve, a deformation means, and a method of coupling at least one element are also described. The described coupling device, associated parts and a method of use offer the ability to couple together different elements in a strong and/or ductile manner, coupling being tuneable as needed to suit the preferred application. The coupling described may overcome art issues associated with bulky size of coupling, in particular, radial protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Coupler Solutions LimitedInventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Peter John Scott, Benjamin Woods, James Gray Gibson
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Publication number: 20210396013Abstract: Described herein is a coupling device, associated parts and a method of use thereof. In one aspect, a coupling device is described comprising a sleeve with an inner surface that encloses at least part of at least one elongated element to be coupled; and at least one deformation means fitted with interference between, and causing local deformation about, at least part of the inner surface of the sleeve and/or an adjacent outer surface of the at least one elongated element. A deformation means insertion tool, a coupling sleeve, a deformation means, and a method of coupling at least one element are also described. The described coupling device, associated parts and a method of use offer the ability to couple together different elements in a strong and/or ductile manner, coupling being tuneable as needed to suit the preferred application. The coupling described may overcome art issues associated with bulky size of coupling, in particular, radial protrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Peter John Scott, Benjamin Woods, James Gray Gibson
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Publication number: 20210367498Abstract: Described herein are eddy current brakes and associated methods of their use, particularly configurations that have a kinematic relationship with at least two rotational degrees of freedom used to tune operation of the brake or apparatus in which the brake is located.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
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Publication number: 20210348347Abstract: A road safety rail system comprising at least one continuous rail, or a plurality of sequentially connected system rails, forming a main body of a barrier, which are supported above ground by one or more ground engaging posts, wherein the system also comprises a terminal end section (TES) having an upstream end and a downstream end, the TES including: a stationary component comprising one or more standard terminal end (STE)-rails at the downstream end connected to at least one formed terminal end (FTE)-rail located at the upstream end of the TES, the STE rails being supported at a set horizontal axis height above ground level by a plurality of posts; wherein the at least one FTE-rail(s)-include(s) a twist from a primarily vertical orientation to a primarily horizontal orientation; Wherein the at least one FTE rail(s) bends down from a set horizontal axis height Y above ground level to a horizontal axis height being at, or near ground level; a moving energy absorbing component comprising an impact head inclType: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2018Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Andrew Karl DIEHL, Andrew Michael SARRATT, Kenneth Lloyd READMAN, Alexander Peter Hannibal NEWMAN, Andrew John Beale, Christopher James ALLINGTON, Leigh Robert BROWN
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Patent number: 11123580Abstract: Line dispensing devices include a coupling transmission, a retraction mechanism, and a rotor that rotates around a shaft. Rotation of the rotor causes a portion of at least one pivotable member to move into and out of a magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Eddy Current Limited PartnershipInventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Bruce John Robertson
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Patent number: 11114930Abstract: Described herein are eddy current brakes and associated methods of their use, particularly configurations that have a kinematic relationship with at least two rotational degrees of freedom used to tune operation of the brake or apparatus in which the brake is located.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: EDDY CURRENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
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Publication number: 20210269996Abstract: Disclosed is a guardrail including a post and a longitudinal beam, the post and longitudinal beam being linked via at least one fastener and mounting plate. The mounting plate in one embodiment includes a rigid body configured to mate with the at least one fastener; and at least one deformable region or regions about or alongside the body that, in the event of an impact on the guardrail, bends and/or breaks thereby releasing the body from the remainder of the mounting plate and in doing so allowing the post and longitudinal beam to separate. A guardrail post including at least one fastener and at least one mounting plate is also described along with a mounting plate for use in a guardrail assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2016Publication date: September 2, 2021Applicant: Troy Wheeler Contracting LimitedInventors: Christopher James ALLINGTON, Troy Douglas WHEELER, Matthew James BRADBURY, Jason Joseph LOOIJ
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Publication number: 20210257897Abstract: Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Christopher James Allington, Kevin Andrew Wright
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Publication number: 20210231180Abstract: Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
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Patent number: 11009089Abstract: Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2020Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Eddy Current Limited PartnershipInventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
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Patent number: 10971988Abstract: Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: EDDY CURRENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Christopher James Allington, Kevin Andrew Wright
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Publication number: 20210091633Abstract: Described herein is a device comprising members in a kinematic relationship. The kinematic relationship is at least partially governed by at least one magnetically induced force that introduces a force threshold that, in effect, provides a threshold to part movement and confers a degree of hysteresis, preventing movement until a sufficiently large energizing force is applied. The effect may be further altered by use of an additional magnetically induced force interaction with at least one further member to urge or slow movement once started and/or to prevent movement once a new position is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Christopher James Allington
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Patent number: 10873242Abstract: Described herein is a device comprising members in a kinematic relationship. The kinematic relationship is at least partially governed by at least one magnetically induced force that introduces a force threshold that, in effect, provides a threshold to part movement and confers a degree of hysteresis, preventing movement until a sufficiently large energizing force is applied. The effect may be further altered by use of an additional magnetically induced force interaction with at least one further member to urge or slow movement once started and/or to prevent movement once a new position is reached.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: EDDY CURRENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Christopher James Allington
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Publication number: 20200386285Abstract: Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
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Publication number: 20200316447Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of novel line dispensing devices and methods for dispensing and retracting a line of a line dispensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2018Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Bruce John Robertson
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Patent number: 10794023Abstract: A longitudinal beam barrier system comprises a longitudinal beam and a post linked together via a fastener incorporating at least one deformable washer. The link is made in a releasable and tunable manner dependent on an applied force via the at least one deformable washer. Release may be made dependent on both the magnitude and direction of the force so that release may be a result of different release forces in different force angles. The deformable washer may be designed to transfer a longitudinal beam load force from a fastener to a post wall, the washer extending around the fastener and having a first face that bears on the fastener or a part thereof (or forms part of the fastener) and an opposing face that at least partly bears on a part of the post wall or walls. The washer is designed so that, in the event of an impact of sufficient force on the longitudinal beam, post, or fastener, the washer at least partly deforms allowing separation to occur between the post or posts and the longitudinal beam.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Holmes Solutions LPInventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Andrew Sarratt, Emerson Ryder, Ken Readman, Nathan King
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Patent number: 10774887Abstract: Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: EDDY CURRENT LIMITED PARTNERSHIPInventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Kevin A. Wright, Weston Hill, Dave Walters
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Publication number: 20200251975Abstract: Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Andrew Karl Diehl, Christopher James Allington, Kevin Andrew Wright
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Publication number: 20200155874Abstract: An eddy-current mechanism including a rotor rotatable about a rotor axis at least one electrically conductive material coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith, at least one magnet configured to apply a magnetic field extending at least partially orthogonal to the plane of rotation of the conductive member, and characterised in that upon rotation of the rotor, the conductive member is configured to move at least partially radially from the rotor axis into the applied magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Bruce John Robertson