Patents by Inventor Christopher Ralph

Christopher Ralph 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: 7673646
    Abstract: A fluid-collection pan configured for supporting a unit or system responsible for fluid damage risk to its surroundings. Multiple large egg-shaped supports upwardly extend from the pan's bottom surface and are integrated with it. They also each have an arcuate top surface that is transformed into an elliptical base as it meets the pan's bottom surface. Each support also has an upwardly-tapering protrusion with a convexly-shaped top edge that extends centrally from one of the longer sides of the elliptical base toward the support's top surface. The protrusion and the narrow sides of the elliptical base form a substantially triangular shape, which broadens the weight distribution of the supported fluid-causing unit across the pan's bottom surface. The top surface of each support also has a central indentation configured for receipt of a vibration isolator that provides contact with the supported unit. Optional stress-transmitting ribs may extend between adjacent egg-shaped supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Ralph Cantolino
  • Patent number: 7674293
    Abstract: Modular spinal prosthesis having one of both of adaptable and configurable components is provided. The modular spinal prosthesis described herein provides an artificial articular configuration to replace damaged, worn or otherwise removed spinal facet elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Facet Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Kuiper, David Yager, Leonard Tokish, Jr., David Michael Rosler, Mark A. Reiley, Susan L. Rogers, Christopher Ralph, Mark Charbonneau, Richard Broman, David Stinson
  • Publication number: 20100054757
    Abstract: A bias controller for an optical modulator. The modulator includes a bias electrode that is operable when appropriately biased by an applied bias voltage to configure the modulator to operate at quadrature, and the bias controller includes: a generating arrangement for generating power signals indicative of the optical output power of the modulator; and a processor operably connected to the generating arrangement and said bias electrode and arranged to receive said power signals from said generating arrangement and to control the bias voltage applied to said bias electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew James Smith, Christopher Ralph, Mohammed Nawaz
  • Publication number: 20100039309
    Abstract: The invention provides a security scanner that produces a radar profile of a clothed person or another object such as a bag carried by a person at a distance and does not require close proximity of the person or object to the scanner itself. The scanner includes a millimetre wave antenna system optimised for short-range active imaging and arranged to provide rapid high-resolution images of an object or person of interest and processing means for resolving the images so as to detect the presence of predetermined objects. The processing means preferably includes means for comparing contrasts in reflectivity in the scanned images with predetermined expected values from skin and light clothing. The processing means may also include means for detecting predetermined behavioural or physical traits such as the effect on gait on carried weighty objects or stiff structures strapped to the person from the images of a scanned object or person. The scanner may be incorporated within a turnstile access arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Carter, Charles Anthony Rowatt
  • Patent number: 7637387
    Abstract: A one-size-fits-all pan configured for supporting a fluid-producing unit. It has a perimeter wall spaced apart from a raised central structure to provide a moat-like area for flow of collected fluid toward a wall-mounted shut-off switch. When a desired maximum amount of fluid collection is exceeded, an electrical signal is sent to stop fluid production. The raised central structure comprises a hub with radially-extending ribs that each widens into a bent distal end having non-uniform height and width dimensions, and top indentations for receipt of vibration isolators that support the fluid-producing unit at a height above that of the perimeter wall. The non-raised areas around the ribs are all connected to the moat-like area to facilitate even fluid distribution within the pan. The pan further has an up-turned perimeter lip, staggered gussets, and angled corners for added strength, and may optionally have a nesting configuration for compact storage and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Ralph Cantolino
  • Publication number: 20090312908
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: at least three wheels, of which at least two wheels are situated on either side of the centre of gravity of the vehicle's longitudinal axis and wherein at least one of the wheels has a steering effect on the direction of the vehicle, a frame having a tilting frame section, rotatable in the longitudinal axis relative to the road surface, a steering element mounted so as to rotate relative to the tilting frame section, one or more tilting elements connected to the tilting frame section and the wheels for exerting a tilting movement between the tilting frame section and the road surface, a speed sensor, a steering sensor for determining the force/torque or size of the steering wheel movement for achieving a change in the direction of the steerable wheel or wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: BRINKS WESTMAAS B.V.
    Inventor: Christopher Ralph Van Den Brink
  • Patent number: 7600596
    Abstract: A vehicle provided with at least three wheels, with a first frame part having at least two footboards, and a second frame part. The second frame part is connected to the first frame part in such a way that it can tilt about a tilting axis running in the longitudinal direction. The second frame part includes a control element and a driver's seat. A tilting member is connected to a first and second frame part, in order to exert a tilting force upon the second frame part on the basis of a control signal, a sensor being connected to the first frame part for measuring a force or moment exerted by a driver upon the first frame part and/or to determine a position of the rider relative to the footboard. The sensor is connected to the tilting member and feeds the control signal to the tilting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Brinks Westmaas B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Van Den Brink, Hendrik Marinus Kroonen
  • Patent number: 7578932
    Abstract: A combination filter assembly housing (4) and treatment chamber (8) for use in recovering and sanitizing condensates from air conditioning systems and other sources with vapors released from dissolvable tablets (32), such as those used for treating swimming pool water or laundering purposes. Filter assembly housing (4) has a removable bottom cover, an internal p-trap and valve structure configured to reduce the likelihood of treatment vapors from treatment chamber (8) traveling back through filter assembly housing (4) and entering the associated condensate producing system. Applications can include, but are not limited to, use with systems that replenish water lost from swimming pools due to evaporation, to provide water for filling toilets, pressure washing, cleaning, and other gray water uses, and to provide potable water in areas where is in limited supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Ralph Cantolino
  • Publication number: 20090047023
    Abstract: A base station is provided for communicating data to a mobile terminal unit by means of at least one antenna unit, wherein the at least one antenna unit is linked to the base station by means of at least one optical fibre and the at least one antenna unit is operable to communicate wirelessly with the mobile terminal unit. The base station comprises an optical transmitter for transmitting modulated data signals to the at least one antenna unit for wireless transmission, an optical receiver for receiving modulated data signals forwarded by the at least one antenna unit and a demodulator for demodulating received modulated data signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Pescod, Mohammed Nawaz, Clive William Miller
  • Publication number: 20090027267
    Abstract: The invention comprises a feed horn (10) illuminating a circular flat panel (12) formed from a high impedance surface structure. By controlling the resonant frequencies of the individual elements of the array, a controlled phase shift profile is applied across the surface of the panel to an incident phase front spherically spreading from the feed antenna so as to reflect that wavefront in a particular direction or impose a certain desired beam shape. The principles are reciprocal so a receiving system can also be achieved or indeed a simultaneous transmit and receive operation can be supported. The phase controlled reflecting plate advantageously performs focussing to the feed and beam scanning or beam shaping. This concept of feed to a phased reflector plate allows the power distribution to be implemented in free space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: MBDA UK Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Carter, Bernard Paul Gilhespy, Alan David Hart, Adam Armitage
  • Publication number: 20080216503
    Abstract: A combination filter assembly housing (4) and treatment chamber (8) for use in recovering and sanitizing condensates from air conditioning systems and other sources with vapors released from dissolvable tablets (32), such as those used for treating swimming pool water or laundering purposes. Filter assembly housing (4) has a removable bottom cover, an internal p-trap and valve structure configured to reduce the likelihood of treatment vapors from treatment chamber (8) traveling back through filter assembly housing (4) and entering the associated condensate producing system. Applications can include, but are not limited to, use with systems that replenish water lost from swimming pools due to evaporation, to provide water for filling toilets, pressure washing, cleaning, and other gray water uses, and to provide potable water in areas where is in limited supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher Ralph Cantolino
  • Publication number: 20080177681
    Abstract: Data spiders, provide an automated system that can take a file or file store of historic transaction data and create the best set of variables from that data, where “best” means highly predictive. Genetic algorithms are used to parameterized transactions to form groups, which are subjected naïve Bayes score ranking. Variable groups are generated and ranked accord to the score. Data spiders span the full information available, are uncorrelated with previous methods, and are easily interpretable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Helen Geraldine E. Rosario, Michael S. Sossi, Christopher Ralph
  • Patent number: 7389651
    Abstract: A gravity-assisted water saving system, and method of use, utilized for collecting condensate from air conditioning and other condensate-producing systems, sanitizing it, and then diverting it for constructive use. It has a chamber with an inclined bottom surface, a removable basket for containing tablets used for sanitizing swimming pool water or bleach tablets used for laundry sanitizing purposes, a double P-trap assembly on its water inlet side that prevents sanitizing vapors from entering the air conditioning system to which it is connected, a removable cap sealing its top opening to prevent escape of sanitizing vapors into the atmosphere, and an optional mounting bracket for enhanced stabilization against a stationary object. Inflow tubing connected to the chamber permits ready attachment of the present invention to an air conditioning condensate discharge pipe, while a discharge tube in an inferior position transports reclaimed water to its location of subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher Ralph Cantolino
  • Publication number: 20080103501
    Abstract: A dynamic spine prosthesis (such as a facet joint prosthesis having an articulation surface configured to articulate with a corresponding facet joint element) that has a fixation element with an elongated bone entry portion defining a longitudinal axis and a dynamic spine prosthesis component connected to the fixation element at a connection location by an adjustable connection. The adjustable connection has first and second washers each rotatably supported by the fixation element and each having an angled contact surface in a plane not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fixation element, with the connection location being between the bone entry portion and the first and second washers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph, Cin Abidin, Devin Looijen, Matthew Quest, Philip Berg
  • Publication number: 20080091205
    Abstract: Modular spinal prosthesis having one of both of adaptable and configurable components are provided. The modular spinal prosthesis described herein provide an artificial articular configuration to replace damaged, worn or otherwise removed spinal facet elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Kuiper, David Yager, Leonard Tokish, David Rosler, Mark Reiley, Susan Rogers, Christopher Ralph, Mark Charbonneau, Richard Broman, David Stinson
  • Publication number: 20080091204
    Abstract: Modular spinal prosthesis having one of both of adaptable and configurable components are provided. The modular spinal prosthesis described herein provide an artificial articular configuration to replace damaged, worn or otherwise removed spinal facet elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Mark KUIPER, David Yager, Leonard Tokish, David Rosler, Mark Reiley, Susan Rogers, Christopher Ralph, Mark Charbonneau, Richard Broman, David Stinson
  • Publication number: 20080091200
    Abstract: Modular spinal prosthesis having one of both of adaptable and configurable components are provided. The modular spinal prosthesis described herein provide an artificial articular configuration to replace damaged, worn or otherwise removed spinal facet elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Mark KUIPER, David Yager, Leonard Tokish, David Rosler, Mark Reiley, Susan Rogers, Christopher Ralph, Mark Charbonneau, Richard Broman, David Stinson
  • Publication number: 20080065020
    Abstract: An elongated shaft is sized and configured to establish an access path to bone having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone. The elongated shaft includes a generally closed distal end portion and a side opening spaced from the closed distal end. A first tool is sized and configured to be selectively inserted into the shaft and selectively removed from the shaft. The tool includes a region that, when the first tool is inserted into the shaft, is capable of being aligned with and advanced through the side opening to project outside the side opening and contact cancellous bone. A second tool is sized and configured, upon removal of the first tool from the shaft, to introduce into the shaft a bone filling material for discharge through the side opening into the cancellous bone contacted by the first tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph, Richard Layne, Paul Sand, Robert Scribner, Mark Reiley
  • Publication number: 20080059195
    Abstract: Management of multiple voice-controlled applications is provided employing registration and prioritization of applications and associated commands. In a multi-application environment, each application requests registration by a speech recognition interface. Upon registering the application(s), the interface assigns priorities to the active applications. Each application also submits a list of associated commands for registration. The interface selects a subset of submitted commands to be registered and assigned priorities. Speech recognition is performed based on the selected and prioritized commands to reduce interface overload and grammar conflict.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Ralph Brown
  • Patent number: 7334421
    Abstract: An air conditioning pad that is to be placed under an air conditioning unit to support it, raise it off the ground, and maintain it in a preferred position of use, even when subjected to strong winds or flooding. It has a plurality of openings therethrough for the insertion of tie-down straps, several central supports to give it strength, and has at least one interior cavity that can be filled with fluid or other material on site to provide the weight needed to meet new building code requirements relating to severe storm conditions and/or otherwise maintain an air conditioning unit in its originally selected position of use. Applications include, but are not limited to, use in supporting air conditioning units in outside locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher Ralph Cantolino