Patents by Inventor David E. Hughes

David E. Hughes 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: 11951601
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. A rotary lifter is engageable with the driver blade and configured to receive torque from the drive unit for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The lifter has a body, a drive pin coupled to the body, and a roller positioned on the drive pin. The roller includes an engagement section configured to receive an end portion of a tooth of the driver blade. The lifter includes a means for aligning the engagement section with the end portion of the tooth on the driver blade to facilitate meshing between the end portion and the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson, Jacob P. Schneider, Mackenzie J. Nick, Nathan Bandy, David A Bierdeman, Travis W. Leathrum, Mitchell T. Neuhoff, Mark C. Hughes, David C. Graf, Marcus Wechselberger
  • Patent number: 8483126
    Abstract: A mobile communications handset (12) is capable of connection through two different networks (2, 27). When it is out of contact with its preferred local wireless access system (27), the handset will seek a hand-over to the cellular network (2), and will become registered as a “roaming” handset currently connected to the cellular network (2). The cellular network (2) reports this location information to the call server (28), as it would to the HLR of any normal visiting handset, so that incoming calls to the PSTN (6) destined for the user (12) can be routed by way of the cellular network. Outgoing calls are handled as conventional cellular telephony calls. When contact with a local wireless access system (27) is re-established, the contact information is passed to the call server 28, which reports to the cellular network (2) that a handover has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
    Inventors: John C Lee, Geoffrey T Haigh, David E Hughes, Andrew R J Cook
  • Patent number: 7792265
    Abstract: If an attempt by a first user to contact another party fails, a callback server sets a flag. The callback server monitors terminals that have such flags set and is arranged to transmit an alert to the calling party when the called party next becomes available. However, if at the time when the called party becomes available, the calling party is himself no longer available, being now switched off or busy, an additional flag in the store, indicative of activity by the calling party, prevents a callback alert from being generated until the monitoring process can obtain availability indications in respect of both parties simultaneously. Availability may be determined by factors such as available bandwidth or terminal capabilities. A callback may be initiated when a predetermined number of called parties become available to participate in a conference call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: British Telecommunications plc
    Inventors: David E Hughes, John C Lee
  • Publication number: 20100167739
    Abstract: A mobile handset capable of operation on more than one wireless system has means for periodically testing for the availability of at least one system whilst operatively connected to another system, wherein the periodicity of the testing process is made at one rate when a call is in progress and at a second rate when no call is in progress (on standby). This significantly reduces power consumption when on standby, without impairing handover reliability if a call is in progress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: David E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20090233602
    Abstract: A communications system comprises a plurality of local area networks (LAN) within a wide area network (WAN), in which local area networks are associated with a subscriber. A LAN has a different mode of communication from the mode of communication within the WAN. A subscriber has a user identity which is directly or indirectly associated with both a LAN (their home network) and with the WAN, for example, a GSM cellular communications network. When a mobile communications device requests handover or completes handover to the wireless home LAN of a subscriber or from the subscriber's wireless LAN to the WAN, the handover event triggers an action to be performed. The action may be the generation of an alert and/or the activation of one or more devices/systems in accordance with a configuration scheme set up by the subscriber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: David E Hughes
  • Publication number: 20090122761
    Abstract: A communications system comprising a plurality of local area networks (LAN) within a wide area network (WAN). The mode of communication used in said LANs differs from the mode of communication within said WAN. One of the LANs comprises a home LAN which is associated with a user identity (e.g. a subscriber for that LAN in the communications system). The user identity is directly or indirectly also associated with a wide area network. The invention provides a method of configuring an alert to devices operated by other user identities which have performed a handover operation either into or from said home network of the subscriber. The alert is configured by said subscriber (e.g., by a user identity of the home network) either as a default to all ‘visitors’ or in dependence on one or more of the other user identities. In this way, each user identity visiting the subscriber's home network receives an alert which is capable of being specific to the visitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: David E Hughes
  • Publication number: 20090116466
    Abstract: A mobile communications handset (12) is capable of connection through two different networks (2, 27). When it is out of contact with its preferred local wireless access system (27), the handset will seek a hand-over to the cellular network (2), and will become registered as a “roaming” handset currently connected to the cellular network (2). The cellular network (2) reports this location information to the call server (28), as it would to the HLR of any normal visiting handset, so that incoming calls to the PSTN (6) destined for the user (12) can be routed by way of the cellular network. Outgoing calls are handled as conventional cellular telephony calls. When contact with a local wireless access system (27) is re-established, the contact information is passed to the call server 28, which reports to the cellular network (2) that a handover has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: John C. Lee, Geoffrey T. Haigh, David E. Hughes, Andrew RJ Cook
  • Publication number: 20090117908
    Abstract: A mobile handset is capable of establishing communication through a cellular network (2) and a local access system (7, 8, 27), which has an interface (9) with the cellular network to allow the handset's presence to be logged by the switching centre of the cellular system (2). If the handset requires a handover between local access systems (7, 27), this is provided for by a handover processor (97) in the interface (9), instead of in the mobile switching centre (2). This allows the connection between the mobile access bridge (9) and the mobile switching centre (2) to remain unchanged, and sessions are still routed by the mobile switching centre (2) to the mobile access bridge (9), which emulates a base site controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: David E. Hughes, John C. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090022296
    Abstract: If an attempt by a first user (3) to contact another party (6) fails, a callback server (1) sets a flag (246). The callback server (1) monitors terminals that have such flags set (25) and is arranged to transmit an alert (27) to the calling party (3) when the called party (6) next becomes available. However, if at the time when the called party (6) becomes available, the calling party (3) is himself no longer available, being now switched off or busy, an additional flag (243) in the store (2), indicative of activity by the calling party (3), prevents a callback alert from being generated until the monitoring process (25) can obtain availability indications (263, 266) in respect of both parties (3, 69) simultaneously. Availability may be determined by factors such as available bandwidth or terminal capabilities. A callback may be initiated when a predetermined number of called parties become available to participate in a conference call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: David E. Hughes, John C. Lee
  • Publication number: 20030040534
    Abstract: Endothelin antagoninst N-[[2′-[[(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)amino]sulfonyl]-4-(2-oxazolyl)[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-yl]methyl]-N,3,3-trimethylbutanamide surprisingly exists as separable enantiomeric atropisomers. The (+) dextrorotatory atropisomer demonstrates remarkably higher potency than either the (−) levorotatory atropisomer or the racemate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: David E. Hughes, Beth C. Seidenberg
  • Patent number: 5562117
    Abstract: A bidirectional solenoid operated valve for controlling the flow of a compressed gas to and from a pressurized vessel is provided which automatically blocks the flow of gas out of a cylinder to a gas line in the event of an electrical failure or crash and which will not fail catastrophically in the event of a crash. The bidirectional valve includes a manual lockdown feature, an integral electrical pass through assembly, and a thermally activatable pressure relief device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Amcast Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Robin N. Borland, David E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5474104
    Abstract: A refueling check valve assembly which provides for rapid, efficient, and safe refueling of compressed natural gas powered vehicles is provided and includes a receptacle adapted to mate with a fuel supply nozzle and a valve body having first and second gas flow passages therethrough. The respective first ends of the first and second gas flow passages communicate with the receptacle, while the respective second ends of the first and second gas flow passages are adapted to communicate with a fuel storage vessel, typically through a fuel supply line. A check valve is positioned in the first gas flow passage of the valve body and is normally biased into a closed position to prevent the flow of gas through the first gas flow passage. The check valve opens in response to a flow of fuel under pressure, permitting the flow of gas to the fuel storage vessel. A by-pass valve is also provided in the second gas flow passage in the valve body for depressurizing the fuel system prior to servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Superior Valve Company
    Inventors: Robin N. Borland, David E. Hughes, William S. Kalaskie, John Piscatelli, Paul Rafalowski, Timothy R. Stiffy, Paul L. Wellener, III
  • Patent number: 5452738
    Abstract: A bidirectional solenoid operated valve for controlling the flow of a compressed gas to and from a pressurized vessel is provided which automatically blocks the flow of gas out of a cylinder to a gas line in the event of an electrical failure or crash and which will not fail catastrophically in the event of a crash. The bidirectional valve includes a manual lockdown feature, an integral electrical pass through assembly, and a thermally activatable pressure relief device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Amcast Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Robin N. Borland, David E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5125622
    Abstract: An actuator-cylinder valve connection mechanism has a bonnet nut with external threads and receives an outer valve stem, a valve body having an upper end with internal and external threads with the internal threads in engagement with the external threads of the bonnet nut, and either a jam nut or an actuator housing of the actuator having a downward extension with internal threds in engagement with the external threads of the upper end of the valve body. Clearances, apertures, and a direct contact of the jam nut or the actuator housing against the top surface of the upper end of the valve body cause any impact or inertial forces to be circumvented from the jam nut or the housing and into the valve body, thereby entirely bypassing the sealing mechanism which is comprised of the bonnet nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Amcast Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Kalaskie, David E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4776562
    Abstract: A gas cylinder valve for high pressure gas cylinders includes a pneumatic actuator with tandem pistons which are operated by normal industry "house" pneumatic pressures to overcome the large closing bias force generated by a set of disc springs so that the valve opening spring can lift the valve stem from its seat. A floating pressure plate which seats against an annular internal shoulder in the actuator housing prevents pneumatic pressure applied to the upper piston from acting on the back of the lower piston. Pneumatic pressure from a common source is applied to both pistons through an axial hole in a piston rod integral with one piston and bearing against the other piston. The actuator is easily assembled by merely inserting the lower piston, the pressure plate, the upper piston and the disc springs into the open end of a cup-shaped housing, and securing them in place with a preload on the springs by screwing on a housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Stanley G. Flagg & Co.
    Inventors: William S. Kalaskie, David E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4706929
    Abstract: A gas cylinder valve with an inner valve stem biased toward a valve open position by a helical compression spring is pneumatically operated by an actuator having a piston biased by a stack of disc springs against an outer valve stem, separated from the inner valve stem by a diaphragm gas seal, to urge the inner valve stem to a valve closed position. While the force exerted on the inner valve stem by the disc springs exceeds that applied by the helical spring so that the valve is normally biased closed, pneumatic pressure applied to the piston moves the piston away from the outer valve member so that the helical spring moves the inner valve stem to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Stanley G. Flagg & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Kalaskie, David E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4328020
    Abstract: NO.sub.x emissions from a glass melting furnace are reduced by injecting ammonia into the exhaust gas stream on a flue between primary and secondary regenerator chambers in one embodiment, and in staged zones within a regenerator in another embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4211386
    Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of gases from high pressure cylinders is provided having a projected raised annular valve seat surrounding a gas passage, a stem in threaded relation to the valve body whereby rotation of the valve stem in the valve body moves the valve stem toward and away from the valve seat, a circumferential shroud extending from the end of the valve stem and surrounding the valve seat when the valve is closed and partially open, a resilient seal member positioned within the recess on the end of the valve stem formed by the shroud, said resilient seat member having a tapered projection which extends into the gas inlet passage when the valve is in closed position and provides a gas tight seal between the valve stem and the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Superior Valve Company
    Inventors: William C. Yocum, David E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4201210
    Abstract: A novel ring-shaped device inserted into the conjunctival sac of an animal eye exhibits potential for prolonged release of therapeutic drugs to the eye region. Its prolonged retention properties render it suitable for use in the extended treatment of obstinate ocular infections, such as infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis in cattle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: David E. Hughes, George W. Pugh, Jr.