Patents by Inventor David M. Thompson

David M. Thompson 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: 5727820
    Abstract: A flange for a drain pipe extending from the side of a large, flat-bottomed, open container, such as the cockpit of a boat, has its upper portion fitted along the inside of the side of the cockpit, but the lower portion of the flange is bent inwards along the bottom of the drain pipe in an "L" shape to rest tightly against the bottom or deck of the cockpit, which brings the bottom of the drain pipe close to the deck of the cockpit, to drain off as much as possible of the water that builds up in the cockpit due to rain, spray, or other sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventor: David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5623714
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a corona device with a charging grid for charging a photoreceptor to voltage levels, an exposure device for projecting an image onto the photoreceptor, a developer for applying toner to the photoreceptor, and a sensor for providing a signal in relation to current flow between the photoreceptor and the developer. An exposure device control adjusts the exposure device by setting the exposure device to an intensity level of approximately 50%. A photodetector sensor provides signals to the exposure device control in relation to the 50% intensity level in response to developing the predetermined test patches on the photoreceptor and the exposure device control adjusts the exposure device in response to the photodetector sensor signals without the use of test patches to an intensity level of approximately 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Thompson, Carol J. Panepinto, Edward C. Savage
  • Patent number: 5511622
    Abstract: A small hollow device extends through the wall of an engine compartment or box. It can be secured to the box by a flange around its outside edge attached to the wall of the engine box. A stop or valve, in the shape of the hollow device, is fitted into the hollow portion of the device, and may be held by another flange inside the wall of the box, to seal it in normal operation. However, this stop is secured within the hollow portion of the device by a flexible coupling that holds the stop in place in normal operation, but allows it to move to an open position when the nozzle of a fire extinguisher is pushed against it. This permits a fire within the engine box to be extinguished quickly and safely without the necessity of opening the lids of the box, which would admit large quantities of air to feed the combustion and flames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5416564
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a corona device for charging a photoreceptor to voltage levels, a developer for applying toner to the photoreceptor including a sensor for providing signals in relation to current flow between the photoreceptor and the developer as a result of the developer applying toner to the photoreceptor on predetermined patches, and a corona control responsive to the signals for adjusting the corona device for charging the photoreceptor to adjusted voltage levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Xerox Corporatin
    Inventors: David M. Thompson, Carol J. Panepinto, Edward C. Savage
  • Patent number: 5385108
    Abstract: An automatic valve is attached to the lower edge of the transom of a boat. The valve is a short tubular device that is aligned with a hole in the transom and mounted on the transom in a substantially horizontal plane, in a watertight manner. The inner end of the device may follow the slope of the transom. However, a cap, hinged at its top, covers and seals the outer end of the device, and the bottom of the outer end projects out beyond the top to provide enough slope for the cap to be held by gravity against the outer end. This closes the valve against water pressure from the outside, but allows bilge water to flow out when there is no external pressure. The valve may be, normally, under water, but can drain the bilge when the hull is out of water, or moving quickly enough through the water to clear the transom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5383005
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a corona device for charging a photoreceptor to voltage levels, a developer for applying toner to the photoreceptor, and a sensor for providing a signal in relation to photoreceptor voltage for adjusting the photoreceptor voltage levels by providing signals from the sensor in response to periodic electrostatic set ups which includes developing a series of predetermined test patches on the photoreceptor, relating the signals to characteristics of the photoreceptor, adjusting the corona device for the characteristics in response to the signals, and measuring cycle down and short term photoreceptor rest recovery changes in photoreceptor voltage for use in adjusting the corona device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Thompson, Carol J. Panepinto, Edward C. Savage, John M. Magde, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5353107
    Abstract: A release agent management system incorporated in an electrophotographic printing machine having a heat and pressure fuser assembly. The fuser assembly includes a heated fuser roll, a pressure roll and a wick for applying fuser oil to the surface of the heated fuser roll. The wick is moved into and out of engagement with the fuser roll and release agent material is supplied to the wick in accordance with the number of prints fused from which a print equivalency value is calculated. The print equivalency corresponds favorably to actual oil consumed. A predetermined print equivalency value is used for determining when oil is supplied to the wick and the predetermined value is varied depending on the volume of prints being made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Sculley, Mark S. Amico, Wayne D. Drinkwater, David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5350896
    Abstract: A heat and pressure fuser for fixing toner images to substrates. A dual heating lamp arrangement is utilized for elevating the surface temperature of a heated fuser roll. The operation of the dual heat lamps is controlled using dual thermistors for maintain steady state temperature fluctuations to .+-.3.degree. F. The thermistors are positioned, one adjacent the inboard end of the fuse and the other adjacent the outboard end thereof. The outboard thermistor is used to determine the desired on time of the fuser lamp and the inboard thermistor is used to determine which of the two lamps is on. If the inboard temperature is below a predetermined target value a 14 inch lamp is turned on. If the inboard temperature is at or above a predetermined target value an 11 inch lamp is turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Amico, Mark A. Scheuer, Irwin Wagman, Dale E. Seeley, David M. Thompson, Dawn M. Kelsch, Wayne D. Drinkwater
  • Patent number: 5327204
    Abstract: A release agent management system incorporated in an electrophotographic printing machine having a heat and pressure fuser assembly. The fuser assembly includes a heated fuser roll, a pressure roll and a wick for applying fuser oil to the surface of the heated fuser roll. The wick is moved into and out of engagement with the fuser roll and release agent material is supplied to the wick in accordance with the number of prints fused from which a print equivalency value is calculated. The print equivalency corresponds favorably to actual oil consumed. A predetermined print equivalency value is used for determining when oil is supplied to the wick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Sculley, Mark S. Amico, Wayne D. Drinkwater, David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5307585
    Abstract: At least two rod-holding units are mounted on a substantially vertical, elongated flat surface. Each of the units has a mounting flange that holds a bracket in a vertical plane, normal to the flat surface. Each of the brackets has a central opening within which a diaphragm of flexible material is secured. The flexible material is cut into a series of wedges between a centrally-located hole and the central opening of the bracket. The wedges are intended to flex in either direction to accomodate any portion of a rod, and hold it. Each of the wedges has a series of lateral ridges, to grip the adjacent portions of the rod, and hollows molded into the flexible material, between the centrally-located hole and the central openings, to increase the flexibility of the outer portions of the wedges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5273466
    Abstract: A tubular vent device extends through a hole in the hull of a boat, well above the water line. The outer portion of the vent device has a circular ridge or shoulder larger than the hole through the hull to hold the outer portion outside of the hull. The inner portion is threaded to accomodate an inner nut with a collar or washer larger than the hole to let the nut draw the inner collar and outer shoulder tight against their opposing sides of the hull. The inner portion terminates in a coupling for a hose to connect to a tank to be vented. The outer portion of the vent, beyond the shoulder, is also threaded to receive a cap that has a series of fine, axial slots through its outer surface for ventilation. The end of the outer portion of the vent also has a tapered conical portion within the cap, with a pair of axial ridges on the outside just above a pair of axial ventilating slots that open the tubular vent to the fine slots in the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4916483
    Abstract: A device for rotating by a small angle, documents placed on an imaging device platen, for improved skew angle registration during imaging. An imaging device provided with a platen cover for covering the imaging platen of the imaging device includes document engagement member rotatably supported on the platen cover, between the imaging platen and the platen cover when the platen cover is in a closed position with respect to the platen of the imaging device. The document engagement member has a document contacting surface providing substantially non-slipping engagement of the document engagement member with documents placed on the platen when the platen cover is closed. An arrangement is provided for rotational adjustment of documents placed on the platen, at an externally accessible surface of the platen cover, and coupled to the document engagment member, for rotating the document engagement member through a small angle increment, and by consequence, documents engaged thereto, with respect to the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Thompson, Richard C. Hogestyn, James O. Mitchel
  • Patent number: 4856221
    Abstract: A pair of bracket units are provided for holding a fishing pole or the like. The units are mounted on a solid surface and spaced slightly shorter than the length of the pole, with one bracket unit to hold the tip and one bracket unit to hold the base of the pole. Each unit has a flange secured to the solid surface for supporting the bracket unit projecting substantially perpendicular to the surface. The bracket units include an opening into which a flexible diaphragm will be centered and secured. Each flexible diaphragm has a centrally-located hold with slots in the diaphragm radiating out from the hole to the edges of the opening. The slotted diaphragm will flex to accomodate and hold each end of the pole in a rigid but cushioned manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4838440
    Abstract: A molded plastic mount for a folding table leg has a base portion with suitable means for fastening securely to the underside of a table top. A tubular pedestal portion extends downwardly from the base portion, and is long enough, and strong enough, to secure a tubular upper end of a table leg extending downwards to support the table top for use under normal conditions. This tubular pedestal portion is open on one side, and has a pivot through the pedestal and the top of the table leg to permit the table leg to be folded up against the underside of the table top in a storing or carrying position. Plastic lugs at the bottom of the pedestal, on either side of the opening, extend around the top of the table leg to secure it in its downward position, but are flexible enough to permit the table leg to be moved to its upward position, and secure it in that position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventor: David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4802900
    Abstract: A filter bag enclosure for containing a laboratory animal and a carrier therefor during transportation is provided with lateral and top seals which prevent gaseous communication with the laboratory animal therewithin except through the filter medium which forms the lateral sides of the filter bag. In accordance with the invention, the lateral edges of the filter bag are sealingly joined to one another by the application of acoustic energy. A length of sealing material, which may be polyethylene, is advantageously interposed between the edges prior to the application of the acoustic energy so as to enhance the reliability of the lateral seals. The top portion of the filter bag is provided with polyethylene strips joined thereto, illustratively by the use of ultrasonic acoustic energy. After the laboratory animal and its carrier is installed inside of the filter bag, the filter bag may be closed by conventional heat sealing of the polyethylene top strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Inventors: Keith R. Ball, David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4706840
    Abstract: A threaded tube extends through the hull of a boat well above the water line. An outer, baffled, vent cap with a threaded inner tubular portion is screwed onto the outer end of the threaded tube. The vent cap also includes an outer tubular portion concentric to and spaced from the inner tubular portion; both being held in place by a solid outer cap. A first breather opening through the upper part of the inner tubular portion, next to the solid cap, connects the inside of the threaded tube to the space between the inner and outer tubular portions, and a second breather opening through the lower part of the outer tubular portion connects the space between the inner and outer tubular portions to the outer air. A threaded nut near the inner end of the threaded tube tightens against the inside of the hull to draw the outer vent cap tightly against the outside of the hull. A tube may be used to connect the inner end of the threaded tube to any desired tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Inventor: David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4481505
    Abstract: An apparent-wind direction indicator for day and night sailing has a hollow conical section with an axial counterbalancing rod extending forward from the apex of the cone. The wind direction indicator is mounted to pivot about a hollow tube extending above the top of a mast. The top of the hollow tube extends within the conical section. An electric lamp is mounted at the top of the hollow tube within the hollow conical section and is illuminated by means of wires through the tube connecting to the ship's power supply. A substantial portion of the underbody of the hollow conical section is made of light-transmitting material so that the light from the electric lamp will be visible from the deck below. The light-transmitting material, as well as the conical section is formed to suggest an arrow to indicate the direction of the wind to the deck below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4417539
    Abstract: A chock for use on boats and the like to secure gear to the vessel is made in two halves with identical base plates. The side plates of each half are integral with the base plates, and each half or unit has an upper base plate at one end and a lower base plate at the other end. The upper end of the base plate of one unit is of the same size and shape as the lower end of the base plate of the other unit, and the upper end of the one unit will fit over the lower end of the other unit when they are meshed together. Similarly, the upper end of the base plate of the other unit fits over the lower end of the base plate of the one unit when they are meshed together. Bolts through both upper and lower base plates, at either end, secure both units to any desired location to form a chock, and bolts between the side plates of both units, or other inward projections butting against each other, provide means for securing gear of any kind to any given base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Inventor: David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4411515
    Abstract: A copy set collecting and storage arrangement is disclosed for a high speed copy reproduction system or duplicator machine having a finishing station. The arrangement includes an elevator for collecting finished copy sets in a stack and a conveyor for receiving one or more stacks from the elevator. Controls are devised for "limitless" finishing wherein the duplicator is placed in Standby, count holding condition when the full storage capacity has been reached and the programmed reproduction run has not been achieved. The controls will effect automatic start-up again when one or more of the stacks have been removed until once again the capacity has been reached and the reproduction run has not been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: William P. Kukucka, Frank R. Hynes, Hugh L. Jones, David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4407600
    Abstract: A boot cover for turnbuckles and the like has an upper cap portion that fits around a stay, and fits snugly over an elongated central portion that covers the entire turnbuckle. Both the upper cap portion and the elongated central portion are made of resilient material and are slotted, or openable, and may be stretched apart to permit both portions to be fitted around the stay and turnbuckle assembly to cover the assembly to reduce abrasion of the sails or any cordage that must pass by the turnbuckle area. The lower portion of the turnbuckle and chain plate may also be covered by a lower cap portion that also fits snugly over the elongated central portion, and is also slotted to fit over the lower portion of the turnbuckle and chain plate without removing them or disconnecting them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Inventor: David M. Thompson