Patents by Inventor Dennis D. Ward

Dennis D. Ward 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).

  • Publication number: 20140368104
    Abstract: A sliding drawer storage rack for cold storage units includes a rack body and a plurality of shelves operatively coupled to the rack body. A drawer defines a storage cavity and is configured to be supported for sliding movement by at least one of the plurality of shelves. A plurality of divider lips extends upwardly from the drawer to divide the storage cavity into a plurality of box receptacles sized to receive a storage box. At least some of the plurality of shelves are defined by opposing first and second L-shaped supports laterally spaced from each other and coupled to the rack body, thereby reducing material use and weight of the storage rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Dennis D. Ward, John P. Hutchinson, Steven A. George
  • Patent number: 8851588
    Abstract: A sliding drawer storage rack for cold storage units includes a rack body and a plurality of shelves operatively coupled to the rack body. A drawer defines a storage cavity and is configured to be supported for sliding movement by at least one of the plurality of shelves. A plurality of divider lips extends upwardly from the drawer to divide the storage cavity into a plurality of box receptacles sized to receive a storage box. At least some of the plurality of shelves are defined by opposing first and second L-shaped supports laterally spaced from each other and coupled to the rack body, thereby reducing material use and weight of the storage rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC
    Inventors: Dennis D. Ward, John P. Hutchinson, Steven A. George
  • Patent number: 8814286
    Abstract: A cold storage unit includes a side access storage rack for holding storage boxes. The storage rack includes a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall, and a rear side wall extending between the top and bottom walls to define a storage space. The storage rack also includes a plurality of vertical dividers extending from the rear side wall and a horizontal shelf configured to be engaged with the plurality of vertical dividers to split the storage space into a grid of box receptacles for the storage boxes. The horizontal shelf includes an angled front portion that is bent and is configured to frictionally engage divider slots in the vertical dividers to thereby hold the horizontal shelf in position with respect to the housing. This frictional engagement simplifies manufacturing and improves the functionality of the storage rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC
    Inventors: Dennis D. Ward, John P. Hutchinson, Brian E. Schott
  • Publication number: 20130320833
    Abstract: A sliding drawer storage rack for cold storage units includes a rack body and a plurality of shelves operatively coupled to the rack body. A drawer defines a storage cavity and is configured to be supported for sliding movement by at least one of the plurality of shelves. A plurality of divider lips extends upwardly from the drawer to divide the storage cavity into a plurality of box receptacles sized to receive a storage box. At least some of the plurality of shelves are defined by opposing first and second L-shaped supports laterally spaced from each other and coupled to the rack body, thereby reducing material use and weight of the storage rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (ASHEVILLE) LLC
    Inventors: Dennis D. Ward, John P. Hutchinson, Steven A. George
  • Publication number: 20130320832
    Abstract: A cold storage unit includes a side access storage rack for holding storage boxes. The storage rack includes a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall, and a rear side wall extending between the top and bottom walls to define a storage space. The storage rack also includes a plurality of vertical dividers extending from the rear side wall and a horizontal shelf configured to be engaged with the plurality of vertical dividers to split the storage space into a grid of box receptacles for the storage boxes. The horizontal shelf includes an angled front portion that is bent and is configured to frictionally engage divider slots in the vertical dividers to thereby hold the horizontal shelf in position with respect to the housing. This frictional engagement simplifies manufacturing and improves the functionality of the storage rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (ASHEVILLE) LLC
    Inventors: Dennis D. Ward, John P. Hutchinson, Brian E. Schott
  • Publication number: 20130232998
    Abstract: A cold storage unit such as a cryogenic dewar includes a tank with an opening, a storage space communicating with the opening, and a pool for liquid nitrogen positioned adjacent the storage space. The storage space receives a plurality of storage racks, each including a rack body with a rear wall and first and second sidewalls extending from the rear wall. The storage rack also includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf defined by a first lip punched from the first sidewall and a second lip punched from the second sidewall, the first and second lips being bent towards one another and spaced from one another. The shelves minimize the material and weight used in manufacturing the storage rack. Additionally, the storage rack is assembled with minimal spot welding required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (ASHEVILLE) LLC
    Inventors: Dennis D. Ward, James O. McDougle