Patents by Inventor Derek R. Smith

Derek R. Smith 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: 8291780
    Abstract: An inspection sensor module for an in-line pipe inspection tool has a support for mounting the module on the tool, a finger pivotally attached at one end to the support and pivotally attached at the other end to a sensor block carrying one or more inspection sensors. A first leaf spring extends from the support to the finger to bias the finger outwardly, and a second leaf spring extends from the support to the carrier to bias the sensor block. Biasing sensors are mounted on the leading and trailing edges of the first leaf spring to detect movement of the first leaf spring corresponding to movement of the inspection sensors towards or away from the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: PII Limited
    Inventors: Derek R. Smith, Eduardo Boada, Gary Brayson
  • Patent number: 6502076
    Abstract: A product promotion display system comprises a server computer hosting a network of terminals, each terminal having a display for displaying advertisements and product promotion information to a customer. The server computer has access to a product promotion database containing data to be used in assembling advertisements and product promotion information to be displayed on one or more of the terminals. A product promotion software object executed by the server computer accesses the database in order to retrieve data therefrom to be used in assembling advertisements and product promotion information to be displayed on one or more of the terminals. A user interface connected to the terminals and to the promotion software object causes the assembled advertisements and product promotion information to be displayed on one or more of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Derek R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4352584
    Abstract: A method for bonding a tubular shaft to an end fitting to produce an assembly wherein the shaft and the end fitting are in axial alignment and which is capable of transmitting high torque, said method employing an end fitting provided with a mating section having two concentric cylindrical walls which describe an annular cavity or socket adapted to receive the tubular shaft therein. The high torque carrying capacity of the joint produced in accordance with the invention results from the fact that the shaft is bonded to the mating section of the end fitting on both its interior and exterior surfaces and is in axial alignment with the end fitting. Such axial alignment results from the presence of a resilient sealing ring and an annular shoulder, positioned near the top and base of the inner cylindrical wall of the mating section, which contact the inner surface of the tubular shaft and center the shaft around said wall when the shaft is inserted into the bonding socket of the end fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: Derek R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4325174
    Abstract: A composite drive shaft having a pair of aligned, diametrically opposed bores in which a cross-shaped coupling forming part of a universal joint is pivotally connected. This construction materially reduces the weight of drive shaft/universal joint combinations by eliminating the steel Hookes joint yokes which heretofore have been bonded into the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Derek R. Smith, Gordon P. Worgan
  • Patent number: 4218895
    Abstract: A composite drive shaft having a pair of aligned, diametrically opposed bores in which a cross-shaped coupling forming part of a universal joint is pivotally connected. This construction materially reduces the weight of drive shaft/universal joint combinations by eliminating the steel Hookes joint yokes which heretofore have been bonded into the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Derek R. Smith, Gordon P. Worgan
  • Patent number: 4190479
    Abstract: A method for bonding a tubular shaft to an end fitting to produce an assembly wherein the shaft and the end fitting are in axial alignment and which is capable of transmitting high torque, said method employing an end fitting provided with a mating section having two concentric cylindrical walls which describe an annular cavity or socket adapted to receive the tubular shaft therein. The high torque carrying capacity of the joint produced in accordance with the invention results from the fact that the shaft is bonded to the mating section of the end fitting on both its interior and exterior surfaces and is in axial alignment with the end fitting. Such axial alignment results from the presence of a resilient sealing ring and an annular shoulder, positioned near the top and base of the inner cylindrical wall of the mating section, which contact the inner surface of the tubular shaft and center the shaft around said wall when the shaft is inserted into the bonding socket of the end fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: Derek R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4172562
    Abstract: A filament winding apparatus having means associated with the winding ring thereof for automatically widening the space between the guide surfaces of the ring at predetermined intervals so as to allow for the removal of any residue or debris which may accumulate therein during operation and cause filament breakage. The apparatus is particularly suitable for winding fibers, such as carbon fibers, which have a susceptibility to shed or fragment during winding, and thereby cause an accumulation of debris in the winding ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: Derek R. Smith