Patents by Inventor Donald L. Banfield

Donald L. Banfield 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: 20110292963
    Abstract: A laser or other heat source detection device is produced by creating a grid pattern on a polymer backing. The grid pattern comprises a PTC compound heat resistive ink in the form of discrete elements coupled by conductive ink lines or stripes. A resistance measurement device measures for an increase in resistance somewhere in the grid which indicates a laser or other heat source being directed at the grid. The laser detection device further comprises a cover material of heat transmissive material such as aluminum. In one embodiment, the resistance measurement device is capable of rapidly detecting the exact location of the laser source and relaying this position to a laser position control. The laser position control directs the positioning of the laser source and can either adjust or maintain the position of the laser source based on the feedback provided by the resistance measurement device or can shut down the laser and can record the time that the event took place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Conductive Compounds, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Banfield, Donald L. Banfield
  • Patent number: 5945193
    Abstract: A fastening component of a separable fastener has some portion that is necessary for its fastening function, such as the space adjacent the fastening elements, the base to which the fastening elements are attached or a substrate that is used for another purpose, comprised of a magnetically attractive or electrically conductive porous metal containing layer. The fastening component may be the hook portion or the loop portion of a typical fastener. The fastening elements and the base may be unitary, or of different precursors. The porous metal layer may be embedded in the base portion of the fastening component, or any backing substrate, or therebetween. The porous metal layer may be fully or partially embedded. The porous metal may be an expanded, perforated, woven or non-woven structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Samuel White Pollard, Donald L. Banfield, Peter E. Leach, Carol A. Watts, Lawrence E. Lacombe
  • Patent number: 5942177
    Abstract: A separable fastener component for use with a complementary separable fastener component has a base member, having a nominal fastening face and a non-fastening face. Carried on the fastening face is a pattern of fastening elements, comprising an interior region carrying fastening elements that are free of any cover. Substantially surrounding the interior region is a perimeter region that carries fastening elements which are covered. The perimeter region of covered fastening elements may be a rectangular or non-rectangular annulus. The fastening elements may be hooks or loops.The fastening component may be incorporated into a molded product, with minimal intrusion of the molding material into the fastening elements of the main region. The perimeter cover forms a gasket seal with the mold in several different configurations and prevents molding material from infiltrating to the uncovered interior region of fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Velcro Industies B.V.
    Inventor: Donald L. Banfield
  • Patent number: 5922436
    Abstract: A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes is formed of a known separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof. A vinyl plastisol, thermoplastic, or rubber encasement which intimately surrounds the individual engaging elements protects the elements when they are exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process. The fastener is placed in a mold and molded into, as an integral part thereof, a plastic part. The encasement is removable from the engaging elements after the molding process, to expose the engaging elements, without permanently deforming or substantially destroying the fastening performance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Donald L. Banfield, Gerald F. Rocha, Martin I. Jacobs, Randall B. Kenney
  • Patent number: 5786061
    Abstract: A separable fastener component for use with a complementary separable fastener component has a base member, having a nominal fastening face and a non-fastening face. Carried on the fastening face is a pattern of fastening elements, comprising an interior region carrying fastening elements that are free of any cover. Substantially surrounding the interior region is a perimeter region that carries fastening elements which are covered. The perimeter region of covered fastening elements may be a rectangular or non-rectangular annulus. The fastening elements may be hooks or loops.The fastening component may be incorporated into a molded product, with minimal intrusion of the molding material into the fastening elements of the main region. The perimeter cover forms a gasket seal with the mold in several different configurations and prevents molding material from infiltrating to the uncovered interior region of fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventor: Donald L. Banfield
  • Patent number: 5766385
    Abstract: A fastening component for use with molded articles has a base with fastening elements upstanding therefrom and a relatively thin, protective cover attached thereto. The cover is attached to the base by thermal processes. For instance, the cover and the base can be cut into a shape by a die that substantially simultaneously cuts the shape from a larger web of both and joins the two pieces together by heat induced processes, such as welding. The shaped piece may be rectilinear or curved or any complex shape. The cover may include a pull tab at one or both ends. The pull tab is formed from the cover material itself, a piece of which is folded over on itself and cut and sealed to adjacent layers at the same time that the main shape is being cut and sealed. For some embodiments of the pull-tab, rather than heat sealing the protective cover to the base, an adhesive can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Samuel White Pollard, Donald L. Banfield, Peter E. Leach, Carol A. Watts, Lawrence E. Lacombe
  • Patent number: 5736217
    Abstract: A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes is formed of a known separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof. A vinyl plastisol, thermoplastic, or rubber encasement which intimately surrounds at least some of the individual engaging elements protects the elements when they are exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process. The fastener is placed in a mold and molded into, as an integral part thereof, a plastic part. The encasement is removable from the engaging elements after the molding process, to expose the engaging elements, without permanently deforming or substantially destroying the fastening performance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Donald L. Banfield, Gerald F. Rocha
  • Patent number: 5540970
    Abstract: A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes is formed of a known separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof. A vinyl plastisol, thermoplastic, or rubber encasement which intimately surrounds the individual engaging elements protects the elements when they are exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process. The fastener is placed in a mold and molded into, as an integral part thereof, a plastic part. The encasement is removable from the engaging elements after the molding process, to expose the engaging elements, without permanently deforming or substantially destroying the fastening performance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Donald L. Banfield, Gerald F. Rocha, Martin I. Jacobs, Randall B. Kenney
  • Patent number: 5393585
    Abstract: A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes is formed of a known separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof. A vinyl plastisol, thermoplastic, or rubber encasement which intimately surrounds the individual engaging elements protects the elements when they are exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process. The fastener is placed in a mold and molded into, as an integral part thereof, a plastic part. The encasement is removable from the engaging elements after the molding process, to expose the engaging elements, without permanently deforming or substantially destroying the fastening performance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Velcro Industries, B.V.
    Inventors: Donald L. Banfield, Gerald F. Rocha, Martin I. Jacobs, Randall B. Kenney
  • Patent number: 5286431
    Abstract: A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes is formed of a known separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof. A covering which intimately surrounds the individual engaging elements protects the elements when exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process. This protecting covering is removable from the fastener after the molding process to expose the engaging elements without substantially destroying the performance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Velcro Industries, B.V.
    Inventors: Donald L. Banfield, Gerald F. Rocha