Patents by Inventor Donald Surprise

Donald Surprise 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: 7740553
    Abstract: A method and mechanism are provided for controlling the movement of a belt. The arrangement may have a moveable member is coupled to an adjustable member. The members are coupled such that when the moveable member is moved in a first direction the adjustable member is move in a first direction and when the moveable member is moved in a second direction the adjustable member is moved in a second direction. A belt is coupled to the movable member. Movement of the belt in a first direction moves the moveable member in the first direction and movement of said belt in a second direction moves the moveable member in the second direction. A belt tensioner mechanism is connected to the belt so that when the belt moves in the first direction a biasing force is created that drives said belt to move a controlled amount in the second direction when movement of the belt in the first direction is stopped. The arrangement may be employed with a materials feed tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Salomon, Donald Surprise, Christopher D. Clark
  • Patent number: 7523929
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for feeding shingled media item includes a tray for supporting a stack of shingled media items. The tray has an exit area and each of the media items has a bottom edge. A feeder separates and feeds media items from the shingled stack of media items. The tray is connected to the feeder with a first and a second cavity formed at the exit area of the feed tray and the front of the feeder such that media items moved from the tray into the feeder are supported on a portion of the media item bottom edge. A rail structure is attached to the surface for supporting the media items bottom edge adjacent the media item exit area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Surprise, Norman R. Lilly, James A. Fairweather, Theresa Bartick
  • Patent number: 7427063
    Abstract: A media item feed tray with an exit area for media items includes a sled moveable toward and away from the feed tray exit area. A biasing surface is mounted to the tray and extends away from the feed tray exit area. A spring member is mounted on the moveable sled and is connected to the biasing surface such that when the moveable sled is moved away from the feed tray exit area energy is stored in the spring member. The biasing surface may be a shaped rail with a cam surface and the moveable member may include a cam follower which engages the shaped rail cam surface. A first cam section and a second cam section can be provided with the moveable sled urged toward the feed tray exit area when the cam follower engages the shaped rail first cam surface section and urged away from the feed tray exit area when the cam follower engages the shaped rail second cam surface section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Fairweather, Donald Surprise, James A. Salomon, Norman R. Lilly, Thomas M. Lyga
  • Publication number: 20070102869
    Abstract: A media item feed tray with an exit area for media items includes a sled moveable toward and away from the feed tray exit area. A biasing surface is mounted to the tray and extends away from the feed tray exit area. A spring member is mounted on the moveable sled and is connected to the biasing surface such that when the moveable sled is moved away from the feed tray exit area energy is stored in the spring member. The biasing surface may be a shaped rail with a cam surface and the moveable member may include a cam follower which engages the shaped rail cam surface. A first cam section and a second cam section can be provided with the moveable sled urged toward the feed tray exit area when the cam follower engages the shaped rail first cam surface section and urged away from the feed tray exit area when the cam follower engages the shaped rail second cam surface section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated
    Inventors: James Fairweather, Donald Surprise, James Salomon, Norman Lilly, Thomas Lyga
  • Publication number: 20070102865
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for feeding shingled media item includes a tray for supporting a stack of shingled media items. The tray has an exit area and each of the media items has a bottom edge. A feeder separates and feeds media items from the shingled stack of media items. The tray is connected to the feeder with a first and a second cavity formed at the exit area of the feed tray and the front of the feeder such that media items moved from the tray into the feeder are supported on a portion of the media item bottom edge. A rail structure is attached to the surface for supporting the media items bottom edge adjacent the media item exit area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald Surprise, Norman Lilly, James Fairweather, Theresa Bartick
  • Publication number: 20060252590
    Abstract: A method and mechanism are provided for controlling the movement of a belt. The arrangement may have a moveable member is coupled to an adjustable member. The members are coupled such that when the moveable member is moved in a first direction the adjustable member is move in a first direction and when the moveable member is moved in a second direction the adjustable member is moved in a second direction. A belt is coupled to the movable member. Movement of the belt in a first direction moves the moveable member in the first direction and movement of said belt in a second direction moves the moveable member in the second direction. A belt tensioner mechanism is connected to the belt so that when the belt moves in the first direction a biasing force is created that drives said belt to move a controlled amount in the second direction when movement of the belt in the first direction is stopped. The arrangement may be employed with a materials feed tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: James Salomon, Donald Surprise, Christopher Clark
  • Patent number: 6804932
    Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for sealing an envelope. A sealing nip is formed by an upper roller and a lower roller. The upper roller is mounted on an upper shaft and the lower roller is mounted on a lower shaft. A mechanism associated with the lower shaft adjusts the orientation of the lower shaft to match the orientation of the upper shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Joyce, Donald Surprise
  • Publication number: 20040172922
    Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for sealing an envelope. A sealing nip is formed by an upper roller and a lower roller. The upper roller is mounted on an upper shaft and the lower roller is mounted on a lower shaft. A mechanism associated with the lower shaft adjusts the orientation of the lower shaft to match the orientation of the upper shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven H. Joyce, Donald Surprise