Patents by Inventor Frank Dean Weber
Frank Dean Weber 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).
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Publication number: 20240067415Abstract: A preload mechanism for an actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot. The offset distance has a first value when the rotating element is in the first position and a second value when the rotating element is the second position, the second value being smaller than the first value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Frank Dean WEBER, Christoph POTAKOWSKYJ, Ernst BAYER
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Publication number: 20240044177Abstract: A container is disclosed that has a housing and a lid. The lid has a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid. The latch has a retention feature and a first reference surface that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid. There is a latch mechanism coupled to the housing that has an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature of the latch and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface. The first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface when the lid is brought together with the housing with the fastener laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Johannes Pollhammer
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Patent number: 11845590Abstract: A preload mechanism for an actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the actuator such that contraction of the actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot. The offset distance has a first value when the rotating element is in the first position and a second value when the rotating element is the second position, the second value being smaller than the first value.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Ernst Bayer
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Patent number: 11821239Abstract: A container is disclosed that has a housing and a lid. The lid has a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid. The latch has a retention feature and a first reference surface that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid. There is a latch mechanism coupled to the housing that has an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature of the latch and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface. The first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface when the lid is brought together with the housing with the fastener laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Johannes Pollhammer
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Publication number: 20220412127Abstract: A container is disclosed that has a housing and a lid. The lid has a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid. The latch has a retention feature and a first reference surface that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid. There is a latch mechanism coupled to the housing that has an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature of the latch and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface. The first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface when the lid is brought together with the housing with the fastener laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Johannes Pollhammer
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Patent number: 11466476Abstract: A container is disclosed that has a housing and a lid. The lid has a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid. The latch has a retention feature and a first reference surface that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid. There is a latch mechanism coupled to the housing that has an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature of the latch and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface. The first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface when the lid is brought together with the housing with the fastener laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Johannes Pollhammer
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Publication number: 20220274744Abstract: A preload mechanism for an actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the actuator such that contraction of the actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot. The offset distance has a first value when the rotating element is in the first position and a second value when the rotating element is the second position, the second value being smaller than the first value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Frank Dean WEBER, Christoph Potakowskyj, Ernst Bayer
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Patent number: 11332285Abstract: A preload mechanism for a memory alloy wire actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the memory alloy wire actuator such that contraction of the memory alloy wire actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Ernst Bayer
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Publication number: 20200032555Abstract: A container is disclosed that has a housing and a lid. The lid has a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid. The latch has a retention feature and a first reference surface that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid. There is a latch mechanism coupled to the housing that has an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature of the latch and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface. The first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface when the lid is brought together with the housing with the fastener laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Johannes Pollhammer
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Patent number: 10435918Abstract: A container is disclosed that has a housing and a lid. The lid has a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid. The latch has a retention feature and a first reference surface that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid. There is a latch mechanism coupled to the housing that has an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature of the latch and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface. The first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface when the lid is brought together with the housing with the fastener laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Johannes Pollhammer
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Publication number: 20180346207Abstract: A preload mechanism for a memory alloy wire actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the memory alloy wire actuator such that contraction of the memory alloy wire actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: FRANK DEAN WEBER, CHRISTOPH POTAKOWSKYJ, ERNST BAYER
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Patent number: 10029829Abstract: A preload mechanism for a memory alloy wire actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the memory alloy wire actuator such that contraction of the memory alloy wire actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Ernst Bayer
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Patent number: 9918899Abstract: A drawer assembly is disclosed that includes a removable container ad a receiving tray. The container has a housing having at least one shaped surface and at least one horizontal alignment element coupled to and projecting from the housing. The receiving tray has a base having a redirection feature and at least one horizontal alignment hole in the base that is configured to accept the horizontal alignment element. The container and receiving tray are configured such that downward motion of the container with the shaped surface of the housing in contact with the redirection feature of the base induces a lateral motion of the container according to the engagement of the shaped surface and the redirection feature that causes the horizontal alignment element to slide into the horizontal alignment hole.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.Inventor: Frank Dean Weber
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Publication number: 20170258681Abstract: A drawer assembly is disclosed that includes a removable container ad a receiving tray. The container has a housing having at least one shaped surface and at least one horizontal alignment element coupled to and projecting from the housing. The receiving tray has a base having a redirection feature and at least one horizontal alignment hole in the base that is configured to accept the horizontal alignment element. The container and receiving tray are configured such that downward motion of the container with the shaped surface of the housing in contact with the redirection feature of the base induces a lateral motion of the container according to the engagement of the shaped surface and the redirection feature that causes the horizontal alignment element to slide into the horizontal alignment hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventor: Frank Dean WEBER
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Patent number: 9687075Abstract: A drawer assembly is disclosed that includes a removable container ad a receiving tray. The container has a housing having at least one shaped surface and at least one horizontal alignment element coupled to and projecting from the housing. The receiving tray has a base having a redirection feature and at least one horizontal alignment hole in the base that is configured to accept the horizontal alignment element. The container and receiving tray are configured such that downward motion of the container with the shaped surface of the housing in contact with the redirection feature of the base induces a lateral motion of the container according to the engagement of the shaped surface and the redirection feature that causes the horizontal alignment element to slide into the horizontal alignment hole.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.Inventor: Frank Dean Weber
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Patent number: 9569913Abstract: A self-aligning memory alloy wire actuator has a memory alloy wire having first and second ends with at least one terminal coupled to one end of the memory alloy wire. The terminal includes two wings and an extended piece connected in the shape of a T. The two wings are disposed on opposite sides of the extended piece and perpendicular to the extended piece. Each wing comprises top and bottom surfaces, a front surface, and an outside end. The top surfaces of the two wings lie on a common top plane and the front surfaces of the two wings lie on a common front plane. The memory alloy wire is coupled to the extended piece of the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Henricus Mark Ruyten, Thomas Kmetiko
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Publication number: 20160102481Abstract: A container is disclosed that has a housing and a lid. The lid has a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid. The latch has a retention feature and a first reference surface that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid. There is a latch mechanism coupled to the housing that has an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature of the latch and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface. The first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface when the lid is brought together with the housing with the fastener laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Frank Dean WEBER, Christoph POTAKOWSKYJ, Johannes POLLHAMMER
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Patent number: 9243427Abstract: A container is disclosed that has a housing and a lid. The lid has a planar portion and a latch that is freely movable parallel to the planar portion of the lid. The latch has a retention feature and a first reference surface that is perpendicular to the planar portion of the lid. There is a latch mechanism coupled to the housing that has an engagement element configured to engage the retention feature of the latch and a first alignment feature having a first alignment surface. The first alignment feature is configured to laterally displace the latch in a first direction such that the first reference surface aligns with the first alignment surface when the lid is brought together with the housing with the fastener laterally displaced away from the engagement element in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Johannes Pollhammer
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Publication number: 20160000224Abstract: A drawer assembly is disclosed that includes a removable container ad a receiving tray. The container has a housing having at least one shaped surface and at least one horizontal alignment element coupled to and projecting from the housing. The receiving tray has a base having a redirection feature and at least one horizontal alignment hole in the base that is configured to accept the horizontal alignment element. The container and receiving tray are configured such that downward motion of the container with the shaped surface of the housing in contact with the redirection feature of the base induces a lateral motion of the container according to the engagement of the shaped surface and the redirection feature that causes the horizontal alignment element to slide into the horizontal alignment hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventor: Frank Dean WEBER
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Patent number: 9131774Abstract: A drawer assembly has a removable container and a receiving tray. The container has a housing having at least one shaped surface and at least one horizontal alignment element coupled to and projecting from the housing. The receiving tray has a base having a redirection feature and at least one horizontal alignment hole in the base that is configured to accept the horizontal alignment element. The container and receiving tray are configured such that downward motion of the container with the shaped surface of the housing in contact with the redirection feature of the base induces a lateral motion of the container according to the engagement of the shaped surface and the redirection feature that causes the horizontal alignment element to slide into the horizontal alignment hole.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.Inventor: Frank Dean Weber