Patents by Inventor George F. Howard

George F. Howard 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: 9206908
    Abstract: A pin release mechanism which includes a release pin, a bias spring, a spring guide, a moveable ball retainer and a solenoid assembly. The release pin is axially movable from a first to a second position. The bias spring is connected to the release pin and exerts a force biasing the release pin towards the second position. The spring guide receives the bias spring interacts with ball bearings. The moveable ball retainer is connected to the bias spring and has a locked position in which ball bearings radially interfere with the movement of the release pin and prevents movement of the release pin from the first to the second position by engaging the release pin, and an unlocked position in which the ball bearings may move radially, disengaging the release pin, and engaging the ball retainer, to allow the release pin to move from the first towards the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: G.W. Lisk Company, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Howard, Michael T. Levis
  • Patent number: 9038742
    Abstract: An exemplary suppressant actuator assembly includes a release member movable from a first position that restricts flow of a suppressant to a second position that permits flow of a suppressant. A biasing member moves from a more-biased position to a less-biased position to move the release member from the first position to the second position. A solenoid is activated to permit movement of the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC., G.W. LISK COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: John Wright Porterfield, Jr., Andrew W. Phillips, David Frasure, George F. Howard, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140270928
    Abstract: A pin release mechanism which includes a release pin, a bias spring, a spring guide, a moveable ball retainer and a solenoid assembly. The release pin is axially movable from a first to a second position. The bias spring is connected to the release pin and exerts a force biasing the release pin towards the second position. The spring guide receives the bias spring interacts with ball bearings. The moveable ball retainer is connected to the bias spring and has a locked position in which ball bearings radially interfere with the movement of the release pin and prevents movement of the release pin from the first to the second position by engaging the release pin, and an unlocked position in which the ball bearings may move radially, disengaging the release pin, and engaging the ball retainer, to allow the release pin to move from the first towards the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: G.W. Lisk Company, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Howard, Michael T. Levis
  • Publication number: 20140166913
    Abstract: Pin release mechanism comprising: a release pin axially movable from a first position to a second position; a bias spring biasing the release pin towards the second position; a pull rod interacting with ball bearings, the pull rod having a locked position in which ball bearings radially interfere with movement of the release pin and prevent movement of the release pin from the first position to a second position, and an unlocked position in which the ball bearings may move radially relative to the pull rod to allow the release pin to move from the first position towards the second position; a solenoid, which when actuated moves the pull rod toward the unlocked position; and a bias pin coupled to the pull rod, biased by a spring pushing between the release pin and the bias pin, to bias the bias pin and the pull rod toward the second, unlocked direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: G.W. LISK COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Phillips, George F. Howard
  • Publication number: 20130032741
    Abstract: An exemplary suppressant actuator assembly includes a release member movable from a first position that restricts flow of a suppressant to a second position that permits flow of a suppressant. A biasing member moves from a more-biased position to a less-biased position to move the release member from the first position to the second position. A solenoid is activated to permit movement of the biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: John Wright Porterfield, JR., Andrew W. Phillips, David Frasure, George F. Howard, JR.