Patents by Inventor Harold B. Kent
Harold B. Kent 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: 20110214914Abstract: A method and system for transporting a fluid, gas, semi-solid, cryogen, or particulate matter, or combination thereof, between a three-dimensional structure and a substantially two-dimensional structure is disclosed. A system and method for electrically coupling a three-dimensional structure to a substantially two dimensional structure is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: E-Cath, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, Steven T. Kent
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Patent number: 7957155Abstract: A method and system for transporting a fluid, gas, semi-solid, cryogen, or particulate matter, or combination thereof, between a three-dimensional structure and a substantially two-dimensional structure is disclosed. A system and method for electrically coupling a three-dimensional structure to a substantially two dimensional structure is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2006Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, Steven T. Kent
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Patent number: 7762837Abstract: A male connector, including: a body having a proximal end and a distal end; and an elastomeric member disposed around an outer surface of the distal end of the body, wherein the distal end of the body is configured to be received into a female connector interface in a medical device, and wherein the proximal end of the body is configured to receive an electronic block connector therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante, Thor Roff, Joseph R. Layton, Aaron T. Fine
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Patent number: 7718927Abstract: A micro solder pot includes a dielectric substrate having at least one hole formed therein, a conductive coating coupled to the interior of the hole, and at least one heat transfer pad spaced from the hole in thermal communication with the conductive coating of the hole. When the heat transfer pad is exposed to a heat source, the conductive coating inside the hole is heated. The micro solder pot may also include a thermally activated conductive material disposed within the hole. When the heat transfer pad is exposed to a heat source, the thermally activated conductive material becomes liquidus such that a component can be inserted into the liquidus material. When the heat source is removed, the thermally activated conductive material cools to couple the component to the conductive coating in the hole.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: MEDCONX, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante, Aaron T. Fine, Joseph R. Layton
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Publication number: 20090197460Abstract: A male connector, including: a body having a proximal end and a distal end; and an elastomeric member disposed around an outer surface of the distal end of the body, wherein the distal end of the body is configured to be received into a female connector interface in a medical device, and wherein the proximal end of the body is configured to receive an electronic block connector therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante, Thor Roff, Joseph R. Layton, Aaron T. Fine
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Patent number: 7507114Abstract: A male connector includes a body and an elastomeric member. The body has a proximal end and a distal end. The elastomeric member is disposed around an outer surface of the distal end of the body. The distal end of the body is configured to be received into a female connector interface in a device. The proximal end of the body is configured to couple with an electronic block connector selected from a plurality of electronic block connectors, each of which has a different pin arrangement but a common coupling interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2004Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante, Thor Roff, Joseph R. Layton, Aaron T. Fine
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Patent number: 7479019Abstract: An intelligent connector assembly for use in an interface between a device and a cable, including: a block having a circuit thereon, the block being configured to be received onto a housing, with alignment features on the housing and the block such that the block is receivable in only one orientation into the housing, and a plurality of external interfaces on the block. A method of simultaneously fabricating a plurality of circuit blocks for aligned positioning onto the housing of individual connectors, by: simultaneously fabricating a plurality of blocks on a single sheet of material; cutting a repeating pattern of holes across the single sheet; and separating the single sheet into sections such that each individual block is disposed on an identically shaped section of the single sheet.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. LeVante, Joseph R. Layton, Aaron T. Fine
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Patent number: 7417197Abstract: A power transfer pad, having: a non-conductive board having a top and a bottom; a plurality of conductive substrate sections disposed across the top of the non-conductive board; at least one conducting element disposed on each of the conductive substrate sections; a plurality of electrical contacts on the bottom of the non-conductive board, wherein each of the electrical contacts on the bottom of the non-conductive board are in electrical communication with one of the conductive substrate sections on the top of the non-conductive board.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante
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Patent number: 7281324Abstract: A method of simultaneously fabricating a plurality of circuit blocks is presented. Each circuit block is configured for aligned positioning onto a housing of an individual electrical connector. The method includes simultaneously fabricating a plurality of circuits on a single sheet of material and cutting a repeating pattern of holes across the sheet of material. Then the sheet is separated into individual identical sections that have one or more peripheral edge. A circuit board is defined by each section. Each of the sections has a peripheral shape that is defined by the one or more peripheral edges. The peripheral shape is sized and configured to be receivable in only one orientation into a housing of an electrical connector. The holes are cut in the sheet of material such that holes are associated with each peripheral edge of each section.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. LeVante, Joseph R. Layton, Aaron T. Fine
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Patent number: 7273992Abstract: A mechanical limiter device, having: a housing with a slot passing at least partially therearound, the slot forming a plurality of teeth in a side of the housing; a plunger movable within the housing; a biasing mechanism configured to urge the plunger in a proximal direction within the housing; a contact member extending through the slot in the side of the housing, the contact member being configured to advance past at least one of each of the plurality of teeth in the slot each time the plunger is moved back and forth within the housing. The contact member may perform a switching function.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. LeVante, Aaron T. Fine
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Patent number: 7256362Abstract: A mechanical limiter switch for use in a medical or surgical device has a substantially cylindrically shaped housing with a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction. The housing has a pattern along the perimeter. A spring is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, and is pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and pre-stressed for movement in the axial direction. The spring has a radial member protruding through the pattern of the housing. A plunger is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, abutting the spring for urging the spring in the axial direction and for moving the member in the pattern along the perimeter. After a pre-determined number of activations of the plunger in the axial direction, the member will come to a terminating position and will either contact a pin to establish electrical continuity or at the terminating position break electrical continuity.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante, Aaron T. Fine, Joseph R. Layton
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Patent number: 7075023Abstract: A mechanical limiter switch device, having: a housing with a slot passing at least partially therearound, the slot forming a plurality of teeth in a side of the housing; a plunger movable within the housing; a biasing mechanism configured to urge the plunger in a proximal direction within the housing; a contact member extending through the slot in the side of the housing, the contact member being configured to advance past at least one of each of the plurality of teeth in the slot each time the plunger is moved back and forth within the housing. The contact member may perform a switching function.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. LeVante, Aaron T. Fine
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Patent number: 6846996Abstract: A mechanical limiter switch for use in a medical or surgical device has a substantially cylindrically shaped housing with a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction. The housing has a pattern along the perimeter. A spring is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, and is pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and pre-stressed for movement in the axial direction. The spring has a radial member protruding through the pattern of the housing. A plunger is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, abutting the spring for urging the spring in the axial direction and for moving the member in the pattern along the perimeter. After a pre-determined number of activations of the plunger in the axial direction, the member will come to a terminating position and will either contact a pin to establish electrical continuity or at the terminating position break electrical continuity.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante, Aaron T. Fine, Joseph R. Layton
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Publication number: 20040245079Abstract: A mechanical limiter device, having: a housing with a slot passing at least partially therearound, the slot forming a plurality of teeth in a side of the housing; a plunger movable within the housing; a biasing mechanism configured to urge the plunger in a proximal direction within the housing; a contact member extending through the slot in the side of the housing, the contact member being configured to advance past at least one of each of the plurality of teeth in the slot each time the plunger is moved back and forth within the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. LeVante, Aaron T. Fine
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Publication number: 20040129551Abstract: A mechanical limiter switch for use in a medical or surgical device has a substantially cylindrically shaped housing with a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction. The housing has a pattern along the perimeter. A spring is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, and is pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and pre-stressed for movement in the axial direction. The spring has a radial member protruding through the pattern of the housing. A plunger is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, abutting the spring for urging the spring in the axial direction and for moving the member in the pattern along the perimeter. After a pre-determined number of activations of the plunger in the axial direction, the member will come to a terminating position and will either contact a pin to establish electrical continuity or at the terminating position break electrical continuity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante, Aaron T. Fine, Joseph R. Layton
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Patent number: 5195897Abstract: An electrical connector, bridge connector and opening accessory to protect the contacts on flexible circuitry of such connectors from being damaged by the sharp edges of a printed circuit board like member wherein the opening accessory is provided with spaced apart cam means that spread apart cam bearing portions of the connectors outside flexible circuitry mounted thereon is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1992Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: Beta Phase, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, Gary Yasumura
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Patent number: 5175409Abstract: A flexible circuit which may be a strap or a board or the like has a plurality of conductors exposed on one surface in a predetermined array and a heater disposed on the opposed surface so as to heat the exposed conductors. The exposed conductors may have solder or the heat activated conductive bonding material applied thereto so that the flexible circuit may be directly connected to a component, a printed circuit board, a connector or the like. If a reusable bonding material, such as solder, is employed the heater may be utilized to both connect and disconnect the flexible circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1990Date of Patent: December 29, 1992Assignee: Metcal, Inc.Inventor: Harold B. Kent
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Patent number: 5045666Abstract: A flexible circuit which may be a strap or a board or the like has a plurality of conductors exposed on one surface in a predetermined array and a heater disposed on the opposed surface so as to heat the exposed conductors. The exposed conductors may have solder or the heat activated conductive bonding material applied thereto so that the flexible circuit may be directly connected to a component, a printed circuit board, a connector or the like. If a reusable bonding material, such as solder, is employed the heater may be utilized to both connect and disconnect the flexible circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1990Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Assignee: Metcal, Inc.Inventor: Harold B. Kent
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Patent number: 4788404Abstract: A flexible circuit which may be a strap or a board or the like has a plurality of conductors exposed on one surface in a predetermined array and a heater disposed on the opposed surface so as to heat the exposed conductors. The exposed conductors may have solder or the heat activated conductive bonding material applied thereto so that the flexible circuit may be directly connected to a component, a printed circuit board, a connector or the like. If a reusable bonding material, such as solder, is employed the heater may be utilized to both connect and disconnect the flexible circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1985Date of Patent: November 29, 1988Assignee: Metcal, Inc.Inventor: Harold B. Kent
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Patent number: 4522457Abstract: A reusable connecting device is disclosed which utilizes a heat-recoverable metallic driver connected to a socket having a biasing portion and a sequentially-operating overload portion. When it is desired to make a connection between this device and other objects, the object is placed within the socket and the driver is caused to shrink, thereby overcoming the biasing portion of the socket and causing the socket to contact and hold the object, the overload portion then acting as an overload mechanism for the heat-recoverable metallic driver.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1983Date of Patent: June 11, 1985Assignee: Raychem CorporationInventors: Thomas H. McGaffigan, Harold B. Kent