Patents by Inventor Ian R. Vinci

Ian R. Vinci 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: 12140987
    Abstract: An electronic device for simulating load currents when testing a tow-vehicle brake controller is described. The electronic device utilizes current monitoring circuitry to measure a current of an input signal from the tow vehicle. The electronic device also includes a series of resistors that are arranged in parallel on the input signal as wells a series of switches (e.g., relays or transistors) that can activate and deactivate each one of the resistors. Microcontroller circuitry within the electronic device controls the series of switches based on the measured current of the input signal, and, by extension, controls the series of resistors applied to the input signal. In so doing, the electronic device is able to simulate a desired load current on the tow-vehicle brake controller being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Patent number: 12048954
    Abstract: A scraping tip is attached to a blow gun. The scraping tip includes a neck and a head attached to the neck. The neck is hollow cylindrical and centered about a main longitudinal axis. The head has an internal cavity, a first angled face, a second angled face, a first nozzle, and a second nozzle. The internal cavity is in gaseous communication with an interior of the neck. The first angled face is in a first angled plane, while the second angled face is in a second angled plane. The first nozzle is hollow cylindrical, centered about a first longitudinal axis, merges with the internal cavity, and terminates in the first angled face. The second nozzle is hollow cylindrical, centered about a second longitudinal axis, merges with the internal cavity, and terminates in the second angled face. The scraping tip allows focused high velocity air to aid with scraping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Patent number: 11892863
    Abstract: An electronic device for simulating load currents when testing a tow-vehicle brake controller is described. The electronic device utilizes current monitoring circuitry to measure a current of an input signal from the tow vehicle. The electronic device also includes a series of resistors that are arranged in parallel on the input signal as wells a series of switches (e.g., relays or transistors) that can activate and deactivate each one of the resistors. Microcontroller circuitry within the electronic device controls the series of switches based on the measured current of the input signal, and, by extension, controls the series of resistors applied to the input signal. In so doing, the electronic device is able to simulate a desired load current on the tow-vehicle brake controller being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Patent number: 11782472
    Abstract: An electronic device for simulating load currents when testing a tow-vehicle brake controller is described. The electronic device utilizes current monitoring circuitry to measure a current of an input signal from the tow vehicle. The electronic device also includes a series of resistors that are arranged in parallel on the input signal as wells a series of switches (e.g., relays or transistors) that can activate and deactivate each one of the resistors. Microcontroller circuitry within the electronic device controls the series of switches based on the measured current of the input signal, and, by extension, controls the series of resistors applied to the input signal. In so doing, the electronic device is able to simulate a desired load current on the tow-vehicle brake controller being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Patent number: 11772106
    Abstract: An attachment for an air blow gun includes a nozzle and a nozzle insert. The nozzle is a hollow cylinder and includes radial pinholes at one end. The nozzle insert includes a longitudinal pinhole. The nozzle insert is inserted into the end of the nozzle with the radial pinholes. When high-pressure air is delivered to the attachment, plumes of high-velocity air exit from the radial pinholes and the longitudinal pinhole. The attachment is particularly well suited to cleaning confined spaces in workpieces with high-velocity air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Publication number: 20230054729
    Abstract: A diagnostic tool connected to an anti-lock braking system (ABS system) is described. The diagnostic tool is capable of powering on the ABS system and measuring the load current of the ABS system while the ABS system starts up. This startup load current signature is then compared to what is considered a normal startup load current signature. Such a comparison allows the diagnostic tool to determine whether the ABS system is functioning properly or whether there is a fault with the ABS system. Additional features on the diagnostic tool also allow the tool to communicate with the ABS system via power-line communications (PLC communications) and to determine whether there are any issues with those communications. Finally, the diagnostic tool is able to receive and translate any stored or active ABS fault codes generated by the ABS system and to display those fault codes to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Publication number: 20220088618
    Abstract: An attachment for an air blow gun includes a nozzle and a nozzle insert. The nozzle is a hollow cylinder and includes radial pinholes at one end. The nozzle insert includes a longitudinal pinhole. The nozzle insert is inserted into the end of the nozzle with the radial pinholes. When high-pressure air is delivered to the attachment, plumes of high-velocity air exit from the radial pinholes and the longitudinal pinhole. The attachment is particularly well suited to cleaning confined spaces in workpieces with high-velocity air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Publication number: 20210354176
    Abstract: A scraping tip is attached to a blow gun. The scraping tip includes a neck and a head attached to the neck. The neck is hollow cylindrical and centered about a main longitudinal axis. The head has an internal cavity, a first angled face, a second angled face, a first nozzle, and a second nozzle. The internal cavity is in gaseous communication with an interior of the neck. The first angled face is in a first angled plane, while the second angled face is in a second angled plane. The first nozzle is hollow cylindrical, centered about a first longitudinal axis, merges with the internal cavity, and terminates in the first angled face. The second nozzle is hollow cylindrical, centered about a second longitudinal axis, merges with the internal cavity, and terminates in the second angled face. The scraping tip allows focused high velocity air to aid with scraping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Patent number: 10710568
    Abstract: An apparatus is described that receives a brake control signal from the brake controller of a tow vehicle, and displays characteristics of that brake control signal including commanded brake force. The apparatus includes a data processor, brake simulation circuitry, brake integration circuitry, and display circuitry. The brake simulation circuitry sequentially applies several parallel resistors to the brake control signal in response to commands received from the data processor. These parallel resistors cause the load current on the brake controller to ramp up, mimicking the electrical signature of electric trailer brakes. At the same time, the brake integration circuitry integrates the brake control signal. Lastly, the display circuitry displays an indication of a value of the integrated brake control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Publication number: 20200150708
    Abstract: An electronic device for simulating load currents when testing a tow-vehicle brake controller is described. The electronic device utilizes current monitoring circuitry to measure a current of an input signal from the tow vehicle. The electronic device also includes a series of resistors that are arranged in parallel on the input signal as wells a series of switches (e.g., relays or transistors) that can activate and deactivate each one of the resistors. Microcontroller circuitry within the electronic device controls the series of switches based on the measured current of the input signal, and, by extension, controls the series of resistors applied to the input signal. In so doing, the electronic device is able to simulate a desired load current on the tow-vehicle brake controller being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Publication number: 20190092310
    Abstract: An apparatus is described that receives a brake control signal from the brake controller of a tow vehicle, and displays characteristics of that brake control signal including commanded brake force. The apparatus includes a data processor, brake simulation circuitry, brake integration circuitry, and display circuitry. The brake simulation circuitry sequentially applies several parallel resistors to the brake control signal in response to commands received from the data processor. These parallel resistors cause the load current on the brake controller to ramp up, mimicking the electrical signature of electric trailer brakes. At the same time, the brake integration circuitry integrates the brake control signal. Lastly, the display circuitry displays an indication of a value of the integrated brake control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Patent number: 10196052
    Abstract: An apparatus is described that receives a brake control signal from the brake controller of a tow vehicle, and displays characteristics of that brake control signal including commanded brake force. The apparatus includes a data processor, brake simulation circuitry, brake integration circuitry, and display circuitry. The brake simulation circuitry sequentially applies several parallel resistors to the brake control signal in response to commands received from the data processor. These parallel resistors cause the load current on the brake controller to ramp up, mimicking the electrical signature of electric trailer brakes. At the same time, the brake integration circuitry integrates the brake control signal. Lastly, the display circuitry displays an indication of a value of the integrated brake control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Publication number: 20170305402
    Abstract: An apparatus is described that receives a brake control signal from the brake controller of a tow vehicle, and displays characteristics of that brake control signal including commanded brake force. The apparatus includes a data processor, brake simulation circuitry, brake integration circuitry, and display circuitry. The brake simulation circuitry sequentially applies several parallel resistors to the brake control signal in response to commands received from the data processor. These parallel resistors cause the load current on the brake controller to ramp up, mimicking the electrical signature of electric trailer brakes. At the same time, the brake integration circuitry integrates the brake control signal. Lastly, the display circuitry displays an indication of a value of the integrated brake control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Patent number: 9546841
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning firearms comprises a rod, a handle, a first cylindrical body portion, a second cylindrical body portion, a stick, and a fiber wad. The handle is attached to an end of the rod. The first cylindrical body portion defines a channel and a longitudinal break in a sidewall of the first cylindrical body portion. The channel and the longitudinal break extend into the first cylindrical body portion from a first end of the first cylindrical body portion, and the longitudinal break at least partially merges with the channel. At the same time, the second cylindrical body portion is attached to a second end of the cylindrical body portion and has a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical body portion. The stick is at least partially inserted into the channel. Lastly, the fiber wad is wrapped around at least a portion of the stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Vinci, Ian R. Vinci, Ryan Estvanik
  • Publication number: 20160036185
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to an apparatus comprising a first arm and a second arm. The first arm defines a first proximal end region and a first distal end region. The first distal end region defines a first partial hollow cylinder with a first inner face and a first outer face. The second arm defines a second proximal end region and a second distal end region. The second proximal end region is fixated to the first proximal end region. The second distal end region defines a second partial hollow cylinder with a second inner face and a second outer face. Each of the first inner face, the first outer face, the second inner face, and the second outer face are at least partially coated in an abrasive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Patent number: 9059553
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to an apparatus for cleaning electrical terminals. The apparatus comprises a first arm and a second arm. The first arm includes a first cleaning portion with a first upper face and a first lower face. Each of the first upper face and the first lower face are substantially flat and coated with an abrasive. In a similar manner, the second arm includes a second cleaning portion with a second upper face and a second lower face. Here again, each of the second upper face and the second lower face are substantially flat and coated with an abrasive. The second arm is pivotally coupled to the first arm, making the apparatus manually configurable into an aligned configuration in which the first lower face faces the second upper face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Publication number: 20150159973
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning firearms comprises a rod, a handle, a first cylindrical body portion, a second cylindrical body portion, a stick, and a fiber wad. The handle is attached to an end of the rod. The first cylindrical body portion defines a channel and a longitudinal break in a sidewall of the first cylindrical body portion. The channel and the longitudinal break extend into the first cylindrical body portion from a first end of the first cylindrical body portion, and the longitudinal break at least partially merges with the channel. At the same time, the second cylindrical body portion is attached to a second end of the cylindrical body portion and has a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical body portion. The stick is at least partially inserted into the channel. Lastly, the fiber wad is wrapped around at least a portion of the stick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Vinci, Ian R. Vinci, Ryan Estvanik
  • Publication number: 20140289980
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to an apparatus for cleaning electrical terminals. The apparatus comprises a first arm and a second arm. The first arm includes a first cleaning portion with a first upper face and a first lower face. Each of the first upper face and the first lower face are substantially flat and coated with an abrasive. In a similar manner, the second arm includes a second cleaning portion with a second upper face and a second lower face. Here again, each of the second upper face and the second lower face are substantially flat and coated with an abrasive. The second arm is pivotally coupled to the first arm, making the apparatus manually configurable into an aligned configuration in which the first lower face faces the second upper face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci
  • Patent number: 8296893
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning cylindrical female electrical terminals comprises a cylindrical shaft portion, a first cleaning extension, and a second cleaning extension. The first cleaning extension extends outward from the cylindrical shaft portion and comprises a first curved and knurled surface region. Likewise, the second cleaning extension extends outward from the cylindrical shaft portion in a direction substantially parallel to the first cleaning extension and comprises a second curved and knurled surface region. The first cleaning extension and the second cleaning extension define a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Vinci, Ian R. Vinci
  • Patent number: D959394
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Peter R. Vinci, Ian R. Vinci, Peter Vinci