Patents by Inventor James A. Nicholas

James A. Nicholas 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).

  • VEHICLE LOADSPACE FLOOR
    Publication number: 20180099589
    Abstract: A vehicle loadspace floor comprising a first deployable portion and a second deployable portion, the first and second deployable portions cooperating to form a rearward-facing seat extending through the opening of a loadspace of the vehicle when deployed from the loadspace floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: James Nicholas Murray, James Neugebauer, Richard Craven, Bruce Southey
  • Methods and systems for rapid configuration, calibration, and deployment of a modular reconfigurable mounting structure
    Patent number: 9934189
    Abstract: A method operable by a computing device is provided. The method may include receiving a request for a given task to be performed by a modular reconfigurable workcell. The method may also include determining one or more peripherals required to perform the given task. The method may also include determining an optimal placement of the one or more peripherals based on the given task, wherein the one or more peripherals are coupled to the workcell in a fixed geometric configuration based on the determined optimal placement. The method may also include determining a first calibration of the one or more peripherals based on the orientation of the one or more peripherals relative to the workcell, and determining a second calibration of the one or more peripherals based on the optimal placement of the one or more peripherals with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Advait Jain, Aaron Edsinger, Anthony Jules, Stefan Nusser, James Nicholas Vines
  • Magnetically-chambered fully automatic air gun
    Patent number: 9885536
    Abstract: In an open chamber air gun, a round is gravity fed or magnetically fed into the open chamber and falls into the magnetic flux lines of a magnet disposed at the chamber. Due to the magnet, the round is pulled securely into the chamber and then remains momentarily held in place, blocking much of the air behind it and thus increasing the air pressure driving it. When the round moves down the barrel from the breech toward the muzzle, it quickly leaves the vicinity of the magnet and the magnetic drag ceases, after which the air pressure is free to drive the round to full velocity. High rates of fire and muzzle velocities are achieved with moderate air pressure and an action with no moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: James Nicholas Marshall
  • MOTOR VEHICLE DRAWER ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180029536
    Abstract: A motor vehicle drawer assembly is disclosed having a slideable drawer and a moveable plate housed in a casing. The drawer and the plate both have overlying compressible members used to restrain from movement an item placed in the drawer when the drawer is in a closed position. Movement of the drawer to the closed position causes the plate to move towards the drawer to clamp any item resting on the drawer thereby restraining movement of the item but not until the drawer approaches the closed position. The use of a clamping mechanism that only allows for movement of the plate towards the drawer when the drawer approaches the closed position prevents the plate from interfering with stowing of the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: James Nicholas Murray, Bruce Southey, James Neugebauer, Richard Craven
  • ENGINEERED IMINE REDUCTASES AND METHODS FOR THE REDUCTIVE AMINATION OF KETONE AND AMINE COMPOUNDS
    Publication number: 20180030419
    Abstract: The present application provides engineered polypeptides having imine reductase activity, polynucleotides encoding the engineered imine reductases, host cells capable of expressing the engineered imine reductases, and methods of using these engineered polypeptides with a range of ketone and amine substrate compounds to prepare secondary and tertiary amine product compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Agard, Oscar Alvizo, Melissa Ann Mayo, Stefanie Ng Minor, James Nicholas Riggins, Jeffrey C. Moore
  • Herbicidal Compounds
    Publication number: 20170347654
    Abstract: The present invention relates to herbicidally active thiazolopyridinones, in particular benzyloxy-substituted-phenyl-thiazolopyridinone derivatives, of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, G, X, Y, Z and n are as defined herein. The invention further provided processes for their preparation, and compositions comprising such derivatives. The invention also extends to the use of such compounds and compositions as herbicides, i.e. for the control of undesirable plant growth. In particular such compounds and compositions may be used in controlling weeds, such as broad-leaved dicotyledonous weeds, in crops of useful plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventors: Stephen Edward SHANAHAN, Jeffrey Steven WAILES, Jonathan Wesley Paul DALLIMORE, James Nicholas SCUTT
  • Omnidirectional exercise platform and method of use
    Patent number: 9833659
    Abstract: An omnidirectional exercise platform includes a base member, a contact surface and three ball transfer units. The contact surface is carried by a top surface of the base member. The three ball transfer units are coupled to a bottom surface of the base member. The three ball transfer units are arranged having an equal angular offset therebetween providing stability to the exercise platform during use. The ball transfer units each comprise a hemispherical housing, a primary ball member and a plurality of secondary ball members disposed between an inner surface of the hemispherical housing and the primary ball member. The base member can include an upper body member and a lower body member. The pad member can be manufactured of a pliant material. Features of the pad member can identify a stability region of the exercise platform. The platform can have a convex arched top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Paul James Nicholas
  • Engineered imine reductases and methods for the reductive amination of ketone and amine compounds
    Patent number: 9822346
    Abstract: The present application provides engineered polypeptides having imine reductase activity, polynucleotides encoding the engineered imine reductases, host cells capable of expressing the engineered imine reductases, and methods of using these engineered polypeptides with a range of ketone and amine substrate compounds to prepare secondary and tertiary amine product compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Codexis, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Agard, Oscar Alvizo, Melissa Ann Mayo, Stefanie Ng Minor, James Nicholas Riggins, Jeffrey C. Moore
  • ELECTROMAGNETICALLY PROTECTED ELECTRONIC ENCLOSURE
    Publication number: 20170332524
    Abstract: Methods and devices for shielding electronic equipment within an enclosure are disclosed. One method includes positioning electronic equipment within an interior volume of a shielding enclosure having an opening providing access to the interior volume, the opening surrounded by an enclosure frame. The method further includes closing a door to the shielding enclosure, thereby closing off the opening, and engaging one or more latches to affix the door in a closed position, the door including a shielding curtain positioned across the opening. The method also includes inflating an inflatable member positioned along a perimeter of the door frame, thereby applying a uniform pressure to the shielding curtain toward the enclosure frame to form a seal therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: GEORGE ANDERSON, WILLIAM M. VOLNA, GREG FUCHS, DAVID BLAKE JACKSON, WALLACE JENSEN, JAMES NICHOLAS RUEHL, GALE K. NORDLING, FREDERICK R. FAXVOG
  • A Lamp Assembly for a Vehicle
    Publication number: 20170327032
    Abstract: A lamp assembly for illuminating a ground area adjacent a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing; an outer lens covering the housing; a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) light sources arranged in the housing; and a reflector mounted in the housing. The light emitted from the plurality of LED light sources is captured by the reflector which reflects light towards the lens, the lens directing light generally downward towards the ground area. The light output from the lamp assembly appears to be emitted from a single light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Garry Gordon Leslie FIMERI, Simon BELCHER, James Nicholas DICKSON
  • OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION FOR POWER SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20170222433
    Abstract: Electrical protection devices, such as for use with power systems for overvoltage protection, are disclosed. One electrical protection device includes a first electrical connection, a second electrical connection, a first electrical discharge device, and a second electrical discharge device. The first electrical discharge device includes a first conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a second conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The first electrical discharge device has a first breakdown voltage. The second electrical discharge device includes a third conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a fourth conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The second electrical discharge device has a second breakdown voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: GREG FUCHS, GEORGE ANDERSON, WILLIAM M. VOLNA, GALE K. NORDLING, WALLACE JENSEN, DAVID BLAKE JACKSON, FREDERICK R. FAXVOG, JAMES NICHOLAS RUEHL
  • APAO hot melt adhesives containing a low molecular weight, functionalized, isotactic polypropylene
    Patent number: 9695342
    Abstract: Adding a low molecular weight (or alternatively, high melt flow rate), functionalized, isotactic polypropylene (iPP) to a hot melt adhesive (HMA), composition containing a propylene-butene-1, and/or a propylene-ethylene amorphous poly alpha olefin (APAO) copolymer, in addition to other co-adjuvants (such as a tackifier or a plasticizer), results in an APAO-based HMA that shows improved tensile strength and bonding properties, over an HMA that contains only the propylene-butene-1 and/or the propylene-ethylene APAO copolymer (with or without a tackifier and/or a plasticizer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: REXtac LLC
    Inventors: Andres Sustic, James Nicholas Fowler, Enrico L. Buenacosa, John J. DeCair
  • HERBICIDAL PROPYNYL-PHENYL COMPOUNDS
    Publication number: 20170183281
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) wherein: R1 is C1-C3alkoxy, C1-C2alkoxy-C1-C3alkoxy, C1-C2fluoroalkoxy, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, cyclopropyl or ethynyl; R2 is hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl, cyclopropyl, vinyl, ethynyl, C1-C3alkoxy, C1-C3fluoroalkyl, C1-C2fluoroalkoxy, C1-C2alkoxy-C1-C3alkoxy-, or C1fluoroalkoxy-C1-C3alkoxy-; provided that when R1 is ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, cyclopropyl or ethynyl, then R2 is hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl, cyclopropyl, vinyl or ethynyl; and Y is O, S, S(O), S(O)2, N(C1-C2alkyl), N(C1-C2alkoxy), C(O), CR8R9 or —CR10R11CR12R13—; and G, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined herein; wherein the compound of formula (I) is optionally present as an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are suitable for use as herbicides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventors: James Nicholas SCUTT, Nigel James WILLETS
  • Methods and systems for rapid configuration, calibration, and deployment of a modular robot workcell
    Patent number: 9672184
    Abstract: A method operable by a computing device is provided. The method may include receiving a request for a given task to be performed by a modular reconfigurable workcell. The method may also include determining one or more peripherals required to perform the given task. The method may also include determining an optimal placement of the one or more peripherals based on the given task, wherein the one or more peripherals are coupled to the workcell in a fixed geometric configuration based on the determined optimal placement. The method may also include determining a first calibration of the one or more peripherals based on the orientation of the one or more peripherals relative to the workcell, and determining a second calibration of the one or more peripherals based on the optimal placement of the one or more peripherals with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Redwood Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Advait Jain, Aaron Edsinger, Anthony Jules, Stefan Nusser, James Nicholas Vines
  • Overvoltage protection for power systems
    Patent number: 9660441
    Abstract: Electrical protection devices, such as for use with power systems for overvoltage protection, are disclosed. One electrical protection device includes a first electrical connection, a second electrical connection, a first electrical discharge device, and a second electrical discharge device. The first electrical discharge device includes a first conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a second conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The first electrical discharge device has a first breakdown voltage. The second electrical discharge device includes a third conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a fourth conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The second electrical discharge device has a second breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Emprimus, LLC
    Inventors: Greg Fuchs, George Anderson, William M. Volna, Gale K. Nordling, Wallace Jensen, David Blake Jackson, Frederick R. Faxvog, James Nicholas Ruehl
  • Coated polymeric substrates
    Patent number: 9656601
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric substrate being coated with a reflective coating, particularly a chromium-based reflective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: SMR Patents S.A.R.L., University Of South Australia
    Inventors: Drew Raymond Evans, Kamil Zuber, Colin James Hall, Simon David Field, David Derry Chamberlain, Andrew Brian Little, Simon Belcher, Eugene Schmirin, Mark Delaine, James Nicholas Dickson
  • Electromagnetically protected electronic enclosure
    Patent number: 9642290
    Abstract: Methods and devices for shielding electronic equipment within an enclosure are disclosed. One method includes positioning electronic equipment within an interior volume of a shielding enclosure having an opening providing access to the interior volume, the opening surrounded by an enclosure frame. The method further includes closing a door to the shielding enclosure, thereby closing off the opening, and engaging one or more latches to affix the door in a closed position, the door including a shielding curtain positioned across the opening. The method also includes inflating an inflatable member positioned along a perimeter of the door frame, thereby applying a uniform pressure to the shielding curtain toward the enclosure frame to form a seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Emprimus, LLC
    Inventors: George Anderson, William M. Volna, Greg Fuchs, David Blake Jackson, Wallace Jensen, James Nicholas Ruehl, Gale K. Nordling, Frederick R. Faxvog
  • Herbicidally active cyclic dione compounds, or derivatives therefor, substituted by a phenyl which has an alkynyl-containing substituent
    Patent number: 9615577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I), wherein: X is methyl or chlorine; R1 is methyl or chlorine; R2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, cyclopropyl, vinyl, ethynyl, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C1-C3alkoxy, C1-C2-fluoroalkoxy, C1-C2alkoxy-C1-C3alkoxy- or C1fluoroalkoxy-C1-C3alkoxy-; and Y is O, S, S(O), S(O)2, N(C1-C2alkyl), N(C1-C2alkoxy), C(O), CR8R9 or —CR10R11CR12R13—; and G, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined herein; wherein the compound of formula (I) is optionally present as an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are suitable for use as herbicides. The invention therefore also relates to a method of controlling weeds, especially grassy monocotyledonous weeds, in crops of useful plants, comprising applying a compound of formula (I), or a herbicidal composition comprising such a compound, to the plants or to the locus thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Syngenta Limited
    Inventors: William Roderick Mound, James Nicholas Scutt, Mark Slater, Nigel James Willetts
  • MAGNETIC AMMUNITION FOR AIR GUNS AND BIODEGRADABLE MAGNETIC AMMUNITION FOR AIRGUNS
    Publication number: 20170082410
    Abstract: A round for a magnetically chambered air gun has a magnetically influenced portion and a non-magnetically responsive portion, as well as an exterior shell and an interior. The interior may be hollow, solid, or filled with liquid. Any part of the invention may be the magnetically responsive portion: the shell, the interior, the solid or liquid core and so on. The round may advantageously be spherical, and may include an actual magnet itself as opposed to merely being magnetically responsive. Magnetic materials may be impregnated into a non-magnetic portion such as a plastic shell. The shell may be of multiple part construction allowing it to be shipped empty and filled at or closer to the location of use, with a snap together design. For liquid filled shells, a bladder and fill nipple may be provided. Fragmentation grooves may be provided in embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventor: James Nicholas Marshall
  • Methods and systems for determining a probe-off condition in a medical device
    Patent number: 9560995
    Abstract: A physiological monitoring system may determine a probe-off condition. A physiological sensor may receive a light signal including one or more wavelengths of light. The received light signal may be processed to obtain a light signal corresponding to an ambient light signal and a light signal corresponding to an emitted light signal and the ambient light signal. The signals may be analyzed to identify an inverse effect. The system may determine whether the physiological sensor is properly positioned based on the identification of an inverse effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Stanley Addison, James Nicholas Watson