Patents by Inventor James C. Stephen

James C. Stephen 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: 8249732
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for automated development of templates for knowledge capture for use in computer aided design and manufacturing. A method includes receiving a user selection of one of a plurality of parts to be developed into a product template. The method also includes receiving data about the selected part, the data including a plurality of part components. The method further includes displaying parametric data relating to the part components and connections between the part components. The method still further includes receiving customizations to the parametric data from the user. The method also includes developing program code based on the customizations to the parametric data. The method also includes publishing the program code and the customized parametric data as the product template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Stephens, Raymond Kok, Michelle Lund
  • Patent number: 8051768
    Abstract: A retractable rotisserie driver which is used in connection with a barbecue grill is described and shown herein. In one embodiment, a retractable motor support apparatus is pivotably connected to a side shelf assembly of a barbecue grill, and is movable between a storage position, where the rotisserie motor is substantially enclosed by the side shelf assembly, and a usage position, where the motor is generally aligned for engagement with a rotisserie spit. The support apparatus includes a first wall and a second wall which are adjacent and generally transverse to one another. The first wall is configured to be aligned generally flush with an upper surface of the side shelf assembly when the support apparatus is moved to the storage position to increase the usable work area on the shelf. The second wall is provided with a power cord holder for compactly holding the motor's power cord when the apparatus is moved to the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: James C. Stephen, Sonny Siazon
  • Publication number: 20090326694
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for automated development of templates for knowledge capture for use in computer aided design and manufacturing. A method includes receiving a user selection of one of a plurality of parts to be developed into a product template. The method also includes receiving data about the selected part, the data including a plurality of part components. The method further includes displaying parametric data relating to the part components and connections between the part components. The method still further includes receiving customizations to the parametric data from the user. The method also includes developing program code based on the customizations to the parametric data. The method also includes publishing the program code and the customized parametric data as the product template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Stephens, Raymond Kok, Michelle Lund
  • Publication number: 20080229937
    Abstract: A retractable rotisserie driver which is used in connection with a barbecue grill is described and shown herein. In one embodiment, a retractable motor support apparatus is pivotably connected to a side shelf assembly of a barbecue grill, and is movable between a storage position, where the rotisserie motor is substantially enclosed by the side shelf assembly, and a usage position, where the motor is generally aligned for engagement with a rotisserie spit. The support apparatus includes a first wall and a second wall which are adjacent and generally transverse to one another. The first wall is configured to be aligned generally flush with an upper surface of the side shelf assembly when the support apparatus is moved to the storage position to increase the usable work area on the shelf. The second wall is provided with a power cord holder for compactly holding the motor's power cord when the apparatus is moved to the storage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: James C. Stephen, Sonny Siazon
  • Patent number: 6925998
    Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly with a support frame assembly including a left and right frame assembly. These frame assemblies are formed from a front frame member, a rear frame member, and a side member that connects the front and rear frame members. The grill assembly can have a first and a second horizontal member to connect the frame members of the left and right frame assemblies. The barbecue grill assembly further comprises a cooking chamber with a cover hingeably connected to a firebox. The firebox has a pair of opposed end walls with a mounting assembly that engages a limited extent of the front and rear frame members when the cooking chamber is connected to the support frame assembly. The end wall also have extending rails that define a channel configured to house conduit and fuel lines. Preferably, the left and right frame assemblies are pre-welded to facilitate assembly of the barbecue grill assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Adrian A. Bruno, Daniel S. Choi, J. Michael Alden, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: 6705307
    Abstract: A removable burner assembly is provided for a gas barbecue grill. The removable burner assembly has a burner frame having an open bottom and an open top, a burner connected to the burner frame, and a manifold in fluid communication with the burner. The burner frame, with the connected burner, is adapted to be removably mounted as a self-contained subassembly in the housing of the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Weber-Stephens Product Co.
    Inventors: J. Michael Alden, Leonard G. Zelek, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: 6694967
    Abstract: The present invention provides a support apparatus for a fuel tank used in connection with a gas barbecue grill assembly. The support apparatus is connected to a portion of the frame assembly of the grill assembly. The support apparatus comprises a housing member with a bracket adapted to engage a portion of the fuel tank and a releasable member operably connected to the housing member. At least one pivot axis member operably connects the support apparatus to a portion of the frame assembly. The support apparatus is rotatable about a generally vertical axis between a first position wherein the fuel tank is substantially within the frame assembly and stored for use, and a second position wherein the fuel tank is substantially beyond the frame assembly and accessible for removal and replacement. The releasable member is adapted to secure the support apparatus in either the first position or the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Company
    Inventors: James C. Stephen, Ewald Sieg, Mario Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20030230299
    Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly with a support frame assembly including a left and right frame assembly. These frame assemblies are formed from a front frame member, a rear frame member, and a side member that connects the front and rear frame members. The grill assembly can have a first and a second horizontal member to connect the frame members of the left and right frame assemblies. The barbecue grill assembly further comprises a cooking chamber with a cover hingeably connected to a firebox. The firebox has a pair of opposed end walls with a mounting assembly that engages a limited extent of the front and rear frame members when the cooking chamber is connected to the support frame assembly. The end wall also have extending rails that define a channel configured to house conduit and fuel lines. Preferably, the left and right frame assemblies are pre-welded to facilitate assembly of the barbecue grill assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Adrian A. Bruno, Daniel S. Choi, J. Michael Alden, James C. Stephen
  • Publication number: 20030213484
    Abstract: A removable burner assembly is provided for a gas barbecue grill. The removable burner assembly has a burner frame having an open bottom and an open top, a burner connected to the burner frame, and a manifold in fluid communication with the burner. The burner frame, with the connected burner, is adapted to be removably mounted as a self-contained subassembly in the housing of the grill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: J. Michael Alden, Leonard G. Zelek, James C. Stephen
  • Publication number: 20030106547
    Abstract: The present invention provides a support apparatus for a fuel tank used in connection with a gas barbecue grill assembly. The support apparatus is connected to a portion of the frame assembly of the grill assembly. The support apparatus comprises a housing member with a bracket adapted to engage a portion of the fuel tank and a releasable member operably connected to the housing member. At least one pivot axis member operably connects the support apparatus to a portion of the frame assembly. The support apparatus is rotatable about a generally vertical axis between a first position wherein the fuel tank is substantially within the frame assembly and stored for use, and a second position wherein the fuel tank is substantially beyond the frame assembly and accessible for removal and replacement. The releasable member is adapted to secure the support apparatus in either the first position or the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: James C. Stephen, Ewald Sieg, Mario Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 6131562
    Abstract: A removable gas manifold assembly for a gas grill having a manifold bracket and a gas manifold connected to the manifold bracket. The manifold bracket has a substantially horizontal portion thereto at each end thereof, respectively, defining engaging surfaces. The engaging surfaces slidingly engage support surfaces of support members connected to a frame of the gas grill. The manifold has a gas valve with an exit port which is adapted to be in fluid communication with an entry port of a burner of the gas grill when the manifold is operationally positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, James C. Stephen, J. Michael Alden
  • Patent number: 5941229
    Abstract: A barbecue grill including a cart with attached side work shelves is disclosed. The cart having a first frame with a plurality of vertical members joined by weldment to least an upper and lower first horizontal members, and a second frame with a plurality of vertical members joined by weldment to at least an upper and lower second horizontal members, and at least two transverse cross members joining the first frame in spaced relation to the second frame. The attachment of the side work shelves to a support member of the cart, including at least one generally vertical projection on either the support member or the work shelf, and at least one generally vertical receiver on the other, whereby the projection and receiver cooperatively dimensioned such that the projection is removably inserted in the receiver to provide cantilever support of the work shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Weber Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: 5934184
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable gas grill (10) supported on a cart (20) with sliding covers (210), pivoting cooking guards (31), a fire box (100) of both cast sides (120) and sheet metal ends (140) hung on the cart (20), with an internal support structure (160) supporting a plurality of sear bars (410) and a cooking grid (101), a plurality of burners (510), a grease collector (62) and a tank support means (910) with a scale (913,914,915) for a fuel tank (900).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: 5873355
    Abstract: A grill 10 is disclosed having: a burner housing 12; a frame 14 to support the burner housing 12; work surfaces 16, 18, and 20; and a gas supply system 22. These components provide a means for relatively easily adjusting the grill 10 between a cooking configuration and a storage configuration. Work surfaces 16 and 18 are positionable between a horizontal cooking position and a vertical storage position. A work surface 20 is removably attachable to grill 10. When work surfaces 16 and 18 are in a vertical position, and the work surface 20 is removed, the burner housing 12 and work surfaces define a first smallest perimeter around the grill. This configuration is ideal for moving and storing the grill 10. Depending on how many of the working surfaces 16, 18, and 20 are in a cooking position, second, third and fourth perimeters are defined. Thus, there is provided ample working surface space with optional reduction thereof for using, moving, and storing the grill 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: D462227
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: J. Michael Alden, Mark Johnson, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: D462234
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: J. Michael Alden, Mark Johnson, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: D404963
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: D415653
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, Ewald Sieg, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: D431963
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
  • Patent number: D433279
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen