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).
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Patent number: 8249732Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.Inventors: James C. Stephens, Raymond Kok, Michelle Lund
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Patent number: 8051768Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: James C. Stephen, Sonny Siazon
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Publication number: 20090326694Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.Inventors: James C. Stephens, Raymond Kok, Michelle Lund
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Publication number: 20080229937Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: James C. Stephen, Sonny Siazon
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Patent number: 6925998Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: Adrian A. Bruno, Daniel S. Choi, J. Michael Alden, James C. Stephen
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Patent number: 6705307Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Weber-Stephens Product Co.Inventors: J. Michael Alden, Leonard G. Zelek, James C. Stephen
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Patent number: 6694967Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products CompanyInventors: James C. Stephen, Ewald Sieg, Mario Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20030230299Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Adrian A. Bruno, Daniel S. Choi, J. Michael Alden, James C. Stephen
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Publication number: 20030213484Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: J. Michael Alden, Leonard G. Zelek, James C. Stephen
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Publication number: 20030106547Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: James C. Stephen, Ewald Sieg, Mario Gonzalez
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Patent number: 6131562Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, James C. Stephen, J. Michael Alden
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Patent number: 5941229Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 9, 1996Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Weber Stephen Products Co.Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
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Patent number: 5934184Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 1998Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
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Patent number: 5873355Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 1995Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, James C. Stephen
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Patent number: D462227Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: J. Michael Alden, Mark Johnson, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
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Patent number: D462234Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: J. Michael Alden, Mark Johnson, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
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Patent number: D404963Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1996Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
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Patent number: D415653Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1996Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, Ewald Sieg, James C. Stephen
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Patent number: D431963Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1998Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen
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Patent number: D433279Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1998Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: Erich J. Schlosser, J. Michael Alden, Robert T. Stephen, James C. Stephen