Patents by Inventor James D. Brown

James D. Brown 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: 11786408
    Abstract: A push-in earplug is provided. The push-in earplug comprises an elongate core comprising a core material. The push-in earplug also comprises an outer layer comprising a foam material, the outer layer covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongate core. The push-in earplug also comprises a channel extending through the elongate core from a first end of the elongate core to the second end of the elongate core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jacob H. Ely, Robert C. Coffin, James D. Brown
  • Patent number: 11707210
    Abstract: An over-the-ear hearing assessment device and a method for evaluating the performance of over-the-ear hearing devices are described. An exemplary over-the-ear hearing assessment device includes an ear cup defining an interior volume and positionable at least partially over the ear of a user. The ear cup includes a shell, a cushion, and an acoustic port extending from an exterior to the interior volume of the ear cup. The acoustic port is sealably engagable with a microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: James D. Brown, Jacob H. Ely, Michael G. Wurm
  • Publication number: 20220296420
    Abstract: A push-in earplug is provided. The push-in earplug comprises an elongate core comprising a core material. The push-in earplug also comprises an outer layer comprising a foam material, the outer layer covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongate core. The push-in earplug also comprises a channel extending through the elongate core from a first end of the elongate core to the second end of the elongate core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Jacob H. Ely, Robert C. Coffin, James D. Brown
  • Publication number: 20220164746
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of hearing protection assigned to a worker, and a portable computing device assigned to the worker; a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the portable computing device, the remote computing device configured to receive sound level data that indicate different sound levels at different, respective locations of a work environment; determine, based on location data received from the portable computing device, an amount of sound received by the worker over a period of time; identify an updated location in the work environment having a sound level that is different from a current location, based at least in part on the article of hearing protection, the amount of sound, and the sound level data that indicates different sound levels at different, respective locations; and generate a notification that instructs the worker to move from the current location to the updated location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven R. Digre, Darcey L. Holloway, Eric C. Lobner, Ted K. Madison, Philip J. Savoie, Pegeen S. Smith, Lauraine L Wells, Michael G. Wurm, Cameron J. Fackler, James D. Brown, Matthew J. Blackford, Steven T. Awiszus, Elliott H. Berger
  • Patent number: 11263568
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of hearing protection assigned to a worker, and a portable computing device assigned to the worker; a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the portable computing device, the remote computing device configured to receive sound level data that indicate different sound levels at different, respective locations of a work environment; determine, based on location data received from the portable computing device, an amount of sound received by the worker over a period of time; identify an updated location in the work environment having a sound level that is different from a current location, based at least in part on the article of hearing protection, the amount of sound, and the sound level data that indicates different sound levels at different, respective locations; and generate a notification that instructs the worker to move from the current location to the updated location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven R. Digre, Darcey L. Holloway, Eric C. Lobner, Ted K. Madison, Philip J. Savoie, Pageen S. Smith, Lauraine L. Wells, Michael G. Wurm, Cameron J. Fackler, James D. Brown, Matthew J. Blackford, Steven T. Awiszus, Elliott H. Berger
  • Publication number: 20210322224
    Abstract: An earplug assembly that includes an earplug. The assembly also includes a flexible cord extending from a first cord end to a second cord end and the first cord end fixed to the earplug, the flexible cord formed of copolymer comprising ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments. The flexible cord has an elastic modulus of 10 MPa or greater at 100% elongation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: James D. Brown, Feng Cai, Robert C. Coffin
  • Patent number: 11076995
    Abstract: An earplug assembly and method of forming the same is described. The method includes uniaxially stretching a cord formed of copolymer including ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments to form a cold-drawn cord. The cold drawn cord has an elongation to break of 250% or less. The method then includes fixing the cold drawn cord to an earplug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James D. Brown, Feng Cai, Robert C. Coffin
  • Publication number: 20200214601
    Abstract: An over-the-ear hearing assessment device and a method for evaluating the performance of over-the-ear hearing devices are described. An exemplary over-the-ear hearing assessment device includes an ear cup defining an interior volume and positionable at least partially over the ear of a user. The ear cup includes a shell, a cushion, and an acoustic port extending from an exterior to the interior volume of the ear cup. The acoustic port is sealably engagable with a microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: James D. BROWN, Jacob H. ELY, Michael G. WURM
  • Publication number: 20200179173
    Abstract: An earplug assembly and method of forming the same is described. The method includes uniaxially stretching a cord formed of copolymer including ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments to form a cold-drawn cord. The cold drawn cord has an elongation to break of 250% or less. The method then includes fixing the cold drawn cord to an earplug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: James D. Brown, Feng Cai, Robert C. Coffin
  • Patent number: 10617333
    Abstract: An over-the-ear hearing assessment device and a method for evaluating the performance of over-the-ear hearing devices are described. An exemplary over-the-ear hearing assessment device includes an ear cup defining an interior volume and positionable at least partially over the ear of a user. The ear cup includes a shell, a cushion, and an acoustic port extending from an exterior to the interior volume of the ear cup. The acoustic port is sealably engagable with a microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James D. Brown, Jacob H. Ely, Michael G. Wurm
  • Publication number: 20190073618
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an article of hearing protection assigned to a worker, and a portable computing device assigned to the worker; a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the portable computing device, the remote computing device configured to receive sound level data that indicate different sound levels at different, respective locations of a work environment; determine, based on location data received from the portable computing device, an amount of sound received by the worker over a period of time; identify an updated location in the work environment having a sound level that is different from a current location, based at least in part on the article of hearing protection, the amount of sound, and the sound level data that indicates different sound levels at different, respective locations; and generate a notification that instructs the worker to move from the current location to the updated location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Steven R. Digre, Darcey L. Holloway, Eric C. Lobner, Ted K. Madison, Philip J. Savoie, Pegeen S. Smith, Lauraine L Wells, Michael G. Wurm, Cameron J. Fackler, James D. Brown, Matthew J. Blackford, Steven T. Awiszus, Elliott H. Berger
  • Publication number: 20170245787
    Abstract: An over-the-ear hearing assessment device and a method for evaluating the performance of over-the-ear hearing devices are described. An exemplary over-the-ear hearing assessment device includes an ear cup defining an interior volume and positionable at least partially over the ear of a user. The ear cup includes a shell, a cushion, and an acoustic port extending from an exterior to the interior volume of the ear cup. The acoustic port is sealably engagable with a microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: James D. BROWN, Jacob H. ELY, Michael G. WURM
  • Patent number: 8112461
    Abstract: An electronic catalog is provided that stores items and attributes associated with the items. One or more of the attributes may have more than one value. Items are stored in an item table with different attributes for items stored in different rows in an attribute table. Additional items may be added to a catalog by adding additional rows to the item table, with attributes related to the additional items added as rows into the attribute table. Particular attributes may have multiple values, and attributes with multiple values are associated with sub-items that correspond to different attribute trees or attribute sets associated with the item. Searching can be performed for attribute values and search results returned indicating all items and sub-items that satisfy the search criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Requisite Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan E. Wykes, Kevin M. Brackney, John E. McGinn, Brian P. Doyle, Jeff Wang, James D. Brown, James D. Harman
  • Publication number: 20110161384
    Abstract: An electronic catalog is provided that stores items and attributes associated with the items. One or more of the attributes may have more than one value. Items are stored in an item table with different attributes for items stored in different rows in an attribute table. Additional items may be added to a catalog by adding additional rows to the item table, with attributes related to the additional items added as rows into the attribute table. Particular attributes may have multiple values, and attributes with multiple values are associated with sub-items that correspond to different attribute trees or attribute sets associated with the item. Searching can be performed for attribute values and search results returned indicating all items and sub-items that satisfy the search criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Nathan E. Wykes, Kevin M. Brackney, John E. McGinn, Brian P. Doyle, Jeff Wang, James D. Brown, James D. Harman
  • Publication number: 20110132205
    Abstract: A cooking grid assembly includes a frame having first and second frame portions. The first and second frame portions each have one of a plurality of notches and a plurality of holes formed therein. A plurality of rods have first and second ends, such that the first end of each rod is disposed in one of the notches and holes of the first frame portion. The second end of each rod is disposed in one of the notches and holes of the second frame portion. A locking bar is removably attached to one of the first and second frame portions. The locking bar is movable between a closed position wherein the rods are retained in the one of the notches and holes, and an open position wherein the rods may be inserted and removed from the one of the notches and holes. An extension member is provided that is fixed to and outwardly movable relative to the frame to provide support to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: James D. Brown
  • Patent number: 7882156
    Abstract: An electronic catalog is provided that stores items and attributes associated with the items. One or more of the attributes may have more than one value. Items are stored in an item table with different attributes for items stored in different rows in an attribute table. Additional items may be added to a catalog by adding additional rows to the item table, with attributes related to the additional items added as rows into the attribute table. Particular attributes may have multiple values, and attributes with multiple values are associated with sub-items that correspond to different attribute trees or attribute sets associated with the item. Searching can be performed for attribute values and search results returned indicating all items and sub-items that satisfy the search criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Requisite Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan E. Wykes, Kevin M. Brackney, John E. McGinn, Jr., Brian P. Doyle, Jeff Wang, James D. Brown, James D. Harman
  • Patent number: 7856970
    Abstract: A cooking grid assembly includes a frame having first and second frame portions. The first and second frame portions each have one of a plurality of notches and a plurality of holes formed therein. A plurality of rods have first and second ends, such that the first end of each rod is disposed in one of the notches and holes of the first frame portion. The second end of each rod is disposed in one of the notches and holes of the second frame portion. A locking bar is removably attached to one of the first and second frame portions. The locking bar is movable between a closed position wherein the rods are retained in the one of the notches and holes, and an open position wherein the rods may be inserted and removed from the one of the notches and holes. An extension member is provided that is fixed to and outwardly movable relative to the frame to provide support to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: James D. Brown
  • Patent number: D632677
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James D. Brown, Paul D. Henry, David M. Lutgring, Michael J. Pescetto, Ravi Thomas
  • Patent number: D632678
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James D. Brown, Paul D. Henry, David M. Lutgring, Michael J. Pescetto, Ravi Thomas
  • Patent number: D645028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Pescetto, James D. Brown