Patents by Inventor James W. Ross

James W. Ross 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: 5628257
    Abstract: A furniture worksurface unit for desks, tables, computer supports, etc. has a unique modular construction, comprising a top assembly with a skeleton-like top frame and a worksurface skin mounted on the upper side thereof. Leg frames are attached to the opposite ends of the top frame, and support the worksurface unit freestanding on a floor surface. Inner and outer leg covers enclose the leg frames, and underbelly covers are provided to enclose any exposed portions of the lower side of the top frame to facilitate manufacturing the worksurface unit in different widths from common parts, and provide aesthetic flexibility. Removable edges are mounted on the sides of the top frame, and are provided in assorted shapes and sizes to construct various top configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Conner, Paul Haigh, James W. Ross, William C. Small, Bradley D. Youngs
  • Patent number: 5546873
    Abstract: A furniture worksurface unit for desks, tables, computer supports, etc. has a unique modular construction, comprising a top assembly with a skeleton-like top frame and a worksurface skin mounted on the upper side thereof. Leg frames are attached to the opposite ends of the top frame, and support the worksurface unit freestanding on a floor surface. Inner and outer leg covers enclose the leg frames, and underbelly covers are provided to enclose any exposed portions of the lower side of the top frame to facilitate manufacturing the worksurface unit in different widths from common parts, and provide aesthetic flexibility. Removable edges are mounted on the sides of the top frame, and are provided in assorted shapes and sizes to construct various top configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Conner, James W. Ross, Bradley D. Youngs, Paul Haigh, William C. Small
  • Patent number: 4827498
    Abstract: A telephone line and instrument tester is disclosed which is operable by a consumer for determining whether a malfunction in a telephone system is caused by a malfunction in a telephone instrument of the system or by a malfunction in source related equipment of the system, such as a telephone line leading to a jack of the system. The tester is receivable in a modular telephone jack for testing the operation of source related equipment of the system and a modular plug of a telephone cord is receivable in the tester for testing the operation of a telephone instrument attached to the cord. A circuit in the tester is responsive to the flow of current therethrough for providing an indication of the operation of the source related equipment and/or the telephone instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: James W. Ross
  • Patent number: 4672042
    Abstract: An ion-chromatography system for analyzing one or more ionic species of a given polarity in solution, the system comprising an ion-exchange material reactive with such species, an eluant fluid, means for adding the eluant fluid and ionic species to the separation column, a stripper column and a detector. The eluant fluid includes at least a pair of electrically neutral molecular species reactive with one another to provide ionic constituents, the molecular species being in substantial equilibrium with the ionic constituents. The stripper column is positioned at the outlet of the separation column to receive the eluant fluid from the latter and reduce the concentration of the ionic constituents in the eluant fluid. The stripper column includes a conduit relatively permeable to the neutral molecular species in the eluant and relatively impermeable to the ionic constituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Orion Research Puerto Rico, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Ross, Jr., Lionel S. Goldring, John H. Riseman
  • Patent number: 4600494
    Abstract: Apparatus for calibrating an ion analyzer comprises a calibration cell having defined therein a first volume for measuring an ion concentration of a sample when the instrument is operated in a monitoring and a second volume for measuring the ion concentration when the instrument is operated in a calibration mode. The first volume is included in, and forms part of, the second volume so that the matrix for the calibration measurement is essentially identical to that for the sample measurement. A double known-addition is used during the calibration mode to determine the calibration parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Orion Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. A. Bromberg, Albert Diggens, Steven J. West, James W. Ross
  • Patent number: 4495050
    Abstract: A potentiometric electrode having an ion selective half cell containing a non-reactive lead such as platinum in contact with an electrolyte containing a reversible redox couple having a large exchange current and a substantially flat temperature coefficient of potential such as 5 molar iodide, 3.times.10.sup.-2 molar triiodide, thereby having an electrode with a rapid and reproducible temperature response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventor: James W. Ross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4419589
    Abstract: Multi-stage electrical load control apparatus includes current transformers for sensing the on and off status of electrical load elements and a predetermined priority system selectively allows different electrical load elements to be turned on and off in response to the sensed load status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Inventor: James W. Ross
  • Patent number: 4263104
    Abstract: An improved flow independent method for electrochemical monitoring of a sample stream for the total concentration of a series of ionic species of the form X.sup.-n, H.sub.m X.sup.-n+m where n varies from 1 to m and X.sup.-n is an anion selected from the group consisting of fluoride ion, F.sup.-, and sulfide ion S.sup.-2. The pH of the sample stream is adjusted to a value below the pk.sub.a of the neutral most protonated species of the series. A first electrode sensitive to the activity of X.sup.-n is placed in the adjusted stream. The electric potential developed thereby is measured. A second electrode sensitive to the activity of hydrogen ion H.sup.+ is also placed in the adjusted stream. The electric potential developed thereby is also measured. The potential difference between the first and second electrode is a measure of the total concentration of the series X.sup.-n, H.sub.m X.sup.-n+m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Orion Research Incorporated
    Inventors: Albert A. Diggens, James W. Ross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4211623
    Abstract: An electrode sensitive to halide ion X.sup.- in solution, the ion-sensitive portion being an imporous membrane of a solid amalgam, such as gold and mercury, in combination with a finely divided salt of mercurous and halide ion X.sup.-, e.g. of the form Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Orion Research Incorporated
    Inventors: James W. Ross, Jr., Charles E. Amass, Charles S. Baer, Martin H. Thomae
  • Patent number: 4166021
    Abstract: An improved electrochemical reference electrode for use in potentiometric determinations of species in solution. The body of the electrode is composed of a material substantially permeable to liquid water whose exterior surface, excepting a comparatively small area, is covered by a membrane through which water may pass only by diffusion and which is also ion impermeable. The small area which is not covered forms an opening through the membrane to the body. The body contains a saturated salt slurry. When the electrode is immersed in an aqueous sample solution, water diffuses through the membrane and is transported in bulk across the body. Upon entry into the slurry, the water dissolves the solid salt in the slurry to produce an electrolyte which in turn flows outward through the small area of the body which is not covered by the membrane, whereby a liquid junction is provided between the electrolyte and the sample solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: Orion Research Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Ross, Jr., Martin S. Frant
  • Patent number: 4105525
    Abstract: An ammonia electrode having an internal standard electrolyte solution comprising a saturated aqueous solution of 5,5'-Nitrilodibarbituric acid ammonium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: Orion Research Incorporated
    Inventors: John C. Synnott, James W. Ross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4049382
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the total residual chlorine in solution. A sample stream is extracted from the solution and mixed with a reagent stream containing a dissociated complex of alkali metal ion and iodide ion, and an excess amount of iodide ion. Iodide ion reacts with all the residual chlorine in the sample stream and is converted to iodine. The activity of iodine is then measured in the resultant mixed stream with a first and second electrochemical potentiometric electrode, the first electrode having a noble metal oxidation-reduction element, and the second having an iodide sensitive membrane element. The total residual chlorine is determined from the activity of the iodine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Assignee: Orion Research Incorporated
    Inventors: James W. Ross, Jr., Albert A. Diggens
  • Patent number: 4022570
    Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for controlling the temperature of a formed workpiece is provided. The apparatus is in the form of a multi-tier rotary preheat, quench and heat recovery tunnel which provides for transfer of heat between tiers from workpieces to be cooled to workpieces to be heated, thereby conserving heat energy. Transfer of heat is accomplished by means of fans interconnected with the tier levels of the tunnel. A control system ensures proper temperature of air, passing through a hot-air fan, which is removed from a second level and transferred to a first level. Means are provided for loading slugs to be preheated prior to forming onto a first annular tray on the first level and for removing same after it has completed a single rotation about the cooling tunnel. After being further heated in an induction furnace, the slug is warm formed in a press to a desired configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: James W. Ross, Jr., Francis H. Bricmont
  • Patent number: D368192
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Haigh, William A. Heisler, James W. Ross, William C. Small