Patents by Inventor James Woodruff

James Woodruff 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: 6941609
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roller assembly including a roller support coupled to a handle assembly. The roller support includes a detent releasably engageable with a roller cover. An actuator is coupled to the handle assembly for movement between a neutral position wherein the detent is engaged with the roller cover and a release position wherein the detent is disengaged with the roller cover thereby allowing the roller cover to be removed from the handle assembly. Thus, the present invention provides a quick-release roller assembly for use in applying paint or other material to a surface wherein a roller cover mounted to the roller assembly can be removed without requiring a person to touch the outer surface of the roller cover. Additionally, the present invention provides a roller cover for use with the roller assembly, as well as a pair of bushings for adapting a roller cover for use therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventors: James Woodruff, David R. Quigley
  • Publication number: 20040205921
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roller assembly including a roller support coupled to a handle assembly. The roller support includes a detent releasably engageable with a roller cover. An actuator is coupled to the handle assembly for movement between a neutral position wherein the detent is engaged with the roller cover and a release position wherein the detent is disengaged with the roller cover thereby allowing the roller cover to be removed from the handle assembly. Thus, the present invention provides a quick-release roller assembly for use in applying paint or other material to a surface wherein a roller cover mounted to the roller assembly can be removed without requiring a person to touch the outer surface of the roller cover. Additionally, the present invention provides a roller cover for use with the roller assembly, as well as a pair of bushings for adapting a roller cover for use therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: James Woodruff, David R. Quigley
  • Patent number: 6518584
    Abstract: An apparatus and process integrates plural sources to irradiate a region and detect, as well as characterize, present chemical or biological agents based on returned signals. The apparatus and process integrate spectroscopy, spectroscopic acoustic interferometry, and swept frequency acoustic interferometry to instigate and detect changes in irradiated chemical and biological agents. A system integrates a tunable wavelength laser with a moderately fixed wavelength laser and an acoustic generator to simultaneously irradiate a region that is to be monitored for chemical or biological agents. Such a system is used to generate databases of response profiles for chemical and biological agents. Such a system is also used with an already obtained database of response profiles and optimization or artificial intelligence routines to identify targets of unknown nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: James Woodruff
  • Patent number: 5841356
    Abstract: An appliance safety alarm including a first sensing circuit for detecting operation of the appliance, a second sensing circuit for detecting when an access cover, such as a dryer door or washer lid, is in the open condition, and a control circuit having first and second inputs in connection with the first and second sensing circuits and having an output controlling an audible alerting device. The control circuit is constructed in a manner to provide an activation signal to the audible alerting device when the access cover is opened while the appliance is in operation and when the access cover remains open for more than a predetermined period when the appliance is not in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventors: James Woodruff, Elizabeth Woodruff